B.A....Bloggers Anonymous

Hi. My name is Amanda and I am a blogaholic. The first step is admitting you have a problem, right? Well, I'm admitting it...I have a problem. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE blogland. I cannot stop. It is an addiction. I used to make fun of people who blogged. Now I am one of those people. And you know what? I am darn proud of it! I love that I can keep in touch with my many family members who live far away. I love that I'm getting to know people, who I thought I knew pretty well, even better. And I love that I am documenting those sweet, simple moments in life that are so easily forgotten. I used to scrapbook. I have not scrapbooked in over three years. Emma and Ava are not even born yet in my scrapbook. And at this stage I'm at in my life, I have no desire to play catch up. So I'm grateful for this journal of sorts that I have right here on my computer. Now let me say it again, this time with pride...my name is Amanda and I am a blogaholic.

Beauty Shop

Ok, I know I'm being a little braggy. But is she not the cutest thing? This child is precious. Not only is she a cutie patootie, she has got to be the sweetest baby on the planet. I cannot get enough of her. Anyhoo.....back to the beauty shop portion of our program. This little bow is about as fancy as we can get with Ava's limited hair. Teeny tiny and cute!

This is usually how she looks though. Not really into bows, bibs, socks, hats, shoes...she pulls them right off.
Yes, I'm well aware that these french braids are uneven, wonky, and the part is way crooked. I still think she looks so dang cute. This is the first time Emma has actually sat still long enough for me to do this. Let's remember people, she is two...she sits still for all of about 3.5 seconds...and lastly, she is two. I'm pretty pleased with myself. But you know what I don't get? Those "people" who walk into church with their 2 year old done up with perfectly straight even parted perfect french braids. I wonder about them. And worry. It's not normal. Do they sedate their kid before starting on their hair? Do they bribe them? Because it's just not right. Whatever. I'll take these wonky little braids any day of the week...becaue that's what typical 2 year olds look like. I'm just keepin it real!
This is my favorite picture of all time! Her little pose is just too cute! She looks so serious and thoughtful. I wonder what's going on in that little head of hers???

Reflections of Christ

I don't know if any of you have had the opportuniy to go to this exhibit or see parts of it online, but it is definitely worth your time. It is a collection of photography by Mark Mabry, an extremely talented and inspired man. His photos make you feel as though you might have been there in that moment. As I was watching the slide show set to the most angelic music, I was overcome by the spirit. The music is awe inspiring and full of the spirit. Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing is so powerful and so moving. It brought tears of joy to my eyes. My cup felt so full. Reflections of Christ is truly an inspired work of art. It is a powerful testament to our Savior...that He lives and that He knows and loves each one of us!

Please go check it out at ReflectionsofChrist.org.

Remembering Noah

The month of October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. Today, October 15th is Pregnancy and infant Loss Remembrance Day. I never knew such a thing existed. I was so thrilled to hear about it recently. I knew I wanted to do something to honor and remember my Noah, and all the other countless babies who are greatly missed by their friends and families. This morning I hosted a small group of women at my house who have lost babies. I was a little nervous about how things would go. Would it be awkward? Would it be too much to bear? Would we know what to say? My worries were unfounded. It was so comforting to talk to women who have been where you've been, felt what you've felt, and cried the same tears. There was no fear, no awkwardness...just love and compassion and hope. It has been 4 1/2 years since our sweet little Noah was born. It's hard to believe that so much time has passed. Sometimes I'll forget just how long it's been. Then I'll see my sweet nephew who is the same age as Noah would be now, and I can picture him as a 4 year old...wrestling with his big brothers or chasing his baby sisters around the house. Those pictures in my mind make me long for those moments with him, but they don't make me sad. I'll always, for as long as I live, miss him every single day. But it is such a comfort and a blessing to know that one day we will have those moments with him. I am so blessed to have children who truly understand the circle of life and death, and know that Heavenly Father's plan provides us a way to all be together as a family again! My boys lived through this sad time right along with me. And they were never scared. They were so strong. They are such an example to me and I am so very grateful for them. In the months following Noah's death, they were my strength. I can remember sitting on the side of my bed sobbing, and my 3 year old just walked up to me and held me...no words, just a big bear hug. Those are the little things that made me want to get out of bed everyday...I had a life to live and little people who depended on me. Even now, four years later, my boys still think about their little brother on a daily basis. Many times while driving home from a big event or fun activity, they'll say..."Mom I wish Noah was here, this would have been so much more fun with him". That sort of thing does this mother's heart good. So, on this day I want to remember Noah...the short time we had with him in this life and all the special times we'll have with him in the next.

Naked Bike Riding...ouch!

The beauties of potty training! I was coming out of Ava's room after putting her down for a nap, and look what I found. A naked 2 year old riding her bike down the hallway. My first reaction was...oohh, ouch. That was preceded with laughter, lots of laughter. I just had to grab my camera and snap a picture. I don't know why, but my three oldest children are obsessed with being naked. As soon as we come in the door, the clothes come off. The boys are doing better...we've been working on it. Ever since one of them opened the door for the young men collecting fast offerings...in their boxers. My boys were in their boxers, not the young men...had to clarify that one. I know what you're thinking. And, NO...David and I do not walk around naked or in our underwear. So, I don't know where this obsession with nudity comes from. What can I say, there is never a dull moment around this place!

It's Autumn Time!!!

I LOVE this time of year! I wish the temps were a little cooler, but we're getting there. Unfortunately, here in the deep south we don't get too much fall weather. But I have decided to go ahead and usher in Autumn! I love all things with spice and especially pumpkin. I found a yummy recipe for pumpkin muffins on a blog recently, and decided to give it whirl tonight. They are are so yummy, but I think next time I'll go easy on the cloves and nutmeg. I didn't have raisins or nuts tonight, but next time I will definitely throw some in. Here's the recipe for anyone who is interested...

1c. sugar
1/2c. vegetable or canola oil
2 eggs
3/4c. pumpkin
1 1/2c. flour
1tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. ground cloves
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. salt
3/4 c. raisins
1/2 c. chopped nuts

Mix sugar, oil, eggs, & pumpkin. Add dry ingredients, mix well. Stir in raisins & nuts. Pour into lined muffin pans and bake at 400 degrees...17-20 minutes for regular size, and 12-15 minutes for mini muffins. This recipe yields about 16 regulars or 30 minis. ( If you double it, which I did...then 1 can of pumpkin will do.)

Bon Apetite!

Tagged

I was tagged by Lindsay, and I have to say "thank you" to her for gently nudging me back into the world of blogging. I am so glad to be back! Ok, so the rules of this tag are to list 7 random or weird things about yourself. This shouldn't be too hard, since I really am random and weird. So here goes.

1. I ALWAYS gag when I brush my teeth. I do not feel like I've really done any good until I do this. I know...so lady-like.
2. I have this freakishly weird obsession with the roll of toilet paper needing to roll in the RIGHT direction. I have to physically restrain myself from changing other people's tp rolls when I'm using their bathrooms. For those of you who don't know the correct way, let me school you. The roll needs to roll from over the top, not from underneath. Yes, I know...I am a freak.
3. I have a serious addiction to Dr. Pepper...the sweet nectar of life.
4. I am a "tweeker". No, I don't do drugs. I am a decorating tweeker. I love to decorate and constantly change things in my house. Sometimes I'll spend the entire day doing and redoing and redoing one little area of my home. I have a sickness.
5. I'm a homebody. I get very homesick and have since as far back as I can remember.
6. One of my absolute very favorite things to do is go to Books-a-Million, find a comfy chair, a cold drink, and read free magazines for hours on end. I'm a moocher.
7. If I have another baby, I will have a water birth.

I think I'm supposed to tag people now. So, I tag Emmie, Becca, Hannah, Beth, Andrea, Michelle, and Utahna. Have fun with this girls!