Hunter

When you become a Mom your life drastically changes but in more ways than just the obvious. I think your mind is no longer at peace because there is always a portion that is worried about your children. I identify with Moms that say they can't sleep until they hear their children come in for the night. However, I know the worrying starts long before they begin to drive.

I love Hunter & Hallie equally but life seems to be so much harder for Hunter that maybe I worry a little more about him. Hunter isn't easy to get close to & he doesn't open up easily where Hallie is an open book. I worry about the choices he will make in life. I worry about his grades because he doesn't apply himself. I worry about peer pressure. Basically, I worry about everything. I don't know if it is because he is a boy or preteen but Hunter just seems to fight his Dad & I on everything. I don't know if it's because this guidance is coming from his parents but just let me say worrying about Hunter has caused many a sleepless night & many prayers on his behalf.  Sometimes I get so caught up in worrying that it's hard to see a light at the end of the tunnel.

I say all of this to lead to this.....a few months ago as I was taking the kids to school I started a habit of praying out loud for them individually on the way to school. I prayed for basic things like keeping them & the other children healthy, doing good on their schoolwork and basically just to be blessed with a great day. I let them know that even though their Dad & I can't be with them each day at school; their heavenly Father is with them and to rely on him always. Hunter never acknowledged this prayer & I figured he had his usual rebellious attitude about this as well.

One morning we were rushing & running late and I forgot to pray as we drove to school. Hunter says "Mom aren't you forgetting something?" me in my self absorbed state was thinking book bags, lunch money etc... but he says no Mom..... the prayer. Oh thank you Father for that light at the end of the tunnel. I know it is not yet a beam and we have far to go but it is a candle unto my path.

I wrote this post a few weeks ago but have been hesitant to publish it. This morning in church during an Advent reading, my friend Ginger spoke of the light at the end of the tunnel and there being hope even in the darkest of times. I felt as if God had spoken to me I believe he gives us "signs" that he has not forgotten us. What non-Christians may call coincidences I call reassurances. I also felt it was his ok to publish this now. The reason I was hesitant was because I didn't want to embarrass Hunter. However, his only concern was he didn't want his friends to see it. Since I don't believe any 12 & 13 year old boys read my blog I figured I was safe. I also don't feel like we should go through our trials alone that someone's prayers might make that ray of hope even brighter. Please, also if you read this and you're facing trials and sometimes don't feel there is light at the end of your tunnel-let me know I promise I will pray for you.

Girls Night Out with Edward, Jacob & Bella

A few nights ago I went to see New Moon with some of my wonderful co-workers. I read the Twilight Saga books because Carol (one of the beautiful ladies at the end of the post) recommended them. When she told me they were some of the best books she had ever read I was excited to read them but had doubts if I would like them since I've never enjoyed vampire stories. If you have read them you know vampires is the least of the story.  It's a love story, a made for teens but somehow appeals to all ages love story.

I started the first book & I was hooked. I devoured them! I read most of them in a night. I'm completely on the bandwagon they are some of the best books I have ever read.
I thought the New Moon movie was great, to me it stuck pretty close to the book. I have seen posters that say Team Edward or Team Jacob & after this movie I would have to say Team Jacob! Of course having read the books I know that may change with the next movie.

Ladies, I had a wonderful time. Thanks so much for letting me tag along. Hopefully we'll get together before then, but if not, mark your calendars-June 2010-Eclipse-same time same place ;-)

I am so thankful for....

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving & as I always do I realize how much I have to be thankful for. I truly do not count my blessings as I should so I am thankful for....
A loving husband
Healthy children
A home and food for my family
A loving relationship with my parents growing up
My Mom taking me to church and introducing me to Jesus
Wonderful coworkers and a job I love
True friends that I can count on
As my Mom's health fails, every day I am granted to spend with her
A loving church family
My salvation and that he forgives me when I fail as I do every day
Unanswered prayers (more on that in a later post)

I have so much to be thankful for and it is much more than I deserve. Happy Thanksgiving and I hope you are all blessed

Can you guess which way we roll?

Today was Alabama & Auburn day at Hallie's school in honor of the Iron Bowl coming up on Friday. We found these houndstooth overalls at Christmas Village and with some wonderful applique done by our friend Mandy, Hallie was all set to show her Bama pride. We decked her out from head to toe with red & white polka dot ribbons and finished by doing her an Alabama A on her cheek.The painted elephant bow she has on in one pic I think Tim bought for her before she was even born!

We take our football seriously in the South and there is no bigger rivalry than Alabama & Auburn. Even though statistic wise Alabama is the better team this year you can throw all the stats out the window with this game because anything can happen and usually does! We are big Bama fans at our house especially Tim. I sometimes think he lives and breathes Alabama football.  I can already feel the excitement and the nerves and the game is still a few days away. I hope to come back Friday night and say Roll Tide Roll but if we do find ourselves on the losing team- life will go own :-) I found this picture from several years ago I hope to add an updated one in a few days

The blessing of friends and a sleepover

As I mentioned in an earlier post, Tim & I celebrated our 20 year anniversary this week and thanks to our awesome friends Chad & Lyn we were able to get away for a night. My Mom watched Hunter for us and they took care of Hallie while we were gone.

 

Their daughter Claudia & Hallie have been friends practically since birth and Hallie was so excited to get to spend the night with her. I know as a parent I pray for the friends that Hunter & Hallie will make throughout their lives because friends can so easily influence decisions. I feel blessed that Claudia is one of Hallie's friends because she is such a precious girl with a sweet spirit.  I've included a few pictures of Claudia and Hallie through the years :) I can't believe how fast they are growing up!

This was Hallie's first sleepover and Tim & I were a little nervous.  Not worried about her safety because we knew she was in the best of hands but worried she might miss us and cry and basically drive them crazy! Our fears were totally unfounded as I understand she did great-no tears and just a wonderful time! They had a busy night with dance practice, a community pep rally, lots of playing, giggling and just a little bit later bedtime :)

Thanks again Lyn, Chad, Claudia & Cooper for making Hallie's sleepover such a success and our getaway possible. We feel so blessed to have friends like you.

20 years

Tim & I celebrated our 20th anniversary on November 16th. I have seen other blogs with wonderful pictures and exciting stories of all the milestones of their years together. Well guess what, I don't have those! I figured out Tim and I have very few family pictures. The picture above was several years ago and was taken because of the insistence of a church friend. There are thousands of pictures of the kids but very few of Tim & I. I'm guessing because I am usually behind the camera and partly because I hate to have my picture taken. I also don't have any records or journals of our marriage moments so I thought I would try to think of just a few things that pop in my mind regarding our years together, no structure just random thoughts.
1. We honeymooned in Gatlinburg and the day that we left Roanoke it was 70 degrees and a small tornado had passed through the night before. We even saw an overturned mobile home on our way out of town.  When we arrived in Tennessee it was snowing and in the 30's. What a shock to our system!
2. We ate our first meal together as a married couple at McDonald's!! Tim jokes he didn't want to waste a minute of that secluded cabin ;)
3. One of our biggest fights the first year of marriage was due to a surprise gift! We had agreed not to give gifts for Easter (remember those days when every holiday meant a card or gift) & I broke that promise by surprising Tim with a basket full of goodies. He didn't speak to me for 2 days!!
4. A couple of awww moments...He called me at work and serenaded with me with "I just called to say I love you." He showed up after work one night during a monsoon with an umbrella to cover me just because he knew I didn't have mine. He would be surprised to know that although I have appreciated every gift he's ever given me it's moments like these that mean the most.
5. A sacrifice...He traded his pride and joy, his dream truck to buy me a new vehicle because mine was giving safety problems. He did this not because I nagged him since I never mentioned it but because he wanted to.
6. A haha moment... while I was in labor with Hunter as they were giving me the epidural Tim was holding me completely still as the Dr. gave him orders. Tim hates needles and turned white as a sheet and broke out in a sweat. The Dr. and nurse leave me bent over in the middle of a contraction, with a tube sticking out of my back to check on Tim. I joke he just couldn't stand me having all the attention :)
Of course there are thousands of more memories through 20 years together but these were just the first few that popped into my mind. This last thought isn't just a memory but a fact- Tim always puts my and our children's needs before his own. I don't ask him to it's just the type man he is and I know I am very blessed to have him as a husband.

Carol and Kidbodies

I met Carol of Kidbodies about 8 years or so ago I drooled over her little girl's clothing line even before I had Hallie. I remember introducing myself to her once I found out I was having a girl and promising I would be back. Gosh did I ever come back! We have shopped with Carol every season since Hallie was born. I just can't say enough about Carol's designs they are top quality and cutting edge-funky, fun, truly unique!
Through the years Tim & I have gotten to know Carol & she is honestly one of the sweetest most talented people you will ever meet. We have loved Hallie wearing her clothes but we also look forward to seeing her each season and even though we are now outgrowing her sizes-sniff, sniff :( We still look forward to stopping by and visiting with Carol and catching up. Since we have owned a Kidbodies outfit every year since Hallie was born I thought it might be fun to see some designs through the years :)

Thank you Carol for all the wonderful outfits you've created through the years but also for the memories we have of Hallie wearing them. We love you girl!

Even to the tips of her toes!

A few weeks ago we went to Gay Georgia for the Cotton Pickin' Fair . (Anyone who knows me knows I LOVE fairs & festivals!) We saw our friend Carol from Kidbodies and she had polka dot toes!! Well Hallie & I loved them and I promised we would do hers when we got home. I also did mine too-gotta love that Mother & Daughter bonding :) Unfortunately I didn't think to get a picture until several days later but Hallie's toes are still pretty cute aren't they? Thanks Carol as always you ROCK!

Before....&.....After

This is my son Hunter who I think has the prettiest eyes....I know what you're thinking well how can I tell with all that hair in them! I remember looking at my older brother's yearbook and thinking how did the guys wear that long hair!
Well as with most fashions and trends it's BACK! Hunter has had this hairstyle for about 6 months or more & of course we hated it but he loved it until the other day when he uttered these sweet words "Mom I want my hair cut & I want it short" YES I screamed inside without showing too much excitement because anyone with a pre-teen knows this would have made him change his mind. So one hair appointment later and some magic by Jody we have the "after" Hunter. Just look at those eyes! Now if I can just get him to smile :)

Please God can I have a puppy?

Hallie has begged & prayed for a pet it seems like forever....There were several reasons we said no from allergies, the responsibility, congested neighborhood etc...
Well I have heard little ones prayers go straight to God's ears & I now believe it. We returned from a shopping trip a few weeks back to find a box sitting by our garage. Tim cautiously approached & opened it to find-you guessed it a puppy! There was a note attached that said take good care of puppy passed by and saw kids in the yard.
Hallie was overjoyed and now believes if you pray hard enough miracles can happen. So friends meet the newest member of our family.... Biscuit!

My first post....

I follow several blogs and believe they are wonderful tools of information and inspiration. I decided to start a blog because I am awful at documenting life's events and hope this will help! I think that while I might not take the time to scrapbook a page I will blog a few lines or more if time permits.

Now why Polka Dots and Prayers for a name? I am a firm believer in prayer I believe that prayer can change lives and situations that seem hopeless. As for polka dots I love them and so does Hallie. Given a choice we always choose polka dots in clothes, decorations etc..so when we were thinking of names for the blog after several ideas Polka Dots & Prayers was the "winner" as Hallie says :)