My head is spinning.

I had my 2nd Girl Scout meeting today. I am not sure if I can do this or not!!! I love those little girls already, they are all so sweet. But, there is A LOT to do being a Troop Leader. Keeping up with paper work on every girl, making sure to inform the parents on news & happenings, planning craft ideas, planning meetings, buying supplies, managing troop bank account, and of course holding the meetings and trying to keep 7 busy girls in line and keeping them occupied for 2 hours. I love the concept of it, but I am feeling very overwhelmed with all the paperwork. No matter how organized I think I am being, no matter how much planning I do for the meeting, it never goes the way I had it in my head. I have been told by other troop leaders to hang in there, it gets easier. I sure hope they are right because I am not giving up regardless. I am trying really hard not to let this stress me out, easier said than done. And to think I have to be in charge of all the cookie sales too, oh boy! I need some tylenol just thinking about it!

At today's meeting we made birds out of a craft book I checked out from the library. You use paper plates, pipe cleaners, google eyes and glitter/watercolors/crayons/markers to decorate the bodies. They turned out really cute but the girls made a mess with the glitter glue. I hope no parents are ill over that, hehe. Now, I have to plan a fun & cleaver craft for our next meeting which will be Valentine's themed. We already plan to decorate Valentine's cupcakes to earn the Cupcake Decorating fun patch. It's a lot of fun so I am hoping the fun will soon out weigh the stress of it all. Any ideas on a Valentine's craft for 5-8 year olds???

Count Your Blessings, Everyday!

I hear people say too often how bad they "hate" their life, how stressed they are, how they want more money. Money can buy a lot of things but it can not buy your happiness or your health. If you are HEALTHY then you have more than a lot of people do. And for that you should be grateful. Your own happiness is up to you and no one else. Your only as happy as you make up your mind you want to be!

That being said, I am so very blessed in more ways than I could ever sit at this computer and list. I am healthy, I am happy, I am loved, I am warm when it's cold and I am cool when it's hot. I have all the things I need and on occasion I get some things I want. We are able to give our kids a good childhood and make sure their needs are met as well, they are and always will be #1.

So, the next time your feeling down on yourself or cussing God that your life is 'bad' just take the time to count your blessings and stop your complaining. God is good to everyone, some people are just too naive to see it. Stop being blind to your blessings. If you are healthy, Thank God for that and just remember that it could be taken away from you at any given time. I thank God for each day I wake up, because if I live to see another day, I have been blessed! I think God everyday for my children and their health as well. I never take anything for granted. For I know life is too short and too full of blessings to miss out on a single one.

Artsy Fartsy

Another new hobby......

I need warmth!!!

All of this snow has got me dreaming of Summer! I'd even settle for Spring at this point. I used to miss the fluffy white flakes of Winter but, not anymore. I have had my fair share! Oh, warm weather... How I miss you so!!!! The cookouts, the pool days, tanning, walking at the park, going to yard sales, the smell of fresh cut grass, playing on the Slip n' Slide with the kiddos..........

Sadly, this Summer, I won't look this good :( But, I will enjoy the warmth anyways!!!

Yesterday, I found another way to get myself & my son out of the house, while the girls were at school. Since I have something for the girls to do, I thought it was only fair to find something for Caleb to be involved in also. So, we attended Story Hour at the local library!!! They do it every week on Tuesday's for children ages 2-5, and it's FREE!! Caleb was actually very well behaved & seemed to enjoy it. He sit in my lap on the carpet while the librarian read books about snow. The kids sang songs & did the motions to go along with the words. Then we made snowmen out of marshmallows, candy & cookies. They were too cute. Caleb was trying to eat his the whole time so I didn't get a good picture of the finished product. I think we will make this a weekly tradition!

*Please ignore my baby pouch in the background!*

Change is a good thing!!!

I have for way too long lacked in that area. I have sunken into such a routine that I forgot how to try new things and switch it up a bit. One of my goals for 2011 was to be more involved in things & find ways to get out of the house. I hated feeling like I was a prisoner in my own home. Let's face it.. When mama's not happy, aint nobody happy!!!! This mama was just so unhappy! Not with my family or with life in general, but with myself. As Mommy's I think we lose ourselves. I know I have forgotten how to do things I enjoy or how to put myself first every now & then. I am always focused on the kids, schoolwork, cooking, cleaning, laundry... never any time for Ashley! I don't mean I want time away from my kids by no means. I actually would like the opposite.. finding ways of getting out of the house with the kids & spending more quality time with them. Enough moping around & talking about it. I had to take action. In order to get different results you have to try new things.

My biggest endeavor so far has been Girl Scouts!!! Today, after school, was my first meeting. I LOVED IT!!! It felt good being around other kids, talking to other parents, and using my brain. At home my brain is usually set to autopilot and I just go where it takes me, naturally. I had 7 girls to attend today. From Kindergarten through 2nd grade. They were all so sweet and were full of energy. We made bookmarks with the Girl Scout Promise on them. The girls even made me one that they all signed. Put together puzzles, played duck duck goose, and Simon says. Then we discussed what badges they would like to earn. They were all so girly in their choices. The top 2 were cupcake decorating & make overs! I am so excited for my next meeting & look forward to making life long friendships. I am far too creative to never put my talent to use! Finally a hobby that I can be creative with!

And the verdict is...

I went yesterday for my Ultrasound. I was so relieved to hear that everything with the baby looked good. That was most important for me. I've been really anxious & paranoid the whole pregnancy, so it put my mind at rest to hear the good news. The baby was estimated at 10 ounces, which is right where it should be.

AND.... We also found out It's a BOY!!!!!!!!!