30 Day Challenge #1

I saw this link up on a friend’s page and had to join….. Cat from this little life of mine started this challenge and I think its a pretty cool link up to get into God’s word and encourage each other…..
If you would like to be apart of this awesome challenge please head on over and visit cat to join in with us.
Today’s Word: Stressed 

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This verse simply means to give all your problems and heavy burdens to God and he will support you in all areas. He will hold you up when it seems like there is no one else around or anything to hold on too. God is there! Give it to God and let him fix it
Final Thoughts- Sometimes we try to fix things ourselves but it won’t work and if it does work its only temporary. When you cast your cares upon him and give him everything. Be patient and allow God to move on your behalf. His timing is not ours and ours is not his. We (including myself) forget that when God is working and we give it to him we have to leave him alone and allow him to do what he does best. Its not always easy or comfortable but our Father has our best interest at heart.
Be encouraged, give it to God, and watch him move….. You are to Blessed to be Stressed!!!!

My 2nd Leibster Award!

It means a lot to know that I have people who enjoy reading my posts and to nominate me for an award is even better….. I was nominated by the lovely Shaina @ http://shainarenae.blogspot.com/. For those of you who don’t know a Leibster Award is awarded to people who have less than 200 Followers!  Thanks so Shaina for nominating me! I appreciate the love…..








The Rules are as Follows:

  1. Share 11 facts about myself
  2. Answer 11 questions from my nominator
  3. Nominate 11 followers (with less than 200 followers) for the award
  4. Create 11 questions for nominee to answer
  5. And when the Nominee is finished you must link it back to me (as I did above) in your blog post
11 Facts About Me

  1. If I have gum in my mouth while entering the restroom I have to put it in the trash because I feel really weird while chewing gum in the bathroom. 
  2. Since me and my husband names start with “M’s” we decided that all of our children’s names would start with the letter M.
  3. I’ve never puked with any of my pregnancies
  4. I am my Grandparents Favorite! Lol
  5. I love taking pictures and so do my girls…. When you say cheese we all immediately start posing! Even my 1 year old Mallorie…lololol
  6. Scrabble, Taboo, and Scattogories are my absolutely favorite games to play with friends and family.
  7. One day I hope to start my own business making bows & wreaths!
  8. I absolutely LOVE my husband. We have our good and bad days but he is definitely the one for me.
  9. My Birthday falls on Thanksgiving every 7-8 years.
  10. I’ve had 2 concusions! 1st- Fell off my bike, 2nd- tripped and fell on a concrete step
  11. I’m afraid to go back to school

Shaina’s Questions for Me
  1. What would be your dream vacation? Paris with the Hubbs
  2. What was your favorite moment in 2012? Me and the Hubbs Vow Renewal
  3. Favorite Song? I don’t have a favorite song…. I love music and love lots of songs
  4. What’s your favorite thing about blogging? Being connected with such wonderful women
  5. What’s you favorite tv show? I don’t have just one favorite so I will say Grey’s Anatomy & Scandal. I would add Private Practice to that list but they just aired their last episode last tuesday:-(
  6. Dog or Cat person? Definitely a Dog person. I am TERRIFIED of cats! Every time one gets close to me, I immediately go into “panic attack mode”.
  7. How many siblings do you have? 2
  8. How would you describe you personal style? Sleek, Chic, Urban, and Modest.
  9. What are you currently reading? A woman after God’s own heart & The one year womans guide to reading the bible.
  10. If you could describe your blog in one word, what would it be? Quirky
  11. What is your dream job? Labor & Delivery Nurse
My nominees are as follows:

Questions for my Nominees

  1. How long have you been blogging?
  2. Are you afraid of the dark?
  3. Coke or Pepsi?
  4. What is your cleaning schedule?
  5. What/who made an impact on your life and why?
  6. Why do you blog?
  7. What is your favorite meal?
  8. Early bird or night owl?
  9. What is the best advice you can give someone?
  10. Do you like Spring, Summer, Fall, or Winter?
  11. Have you ever been camping? 
                
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We are Falcons Fans again!

This is us before the game!
Now As you all know the Falcons loss to San Francisco about 2 weeks ago and they are not going to the Superbowl:-( My husband and cousin swore that they were over the Falcons and they even got rid of all of their Falcons gear (well, they said they did but they were bluffing). 
This picture is after we loss and they were pissed! They didn’t say a word, I felt so bad for them!!!
I think it took time for them to heal after that loss. I really felt horrible for the Falcons because they had such a GREAT season. It seems as though we always get soooooo close and we never make it to the Superbowl. 
While me and my husband were talking the other day he all of a sudden says “Babe, I’m still a Falcons fan, I just needed time to get over that loss” and I smiled and said I’m proud of you! lol….
My husband is a die hard football fan and we will always love our home team’s no matter what!
 GA Bulldogs & Atlanta Falcons!!!!!! 
I know this post is late but after my husband stated that he was a Falcons fan again, I felt like I could talk about it 🙂
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May I be Transparent?

BEWARE: THIS IS A LONG POST
 
 
First let me tell ya, I’ve missed YOU! It’s been a little over a week since my last post and that is because I’ve been down in the dumps and I didn’t want to bring any negative attention to my blog. Lol.. Life has definitely been kicking my butt this past week. However, Slowly but surely I am getting it together.
 
Now to my post:-)
 
 
I am a woman who at 20 years of age quit her job as an Administrative Assistant at a Law Firm. Got married eloped to my college boyfriend after only 7 months of dating. Yep, 7 months…. AND this same woman found out she was pregnant 2 months after marrying her college sweetheart. 
Things couldn’t have happened any faster….. Now throughout my 9 months of pregnancy and being a newlywed we struggled but we struggled together. We argued but we overcame. I was living 2 hours outside of Atlanta in the country away from my family so they would come and get me sometimes due to the fact that I had absolutely positively no friends where I was and I sat in the house pretty much depressed because the life I thought I was going to have, didn’t end up that way. Me and my husband come from 2 totally different backgrounds.
He saw things that none of us could possibly imagine seeing as a child, and he accepted Christ at 16 in his bedroom watching television, which makes his testimony even more amazing.
I am the oldest sibling (I have 1 brother and a half sister that I hardly know), I’m a product of a divorced family (they got divorced when I was 3 and my brother was an infant) and I grew up with just my mom. I’ve always been good in school and I grew up in church “literally”… Lol… We were always there, my grandfather was the Pastor and my was an Evangelist (who is now the pastor).
WELL, with my father being absent from the home and feeling neglected in the home due to a busy single mom (even though I know she was doing the best she could) and a little brother who was very much a troubled child I began suffering from low self esteem throughout my life and at 16, I started having premarital sex. Trying to find love in the wrong places. Let me just say that was definitely the wrong route. I had about 3 bad relationships and just continued to deal with depression, suicidal thoughts, and every bad thought that would come to my mind I would entertain it.
 
As time passed I got really serious about my relationship with God and even though it was hard and I would still fall into sin, I would still overcome all of things that the devil would throw at me and I could slowly see the light at the end of the tunnel. Throughout this transition I decided that going to a Christian college was the best route for me and that’s where I met my husband. He led worship in chapel on Tuesdays, he was a really good Christian guy who loved God for real! lol… But we didn’t click…. The first semester I was there we couldn’t stand each other. He thought I was stuck up and “ghetto” and I thought he was stuck up and too “deep” to be around but my 2nd semester at the school something happened. God happened. Lol…. We went out one night on a “hayride” and the rest is history.
I felt like he was ‘THE GUY”…. But there was only one thing, we moved entirely too fast. At the moment, you don’t realize you’re moving too fast because you’re so in love… lol… anywhoo, so we’re married now and I’m pregnant barely making it. We have Madison and things are good. Still struggling but we are happy. He graduates from college and a few months later we move back to Atlanta. I eventually went back to school to take up a trade and I got hired at a Podiatry Office as a Administrative Assistant to the entire Billing Department (Aint God good) 2 years go by and we’re in our 3rd year of marriage and all hell breaks loose. We were headed for divorce and things were horrible (that’s when I started my blog). To make a very long story short by the Grace of God we reconciled and 3 months later I found out I was pregnant with Mallorie, my husband got hired as a Probation Officer, and due to us having only one car I had to quit my job again. HA! 
I can honestly say that these last 1 1/2 years has been one of the best years of our marriage and that’s why only after 5 years of marriage we decided to renew our vows. I LOVE my hunny bunny aka “the hubbs”! 
I said all of that to say this…. I am 26 years old and I have worried about my husband finishing school, supporting him with his music, trying to keep my home a happy home, taking care of the kids and last but not least. I’ve worried, helped, and supported everyone else’s dream but mine. I got to the point where I’m asking God what about me? I’ve lost track of who God has called me to be or what he even wants me to do. I’ve had so many dreams and things I wanted to do but in the last 6 years LIFE has definitely taken over. 
I know that I can still do it but I’m to the point where I am numb. I feel like every time I get a new job or something good happens to me I have to give it up. I’m always the one who sacrifices everything and its ok sometimes but I’m almost 30 and I want to get some things accomplished. 
If I could change the past I would’ve dated longer, waited to get married, and waited on the children but I can not change the past and its OK;-) I’ve definitely embraced where I’ve gone in life and the testimony God has given me. I want to reach lots of women old and young with my story because I have a story and one day God is going to give me the strength and the will power to tell it but our timing is not his so I’m waiting on his release. I know that God is going to do something Great for me this year. I feel it…. But I have to shake this heaven burden off and move on. 
BTW- If you haven’t figured it out by now, I am NOT a blogger who just writes about the “good” stuff. I like to be real. I want my readers to know that they’re not alone and that we as women can share our feelings and not be judged. Now I’m not saying to tell all of your business because I wouldn’t dare do it myself. However, we overcome by the word of our testimony and hopefully we can help each other through our experiences and through prayer. 
Lastly, Tonight a Pastor from Pennsylvania came to visit me and my husband because he wants my husband and I to move to Pennsylvania so my husband can become his Worship Pastor. When I tell you I am so confused and I REALLY need to hear God’s voice on this one. This seems like an awesome opportunity and I’m trying not to be selfish but what is a girl to do? lol….. Pray for me as I go through yet another transition! 
P.S. I know I may have rambled a bit so please forgive me:-)

What’s up with me this week?

This has been one slow week I mean it has definitely been dragging and I feel like I’m dragging along with it. Maybe it’s the birth control I started taking a couple of weeks ago or maybe its the sahm blues. I don’t know what it is but something “aint” right. I’ve tried to shake it off but I can’t. 
I haven’t left the house since Sunday because we were having trouble with our car and my husband didn’t want me to drive. Tonight will be the 1st time I’m leaving the house because we have Bible study but this feeling has got to go. 
I really feel like a lazy bum….

However, my mom dropped off this “this book” for me and I am going to start reading it this week and maybe it will give me a little boost… thx to mrs. tabbs:) 
Yesterday, before my husband came home I got all cute and cooked dinner so he wouldn’t look at me like I was a lazy bum. HA! Its been raining down here in Atlanta and its been gloomy and I feel like the weather. 
There are things I could do around here but I have no energy to do it. I feel like its the same thing over and over again. A never ending cycle of laundry, dishes, diapers, vacuuming, folding clothes, cleaning, and so on. 
Well, Anywhoo- enough rambling for me….. Check this out! It sure did give me the giggles when I saw it…
 

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Extreme Makeover: Blog Edition!

I am LOVING my blog makeover! Doesnt it look Great????

It was done by Rekita from http://www.lovelyarmywife.com/ her business site is called http://www.designedlovelystudio.com/ and it was such a pleasure working with her.

She works very fast and works to get you exactly what you want. If you are in need of an 
Extreme Makeover: Blog Edition please go check her out. Her prices are very reasonable and she is just an awesome person to work with.

I hope you like it:)

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Weekend Recap

Hi Everyone! I pray that your weekend was a blessed one…. I know I tend to write long post sometimes so this post is a recap with pictures and few words:)


This is me on Friday after a very long day with my Grandmother’s hat on. I tried to take it but she stated that I could borrow it but I had to bring it back because someone made it for her. Lol…. My Grandmother does not like to give anything away but she let me borrow it because I’m her favorite:)
OK- So, here is a better picture of me…lol…. However, Saturday my mother got ordained as the Pastor of my Grandfather’s church because he has now retired and this is me on the way to the service. I am so very proud of my mommy:)
Daddy had to go sit in the foyer with Mallorie because she kept crying and fighting sleep and one of my cousin’s took the pic and sent it to me.
We decided to make a run to Wal-Mart after the service 
I dressed them alike for the service… Excuse the “little” one’s hair, all the pulling and scratching she did to it messed it up… I didn’t get a before picture when everything was perfect b/c we were rushing trying to get to the church early that day.
After we left walmart we realized we had a flat tire so my husband had to go to QT and change the tire so it took him a little over an hour because that was his first time doing it.
Here they are again on Sunday morning before service at the church my husband ministers at…. I wish I could get a good picture of them sometimes. 
While on the way home from church, Madison says “Mommy, look what I drew?”  So, I asked her dad if he drew it and he said no we couldn’t believe that our 4 year old drew this amazing turtle. She said it was a picture of our turtle that died a couple of months ago.
Our Sunday ended Great because our Atlanta Falcons won!!!! 
I am excited for 2 reasons… 1.) They have had a really good season 2.) If they had lost my husband would have been acting so emotional and I really didn’t want to deal with that drama. HA! So,
Congratulations Falcons, I really believe you guys are going to the Superbowl!
That concludes my weekend recap. 
I hope you all had a wonderful weekend!!!

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Shonda Rhimes is a Genius!

You may be a fan of Grey’s Anatomy, Private Practice, or even the new show Scandal and all Thanks to the shows Creator Shonda Rhimes. Let me say that I am definitely a fan of all 3…. I’ve seen each one since their beginning seasons and I have not been disappointed.

Here are my takes on the shows (I will be all over the place): 

Greys Anatomy:   
  1. I really miss George & Izzy sometimes….. I really love the old gang
  2. A moment of silence for Lexi & Mark 🙁
  3. I’m so glad Meredith & Derrick are still together, they are my all time favorite. I love their story
  4. If I was Arizona and I lost my leg I would probably have the same attitude. I mean how soon would you be willing to have sex after losing a leg or even be able to cope with life? So sad
  5. I don’t know what’s up with Bailey’s new husband making that statement on tonight’s episode about seeing each other for 5 mins every 3 months…. Ummmmm- no sir, not me! But hey whatever floats your boat… Lol
  6. I can’t believe Christina and Owen are getting a divorce ( I love Christina but maybe she’ll learn not to be so selfish)
Private Practice:  
  1. Addison is my girl and all but why go to L.A. for change but you sleep with pretty much everyone in the office?
  2. I really wanted to see Addy & Sam together…. Oh Well
  3. I miss Dale
  4. Is it just me or was the episode when that “looney toon” cut Violet’s baby out of her stomach crazy or what?
  5. Sheldon’s voice is soooooooo annoying and it always seems like his mouth is dry:-/
  6. Did Naomi look like a bodybuilder or what?
Scandal:
  1. Dear Shonda Rhimes, you don’t ever have to make another show after this one because I can’t imagine anything being better……
  2. Yall remember President Fitzgerald from the movie Ghost?
  3. I don’t believe in Adultery but what do you do in a situation like this? I mean I can’t stop watching it, I’m tooooo far into it now…..lolol
  4. Cyrus and his “husband” are hilarious together (not in a good way) ever see them kiss? Those kisses are beyond forced…. I’m glad they don’t do often b/c I gag every time I see it
  5. I commend Mellie for being cordial with her husband’s lover but if that was me, I think the show would have went a little bit different:)
  6. Raise your hand if you know that Mellie is not carrying the President’s baby…..
Follow me on twitter so you can catch my thoughts on the shows when they are on during the week!

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Desperate times call for Desperate measures

Did I say that “saying” right?¿?¿? Well, Anywhoo…. Let me just say this before I get to my actual point. I downloaded the blogger app to my phone the other day and now I am blogging from my phone for the first time and its pretty cool…. I don’t know how often I will actually use it but I like the fact that I have an option to do so and you can take pics and from the app too:) I think I may be late figuring this out so ummmm…..
Ok, now to my actual post!
Today my mom, brother, and I decided to go out for breakfast and then to the mall.
Well, that’s great but I forgot one thing…. Mallorie’s “big girl” car seat. I forgot to tell my husband to get it out of the car before he left for work. My mom suggested we go by his job and get it but we still needed something for her to ride in to his job.
Ladies: I went in the attic and got the infant seat! HA! And with her feet hanging out and all, she did not complain about it. So what did this mommy do? I kept her in it all day:-) She even slept like a baby when it was nap time. Sort of made me miss that old thing….

P.S. Its been 24 hrs since I fell down the steps & my body is super sore. I still can’t believe I fell…again! Lol

Here is a picture of Mallorie at breakfast this morning eating pancakes

-Martina