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If I Wasn't a Mommy

Azalea bushes. A date night with my baby daddy. Time with family. Mother's Day Weekend is here.

I am quite sure that I have never loved doing anything in my life as much as I love being a mommy, although playing with Barbies as a little girl is a close second;).

As many of you know, getting pregnant with Walker was no small feat and I still pinch myself when I think about the miracle of it all. I have to be honest and say that there are still times when I think “what if?” What if I had not gotten pregnant? What if I wasn't a mommy? What if the miracle never happened?

If I wasn't a mommy...

I would sleep in on Saturdays.

I wouldn't appreciate my mom enough.

I could still try on bathing suits at Target without fear.

People who always use their kids as an excuse would annoy me.

I would have a lot less picture frames around my house.

I wouldn't feel so vulnerable to pain and loss.

I wouldn't know the joy & excitement of bringing a baby home for the first time.

I wouldn't pray enough.

I would put my laundry away after I fold it...maybe.

The bath tub in the hall bath would never have water in it.

This blog wouldn't have any pictures.

My heart would be a little lot smaller.

I would cook with the handles out.

Happy Mother's Day to all of you who have experienced the joys & blessings that children bring into our lives. And Happy Mother's Day to all of you who have little ones in your life who you love like your own – nephews, nieces, sisters, brothers, friends... And Happy Mother's Day to any of you who may be hoping and praying for a child one day. You will be a wonderful mother, and all of this waiting will only make you appreciate the little things that much more.

Bathtime

One of my favorite times of the day with Walker is bath time.

There is something euphoric about watching your little one play and unwind in a tub full of bubbles. You can't leave them there and there's not much you can do to multitask, so you find yourself sitting on the side of the tub, the toilet seat or criss-cross applesauce (as they say now) on the floor just watching and taking it all in (sigh).

The day is almost over and you both know it. You are thankful for a moment of free hands and rest (other than a quick wash-down). If you'll admit it, part of you is looking forward to some time to do things around the house, make phone calls, watch your favorite show, insert activity that you do once your children go to sleep here. But part of you wants to freeze that happy moment and stay there for a while...

Anna Kate & Blueberry Milk

What did Walker do today?

Besides going to the park with mommy, he drank blueberry milk and hung out with Anna Kate.

  Their time together consisted of macaroni & cheese, sweet hugs and tugs of war over the soccer ball. Lee and I sat on the couch and wondered what it must be like to have two kiddos.

Earlier in the day, Walker entertained himself by turning his afternoon snack of blueberries into a milky treat. Here are some shots of him deciding to put his blueberries in the milk and his reaction when he went to take a drink and swallowed one on accident.

Just a normal day - the kind of day I love:).

Wordless Wednesday

   
  

Scoring Some Deals

This budget thing is a work in progress. Whew. But there has been progress nonetheless. And that's exciting.

I am more aware and discerning when I pull out my pocketbook. And I'm not afraid to clip a few coupons;).

This morning, I got $59.18 worth of stuff for just $19.41 (67% savings). Not only does it feel great to save money, it feels even better to know that it's stuff that we need – not just random things I bought because I had coupons (which is a temptation, I must admit).

For those of you who are interested, here is the breakdown of my plunder.

Walgreens:

Bic Soleil Razors (4) - $5.99 reg - $3.99 sale - $3.00 coupon - 99 cents

Bic Comfort Flex Razors (6) - $5.99 reg - $3.99 sale - $3.00 coupon - 99 cents

Sure Deodorant - $3.00 reg – 2 for $3.00 sale & $1.50 coupon – FREE

Tide - $8.99 reg - $5.99 sale - $1.00 coupon - $4.99

Downy Sheets - $6.49 reg - $4.00 sale - $1.00 coupon - $3.00

Coffee-Mate Creamer - $3.49 reg – 2 for $3.00 sale - $1.50 each

Mentos Gum - $1.69 reg – 2 for $2.00 sale – 55 cents coupon – 45 cents

Puffs Plus Lotion (3) - $1.69 reg - $1.00 sale

 

Total Before Sale/Coupons: $44.20

Discounts: $27.78 (63 % savings)

Total After Coupons: $16.42

 

Rite Aid:

Nivea Body Wash - $5.99 reg - $3.99 sale - $4.00 coupon - FREE

Motrin P.M. - $8.99 reg - $3.00 manufactures coupon, $3.00 Rite Aid coupon - $2.99

 

Total Before Sale/Coupons: $14.98

Discounts: $12.00 (80 % savings)

Total After Coupons: $2.99

I could never have completed my mission this morning without my little helper - would you look at those eyelashes!? I am jealous.

 

May is here!

*Photo Credit: Lexington Herald Leader, 5/2/10

Nothing says May like the Kentucky Derby.

I have the pleasure of being part of the Kentucky Derby Host Program - meaning that I run my tail off the days of Oaks and Derby to show southern hospitality to public officials, cooperate sponsors & celebrities in for the races.

I get to work with a fabulous group of hosts - mostly from Louisville.

This is a picture of one of my fellow hosts - the head of the program this year. He had the pleasure of escorting Justin Timberlake out to his car on Derby Day. And as you can see, he took his role quite seriously. I believe the caption in the paper referred to him as one of Timberlake's "handlers." Haha.

I didn't make any paper shots, and by golly that's a good thing. I was a hot mess after standing outside in the rain:). But I did enjoy one of the best weekends in the Commonwealth.

So did our out of town guests - Lee's cousins from Montgomery, Alabama.

Here is a picture of Lee and David before the rainy races:

 

My highlight from the weekend was the Survivor's Parade on Oaks Day. Over 100 breast cancer survivors walked around the track right before the race, holding signs to celebrate their number of years as a survivor. My dad's mom died of breast cancer when he was in his early twenties, so I was touched by the families who were honoring their loved ones in such a beautiful way. Not to mention the fact that they raised over $120,000 for breast cancer research and treatment.

I hope each of you had a wonderful weekend - the start to a memorable May, I'm sure:).