I "heart"... Thursdays

I am participating in this weeks I "heart"... at You and Me Plus Three. Go there now to add yours and read others!!

Over the last year or so, TTM* became painfully aware of some very tragic, some very miraculous, and some very "heart"warming children via the blog world. I believe the first story I came across was Stellan. And from there, Kayleigh, Owen, Lindsay, Sara Rose and Bentley. For the longest time I had no idea why I was incessantly reading and following these blogs. I found myself reading and crying over their stories long after my family was in bed... my heart heavy and burdened for their losses, trials and triumphs. LM* would ask me why I was putting myself through this?! "Just stop reading and turn the computer off."

"The very least I can do is pray for these precious babies and their parents.", was my reply.

So that's what I did. I prayed.
And I'm still praying for them.

This may sound a little strange to some, but I believe God put these stories before me to teach me many lessons. When I feel down or forgotton or just plain defeated, I have learned a lot from these families. Through these stories, I've also been witness to some amazing women of strength and determination. Many, I've found, have a strong love for the Lord and seek to give the glory and honor to Him - even in their darkest hours. That never ceases to amaze me and I can only hope that I would be as steadfast should such trials were put before me.

So, in addition to my continuing prayers, I think the least I can do is add my "i "hearts", because I have so much to be thankful for! Thank you to Bentley's mom - and so many others - who share you stories ... good. bad. ugly. It has been a blessing to be a part of your lives. God is working through you.

i "heart"... being a prayer warrior for others

i "heart"... the lessons I have learned online

i "heart"... my sister

i "heart"... my first name - even though I go by my middle name

i "heart"... my BFF

i "heart"... making beanies from nothing more than a ball of yarn

i "heart"... the green, green, beautiful grass on my side of the fence

i "heart"... that God never gives up on me



*TTM- This Tired Mom
*LM - Lovin' Man

Wordless Wednesday

Conversations with Red

This is Red.

My second born.
My snuggler.
My sleeper.
My hot body.
(one of) My heart and soul(s).

She's sweet and sensitive yet tough and firey!
She knows how to melt her momma's heart!
She gives me a lot of insight to how her Daddy must have been as a child.
She cracks me up!

TTM(This Tired Mom): (after hearing a suspicious noise) Did you *boop?
Red: *sly grin* Yes
TTM: Ewww...
Red: What?! At least it doesn't stink!

*see also, "fart", "fluff", "toot", "cut the cheese", "pass gas"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

TTM: What do you want for breakfast, Red?
Red: A muffin... plain... with NO butter.
TTM: What? Are you sure?
Red: Yes. No butter.

{fast fwd to plating muffin}
TTM: Are you sure you don't want butter?
Red: Yes.
TTM: Yes, what? You do or don't want butter?
Red; Yes, no butter!
TTM: This goes against everything I know and love, Red!
Red: What?! I just don't want any butter!

{fast fwd to muffin on the table and Red in front of the muffin}
Red: Actually, Mom........... I DO want butter.
TTM: Of course.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Red: Maaahhhmmmmy
TTM: Yes?
Red: I want you to help me dress this morning.
TTM: Ok... move so I can get out of bed.

{fwd to handing her the clothes}
Red: *Expectant stare*
TTM: Oh, you want me to actually DRESS you?
Red: *nods*
TTM: Oh, I thought you just wanted me to pick out your clothes?
Red: *shakes head*

{fast fwd to putting on the jeans}
Red: MOM, these are too tight! Teachers don't like tight clothes!
TTM: No their not, they're fine.
Red: *getting a lil whiney* Yes they are, MOM! They're too tight and the teachers won't like them!
TTM: Too tight where?! At the waist? Just put them on and let me see...

{fast fwd to TTM viewing pants that were tighter than tight}
TTM: Ok, those *are* tight!
Red: Yeah, and the teachers don't-
TTM: Ok, OK! Why were those even in your drawer? Who put them in there?
Red: YOU did.
TTM: oh.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

TTM: Red, what happened to your laundry pile?
Red: *blank stare*
TTM: Who messed them all up? They were in a nice laundry pile now they're all over the place.
Red: I don't remember.
{pause}
Red: Maybe I kicked them around a little bit.
TTM: Maybe?
Red: *Sheepish grin*

Awesome

Some Mommies might not find this funny or amusing...

Some Mommies might look right past the beauty in their child's' face and see only a mess... wasted mascara... another mess to clean up!

They might be come angry... frustrated... or overwhelmed...

This Tired Mommy, however, thinks her daughter is beautiful!

And AWESOME!

You can see she thought she was pretty awesome, too!

And that's all that matters!

I "heart"... Thursdays

I am participating in this weeks I "heart"... at You and Me Plus Three. Go there now to add yours and read others!!

i "heart" my Baby Red Taters snuggle time

i "heart" when Emma says "Chaaarlotte"

i "heart" morning coffee

i "heart"Drover's Run

i "heart"chocolate too much

i "heart" that Brooklyn is so goofy and comedic... even though she makes me go "uh, what?" a lot

i "heart" that LM (Lovin' Man) is so forgiving and loves me no matter what

i "heart" caramel and chocolate too much

i "heart" sleeping under ceiling fans - no matter what the weather is outside

i "heart" sleeping babies

i "heart" surprise gifts

i "heart" peanut butter and chocolate too much

i "heart" our awesome God.

This Time Last Year - February Edition

I started working on this post mid-February.

I thought I was going to be soooo good and get this out before the end of February!

Guess not! ;o)

So, this time last year....

Emma was still utilizing her walker. (Er, maybe *I* was utilizing it!)
Lookit those baby blues.
Her lashes were starting to get TONS of compliments!

Emma was just starting to walk.
She loved this ball.

This time last year, Emma also loved Tucker's crate.

This is me last year - with straight hair...

... to curly. I am now back to straight, but don't care to share any pics!

This time last year, Emma as practicing for her birthday!

This is THE FIRST time she ever fell asleep on the floor!
She still had her paci this time last year, too.

Brenna was modeling my first beanies (I'm hoping they've come a long way) lol

Brooklyn was modeling the beanies, too!

... and Emma was still practicing for her birthday cake!

This is the picture that went out in Emma's b'day invites this time last year.

Brooklyn and Brenna was playin' in the mud last February!

These were my favorite girls last year! (Another has been added... hopefully I can share soon)!

And here we are, this year!
I've realized I need to pick up my camera a little more often!

Here's one of the pics that went out on Emma's invite
... she's STILL getting compliments on those lashes!

This year on Valentine's Day

Baby Red Taters with her Kindi class!

I can't believe she's going to be 2!!!!

Next month's post should be pretty good! We've got some stuff coming up that we'll be getting pics of!

This Time Last Year - January Edition

I've been wanting to do these posts for a long time!

This time last year, Brenna was posin' for the camera...

...Emma was using her newly acquired standing skills to attack her big Sis...

Emma was almost 1, but still taking naps in her swing... with her favorite red cup

This time last year, Emma wasn't very cooperative when Mommy tried to take pictures!

... and her hair was in the "crazy" phase.

Boy, how time flies and things change!

Emma is now almost 2! And hamming it up for the camera!

Brooklyn just picked out her very first 4-H market hog!

Emma is right in the thick of things... with pig... uh, stuff on her face!

Brenna started Kindergarten and isn't afraid to show her school spirit!

... and neither is Brooklyn!

Ok, is it me or do my girls look SO MUCH OLDER! Last year Brenna still had the baby face!
*sniffle*

I'm going to like this! Can't wait to see some changes in February... I think!

Leave me a comment if you do a similar post so I can check it out!