This is My Life?

I feel like a bee...not the Queen Bee who gets to sit on her rump all day while all these little busy bees run around working and working only for her but one of those busy bees. The one who goes not stop, without rest, without any appreciation, without even being noticed.

I know that might sound kinda harsh and not true for all the time since I did just have a nice relaxing mini vacation, a vaca alot of mommas do not get, but lets face it as moms we all feel like this at some point.

For the last two weeks this has been my days:

Up at 5:50

Get ready for work

Get the kids ready for school and sitter alternating healthy breakfasts', pop tarts and breakfast bars

Drop L-Bug off at the sitter

Work by 7:30

Work for 9hrs (I work 4-9hr days so I can keep full time status but this means I work through lunch)

Get off work sometime between 4:30-5

Pick up one or both kids depending on when the hubs gets off work

Home to get Kinley ready for a Tball game on tues and thurs. No time for dinner so it's crockpot meal if I remembered to do it the night before or Chick-Fil-A if I didn't

Wednesday nights are Awanas which we normally don't even have time to go home for its pick up kids, meet hubs to drop baby off since she isn't old enough for Awanas and then off the church with K-Man

Monday the hubs has Church Softball games so he is gone some then

starting at 7 its bath time and get ready for bed time

Kids in bed by 8-8:30

Then it's clean house, laundry, lay out clothes for the next day, pack the kids bags, make a crockpot meal if the next evening is going to be just as crazy, etc

Oh and for the last two weeks I have worked 5days a week not 4 (that is an adjustment itself)

I'm tired just writing it all out and I know I have forgotten stuff because memory went out the window when stretch marks came in. I have found myself looking at my husband saying "This is our life now". We find our self counting the minutes to go jump in bed...for a completely different reason then it used to be. We are TIRED, we are stretched thin, some nights we are on the verge of breaking, but one thing for sure WE ARE A FAMILY.

We do this all together, we take joy in each others activities. We share the upset, heartache and we share the laughter and joy.

 

It's hard, being a mom is flippin' hard and it only gets harder. What was I thinking that this would eventually become a peice of cake?

Yesterday my friends were struck with tragedy. They were broken in a way that I don't know can ever be fixed. They have been on my mind non stop for 24hrs now. My heart aches to the point of barely breathing for them.

  http://themountainpress.com/view/full_story/20220105/article--Toddler-dies-in-accident-at-home-?instance=breakingNews_article

As I wrote this post I thought about how so many nights I have taken for granted that I will see my children tomorrow. I will tuck them in tomorrow, I will read them a story tomorrow. Truth is we are not gaurenteed tomorrow. We do not know what God's perfect plan is. We do not know if tonight will be the last I Love You, last kiss good night, last See You Tomorrow.

When you are feeling stretched thin, like if one more person takes another piece off of you you just might break remember that WE are so blessed to be able to feel like that.

I am a busy momma worker bee, who will continue to buzz around doing everything that needs to be done and I will do it with a smile because I am Blessed.

I hope you all are blessed!

~Mel

Clean Microwave

So I'm not going to have access to a computer for about 3 days so I'm going to just do a quick post on my pinterest find.

I love a clean microwave. It makes me feel accomplished when something that is behind a closed door is clean, unlike my closet that looks like a monkey went bananas in it.

I recently found a pin about a quick way to clean your microwave with only two ingredients. 1) vinegar 2) water.

Perfect I had both a 5 minutes to spare. I filled a measuring glass with 1 1/2 cup of water and 1/2cup of vinegar, set it in the microwave, closed the door, turned microwave on for 5min and went on to another chore.

I came back pulled the glass out CAUTION-use a towel to grab glass, will be HOT! Took a wet wash cloth and wiped every bit of the mess out. Seriously 6minutes and I had a clean microwave.

I would totally give credit to the lady who pinned this but I just looked at the comment section and went from there. Once I find the original blog I'll post my credits but for now thank you pinterest you have made my house one step closer to being clean!

Happy Tuesday friends!!

GIVEAWAY!!

Ok ya'll here is my very first SPONSORED GIVEAWAY!! YAY

I hope you're just as excited as I am!

Jessica over at Head Candies makes these adorable hairbows.

We all know I am a sucker for a hairbow or two or three, four, five, fifteen! One for every outfit plus a few extras! I have a daughter, it is a must.

She has been so graciuos to sponsor two hairbow giveaways so we are going to start the first one now.

This ADORABLE set of hairbows is the first set we are giving away!!! Don't you just L.O.V.E them??


LOVE this set of hairbows!!


Summer is slowly transitioning to Fall, atleast here in East Tennessee it is a slow transition. We are getting ready to have our Fall Family pictures made and I can't wait to get the hairbow I order for L-Bug. Yes I do plan outfits around hairbows.

Today Jessica and I are giving you one of these adorable FALL hairbows. You'll also be happy to know that she uses the smooth clips, not the alligator ones that leave marks on babies head. This is also a must for me since L-Bug doesn't have any hair. Her bows are only $4each or two for $7 plus free shipping...AWESOME!!

Here are the rules for the giveaway.

• First you must "LIKE" my facebook page

• Second you must "LIKE" Jordan's Head Candies page and tell her "SweetSouthernMel sent you"

These two you have to do to win. I will be checking to see that you have done both.

• For extra entries you can "Follow my blog" by clicking on the link that says Join This Site on the right

• Share My blog post with your friends on facebook by clicking the share this to facebook sign below this post

• Share my facebook page with you friends on facebook by posting this link here http://www.facebook.com/SweetSouthernMel?ref=hl#!/SweetSouthernMel

          as your status and telling everyone about the giveaway!


The giveaway ends Friday, September 21st at 12pm so get to entering, sharing and liking friends!!


Peace, Love and Free Stuff,

~Mel

a Rafflecopter giveaway

BAHAMA MAMA

Well let me tell you about my FABU-LO-SO weekend! Me and two girl friends left last wednesday and set out for a girls weekend getaway...to the...WAIT FOR IT...BAHAMAS!!

WOW So much fun!! We cruised and just did the 3 night short one but if was exactly what this mama needed to relax and unwind.

I missed my three boogers like crazy but I have a set of wonderful parents who came to help keep the hubs from going over the edge. They were great and everyone was still in one peice upon my arrival back into the states.

Our trip started out with a one night stay on Cocoa Beach wednesday night and our motel just happened to be beside a Dunkin Donuts...Holla!!! Even major score when we went in there at 11 and she told us they were BOGO....50 munchkins....SCORE!

We head to the port on thursday and there began the relaxing. We sailed with Carnival and it was ok. The food was decent but alittle too much partying going on for my confort and not enough shows and such. Now we were on the smallest ship but when I compare it to the Royal Carribean Cruise the hubs and I took a couple years ago that one takes the cake.

Here are just a few of the highlights of my weekend.

Snorkeling...Yep Please!

We were ready and notice Heather is wearing the brighter vest...I wasn't about to take the one that screamed "HERE I AM SHARKY...EAT ME, EAT ME!!

Girls talk, Miami Vice's and tropical waters...alittle slice of heaven all weekend.

Oh and I ate TERRIBLE....I MEAN TERRIBLE but I did manage to get up one morning and work out and this was my view....B.E.A.UTIFUL

View from the treadmill



"A DOLLA MAKES ME HOLLA"
Thank you People Mag and Honey Boo Boo for that catchy quote that I said everytime I walked into the Casino
(one of these days I'll talk about how bad I hate that show)



Ok So you know how when you are on the ship and everywhere you turn someone is wanting to take your picture? Well this is the first night of dinner and so we had to go check it out...Talk about TERRIBLE picture placement. It looks like my head is a projection from the ship. REALLY? WTC? LOL Too funny too funny! We were on the Mel Ship from that point on...

I must say though I enjoyed these ladies so much and hope to do it again next year and maybe add a few mroe to our group.

No Worries....Be Happy

~Mel



Wednesdays TUBBY TUESDAY

YUCK....
That's All I'm Going to Say
UGGGHHHHH ok I'm breaking out the treadmill again tonight!!

Ok so that's not all I'm going to say. Yes I was on a cruise for 3 days...yes I should have had more self control but that fact of the matter is...WAIT FOR IT...I LVOE FOOD. I LOVE CAKE, I LOVE KEY LIME PIE, I LOVE BREAD AND BUTTER. I LOVE everything that is bad for you with the exception of beer...I like beer but it doesn't make the "LOVE" cut off.

I worked out once while on the cruise however we took the steps every time...only got on the elevator once so that should count for something but a 2lb weight gain?? I guess this is the kick in the arse that I need to get back into workout mode.
I do LOVE to workout once I get over that, this sucks, I'm always gonna be fat, never gonna have a supermodel body, I think I'm going to die, I can't breathe, first couple of weeks. But let's face to truth here try to fit working out into a schedule that includes working full time, T-Ball, Awanas, cleaning the house and doing all the other motherly things that I do is dang near difficult. Not impossible but difficult.

I am going to do better and I am going to stop this weight gain train before it get's going too fast!

WHO'S WITH ME? Ya'll better be cause this train is bound and determined to not become the train wreck that I seen far too many times while on the crusie. Ex) people who are mobidly obese is bathing suits with half as much material as mine. Yep have some Self Respect LADIES!!


Once again YUCK...I hate struggling with my weight!!

~Mel

TUBBY TUESDAY & a little more

Hey ya'll!! How was your three day weekend?? Mine was fantastic. I got some much needed quality time with my lil fam. Made an awesome turn around on some windows I found. Had dinner with my neighbor/bestie. Packed for my girls trip and got the hubs ready to head back into the work field. That's going to be an adjustment!

Ok enough of my babble, I'm just procrestinating the inevitable...

I'ts Tuesday again! Not too pleased with myself this week...

Ok so it's half a pound weight loss so atleast it's a loss but not at all what I had hoped for. I really didn't try that hard though well until yesterday when I went to Crossfit again...that made me puke and hurt and wanna cry. Just goes to show you one day a week is not enough...gotta give more

Now just alittle sneak peak. I have all kinds of fun stuff in the works for my blog and everyone who has liked my facebook page. If you haven't do that here.

RIGHT NOW, I WASN'T JOKING

Ok so here is what all I am working on

• Superhero party (to come after Sept 13th)
• Our Annual Pumkin Party
• 100 TOY Review...what to buy, what not to buy (my own person op's..not paid or endorsed by any of them)
• Bedroom Make-Over
• Major Toy Room Project/Christmas Project
• Working on a NO SPEND month...well more of a Budget adjustment month
• A bunch of little crafty projects...from a non crafty person....for the non crafty people
• GIVEAWAYS!! WOO HOO! I can't wait til you all see what all I have lined up, it's gonna be the BOMB DIGGITY!!

Now I will be MIA for a few days.
Girls trip with two of my buds..SHIP, BAHAMAS, TROPICAL BEACH and a COLD DRINK...I promise to take plenty fo pics for you! ;)




This was me a few years ago doing exactly what I plan on doing on thursday!


Have a FABULOUS WEEK FRIENDS!!

~Mel

PS My site needs a total make-over...any takers please??

Happy Angry-Bird Day

A couple months ago my first born turned 4. This birthday so far was hardest for me because it meant he was a boy...not my baby boy anymore. I wanted to make it as special as it could possibly be. For months I was working on a "Pirate Party". But a few months before his birthday he informed me he no longer wanted to de pirates but angry birds instead. Of course after I got my first IPhone he started playing the game...one of which I still do not play. I had no clue how I was going to do that?!

If you know me then you know I am NOT crafty. I can do crafts but I normally see something someone else has done then just put my own spin on it. Luck for me a friend introduced me to pinterest last summer and I got to pinning angry bird ideas. Before I knew I had the whole party planned and ready to go.

It wouldn't be an angry bird party without a human size sling shot!

My hubs made the slingshot using a pallet, some scrap wood which he made into a footbal goal. Then using a round laundryu basket and two bungee cords and two C-Clamps hooked to the top of the goal posts for the bungee cords to wrap around.

We just bought a big red bouncy ball from Wal-Mart and I taped the angry bird face on the front!

The obstacles with small green bouncy balls!

The main attraction of the party

I normally do cakes for the kids birthday but K-man wanted a cookie cake...oh he is his mothers child so I had this super cool cookie cake done it was demolished!!

And the infamous Cobb Fruit Pizza

Bird Juice anyone?

Balloons in front of his door for him to wake up to on his birthday and a big Happy Birthday Banner

The smile on his face when he came into our room the next morning was priceless

Here he is telling me that he is now 4!!

And here we are...without the birthday boy because once the party started there was no getting him to stop!

And alas the boys took home mini sling shots (with soft water balls) and the girls got these super cute angry bird hairbows!

Such a fun party and everyone there had a blast!!

Any questions shoot em' my way!

~Mel