Saturday, February 26, 2011

Coming Up.....

Stay tuned..............I'm pouring my heart into a post that I don't want to write haphazardly.  I want to ensure that I fully express my admiration and love for who I'm writing about.  I would love to add your comments to the post!!!


Photo Credit


If you have a special relationship with your Father and consider yourself a Daddy's Girl, please share your story with us.

Thanks and I should have this post up within the next day or two!   :)



Friday, February 11, 2011

You Are So Beautiful!

Photo Credit: Grayson & Jackson, by Alison Little
Who doesn't have a day when they feel like complete crapola? 

When your hair doesn't do what you want it to. 
When you can't find an outfit that you like. 
When you would rather stay in your yoga pants and a hoodie or pajamas, and throw a ponytail up. 



Photo Credit
We all have these times, and if you're a stay-at-home-mom (like me), there's a good chance that you have them more frequently than others.  Well, maybe we don't want these 'jama days' more than most, it could be that we get to take these days more often because we don't have an office to go to, requiring we get dressed.



Photo Credit
Do you feel beautiful when you are bumming it?  I can honestly tell you that on these days I don't necessarily feel attractive.  I know that men say they think it's sexy when a woman has on no make-up and a ponytail or ball cap.  Though, I have a good feeling a lot of these guys have a Victoria's Secret commercial in mind more than your average woman.

On the days when you just want to cuddle up with an over sized blanket, a cup of coffee and put on your favorite pair of socks and flannels, do you find you feel less than productive?  Sometimes productivity makes us feel beautiful, sometimes it's more than make-up and amazing jewelry.  Well, here's a confession......I feel that I get more done during the day if I get up and get dressed.  Does that mean that I always feel like it?  No way!!!  In fact, quite the opposite is typically the case.  Because of this I normally don't feel beautiful.  Welllllllllll, this and the fact that I would love to lose weight faster than I am and dread the reflection in the mirror; but that's a whole other story.  Most days I would trade in beauty for comfort.

What I'm finding out, though, as I get older is that I don't HAVE to trade in comfort for beauty!  Being gorgeous is more about who you are than what you wear.  Attractiveness stems from how you make others feel more than sporting the newest clothing line.  Being comfortable in your own skin is more magnificent than being comfortable in your skinny jeans.  I know, I know.  All of our mothers told us this when we were young.  It's just taken this kid thirty-some-odd years to actually realize how true it is. 


Photo Credit
We all enjoy getting dressed up and having a reason to hit the town, but don't you also feel filled with self-worth when you get a lot done during your day?  Don't you feel accomplished when your children are happy, when you've done your job (no matter the title) to the best of your abilities or when you have completed your list of to-do's before lunchtime (or even bedtime)?  There are so many reasons we feel beautiful, and it's because we ARE!  YOU ARE!  You are beautiful!.....whether you feel that you are or not, you are!  Whether you accomplish all you had set forth for the day or not, you are beautiful!  Just ask any one of your loved ones or friends and I guarantee you they will tell you that you are beautiful!

Beauty not only comes in all shapes, forms and colors...it also is comes from a place that is more authentic than how you look to yourself and others. 

Never lose sight of the fact that YOU ARE SO BEAUTIFUL!

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Super (Duper) Bowl

When I was still in my teens I was told I would never be able to have children, so when my husband and I found out we were pregnant with our oldest daughter you can imagine the joy felt, but with happiness came uncertainty and fear.  I had my life planned out one way and in an instant the money we thought we'd never have to spend for diapers, clothing and college was spoken for.  The financial aspect was the least of our worries, as life was just, simply not going as I had planned.  Instead it was to be much better than the path I had set forth ahead of me!  SO MUCH BETTER!!!!
Molly's footprints
 
Newborn Molly
Molly, 2 weeks
Molly was a ham from day one!
                              

Molly was born in June, 2005 and my life changed more than anyone could have prepared me for; our lives were filled with more laughter and joy than in my wildest dreams.  Life was good! 

Molly, taken by Aunt Katy




Our sweet and adorable Molly
       
Super Bowl, 2006 had one big winner and that was our family!  We found out we were pregnant with Reagan that day and, with the doctor's prediction of not being able to have kids, knew we were surely blessed a second time around.  Molly was 8 months old and getting ready to a big sister. 

How Daddy found out we
were having another girl
4 months pregnant with Reagan
                       
                                                        
Reagan was born in September and she was TINY, staying in the NICU for 10 days.  This was the first time in my life that I knew what it felt like to be completely out-of-control-of-the-outcome.  I was never so scared in my life, all the while feeling as though I had to put up this 'front' of being completely confident and strong.  One day when I was walking down to see Reagan the father of a little girl who was just next to our baby girl was sitting at a table outside the NICU entrance, sobbing  uncontrollably; as though his entire world had just shattered beneath him.  It did!  His little girl had just lost her fight and the little body that he didn't get to rock in his arms, but so often touched, stroking her hair and running his finger along her little fingers and toes, as he stood outside an incubator, forced to stick his hands through small openings, unable to hold her in his arms would not be going home with her family.  I wanted to be able to take away the pain I saw his body attempt to release through tears and the occasional clinched jaw, you could see his large frame collapsed by the devastation as the table was almost all that kept him from falling to the floor.  In the same instant I wanted to rush to my baby's side, ensuring that she was still alive.  I walked over to him, not sure of what I'd say or what there was to say; nothing makes times like these less agonizing.  I hugged him and didn't say a word, not even I'm sorry.  I knew those two little words seemed so cold, so unimportant, to meaningless at that moment.  I couldn't imagine what he and his wife were going through.  I didn't want to know first-hand.          
   

Newborn Reagan in the NICU
 

Newborn Reagan, Still in the NICU
               













Our funny and beautiful Reagan

               
Reagan was released and came home, a happy, healthy, wonderful baby.  She rarely cried, neither of our daughters did.  She was a wonderful sleeper and didn't get up much through the night, that is the way they both were.  We were blessed beyond measure!


Clockwise: "Aunt Wally", Molly
and Reagan, Halloween '06
Reagan
                       
The girls have gotten older and are more of a joy every, single day.  They fill our lives and home with such laughter.  They amaze me more than I could have ever anticipated.

            



While the Super Bowl is a time when most fans can tell you when, or if, their favorite team took home the trophy and ring, and gather with wonderful friends to chow down on guacamole, chips, dip, wings and pizza....I can honestly say I'll always remember it as one of the greatest in my life, because we found out our team was growing that day!  Life is GREAT!

Molly, Age 5

Reagan, Age 4

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Why We Walk

Meet Landon!  This little boy is the reason we are raising money for and walking with Team in Training!  His story will melt your heart and touch your soul. 

To donate, please go to The Barnes' Team In Training Donation Page

For ever $10 donated one entry will be made in the raffle for a custom-made afghan

....And every person who donates any amount will be entered in (each of the) raffles for:
            1) Crocheted Deluxe Spa Facial Cloth and Hand Towel
            2) Beautiful Crocheted Scarf

Photo Credit: Landon's Blog

CHARLOTTE SUMMER TEAMS 2011 TEAM HONOREE
LANDON PERTUSET

After months of joint pains, random fevers and a case of what doctors thought was Epididymitis, we received the news that no family wants to he......ar - my beautiful, four year old son, Landon has cancer. On July 4, 2009, Landon was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL).
After an eleven-day stay at the Levine Children's Hospital, Landon went home to face a new chapter in his life, a three and a half year fight with leukemia. As a parent, one of the biggest challenges was trying to answer when his "blood would be all better". It's hard for a child to understand exactly how long three and a half years is. Landon and his mother counted out 1,300 pebbles and put them into a vase. Every night before bed, Landon picks a pebble from the vase and prays for strength with it, and then puts it into a box.
Once Landon is done with treatment, he wants to take his box of pebbles to Fripp Island and throw them in the ocean and CELEBRATE! Landon's treatment will end September 9, 2012!! This vase of pebbles has really helped Landon visualize the road ahead and when his blood will be better.
Landon is a very outgoing, friendly, sweet, brave and smart little boy! He loves meeting new people, especially children! He has a gift of making everyone feel like they are his best friend. Landon loves playing outside, reading books, helping with recipes in the kitchen, making crafts, playing video games, and watching movies.
Our family would like to encourage all Team In Training participants to fight for a cure! You can check on Landon’s progress by following his blog at: http://landonpertuset.com/

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Did I Keep My Resolution In January?

This post is going to be short and sweet........


Wow....February is already here?  It feels as though we were just ringing in 2011.  My resolution was to try three new things each month.  In January I did a lot of little 'firsts', but there were two BIG leaps for me that I'm proud I was willing to jump into.  The first was starting a blog, which....well, this is proof that I did.  The second was joining Team In Training and signing up for a half-marathon in San Diego that will take place in June.  I am sooooooo amazed that I have done the latter.  This took overcoming just the mental fears of failure and taking the first step, which will lead to many, many, many more steps as I train for the 13 miles that seem, at this point, as a near impossible goal.

So, did I keep my resolution? ----well, kind of.  Two out of three ain't bad.