Grant the Lego-Maniac

Remember this television commercial from the 80's?

Well this is my kid except my boy is Grant the Lego Maniac!

He's been working on this Lego set for hours....as he should be.....it's like 800 and something pcs.

he loves it though, I hope he goes into architecture or engineering

maybe he can put on his resume how many Lego sets he's built?

hair

                                             BEFORE                                    AFTER

I absolutely love my hairdresser. I was trying to do a semi long hair thing but it began to make me look old and ragged. I saw a hairstyle on Pinterest and showed it to her and she worked her magic. I also got the caterpillars ove my eyes trimmed and waxed. I am so blessed to have found her, she is wonderful and I can't imagine going to anyone else! So what do you think? Better? Oh, and I'm gonna color it too, on my own, out of a box....we'll see how it turns out?!

Christmas morning

Christmas morning was fun as always. Grant even got my camera ready and put it in my chair so it would be ready to shoot. He loved opening each gift and he was super excited about his Lego set and his new scooter. He found out that his "Rent a Brother", Maddox got the same one....I told him that Santa knew they were best buds and knew they would enjoy riding scooters together! My brother gave him the Wii YouDraw tablet and he about fell over in disbelief. As of today, the only thing we haven't opened and explored is the Microscope he got. That will be next, I'm sure.

Hope your Christmas morning was worth the wait!
until next year.....

Merry CHRISTmas

It really was a perfect Christmas day! I set my alarm because I knew Grant would be anxious to open gifts. He told Bill "I better get the camera ready because you know who will want to take a bunch of pictures!". He knows me too well! We all gathered in the living room and watched him rip open all the gifts. After all the hoopla, I made a quick batch of cinnamon rolls and sausage biscuits for breakfast. We got ready for church and left for the morning service. It was delightful. It reminded me of God's infinite love for us and his ultimate gift of baby Jesus. I felt for a brief moment the peace, love and joy of Christmas.
I had our Pastor and his family over along with Lillian *M.O.M" for Christmas dinner. It was very delicious if I do say so myself.
I got a ham from Honey Baked and whipped up all the 'fixins'. I think I pretty much committed gluttony. I shouldn't do that to myself but it was so good! When the dishes were cleared and the company had left, I laid down for a wonderful well deserved nap.
I had to go see my daddy-o and we needed to put fresh flowers on Bill's mom's grave so we left the house about 5pm and made our rounds. Bill's dad is in the hospital so he's gone to see him now before visiting hours are over.
Grant has been busy opening all his stuff and is most excited about building his Podracer Lego set tomorrow. It's fun watching him open stuff and making all sorts of funny comments. He is one of a kind for sure!
Now, I'm just sitting here chillaxing with a warm blanket and some sweet tea. That's been my Christmas day! I wonder how much our lives will change by next Christmas. They seem to get here quicker each year. I hope and pray for all my family and friends to have the best year ever!
Merry Christmas!

Reflections

Do you ever go back and look at blog posts that you wrote a year ago? I have and still do. I can distinctly remember this time last year the anticipation of what 2011 was going to bring. Today, I am really looking forward to 2012.
This past year has not been a shining year for me. It has not been what I expected.....far from what I expected.
As I sit here and write this, I am thinking about how much has changed in my own life and in the lives of those around me.
I started 2011 with the same job. I was hoping by the end of the school year and at least by the end of summer, that God would open the door of opportunity and put me in a classroom as a "real" teacher. I watched as time ran out and here I am at the end of 2011 and I still have the same job. I hope that changes in 2012.
I watched my baby boy end 1st grade coming out reading like a champ and becoming so smart, it was amazing to observe his growth. First grade is a very important grade.
The summer brought lazy days filled with lots of swimming, day camps projects and birthday parties. I turned 34 and Grant turned 7. Ahhh, seven years old, the most magical age of childhood. So I think. I am in love with seven. I would go back in time just to be seven again. It's perfect. I am trying hard to keep Grant under that umbrella of innocence for as long as I can. It's soooo hard to do too.
My marriage has seen some deep valleys this year. It's been a hard road to travel. It's been hard enough that separation was on the table. There, I said it. Now everyone knows. Oh well, the truth always sets you free, so they say huh? I am not a quitter, or at least not on this marriage thing. No one has a perfect marriage, I don't care what you say. We are working on it,. again and again and again until we get to a point where the mountaintops are seen more often than the valleys.
Took an unforgettable road trip with my mom. Drove back alone in my van and really searched for the presence of God in my life. I have been through some tough situations and I needed to be reminded that God has me right in the palm of His hand. Growing up spiritually can be very painful at times. It's hard to release the fear, frustration,and pain of life's lessons. I really connected with God on a whole new level.I even wrote it in my journal so as not to forget what I experienced.
This year I filled up my time with a lot of obligations and roles. I think I'm going to try and commit to less next year. At times, extracurricular things can suck the joy out of life. I strive every day to be present and experience the day but sometimes life and its responsibilities can really distract you from what is truly important.
Last year around this time, I was praying fervently for an answer concerning the addition of a child. Bill and Idiscussed ALL sorts of options.  Truly God knew that this was not the year to add a baby to our world. A very small part of me is beginning to accept that maybe I was meant to be a mom of one.
We still have options but I can't really say where this will go so I say....stay tuned!
Finally, I have to say that I have learned a lot about life and a lot about myself. I guess that's the gem about getting older. You become wiser and more stable in your identity. I know I will grow some more in the next year. I also hope that God has some good stuff planned for me. I think I deserve it after this year!

What are you reflecting on this time of year?

home movies

Last night, on a whim, we pulled out some old home movies. Not really real old, like 50 years or something but Bill and I have been together for 15 years and although we don't have a lot of memories on tape, there are a few holidays or events we have remembered to tape. One of them was our first Thanksgiving as a married couple. That tape was hysterical. My brother was dating a girl by the name of Amanda too. My dad wasn't disabled like he is now and Bill's mom is on the tape and you can hear her just chattering away.
My most favorite home movie is the tape of Grant's birth. WOW! a lot has changed in just seven short years. I remember so much of that day and how it all came to be. I can remember that overwhelming sense of joy when he came into the world. It's an unexplainable joy, one that stays forever. I can't even imagine the joy that our Creator must feel when he create each one of us. We only get to experience a small amount of that pure joy.
I wanted Grant to watch this with us. He was interested but lost focus at times. That's a seven year old for you! The sweetest part was seeing his little face as a newborn. I was astonished at how much I had changed. My maturity level, the way I carry myself from then to now. A lot of the ways I think and feel about life have changed. It's pretty amazing.
It also is a bittersweet reminder that I still yearn for another sweet baby to hold. Time just keeps ticking away and I'm asking God fora definite answer. Seems we're still in limbo on this and surely by the end of 2012, we'll know what God's answer is.
I went to bed just mesmerized by the creation of human life. I can't fathom why people treat it with such little respect. What I wouldn't give to save all the babies of the world!
The video was also a reminder to soak up every moment of Grant and his personality. To remember the funny things he says, like when I asked why he didn't wear deodorant, he replied "because I'm not weird like you". I hope he continues to be so funny. Laughter truly is the best medicine. and who better to make you laugh than your own child.
Life is so short, I'm trying so hard to live in the moment of the day.
How 'bout you?

Dear Santa....

Writing prompt from Mama Kat's Workshop!
Dear Santa,
Wow! What a year for this girl in TN! I hope you're ready for all that travelling this Christmas.
I am sure you'll get it all done, that's the magic you have! I have been thinking about what I would ask you for this Christmas. I don't want to be too selfish so I'll start with what I want for others.
I know how much you like bullet points because it makes it easier and quicker for you to read and absorb. SO here it goes....

• that every soul on Earth comes to acknowledge and accept the free gift of Salvation and the love and forgiveness of Jesus Christ.
• I want my family and friends to live a happy, healthy, fulfilled, and balanced life.
• I want for children across the world to be protected from evil and the consequences of poor choices made by adults in their world.
• I want for people who are dealing with physical, mental, or spiritual problems to find peace and health.
• I want for our nation to turn back to the values and moral standards that our country was founded on. and stop the nonsense of being "PC". That's just plain ridiculous!
• I want for all the great Teachers in the world to be appreciated and told how important they are.
• I want peace for all those who just need a little break from stress, worry, or problems.

OK, now for Me, I'll keep it down to three!

• I would love for 2012 to be the most phenomenal year of my life!
• I would love to find a teaching job that I just know was the hand of God and the perfect school for me!
• maybe you might see about getting me a new little baby. If you can't get that, at least give me a little sign that I have what I need.

Thanks Santa....you're the Best. Remember to sing Happy Birthday to Jesus too!

Hugs and Kisses
Amanda

I'm sitting here thinking about ALL the things I need to do and yet there isn't enough time int he day! My mind is all boggled up with thought after thought, idea after idea....it's extremely overwhelming!
A part of me wishes I was a SAHM but even they probably don't have enough time to do everything they want. I can also see why God gave me the "not yet" answer for the teaching job. I think I would be in tears! I'd like to take a day but since thee is a lot of testinggoing on at school and I know they count on me to help, I ca't really take a "mental health" day. Maybe next week?
There seems to be something to do or someplace to go every single night this week. It's a small secret but Bill and I aretaking dance lessons....GASP! I think it's good for us, it's sort of like being forcfed to go on a date. Tomorrow night, a small Christmas party, Wenesday afternoon I have an appt and then ther's church, Thursday night is Scouts and another dance lesson on Friday afternoon. I need to clone myself so I can be in two places at once. I think I need to find a small window of time and prioritizse my list of to-do's. I did get the tree up and a few Christmas decorations. Well, let's see how the wekk goes. Wish I could share some pics but now it's time for bed and if I know one thing about myself, it's that I need my sleep! G'night!