Reflections

So, we are about to say "so long" to 2008 and "hello" to 2009.  As I sit here and reflect back on 2008, I am not sure if I accomplished much.  In fact, I really can't think of any major accomplishment I made in 2008.  I just kind of floated on through 2008.  I mean, don't get me wrong, I was an involved parent who taught her daughter many life lessons and supported and loved her.  I was a supportive wife who listened to her husband and loved him no matter what.  I was a teacher who was patient enough not to give up even when I felt like taking my purse and walking out the door.  I am not saying that those things aren't important.  I know they are.  I know that I am a good mother, wife, and teacher.  I know that my actions everyday make a difference in someone's life BUT I can't pinpoint one major life changing thing in 2008.  That is kinda a bummer!

I have a feeling that 2009 will be different!

Happy New Year!

December 26th

Today would have been my daddy's 61st birthday.  My daddy passed away August 4th 2005.  Sometimes it feels like just a dream and I find myself almost picking up the phone to give him a call.  The visions of my daddy before he passed are fading which is a good thing.  He only weighed about 60 pounds, was completely jaundice, and blind.  My mother was by his side almost every moment in the weeks before he passed.  I was almost in denial.  I thought "He always pulls through" or "He will outlive us all" but I was wrong.  I only saw him one time before he passed.  I went up there and told him that it was okay to let go.  Two days later, he did.  Mom said that before he passed, he took a big, deep breath and smiled from ear to ear.  When mom called me, I took off up to her house.  The ambulance had already taken him.  It was a very weird feeling at my mom's house.  It still is at times.  

My memories of my daddy are beginning to be those of before he was so sick.  You know, they funny memories.  Like the time we had a bon fire on his birthday.  It was very cold and he had some of his drinking buddies over.  Daddy was very very drunk.  He fell down and one of the labs started to have his way with daddy.  Yes, the dog was humping him.  Andy and I were laughing so hard that tears were running down our faces.  Everyone was laughing so hard that no one was able to get up and help him.  Jake just had to "finish" with daddy.  Those memories are ones that keep me from crying during the holidays!

Of course, I have regrets.  I think anyone does that has lost a family member.  I wish that I spent more time with him.  I wish that I had called him just one more time.  I wish that he had held Madison more often.  I wish that I hadn't been so judgemental about his drinking and working because who am I to judge.

I love my daddy.  I wish that he could see and appreciate how cool Madison is.  

Call your daddy's and tell them you love them.  You never know when there won't be another chance!

Psalms 134

 Psalm 139 (NIV)

It is so important to have the word of God hidden in our hearts.  Here is a plan to memorize Psalms 134 in 18 days.  I got the idea from Angie (a wonderful blogger that I came across).  I am going to give it my best shot.  I was never great at memorizing my bible verses.

1 O LORD, you have searched me and you know me 

2You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.

3 You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways

4 Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD

5 You hem me in-behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me

6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.

7 Where can I go from your Spirit?  Where can I flee from your presence?

8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.

9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea

10 Even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.

11 If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,"

12 Even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you

13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.

14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your words are wonderful, I know that full well.

15 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place.  When I was woven together in the depths of the earth

16 your eyes saw my unformed body.  All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

17 How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!  How vast is the sum of them!

18 Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand.  When I awake, I am still with you

19 If only you would slay the wicked, O God!  Away from me, you blood thirty men!

20 They speak of you with evil intent; your adversaries misuse your name

21 Do I not hate those who hate you, O LORD, and abhor those who rise up against you?  

22 I have nothing but hatred for them; I count them my enemies

23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts

24 See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

SCHEDULE:

Day 1: Verse 1 and 2

Day 2: Verse 3 and 4

Day 3: Review and Catch-up

Day 4: Verse 5 and 6

Day 5: Verse 7 and 8

Day 6: Review and Catch-up

Day 7: Verse 9 and 10

Day 8: Verse 11 and 12

Day 9: Review and Catch-up

Day 10: Verse 13 and 14

Day 11: Verse 15 and 16

Day 12: Review and Catch-up

Day 13: Verse 17 and 18

Day 14: Verse 19 and 20

Day 15: Review and Catch-up

Day 16: Verse 21 and 22

Day 17: Verse 23 and 24

Day 18: Review and Catch-up

Good luck!  Let me know how it is working for you!

Mandy

The Holidays

I am so thankful for so many things.  I am thankful that Jesus sacrificed himself for little old me.  I am thankful for my amazing family and friends who make me laugh and smile EVERYDAY.  I am thankful for my home, my job, and my life in general.

Today, we visited our friends church.  There youngest daughter was being dedicated and we didn't want to miss it.  Satan had other plans.  First, I did not have a good night sleep AT ALL.  Then, Madison woke up and was completely CRANKY.  Nothing was good, everything was bad, yucky morning for Madison.  Then when leaving, it was such a gross and nasty day.  I was determined not to let him take control of time to worship in the house of the Lord.  Needless to say, we made it.  It is actually the church that is in the community in which I teach so I knew most of the people there.  There preacher is actually the brother of my preacher.  It is amazing how similarly they preach.  I also have his daughter in my classroom and have for 2 years so I know them very well.

The dedication was beautiful and we were able to go to lunch together after the service.  All 20 of us!  Madison wouldn't let anyone eat until she prayed, which is hard to do when you have 20 people eating at a buffet.  

When we came home, we put up the Christmas tree, decorated the hall and dining room, and put lights on the front porch.  Madison is SO excited about Christmas this year.  I think that she is truly understanding the reason behind the season as well as the Santa, good girl/bad girl.  She TOTALLY ROCKS!

I pray that you all have a fantastic holiday season.  Please remember that it is so much more than presents (although that is fun).  Be kind to people, even the ones that cut in front of you when driving.  It is so easy to be "on edge" during this time of the year.  Just take a deep breath and smile.

Lots of love to all!

~~Mandy

4. Get Madison back into her bed.

Well, it only took 7 night lights and a "Build-a-Bear" but we successfully got Madison back into her bed. Last night, Andy tucked her in while she was watching Shirley Temple (one of her favorites). I layed down for a couple of minutes when I heard the pitter patter of 4 year old feet down the hallway. I thought, here we go. She came in and said, "Mommy, I am tired". So I told her to turn her TV off and I would come in and tuck her in. She did as I asked and there were no problems. She came back into my room at 7:30 am. I told her to climb up in bed with me. She told me she wasn't tired but ended up sleeping until about 10:00.

Andy and I had her small TV on her changing table and her armoir in the other part of her room (her room is the room that I had as a child . . . it is two bedrooms with an opening between). We moved the changing table out and the armoir in. We took out her small TV and brought up her TV that Santa brought her last year (it had been hooked up in the play room). I pray that tonight goes as smoothly as last night!

She is such a big girl!

If we have another baby, it's room will the the attached second bedroom (to Madison's). We will just put in french doors or something. Madison thought that was a good idea. She said, "That way, when the baby wakes up, I can go take care of it and I will let you sleep". I asked her how she was going to feed the baby and she responded with "A spoon". Well DUH! I explained that Mommy would need to feed it with "Mommy Milk" but there would of course be times when she could help.

I just hope that we will be able to have another baby. We tried 2 summers ago with no success. Maybe we will give it another try this coming summer. Andy and I just want to be in a good place financally. We have some friends that are having babies and are just not in a good place. Andy and I know what needs to happen before we start thinking baby. I just pray for the strength to accomplish what needs to happen so we can try to have another child.

Either way, I am blessed with Madison. She is the light of my life. I pray that if it is the lord's will, we will bel blessed with a second child. I am handing it over the Him. That is a hard thing to do, I am a total control freak!

This turned into a crazy blog. Sorry!

Yeah! Madison slept in her own bed!

List update

32.  Wear jewelry to work everyday.

I used to be really aware of wearing jewelry everyday but got out of the swing of things for a couple of weeks.  Now I am back on track.  Jewelry EVERYDAY!

83.  Have a good cry with a good friend.

Work has been kind of crazy recently.  It all got to me and I started crying to Lauren.  She is such a GREAT friend.  LOVE HER!

Candy or Potato

Madison really enjoyed trick-or-treating this year!  This was the first year we actually visited the neighbors houses instead of just family and friends.  Madison was dressed like a ladybug and Nana came down too!  

The last house we visited, the lady came to the door with 2 baskets.  One was filled with candy, and the other was filled with potatoes.  She asked Madison which one she wanted, and she looked at the woman, and then she looked at Daddy.  She of course chose the candy but laughed all the way down the sidewalk saying "that lady had potatoes"

Is the grass greener on the other side?

Andy and I were watching "Trading Spouses" this evening.  I jokingly said to Andy "Would you want to trade me to see if the grass was greener on the other side?"  All of the sudden, Madison said "It is green back here.  Let me check the front!"  Come to find out, she was checking to see if the grass was greener on the other side.  She is too much!

Parents should be required to obtain a license before having children

Madison, Mom, and I went to Pigeon Forge this weekend.  We had a fantastic time and were blessed enough to be able to visit lots of wonderful places.  The hotel we stayed in was off the strip and back in a very nice, quiet little area.  We had a kitchen and a balcony.  There were 3 pools outside and a pool and a hot tub inside.  Of course, we had to visit the inside pool each night before bedtime.  Mom watched while Madison and I swam.

Madison was so excited because she was able to touch in the 3 ft area.  For those of you who don't know, Madison doesn't like to get her hair wet.  When I say doesn't like it, I really mean HATES it.  She stresses about her hair "not looking pretty" and worries that I might not have hair gel for her.  She is such a girly girl.  

On the second night, there were more people at the pool than the night before.  There was a large group of young teenagers who were in and out of the pools.  They must have been having a birthday party or something because there were balloons.  Their parents were there and they were just typical young kids.  There was also a group that consisted of 3 young girls (around the age of 4 or 5) who were wearing swimmies/floaties.  They were there with their mother and 3 other adults (I don't think that they were related).  

I guess that the mother left the pool area, and one of the other adults got in the hot tub.  That left 2 adults (who obviously were not related to the girls) to watch the 3 kids.  Madison and I were swimming in the deeper end of the pool when I heard a splash.  I looked over and saw that one of the girls had jumped into the 4 ft end without her floatie on.  One of the adults left and came over to the edge of the pool and sat down to take his shoes off.  The other adult stayed seated and didn't make any attempt to get up.  The girl was under water and struggling.  She could not swim and was OBVIOUSLY in big trouble.  Madison had her floatie on so I reluctantly left her by the steps in the deep end and began to swim toward the little girl.  Madison climbed out of the pool and went to Nana.  I reached the little girl, grabbed her, handed her to the man who was still taking off his shoes.  The little girl began to vomit but thank you Jesus, she was okay.  The little girl went and sat with the woman who was still sitting on the bench.  The man went to clean the vomit off of his arm.  

Finally, the mother came back and acted like it was not big deal.  I was in such shock that a mother, like myself, would not be more upset.  You would have to pick me up off of the ground.  But I guess that is the difference between me and that woman.  First of all, my daughter would not be swimming in a pool without me~especially if she didn't know how to swim.  Second of all, I would not leave my non~swimming daughter in a pool without a floatie with someone who would be more worried about their shoes than my daughter.  

I might be known as over protective.  That is fine.  I wear that badge proudly.  I know that my daughter will always be safe, and that is okay with me.

And as if that wasn't enough.  The next day, we went to Dollywood.  The first thing we did was to tour Dolly's tour bus.  Of course, there was a line so we waited patiently.  It is amazing to me how patient Madison is.  Of course she asked how much longer but she didn't act up.  Two sets of people behind us was a family.  There was a mother, father, and 3 kids (boy about 10, girl about 4, and a boy about 3).  It was very chilly (about 45 degrees) and the girl was in shorts, a tee shirt, and sandals.  The girl was acting up.  Something about not getting something that she wanted.  The mother and father were actually arguing with the 4 year old girl.  They were screaming at her and she was screaming back.  I kept asking myself, at what point will the parents realize that they are arguing with a 4 year old.  They are the parents, end the conversation!  Kids will act up~that is part of having kids.  I was so stressed after parting ways with the crazy people.  Just when I thought that we were free from the crazy people, we ran into them again just as we were leaving the park.  The family was leaving one area and going to another when I realized that they were missing a family member~the little girl.  They were almost out of sight when I saw the little girl.  They had left her and didn't even realize it (or maybe they did).  She saw them and ran screaming toward them, they never even turned around.  I watched to make sure that she reunited with her family.  

Oh my gosh!  Are you kidding me?  I don't even let Madison out of my sight in places like that.  How can people like that have 3 kids when someone like me would love to have more kids but ponders whether or not we can afford another child.  Someone like me wants to make sure that the second child would have the same opportunities as the first child.  Someone like me wants to make sure that it is the "right time" (if there is such a thing).  Someone like me think, rethinks, and over thinks EVERYTHING!  But you know what, someone like me has a four year old that is a well rounded, confident, and loved child that will be a productive member of our society.  I guess that is enough said.

Update on my 101 list

So, I have accomplished a couple of items off of my 101 list.

12.  Keep my car clean.  

Madison and I cleaned the car up on Saturday.  We went to the car wash (which is one of Madison's favorite activities to do) and vacuumed it out.  She is such my "little helper"!

34.  Have a girls night at least once a month.

Saturday evening, my bestest girl friends from work and I all took our kids over to Ginny's house.  We ate chinese food, watched The Notebook, and had s'mores in the backyard.  Madison and I didn't get home until 12:45 am.  It was worth it though!

66.  Blog at least once per week.

So far, so good!

Growing Pains

So, Madison and I were awake from 3:00 am until 5:30 am.  My baby was having growing pains, again.  I never had growing pains, so I am unable to sympathize/understand what she is experiencing.  She will go through a spurt where she experiences them often and then won't have any symptoms for months.  Finally, after a banana, tylenol, water, and a heating pad, she went back to sleep.  Needless to say, we both slept until 11:30 this morning~and missed church.  Let's hope that tonight is a better night for my long legged, growing baby cakes!

101 Things in 1001 days

Thanks to my long time friend Jaime, I am going to try to improve my life by completing 101 things in 1001 days. When I complete something, I will update you. Alright, here goes nothing . . .

1. Loose 40 pounds

2. Have another baby (see #1)

3. Keep the laundry kept up

4. Get Madison back into her bed again

5. Go up to my Mom's house more often

6. Receive a check from Thirty-One every month

7. Keep my house presentable at all times

8. Eat out only on the weekend or special occasions

9. Try a new recipe each month

10. Limit my sweet intake to every other day =(

11. Take a walk each evening after dinner~weather permitting

12. Keep my car clean, inside and out

13. Paint my family room

14. Take the wallpaper off the dining room walls

15. Paint the dining room

16. Paint my bedroom

17. Paint my bathroom

18. Give my dog a bath at least once a month

19. Take Madison to a UT game

20. Get family pictures done at least once a year

21. Get Madison a wooden swing set

22. Make my backyard a place where all the kids want to hang out

23. Have a nice flower bed

24. Have my own garden in the backyard

25. Go on a family camping trip

26. Organize my downstairs hall closet

27. Organize my downstairs bathroom closet

28. Organize my upstairs hall closet

29. Organize my bathroom closet

30. Organize my spare bedroom closet

31. Finish Madison's bathroom

32. Wear jewelry to work everyday

33. Wash my face EVERY NIGHT before bed

34. Have a girls night once per month

35. Help Andy repaint the front door

36. Help Andy Polly the front door after it is painted

37. Organize Andy's files in the office

38. Instill a weekly family tradition (or at least bi-weekly)

39. Help Andy paint the house

40. Only drink cokes on the weekend

41. Take Madison to the Knoxville Zoo

42. Take Madison to the Atlanta Aquarium

43. Read a book to/with Madison everyday

44. Catch up with my scrap booking (no more than one year behind)

45. Have a yard sale at least two times per year

46. Open a saving account that we don't dip into

47. Finally preserve my wedding dress

48. Get Madison into swimming lessons

49. Get Madison into dance lessons

50. Read a book each month

51. Get my brows waxed every month (or as needed)

52. Read the Bible from cover to cover

53. Get my Masters in Education

54. Have my whole family join the gym

55. Get invisalign for myself

56. Do the MS walk-a-thon in honor of my mother-in-law

57. Do something to support Lupus research in honor of my mother

58. Get another tattoo~one that has a deep purpose/meaning

59. Mow the yard~with Andy's assistance

60. Get a tool box of my very own

61. Organize my closet

62. Take my dog for a walk daily~weather permitting

63. Plan more play dates for Madison

64. Get rid of all my clothes and shoes that I don't want/can't wear anymore

65. Volunteer at the local food kitchen

66. Blog at least once per week

67. Write Thank You notes

68. Rejoin the choir at church

69. Have only 1 junk drawer per room

70. Go roller skating with Madison

71. Take Andy to a Titan game

72. Reorganize the built ins in the family room

73. Go on a date with Andy once a month

74. Spend less time on the internet at home

75. Rewatch the entire series of LOST

76. Throw a surprise party for a family member or friend

77. Take Madison ice skating

78. Get a massage~from a professional

79. Have a consultation w/ plastic surgeon (after kids) about breast reduction & tummy tuck.

80. Vacuum the carpets 2 times per week

81. Replace the ceiling fan in my bedroom

82. Watch Gone With The Wind

83. Have a good cry with a good friend

84. Teach Madison to tie her shoes

85. Teach Madison to ride a 2 wheel bicycle

86. Take the family to Ketner's Mill fall celebration

87. Take the family on a train ride

88. Swim with dolphins

89. Hang up clean laundry instead of living out of hampers

90. Drop 2 sizes

91. When buying appliances, buy energy efficient

92. Have the chimney cleaned

93. Have a mommy/daughter lunch on the Southern Belle

94. Ride on the Chattanooga Ducks

95. Go to a UTC football game

96. Go to a UTC basketball game

97. Buy a Wii

98. Paint my toe nails every other week

99. Separate colors and whites when doing laundry

100. Use my china once a year

101. Complete this list in 1001 days

It's just hair!

Tuesday, I cut my hair.  I had not had a hair cut for nearly 2 years.  I was able to donate it again.  It always feels so good to do it.  This time, I was able to cut 8 inches off, last time only 6.  I think that I might keep it short for a while.  It is so hard to grow it out but I feel guilty for feeling that way.  It is the least that I can do for someone suffering with cancer but I might give myself a break for about a year.  Madison went with me.  Tisha (my hairdresser) let Madison cut one section of my hair.  She thought that was "cool".  At first, Madison didn't like my hair but now she really likes it.  She even decided that she would like to be a hairdresser when she grows up.  She also want so to be a teacher, a pilot, a doctor, and an explorer (thank you Dora!).  Watch out world, here she comes!

New to Blogging!

So, I am inspired by my long time friend Jaime to begin my blogging adventure. She doesn't have anymore hours in the day than I do and she still finds the time to share her "goings on" with others. SO I will give it a try. I will try to post an update on what the Carters are doing weekly. . . but we will see!

All is well in Chattanooga. We are all doing well. Andy received a promotion at work about 6 weeks ago. Madison and I started school August 1st. She entered K4 (new teacher, new room) and adjusted quickly. I am teaching 2nd grade this year and am buiser than ever. I sometimes forget to go to the bathroom because I am so busy.

Thanks for stopping by. Please leave me a comment!

The Carters