River Street {Savannah, GA}

Over Fall break we took the kids to visit downtown Savannah, GA. The River Street section of downtown is always fun. There tons of cute shops and restaurants.

We love to ride the free water taxi. It takes you on a little adventure across the river and back. It's always a highlight, and since I'm a budget conscious Mama, I LOVE that it's free.

 

This is a view of River Street from the river. It's such a charming place. The buildings are hundreds of years old. You can also see the gold dome on city hall.

 

The Savannah Candy Kitchen is a fun place to visit. Decisions, decisions.....

 

 The Savannah Candy Kitchen makes their own candy, and it is AMAZING. The candy shop smells intoxicating. These gophers are made with pecans and caramel. One of my favorites too!

 

 

After eating all of that candy you can get in some exercise by walking up these super steep steps located at River Street.

 

 I love how the businesses decorate for Fall.

 

 

 

 

What have you been up to this Fall?

 

 

 

 

Linking up here: The Foley Fam

 

 

 

 

Happies and Crappies

Things have been a little crazy this past week. My husband was involved in a hit and run car wreck, but I'm so happy that he wasn't seriously injured, and his truck is still drivable.

One major happy is that I got a 92 on my pre-algebra test! Math is my worst subject EVER. Then I started on the next chapter and it's mind blowing hard. That's crappy.

One bright spot in my busy life is the group of girls that I mentor. We had a girls night out last night. My mom and I took them to a new pizza buffet. I love talking with them, and hearing all about school and boys. I've been with this group of amazing girls for 7 years now, and they are like family to me. We used to be a part of a girls organization, and we met every week. Now that they are older, we decided to freestyle it, and just do our own thing. We meet monthly for some dinner and social time.

                            The pizza buffet also had an arcade, and that was super fun for them

Oh, and I got trapped in the bathroom stall, and one of the girls had to rescue me by crawling under the door. It took 2 girls pushing and pulling, but Mrs. Georgia was finally saved!

 

Thank goodness for cell phones, and that I was able to call them out in the restaurant, or who knows how long I'd been trapped in there alone. haha

Fall Fun {Southern Style}

Last Sunday afternoon, we headed to my father in law's hunting club for a day of Fall fun. Hunting season hasn't started in Georgia yet, so we had to place all to ourselves. It was so nice just to get away, and enjoy being outside with the kids.

In Georgia, cotton is harvested in the Fall. Peach and Buddy were totally amazed to see the cotton fields.

 

 

Next, Peach got her first driving lesson. She's still years away from getting her license (thank goodness). It was nice to practice, and the smile on her face was priceless. I think I did a good job teaching her. I kept the 'freak outs' to a minimum.

 

 

Under the supervision of their Daddy and Pop. The kids got to shoot guns for the first time. We took proper safety precautions. They both took a gun safety course, and they were heavily supervised while shooting.

 

 

My husband made sure they had ear protection.

 

 

 

 

It was just an old clubhouse, and a field of cotton, but man was it fun. It reminded me that the simple things in life can be pretty awesome.

 

 

What are the simple things that you enjoy doing?

 

 

 

 

Linking up here: Tuesday: Homemade Ginger , The Blackberry Vine
Wednesday: Family Home and Life , Messy Marriage , Someday Crafts , We Are That Family, Simply Helping Him Thursday: Saving 4 Six , Real Coake.com Friday: Blissful and Domestic ,
The Grant Life Sunday: The Foley Fam

Retro Patio Furniture

I've wanted some retro patio furniture for a while now. Once when I was at an antique store,  I found a set of two rusty chairs for $80. I had to pass on them, so I was excited when I spotted this adorable set of patio furniture at Kroger, of all places. The set included retro metal 2 chairs, and a little table. I got them on sale for around 50 bucks. The original color of the chairs was red, so my husband spray painted them hot pink for me. He also sealed them with clear spray paint.

                                                                  The finished product.

 

My little sweetie likes to do his homework outside now.
 

 

                                                        Also a fun place to have a snack.
 

 

I'm so happy with the way they turned out.



Linking up here: Bacon Time with the Hungry Hippo , Miss Mustard Seed , Obsessive and Creative , Home Coming , Tatertots and Jello , Cheerios and Lattes , The Foley Family , Skip to My Lou

My Story

I started this blog because I wanted to have a place to write about things that are on my mind, and in my heart. So far I've been too chicken to write anything real, but that's all changing today. Ha! So here goes....

Eight years ago, when I was pregnant with my second child, I became a stay at home mom.  Oh how I’d prayed, begged and pleaded for this dream to become a reality. I had to work until my first born was 4 years old. When I was lucky enough to stay at home with my second baby, I loved every minute of it, well that’s how I choose to remember it. I know that there were hard days, but I look back at it now with rose colored glasses on.

The highlight of most weeks was taking my little man grocery shopping, or out to run errands. I loved pushing my little cutie around in the buggy.  I would notice the smiles from strangers, and that knowing look in their eyes that said, ‘I’ve been there before.’ Then, as he got older, I enjoyed his pre-school years. I loved going to the class parties, and school programs. He was proud that I was there for him, and I felt needed.

Before I knew it pre-school was over, and my baby was headed off to all day kindergarten. This change hit me like a ton of bricks, and I thought that I would die. After dropping him off on the first day of school, I came home, and stood in my kitchen and I cried big, heavy tears. Yes, I had myself one big pity party.

Lucky for me I had signed up to volunteer in the classroom, and the teacher let me come every other week to help out, and I got to be the room Mom. I also volunteered with my daughter's activities, and it kept me just busy enough to feel like a had a purpose.  Being a mother had become my identity. I'd spent all those years taking care of my kids, changing diapers, nursing them when they were sick, playing with them, laughing with them..... you get the picture.

Kindergarten was fun, but it flew by way too fast. Then first grade rolled around, and this time the teacher didn't want any help in her classroom. I didn't know what to do with myself. I would go grocery shopping alone, and see all of the young moms pushing around those buggies full of babies. I couldn't believe it, that phase of my life was over. I wasn't prepared for it, even though I should have seen it coming. Depression set in, and I started to sleep all the time. I was miserable and lonely. The depression went on for a few months. I hit rock bottom.  In the darkness, I turned to God. I started talking to Him regularly, asking Him to show me what to do with my life. I thought, well, assumed that He'd want me to go back to work, but I was wrong.

Have you ever had an idea that floats through your head, but you just can't grab a hold to it? That's what happened to me. I had this idea that kept zooming through my head, but I couldn't make sense of it. One day God dropped the idea of going back to college right into my head. I could almost feel that light bulb turn on. I know this sounds crazy, but I also I know that this came from Him because I'd never have enough courage to do it on my own. He has to let me hit rock bottom before I'm willing to change. I'm so stubborn, and I hate change.  God told me to become a dental hygienist, and I knew that it was the right thing to do. I spent 10 years as a medical assistant working in the fields of optometry and ophthalmology. I've been a Mama for 12 years, and from the life experience I've gained from those two jobs, I feel like I'll be able to handle working in the field of dental hygiene.

It was like I could feel God's hand on my back, gently nudging me forward. Jesus whispered in my ear, "I'm here with you, don't give up." It took me over a month to get registered, but it all came together in time, and started my first classes in Spring 2013. I can still feel God's hand on me, and hear Jesus talk to me, encouraging me to keep moving forward. Even though it's hard sometimes, and I want to give up I'll keep putting one foot in front of the other, down the path that He has laid out for me.

Linking up here: The Foley Family Unedited

Cowgirl Birthday Party {on a Budget}

Something about me is that I love to plan kids parties. I'm such an amateur. My parties aren't picture perfect, but Peach (my daughter) and I have fun checking out other blogs to get ideas.

My brother is a single dad, and he asked me to put together a family party for my niece who was turning 10. I decided to throw cowgirl party themed party. I googled cowgirl party, and found these cool printables that said "Cowgirl Up' .  I used them as my inspiration for the party. I dug through my stash of parties supplies and hit the jack pot. I  found some pink and brown ribbon, pink paper straws, confetti,  and pink paper plates (apparently I like pink).  I also found some pink and brown fabric that I collected. I'm not sure why I collect fabric because I don't even sew. Maybe because it reminds me of my Granny.

 For the drinks, I used small mason jars that I'd bought to make jam with. My daughter contributed the pink bandanna, the horseshoe, and the little plastic horses.

The menu revolved around food that I already had. I had meatballs in my freezer and a package of spinach dip in the cabinet that were just dying to get used up. I got the peanuts at Texas Roadhouse. I didn't know it until recently, but they let you bring some peanuts home when you eat dinner there. Granny bought that cute cake, and it turned out so adorable.

The party ended costing around $100. My niece lives out of state, and we don't get to see her very often so I wanted her to have a special memory of her party and of us. All of my siblings, & nieces and nephews were there and it was AWE- SOME.

Linking up here: Tatertots and Jello , Five Simple Things , Blissful and Domestic

Tybee Island, Georgia

Recently my family had an end of summer beach getaway. Tybee Island is about a 20 minute drive from Savannah, GA. It's such a fun little beach town. Sandra Bullock and Billy Currington have homes there.

My in-laws have a time share there, and my kiddo's were beyond thrilled to have time at the beach with Granny and Pop. We stayed at the Tybrisa Condo's. They are cute condo's that are right on the beach. There is also an A-mazing pool.

The next day we had a blast playing in the waves.

Before heading home, we stopped by the Tybee Lighthouse. We were bummed that they were closing up for the day, but I was able to snap some quick photos. Then we made a pit stop at the Sugar Shack for an ice cream. The Sugar Shack is practically a Tybee landmark.

It's not everyday that we have an opportunity to get away from the rut of our everyday life. It was so nice to be spoiled by my in-laws too! These are the moments that my kids will remember.