Seriously...

Just so you all know that I am human I am giving you this post. Ahhhh! Things have been tough ever since I wrote my last post about having a positive attitude. God really has a sense of humor that I do not always appreciate. Literally two days after I posted on my 30th Charlotte became ill. We have been battling something - either her or myself ever since. From snotty noses, to throwing up, to her not sleeping through the night, not taking naps, ear infections, ect. it has happened. She is currently "crying it out" in her crib right now because she refuses to take a nap and won't let me console her.

I feel like I live only indoors. With all the sickness and fever we haven't gotten out much, not even to celebrate my birthday (thank God for Doug who has been willing to run to the grocery store, pick up meds, and help out when needed). I realize it could be much worse but a full month of this has gotten old quickly. Daily I try to remind myself of what I posted several weeks back on September 24th - constantly a mind battle to be positive when I am sick of all of this. I am tired, still congested from my own cold, and not to mention five months pregnant. My father graciously reminded me that two sick babies are going to be harder than one. - again, getting me to realize that it could be worse.

Then I think of other friends and family that are going through much worse, sick babies that they just brought home from the hospital, friend's siblings who are fiercely struggling with drug addictions, marriages that are on the rocks, financial woes in this economy, losing family members. A month's worth of sickness doesn't seem so bad when thinking of these things. But even in my small attitude adjusting trial I need the help of my heavenly Father - as I cried out to him this afternoon. "Lord, you are going to have to help me with this. I can't do this myself!" Probably not the most respectful way to cry out to my Savior, but a desperate plea from a mother who just wants a little sanity right now. :)

I know many of you can identify. Whatever you are going through - hang in there.

On a lighter note, we find out the sex of the baby on Monday, October 20th. Check back for a post next week.

xoxo

The Big 3-0!

Yes, I turn 30 today. I have dreaded this birthday for the last five years. Ironically, around January of this year I began to have a change of heart.

I don't really know why I dreaded this birthday. I am still young but I think it finalized to me that I am definitely an adult. This is funny to me because I have been providing for myself for quite some time, I am married, and I am a mother - all things that kind of make you an adult. For some reason turning 30 always seemed to make that more real.

I am happy that I am ebracing my 30's and hope I continue this attitude about age as I grow older. The twenties were great for me but I have grown so much as a person. I am sure I will do this each decade - look back and see where I have come and where I need to go. The biggest lesson I have learned is one about attitude.

I know my younger siblings roll their eyes at me whenever I start talking about attitude - they are in their late teens and twenties. I keep reminding them that I just want to give them a little piece of wisdom so they don't have to go through some of the heartache I did. Then I realize I sound like their parent. :)

I just finished Randy Pausch's book, The Last Lecture (for those of you who have not heard of him or this book just google it. There is lots of info out there). It was such a great read and one that just encouraged my thoughts about attitude dictating your life state. I will outline some of the things I gleaned from the book here - mainly because it really exemplifies many of the things I have learned in my journey to 30. :)

The biggest thing that I have learned is that I - meaning me, myself alone - choose my attitude about how I feel about things, how I deal with things, how I cope with things. He writes "We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand." This is so true. I can choose to see the bad, focus on the ugly, nitpick at all the negative - like dreading my 30th birthday - or I can focus on the good in my life and embrace some of the bad things as lessons teaching me and helping me to be a better person.

Here are some other things I gleaned from his book:

"The brick walls are there for a reason. They're not there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something." How many times have I hit a brick wall and taken that as a reason to quit. I know sometimes God closes doors but sometimes I think He is just trying to see how badly we are willing to work to get through them.

"Complaining does not work as a strategy. We all have finite time and energy. Any time we spend whining is unlikely to help us achieve our goals. And it won't make us happier." This man had plenty to complain about - dying with pancreatic cancer with his children so young they are likely to only remember him because of video and pictures. Complaining is a struggle for me, but it is such a waste. Again, if my attitude dictates positive feelings in my life then I am less likely to waste my time complaining. And yes, it really doesn't make me happier. It just makes me sad.

"Experience is what you get when you didn't get what you wanted." Just chew on that one a little while. Again, this is a way to see the positive in something that was negative. You are being taught.

On peoples rights - which is a huge focus in our society he says, "... it makes no sense to talk about rights without also talking about responsibilities. Rights have to come from somewhere, and they come from the community. In return, all of us have a responsibility to the community. Some people call this the "communitarian" movement, but I call it common sense." Again, this is about attitude. We all want our rights but what are we willing to do to deserve those rights? One is not given rights just because they are a certain race, religion, or sex. They are given those rights because of the people around them and they have a responsibility in turn to those that give them those rights. I like this because it takes the focus off of ourselves and redirects us to thinking about everyone as a whole.

Sorry for the little sermon, but these statements are just mere examples of some lessons I have learned - and am still learning - in my own life. I am happier and more content. I know that I am not in control but I can control my attitude towards lifes ever changing story. I am not perfect in my attitudes but just know if you can begin to redirect your thinking in some of these ways you will immediately begin to feel some sense of peace. Isn't that part of what living is about - learning and finding peace in the process.

Heres to my 30's! :)

Happy Fall

Happy Fall! Today is the first day of fall and Charlotte and I decided to bask in the beautiful weather. It was nice and cool this morning and has warmed up greatly this afternoon. I couldn't pass up a photo op outside with Miss Charlotte in some of her new fall clothes. I have been sewing away creating little ensembles for my little one. The pants she has on are part of an outfit that I have almost completed and I am sure there will be pictures of that posted soon.

Charlotte, as you can see, was not too sure of the green stuff we call grass. I could barely get her to look at me much less smile. She prefered the rocking chair to the yard. At least we got to enjoy a few moments on the first fall day of the year and her life. This is my absolute favorite season. Hopefully I will be able to pass down my love for autumn on to Miss Charlotte.

We should hopefully know the sex of our little English Pea in a couple of weeks. I will keep you posted on that development. We are getting very excited.

xoxo!

20lbs vs. 75 lbs

This video is just too cute. Charlotte's Aunt Meg took it this weekend while we were in Birmingham. That huge dog is Meg's baby - a 75 lb Laberdoodle. He thought Charlotte was pretty neat and obviously Charlotte thought he was hilarious. We all thoroughly enjoyed watching her get so cracked up over that dog. Enjoy!

A Trip to Grandma's House

Doug, Charlotte and I left this weekend to enjoy some time with Doug's family over in Birmingham, Alabama. I love Birmingham and always enjoy an excuse to get over there. It is so beautiful with its rolling hills and southern charm. The only problem is I always feel I must dress whenever I go out. It is not a casual town. I guess it is all that old, southern money. :)

Doug's parents live in a beautiful, family friendly neighborhood. Everyone has deep porches and/or courtyards. There are sidewalks, greenspaces, and plenty of places to roam. We enjoyed the pool, walking through the neighborhood, and an evening eating pizza out on the front porch. The weather was a little warm but the atmosphere only made me yearn for cooler, fall days. Oh, I can't wait. They are right around the corner.

Charlotte thoroughly entertained us. She actually made several milestones over the weekend - scooting around, rolling over and sitting up on her own, clapping, saying "uh-oh" after she dropped something and the list goes on. Of course it was great to get to experience this with family as they also thought it was the most wonderful thing in the world.

I hope to have video to post. My sister-in-law, Meg, recorded Charlotte with her huge laberdoodle, Farve. Charlotte and this 75 pounder really enjoyed each other and Charlotte found him hilarious. Stay tuned!

Poop Stories

Okay, all you mommies out there, you know you have tons of poop stories to tell on your children (Oh, and I promise I have new pictures of Charlotte to post. The batteries are dead in the camera and I have to fix that little problem first). Charlotte gave her daddy one to tell last night.

Doug and I both had work yesterday evening - he, a softball game (which his team won); me, a Customer Appreciation Dinner at Chick-fil-A. We had a sitter come for a couple hours and Doug got home before I did. He had to bathe, feed and put Miss Charlotte down for the night.

Doug is not usually home in the evenings to give Charlotte her bath (she goes down quite early) so last night was his treat. Well, Charlotte made it a treat as she left him a little present floating around in the tub for him to have to clean out. I believe he was mortified (as I would be myself). Needless to say, bath time wound up being a little more involved than normal. Not only did he have to clean, feed and put her to bed. He also had to clean the tub after cleaning it out. Poor thing. I certainly hope this does not become a nightly routine. :)

Six Years and Counting

Six years ago, Sunday, Doug and I were married. It is hard to believe that it was that long ago and yet it feels like just yesterday. We look so young.

It has been a special six years. Doug is my best friend. We have kind of always connected - even from the day we met. We didn't like each other very much - I remember telling my mom that I thought he was a little immature. :) We never had a problem talking with each other though. We became really good friends and everyone around us could see the chemistry. We just couln't. After about three to four months I think both of us started figuring out that we liked each other more than friends.

I can't imagine my life without Doug. He makes me laugh, cry (in a good way), and I always have a good time with him. I enjoy being with him. His mother used to ask me if he talked. She told me he was so quiet. I didn't know what she was talking about. We have never had trouble talking with one another.

Doug is an amazing man and he is all mine. :) He is a great provider, protector, father and friend (and a few other things I will leave for his ears and eyes alone. You can understand why). I am thankful that God put us together. I am blessed to have him in my life.

I have never believed in just one person being right for another person. I believe our life decisions intersect us with other people. Our decisions and paths in life can determine who we wind up with. I do know that God planned for Doug and I to be together based on the decisions we both made. Our lives intersected at the right time and we fell in love.

Our life together has not been perfect and there have been times I have wondered if we were going to make it - as every couple does. We have both stuck in there and plan to keep sticking to it. God is gracious and it is only because of Him that spouses can stay together. I am thankful that He has given us a genuine friendship, the will to work on things, a love that will help us endure.

Honey, I love you with all my heart! I look forward to many more years living this life with you. I wouldn't want to do it without you!

Love,
Alison