Link Above...

UPDATED: I have included my letter at the end of my post as an example...

To all of you mothers....

I stumbled upon this blog of someone who has decided to create a book for his wife, for her christmas gift. It is a book of letters from mothers to mothers....any type of letter. Some have been from adoptive moms to birth moms, first time moms to old timers with questions, stories of love, sadness, questions....anything goes. For those that send him a letter before Christmas you will also get a copy of the book if you email him and let him know you'd like one. The letters...some long, some short...some funny, some sad, are ones that will make you look inside the mother in you. I just wrote mine this afternoon. Above is the blog address and on that is an email address if you would like to write a letter. This is what they are doing this instead of gifts. How neat is that?!

I thought I'd include my letter as well. Most of you who read this already know my story, for those that don't..... now you will.....

Dear Mother,
We are beings that will forever change the world. We come in all shapes and sizes. We have all lived different childhoods and experienced different things in life. We have all had dreams and goals each with different time-lines and outcomes. We have all experienced joy, pain, and sadness. We have given birth to a miracle created by the hand of God. Some have the physical scars as their rites of passage, others have the emotional scars that are etched into the soul forever. We have laughed from the depths of our souls, we have cried from the chasms of our sorrow. We have wished on birthday candles and shooting stars. We have wiped tear-filled eyes and bloody knees. We have kissed away the pain and bandaged the scrapes. We feel their pain and pray for their souls. Who are we? We are mothers--past, present, and future. No matter where we are at this moment, whether our children are near or far away, we will always be...a mother. My journey of motherhood began much earlier than I had expected. I had completed my second year of college, and was planning on going overseas the next year to take part in a wonderful experience that would hopefully help me make my decision as to what and where my life was going next. I never got there.

There were circumstances and actions taken that summer that found me 20 years old, unmarried, and pregnant. I was scared, mad, unsure, and every other emotion in the book. But I knew at that moment, that my life was never going to be the same. It wasn't about me anymore. God had different plans for me. My daughter will be 10 years old this April and I, without a doubt, believe that she was my angel sent from Heaven to save me. She is my pride and joy and the light of my life. She has blessed my husband and I, and my family more than we could have ever imagined. She has a heart of gold and truly believes when she says "God knew you needed me then, Mommy, more than anyone else, so He sent me to you early." And she's right. I did need her. I needed God to show me that He was in control. She saved me. In every way possible. I am also a mother of a rambunctious 5 year old that keeps us in stitches everyday. Being a mother is a magical and miraculous gift given to us by God, and I wouldn't trade it for the world. Watching a child learn about life and God is indescribable. To know that he has entrusted me with one of His own is humbling beyond words.

May God bless you and your sweet sweet family. May the memories you make each day, be held close to your hearts.

hmmm.....

Wendy is wondering why when she posted new post on Wednesday, it's still not showing up on her friends updated blog's list.......hmmmm.....?

We had a great time in Destin the week before last for Fall Break. There were not many crowds anywhere and the weather was pretty good. It rained 1 day while we were there and sprinkled off and on another day, but when the sun was out, it was BEAUTIFUL! We loved getting to spend time with David's parents, sister, and nephew Caleb! We don't get to see Jen and Caleb often so it was great having them there with us all week. We played on the beach, in the pool, in the condo, we went bowling on the Air Force base the day it rained, we took naps, which we a treat! and just goofed off! It was the first time we'd been to the beach with Chloe so we loved getting to experience everything with her for the first time. We saw a ton of dolphins and ate some amazing food! We all would've loved to have stayed a few more days!!!

Here's David and I on the beach....
our Chloe...



Just happy being.....

all my babies.... I hate this one is blurry...



Fudpuckers....

about to get on the go-karts!

my angel....

love this picture...

the "aunts"

the whole Joachim crew....well, minus Eric....

we are all extremely competitive in our family....probably not the best thing..

I was a very sore loser after this race..... Kam and David smoked us....


Thanks "Non & Pop" for a GREAT trip! :)

more....

the rest of the summer and start of school.....
Played in a sprinkler

We went to a waterpark in Choctaw, MS



Went to a Dave Matthews concert.... AWESOME!


Senior Kindergarten and 4th Grade.....


On Labor Day, David, Kameryn, my Dad, and I traveled back to a little town in Tennessee to a horseshow that my grandfather helped create. When I was growing up, my Dad and I went every year. This year was Kam's second year to go, and David's first. It's not the same without my Papa and Nano(my dad's parents) but it's really neat to see Kameryn do something I did when I was her age, and enjoy it as much as I did, and still do! We went back to the house/farm my Dad grew up on. The people that live there are super nice and so we got to walk around the farm and play with their pet donkey Ginger. All the cows are still there roaming the farm. I loved going to visit there when I was younger.






Louie just can't handle all the fun we've had lately......

the last 4 months.... and then some.....

Ok, so I as I have said before, I really stink at this bloggy thing. I'm a pro at daily checking my blog as well as others, and I always have the best of intentions as far as wanting to post something new and exciting like most people do. I used to brag on my writing/creativity skills- hence, the "witty" part of the blog title. I have always been better at expressing myself better in writing that any other way.... it just doesn't seem like it on this thing. I am amazed at how well people can write about their lives on a daily basis. The blog world is an amazing place. I have found myself becoming a part of people's lives in so many different ways. I pray for them, laugh with them, shed a tear for them. I reflect on my life as well as others each and every day when reading other people's thoughts and words.I used to be a great journal-er too, now... not so much. I wish I was. There is nothing more comforting to me than to go back to something you wrote long ago, or not so long ago, and see how God has shaped your life since that moment. No better testament to His love and devotion. So here I am attempting to do this again. We truly have had a wonderful summer and start to school. There have been some "issues" which I have resigned myself to accept- will always be there, in one form or fashion. Hey, "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger" right? I just have to put my faith in God that he will take care of us and won't give us anything we can't handle. Now, if my faith in the legal system in this city was only as strong....we'd be ok. We WILL be ok. We have to be.

So i am about to sum up a little bit of May and some of June and July with some of my favorite pictures and maybe a video. Just make sure to turn your volume down before you watch the video. Not off. Just down- and don't put your ear too close to the speaker!

Me graduating.... Hallelujah. Thought the day would never come!

Couldn't have done it without him....

Chloe was Mary in her Jesus program in chapel one day at school.... they dropped Baby Jesus on his head at least 4 times.


The girls on Memorial Day weekend at the condo...


David and I had an awesome Honeymoon at the beginning of the summer at Edisto Island, SC


Me trying to keep myself covered after getting FRIED the first day


The beach is my favorite place to be.....always has been, always will...especially with the one you love....


The girls made a sign for David after he'd been out of town on business for a week! I love this picture...


Goin' to the racetrack with my Daddy...


4th of July






Passed out after fireworks


So the girls had gone to the beach with their Dad after the 4th of July, and so David and I took that time to do a Extreme Room Makeover in both their rooms. We didn't want to do the same thing in both, and we knew what both girls would love so we just dove in and worked every extra minute we had, and then some!!! I didn't take before pictures, but Kam's room was the same color as Chloe's still is. We added an art desk in her room, painted her walls bright green, and turned half of her closet into her own private "reading nook". Chloe just had a plain twin, rod-iron bed in her room. We had found this college dorm bunk at a garage sale last year, and it had been in our garage since then! With the way she loves to climb,we cut it down a bit and painted it. Our ceilings were too short to keep it the height it was, plus it was HIGH!My crafty husband built shelves and a desk underneath and then after everything was put together and I could hardly climb up the backside of it, built her stairs up the side. It turned out really good! I cleaned out Target's $1/$2.50 bins(aren't they the best?!) with trash cans, pens, colors, little sticky notes, folders, notebooks,and little baskets, picture frames, cork boards, and storage containers for both of their desks. They LOVE their new rooms and play in them constantly! Plus, with it being their own rooms and their own areas, they keep them clean, which totally surprised us!



Kam in her reading nook with her new Webkin she'd been dying to have. You'll see in the video her jumping off the bed and grabbing something.... that would be the Whimsy Dragon Webkin she just HAD to have.



We had a blast getting it all together and then came their reactions..... this is where you need to turn your sound down.....

Apology....

Ok, so I don't think that many people actually read this blog, BUT, that is not my reason for not blogging in what seems like ages. My life it seems in one way or another has been a roller coaster this summer. And I had basically dropped everything and pulled my girls and David as close to me as I could get them. The girls needed to know that David and I were there, we weren't going anywhere, and they needed as much of our undevoted attention as we could give them..... and that's what I did - and continue to do. Pray for our girls.... they are having to deal with Life a lot sooner than I wanted and we are doing everything we can do to make it easier. And these times have brought us closer together as a family as well as with God. It's amazing to hear your 9 year old tell you that all you have to do is pray- and God will take care of the rest. And she is right - he has taken care of us. I cannot believe the summer is over already - it has been good and we have made some great memories and had a blast and I will post pictures very soon I promise! But for those who I have neglected.... I am truly sorry.

To Leslie -- I got a new phone and had not saved your number to my SIM card, so it was lost and I need to get it again. I have been checking up on you through your blog, but I should've been calling you and doing more. I am sorry. I am sorry this has been such a rough pregnancy for you - but as you already know.... the end is SO worth it! I can't wait to meet your sweet girl!

To Christy -- The same goes for you. I am so sorry I haven't called, or come by and helped you unpack, or call and ask if there was anything I could do. I feel horrible about it. I want to bring you dinner or get together soon. I saw your in-laws the other day and they said you guys were settling in. I know you are probably feeling a little overwhelmed right now! I will call you soon! Can't wait to meet your little man!

To Deeder -- I am sorry we haven't gotten to see each other this summer. Still want to do something in the fall. Hope you guys are doing good. I miss you.

To Jennifer -- I am a horrible sis-in-law. I hate that you are far away and we can't see you often and help out and spend time together! Can't wait to see you - whenever that is!!! love you....

I will hopefully get back into the swing of things when school starts.... my fingers are crossed!!!! Stay tuned......

Memorial Day 2008

Such a great weekend..... we didn't want it to end! David, the girls, and I drove up to Crossville, TN this past weekend to meet his parents at their timeshare in FairField Glade and spend some relaxing time enjoying nature and spending time together. I don't think we could've done much more in the 3 days we were there.... we swam in the lake, played on the playground, rode horses on a trail for 1 1/2 hours (heaven to me) took naps on the porch in a princess tent, played putt-putt, rode golf carts, fished a little, hung out on a pontoon boat, swam in the pool, roasted hotdogs and made smores .... and had an all-around fantastic time.... except I am paying for all the fun in the sun with a nice rosy back and chest....and a lovely Kameryn handprint on my shoulder where she didn't quite rub the sunscreen in all the way.... ;)

What we've been up to... in no particular order.. :)

playing soccer.....















Flying a kite.....

























Celebrating Kameryn's 9th Birthday...













Getting dressed up for Harding's annual gala dinner...


And now it's crunch time for me..... 1 week left of classes and then the finals....and then....it's over.

To Go Private or Do Away With Completely?

So I've noticed and then someone else brought to my attention the random comments I've been getting from people that have a link that says to "click on." First, DON'T click on them, and second, know that I have no clue who these people are. I don't want to do the whole private blog. I don't think many people read my blog, or if they do they just don't comment, but I the whole private thing just doesn't appeal to me. So do I just quit blogging all together? Or just diligently check the comments and delete the nutty ones? Inquiring minds would like to know. Thanks!

SO sad......