New Name...New Era...

Hello All!  First, I apologize for leaving you all.  We successfully moved to the country house.  Then, everything changed.  (I was tempted to write "fell apart", but I'll let you decide.)

In May of 2012, D moved back to the city.  In 2013, little man and I sold the big house and bought an ADORABLE little place on a third of an acre.  We now live in a town with a massive population of 250ish.  The house has needed and still needs some work.  I have been very much enjoying that process and I'll be sharing some of those stories on here. 

I am currently working 2 part time jobs.  I teach police classes and do some grant writing.  Times are thin, but we are getting by.  I'm sure I'll be sharing those stories too.

God bless...I'm glad to be back. 

Living in a Cardboard Jungle!

Well, we are moving on Monday.  We are truly living in a cardboard jungle.  Our internet will be disconnected today, so I'm rushing to tell you all "Howdy".  :)

My family and friends have really come through to help us declutter and pack.  Tyler is enjoying the company.

I'll be starting a new series of posts once we get a little settled in at the new place.  The house is really unique and I'm excited to share it with you all.  I'm even contemplating a YouTube channel.  (My brother is pushing that 'brilliant' idea.)

God bless and I'll be back soon. 

The Lord is Teaching Me, Reinventing the Wheel, and Other Ramblings...

Yesterday, I found out that our move out of the city will have to be postponed for a week or two.  I am living in a cardboard jungle with a baby, so that is very frustrating.  I also need to get my garden planted.  Yesterday, I was able to go to the new place and put in strawberries, roses, and a blackberry bush.  The current owner said she'd water them for me.  So, that is good.  Last night, I resolved to plant what I can when we move and make a bigger garden next year.  ::sigh:: 

I spent some time this morning reading scripture on patience and "hurry up and wait".  It made me feel better and I know there is a reason for it all. 

I had a great time talking with my grandpa JT yesterday.  JT is a quiet man and we've never really had much in common.  We took a walk around his property (he lives about 15 minutes from our new place).  He told me all about his plantings and gardens.  I picked up some great tips.  As we drove to our new place, I felt so grateful to finally be at a place in life where I don't have to reinvent the wheel and can really appreciate knowledge that others share with me. 

You know, I wish Grandma J, Grandpa JT, and I had been closer.  It turns out that we're not so different.  Grandma J is a great cook and canner.  (Although she's given up canning and has graciously offered me all of her jars.)  Grandpa JT was a reserve police officer for a time. 

No time like the present to build that relationship...right?  It's kind of exciting to imagine what else I can learn from them.

That's my ramblings for now...
God bless you all!

YAY! And YAY!

Hello All!

Let's see...I have been packing, as much as I can while still having at least a month before we move.  I took a van full of stuff the resale shop.  That felt SOOOOOOOO good.  YAY #1!

YAY #2 is a little more of story to tell.

I've got some of my seeds started.  Here's a picture:

The blue cups are seeds sent by this guy named Ray on YouTube.  He gives GREAT gardening advice and this year offered FREE SEEDS!!!  I couldn't pass them up.  I have tomatoes, carrots, jalapeno, and spinach in those cups.
(Side note:  time to make more laundry soap...)

The plastic bag is jalapenos, Serrano, banana peppers, and tomatoes.  All are seeds that I saved from last year.  The YAY is that the tomatoes are actually seeds from my dear stepmother-in-laws family.  They have a tomato farm in Hempstead, Texas.  Here is after six days:

SPROUTS!!!  I haven't told J (Stepmother-in-law) that I saved the seeds.  I wanted to make sure I didn't mess them up.  :)  Anyway, I am so excited.

By the way, the seed pots are sitting on a heating pad.  Ray recommended it and so far, so good.  Here's a link to his channel...http://www.youtube.com/user/Praxxus55712

I have more seeds to start, but with the move, I had to be reasonable. 

And, here's is my sunshine in his overalls.  So CUTE if I do say so myself. 

Me and my little sunshine.  (I know I need makeup and wrinkle cream, but I like this picture.)

God bless ya'll!!!

Progress Report

There is much excitement around here.  Last Tuesday, I got a bit of a sore throat.  By Wednesday, my joints were aching really intensely.  My Dad and JW ran to Tyler's rescue and picked him up.  I went to the doctor and got some heavy duty antibiotics. 

Two days later, feeling much better, I got my little man back with a surprise.  He had cut his first tooth!  Now, I told him not to grow up, but he's not listening.  God had a plan when he made humans co-dependant on their families.  I don't know how I would have been able to deal with the fussiness and drool while too weak to take care of me.

On another note, I have made progress on getting us ready to move.  I have decided to take the advice posted by Cast and Elizabeth on my last blog.  I have two boxes open as I make my way through the house.  One for donation/resale and one for moving with us.  On each item, I ask:  Will I use this in the next 30 days?  If yes, then I leave it.  If no, it goes in one of the boxes.  It seems to be working.  Just before our actual move, I'll invite some trusted friends and family over for a packing party.  It'll be great to say, "If it's here, pack it".

I started my tomato and pepper plants this morning as well.  They're just in egg crates for now, next will be little plastic cups, and then it's off the the new place.  I hope they move well.  I'll be able to take them to the new house a few days before our move and get them in the ground.  That is, if I can find the time.  I went nuts and bought a few seeds for the garden.  In trying to keep it simple, I only bought radishes, cucumbers, and beans.  I hope they forgive me to getting them in a little late.  I'm hoping that our long summers will work in my favor.

God bless...

Where to start...

Well, it is a crying shame.  I KNOW we're moving in 4 to 6 weeks.  I KNOW the house is considerably smaller than this one.  What I don't know is, where to start.

I have henpecked at decluttering.  The kitchen is done and the half bath as well.  But, that's it.  I'm feeling like I won't be ready which is insane since I have enough time to get a lot done...  I'll feel terrible if we move stuff we don't need just because I didn't get around to it.

So I wander around aimlessly between diapers, bottles, and play-with-me-mommy, picking up 'low hanging fruit' to put in the pile to be donated or sold.

We have a room upstairs that is just box after box of papers and such.   The garage is full of one-day-we'll-use-this.  Ugh... 

Please...please...please...if you have any words of comfort or wisdom...please share them. 

Introducing our little miracle...

On October 8, 2010, God blessed us with Tyler...

(5 days old...finally home)

It was the most amazing thing that I have ever experienced.  Tyler was born via C-Section.  I was a nervous wreck.  I had a mini panic attack as they prepared me for surgery.  I was so scared that something would go wrong.  After opening me up, I heard someone say, "it's a beautiful baby boy"...and then I heard him cry.  Then, I cried.

He was beautiful...words cannot explain how I felt the first time I saw him. 

My twin sister was in the room and she was smiling so big that I swear her smile touched both of her ears.  Tyler tinkled on her (he actually tinkled on everything and everybody...he was mad that they woke him up, I guess).  Anyway, we spent 4 days in the hospital and that felt like FOREVER!!!

We're home now and I wake up feeling so blessed everyday.  Here's a couple of more current pictures:

 Fun in my exersaucer!

(Driving Uncle C's van!)

Well, I should be working on packing (decluttering) while he's resting.

God bless you all as He has blessed me!!!