So...It's My Birthday :)

Well...it's my birthday. Today, I am 22 years old, although, I do feel much older than that (physically). This was the first year I didn't make a big deal out of my birthday. I didn't really care if people forgot or not, whenever I try to plan something for my own birthday, something bad always happens. So, I didn't plan a thing, and if people forget....well, I'll make sure to "forget" their birthday too. Totally kidding.

I'm not officially 22 years old until eight o'clock tonight. I've heard the story several times about the night I was born. My Grandmother was banned from my Mom's room, by my Mom, until I was born. You had to know my Grandmother to understand this move by my Mom. My Grandmother kept coming in the room, at the most crucial moments, asking how my Mom was and what she was doing and if I was here yet. To understand this to it's fullest extent, you would have to understand how my Grandmother asked questions. Anyway, it's hard to believe I am now only a year younger, than my Parents were when I was born. Guess that should make my Parents feel pretty old, but they really aren't.

Anyway, here's a picture of me when I was Bree's age. And yes, this is a picture of a picture, because the scanner is being stupid.

Hello Monday...

The weekend went by relatively fast I thought. We didn't do much this weekend, except watch football. Against my will. If the Hubs wasn't watching a football game, then he was watching a football movie. I felt like throwing a football through the television. Don't get me wrong, I love football. I love watching my Clemson Tigers play (which we won Saturday night, beating Florida State 40 to 24!), but I do not love watching other random football teams play football. I thought that by Sunday, I would be free from football since neither one of us really like NFL football....but nope. He even watched NFL football, claiming that there was nothing else on the television. Give me the remote. I'll find something.

So, I can't exactly say that my last weekend as a 21 year old went out with the bang. It actually ended like a person who was about to turn 93. I had a headache, stuffy nose, and was laid out on the couch for most of Sunday night. Seriously, I know more women in their 80's who have more active lives than I do on the weekend. It was a good weekend though, and I got to spend it with my family.

Over the weekend, I did get an award from Elizabeth at Confessions of a Working Mom.
Like every award I have ever gotten, I am eternally grateful!! So thank you Elizabeth! Now, like most awards, there are a set of rules and they are as follows:
* Display the award logo.
* Nominate up to 9 blogs that make you feel comfy or warm inside.
* Link to your nominees.
* Let them know they have been nominated by commenting.
* Link to the person from whom you receieved the award.

So...without further ado, here are my nominees for the Heartfelt Blogger Award:
- Megan of Infertile Myrtle
- Neva of Mostly Flummoxed
- Muthering Heights
- Brandy of You Don't Know

I swear, I could have listed all of you, but I don't have that much time on my hands. So, if you are new to this blog or come all of the time, but haven't checked out any of my awesome followers...then look over to your right and check out my friends! They are all awesome!

So...I've Been Tagged :)

So, I've been tagged! Theta Mom tagged me, and I thought it would be fun to continue the process! As part of the "tagging" process, Theta Mom has asked that I write 5 experiences that have helped shape me into a Theta Mom(a true, authentic Mom), and then tag some other, really AWESOME theta moms! So, without further ado, here are 5 experiences that have molded and shaped me into a Theta Mom.

1. The way in which I got pregnant (before I was married, and at 19 years old), not many people thought that I would be able to be a Mother, because I was "too young and inexperienced". Well, if anyone actually knew me, they would know to not tell me that I can't do something, because that gives me even more of a reason to do it, and do it good! I have surprised everyone who ever knew me with how I have handled being a Mother. I am a good Mama with patience I never thought I would have. How much experience do you have to have before you can be a good mother?

2. Bree got her first cold when she was about two months old, so I pulled out my baby book to see what I should do. I was surprised that I had already done all of the things the baby book suggested. Humidifier, propped head, etc... However, my Mother In Law wasn't satisfied with the fact that I knew what I was doing and that I had a pretty good maternal instinct. She swore that I needed to call the doctor, and wasn't going to leave me alone until I did. To get her to shut up, I called the Doctor, and he told me everything I told her. Without a fever, they wouldn't see Bree, but do this, this and this...and she should begin to get well soon. And...she did. I was proud of how accurate my Maternal Instincts were, and even more so proud that I could successfully care for my baby without the help of a doctor, or a baby book, or a stinkin' Mother in Law.

3. Unlike a lot of first time Moms, I never wanted to just stay at home all day long with my baby. In fact, since Bree was born, we would do a lot of going. I did most of this going, by myself, while the hubby was at work. You wouldn't believe the muscles in my arms from lifting the car seat in and out of my 2 door Honda Civic. I think it was important for both me and Bree to get out. Even if it was just to walk around a store, we were still getting out.

4. Bree was a late "walker". She was 16 months old before she actually walked, but I knew all along she could...she just didn't see the need in it. While the Mother In Law (again) swore up and down that something was wrong with her...I knew that you couldn't force a baby/toddler to do anything. They do things on their own timing. While the Mother-In-Law had me taking Bree to a chiropractor to make sure she was developing correctly (which I knew she was), I waited...patiently. And sure enough, one day she got up and just started walking. Perfectly. As though she had been walking all along. Again, my maternal instincts were right, and I knew then that I had to wait on Bree to do things when she was ready.

5. I won't say that I am a perfect Mommy, but I do try hard. Being a Mommy requires more patience than I could have ever imagined having. Sometimes I think about how easy my life would be without a kid, but then I can't imagine my life without Bree. She means the world to me, and for the first time in my life, I know what it is like to love someone unconditionally, just as God loves His children unconditionally. Being a Mommy is one of the most rewarding experiences that anyone could ever imagine having, because at the end of the day, no matter what has happened in the midst of a chaotic day, I know that Bree will love me no matter what; and she knows that I will love her no matter what she does. It's all about love.

So, now that I have shared with you just 5 of the many experiences I have had, that have helped shape me into a theta mom, I ask you to grab this tag and share with me and your readers, your experiences. Make sure you tag others as well, and let's get this train moving!

Becky of In The Trenches
Mrs. M of I've Changed My Name to Mommy
The Crazy Baby Mama
Helene of I'm Living Proof That God Has a Sense of Humor
Chell of Nicely Composed
Our B Life
Jenny of Our Nifty Notebook


I hope you all have a FABULOUS Sunday, and I'll see you back here tomorrow!

P.M.S - Piss Me off Syndrome

This entire week I have been suffering from PMS. Although I have been more irritable lately, I have also been extremely bloated. The bloated issues make me crazy. I feel fat, and like I could pop at any second. This is not a good feeling. My hands swell, and of course my tummy, the one thing I have worked so hard at making look thin, looks fat. I exercised every day last week to try and keep the bloating down but with no avail.

I don't normally write about this stuff, but at the moment, I'm a little fed up with it all. I can't take Midol, or any other "non-bloating" medication, because it makes my heart race and gets me all jittery. At the moment, I think I'd rather be having those side effects rather than the bloating. It's not like they show in the commercials, where you can get your pants to button, it's just this annoying, internal feeling of bloat. It doesn't matter what type of clothing I put on, I still feel like I look fat in it, because I feel like I am about to blow up!

So, when I don't feel right in my own skin...I tend to get a little grouchy. That's why I have deemed P.M.S to stand for Piss-Me-Off-Syndrome instead of Pre-Menstrual Syndrome. Just add an "O" between the M and S

Oh, and yes, I have been drinking lots of water (because that's all I do drink)...and still it makes no difference.

Thank you for bearing with me as I vent about my bloating. Feel free to join in, maybe it'll make me feel better :)