GO MASON GO!


On May 23, 2009, while many were celebrating Memorial Day Weekend, we celebrated our little guy's 3rd birthday.

It was Mason's first destination birthday party and
BOY was it a WILD one!

For months he's been telling me he wanted a Diego birthday. And, what better place to have it than the Catawba Science Center. There, we discovered countless fun experiments and encountered animals of all sorts. Mason was treated to a private birthday party with his very own animal show N tell and a shark feeding too.Mason had such a great time! So glad everyone joined us in the fun!

WEIRD SCIENCE

WILD CRITTERS

AND SHARKS...OH MY!

HAPPY 3RD BIRTHDAY, SWEETIE!
{KISSES & SQUEEZES}
Mommy & Daddy

Some WACKY WILD Stuff is going on @ Five Moms and a Blog today.
Make sure you check it out!

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Most moms have an obsession of photographing their families that they rarely are ever seen coming out from behind the camera. That's why Carin @ Forever in Blue Jeans created a new challenge for all blogging mamas. It's called 52 Weeks. Every week moms will be stepping away from their cameras and sharing the spotlights with their loved ones. Looking through my photos, I discovered that it's so true. I'm missing in action in most of the shots. And really it doesn't bother me one bit. Well......maybe just a little. I would have to say that when I look at pictures of me growing up, my favorites aren't the ones of me alone. They're the ones that capture me with my family, especially my parents. So, I'm excepting the challenge.

Wordless Wednesday

My Trip to Hollywood!!

These photos were taken September of 2008 while on our trip to Wilmington, NC (known as the Hollywood of the East). Wilmington is a great place to visit for many reasons, one of which is that One Tree Hill is filmed there. It's one of my favorite t.v. obsessions. We got to visit many of the locations seen on the show. (Click on the links to see the stars in action.)

Here's me checking out the Clothes Over Bros. Boutique. Unfortunately, Brooke had to close shop for the day.

Where have all the stars gone?

Although I didn't get a glimpse of any cast members, I did get a glimpse of some of the starring manikins.

Wanna see for yourself?

This is where all the magic happens.

Notice the filming equipment lying on the floor? Pretty cool, huh.

While visiting the USS North Carolina Battleship, we stumbled upon this. This basketball court is a popular spot for the kids of Tree Hill.

This shot was taken in a quaint little courtyard located in between the street lined boutiques and The Cotton Exchange. Can you tell who was on a sugar rush after eating some ice cream? This was the very first photo I posted for the debut of Pieces of Me back in October. Boy, how time flies.

Speaking of debuts, don't forget to check out my debut at Five Moms and a Blog today. Hope y'all enjoy it!

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Most moms have an obsession of photographing their families that they rarely are ever seen coming out from behind the camera. That's why Carin @ Forever in Blue Jeans created a new challenge for all blogging mamas. It's called 52 Weeks. Every week moms will be stepping away from their cameras and sharing the spotlights with their loved ones. Looking through my photos, I discovered that it's so true. I'm missing in action in most of the shots. And really it doesn't bother me one bit. Well......maybe just a little. I would have to say that when I look at pictures of me growing up, my favorites aren't the ones of me alone. They're the ones that capture me with my family, especially my parents. So, I'm excepting the challenge.

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Six
unimportant
Things That Make Me Happy
and One
IMPORTANT
Thing That Says I'm Lovely
(she said it not me)

First the unimportant stuff...

1. {I LOVE going to a wonderful place called Hobby Lobby}
This place has it all and every time I walk-in, I wanna take it ALL with me. But of course I can't. Speaking of hobbies...

2. {I LOVE being creative}
I've tried them all. Cake decorating, knitting, jewelry-making, modeling clay, scrapbooking and the list goes on and on. My newest thing on that list is soap-making. Don't you just love those fancy shamancy soaps you see in those fancy shamancy boutiques? I do too and my husband is absolutely obsessed with them. So, I thought for Mother's Day I'd make something for my Mamie and sisters that came from my heart, CHAMOMILE SOAPS. They ended up looking cuter than they smelled. Although, I must say they did make great exfoliators. Speaking of exfoliators......

3. {I LOVE a good o' exfoliator}
The only time getting all scratched up is a good thing is when you've got a good o' exfoliator in your hand. Speaking of hands.....

4. {I LOVE holding them}
Not ALL of them, of course, just my Husband's and my little guy's. The reality is that they don't love holding mine. : ( Which brings me to my next thing.

5. {I LOVE a good o' reality show}
Big Brother, American Idol, The Biggest Loser, this list goes on and on too. And lastly but certainly not list least....

6. {I LOVE making lists}
Thanks Tamela! I'm always up for a good game of tag your list it.

Speaking of LOVE.......

My friend, Tamela, was even so sweet as to give me this Lovely Blog Award.
(Doesn't that make ME lovely too by association?)
She's one lovely brunette making it one day at a time.

And now, on to the rules:

1. Add the logo to your blog;
2. Link to the person from whom you received this award;
3. Nominate 7 or more blogs; and
4. Leave a message on their blog, letting them know they have One Lovely Blog!

And this Lovely Award goes to...

Tam @ A Brunette Making it One Day at a Time
Mimi @ He & Me + 3
Tarah @ Eyeglasses & Endzones
Erica @ Scottsville
Nan @ Mom's the Word
JennyKate @ JennyKate's Spot
Kim @ Homesteader's Heart

Congratulations ladies for having such lovely blogs!

I Heart Faces Blurb Book

Lying in a shady tent, camped out on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, is my little guy. With chubby little cheeks, his Daddy's beautiful blue eyes, and skin made of porcelain, this is a face that I'll never grow tried of looking at. This photo was taken almost 3 years ago and although he is growing up and his baby face has faded away, I'm still left mesmerized by it. I may be a little bias, but I think this would be a perfect addition to the I Heart Faces Blurb Book. Don't you think?

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I am submitting this photo into the www.iheartfaces.com Blurb Book photo contest. I am granting I ♥ Faces permission to use my photo in a printed version of a book for commercial use and possibly advertising of a photo book on both the Blurb and I ♥ Faces web sites.

Five Moms and a Blog GRAND OPENING!

It's a BIG week for me and 4 of my bloggy friends. It's the GRAND opening of our spankin' new blog, Five Moms and a Blog. This is a blog with 5 x's the fun, 5 x's the laughter, and 5 x's the charm. So, don't miss out cause we've only just begun.

{The Five Moms can also be found on their personal blogs}
Scottsville
Mom's the Word
Pieces of Me
He & Me + 3
Eyeglasses & Endzones

Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder

Today's scenery is of this beautiful sandy beach in Costa Rica. It's another photo that was taken by my sister a few years ago. I've lived in the states for 28 years now and although I love being here, there's still a piece of me that misses my beautiful homeland. Is it possible to miss something you don't even remember? My memories of Costa Rica are very vague. All I have to reflect on are the stories told by my family and the photos they have taken. Hopefully, one day I'll have my own stories and photos to share. Regardless if I ever get to see it with my own eyes again, Costa Rica will ALWAYS be my home away from home. I thank God for making it a piece of me.

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Sometimes we are so busy with everyday life that we forget to appreciate the beauty that God has placed before us. Scenic Sundays are about stopping and smelling the roses. And while you're smelling those roses, take a picture so that others can share in your appreciation for the beauty of His creation. So pretty please come join us for Scenic Sundays. Maybe we'll see things in a different light.

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Please feel free to join me any day.
****************************************************

For more Godly inspirations visit Spiritual Sundays.
For more beautiful scenery visit this other Scenic Sunday site.

EXTRA! EXTRA!

READ ALL ABOUT IT!
There's a new blog in town and it's time to SHOUT it!

So, lend us your ears, bodies, minds & souls
Cause this is a blog that won't get dull!

Reflections of Motherhood

Mother's Day 2009

Before I became a mommy, I had always heard that it was the hardest job in the world. Now motherhood is my reality and the truth of the matter is that it's very hard indeed. As a matter of fact, being a stay-at-home mom IS the hardest thing I have ever had to endure. I'm constantly battling with my emotions and his too. Yes it is very rewarding and there's nothing like the love I feel for my little guy; but, at times, the hardship of motherhood settles in. It's my duty to mold him into a respectable human being and steer him down the right path. God appointed me as his mother to mentor and teach him right from wrong, to boost him up so he'll always know that there's nothing beyond his reach. I want him to always remember me as an affectionate, fun-spirited mom who would do anything for him. My first and final thoughts of all of my days will always be of him. No matter the years that pass us by, my concern for him will never expire.

I love you sweetie,
Today, Tomorrow, and for all Eternity!

*******************************

Most moms have an obsession of photographing their families that they rarely are ever seen coming out from behind the camera. That's why Carin @ Forever in Blue Jeans created a new challenge for all blogging mamas. It's called 52 Weeks. Every week moms will be stepping away from their cameras and sharing the spotlights with their loved ones. Looking through my photos, I discovered that it's so true. I'm missing in action in most of the shots. And really it doesn't bother me one bit. Well......maybe just a little. I would have to say that when I look at pictures of me growing up, my favorites aren't the ones of me alone. They're the ones that capture me with my family, especially my parents. So, I'm excepting the challenge.

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God's Masterpiece

Today, I celebrate the lives of two phenomenal MOTHER'S, my Mamie and my Debbie. Some of you may remember me writing about my Debbie. She was the kind of MOTHER-in-law that every girl dreams of having. Nothing short of a woman with style and grace, she was my dream come true. Although she's no longer with us physically, she will always be in my heart and my thoughts.

The scene from above was taken on a little surprise trip that I set up for my husband on his 30th birthday. He had always dreamed of going to watch The Masters in full swing of things. Being that it's one of the most, if not the most, elite golf championship, I could only afford tickets for the practice rounds. But nevertheless, we were still able to see the masters of golf in action. My husband's love of sports was something that he shared with his MOTHER. Their bond was more than a MOTHER and son bond. It was a bond of friendship. I was always more than happy to have her come along whenever she wanted. And so, the three of us took a little trip. This is the way I will always remember her. She saw this beautiful tree out in the grounds of Augusta National. This is the perfect example of "stopping to smell the roses." The beauty of this photo steams much further than the beauty of the tree. It steams from the beauty of the moment and the beauty of my MOTHER-in-law.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY
To all the beautiful MOTHERS in our lives!

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Sometimes we are so busy with everyday life that we forget to appreciate the beauty that God has placed before us. Scenic Sundays are about stopping and smelling the roses. And while you're smelling those roses, take a picture so that others can share in your appreciation for the beauty of His creation. So pretty please come join us for Scenic Sundays. Maybe we'll see things in a different light.

****************************************************
Please feel free to join me any day.
****************************************************

For more Godly inspirations visit Spiritual Sundays.
For more beautiful scenery visit this other Scenic Sunday site.

God could not be everywhere,
so He created Mothers.
~ Jewish Proverb ~

There's someone special I'd like to introduce y'all to. This is my "Mamie"! I'm not really sure where to begin. There's so much I can say about my Mamie. She's a rare commodity with a heart of gold, always giving the best she's got to give. Even since before I was born, I could feel her undying devotion towards me.

This is our story.
Some thirty years ago, Mamie received what I believe to be the worst advice she's ever received. The advisers were her doctors. I'm sure they had their best intentions in mind, but if she would have followed through, I would not be sitting here this very moment. After analyzing numerous ultrasounds, the doctors adviced my Mamie to have an abortion. Til this day, she remembers their exact words. "It's just not reasonable to give birth to THAT THING you're carrying. You will only regret IT. It's NOTHING BUT A VEGETABLE!" they said. There were NO ARMS NOR LEGS visible in the ultrasounds. Abortion was a word completely absent from her mind, and little did they know that God was on my Mamie's side. She was constantly in a state of prayer. Praying the rosary in her hospital gown pleading with the Heavens above to send a miracle her way. Each day more people would gather to join her in her plead. Doctors, nurses, the healthy, and even the sick crowded around her as she prayed. The day I arrived, the doctors could not believe their eyes. There I was with all my limbs and perfectly healthy. Mamie received the miracle she had been longing for. I'm so thankful to her for believing in the POWER of PRAYER and for saving me.
We truly are a MATCH MADE IN HEAVEN!


FELIZ
DIA DE LAS MADRES
TE QUIERO MUCHO
MAMIE!

Look Who's Talking

Haven't you heard? Vlogemotions are all the RAGE in blogland!! I heard about it through the grapevine from some of my bloggy friends. Tim over @ Fort Thompson came up with this great idea that's gotten everyone set into motion, including me. I didn't think I'd ever find the courage to get out in front of the camera, A VIDEO CAMERA FOR CRYING OUT LOUD! Just thinking about it makes me cringe. But, guess what, I finally found my courage. It was just sitting there at Fort Thompson. Tim was just so enthusiastic about the whole thing that he talked me right into it. I had a pretty good audience cheering me on too!

So, here's the deal.

Get out your cameras (AHHH, AHHH, AHHH not those kinds of cameras, YOUR VIDEO CAMERAS), and start vlogging about whatever emotions your feeling at the moment. DON'T BE SHY!!! WE'RE ALL FRIENDS HERE!! Can't wait to meet ya! I'll see ya at the Fort!

This Girl's in the House

My sister's house, that is. Just hanging out with some of my favorite people in the world. Nothing special to celebrate. Simply just because. It was a fun night just to kick back, have a few laughs (or A LOT) and eat some yummy chicharrones (that's carnitas in Costa Rican lingo). My friend Monica really hit the jack pot when she married a sweet guy named Juan Carlos. This is one throwdown Bobby Flay would DEFINETLY lose CAUSE THIS BOY CAN COOK! It was a fun packed day for me; some yard saling in the morn'n, LOTS of shopping with my gals (hince all the frou-frou), and endless laughs with my best friends. It couldn't have gotten any better.

Me and MY Lotto prize

Me, my friend Magally, and the lady of the house, Annette


*******************************

Most moms have an obsession of photographing their families that they rarely are ever seen coming out from behind the camera. That's why Carin @ Forever in Blue Jeans created a new challenge for all blogging mamas. It's called 52 Weeks. Every week moms will be stepping away from their cameras and sharing the spotlights with their loved ones. Looking through my photos, I discovered that it's so true. I'm missing in action in most of the shots. And really it doesn't bother me one bit. Well......maybe just a little. I would have to say that when I look at pictures of me growing up, my favorites aren't the ones of me alone. They're the ones that capture me with my family, especially my parents. So, I'm excepting the challenge.

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What's Hat-pening?

Hats are the happening thing this week on I Heart Faces. There was no hesitation about which photo I wanted to enter. I knew at a drop of my hat! This is my little guy all swaddled up and sporting his very first hat the day after he was born. This has always been one of my favorite photos.

My hat goes off to Angie & Amy of I Heart Faces for all their phenomenal success. When I began entering, I believe the following count was up in the low 100s. In just 3 months, the number tallys up to 1073! This is great for I Heart Faces, but not so great for me. As the number escalates, so does the competition.

The Lonliest Tree That You'll Ever See

It sits by all it's lonesome. Perched atop the rugged coast of Pebble Beach, California for over 250 years, the Lone Cypress is a true testament of God's magnificent creation. This is a scene from our honeymoon as we toured the 17-Mile Drive some 8 years ago. The Lone Cypress is a treasured icon of the area. To me, it is more than just a lonely tree. To me, it is a Godly reminder that even at times of complete solitude, when you feel completely alone, you must reach for the strength within you that He has bestowed. Only then will you be able to weather the stormiest storms.

***********************************************

Sometimes we are so busy with everyday life that we forget to appreciate the beauty that God has placed before us. Scenic Sundays are about stopping and smelling the roses. And while you're smelling those roses, take a picture so that others can share in your appreciation for the beauty of His creation. So pretty please come join us for Scenic Sundays. Maybe we'll see things in a different light.

****************************************************
Please feel free to join me any day.
****************************************************

For more Godly inspirations visit Spiritual Sundays.
For more beautiful scenery visit this other Scenic Sunday site.

Talking Trash

For today's Friday Funny, I thought I'd talk a little trash. Please don't be offended. It's not meant to upset you. I promise you'll get a little giggle out of it.

The other day, as my husband was taking out the trash,
my little guy walked up to me and asked,
"Mommy, where's Daddy going?"
"He's going to take the trash to the dump," I said.
"OH...He's gonna go take a DUMP?" he replied.

HEE HEE!!!

I think someone's heard the phrase,
Taking a DUMP
a little to much.
Don't you think?


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