You Paid More Than Me

Any one who knows me well knows that I am a bargain shopper....I love a TJ Maxx, HomeGoods, and my personal favorite, the Ross Dress for Less.  Last week while traveling in Chicago for work I spotted a Marshalls, TJ, and ROSS in the same giant shopping center.....the TRIFECTA.   After pulling over in a hotel parking lot, I had to talk myself {out loud, people} into continuing on my route to the airport so I wouldn't miss my flight.  Plus I would have had to buy another bag just to get stuff home if I were to buy anything.  Not that that has ever stopped me....

I have been known to walk these stores and not buy one single thing, but that is certainly the exception...NOT the rule, although Lee wishes it were.  Many times I find great stuff that I have no intention of buying, but have to snap a picture of to show some body {usually my super talented interior designer friend Ashley} just because I need someone else to see THIS WAS AT TJ MAXX!!!

Here are a few things I have found recently...

  Found and purchased at Stein Mart...usually not a fan of mass produced art, but I just couldn't leave this in the store.  When I got home Jackson said, "MOM!  That's me and Tradd and Hampton!"  I hung this upstairs near their rooms.

    Found and purchased these side tables at Ross.  The big one was $39.99 and the smaller $29.99.  They are really sturdy and I know that I can spray paint them later if I end up tiring of the gold bases.  

 Found at TJ Maxx.  This was one of those things that I loved, but really had no where to put it in our home.  It's really modern to me with that stainless steel base.  I thought it would make a great console or side-board in a dining room!  Love it!  

And this is me cheesing it up at the Marshalls off Michigan Avenue in Chicago!  

 Certainly the biggest Marshall's I've ever been in, but didn't buy one thing! 

 I found a blog a few months back that I have loved reading called You Paid More Than Me.  I just know Stephanie and I would be friends if we knew each other in real life.

Southern Baby: 2 years

Dear Hampton, 

I've never told you this story, but it's one you need to know.  On the morning you were born your Daddy and I left home when it was still dark outside to meet you.  With sleepy eyes, we checked into the hospital and were placed in a room to wait.  Your Daddy made jokes and we laughed and talked about who we thought you would look like.  Just before we went back for the C-section, Mommy's doctor came in and asked what kind of music I liked.  Surprised by the question, I told him I liked all kinds of music, but he could choose.   Just something good to have a baby to.  

  The moment before you took your very first breath and cried for the very first time 

a hush fell over the operating room.........and then this song spilled from the iPod...

I'm finding myself at a loss for words 

And the funny thing is it's okay 

The last thing I need is to be heard 

But to hear what You would say

Word of God speak 

Would You pour down like rain 

Washing my eyes to see 

Your majesty

 

To be still and know 

That You're in this place 

Please let me stay and rest 

In Your holiness 

Word of God speak

I'm finding myself in the midst of You 

Beyond the music, beyond the noise 

All that I need is to be with You 

And in the quiet hear Your voice

I'm finding myself at a loss for words 

And the funny thing is it's okay

{mercyme}

This is your song.  I hear it now and can close my eyes and 

see you again for the very first time.  It was a holy experience.  

The holiest of my life thus far.     

__________________________________________

You are two.  

Your favorite book is Knuffle Bunny

Your favorite drink, chocolate milk.

You like jumping off beds and chairs and curbs of sidewalks.

You love bubbles and "Mick Mouse."

The funniest thing you say is "noodle" because you stick your tongue out every time.  

We make you say "noodle bubble" because those two words together...too funny.

Just like every mother, I wish I could bottle you up right now just to remember who you are as a two year old. 

 Instead I will be still.  I will be present in every moment with you.  I will be okay when you are throwing a fit and I have to grit my teeth 

because I know that you won't be two forever. 

You are loved, precious one.  

Happy Birthday! 

Love, 

Mama 

  

well hello.

So I have been pretty absent from this blog and with good reason.  I was working with a dying laptop that would shut down every 15 minutes.  The number of posts in the "draft" section of this blog would make your head spin.  I would sit down to write or upload pictures and....black screen and shut down.  

Well.  I broke down and bought a new computer.  A MAC.  I am in love.  L.  O.  V.  E.  

I am hoping that with my fancy smancy new computer {and a little more quiet time around here once school commences}  that I will be able to blog more often!  WE shall SEE!!

Thought I'd catch up on May and June first...  

{End of 1st Grade}

The boys had a GREAT year in first grade!  Tradd had Miss Honeywell and Jackson had Mrs. Norton.  They loved going to school every day and learned so much.  I especially loved reading through their Writer's Notebooks at the end of the year!!   

{Last Day of 1st Grade}

T and J grew at least two inches over the course of the school year and lost a combined total of 14 teeth!  

We kept the tooth fairy hoppin'! 

{Bryson City}

We spent Memorial Day in Bryson City with my family...Bryson's girlfriend Lauren's first trip with our family!

{Baseball}

The boys played coaches pitch in the spring for Team Comporium! 

 We had a great group of players and parents which is important when you spend so much time at the ball park!  Our little team went further than we ever imagained in the playoffs....we came in 2nd in our division!  Hampton was quite a handful at the ball park this season...I wanted to watch the game and he wanted to play chase and dig in the dirt sooooo I may or may not have bribed him with Blow Pops.