Hepburn and Houndstooth

This was totally a “note” I was tagged in on Facebook.  It’s a lame blog post, but hey, at least it’s something!

Three names I go by:
1. Rhonda
2. Rhonda Gail
3. Mama

Three Jobs I have had in my life:
1. Eddie Bauer Assistant Manager
2. White House | Black Market Assistant Manager
3. CATO Assistant Manager

(I’d like to add that this totally reads like a resume.  Those are my last 3 jobs.)

Three places I have lived:
1. Orlando, FL
2. Lucedale, MS
3. Hattiesburg, MS

Three Favorite Drinks:
1. Coke
2. Wine
3. Grey Goose

Three TV shows I watch:
1. Big Love
2. Grey’s Anatomy
3. General Hospital

Three places I have been:
1. Washington, D.C.
2. Chicago, IL
3. Memphis, TN

People that text me regularly:
1. my husband
2. my mama
3. my Nicole

Three of my favorite foods:
1. homemade chicken taquitos
2. spaghetti
3. lobster ravioli

Information about this day of silence here.

I’m copying the fabulous L.I.Reediculous (who stole this from PP&P). The things that make me all sparkly inside…

stacking rings

my boys

TV online

Clorox wipes

my husband’s back scratches

Craigslist app on my Android

white tees

my wedding rings

the beach

photography

Grey Goose martinis

corndogs

Red Sox

girls’ nights out

Gavin DeGraw

General Hospital

bargain shopping

thrift stores

delicate necklaces

houndstooth

Audrey Hepburn movies

champagne for no reason

rain

Jane Fonda

chick lit

organizing

giving

South Lake Pres in Clermont

Google Reader

weddings

fresh haircut

flirting

tailored dresses

cooking

paper

buying an outfit head-to-toe

tweezing

lipgloss

coke

new sheets

making money

nights at Tink Town Tavern, my family’s party barn

tomato sandwiches

SmartWater

coming up with a damn good idea

1. Harper said “bye” yesterday, complete with wave!  The absolute best part of parenting is watching them learn and grow.

2. In high school and in my early college years, I refashioned clothes I no longer wanted and had my mom sew original designs.  I loved being creative with clothes.  Now, mostly out of financial need, I am into it again.  I currently have a large stack of clothes to work on and I am so excited about it!

3. Nick went to Vacation Bible School last night for the first time.  He absolutely loved it, as I knew he would.

4. We created a log-in on the computer for Nick.  It is very restricted.  He can’t surf most sites and he has no printing capabilities or any capabilities at all, really.  We will gradually broaden his boundaries as he gets older.  He is loving it and is learning so much.  He plays on the Thomas and Friends website 90% of the time.

5. Last night, I had a Moment as a mom.  At 10 pm on a typical night, there is a sink full of dishes that I don’t have energy to touch, toys all over the floor, and I’m emotionally and physically exhausted from dinner/bath/bedtime.  Yesterday was different.  At 9:45, I looked around and smiled.  Dishes were done, cooked chicken chopped and placed in freezer for Wednesday’s dinner, and only feeling halfway wiped out.  The kids had even gone to bed smiling and without a fight.  I decided that for that day, I rocked as a mom.

6. We have finally made the decision to have one more child.  I am definitely hoping for a girl, but will still be thrilled if it’s a boy (which it’s likely to be).  We have already decided on a couple of girl names and have a list of boy names to decide on.  However, we probably won’t even start trying until early next year.  There are a couple of my cousins who are currently trying.  I am so thrilled that this last child of ours will have cousins close in age, as I have grown up having.

7. This time of year is hell at my dad’s house.  The pests come out in full force.  I have battled a couple of cockroaches, smashed lots of spiders, and sprayed ants all day long.  We live in the woods in a very old house, and every year at this time, we’re invaded.  I’m a little ready for winter.  Mostly, I’m just ready to move out of here.

8. This weekend is going to be amazing.  Saturday night, I have a Girls Night with my friend Amber.  We’ll also meet up for a bit with my friend Tyler, who I’ve not seen in YEARS.  Sunday is my family reunion, which I look forward to every year.  My family is fantastic.  This entire week I’m going to be busy, getting an outfit together for Saturday, deciding what to make for the reunion, and getting caught up on housework so I don’t have to worry about it all weekend.

9. The last few days, I’ve been trying out getting up earlier, theorizing that it would make me go to sleep earlier at night and I would get more sleep.  Well, turns out that I am still not falling asleep till nearly 3 a.m. most nights, therefore getting less sleep.

10. At the beginning of this post, I announced that Harper is saying “bye.”  Well, he just dropped his cup and said “uh-oh.”  New words every day!

My old friend Brandy and I are very different.  Sure, we have some things in common.  We both are outnumbered by boys in our household, are traditional but rebellious, and are really good, sweet people.  That being said, she is an Atheist and I am a Christian.  She doesn’t let her kids believe in the tooth fairy, Easter bunny, or Santa.  My kids are surrounded by the fantasies.  Our parenting styles are pretty different.  Anyway, I still love her and love her blog.  I think it’s important to realize that our way isn’t the only right way.  The “right” way is whatever works for your family, and sometimes it takes reading different opinions from a caring, loving person to remind me of that.

Enter Brandy of The American Dream.  Open your minds and read it.

In a week, my cousin Krystal is going to New York City for some missionary work.  She needs help getting the rest of the funds to live there for the summer.  She is only asking $1 of you, if you can spare it!  I donated only $3 this morning, but I believe that He will bless her and she will get what she needs!  With your help, we can be sure of it!  If you can’t spare $1, I’m sure you can spare a prayer!

Krystal is keeping a blog to document her journey, and this is what she has to say about the help she needs…

As many of you know I leave for New York City in less than 2 weeks. I get more excited with every day. My parents have always taught me the importance of reaching out to people, and this is exactly what I will have the opportunity to do! I will be in New York City for 8 weeks working with The Journey Church, living in Manhattan, and serving Lord in leading missions teams in servant evangelism projects through out the city.

Part of this opportunity includes raising the money needed for housing, transportation, and other living expenses. The total that is needed is $4000, and the first installment of $2500 is due on May 28th. I am saying all of this because I need your help. If my friends and family who have not had the opportunity to give would be willing to give 1-5 dollars then I know that I could raise all of the money I need to make this trip a reality. It is difficult to convey in words the excitement and urgency I feel in going to NYC. I ask that you know my heart for the Lord and my heart for service! Thank you all so much for your support and love!

In order to donate, all you have to do click on the “Donate Link” on my blog profile and donate, through Pay Pal, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 dollars! If you do not have a Pay Pal account, it only takes a couple of minutes to do so (trust me, I just made one!)

I love you all and am so blown away by all of your support! I will keep posting updates through facebook and my blog!

Please help out!  Again, just go HERE to donate!  Thank you!

Several Facebook friends have posted statuses this past week that are aimed toward negative people.  Some of these include:

“Can not stand ppl who whine and complain about every little thing. Stop begging for attention and get over yourself bc we don’t care and it’s truly getting old.”

“considering deleting my facebook!! Kinda getting tired of all the drama on here and the complainers!! Geez louise ppl!!!”

These were posted about a day apart, during a time when I was really grumpy.  After the second one, I felt like these were aimed at me!  I actually view myself as a pretty positive person, but you can only get kicked in the ass so many times before you start feeling down.  Also, if I can’t vent to my friends, who can I vent to?  People have threatened to delete complainers.  Well, do it.  If you delete me because I whine during a rough time in my life, you aren’t my real friend, anyway.  My real friends know they can come to me and tell me, “Hey, chill out.  You’re bringing everyone down!”

Now, I have deleted FB friends who are constantly negative, but I don’t mean negative about their own lives.  I’m talking about the ones who bring me down when I’m happy about something.  For example, I have this one “friend” who will turn everything good in my life into something negative.  She was excited and supportive before Dustin got his new job, but as soon as he landed it, she turned it around into “So… how much do you hate your job now?” only a week after he began.  Dustin and I had some troubles a few months before we got married and I confided in her.  Once things turned around and we were happily married, she turned negative, saying things such as, “Well, you were just fighting and now you’re married?!”  I know, I know.  With friends like that…

Anyway, the point is, I am going to make more of an effort to let people know that I am an overall happy person.  I do count my blessings, but I admit that there are times when I forget.  And so…

I know I am blessed because…

My kids are loving and affectionate.

My husband shares the workload at home, even after a long evening’s work.

I have parents who do what they can to help my family.

My extended family is absolutely amazing.  There is no other word.  Just amazing.

Though it’s not always easy, we somehow keep our kids fed.

My husband has fantastic benefits at work.

We are able to keep our basic bills (mostly) paid up.

I have internet, which keeps me sane.

Tonight, the kids are both asleep at 8:30 without a fight, making up for last night’s mess.

Even though I color it at least once a month, my hair is super healthy!

Despite all the empty calories I pour into it and how little exercise I give it, my body is healthy enough to begin the fight to reclaim my figure!

I believe in a mighty God who never gives me more than I can handle and always provides!

Yesterday, Erin at Blue-Eyed Bride did a post to thank her mother and her son on Mother’s Day.  I decided to shamelessly steal the idea, but my kids had other ideas.  So today, I’ll limit it to thanking my mama.

Dear Mama,

Thank you for the little things.  For letting me tag along behind you everywhere you went for a full eighteen years, never letting on that you just needed some time alone.  Thank you for tucking me in, dancing with me in the kitchen, and taking me for All-American meals.  Thank you for all the time you devoted to me to guarantee I never felt alone.

Thank you for taking in all my crazy ideas, never dismissing me. Because of that, I grew to believe in myself and dream big.  Thank you for showing me how to take care of a family, while reminding me that there’s an entire world outside of the home and I can do anything.  When Nick was born, I was overwhelmed and depressed and I’m forever thankful to you for taking him while I slept and showing me the beauty in staying home for his first year of life.

Thank you for teaching me that family comes first before anything or anyone else.  Period.

Thank you for sharing your name with me.

Thank you for all the sacrifices you made so that I would never miss out on anything and for filling my life with joy so that I never knew we lacked “things.”  Thank you for making me spend the night at Grandma’s, because I didn’t fully realize that people aren’t with us forever and we should treasure the time we have with them.  Thank you for listening to my never-ending chatter.  I now know exactly what that felt like and I don’t know how I’m going to be as patient as you were.

Thank you for speaking to me like an adult, never talking down to me or using baby talk.  Thank you for treating me as your equal, even as a child, while never letting me forget that you are the parent.

Thank you for loving my children as much as you love me and for loving and accepting my husband as an important part of the family.

I love you so much and hope that I can teach my boys the same lessons you taught with me, and with your guidance, even more.

Love,

Rhonda

I liked this simple post on Pencil Skirts & Pearls and thought I would do it myself.

1. Favorite hobby?

No contest and completely self-explanatory.

3. Favorite TV show?

There is no show that makes me happier than Glee!  If you have somehow not seen this show yet, you have to watch it!  No excuses, because you can watch it online if you don’t have FOX.

3. Favorite restaurant food?

Wings from Buffalo Wild Wings.  Favorite sauce is teriyaki.  I don’t like wings from anywhere else.

4. Favorite thing to shop for?

Entire ensembles, head to toe, for a specific occasion.  The one pictured was for a girls night out.  I mean, I like to shop like most girly-girls, but it doesn’t quite fulfill me the same if I’m not doing the whole outfit.

5. Favorite animal?

Well, I’m just not really into animals and I certainly don’t have a favorite.  I do hope to have a flamingo yard ornament someday.

6. Favorite song?

More by Tyrone Wells.  So moving and inspirational.

7. Favorite word?

I wish my favorite word was something more original, but no.  It’s not like I really love the word, I just say it all. the. time.  Seriously.

8. Favorite recent YouTube video?

PS22 Chorus does Lady Gaga’s Just Dance.  Very much NOT a Gaga fan, but like that song and love anything these amazing kids do.

9. Favorite movie?

Sabrina with Audrey Hepburn (1954)

10. Favorite childhood memory?

My mom and I danced in the kitchen while she cooked dinner for most of my life.  It was always the same routine, our own special number.

Feel free to answer these on your blog.  It was a lot of fun!

1. How is it possible to be lonely in a house with four other people, in a world with millions of people.  I don’t know, but I’m here to tell you it is certainly possible.

2. Harper is kinda walking.  He takes these weird “shuffle-steps.”  They are just tiny baby steps and only 1 or 2 at a time.  Come on, kid.  If you’re going to walk, pick up your feet and GO!

3. Nick is at a stage where he’s really digging privacy and independence.  He likes his bedroom door shut.  It gets too hot in there though, so today I put the baby gate up.  He is still trying to shut the door.

4. It has been a struggle to keep the house clean.  My mom came over last week and helped.  When we finished, it looked great.  However, I have to pick up after the kids, wash dishes, and wash clothes all day (every day) to keep it looking that way.  I am thinking of creating a daily schedule, as so many SAHM moms have done.

5. I love my pregnant friends.  I just don’t get the whole sonogram-as-profile picture on Facebook or Twitter.  I am guilty of occasionally putting a pic of my kid if it’s particularly cute, but I leave it there for a short time, because I’m aware that people want to see who I am at a glance.

6. I have been so affected by the whole oil spill ordeal.  I live near the Gulf Coast and before we had a heavy rain, I could smell the oil from my house.  The thought of the helpless wildlife dying, fishermen out of work, and our beautiful coastline ruined breaks my heart.  I could do a whole post on this and all the repercussions of an oil leak (and I might).

7. I just wrote something that I used on last week’s TT.   Ummm, quick substitute… Nick only wants out of his room when his baby gate is up (to prevent Harper from going in).  His gate requires me to lift him in and out.  If the gate isn’t up, Nick could stay in there for hours at a time.

8. I am having one of those days where I really want to take the kids to a sitter and float in a pool with a cocktail and book all. day. long.

9. It takes me all day to make these posts.  My kids do not let me complete a thought.  It is 4 pm and I started this at 10.  So ridiculous!  Now, I can’t blame the kids entirely.  Sometimes, I can’t think of anything note-worthy, so while I sit here racking my brain, I give the kids time to interrupt me.

10. I am having a really hard time with the loss of friendships.  As it is, I don’t have many.  Then I lost the internet friend I wrote about before.  Now it seems I lost my best friend.  I know what you’re thinking.  It must be me.  But it’s really not.  I won’t put my (former?) friend out there and tell the story, but trust me when I say the lost of my best friend was through no fault of my own.