The Mom Paparazzi

As I sat on the sidelines with another mom with her camera, we teased that we are the Mom Paparazzi! Following our little celeb's every move and documenting their every accomplishment, ordinary days, and silly moments. Yes, that is part of my job description--Mom Paparazzi! Here are a few snapshots of my sweet celebrities that I have caught on film lately.

SweetDoll was seen at a friends dress up tea party doing a little spin on the stage.

SweetBoy had a great baseball season contributing to his team with many hits and rbi's.

The whole family worshiped together at church Easter morning before gathering with the rest of the family at Mamaw's for lunch and the big egg hunt.

Anyone for a campout inside?

What Mom? I'm just playing like Brother & Sister. This way I can reach the goal!

14 years and counting!

This month we celebrated our 14th anniversary! Wow, have things changed in 14 years! Three degrees, 8 jobs (between the two of us), 6 apartments/houses, 6 vehicles, 1 dog, 3 kids... and many more changes to come! Love you, SweetHeart!

One of those days...enjoy the moments

This is a "steal magnolias" post.

My day (yesterday) started with SweetTate walking into my room, wet from neck to toe! I striped him down, cleaned him up, and got a new diaper. Then I went to his room to change the sheets, but his bed was completely dry. How could he be that wet and his bed be totally dry? About that time SweetDoll said, "Eew!" as she leaned on Brother's bed--SweetTate had gotten on Brother's bed and it was all wet. So I started stripping the bed and cleaning the carpet. I went into my bathroom to get a rag for the carpet job and found SweetTate spraying bathroom cleaner all over the bathroom! Finally got ALL that cleaned up and got breakfast ready. Thankfully I had just put the lid back on the very full bottle of purple grape juice because SweetTate pushed it off the cabinet! Then SweetDoll proceded to spill the milk in her cereal. To which I responded in a loud, stern, frustrated mom voice, "Sit down, eat your breakfast, and stop goofin' off!" SweetDoll replied in a loud, stern, frustrated daughter voice, "Is that the way you talk to your daughter?"

We finally made it through breakfast. Mom called to tell me something that I checked out online (more on that in a minute). While I was on the computer, I heard sounds in the bathroom. I found SweetTate picking up a wad of toilet paper out of the potty, sqeezing it, and dropping it back in the potty. I really think he dropped it because I scared him when I yelled, "Gross! Gross! Gross!" (I'm praying it was clean water that he put clean paper in there!) Got that all cleaned up...again gross! Later I was holding him and kissed his forhead and his hair was wet. I thought Oh, I hope that was just sweat! And it wasn't even lunchtime yet!

Mom had called to see if I had heard the news about Steven Curtis Chapman's family. His baby daughter, Maria, who just turned 5 was killed in a car accident. Their story was so similar to our family's that I was just sad all day and cried several times. As I recounted my day to SweetHeart, I laughed about it. And then cried because I'm sure my Mom, as well as the Chapman family, would treasure another potty diving day, and I spent the day being frustrated with my kids.

Two songs come to mind. One is by 2Moms called "These Days"
(chorus)
These days are here, these days are now.
Help us treasure every day somehow.
Don't look back or up ahead, but live and love today.
These days are here, and then they're gone.
Help us be content they won't last long.
For we only have these days.

And Steven Curtis Chapman's "Cinderella". The funeral is tomorrow. Please pray for the children who inspired this, the momma who loves them, and the daddy who penned these words...
She spins and she sways
To whatever song plays
Without a care in the world
And I'm sitting here wearing
The weight of the world on my shoulders

It's been a long day
And there's still work to do
She's pulling at me saying, "Dad I need you
There's a ball at the castle and I've been invited
And I need to practice my dancing
Oh please, Daddy please"

So I will dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh, I will dance with Cinderella
I don't want to miss even one song
'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone...

No matter if it is going to college, getting married, or going to heaven "all too soon the clock will strike midnight" so enjoy today with your kids, even if it is just over the phone. :)

I've been reading other's blogs about this. One just said "no words" can express my feelings. The Preacher's Wife had a very good post that blessed me. Lysa TerKeurst lost her sister also and put words to the "deep grief."

I know that I know!

I'm doing Beth Moore's David: 90 Days with a Heart Like His devotional book. This is one of the questions this week and I wanted to throw it out here to see what you know too.

What are some things you know to be true about God?

I know that He is good, faithful, and truth. He can be found. He is holy. I can be in His presence. He is my guide, my source of joy, my friend, and my teacher. I know He is sovereign. (Then I ran out of room in the blank!)



How could these bold, unchangeable declarations speak hope and encouragement into your life today? What current situations would look different through this kind of lens?

I don't know about you, but for me that is certainly encouraging for any situation! Beth said, "In confusing times, recounting what we do know refreshes us." That helps us too because "in times like these, we find out whether we have based our faith on who God is or on what He does." I want to know Him more!

Your turn!

I'm glad I'm a mom because...

Recently Jill Savage had a contest "I'm glad I'm a Mom because...". I didn't enter, but it did start me thinking about it this Mother's Day season.

I'm glad I'm a Mom because...When SweetBoy crosses the plate to score in his baseball game, he looks to the stands and flashes a big smile and thumbs up...at his mom. When SweetDoll gives me a great big hug for no reason and says "I love you, Mom!" When SweetTate walks through the dark hallway to my room in the middle of the night with his blanket and pillow in tow to crawl in bed...with his mom. All the kids did this, right now it is SweetTate's turn...when we pick him up at the nursery, he runs from wherever he is straight to...his mom's arms for a big hug. I'm glad I'm a Mom because I have the sweetest kids! And I'm glad I'm a Mom because God has taught me so much about Himself as my Heavenly Father. He is my biggest fan. In His Word, He daily gives me a big hug and tells me He loves me. And no matter what the situation, I know I can go to Him to cry, complain, celebrate, or just rest. I am so blessed to be a Mom!

D O L L A R S

I don't know about you, but with the price of gas, groceries, and everything else going up, lately I have been looking for ways to stretch our dollars. I have not been one to clip coupons or be organized to do that, but stories of my friends saving so much and bloggers spending $50-60 a week to feed their families inspired me to try saving money in our grocery budget. Here are some resources that I have found to be very helpful:


Don't want to clip all the coupons, but still use them efficiently?...CouponMom is the sight for you! Just starting out understanding an efficient way to use coupons this is great information! And it is free!


Want to know the grocery deals for your favorite store?...check this out! BeCentsAble has the Grocery Gathering each Monday and Thursday. When the sale circulars for the stores come out (Sunday or Wedensday), look here to find the best deals. They include where to find the coupons even! And it is free! I like CouponMom, but the Grocery Gathering includes mores stores. And I just found info about MyGroceryDeals on this sight--very helpful to making that grocery list of deals!


Need a little inspiration and information? This blog is a real mom stretching some dollars in practical ways. I want to get our groceries down close to $300 a month. So far I'm at $170. I'll let you know how it goes!

One of those days

Have you ever had one of those days that you just need chocolate and a visit with a good friend? Me too. Grab your KitKat, Oreo, or favorite Hershey...or all of the above. This is what has been happening around here lately.

• baseball games--SweetBoy got a hit and scored in their first win of the season!


• field trips and PTA programs


• I'm feeling the need for major spring cleaning. This is the longest we have ever lived in one house, so I've missed the moving clean out...and added two kids! Enough said! I've got to get busy! Maybe I do a before and after for motivation!


• helping friends out by keeping kids, picking kids up or making meals. After a lonely season, I'm so glad to have friends!


• SweetDoll went with me to a Mother/Daughter banquet. All of the Lastname granddaughters were there!


• SweetTate has decided he wants to be a big boy and sit with us instead in the high chair. Our house looks less like a baby lives here!


• spring flowers, beautiful...spring alergies, annoying!

We were at a place where a lady did face painting. Can you tell? On the way home they told tales of Tiger Boy and Kitty Kid with their rival Snake Arm and Bug Boy! Too funny!

At the end of the day there is still time to enjoy a good book with Mom! (It is about time to move to the couch!) Hope you enjoyed your chocolate! I look forward to hearing from you too, friend!