A day off..FINALLY!!

Today I actually had a day off all to myself! It was amazing. I started my day off by taking Colten to daycare, then I went out to eat breakfast all by myself. I came back home and did some cleaning, put up some new curtains, got out my pretty spring flower arrangement, and watched the view. The rest of my day consisted of picking up Colten's immunization form from his Pediatrician, getting my oil changed, and buying Easter stuff for this weekend.

It was so relaxing and very much needed. I've been kinda in the dumps lately and this helped me to rejuvinate a little bit!

And now for pictures! Notice that Colten's hair is shorter. We got it cut last weekend!






















THE DOWN SIDE TO SIDEWALK CHALK....

Family Day Out!

Michael actually had an entire weekend off this week! It was so nice to have my little family back together! Michael has been working crazy hours, including 20 hours of overtime during the last two weeks. Those 20 hours were done on NIGHT SHIFT. Because of staff shortage, Michael has to occasionally work 9:30 pm to 7:15 a.m. on his days off. This completely sucks for me! I've discovered that I hate to sleep alone!

So we ventured out to for the day. We first stopped at a local restraunt in Macclenny to have breakfast. It was yummy! We then started our drive to Jacksonville. We had a nice drive, with only occasional interuptions from Colten's fussiness. He woke up extra early, so he was a bit cranky at first. We went to St. John's Towne Center. It's a huge shopping center where all of the shops are outside. We had a great time walking around, since the weather was just heavenly! We got Colten some new pj's, since his old ones are getting way too tight! We also got him two polo shirts and a cute little short outfit, all for a great price! After having roast beef sandwiches at Arby's we headed to Lowe's to look at "man stuff." After that, we picked up something to cook for dinner and headed home!

We had a great day. It was nice to actually spend some time with my husband. I am desperately craving an alone date with him, so if anyone wants to drive the 10 hours down here to Florida so I can have a date with my husband, I'm taking offers :)

Now for some pictures of our day!













Michael put Colten's shoes on backwards! We had a great laugh out of this one!

Laughing...

Sometimes, I just have to laugh at life, at people. People can be so ridiculous. People can be so hurtful, without even realizing that their words can cause so much pain. The world would be such a better place if people would just THINK before they SPEAK.

“Be still when you have nothing to say; when genuine passion moves you, say what you've got to say, and say it hot.”
- D. H. Lawrence

Okay, enough about me. I have some pictures to share!

After two days of rainy yuckiness, God finally blessed us with beautiful weather! Colten and I had a great time playing outside today. We tried out his beach toys by playing in the sand box. He loves his shovel and pail!

These pictures were taken with my cell phone:








MY LITTLE LEPRECHAUN:




THIS WAS TAKEN A FEW WEEKS AGO:

St. Patty's Day!

Today is St. Patrick's Day! I get to celebrate my Irish Heritage by wearing my favorite color, GREEN, and by eating one of my favorite meals! My Corned Beef Brisket, Cabbage, and Parsley Potatoes turned out great! It was soo yummy!

Colten looked so cute today in his Irish shirt! Everyone at daycare just loved it!





Mommy in her Green




MOMMY, LET ME DOWN!!!

Ah, A day off!!

So Friday was my first day off in what seems like FOREVER. Michael also had the day off, which was wonderful! I started the day by letting Michael sleep late while I took Colten to daycare. I was originally supposed to work until 11:00 that day, but I was up most of the night with a very upset tummy. By mid-morning, I began to feel much better! Michael and I had lunch in the Riverside Area of Jacksonville at a place called the Whiteway Deli. It was YUMMY! We both had gyros...awesomeness! My coworker, "Mad Dog" had her last day at work last Thursday. She's moving out of state soon. She's a southerner just like myself, so we always had a blast at work! After our nice lunch we went to a doctor's appointment for a check-up with Dr. Fox. She had a big part in the pregnancy and birth of our son, Colten. She knows my history with Post Partum depression and did so much to help me get through that difficult time. She gives me a hard time about my weight a lot, but I have to appreciate her straight-forward approach. She was pleasantly suprised to hear I had lost almost 15 pounds! She also said I was the "highlight" of her day. I'm sure she tells all of her pateints that! I'm doing so great that I no longer need my anti-anxiety medication. I'm so happy...naturally!

After my great doctor's visit, we went to buy Michael some new work boots. He was able to get som really nice boots for a good price! We then went to good ole Sonic for a snack. I love that place!

We ended the day with a nice, family dinner. I love my little family. They are my everything! I have a few pictures of my fun day:


On the top floor of the Baptist parking garage



ME!



cheese!!!



the baptist women's pavillion in Jacksonville. Colten was born on the 3rd floor. My doctor's office is on the 15th floor!


Michael driving us to Sonic. he's so goofy!



AFTER MONTHS OF SEARCHING FOR A COMFORTER FOR MY BEDROOM, I FOUND ONE...AND FOR A GREAT PRICE AT TJMAXX!

My Amazing God...

I am still amazed at how God helps me to find answers to the many questions that I ask every day. I am cursed, or maybe blessed, with the inability to ever let my mind rest. I'm constantly thinking, wondering, questioning, planning, and worrying about things. Small things, big things, just everything. I sometimes feel inadequate as a person. I feel like I'm never good enough sometimes. I'm always striving for a perfection that I know is unattatinable. But recently, God has helped me to see that I am a good person, FLAWS and all! He has helped me to see that I am a GREAT mommy. I have a wonderful little boy who is happy, cheerful, and always wearing a smile! He is overall a wonderfully behaved child. The boundraries that Michael and I are establishing now are going to help him in the long run. I hate hearing him cry and fuss when he's in time out, but I know he has to learn now what behaviors are acceptable and what behaviors are not.

Many childcare professionals agree that NOW is the time to begin a foundation of discipline. Michael and I will not be beating our child. We will be teaching him productive and appropriate ways to handle anger. We believe physical punishment only encourages inappropriate and violent behaviors. We will also be teaching him to respect all humans, regardless of color, lifestyle, or opinions. After all, God created all people!

I have tons of pictures to share!!!


MY 16 MONTH OLD:





EATING SWEET POTATOES (before throwing and smearing them everywhere!)





YUMMY BREAKFAST!




ONE VERY TIRED BABY AT TARGET!!




THE MOMMY (WITH NEW HIGLIGHTS AND HAIR CUT)




MY VALENTINE'S PRESENT FROM COLTEN: