Hello Grade School - I remember YOU! (:

Tasting a Pickle!

Cake Mix Cookies

Yesterday I got a craving for cookies! So I started looking around online for recipes and found one for Cake Mix Cookies. So easy! Just take a box of cake mix from your storage, add two eggs and 1/3 cup of veggie oil. It forms a dough, then spoon out onto a cookie sheet and cook at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes.

 It forms a dough, then spoon out onto a cookie sheet and cook at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes.

  So yummy and have the consistency of a brownie! My favorite cake mix to use is the funfetti kind, or chocolate. You can add whatever else you want as well - chocolate chips, nuts, etc. Such an easy dessert that tastes amazing!

Just how I'm currently feeling...

Eye Candy: George Eads (Nick Stokes)

Weekend Warriors (9/24-9/25)

This weekend I spent A LOT of time out of the house and I truly enjoyed it! I really cherish my time away from the house because I adore my time here during the week with the two cutest baby boys I know! (:

Saturday Ryan and I went up to Jonesboro/Forest Park for lunch with the family, Ashley's wedding shower and then we went by Southlake (Macy's) for Mom to show me the dress she wanted to get for the wedding next weekend. I'm so excited to see my little cousin marry such a sweet girl! I will be happy to call Ashley family... and we all know how important family is to me.

Sunday we spent time at home catching up on house work. I missed church again due to over-sleeping. But that's what happens when my infant gets up at 6am to eat, and then we all go back to sleep! I will not miss next week! I can't, I miss Lifesong Church! (: Anyways... that afternoon we went down to Barnesville to get some family photos taken. A photographer of mine was doing a Photo Marathon, so we joined in and hopefully got a lot of cute/fun photos for the walls of my house, Mom's house and my Mother in law's house! So excited to see how they turned out! Heather is so talented!!

Thinking about the upcoming weekend, I have the wedding on Saturday, but I really hope that me and my best friend Marlena can make some time to spend together. I miss her very much since school started (even though I see her every day when she drops off Cullen). Marlena, if you read this, we need to make this happen! Love ya girlie!

That's about it! Here is a photo to sum up what I love most about my life right now!

Not so Fast!

This is my second study in the Devotional 'Power of a Positive Wife'. The last post talked about praying for my husband, supporting him and being a good wife.

This post is about being patient. Waiting for God.

Exodus 13:17-18 (KJV)

 ¹⁷And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt:
 ¹⁸But God led the people about, through the way of the wilderness of the Red sea: and the children of Israel went up harnessed out of the land of Egypt.

When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on a road that runs through the Philistine territory even though that was the shortest way from Egypt to the Promise Land. He led them on a route through the wilderness toward the Red Sea, and the Israelites left Egypt like a marching army.

He chose not to lead them on the shortest route because the shortest way isn't always the best way! In this hurry up world , we tend to want results immediately. Just remember that God may have a plan, a more powerful plan. Friends, I encourage you to prayerfully wait upon the Lord. We may not always understand why he is taking us along a certain route in our lives, but we can always trust his love for us.

Currently, in my life, I've been having my own issues with friends/family and trying to figure out why things are happening the way that they are. I don't always understand why God brings people in and out of my life, but I trust and love in Him so I know that in the end, he will take care of me.

Second only to suffering, waiting may be the greatest teacher and trainer

in godliness, maturity, and genuine spirituality most of us ever encounter.

-RICHARD HENDRIX 

4 Months!

Dear Ryan,


You've made it to four months! Next week you get your second round of vaccinations and I couldn't be more proud of how you handled your first round! You are so strong already and you take things better than I could have expected!

Your current nicknames are: Stinky Pete, Little Stink, Boogie, Ry and Little Man. Dad and I love making you smile and you love to smile at weird sounding words! 


You are sitting up now, with support, but still trying to do it on your own. You act so much bigger and older than you really are. You love watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, you talk to the television the whole time it's on. You are still sleeping all night long and I hope that continues! You love your sleep!

You are starting to teeth a little and oragel is literally your best friend right now. There are no teeth coming through yet, but your gums are hurting/itching already. I hope this goes quickly for you, I hate to see you hurting! 

I love you little man! 

I look forward to many new things coming up - First Halloween, First Thanksgiving, and First Christmas are on the top of my list! I can't wait to take pictures of you! Oh, and this coming sunday we are getting our first family pictures made! I can't wait to see how they turn out!


Love, Momma

Moving Words Monday

The boundaries which divide life from death
are at best shadowy and vague.
Who shall say where one ends,
and the other begins?
Edgar Alan Poe

Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.
Helen Keller 

 Life is like a game of cards. The hand that is dealt you represents determinism; the way you play it is free will.
Jawaharal Nehru

Don't take life to seriously. You'll never get out alive. 

Bugs Bunny

Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened.

Dr. Suess

Weekend Warriors (9/17 - 9/18)

This weekend has been fun! (:

Saturday was spent running errands, doing laundry and dinner with the family at a BBQ joint in Griffin. My grandparents were in town to help out with wedding stuff, so we got to spend some time with them and enjoyed time with my parents and sisters too!

Sunday was spent at my Mom's house, we celebrated the upcoming wedding with a lingerie shower for my newest (almost) cousin, Ashley. I was happy to have this little party for her to welcome her into the family and to hopefully encourage her and Daniel to have another little one in the near future! I hope that Ryan has TONS of little cousins to play with! I look forward to Ashely being a part of the Smith Clan and I hope it brings our family a little closer. I've really enjoyed getting to know her and see my cousin's more often because of her and Bradyn.

This week is going to go by quickly... Ryan will be  4 months old this week and next week has his next doctor's appointment where he's scheduled to get more shots. I'm not really looking forward to that part! I can't believe it's been four months already... seems like I just brought him home last week sometimes!

Mama Don't Know Nothing!

Today I found a new blog that I fell in love with! Bits of Bee - written by a Mom from Canada! I love her sense of humor and I adore this post by her about how Mama's don't know anything!

Growing up, I always knew I wanted to be a mom. I had done lots of babysitting, I had been a nanny, and I had helped my mom run an infant toddler daycare centre. I was convinced that I knew it all - I would say I was almost cocky about it.

I would see frazzled moms trying to discipline their misbehaving toddlers and I would roll my eyes, convinced I could resolve the problem in minutes if I were in their shoes. I was the huffy jerk on the plane who would shoot accusing glares at moms who were unable to quiet their children. I would shake my head at moms who firmly grabbed their children by the arm while hissing through their teeth, "you're embarrassing me" - dragging their children away with such force that their toes were barely touching the ground.

"I will never raise my voice or let my kids act out in public like that" I would think to myself. "My kids will never talk back to me or eat sugary treats" I vowed.

Now that I have two children of my own, I'm willing to admit that I didn't know SHIZZ about parenting. There is no way to know - no way to prepare for the journey that is mommyhood, until you've lived it firsthand. I've been the mom in a store whose toddler is flailing and screaming on the floor. I've been the mom who hisses, "your behaviour is UNacceptable" while dragging my child out of a public place. And I've totally given my child a treat solely to avoid an embarrassing moment at a public gathering.

Read more here... 

Gossip Girl Giveaway - CLOSED!

I'm doing a book giveaway! Are you a fan of the show? Did you read the books? I have the first THREE books in the series to give away as a set! (:

Here is how to enter; you MUST comment back separately for EACH entry.

1. Share your favorite quote from the books or show. This counts as your first entry and is the only REQUIRED entry! You can gain extra entries by doing the following...

2. Share this giveaway on your facebook page, twitter page or blog. Each share post counts as ONE more entry. (Please use only one entry per social site). Post a link to your posts in the comment.

The winner will be chosen by random(dot)org. The deadline to enter is on September 28th! The winner will be announced on September 30th! (: Good luck to all!

Breaking Dawn Trailer - Part One

The Power of a Positive Wife (9/14)

This morning I started a new devotional... and so far I think I'm going to enjoy it. The scripture this morning was from Genesis 2; talking about how the woman is of the man's flesh and bone. She is called woman because she was taken out of man. It talks about how this is why man leaves his mother and father and unites with his wife into one unit. This passage from the Bible only tells me one thing, that it's no good for man to be alone.

As wives, we are here to help our husbands, we are a gift from God to them. Words can encourage them, acts of kindness support them, and your personalities work together to create a perfect team. Without you, he is incomplete.

 

Normally, when two very imperfect people come together there is going to be struggles, as two lives are meshed into one you will see conflict and problems you never had before will start to arise. But this blending of two people creates the beauty of a marriage bond. You come together and complete each other. You are a team, designed by God, as one flesh.

So what does it really mean to be "united as one"? Are you struggling against being one flash or are you working towards it?

I know I'm working towards it... once I got married I started to change. It took some time to get used to the way that things are supposed to work in a marriage but things are finally moving to the right direction. I support him and he supports me. We talk about EVERYTHING no matter how big or how little of a decision it is. I really want him to know that I am here for him, no matter how hard life gets. We have some financial issues right now, just bills are getting paid and there is food on the table, but we don't have extra money to even go on a date now and then and sometimes that sucks. We don't get anytime just the two of us anymore, and sometimes that's all I want is a few hours to spend with him, not worrying about what we are spending, and about what bills are getting paid late this month.

"A single man has not nearly the value he would in the state of union. 

He is an incomplete animal. He resembles the odd half of a pair of scissors."  

- Benjamin Franklin

Weekend Warriors (9/10-9/11)

This past weekend was pretty normal.

Friday night I got to watch the 3rd Harry Potter movie with my nephew's! Can't wait to watch #4! 

Saturday morning we got up to meet our free Chickfila breakfast reservation. It's been a while since my husband and I have had a chance to eat out together for any meal, so we went and it was nice that it only cost us $5 for our hash browns and drinks to go with our free chicken biscuits. After breakfast, I took hubby home and then I went back out with Ryan to my niece's very first soccer game. She is six years old, so it really wasn't that exciting, but it was fun to see her out there trying and the team played really well! Go Galaxy! After the game, I did my grocery shopping and came home to chill out. We spent the rest of the day inside and playing with Ryan and watching Gossip Girl on DVD. (I've gotten addicted to that show and I stop keeping up with it on tv.)

Sunday was really boring... I slept a little late (wasn't feeling good), cleaned house, did some laundry and then my Mom, Dad, and Sister came to visit for an hour or so. Ryan had bonked his head, so he was in a foul mood for a while. Not to mention the Falcon's lost. We had wings for dinner from Buffalos - it's been months since I've had those wings... they were SO GOOD!! Went to bed kind of early to prepare for my week of watching kiddos!

Ready for the game!

10 Year Anniversary

Not only has the morning of September 11, 2001 changed the face of America forever, but the terrible tragedies that occurred on this day also have a huge impact on the way we travel.

Pre 9/11: I'd never been on an airplane before, so I would have never thought or considered anyone using an airplane as a weapon, or as a way to attack our country. I was still young and very naive about the way of the world. 

9/11: I was 16 years old and sitting in my US History class at Jonesboro High School. We were taking a test and I remember the journalism teacher coming from across the hall to tell us what was going on, our teacher finally turned on the television in the classroom and I saw footage of the second plane hit. It was such a surreal moment. I know GA is really far away from NYC, but I still felt so close to those people, my hurt was all the same. I began to pray. Once I got home from school I remembering learning more about the story, about Flight 93 and the Pentagon. 

Post 9/11: I flew for my first time ever while dating an ex-boyfriend, he's a pilot, so my first flight was in a small plane, not a commercial one. Once I flew commercially, I wasn't as nervous as those small planes made me feel. Two years ago, in 2009, I flew into DC on September 11th for a visit with my cousin. I was extremely nervous, but knew that my God would take care of me. 

Today mark's 10 years since the original event in 2001 and this country has come a long way... I still continue to pray for the families that lost loved ones, for the first responders just doing their jobs, for the men and women that continue to serve this country in our armed forces, and for our country and it's leadership.

Book Review: Postcard Killers by James Patterson

Title: The Postcard Killers

Author: James Patterson, Liza Marklund
Publisher: Little, Brown & Company, August 2010
Number of Pages: Hardcover, 432 pages

Genre: Adult, Fiction, Crime Drama, Forensics  > Mystery, Thriller, Suspense, Detective

Personal Thoughts:

Much like all of the Patterson novels, this one still figured out how to surprise me. As the reader, you are introduced to the killers about halfway through - but you never really know 'who' they are. True to a suspense novel, some things throw you off, but in the end, it's clear who your man is. 

It was a quick and easy read, and the plot was enough to keep me guessing as to what would happen next. It was different in that it was set in Europe, Sweden to be exact, and the killers kept sending these cards to give the detectives clues to who might be killed next. It kept me on my toes, that's for sure.

I liked this version of revenge served up cold! (:

Recommended Age Level: Mature
Rating: 3

Reviews/Awards:

I choose to Vaccinate...

This has been a HUGE topic of conversation around my family and friends for months now... whether or not to vaccinate our babies.

I chose to vaccinate Ryan.

I'd like to state that my reasons are purely because I was vaccinated as a child, and I remain as healthy today as I was then, for the most part. I expect that everything with Ryan will be fine as well. His first round at two months went great, he didn't even develop the fever that many people warned me about. One of the first shots is now given orally as a liquid and he got one shot in each thigh. He didn't like being held down, but after it was over, I soothed him and he went to sleep. It was over all a good visit to the doctor's office. I go back later this month for his second round at 4 months old. I expect things to go as well, or close to it, as they did the first time. He might cry a little more, he's more aware of his surroundings now, but that's to be expected at his age.

There are a lot of studies out there, but none that are 100% proving that immunizations ARE going to cause problems. Most of the articles and studies I have read up on are completely inconclusive. It's just my opinion, and I know that in some cases things turned out differently, but talking to my Pediatrician and getting her input was really what put me at ease. I think that if you are struggling with this decision, that is the one other person who will know your baby(babies) as well as, if not better, than you do. I think their input and opinions matter on whether they think baby's body can handle the shots and withstand anything the shots might do to their bodies. I've heard of side effects, but have yet to experience any. I hope that Ryan doesn't ever have any. I will cross that road if we ever get to it.

I'd like to hear from friends/family who have made the same decision or another decision, and what their reasons are for choosing one way or the other.

No fighting please - this is an opinion zone... play nice!

Age-Appropriate Discipline Techniques

I read this article on Dr. Phil's website the other day... do my parent friends agree with this list, or disagree??

The disciplining techniques parents use should be based on age-appropriate expectations. For example, explaining to a 13-month-old why she is being punished for hitting her sibling isn't going to get you very far if she can't yet understand reasoning. Using guidelines outlined by the American Academy of Family Physicians, Dr. Phil suggests the following discipline techniques and when they are effective to use.

Positive Reinforcement
Focusing on good behavior instead of bad behavior. Parental attention is one of the most powerful forms of positive reinforcement.

Redirecting
This technique literally involves the simple act of redirecting your child to appropriate behavior.

Verbal Instruction/Explanation
Going over what you want your child to do and why can help him/her develop good judgment.

Time-outs
Time-outs involve physically removing your child from a problem situation. Sending your child to a neutral and "boring" area, such as the corner of a room with no toys or television, and ignoring him/her until he/she is calm and quiet. Time-outs should not last longer than five minutes. One minute of time-out per year of life is a good rule of thumb.

Establishing Rules
Explain your rules and be prepared to repeat them until your child learns to follow them on his/her own.

Grounding
A technique effective with school-age children and teenagers, it involves restricting your child to a certain place, usually home or his/her room, as punishment. For example, "grounding" your child on a Saturday night as punishment for breaking curfew on Friday night.

Withholding Privileges
Children should learn that privileges come with responsibility and they need to be earned. In order to be effective, this technique should be used infrequently. A privilege that is valued by the child, such as watching television or playing with friends, should be removed.

Birth to 18 Months
  Effective:

Positive Reinforcement

Redirecting

Ineffective:

Verbal Instruction/Explanation

Time-outs

Establishing Rules

Grounding

Withholding Privileges

18 Months to 3 Years

Effective:

Positive Reinforcement

Redirecting

Verbal Instruction/Explanation

Time-outs

Ineffective:

Establishment of Rules

Grounding

Withholding Privileges

4 to 12 Years

Effective:

Positive Reinforcement

Redirecting

Verbal Instruction/Explanation

Time-outs

Establishment of Rules

Grounding

Withholding Privileges

13 to 16 Years

Effective:

Positive Reinforcement

Verbal Instruction/Explanation

Establishment of Rules

Grounding

Withholding Privileges

Ineffective:

Redirecting

Time-outs

Tumblr Posts!

I have started a TUMBLR site for this blog to share short posts... so feel free to follow me over there! (: That's where most of my photos will be now... and this blog will be for the longer posts!

http://addisonfamilyvalues.tumblr.com/

Wordless Wednesday - Growing too fast!

Summer TV Reviews

Combat Hospital: I actually kind of liked this one, but it can get a little cheesy at times. I like all the medical lingo and and the military angle. Hope to see a new season next year.

Rookie Blue: Happy to see this one back on television... I love some Andy/Swarek love! So glad that Luke cheated so that Andy could realize he has past issues to deal with before he could commit! Love Peck and Epstien's sexual tension too!

Suits: Surprisingly one of the best show's I've seen in a long time! I can't wait for the next season of this show! I love the chemistry between the two leads, perfect cast!

Franklin & Bash: Eh, it was a good show, but I liked Suits a LOT better.


Switched at Birth: Yes, I watch ABC Family... and I LOVED this show! It's one I had to watch closely to catch all the sign language talk, but all in all a decent story line and a good cast!

Bachelor Pad: Loved the cast this time around... Jake and Vienna in the same house was priceless! I am interested in seeing the finale next week... rooting for Ella/Kirk or Michelle/Graham! (:

Alphas: A new take on "Heroes" but it's been done ALOT better! Really have enjoyed watching these!


Teen Mom: I enjoy keeping up with these young moms and it's nice that I can kind of relate to their issues. New Moms and the financial hardships and what not. I know a lot of people don't like this show (or 16 & Pregnant) but I enjoy watching them!

Against the Wall: The new cop show on Lifetime... never thought I would like it as much as I do! I am excited to see where it goes this season. I love the family drama and the cop drama. (I'm a sucker for cop shows, can't help it!)

Last, but not least...

True Blood: This has been a great season so far and with the finale coming up next week, I am looking forward to some storylines being tied up and some starting for Season 5! (: I am addicted to Eric and Jason... and I am actually enjoying the show a lot more than I thought I would when it started a few years ago. I loved the books first... and wasn't sure I'd like the show. Now I have to keep them separate because so much has changed.. but that's ok!


Shows I'm looking forward to this Fall/Winter:

Pan Am
Person of Interest
CSI
CSI:NY
Unforgettable
Dancing with the Stars
The Bachelor
One Tree Hill

and I'm sure there are more that I will start to DVR once they start!

Happy Labor Day!

Today we celebrate Labor Day, where we pay tribute to the contributions and achievements of American workers. Did you know that in the late 1800s, the average American worked 12 hours a day, 7 days a week, just to make a basic living? Children as young as 5 and 6 years old worked in mills, factories, and mines all across the country. Let’s take this day to honor those who have added to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.

Remember, Don't wear white after Labor Day! (:

Weekend Warriors 9/2-9/5

This weekend has been a busy one... today (Sunday) feels like the first chance I've had to rest! Friday I ended up not watching Cullen, so I was out and about all day... meeting up with a friend to give her some clothes to sell for consignment, visiting Wesley at work, picking up my new glasses, lunch with my Mom and then time with my Dad/Sister before dinner with my Ragnow family at Cracker Barrel! It was a great day, Ryan was fantastic! On Saturday, Mom and Steph came down to the house and we all rode to Macon to get some new 3 month photos taken of Ryan. I don't have any digital copies yet, will scan them soon! (: Mom and Dad stayed for dinner... it was a good day again!

Today, Sunday, I got up SUPER early for Church at the Races! The church I've been visiting was having service at Atlanta Motor Speedway today, so I volunteered to go and help We Care Inc serve breakfast to those camping out for the race, and stayed for the service. It was a great message about Fears and how they don't come from God. The verse that stuck with me was this one...

  For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Tim. 1:7

Tomorrow for Labor Day we are cooking out at the house with my family and Wesley's family. I am sure it will be a great day! (:

Now, here is a photo of Ryan's new toy... he loves it and has learned how to bounce in it himself!