Night Shift: Day 2 & The Sexiest Man Alive Announcement

It's day two of night shift already...and it's almost time for Michael to wake up, so that's good news!

Yesterday I started a little "series" on the positives of night shift. If you didn't read it, you can read it here.

So I'm on to number two on my list of things that are positive about night shift.

#2: Getting More Work Done, The Guilt-Free Way

As many of you know, I started my own event design and decor business this past summer and sometimes it's super hard to find time to work on my events. It's near impossible when Bennett is awake (unless it's research for a Dora the Explorer party where I get to watch tons of episdoes with him). When Michael is on day shift and off duty I really just want to spend time with him and do nothing else. Especially girly event stuff that I know he wants no part of.

So that being said, days like today are good for business. Productive. Creative. Rewarding.

While Bennett took his two hour nap this morning I was able to make a ton of progress on my "Where the Wild Things Are" party! We're actually going to head to Hobby Lobby in a bit to get some things so I can make the party favors! Now see if Michael was off AND on day shift I would have felt bad about spending two hours working while we had "alone time" together.

Not only did I get event stuff done, but I also was able to book a hotel for the Color Run this weekend with Kira in Charlotte! We are so pumped! It's all of a sudden turned into a girls trip that both of us need! Even if we do have to run a 5k....a happy 5k that is. :o)

So what about you? Is this something you could benefit from? I love that I have time each day now for "guilt-free" time to get work done!

On a side note, the "sexiest man alive" was announced today. Of course it is Channing Tatum. Duh. However, I think THIS stud beats him by far! (Photos by Jarrad Lister Photography)

Night Shift, Day 1: The First of Many Positives

So it has begun. Again. The dreaded night-shift for the next thirty-five days straight. This means it's time for me to step up my game as mommy, wife, handy-man, and protector. For the next thirty-five days I play every role around the clock....and I am ready.

Jaime Huffman Photography

Many of you woman know exactly the situation I'm in right now. Some of you are a law enforcement wife with way too much to juggle. Some of you are military wives with husbands deployed...and I know you understand (if not more than anyone). Some of you have husbands who work big corporate jobs and are providing for your family by means of long days and never-ending business trips. Our situations are all different, but I think the tie that binds us all together is we are called to rise up and be more than we ever thought we may ever have to be.

Last night I dropped my parents off at the airport so they could fly back to south, south, south, south Florida. As I pulled out of the airport I just cried. Cried hard. Like one of those cries where you end up looking you got punched multiple times in the face because your mascara is in your teeth. It was hard to watch both my mom and dad cry as they kissed and loved on their grandson before wheeling their luggage away to go home to a place that is 12 hours away. The car suddenly felt so empty and quiet, yet only a few moments before was filled with family and that warm "close-by" feeling. That feeling I long for and pray God will bless me with one day.

Merging onto I-85 to head back home to an empty house with my little boy, I felt over-whelmed by the realization that this IS my life. This is where I am. It is not on accident and there is a purpose for this life that I live and lead. God is good ALL the time and he has called me to rise up and be more than I ever could imagine I could be. He picked me to rise up. He picked you to rise up. He hand-selected our struggles, our insecurities, our weaknesses. He did this because he knows all. He knows all we can be and he knows exactly what we are capable of enduring and surviving.

I may not have my family or Michael's family around the corner or even an hour drive away. I may have a husband who's duty is to protect our city- regardless of the time of day or holiday on the calendar.  God has blessed me with these circumstances to be strong in and through Him. It is my duty as a Christian to find strength through my weaknesses and struggles.

Looking at it this way...well, it makes it all seem worth it. It makes it all seem doable. It makes me feel as strong as a marathon runner, as brave as a soldier, and wealthy as the richest. Without God behind me there is no way I could feel this empowered. And just in case you're wondering I didn't have this strength a few night shifts ago...because I didn't see it this way. I felt like a victim, not an obedient servant of God's will.

Last night shift I made the big step of making a list of positives about the "dreaded 35 days." I had to dig deep down, some days feeling like I wanted to throw that list into a raging bonfire and then dump a bottle of lighter fluid on it. But I kept the list going and it made all the difference in the world. Over the next thirty-five days I want to share "positives" that I find each day that have been possible because of this night shift. If I don't post one day it may be because I have mascara in my eyes and can't see to type. ;o)

So, here goes today....Day 1:

Baby Free Errands

Today I was able to bring Bennett home after the gym to take his morning nap. Since Michael is here at the house (even though he's sleeping), I was able to leave to run  three errands without having to drag Benn with! I went to the post office, went grocery shopping, and picked up a prescription. I had time for myself and accomplished things I needed to get done. All because Michael is home and able to give me the peace of mind that he is there just in case Bennett happened to wake up (which is very rare).

So if today you're struggling with night shift, maybe this is something you can work into your daily schedule to help make you feel like life has given you a break.

I encourage you all to make a list of positives for the situation you are in right now. How is God blessing you through a crappy situation? This can be applicable to ANY situation. You just have to do a little digging sometimes.

I hope you'll stop back tomorrow for Night Shift, Day 2!

Have a great Tuesday!

Sew....Guess What.... I Can Do It!

I can sew. All by myself and everything. I just finished up a three week long beginner class at Marietta's Quilt and Sew. We met on Mondays for the past three weeks and made a pillow case and an adorable four corner apron.

No...my house is not yellow. Mike's phone is bad.

 The pillowcase is for one of our family's  favorite Christmas traditions, Christmas Tree Cowboy Beds. The night we put up the tree we sleep by it in "Cowboy Beds." (tons of pillows, blankets, comforters, basically anything soft will do) This will be Bennett's "Cowboy Bed" pillow. It was my favorite tradition growing up. There is NOTHING as cool as sleeping by the light of the Christmas tree!

When I started "sewing" three weeks ago I didn't know a whole lot about it. A friend of mine worked with me for a day last Christmas to make my gorgeous stockings, but that was the only experience I really had.

During this class I learned how to turn on my machine (which is just a plug btw), wind a bobbin, thread my machine, make different stitches, pivot corners, use lots of fun sewing tools, set a sewing machine properly, and I even made a few new friends!

The instructors were unbelievably patient with me and the rest of the class. I felt like I was the slowest and least experienced of all the ladies there. They have tons of classes for all different levels and different projects as well.

My Beast.

I feel so blessed that I own a sewing machine. Thank you again, Mom, for buying me one for Christmas last year! I think the best thing I got from this class was the confidence to go out and make more projects.

I made the camera strap on the right to replace my old one on the left! I got excited to practice after my first class.

 Here are some things I'm going to make in the very near future. I think they're easy enough!

Jersey Pillows- Got tons of old vball jerseys and track jerseys from Michael. I'm sure Bennett will have a few too coming up!

Burp Cloths!

Football fleece Blanket- FSU

Cowboy Bed for Clarke maybe? :o)

Travel pillows! We are always on the road!

Gosh the possibilities are endless! If you're needing to learn to sew I highly recommend Marietta's! It was $35.00 for the full three weeks. I did have to buy the fabric for the projects though. It wasn't that much extra. Totally worth it!!!

Mike's New Toy

If you know my hubby you are well aware that he's the "Gotta have all things that will save your life just in case of a tornado, fire, home invasion, and "Zombie Apocalypse" happen all at the same time" kinda guy. And I love him for it...but I blame it on the day job. Thankfully this personality trait results in him bringing home fun toys to play with!

Tonight he surprised us with the "Hasty Harness" from North American Rescue. However, in "normal form" it looks more like an unused roll of party streamer! But I promise it's much stronger than that...

When he announced you simply wrap it around a human and drag them, propel them, hoist them, whatever...I quickly scooted Bennett to bed. I really wasn't in the mood to play fake rescue with our toddler. Although I know Michael would have been all for keeping up past his bedtime to try different wraps.

So if you've got a bail out bag for your family (which you should if you don't), this is a great addition! It takes no time at all to safely make a harness for an adult, a child, or a dog (yes we tried this). I learned pretty fast and got to tie up my own hubby. (Bow chica-wow-wow)

You can also pull a wounded person with this or I guess any person unable to do or comprehend what you say. College kids- this may be good to keep in your car for your unruly friends that refuse to leave a party when everyone KNOWS they need to.

You can even tie a harness so a helicopter can pull you....

Check out North American Rescue's website here! Guys- you all will probably love this site.

In the meantime, make sure your bail out bag is stocked for any natural disaster or emergency. Wifeys can help out with this by using their super duper organizational skills!

Things you may want to include:

*Reeses
*Diet Coke
*Gold Fish
*Puffs
*flash light
*blanket- Snuggies are acceptable too
*batteries
*nonperishable food
*cash
*weapon(s) / ammo
*clothes in all sizes for each family member- don't forget a pair of sneakers for each member
*leashes for dogs
*TP
*medicine/prescriptions
*wipes
*toothbrush/toothpaste
*bottled waters
*diapers (for babies if need be)
*dog food
*lighter
*battery radio
*charger for cellphone

blah, blah, blah...necessities.....

Home Depot Memories

I've always had a love-hate relationship with Home Depot.

Hated it because it takes forever to find anything in that store (without Dad with me of course). Although I am getting better at it now that I'm a homeowner.

Loved it because trips to Home Depot when I was little always meant time with Daddy.

We are repainting our shutters and front door right now and made a family Home Depot run today. These little moments melted my heart and reminded me of how great it is to just be little again.

Stop back by tomorrow (hopefully) for the reveal of our new shutter and door color!

2 Years Baby!

These past few days Michael and I have been celebrating our two year wedding anniversary! Bennett got to spend five days at Camp Nana and we had some much needed time for just us love birds.

We debated going to Disney World or having a "staycation" and ended up going for a staycation. We feel like we hardly ever get to just chill around Greenville by ourselves anymore so we thought it'd be a great opportunity! Last year for our first anniversary we had a ten day old so we of course did not want to leave Bennett any longer than a few hours so this year we were "ready" to cut loose! :o)

We soaked up the sun, slept in, watched WAY TOO MUCH Make It Or Break It (our new show...no jokes please), went tubing, enjoyed dining out (and in) without shuffling baby gear back and forth, and have a few other adventures planned for the next two days.

My favorite part of the week so far was tubing down the Green River! I had gone once in college, but it was an absolute blast with the love of my life!

Ready to get on the tube bus!

The sky dropped out at the end and we floated back in a monsoon! It was hilarious. :o)

How I spent my Monday...

Racing to the Rapids..We had a bravery competition each time we approached one.

Fearless.

Armed and ready with our koozie...

He's my favorite...

 Today (our actual anniversary) we carried on the tradition and went to find a restauraunt with "two" in the name. We made it to Two Chefs in downtown Greenville! It was ridiculously delicious! It was the first time Mike and I had been. Hogan got to go too since he was on our first date which was walking Main Street of Downtown. Last year we went to Copper River for our first anniversary. Copper=penny=one. :o) We're pretty pumped for our five year and getting to go to Five Guys!

But the week isn't over! A few more things planned...and I smell the steaks grilling. :o) It's nice to have time with my best friend and love of my life. That ridiculously hot day on top Glassy Mountain two years ago was definitely the best day of my life!

Love you long time, Michael Wayne! Here's to many more years!

National Police Week 2012

This week is National Police Week: Honoring Our Past, Present, and Future!  Take a second this week to thank the police officer you know for risking their life every day for your safety. If you don't know one personally, thank one in a coffee shop, at a restaurant when they're on a meal break, or even if one happens to pull you over. (I promise they're not as scary as they seem). :o)

And while you're at it, buy a treat for a K9 dog- they're police officers too.

Never forget that many of them have families at home waiting on them who love them, just like you probably do. They put on that badge and strap guns, knives, tazers, bullet-proof vests, and other back up weapons to them...never knowing if they'll make it back home at the end of their shift. But they do it anyway.

They deal with everyone on the worst day of their lives and they come home to their families as if it didn't phase them at all. They are strong- mentally and physically. It takes a unique person to do that kind of job.

Remember this week all the many fallen police officers, especially the countless number this past year. Their service, bravery, and commitment was well-respected and now greatly missed.

I am proud to be a "cop-wife" of an officer who takes his job seriously and works hard to provide for our family. His hours are long and his pay is less than glamorous, but he has made our city a safer place and I can honestly say that he LOVES his job.

Happy National Police Week to my husband, our many friends in the force (both male and female), and all of you officers that I do not have the privilege of knowing! I am thankful for ALL that you do!

Romans 13:4 For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.