Background

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Scary Mommy Confession

My brother in law posted this picture on Facebook a few months ago, and I laughed so hard...and it has stuck with me.  So Much TRUTH!


And it kept replaying over and over and over in my head these past two days.  Because as my beautiful and precious toddler spent 85% of her awake time either squawking or screaming or throwing a fit or misbehaving or arching her back or kicking or refusing to obey....there were times when my patience ran thin!

But right as my mind was about to be lost, she would do something incredibly adorable or snuggle on my shoulder or ask for me to hold her or give me a hug or simply smile a most beautiful smile at me...and all my tensed emotions just seemed to melt away...


Ohhhh, she's lucky she's so dern cute.

love your babies; even when they make you crazy.

love, angie

Sunday, August 25, 2013

l'amour, amore, amor


Six years I've been lucky enough to be married to that stud of mine.  He is one cool cat who stole my heart immediately.  That big ole frame just houses my big ole teddy bear, who's strong for me all the time but also tender with the hearts of those he loves.  And giggle--oh he can make me giggle!


We just fit.  Like two peas in a pod.  Like cheese in macaroni.  Like perfection.


Here's to six years, my love!  And so many more that we almost lose count...almost...





 6 years of blessed marriage
5 parents' love and support
4 cars purchased and surgeries had
3 homes lived in and countries visited
2 church families and Saints games
1 beautiful daughter
0 regrets




you'll always be my favorite.
happy anniversary, babe!
love, angie

Friday, August 23, 2013

Long time no see, blogland

Hello, hello, hello??

I'm not sure if anyone ever read or "followed" my blog to begin with, but I'm sure I lost all two of them with my ridiculously long absence!

I cannot even begin to explain to you the craziness that our life has been.  We have been going non-s.t.o.p. since March...March, people!  It's August--that's six months without slowing down at all!  These past two weeks have been my hibernation phase and I'm finally starting to feel like a normal human being again.

I've thought of blogging again several times throughout those two weeks, but I could never settle on what direction I wanted to head after being gone for so long.  I still don't really know, but I had to make myself break my writer's block--I love this blog too much to just let it drift away!

First of all, let me remind you how cute my kid is...  That may sound pompous, but I'm her mama so I get to be :)

We had family pictures taken last month, and this one is our favorite...she's just perfect.
It has been so much to go through this age with her.  She is talking like nobody's business, learning new words and phrases daily (it seems hourly...) and we are constantly giggling at her little personality that's beginning to bloom.  It's just cool.

Second, I will be buying The Great Gatsby when it's released on Tuesday.  Because of that craziness I mentioned earlier, I wasn't able to go see it in the theaters; and the major English nerd inside of me was not happy about it.  I'm ready to get swept back into the world of literature--even if this time it's on the big screen.

Look at those characters--so much depth, even in a still shot.  Take me away Daisy; Nick; Gatsby...
Third, I am so ready for Fall that I can hardly stand it!  September through December is my absolute favorite time of year, hands down!  Granted, being in the deep south, we don't get to enjoy the full color and temperature changes that Fall brings in the more northern areas.  However, we still get our own version of cooler temps and I love em.  Plus it's FOOTBALL season, baby!  And the colors, and the smells, and the food, and the family gatherings, and the joy...it's just a time of joy...for months in a row!  And I just love it.

October really is a swell time...
So you better believe that come September 1, I will be busting out the full on Fall decor.  I. Can't. Wait!

Man it feels good to be back!  Hopefully my posting will find a regularity to it again now that I finally broke through my post-crazy writer's block.  I've missed you friends!

Until next time,
love, angie


Thursday, June 27, 2013

Thankful Thursday

Today I'm thankful:

--that I was given the opportunity, with my teen girls' class, to teach the wee ones on Wednesday night.  Our topic was God'd BIG Spirit--what a challenge to teach to kids ages 1, 2, 4, and 7!  Things went well though, although I have no idea if they had any idea what I was talking about...  Preparing and planning for that class made me realize how much I love working with the youngsters.  I've been so focused on the teens for such a long time (don't get me wrong--I adore them and would not trade my work with them for anything); but I had forgotten what it was like to teach the littles.

--for my NEW CAR!!!!  My boy is so good to me.  I mean really, sometimes it's just unreal.  Through an unexpected string of events, we ended up trading in his beloved truck for me a mama mobile!  It's a 2013 Ford Explorer Sport--and it is amazing.


--that my dad's surgery went well last week (rotator cuff repair).  {and that he'll be off for a while and able to just be...he doesn't get to relax often}

--for a best who is completely honest with me and with whom I can be completely honest.  We just get each other.  It's fabulous.

--that I get to host a baby shower for some sweet friends this weekend!  It'll be a fun time, and I just love hosting a shower :)

What about you?  Take a little time and reflect on your week/month/life.  What are you thankful for?  Recognizing those things makes life a little fuller!


be grateful, give thanks.
love, angie

Thursday, June 20, 2013

Thankful Thursday

Today I'm thankful:

--for last week at Encounter with our teens.  I am hoping to get a full blog post up about it soon, although I'm not sure that I can even begin to sum it all up in words.  It was an incredible week and I am honored to have gotten to be a part of it.

--for my sweet girl and the lessons in patience she teaches me daily.  She's my reminder to slow down (which I'm not always the best at) and enjoy my life right now, in the present.

--for the incredible dads that my incredible Father has blessed my life with.

--for group texting.  These kids keep me giggling all day long :)

--that although I'm crazy busy the next few weeks/weekends, at least it won't involve traveling.  I'm ready to be a homebody for a while...


Friday, June 7, 2013

Thankful Thursday

Although it's technically Friday to all of us Central and Eastern time zoners...  Happy Thursday to y'all on the West Coast!  Let's get to thankin'!

Today I'm thankful:

--for a full day of friends!  My mother-in-law and soon to be sister-in-law came over today for us to spend some time learning how to work a sewing machine (and all of the measuring and folding and ironing that goes with it).  Then, our friend Jacob (whose wedding we just went to a few weeks ago) stopped in to stay the night.  Tomorrow, my best friend and her momma are coming for the night...seeing her face and getting in a little visit gives me quite a boost in the soul.  These two days have been packed with people I love and I've love it!

--for my parents.  They are graciously and selflessly keeping our sweet doodle while we are with our youth group at camp.  So incredibly thankful...

--that we are able to go to Encounter with our kids this year.  This camp changes them--we've been blessed to see the results of that in the year's past.  We're anxious and excited to get to experience their testimonies first hand with them, work through those changes with them, and get some quality time with our Jesus in with them.  It's going to be a blessing!

--that a new demonstrator joined my Stampin' Up! team!  Being an SU demonstrator has been so fun for me, and I just love it when other people are excited enough about crafting and the product to join--especially with me!

--that Wal-Mart stays open 24 hours.  There is something refreshing about going grocery shopping in a calm and quiet store, late at night, and without a wee one.


be grateful, give thanks.
love, angie

Friday, May 31, 2013

New Photopolymer stamp set and a little stampin' sale!

So to kick off the new catalog's debut, Stampin' Up! is offering three of their sentiment stamp sets at a 25% discount!  You can snag this sale today through June 30.


Sassy Salutations
Sweet Essentials

Petite Pairs

Also to help kick the excitement up a notch (like we needed more!), they have released another photopolymer stamp set!  These sets are so versatile and easy to use, it's no wonder they're catching on like crazy.  The newest set is called "Wanderlust" and calls out to all of you wandering travelers out there...

Wanderlust  $13.95  133452
Here's a reminder of the photopolymer stamp sets that have already been released:
Designer Typeset  $13.95   132956

Bombs Away Birthday  $13.95   133411
Show & Tell 1  $13.95   133450

Show & Tell 2   $13.95    133481

happy crafting,
angie