Longing In My Heart

The longing inside my heart grew as I watched gift after gift being unwrapped. The "oohs" and "ahhs" as each gift was passed around made everything bittersweet. I attended my cousins baby shower today. This is her fourth and very unexpected pregnancy and when I miscarried in April she felt bad and was afraid to even tell me she was pregnant. I am happy for her, truly happy. However, it just makes the longing grow stronger.

Then there was the little baby that attended. He was adorable and he came to me with ease. He snuggled next to my cheek and laid his head on my shoulder. His grandma took him away only to return him to me when he held out his tiny arms wanting to be back in mine. We snuggled some more. The aching in my heart continued.

Hopefully, God will bless us with one of our own someday.

Where Is My Muse?

The other day I came upon the show "Charmed". In the short time that I watched, the sisters were inspired by a muse that they were trying to protect. Their adrenaline was high and the creativity was overflowing. Then at a seconds notice their muse was whisked away by the bad guys and a funk entered the room. The sister's spirits were low and depressing until the husband of one of the sisters said they didn't need a muse to be inspired but to dig down deep into themselves to find their inspiration. Of course, they eventually did find their "inner muse" and save the day.

As the school year approaches I am finding it very difficult to find my "inner muse". I love teaching but cannot seem to form an idea or theme for my classroom this year. Or if I decide on a theme I am unispired on how to make it happen.

I walk into my teaching partners room and am absolutely in love with her room and how it will inspire her students. Maybe I should borrow her inner muse? If you find my "inner muse" please send him or her back to me so that I may complete my room so that I in turn can inspire the young minds that will enter my room this year.

Shopping With My Mother ~ Post-it Note Tuesday

Hell Did Not Freeze Over ~ Post it Note Tuesday

Saturday Morning Bliss

Most people can't wait for the weekends because work is over and they are free to do what they want but me, I can't wait because my husband cooks breakfast.

Hunny Bunny lets me sleep in and he gets up and creates an amazing breakfast. Now I don't get breakfast in bed but the fact that I don't have to get up to cook makes my day.

This morning was pancakes, coffee, and bacon. I love bacon and he knows this! He also makes wonderful pancakes but he won't share his recipe with me. Even our seven year old nieces think their uncle makes the best pancakes in the whole world.

Even though we have only been married a year I sure hope this Saturday morning tradition never ends.

Best Birthday Gift Ever

So on the morning of my birthday (July 4th) I awoke to my husband of one year handing me two cards. One was from him and the other from my stepson "T".

The first card is from my husband, who is a nonstop jester, happened to be serious and sweet. This was unusual for him but a nice surprise for me since he could have taken me turning 40 to the next level.

But the second card is what caught my attention. When I married Hunny Bunny it was a two for one deal (by the way "T" was 13 when HB and I married). I was good with that. "T" lives with us all year long and visits his mom (which I am proud to say we get along great) . "T" has always let me know that I am not his mother. I am okay with that. But I was touched that even though his card poked seriously at my age it is how he signed it that brought me to tears. It made my day and in my heart it was the best birthday gift that a stepchild could give his stepparent.

Giddy over an Award

Excitement was abound when Mandy at Completely Chaotic...and loving it bestowed upon me the following award:

As Susan Polis Shutz said "Let us dance in the sun, wearing wildflowers in our hair." The women I pass this award have a great outlook on life and always seem to be dancing in the sun:

What's Around the Next Bend

Controlling My Chaos

Classy Career Girl

Completely Eclipsed

The Articulate Ramblings of the Attorney-At-Mom

Happy reading!

It's All In The "Hood".

Childhood, Girlhood, Sisterhood, Adulthood... all these stages of life have something in common. Friendship. Over the years I have been truly blessed with friends and as I turned 40 last Sunday I realized, just like my family, they helped to mold me into the woman I am today. So this blog entry is dedicated to the friends that hold a dear place in my life.

In my childhood some of my closest friends were my cousins Shelby, Karrie, Cassie, and Sheila. We did everything together from school to church, from Missionettes, Mighty Might cheerleaders, the local beauty pageant, and the Baton twirling team. We were together a lot. They taught me that even though we're family we were friends too.

As I grew older, came my girlhood friends from all over: Michelle W., Renzi, Dina D., Dina B., Debbie, Kelley, and Cheryl. Each one of these wonderful friends came from different walks of life financially, geographically, spiritually, and culturally. Being their friend helped me to become a better person by recognizing differences and overcoming fears of being different.

Next comes my friends from my college years: Shannon, Michelle G., Liz, Nicole, Becky, and Jeff. We traveled and lived together or in Jeff's case we dated and then became great friends. In some cases these wonderful people prepared me for marriage. I learned to live with others and become a compromiser instead of a controller.

Then came some of the most wonderful women I know. These women were placed in my life by God. I know this because of the circumstances in how I met them. Deanna, Dawn, Sue, and Kim (my sister in law). they have been through the ups and downs of my dating life before I met my wonderful husband. They have emotionally and spiritually encouraged me as well as respected me through the past 14 years of my life. God placed them in my life when I needed them the most. They have taught me sisterhood.

I am a blessed woman to have been touched by the lives of the women who helped shape me in to who I am today.