Appreciating Time.

Sticks in my pocket. 

Today was started earlier than usual, and brought quite a few smiles to our faces.

        On the days I spend with Brady, I wish I could say every one of them is picture perfect. But lets be honest here...  Today just happened to be one to blog about. Yes, it's another post about how much I love my son. I know no one will ever fall for him like I have, but I enjoy him so much, I feel the need to share how he's made us one truly happy family.

      Today wasn't anything out of the ordinary, other than my first storage auction with my in-laws! And they're right...it's just like the show. Brady and I ran errands, like every Thursday... but we enjoyed lunch together on the front porch. The weather was incredible, the birds were singing. It was perfect. Brady ate only his goldfish snacks, though, which resulted in me making lunch...twice. 

      Dragging every toy out to the front yard to play was WORTH IT. He was so happy. Of course, he'd choose to sleep outside if he could, he was in his happy place! He learned how to open the gate for the dogs to run out, and how to swing the bat to hit the baseball! All the boy stuff that makes you smile because you're dirty, ya know.

      Life right now is wild. We have so many projects going on around our house... Oh my goodness. Brian is full speed with his job, and I'm trying to keep this house tidy, all while working, and making future plans for work. Too many things going on at once. Focusing on what's most important is keeping me sane at this point. Playing with sticks will always win the battle over stressing over a chore.

      I watched Brady closely today as he was playing with each toy, making truck noises and throwing sticks. Yes, he's growing up. Before our eyes. But I'm not sad about it because...

   He kisses my hand.

He pulls my face to his to kiss. 

He cries when he realizes I'm leaving.

He SCREAMS for joy when I return!

Today he was whispering "Mama" to himself in the car. 

He sneaks up behind me and I feel these little arms wrap around my legs, while he hugs them tight. 

 This phase, I can deal with JUST fine!

     I've learned to appreciate each little moment I can enjoy with him. When he brings me a book to read, we sit. We make the time. Every day, he reminds me of how much our lives have changed over the past few years. In the most wonderful way possible. Life is good. Wild, fast-paced, and ever-changing... but with this kiddo by our sides, we don't mind a bit. 

An absolutely, wonderfully, warm and sunny day.

It was love at first sight.

Brady met his "wife-to-be." 

My precious little gentleman.

 And he loved on her...

And LOVED all OVER her.

Heather and I met each other halfway between Greenville and Charlotte for lunch together with these sweet things. Brady couldn't stop giggling and reaching for little Harley at lunch! He was in love! 

The afternoon rolled around and Brady found himself drooling over riding around with his daddy...

And THAT was our day. Plenty of sunshine, windows down, Brady breaking it down to dance a time or two, and seeing Heather & Harley. Our absolutely, wonderfully, warm, sunny day. 

Little Family Blessings.

The weekend disappeared before I even recognized it was here.

Saturday was spent with mom and Brady J around town.

And today...I woke up not feeling too well. 

Feeling terrible, honestly. 

But without whining, I'm sure I'll be feeling much better soon enough.

If it wasn't for my entire family, 

well, I just don't know. 

I'm not alone in this journey in raising Brady J, that's for sure. 

Brady was greeted this morning by his grandparents with balloons and breakfast,

and he spent his day playing by the lake with his Honey.

He's been running around the house in a diaper with half a haircut, because sitting still was no option.

And for these little blessings, I'm so grateful.

Last night, I talked to my sister on the phone.

She listened to my story, and gave encouragement in return.

 I admire everything about her.

And I really do miss her.

So, where did the weekend go... 

that's just what happens when we don't stop to smell the roses!

That's life, sometimes.

I'll be trying my best to not rush the week, and to enjoy all the little blessings that come our way.

I wish the same blessed week to you and your family.

Let's all try and slow things down a bit, how about that?

Moving right along.

Updating our house for the (how many times is this?) millionth time.

While we're in the middle of the guest bath update, and how he's doing such a mighty fine job, might I add, here's something new that I've been searching for all along.


A
R U G.


It's added color, texture and life to this living room.

More to-do's, like always.
But that's how we live in this house.
There will always, ALWAYS  be some project going on.
And when one's finished, then something must need to be changed.

All I can say is...I'm so thankful to have this handyman of a husband I have.
He can do anything. And if you really want to know the truth...



He does all the work. 
Ouch, that was hard to say.

A few more to get ya movin'.

     

A few more tunes to get ya movin'!

And a few that just make me happy.

If you've ever listened to Sade, this is similar...

Return to Innocence- Enigma (just a beautiful song.)

Love That Girl- Raphael Saadiq

Could It Be I'm Falling In Love- The Spinners

Low Rider- The War

Maggie May- Rod Stewart

Don't Worry Baby- The Beach Boys

Paint It Black- Rolling Stones

You Really Got Me- The Kinks

Sweet Soul Music- Arthur Conley

Bring The Funk- Ben Harper

Just One Kiss- Raphael Saadiq & Joss Stone

Rain or Shine.

Rain Or Shine, we're bringing spring to our home.

This weekend has been so unusual. Brady spent his weekend with his grandparents and great grandparents miles away. We had the weekend to ourselves, which meant two nights in a row we enjoyed out.

It was wonderful to catch up with friends, because we rarely get such an opportunity to have the whole crew together. Happy Birthday to Andrew! AND, I was thankful to catch some pretty sweet pictures of Carley and Andrew together.

Then after we settled down and realized we didn't have the little one for another full day...we both agreed it was makeover time. Spring will be here soon, and what would spring be without new projects?! So there we go, out in the rainy cold to collect ideas to brighten our home.

Here are the new living room colors I've chosen for now. The Fall Leaf color may be a little bright, but everything else I've found is too muted. Grandma's Linen will be our wall color. Accents will be with the Fall Leaf. I have one Lamp I'm spraying with the creamy color, with Gold Accents. A rug, we have to find, and a coffee table...one day. 

I've put our SPRING wreath on the front door (I know it's way too early). And we have bronze planters ready for greenery. I've got the fever something terrible. We have plans for the deck to be started soon, which will be like a dream come true to enjoy our time outside on a comfortable deck!

Before and after pictures are to come, because by the looks of our Lowe's visits...there will be plenty. 

Wish us luck with bathroom demolition happening now with a new countertop, sink & tile floors to come!

((What are we THINKING))

Patiently Waiting.

 I'm craving SPRING. Flowers, sunshine, windchimes, the birds singing, windows down, afternoon walks, picnics, and all the bright, colorful things that come along with it... like a new playlist to push us along...  

                Here is a list of the music that makes my heart smile, and some that bring back memories of my happy childhood!

(Half because mom brought us up with these tunes, and half because I'm a soul sista in disguise.)

 Silly Love Songs- Paul McCartney & The Wings

 Tiny Dancer- Elton John

Save Room- John Legend

 My Girl- The Temptations

 Get Up Offa That Thing- James Brown (you cant HELP but get offa that thing.)

 Band On the Run- Paul McCartney

Here Comes the Sun- The Beatles (reminds me of my beautiful sister.)
Swingtown- Steve Miller Band

 Brown Eyed Blues- Ben Harper

Tequila- The Champs (Ya know where THIS came from.)

 Bad Moon Rising- CCR

 These Eyes- The Guess Who

 I am The Walrus- The Beatles 

I'd Like To- Corinne Bailey Rae

 Slow Dance- John Legend

...and the list goes on...

And spring & summer nights (getting ahead of myself.)
Cookouts, friends, drinks, front porch reading...

In the meantime, dreams of warmer weather, and the weekend are ahead of us.  

Enjoy yours, folks. 

"Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life." B.A.