Somewhat Eventful

So I decided to post some pictures to update ya'll about the past day or two.  I haven't given ya'll a sneek peek into my life in a while, so here ya go!

These first few were taken at "The Rialto Theater", which the locals affectionately refer to as "The Rat Hole".    This theater is very old and is the oldest one in the area.  I don't even think it has central air, which would explain the mass amount of box fans under the screen in one of my pictures below.  Tuesday and Thursday nights are $1 nights.  We took Rainbow to see "Pirates: Band of Misfits" on Tuesday evening.  

 These were from this morning, right after the storm.  It stormed and rained this morning, cooling off the air for the rest of the day.  It was great.  Rainbow wanted to play outside on the back deck while her Grandma was out there relaxing and enjoying the morning.  She decided that she was a little gardener.  By the way, you've got to love the mis-matched outfit!  :)

 In the car, about to leave for Wal-Mart...

On our way to drop some things off to a friend, I saw this sitting at the local gas station...I just couldn't resist.  Isn't it beautiful?

 Almost there, beautiful scenery...

 I am super excited about these!  How cute are they!?  

 This is what my little Ladybug has to use now, thanks to the RSV she's had for almost 2 weeks now.  I will yet count my blessings.  At least we are not making daily trips to the Dr. office and urgent care for breathing treatments anymore.  

 Rainbow loves this thing. VTech Write & Learn Touch Tablet.  I definitely recommend it!

 Rainbow would not leave our 2nd trip to Wal-Mart without this flag.  She just had to have it.  And this dog is a random puppy that belongs to a neighbor around here.  Rainbow is in love with this puppy.  I'm pretty sure that she thinks its hers since it's always in our yard.  The way she says "puppy" is absolutely adorable.  And this picture is just too sweet.  

 These two would be perfect 4th of July pictures!  Hmmm...I think I forsee a profile picture change on Facebook soon!  :)

 And last, but certainly not least, is my gorgeous Ladybug!  And what a JOY she is in my life!  As you can see, she is doing much better.  She still has RSV, but is well on her way to getting better.  She's extremely happy to be breathing more clearly these days (and nights)!  But of course, since she's been sick, she can't join us on our adventures outside of the house until she has completely gotten over her sickness as not to spread it to other kiddos.  But I will tell ya'll, our only two trips out of the house today took us to a friend's house and twice to Wal-Mart.  And why twice to Wal-Mart, you say?  Well, the first one was to replenish our grocery supply since I've been cooped in with sick children.  And the second was for diaper rash cream, thanks to the effects of the antibiotic Ladybug was given.  Mothers who've ever had a small child on an antibiotic will definitely understand.  

:

Thankful Thursday

Well I missed What I love Wednesday, and I'm barely making Thankful Thursday.  Technically it's Friday, but it's still Thursday for me.  Haha!

1.  Body Gospel by Beachbody - This workout program is awesome!  I was extremely hesitant to do it initially because I thought it just sounded so incredibly cheesy!  But after starting it, I'm realizing that I'm getting a very good workout without feeling like I'm killing myself.  I started TurboFire in the beginning because I wanted something hardcore.  But I felt like I was killing myself just to get through half of the workouts.  I would find myself playing around and taking too much time just to start my workout.  And not to mention that my joints, especially my knees, were hurting constantly.  I realized that maybe, just maybe, I had picked a workout program that was too intense for me to handle yet.  This was very difficult for me to admit, even to myself.  I have the tendency to think I can do anything.  So through my shame, I had a talk with my upline coach and she surprised me!  She basically told me that I should re-start my 90 days with my mom's program, Body Gospel, with no condemnation whatsoever!  So I did and I think that's the best thing I could have done for myself.  I'm not fiddling around before my workouts because they are only 30 minutes long.  I'm very tired and worked very good by the end, but I don't feel like I'm about to hyperventilate and kill over.  And the next day, I have some muscle soreness...my not to the point where I can barely move.  This program is going to help get me back into shape and raise my fitness level.  Maybe after a round or two of Body Gospel, I'll be ready to tackle TurboFire.  But in the mean time, I'm happy with this.  

2.  My Mom - In light of Mother's Day this weekend, I thought I would mention my mom.  We butt head a lot.  But regardless of how much arguing we do or don't do, she is always there when I really need her.  And if she can't be, she does her best to make it up.  While I'm struggling to try to make it going through this divorce, she has opened her home to me and the girls.  I'm very thankful that I always have a place to call home.  It's true what they say, "Home is where my mom is."  

3.  My friend, Erin C. - I love the fact that if I'm lonely and just need someone to talk to for no apparent reason, I can call Erin up and ask her to meet me at McDonald's so the kids can play together in the play place.  If she has the ability to find any way to get there with her kids, she's there in a heartbeat.  We will let the kids play and get a kiddy ice cream cone, and we will sit there and just talk about everything under the sun.  And I mean it, we will talk forever!  And whatever was on my mind, making me sad, getting me down, making me bored...is completely gone.  We will talk about our issues, talk about what we are happy about.  When we are done updated each other on the latest, it's time to bring on the jokes!  Needless to say, I am very thankful for Erin and her friendship.  

4.  Google - Seriously.  If it weren't for Google search, I seriously doubt I would have a completed cover letter, resume, and reference list to turn in tomorrow for a job I'm applying for.  

5.  Hope - It's all that's been getting me through.  The hope that tomorrow will be better.  The hope that I will be able to provide for my children.  The hope that I will find someone, someday who will love me like my husband was supposed to.  The hope that all is not lost, and I will live again.  The hope that I have in God for my salvation.  Hope...the last light in the darkness.

The Love That Chose Me

Short post tonight, but I just had to update to tell ya'll how much I love my kids.  I am just absolutely in love with my children.  They make my heart soar.  Ladybug's gorgeous, little, cheesy smiles melt my heart.  The way Rainbow says "I yuh you" when she's falling asleep cuddling with me makes me swell on the inside.  I am just so incredibly blessed.  Sometimes I get so anxious and caught up in other things.  But my kids bring me back down to earth.  I have a tendency to let outside things really stress me out.  And lately, my head has been spinning with questions.  Even though my heart feels like it's in a tug-O-war, they make it ok.  Even when I realize that I'm stepping out of my comfort zone into uncharted territory, and laying all the cards on the table...the risk is almost a little bit easier.  I know that regardless of what direction my life goes in because of the chances that I muster the courage to take, my girls will still be there; needing me, wanting me, loving me.  They are everything to me - my whole life.  They are the reason I wake up everyday ready to take on the world regardless of what comes my way or tries to keep me down.  They are the reason I believe in myself.  Being a mother will teach you an awful lot about yourself, and what you can and cannot handle. 

 But at the end of the day, I snuggle up to my lil' princesses and take a deep breath.  I know that right here in my arms...I hold the whole world - my whole world.  

Got Down With My Bad Self...

Ok ya'll, this has pretty much been an amazing weekend.  I couldn't have asked for a better time.  I started Saturday off by spending a few hours at Beebe Martial Arts with Chrissy for a self-defense class.  I personally suggest this to every woman alive to protect herself from attackers.  The statistics for sexual assaults are insane and most of us have been or could be a victim.  But doing a class like this would give you the skills and awareness to keep the odds in your favor to not be a part of the statistics again or ever.  

But I got down with my bad self!  HI-YAH!!!  I kicked some Jui-Jitsu booty!!!  

And so did Chrissy!

While we were gone, Rainbow got to play in the sprinklers at Grandma's house.

My mother brought Rainbow to our class as it was finishing up.  So we filled up and headed out to Floyd to see the cliffs.  It was gorgeous.  I remember coming out here before, but I don't remember with who.  It's been quite a few years...I recall that I was 15 or 16.  But Chrissy had never seen them, so we went out there.  And of course, we were jamming out to some Luke Bryan the whole way!  I forgot how beautiful it is out in that area...I mean it was just wonderful!  There is a little spot-in-the-road gas station out there and the folks out there are so sweet.  They are also extremely funny, in a good-ol'-country kind of way.  Rainbow loved them and was talking to everyone and trying to sing and dance to them.  This one elderly man came in to pay for his gas and started dancing with her!  It was a trip!  The ladies in there were just so sweet, too.  

We woke up this morning and were in a rushed craze trying to get all of us ready for church this morning.  Nothing seemed to go right and it was chaos.  "I gotta go to the bathroom!"  "Why did you turn that light out?"  "Where did you put ___?"  "I can't find it!"  "Mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom???"

Needless to say, we survived the morning.  Haha!  This morning at church, we celebrated and encouraged all of the graduates in the congregation.  It was good to see all those "kids" up there, all grown up.  Made me feel old and I'm in my mid-20's!  After church, we went to Colton's Steakhouse for lunch.  I had a delicious grilled chicken ceasar salad (I dearly missed eating these when I was pregnant).  Rainbow and Ladybug were just so taken with each other.  Rainbow wanted to love, kiss, and hug all over Ladybug.  Ladybug just wanted to watch what big sis was doing.  It was adorable.  Ahhh....sibling love.  Enjoy it while I can, right?  

After Colton's, we went home and my Grandpa came to visit during naptime for the kids.  Well neither of the kids wanted to nap.  Ladybug ended up going down after laying down with my Grandma.  But Rainbow was a live wire!  Just as Grandpa was leaving, we got a call from Megan, inviting us to come swim.  I packed Rainbow and I up and we headed to Megan's house (she's my brother, Marcus', fiancee).  We swam in their huge pool for about 2 hours or so with Megan, Marcus, Ashley (Megan's sister), and Colton (Ashley's boyfriend).  Rainbow loved it!  Oh wow, she threw a fit when we got out...if you can't tell by this pouty face picture.  :)

And now ladies and gentleman, to inform you of my favorite part of the weekend....Sunday Night!

We decided immediately after swimming that we wanted to go 4-wheeling!  So we all dried off, got on clothes and boots we didn't care for getting all dirty, and headed out in the country to Colton's house.  They took Megan's family's 4-wheeler out there after loading it up in his truck so we'd have another one.  I borrowed Megan's muck boots, as seen in the picture below, because all I had were flip-flops.  And since they are in fact, my favorite flip-flops, the high possibility of cow manure being flug on my flip-flop was not ok.  So we rode, and rode, and rode for about 3 hours.  We had a blast!  Megan shook my brains out wheeling accross all the rocks.  They had one area with these little hills or dunes way out on the trail...and they wanted to ramp it.  Well since that's definitely not ok to do with my 3 year old, I was told to hop on with Colton on his 4-wheeler.  I'm not sure if it was a mistake or possibly one of the most intense moments of my life.  Folks, we ramped that thing and were in the air.  I'm talking it scared me to death!  I screamed my lungs out to high Heaven!  I was terrified when I was getting off that thing, and I'm pretty sure my life flashed before my eyes.  But I will have to say, it was probably one of the most fun and intense moments EVER!!!  My heart was beating out of my chest, but it was awesome!  

All in all, it was nothing less than amazing!  Given, we had one unfortunate situation at the end.  As it started getting dark, we decided to head back and trade in one of the 4-wheelers with another one that had a headlight so we could see in the dark with both of them.  Then we headed back out in the fields.  Well, just as it got black...Megan dropped the gear shift.  She couldn't adjust up or down.  And we searched, and searched, and searched.  A slew of other events occured during our search, but we never found it.  So we had to head back and close her down because it was getting too hot.  But we kept getting dust and dirt in our eyes from following other 4-wheelers.  I had a film of dust on my face that I kept attempting to wipe off every time we slowed down.  Oh and did I forget to mention that the fields we were riding in were full of cows?  I mean, tons of cows...that poop.  Yep, it definitely got all over us.  So how's that for a fun weekend, ya'll?  

Thankful Thursday

My list of things I'm thankful for this week:

1.  My Grandma - I don't have a picture for her because she is so incredibly camera shy.  But this woman is phenomenal.  She is such an inspiration and a huge help to me.  She herself rose above a difficult divorce years ago.  She always keeps a positive outlook and doesn't ever seek revenge.  She has such a sweet spirit.  She has helped me with my kids so much and saved my sanity.  She is amazing.  There is no one I have ever met that is quite like her and I love her with all my heart.  I don't know what I'm going to do or how I'm going to function when the Lord calls her up.  She has been my rock through so many of life's trials.  

2.  Friends - They make life wonderful.  Chrissy has been there for me through a lot and always has my back.  I know that she will be there at the end of the day helping me through anything, getting my back no matter what.  Erin C. is always up for hanging out and taking the kids to play.  She loves to escape everything we me whenever its possible.  She is one of the few who has always kept contact with me regardless of what was going on.  There are others worth mentioning.  But that will be another post on another day.  

Chrissy and I at the Miranda Lambert Concert!

(Circa April 2012)

Erin and I 

(Circa June 2007)

3.  Razors - For without them, my legs would never be smooth.  LOL!  Ok seriously, I am very thankful for my razor.  I know, it's extremely random.  But I really don't know how I'd survive without one.  It is one of my best friends, hands down.  C'mon, everyone likes to be clean.  

4.  Disney on Ice!!! - Chrissy won tickets from Cool 104.7 radio station this morning to the show tonight at Verizon Arena in Little Rock!  So we took Rainbow and her daughter, Riley to go see it.  The girls had a blast!  And they were totally worn out by time we got home from the massive amount of excitement!  

5.  God has a plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a hope and a future:  this is my final thing I'm thankful for this week.  I have been through a lot in my 24 years of life.  I learned what it meant to love with all my heart, and to have that same heart shattered.  I've experienced the love that comes with being a mother.  I've learned that the easy way usually isn't the best.  I've learned that you'll sacrifice and wait if something is worth having.  I've learned that life usually isn't fair and that maturity comes at the price of your innocence.  I'm not perfect and I've never claimed to be.  I've made mistakes in my life and done things I'm not proud of.  I've gone against the grain and ignored warnings from those who love me.  And now here I am.  I realize that everything happens for a reason and God never closes one door without opening another.  A couple of months ago, I was waking up and just trying to survive till my head hit the pillow.  A couple of weeks ago, I was ignoring everything and I was numb.  A few weeks ago, I let my wall down and exposed myself to everything I ignored so I could deal with it.  A few days ago, I finally let go of all the bitterness.  I let go.  Completely.  No more hopes and dreams and wishes from the past at all.  Nothing.  And here I am today feeling alive.  Very much alive.  I realize now how true this one saying is - "You can't embrace the future if you won't let go of the past."  Well I did.  And I'm ready to embrace the future.  And I refuse to feel guilty or accept guilt that anyone tries to push on me because I am.  Everyday I have a little more hope that my future will be much more wonderful than my past.  Especially today.  Today I am so incredibly happy and there is no way to put it into words.  I haven't felt like I do right now since I can even remember.  There is so much possibility.  I do not fear tomorrow.  I know I will love again.  I just know it.  And I've got a feeling that I'll be ready when it comes, too.  

What I Love Wednesday

1.   Chuck E Cheese's:  We took Rainbow today and she had a blast!!!  I'm thinking it will be perfect for a small 4th birthday party next year!  

2. Carter's:  I bought Ladybug a few clothes from there today in Little Rock.  They had a HUGE sale!  And everything is so cute with all of the super bright colors.  Oh I love it!

3.  Naps:  I can't seem to get through the day without one lately...mostly due to the excessive night-time visits with Ladybug.

4.  Flip-Flops:  They are so comfy and I love 'em!  And they show my pedi from last week off fabulously!

5.  Sunshine:  It's been gorgeous outside.  Given, it is getting hotter.  But I just love all the sunshine and how bright it is!

Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes!

This is what you will need:

Cake mix

Eggs, water, and oil (however much the cake mix calls for)

ice cream cones

frosting

sprinkles

aluminum foil

muffin pan

This is the easiest way to frost them, it looks like ice cream!

Line your muffin pan with foil and poke holes in where each muffin hole is.  This is where your cones will go.

My Rainbow, doing what she does best - being silly.

This is what it should look like when they are in.

 Fill your cones 3/4 full with cake mix batter.  Bake for 15-20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Poke holes in the bottom of the cones with a fork immediately after they come out of the oven to let the moisture out so the cones don't get soggy.

Frost them, sprinkle them - and Viola!  

Thank you to those of you who stayed with me this far.  I will share a little bit of insight with you.  It will be cryptic and you probably will have no idea what I'm talking about, but it will make me feel a little better without giving it all away.  What to say?  Hmmmm....

Well my last post, I briefly mentioned my desire to spill the beans and let Ol' Glory erupt.  Well the good news is that since that post, what was driving me nuts has since been made better.  But the bad news is that because of that, it has gotten worse.  Yes my friends, I am one complicated lady.  I think I drive myself crazy.  Haha!  But in spite of the information, I'm about to go to bed with a smile on my face.  Ah...why are we so afraid of speaking the obvious?  Maybe its just me.  I think its me.  And now I believe I've said too much.  Until next time, my friends...