One year later...

One year ago today my world was turned upside down. I was laid off from my job. I was the main bread winner in our house so was very debased and worried about how we were going survive. Well, my thriftiness has surely come in handy. We have gone through a lot of hard times, giving my car back to the bank, getting public assistance, asking for help with a power bill, the constant applying for jobs and then the let down of "sorry we found someone more suited for this job" Those were the hard times but good things happened too. I have been home with my girls everyday! That has been a dream of mine. My little Molly has really needed her momma this year too! 

I became more involved in my church. Started going to bible study and Sunday School. I am proud to say that I have become close to a lot of great couples and ladies but more important have grown in my relationship with God. I do admit that I think I was angry with God. Why did this happen to me? I was made with my previous company. I admit it I did want to pluck their signs up and hit them repeatedly on the ground. I never did!!! I promise! 

A few months ago I was praying that something good would happen to us and realized that I really needed to forgive my former employer for laying me off. I was not sad to be home but carried a lot of resentment around towards them. I struggled for months trying to forgive them. It was not easy. But I did and things have turned around. My husband is getting a new job in a totally different career field. Which comes with a great raise! We decided that I would continue to stay home with the girls. I have really seen God work in our lives, bring us closer together as a couple and provide for us when we really needed it most. We thank everyone who has helped  us a long the way. Especially the Heart and Mind Ministry and The Man up Ministries at NBC and our families! We love you! 

Also.....
THANK YOU HFK FOR LAYING ME OFF! YOU CHANGED MY LIFE FOR THE GOOD AND HELPED ME TAKE THE LEAP OF FAITH!

Happy Easter

Happy Easter! Spent a wonderful day at church and a great meal afterwards with family! Have a great day!

Happy Birthday Lillian

Four years ago today, my life was forever changed. I gave birth to my first baby and became a mother. We named her Lillian Kim. I remember seeing her for the first time and being truly amazed that we created this little person! To this day she still amazes me. She has terrific balance when she walks across the back of the couch. She is a quick learner and very curious about the world. This past Saturday we celebrated her birthday with a Fancy Nancy Birthday Party complete with a fashion show! Lillian called it her Celebration Day! I loved that saying, made it feel even more special. The kids seemed thoroughly enjoy themselves and we enjoyed celebrating with everyone who was able to come out!

 This was how Lillian decided to dress for the fashion show!!

Happy Birthday sweet girl of mine!

In the still of the night

I sometimes mostly stay up late at night to get a little me time. I will read my favorite blogs, check out the latest gossip on Facebook and pretend to be crafty on Pintrest. I always have the TV on for background noise. The other night I decided to turn the TV to a Christian music channel and turned the volume down low. Oh my goodness, this was the most relaxing time I have had in a long time. I sat in my chair for a while just thinking....I could actually here myself thinking! I think we tend to feel that need to abolish quietness to possible avoid things. I think I was trying to avoid my own thoughts possibly in fear that they would be negative. There were negative thoughts but some positive ones as well.

Date Night

The Hubs and I decided it was pass time for a one on one date night. We sent the girls to my parts house for the evening. Clyde and I had an in house date night. This was much cheaper than going to a loud restaurant where we could not hear each other. We cooked dinner together, ate on a make shift table on the living room floor and watched a movie. Dinner and a movie! Unheard of  for us! We usually can only afford dinner out, then we usually do grocery shopping afterwards. Not the most fun date night. By having date night at our own home we were able to  have a real conversation and really enjoy each others company. 

This was our very fancy table. Our nice linen aka bath towel! It was fun and reconnecting  And really that is all that matters. I am a firm believer that couples need time to reconnect without company....ie without children or even another couple. Time without the kids does not have to be an over night or weekend thing. A few hours one night will work. If planning an at home date night think about things you and your significant other like to do. This could be playing video games, cards, singing, playing music, looking at movies, taking pictures, cooking, the choices are endless. I think the point to an at home date night is to save money but still have fun! You just have to get a little creative!

Silliness

I was looking through some old photos tonight and came across this photo. A photo I thought I would never post where people could actually see it. But it got me thinking. Sometime you just have to act silly with the ones you love! Even if it is to keep from crying. Smile on.....

A Special Snack

Lunch around our is always a struggle. I never know what food is actually a lunch food. We use to just go out for lunch most of the time and if we did stay home we ate mostly mac and cheese. Well after awhile one gets tired of mac and cheese but never the 3 year old. My sister gave me the idea for muffin tin lunches. This way I can give Lillian a little bit of this and little bit of that. She is more of a snacker in the first place. Ever since the first time I gave her a muffin tin lunch she has called them a special snack. She asks for them often! I like them because I can give a little bit of this and little bit of that thus finishing up the leftovers or solving the dilemma of not really having anything for lunch! 

 I discovered that the little cups from Ikea fit perfectly in a cup. Which is great since Lillian likes to carry her own plate! It kind of then reminds me of a lunch tray but way cooler! I went to the Dollar store and bough a six cup muffin holder specifically for these special snacks. You may already of them in your cabinets.

Some other ideas of what to put in the special snack lunch are tuna, mac and cheese, applesauce(the containers fit), any fruit or veggie, chips and salsa, a sweet treat, black beans, lunch meat, cheese, popcorn, or dry cereal.

I hope you enjoy these as much as my little one does!

Tiffany

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Yes, I realize it is the middle of January now. It surely has flown by! I live in CHAOS(can't have anyone over syndrome) my mind has been scrambled by a not very happy baby the last couple of weeks. Molly has been very clngy and whiney. I have not been able to do much of anything...laundry is a mountain, dishes are everywhere, toys are in the few spots that are not over taken by laundry and dishes. Christmas decorations are still sitting in the middle of the living room floor waiting to be boxed up and taken to the attic. AND on top of all that I am planning a 4 year old Fancy Nancy party. At least the party planning is fun. So here is to making someone feel better about their homes condition and please be comforted that you are not alone!

In Molly's defense, she surely has made big strides in reaching some milestones All in one week she has really gotten the crawling thing down and is starting to pull up on furniture. EEK!!! Not yet sweet baby. Mama wants you to be a baby a little longer. I think she has been frustrated because her body was not doing what her mind wanted it to do!