To have or not to have.....

another baby? (is the question of the hour, week, month, year) Hubby and I are wrestling with the decision of whether it would be good for our family to throw another one into the mix! There are so many pros and cons that we are confused as to which direction to go.

1. We enjoy our family just the way it is.

But, another would provide us with double the fun!

2. Do we possibly have MORE love to give?

Of Course we do.

3. Where would the money come from? (Daycare right now is $175.00 a week)

Your guess is as good as mine!

4. Do we wanna take the chance of a repeat performance by the colic devil?

Hummm...........Not ready to go through THAT hell again.-But no one could ever be prepared for THAT!!

5. Am I ready to turn over my body for the greater good again?

Yes and No.

6. Is our bed big enough for 4 of us?

??? Let's hope so. Tay is finally enjoying being in her big girl bed!

7. Do we want Tay to have to shoulder all the responsibility of taking care of us when we get older?

NO!!

8. Will my mental state and emotional state take a beating by going through theses changes again?

YES. without a doubt I will have to prepare myself mentally for the emotional changes that will take place before, during, and after the pregnancy!

9. Will it be worth it?

ABSOLUTELY!!

10. Is it selfish of me to NOT want to go through all of this again when so many women out there do not even get the opportunity to even contemplate this decision?

Sometimes I think yes. But then I realize that I cannot live my life feeling guilty for what someone else does not have. I need to enjoy what has been given to us and roll with the punches as they come!!

I don't know what we are going to do, but i will definitely keep you posted.
Thanks for caring,

K


This is another post inspired by MamaKat's Writing Workshop. Mash her button to read what decisions everyone else is having a hard time making.
Here are the prompts incase you wanted to see what I had to choose from.
1.) Who made you red hot this week?
2.) A day in your life...recap.(inspired by Jennifer from Toddler Tirade)
3.) What decision are you having a hard time making?(inspired by Evansmom from Just Sayin')4.) How will you enjoy your last days of freedom (aka summer)?(inspired by Heather from A Day In The Life)
5.)List your 7 most favorite summer items!(inspired by Summer from Le Musings of Moi)

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Woulda, Coulda, Shoulda

I am sure all of you have seen this but I couldn't help myself. I need to blow this puppy up and post it all over my house!

I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren’t there for the day.
I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.
I would have talked less and listened more.
I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained or the sofa faded.
I would have eaten popcorn in the “good” living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.
I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble on about his youth.
I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.
I would have sat on the lawn with my children and not worried about grass stains.
I would have cried and laughed less while watching television, and more while watching life.
I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn’t show soil, or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.
Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I’d have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside of me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.
When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would have never said, “Later. Now go get washed up for dinner.”
There would have been more “I love you’s.” More, “I’m sorry’s.”
But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute…look at it and really see it…live it…and never give it back.
-Erma Bombeck

Thanks for caring,
K

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Jealous, No?

This morning I got to take a shower with the shower door wide open. My 2.5 year old daughter wanted to read her book with me while I showered. Did she want to go lay in the bed and watch Blues Clues with her dad? NO. Did she want to look at the book by herself so Mommy could shower without freezing to death? NO. The things we do for a little bit of sanity early in the morning.

The past two nights, well 5:30am actually, Hubby has had to come and wake me and get me to come to bed. I am not on the sofa, I am on the floor of my daughter's room. We are trying to get her in her own bed, which as you can tell, is working out really well. As long as Mommy gets in the bed with her and reads 1 million books and Mommy is the only one that soothes her back to sleep when she comes toddeling into our room at 3:30am, then she sleeps in her "big girl bed." Thus, why Hubby has found me curled up in a ball on my daughter's floor using Winnie the Pooh as a pillow and wrapped up in a pink leopard print blanket! I am beginning to think that it is easier to have her in the bed with us! At least I'm in a bed!!

Thanks for caring,
K

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It was love at first page.

If you need something to read and enjoy a good “southern” book, then you MUST check out any of the books written by Dorothea Benton Frank. The first book I read of hers I randomly picked up in Walgreen’s before we moved to Charleston, probably 2002. It was "Plantation" and I was hooked!! Seven years and nine books later I have come to the realization that I will read absolutely anything this woman puts into print. Oh, did I mention that I actually met her while we were living in Charleston and she signed my books!! I felt kinda dorky standing in line with all these middle aged women holding books to say “hello” to a woman who would NEVER remember me or that she signed my books, but I stuck it out and so glad I did!

“Shem Creek”, “Pawley’s Island”, “Isle of Palms”, “Sullivan’s Island”, “Return to Sullivan’s Island” (her latest), “Bulls Island”, “Full of Grace”, “The Land of Mango Sunsets”, “Plantation”, and “The Christmas Pearl” (the only one I have not read) are all set in and around the city of Charleston, SC. Once we moved to Charleston I actually looked up and visited many of the places and restaurants that Mrs. Frank highlighted in her books! It was like the books were coming to life. It was ah-mazing! After reading her books it makes me miss Charleston more and more each day. I cannot wait to take Tay to Charleston and visit all of the places we loved while living there. *sigh* one day.......


Thanks for caring,
K
P.S. When her new book came out "Retun to Sullivan's Island" I practically ran to the bookstore to buy it. Loved it and I am so glad I did!

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ABC's of me

I completely swiped this from Carrin over at Carrin's Comments who stole this little MeMe from Britt over at Living in the Moment. My computer is still jacked so I fit in blogging when I can.

A-Age: I am 32. Is it weird that I had to physically count before answering?
B-Birth date: November 20. I am a Scorpio-watch out!
C-Chore you hate: Anything that involves a dish. I CANNOT stand the bits of food that end up in the water. Gag....I just threw up a little in my mouth just thinking about it!
D-Dog's name: Bowden- or as Tay says "Bow-len" We did.not.name.him that, he totally came with that name!
E-Enter or Exit: All I can come up with is a sexual connotation and that is TMI!!
F-Favorite color: Blue
G-Gold or silver: Silver or white gold!
H-Hair color: Boring brown.
I-Instrument: I played the flute in Jr. High and I can sorta play the piano.
J-Job Title: Office Manager
K-Kids: 1-Taylor 2.5
L-Living arrangements: I live with Hubby and Tay in a house that we bought and renovated before the storm.
M-Monkey or Moose: I don't know. We had a cat named Moose. He was a wonderful cat but he definitely had a few screws loose!! Monkey is the latest nickname I have given Tay.
N-Nicknames: I only have one that Hubby gave me and I will not divulge.
O-Odd thing about you: I.HATE.LEFTOVERS, and I don't like my food to touch or the juices to mix. Barf!
P-Pet Peeve: Close talkers, rude people, people who act as though they are the best thing in the universe, oh, and people who pop their gum in public!
Q-Quote from a movie: "They say nothing lasts forever; dreams change, trends come and go, but friendships never go out of style." Carrie Bradshaw-Sex and the City Any quote from the movie Pretty and Pink and The Breakfast Club!!!!
R-Right/Left Handed: Right-in everything but pool!
S-Siblings: 1 younger sister-SISSY
T-Time you wake up: Whenever Tay decides.
U-Underwear: yep
V-Veggie you dislike: Cooked-peas, carrots, broccoli, & cauliflower, oh and BEETS.
W-What makes you run late: My forgetfulness. I can get the car and have to go back inside 4 times to get random stuff I forgot!
X-X-Rays: Teeth, wrist and Brain scan
Y-Yummy food you make: Umm........Blue Runner Red Beans and Rice, Kraft Mac and Cheese-does it count if it came out of a can or a box?! If not ummmm.........
Z-Zoo Animal: Any of the big cats!!

That was fun.
FYI-We have been hard at work getting Tay into her own bed and I am proud to say that Tay has slept the [entire] last 2 nights in her own bed!! Usually (this past week) she'd get up around 3:30am or so and grab her blanket, her puppy, and her sippy cup full of water and come into our room to get into the bed with us. She was not freaking out or wailing like I imagined, she just came in with all of her stuff a little whiny. So, I got up around 5am yesterday morning and freaked out because I was sure something was wrong because I did not hear one peep out of her the entire night. I'm positive I would have had this freak out years ago if she had not been sleeping in our bed, but whatever. This morning at 6am she simply walks in the room with her book ready to hear a story. Like it was no big deal that she had spent the previous night all alone in her bed! Slow and steady wins the race every time! (I think putting her in her big girl bed has been harder on me than her! Shhh...)
We have a little rountine-We go into her room, I turn on her little night light, turn on her Beatles Lullaby music, I sit down next to her bed and read her a couple of books. After 1 or 2 books she rolls over and I pet her back until she is asleep!! I am so proud of her and almost as proud of us for getting off our lazy butts and doing it. (Even if she did prompt us.) Now on to finish up with potty training. We have purchased the big girl panties; Dora, Tinkerbell, and even a couple of Diego underoos (yes boys-but you can't buy Dora without Diego, duh!), now we just have to spend the entire weekend in the house wearing them!! Soon.

Thanks for caring,

K

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Dear So and So....

Kat across the pond does a weekly feature called "DEAR SO AND SO..." I wanted to participate but I am a wee bit late. Better late than never-right? Go check her out and read everyone else's letters.

Dear mosquitoes, gnats, fire ants, chiggers, and any other insect that bites,
My daughter is not your ALL YOU CAN EAT BUFFET!! I appreciate the fact that you are now leaving me alone, but come on, she is 2!! Not only does it make her miserable and cranky, it is so much fun for Mama. You must stop or I will not be held responsible for the arsenal of products that I will use to annihilate you!
K
********
Dear Audit Lady,
You made this morning not nearly as painful as it could have been.
Thanks from a fellow Golden Eagle,
K
********
Dear Manufacturers of "Children's Bug Bite Medicine,"
If it says children's don't you think it would be a wise idea for it not to sting the shit out of my child when I put the medicine on the bite?" Now she would rather have the boo-boo itch than put the medicine on.
Thanks for nothing,
K
********
Dear NetFlix,
You have succeeded in finding a niche with all of us parents who would rather cut out our own eyes then to have to chase a 2 year old around a store while trying to pick out a movie!!
Thanks for helping me keep the small sliver of sanity I have left,
K
********
Dear media,
Stop with all of the MJ coverage. I have seen more of him on the television in the past 10 days than I have in the past 10 years!!!
R.I.P. MJ,
K
********
Dear CBS,
Did you really have to bring back Jessie on BB11?
An almost ex-BB watcher,
K
********


Thanks for caring,
K

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Handbags obsession already?

Taylor has become attached to a certain accessory. She does not put it down ever!! She carries it religiously throughout the entire day while at school. She does hit boys with it just like a little old lady. She literally fills it up with rocks, that is why it is so heavy. Right now she currently has a couple of magnets, a tiny car, a set of keys, a small slinkey, a wallet with several "membership" credit cards, a kaleidescope, lots of rocks, a couple of seashells, a real cell phone-nonworking of course, and lots of pony tail holders!!! Here is her current choice of accessory.

So not only does she carry this she still lugs Puppy along for the ride!

Next week I'll post a picture of my handbag I purchased while we were on Vacay. My very first COACH!!!!

Thanks for caring,

Kelly

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Writer's Workshop

The Prompts:1.) Tell us about a "dirt cheap" you've taken this summer.(inspired by Anti-Supermom)

2.) When I grow up I want to be like...(inspired by Jenny Says What?)

3.) Describe a difficult moment that you survived.(inspired by Sarah M.)

4.) List 5 things you like to do while camping...or 5 places you'd like to go.(inspired by Kisatrtle)

5.) What are you paranoid about?(inspired by Melissa)


I have chosen #4. I am not really the "camping" type, unless anyone knows of an airconditioned, bug free zone, then I am out or least staying in a cabin! But here are 5 places I would like to go instead: (I just named a few in the U.S I would like to see, plus I'm on "borrowed" time because my computer is at the Dr.-hopefully we will get it back soon!)

MAINE

Not sure why, but lately I have been having the desire to travel to Maine! Not during the winter, this southern girl would F-F-F-F-F-REEZE to death!

ASTORIA, OREGON

If you don't recognize this house it is because you are not aware of one of the BEST movies of all times-GOONIES!!!

Got the pic from here. Thanks

WASHINGTON, D.C.

Picture lifted from here.

I freaking love this place. We went on a school trip in the 6th grade and I could not get enough of it. The next year my mom went to New York for the U.S. Open and my Dad asked Sissy and I where we wanted to go for a trip (he figured Disney World, nope) we chose Washington, D.C. I cannot wait to go back. I just have to remember that when we go, we must find another couple where one person is ready to spend hours upon hours upon hours with me reading EVERYTHING while the other person can speed through everything and hang out with Hubby waiting for us to catch up.

AN ALASKAN CRUISE

Picture "borrowed" from here

Can you say GEORGOUS!!! I would love to see all of the glaciers and wildlife that Alaska has to offer.

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK

Thanks for this photo.

I figured since this was suppose to be about camping I would throw in a park. It would be cool to go here and see "where the buffalo roam!"

Go check out what everyone else is talking about at MamKat's. Click on her button and join the fun.

Thanks for caring,

K

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I'm getting paid to do this!

I am doing this at work (thus the I'm getting paid for this reference) I am doing this at work so my pictures are not cropped and "all fanicified" the way I usually like them. But, I wanted to post them so I won't get forgotten in the blogosphere.

I hope everyone had a GREAT 4th. Pop Pop (my dad) gave me a saying "He who drinks a 5th on the 4th does not go 4th on the 5th!!" Perfect!!........Hum, I need to start a weekly post entitled "Pop Pop-isms"

Here are the long awaited pics of our family vacation to the Beach. I did not take as many pictures as I should have, but Sissy did!! Which I am still waiting for-HINT HINT!!! Tay and Parker seemed to be on opposite nap schedules for the better part of the Vacay, but on the last day or so they were awake and in good moods at the same time, so I did get some pics of them together.

All ready to go!

I know that she has LOTS of sunscreen on, but if you had seen the lobster that her mother turned into you would have done the same thing!

Tay with her Tinker Bell Sunglasses with her Daddy.

She ate her weight in "FREEZY POPS!!" Her face was stained orange for a couple of days!

Chillaxin!!

Tay and baby Parker. I think he will always be "Baby Parker" to Taylor!!

Man, she LOVED this turtle!!!


We bought small canvases from Michael's so Tay can make the art for her room. I had it all planned out in my head of how it was going to go. What's that saying God laughs the hardest when you make a plan.
Let the fun begin!

Flashing her gang signs!!

Thanks for caring,

K

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