Family

Don’t Forget About Your Friends!

August 25, 2014 by Jennifer 2 Comments

Life is busy. I know. I get it. But, can’t we put down the phone and laptop and enjoy our friends?! When is the last time you called or dropped by your friends house to just say hey?

Carolina Mama and I don’t get a lot of friend time in, but we both decided it would be good to make a date in our calendar books to bring our families together. As the clock turned 4:30pm last Friday, I turned off my work computer and walked a fast pace for the door to meet my family for a three hour journey to the west.

The three hour journey was filled with laughs, singing and one-on-one conversations with my Hubby. It was time to pull into Carolina Mama’s driveway and join in a heart-felt hug with my bestie. Our phones went straight to the counter and we enjoyed a two-hour conversation with our voices, no technology. It felt so good.

We both have been through different journey’s this year, but it was so nice to have that real-life shoulder to lean on and enjoy each other. Time could have stood still and not one time did I want to pick up my phone. Conversations included life, parenting, Christ Jesus our Lord, and our new homeschooling journey. Encouraging one another, giving each other tips and just being a friend. Being that listening ear in person. It was so nice.

The next day our families gathered around the breakfast table, joined hands and bowed our heads in prayer. Friends are family. At that moment in time, we were one big family. Laughs and beautiful conversations flowed all across the room. No technology in sight. I had missed this very important aspect of life. Breakfast clean-up was fast and we headed to a downtown festival.

Life included smiles all across our faces. I didn’t want to say goodbye that afternoon, so I said until next time. Friendship dates are much needed in life. When is the last time you had a friendship date? It will do your body good… Right Carolina Mama?

Technology Helps Shorten Distance

August 4, 2014 by Jennifer Leave a Comment

I don’t know how families did it without technology years ago when they lived miles apart. My heart was so full on our recent road trip because we were able to see family that we don’t get to see very often. One of those family members was our precious grandbaby A. She is so full of an outgoing personality. Immediately when we walked into her school, she greeted us with an ear to ear smile and reached her arms out to us. My cup spilleth over with joy.

We knew she had grown since we are able to connect on Facebook, Instagram and Facetime but still seeing her in person brought tears to my eyes. How did people go months at a time without seeing any pictures or video? I know my heart couldn’t handle it.

As soon as we picked up A and R from their schools, we made our way to Starbucks. Of course, right?! Baby A was loving her Poppy’s Mocha Cookie Frapp.

It was time for her bottle but her eyes were only zooming in on the Frapp. No time for the bottle. Our visit was too short and we are counting down the days until we get to be with her for her 1st birthday soon. As we drove away after our visit, it made me so thankful for technology. No matter how busy we get, we need to make more time for family over technology. Essentially, it can help shorten the distance between NC and Florida.

My goal is to at least Facetime two times a month and we share pictures back and forth a few times a week. Milestones can be shared over technology and it is the second best thing than seeing it in person. Baby A was standing all alone, crawling all over and dancing with cute moves when she would hear music. Soon, we will see her walking and running down her sidewalk. Oh time please slow down.

Until we see this cute and adorable smile again…

Thank you Technology!

The day I had a public meltdown…

July 15, 2014 by Jennifer 2 Comments

Looking back on the day of my public meltdown, I feel a sense of silliness. I’m sure though if this incident ever happens again (please NO), I will react the same.

Let’s set the stage for this meltdown. Our county has several small towns. Two of the small towns have 4th of July parades over the holiday weekend. Sissy wanted to participate in the parade since M was clogging in the parade. How could I say no? Plans were made that Sissy would ride on the float while M clogged the entire parade. She is my hero. Such a trooper even with getting blisters the day before in our town’s local parade. After double-checking that I would meet them back at the same spot where they were dropped off, Hubby and I were on our way to find a front row seat for the parade. Of course, I had to get my hugs in before I could walk away from the girls.

The parade strolled down Main Street and all was well. It was a beautiful day with the sun shining down on all of our faces. My smile stretched across my face as M performed right before my eyes and Sissy was waving to everyone in sight. Pictures were snapped and video taken as tears were starting to form in my eyes. I’m so proud of my girls. They make my heart swell, no doubt!

As the parade was finishing up, I grabbed Baby J’s stroller and pushed him to go meet the girls at the same spot I dropped them off too! We waited, we strolled, and waited some more. No sign of the float or the girls. My heart starts racing, but I decide to just stroll some more. After about 10 minutes, I received a text from my close friend. M’s clogging team had decided to clog one more time in front of Main Street but for me to get L from the float. I figured she should be at the “same spot” within a few minutes. Those few minutes passed and no L. I begin to walk all over Main Street and this small town. As I am trying to keep calm, my heart begins racing even more. Where is L and is she fine? Did she leave the float? Did she think she saw Hubby and I? I try to call M’s clogging teacher, but there was no answer. I tried to call Hubby, no answer. I tried to call my Mom, no answer. I finally make the decision to go meet back at our vehicle. Surely, Hubby must have grabbed L and this would solve all of our problems. I see Hubby, M and my stepdaughter, but no L. I LOST IT!

Big crocodile tears start flowing down my face and I begin to wail. A sound that I have never even knew I could make so loud. I scream, where is L? Who has L? I CAN’T FIND L!!! My husband immediately takes off in the vehicle. My stepdaughter tells me I need to calm down but I am thinking what if this was your child? My brother goes straight to the police to give a description of L. Words start just spilling out of my mouth that shouldn’t have such as… M you are never going to be in the parade again, M you will be changing clogging studios, M why did you not make sure to get your sister? M just hugged me. She knew I was distraught and talking out of my head. I begin walking all over and praying. God please take me to L. My phone dies. How am I suppose to reach Hubby? I run to my parent’s car and plug my phone in to charge. As soon as it has enough battery to turn on, I receive a text from M’s clogging teacher. She has L near the town pool. I am ready to collapse. Hubby brings her back to me and we both join in the closest hug ever and just cry together. I have my L. I never want to let her go!

After we calmed down, L said “Mommy, this was caused by evil. The devil separates evil from good. Jesus died on the cross for our sins. He brings us good.” Wise words from my girl.

I feel so silly the way I reacted. I should have known M’s clogging teacher would have taken good care of L but all these bad thoughts went through my head. I asked for forgiveness for saying all those words in distraught. Thankfully, M is my calm child and is very cool and collective.

The day I had a public meltdown…

Enjoying a Family Weekend!

July 7, 2014 by Jennifer 3 Comments

It is so easy to get caught up in today’s top news stories, the latest technology gadget, the top summer sale and not put what is most important in our lives first!

This weekend was a long three-day weekend since it was a holiday weekend. I woke up Friday morning on the wrong side of bed. My morning was overshadowed by sad emotions. I had missed my family time so much. As we loaded up in the car, I told the girls and Scott that I missed them immensely and I wanted this weekend to be filled with family time. The latest gadget or top news story was the least of my worries. I could have cared less. My heart was yearning for my family to be close.

My heart was finally content. This picture is worth a thousand words. I am use to being with the girls all the time but since I have started working full-time out of the house, my time away from them has unfortunately increased greately. This is my first summer EVER away from the girls. Our summers are usually filled with several road trips all across the map. We have yet to take our first out-of-state road trip this summer. My mind is about to go crazy. Thankfully, we get to change that in two more weeks. You will have to stay-tuned to hear all about our Florida adventures.

Why am I writing all of this? Because, it is so easy to get caught up in the day-to-day activities and not take that special time with your family. This past weekend was all about family time. Our precious M was in two 4th of July parades with her clogging team. My heart always swells with pride when I see her move along the pavement with her fancy feet. She makes me so proud.

We enjoyed two picnics after the parades and followed up the picnics each day with a beautiful viewing of a fireworks display.

Sitting there with the sun shining on our faces was such an enjoyable feeling. My family close to my arms while enjoying nature’s beauty. Time could stand still. The sun set and the darkness spread across the lands. The different colored lights starting popping up across the sky. My arms stretched across my baby girls and our eyes focused on the sparks. My husband’s arm touching mine. This was the family time that I had longed for so much.

Don’t take family time for granted. Who cares about the top story or scrolling on your phone? Your family is yearning for your attention. They had my attention this weekend and I will not take another second for granted.

Enjoying a family weekend is first on my list. My heart is filled!

My Favorite Morning Beverage: Homemade Delicious Mocha

June 26, 2014 by Jennifer 1 Comment

Since I started working outside of the home, I drink more coffee in the mornings. As soon as I drop my belongings at my desk after morning devotions, I head for the break room to make my favorite morning beverage. I started getting bored of just a regular cup of coffee so my co-worker mentioned putting a packet of hot chocolate in my coffee. Introducing my cup of energy:

Who needs a fancy cup of joe from the coffee shop? Make your own within minutes.

Ingredients:

1 Packet of Hot Chocolate (I use the Swiss Miss Dark Chocolate Sensation)
Hot Coffee
Favorite Creamer (I use Cold Stone Creamery Hot Sundae Cookie

Directions:

1. Pour hot chocolate contents into your coffee mug.

2. Pour hot coffee into mug.

3. Pour creamer.

4. Stir. Enjoy!

You can see why it is my cup of energy. This is usually the only cup of coffee I drink a day. I drink water the rest of the day at my desk. It is the perfect pick-me-up in the morning and helps me get ready to take on the day. Also, I love that I can enjoy it in my coffee mug that Leanne from Walt Disney World’s Social Media Team mailed me!

Cheers!

Family

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