Happy Mother's Day

My children seem to be be growing up way to fast in my opinion this is both scary and exciting. However as a result of them growing up I find myself working even harder to lock away priceless memories for safe keeping. It is also probably the very reason I find myself boo-hooing during Toy Story 3 when Andy ventures off to college. While the college years even the high shcool years are still in the future for my boys. I have taken notice of the years speeding by, and how the future has away of sneaking up on you. Childhood is precious and short lived. So this Mother's Day I hope all you mommies out there got the chance to soak up some of your own memories with your offspring! Happy Mother's Day Ladies!!!

My Sweet Mother's Day Gifts

Bunny Ears On Mother's Day

There are few things sweeter in this world than seeing the words "Mom I Love You" scribbled out in your child's handwriting!

A Mother's LOVE

In honor of my Mom. Today is her birthday, so I would like to dedicate this blog to her.

As mother's, we all have to take a few steps back and remind ourselves what is important. Believe me, this is always easier said than done. Sometimes breaking habits and routine to become a better mother is necessary and difficult. Adding children to our lives is always much more complicated than anyone can prepare you for. There is guilt, overwhelming situations, unrealistic expectations, and all those little secret struggles. On the other hand, there is also a great joy that comes with becoming a mother that no one can prepare you for. Case in point, all the accomplishment you tackle during motherhood will always seem bigger, no matter how many failures came before the victories! Hugs are also one of the great joys of motherhood. There are few things that make me happier than a random, uncoached hug from one of my sons. Pride you have for your children will also bring along some little joys. I remember how excited and proud I was when my oldest sang his first song in front of an audience. Then there is the most obvious joy, LOVE. It's just unconditional between a mother and child, or at least it should be! Sure when my kids are screaming, running in the house, fighting, crying about dinner do I want to pull my hair out? Of course I do! Do I struggle with things like loosing my cool and yelling too much, or spending quality time with each of my three kids? Of course I do! The key thing is that I remember daily how much I love my children and what marvelous blessing and privilege it is to be their mother. I love them with every fiber in my being. My happiness is linked to their happiness in many ways. It is one of the magical things about the love between mother and child. People say all the time how much a child needs a mother. I believe in a big way a mother needs her children just as much. So here is to not being a perfect mother, but a mother that embraces, cherishes, and loves her children to the best of her ability. Here is to also taking on the role of mom and letting God show me just how significant that role is daily! Now if you will excuse me, I am going to go and play with my kids =)

photo credit to Kelli Trontell

The moment a child is born, the mother is also born. She never existed before. The woman existed, but the mother, never. A mother is something absolutely new. ~Rajneesh

Sweet Little Treats

Sometimes you just want to shower your Mom with gifts, so I thought I would share a few sweet little gift ideas all for under $10! Yep under $10. There are so many sweet little shops out there just waiting to be discovered. Etsy and overstock.com are two of my favorites. I love handmade gifts. Also facebook has a whole world of folks out there selling their crafts.


For the Mom who loves to journal, list make, or just write down her dreams, this is just the perfect little book for the mom who loves to write!Make a Wish Book/Journal $4.00



For the Mom who likes to sit back, relax, and enjoy a hot cup of tea: Cute Little Tea Wallets from Pursonally Your's $8.00



The Mom who loves Jewelry, this little adjustable rose ring is so sweet. Rose Ring $5.95



For the environmentally aware Mother, Help her go green with a reusable shopping tote. Handmade reusable Tote $4.00



For the Mom who can't get enough of her little people, this little mini album is cute! Palbums $5.99



For the Mommies who love to read: The Encouragement Book $4.99 only and only a $1 shipping right now!


Also these photo strips make super awesome gifts for Mommies all over the world and it only costs $2.50, no matter where you send it...yep $2.50! That is the total cost of these little Wink photostrips! One more thing did I mention the first one you send is totally FREE!!!


So if your looking to show the special Mom in your life a little love though gift giving this month or any other month for that matter, this blog just gives you a few options and lends you a helping hand. Hopefully it proves that you don't have to break the bank to give Mom a little treat. Everyone loves to be thought of and appreciated. Nothing says that better than a random gift of kindness. Anyone can buy a gift on Birthdays, Christmas, Valentines, and Mother's Day, but to remember your loved ones on a random day, just because. That is something special. Now remember, nobody knows your Mom like you do, so put a little thought into whatever gifts you buy. Make it mean something. Oh, and included a little handwritten note when at all possible! Just a few little tips from Inside My Head.

A Whole New World

Meet Mrs. Katherine Green. Katherine and I have only recently begun to get to know each other. We met at NewSong Woodbine, the foursquare church our families attend here in Nashville. Soon after, we found ourselves in the same Lifegroup and Women's Bible Study. Katherine is the Mother of two precious little girls, with a third little princess on the way. Katherine is probably the most honest, blunt, no holds barred person I know, which I absolutely love about her. She doesn't wear a mask or pretend to be someone she is not. I know, refreshing isn't it? She is also a mighty servant to others, including her family. For example, when my son Wesley was about to have his 3rd surgery, she baked us cookies and dropped them off, knowing we’d need a snack on the way to Atlanta. This made an impression on my heart. She is, by the way, an astounding cook. In addition to all those really impressive qualities, Katherine is smart, dependable, a natural leader, and lets not forget an adoring mother. Kathy is raising her daughters as a stay at home mom, a calling she felt from the Lord. Even though she had worked very hard on her career path and earned a degree in Civil Engineering, in the end, Katherine decided to follow God's plan of putting her career on hold for a season and stepping into a whole new world of stay at home motherhood. I must say, I have a lot of admiration for her for laying down her own dreams, and chasing after God's instead. Not only is she doing it and being obedient to the Lord, she is finding contentment and love in her role. I honestly look forward to growing an even a deeper friendship with this stunning woman. I appreciate Mrs. Katherine for taking the time to answer my interview questions.I hope you enjoy taking in what she had to say about her own experience with motherhood and it's ups, downs, and in betweens.


Interview With a Stay At Home Mom

Q: What made you decided to stay at home with your children?
A: God told me to. It was an impossible task, working the 50-60 hours work week expected of me and being a good mom too.

Q: Do you feel any stress that you don't contribute to the family funds?
A: All the time

Q: How do you make sure to spend time with your children?
A: Well, I am with Ellie all day, and there’s NO ignoring her. I make sure Sarah and I have a little time each night before bed.

Q: Do you feel that because you are a stay-at-home mom that people assume you have all this extra time?
A: Definitely

Q: How do you achieve some alone time?
A: I rarely do. When I do, I leave the kids with dad and head to Ross, Target, Kohl's, or the Starbucks.

Q: Do you miss having a job/career?
A: Very much

Q: What is the largest sacrifice you think stay at home mothers make?
A: Self-identity

Q: What is your favorite thing about staying home with your children?
A: The fact that I (at least appear to be) their favorite person in the world (most of the time.)

Q: What is the best and worst advice you have ever been given?
A: That staying home with my kids was the best job to have / not to nurse Sarah

Q: Do you have any secrets, advice or moments you want to share with my readers about Motherhood?
A: Take it all in stride. The more serious about the little things you are, the worse off you’ll be.

The Art of Motherhood!

Mothers inspire us in so many ways, even when if comes to our creative minds. I am part of an online community called Polyvore. I would describe it as fashion and art colliding. To keep this blog simple today, I just want to share with you some of the art that was made on Polyvore to celebrate Mothers. It really is a beauteous thing. I think some of these pieces are wall hanging worthy! Be encouraged today to make your own piece of art today for a special Mom you know, even if that art is just a hand written note!

I Had The Best Days With You by LuxeCouture♥ {is veryvery busy!} on Polyvore.com

Credit: LuxeCouture♥

inside your HEART..［mother's day] by º°ಌ)d♥ℓℓ(ಌº° [Gone] on Polyvore.com

Credit: º°ಌ)d♥ℓℓ(ಌº°

To All The Mothers . . . by mythical.believes on Polyvore.com

Credit: mythical.believes

Breaking The Mother-in-Law Stereotype

Feature Mom number two of today's blog is my ever so delightful Mother-in-Law Mrs Lounetta Garrett. If anyone has met this amazing woman you know what a servant to others she is. She is probably the most selfless person I know. So many people would be up a creek with out a paddle without this woman. She is a none stop always going always doing, and it's always about the needs of others. Her heart is tremendous, and filled with such a huge love for her family, and loved ones. How lucky and blessed am I to have gotten this woman as my second mom. Now I am so blessed with two of the most amazing women on earth to love me. Life just don't get much better when having such beautiful woman around you to guided and love you. Lounetta has raised two spectacular, talent, sweet, outstanding young men. When I married her oldest Stephen I don't think I fully understood the magnitude of what i was receiving. Not only did I get get a soul mate out to the deal, but I also got beautiful family that just blended together with my own family. Making one giant loving family. I am just so blessed that Mrs. Lounetta Garrett or Granny Lou as known to us is a part of that family. She is beautiful, talented, selfless, strong, and loving, and I am so honored to be her daughter in law. I hope you enjoy what she shares about motherhood, and being Granny Lou to my three rugrats! We love you Granny Lou!

A Interview with My Mother-In-Law

Q: What was the most surprising thing to you about Motherhood?
A: How much love I have for my boys. Even after they are grown men I still find myself wanting to protect them from harm and pain.

Q: Did your children turn out how you expected them to?
A: So much more than I could ever hoped or dreamed for them. Sometimes I look at them and can't believe they are mine. God blessed me with two of the finest boys ever known.

Q: What do you admire your boys most for?
A: OOOOOHHHH where do I start??? They have so many to choose from but one would have to be their HEARTS. They both always have shown love and kindness to all they meet.

Q: What would be your biggest piece of advice for us mothers in the middle of raising our kids?
A: This is so easy .... I know it is very hard with all the craziness going on now but Stop and Enjoy & Cherish every moment (Even the bad) with them because time passes so fast. I remember sometimes I couldn't wait till the day that the craziness would stop. Now I look back at pictures and see these little boys and remember the great times with them. I wonder where are these little boys now. Where did they go??? Then I am very sad because they are gone forever.

Q: What is your Perfect Mother's Day Like?
A: For me this is when all my boys are home together just messing around playing games, eating, watching our little ones "big shows" and laughing at our funny stories.

Q: Who do you go to for advice on life?
A: It has to be my wonderful Mom. I have the greatest Mom in the world.

Q: What is the best and worst thing about motherhood?
A: The best is wellness, smiles, hugs and kisses. The worst is sickness.

Q: What is one of your most treasured memories?
A: That is hard...So many good ones....Seeing our boys for the first time and being at the birth of our three grandsons has to be the greatest.....but as a family one Christmas we surprised the boys one morning got them up early...told them we were going on a long trip to a special event. They had no idea where we were going. We would give them presents to open as clues.... It was some much fun. We went to see the Colts play a game and stayed all night in a hotel. It was so much fun......But we have had some many great ones with our boys at church, school, music, and talent events. Our boys has given us so much. We are Blessed!!!!

Q: What is like to be known as Granny Lou to your 3 grand boys?
A: I really didn't think I would live long enough to be Granny Lou but God has blessed me with 3 of the most perfect little boys. All different and wonderful in their own way. I don't have the words to explain what love I have for them. They are GRAND!!!!!!

Q: Would you change anything about the way you parented your own boys?
A: There are so many things I could have done better but thanks to God, he took my not so perfect parenting and my Love for my boys and formed two great sons. I am sooooooo proud of my sons.