A Son and His Mom...

I wouldn't say I'm a sensitive person when it comes to ME... My feelings. My opinions or theories. My doings. but when it comes at someone else's expense, or someone being teased or bullied... it simply.... breaks. my. heart.

A little piece broke today....

My husband has a mother who is special. Mentally handicap. Socially awkward. And not the prettiest physically. She struggles in almost every way in what "we" often think is normal. She is not. She is different.

Monday is HER day... Her day to go to the local bank to get her money out for the week. Her day to splurge on a McDonalds Chocolate shake if she feels the desire. Her day to go downtown, with her 50.00$ allowance to buy whatever she needs for the week. And when I think of 50$ for a week with groceries, entertainment, and living essentials, I don't know if I could survive. She can and doesn't complain.

As she was pacing down the grocery store aisle, filling her cart with things, she knew her son who worked across the street would love a Pepsi! With what little change she had left, she bought a Pepsi to walk over to her sons office.

As she was walking.. Or possibly strutting because she feels pretty, maybe because this weekly task is her highlight of the week and wears only her best... my husband hears a few comments from the boys in his office, nothing positive, actually quite hurtful... beating up this woman walking across the street towards them with a Pepsi. J walks out from his office to see who the jokes were being directed to... The woman, who spent what little change she had, for her sweet boy... His mother!

He quickly went through the back door, around his office, to stop her from going in... Simply to not embarrass her or put the new employees to shame for how they acted.. He thanked her for the drink, and she headed back to the store. His heart was heavy as he sat in his office hearing the jokes and comments being made until she disappeared! He stands up for his Mom, takes care of her and loves her more than anything... But he felt it wasn't his place to say something then. There will be a moment when she will appear in his office, and be introduced as his mother and I hope they take this experience and learn from it because I know we've all been there! I know I've been on the employee side SOMETIME in my life.

But when I look at her, I don't see the unhealthy body she lives in, but the beautiful grandma, mother, and soul that lives inside. She teaches us things, no one else could.

15 Months of Elsie

Elsie has always seemed like my little newborn for a long time.. I think that might be with every first child? Who knows, but this last month, she has officially moved into toddler world. I love watching her little personality grow. And lately, it seems to be growing by the day!

15 months of FUN............

-She's the pickiest eater!!! and I mean PICKY!!
-Obsessed with stairs
-Loves to sit on the couch like a big girl
-Runs every where
-Nods her head yes and no
-Loves to throw things on Grandma Bowler's tile
-Loves to be scared, or chased
-Runs to Daddy to have her neck tickled or to be thrown up in the air


Says-

No, no, no, no
Kitty Kitty Kitty
Voom Voom (Truck)
Mmmmmmm (Yummy)
Fish - Thanks to Finding Nemo which she LOVES!
Ba (Ball)
Mmmmm (Moo.. which we hear often every time she can't find her cow!)
Ma ma
Da da da


Favorite Things...

Watch Elmo, Elmo and more Elmo
Finding Nemo
Books
Chewing on cords
Playing outside
Jumping on the trampoline
Picking up rocks and bringing them to mom, or anything really!!
Crazy Granny... who knew, but she loves this woman!! And it makes my heart happy on both ends!
Popsicles
Mac n Cheese... or just plain cheese
Apple Juice, Powerade, and Pepsi -oops!


We love you more then ever bug and can't wait for many more months of fun!!!!

2012 Christmas Memories

We had a wonderful Christmas Holiday this year! We deserved it. Last year, we moved clear across the country, and spent every last bit of savings in doing so. We were so busy trying to structure our lives, with a newborn and a move, we didn't even find time to fill our hearts with the Christmas spirit or put up a Christmas tree. Depressing!!!

This year was one of the best!!!! It started by putting our Christmas tree up early... I'm talking, first of November early. SOO worth it. Those few extra weeks made all the difference for our family. We were able to really think and pray about how to serve, how to help, and who needed a little extra Christmas lovin' :) 

Another perk.. E!! She was such a blast.. to buy for, and to watch Christmas morning. We didn't know how much she would be able to enjoy it at 15 months, but she caught on pretty quick.  Once she was done opening hers, she moved on to mine and J's to see if another Elmo, or Toy would pop out of the wrapper. One of Dad's gifts to her was to clean out our spare bedroom and make it strictly her toy/play room. I did our morning routine, picked her up out of bed, changed her diaper, and let her run to the front TV room where we drink a bottle and watch Elmo. Instead of running straight for the TV room, she stopped immediately and ran into her new room... She was sooo happy to have more space in our tiny house, for just her!! THAT made the long hours for Dad simply worth it!

Marshall Christmas 2012

Santa was good to us.. Christmas morning!!

 This cutie Diesel, joined our family!!

 ANOTHER ELMO??!!! Good Job Santa!!

Playing in her new toy room

And more playing... 

Meeting Santa...  Typical Greeting :)

Her favorite to this day.. lady bug pillow!!

Dad hooked Mama up.. One of my best years yet :)

With this desk being a total surprise and handmade by my sweet love!

I don't like Santa... but I like his bell!! :)

The only regret I had... NO Christmas Cards!! Will I EVER do these??? I've wanted to since we were married but never seemed to actually do it. Story. Of. My. Life.

Hope everyone's Christmas was as wonderful as ours!! Merry Christmas to all :)

What we have been up to lately...

Playing with this pooch....

Watching TV at a whole new level... in her own mini rocker

Some cuddling...

ALOT of working at Dad's office..

Car Show with Crazy Granny

and some popsicle eating...

That's about it :)

Some of my favorite beauty products......

I have a few favorite products that I pretty much can't live without...

Kate Somerville Spot Treatment

I found this while I was living in Boston... Oh how I miss the humidity more now then ever, but when I first moved there, my skin went CRAZY!!! A girl at Sephora recommended this to me, and I have thought of her often as I've used it... because she pretty much saved my life!! (Could I be any more dramatic?? Probably not because it really is amazing ;)





Peppermint Chapstick

This is BY FAR my favorite chap stick out there! I'm a total chap stick addict and snob... People say you have to stop using it because your lips are addicted, but I JUST CAN'T STOP!! Starting to have sympathy for all the drug addicts out there because some things are just. that. hard! Anyways, It used to only be found in stores during the holiday season and I would buy 15 of them.. NOW, I can't even find it in stores during the season... so I order it on amazon. It leaves the cool, peppermint, feeling which just simply feels... refreshing!




Tinkle

Total Confession.... I shave my face! It's true... no shame!! Those who know me know I am an open book when it comes to ANYTHING!! But honestly.... one of my biggest pet peeves is facial hair. Even us blondes who think its light and barely there... IT IS.. AND IT'S GROSS.. Get rid of it!!! :) I've done waxing, bleaching, and threading (which by the way, hurts sooo bad.) Neither one is worth the effort or the $$$.  I found this amazing product about 6 months ago and it is worth every bit of $3.99 on amazon. It has the worst name ever.... TINKLE!! Really?? That's the best name you could come up with?! Anyways... it's amazing and I'm in love.... And the whole myth of "Don't shave, it comes back thicker and more hairy... TOTALLY FALSE!!" Don't believe those words from anyone.. My dermatologist confirmed it ;0


Sexy Soy Leave In Conditioner

This stuff is hands down, the best detangler out there. You know that blonde girl... maybe age 7 or 8, that lives at the Logandale Pool all week long and then shows up to church with nasty, green, fuzzy ends, and is pretty much just one HOT MESS?? Yeah, that was me... Poor child! My mother had not discovered this product back then, and I'm convinced it would have saved my poor hair, and many hair battles as she tried combing all my snarls out each night! The. Best.



Equate "Advance Recovery" Body Lotion

My skin is SOOO dry. I don't remember being this dry before we lived in Boston, but since I've been back, I can't get enough of this body lotion! I've tried Cocoa Butter, Vaseline, Jergens, Lubiderm but nothing seems to do the job quite like this... and best part, it's cheap and fragrance free!!!




Doterra Oils

I know we've all heard countless things on holistic medicine and these dang oils, but I'm guilty and totally got suckered into believing they are as awesome as all do say!! I diffuse them almost daily, and make a little concoction in my nightly creme. I also use On Guard with Elsie nightly, and she has never been sick!! AND... shocking... she was strictly a formula fed baby! So ALL who gave me crap about not breast feeding... looks like we're doing pretty well over here in the Marshall house... Thanks to Enfamil and ............. On Guard!!!

Elsie's 1 year check up!

My sweet Elsie turned 1 this year... People always would say how fast they grow and I can now see why! It feels like yesterday we were in the hospital in tears thinking she would NEVER COME OUT!!! Finally after 2 days at the hospital, 3 hours of pushing, and a episiotomy from hell, she did!!

This year has been full of complete happiness! For so long I wanted HER, and she has been more beautiful, more precious, and more FUN then I could have ever imagined! I haven't lost myself in her, or with being obsessed about finally becoming a mom (which I feel a lot of woman struggle with but that's it's own post) but I feel that I cherish each moment with her and I'm trying to enjoy each phase to the fullest!!

She had one fun Elmo party!!! We had lots of family and friends gather round to share her special day. My most favorite memory of her party is watching her scream as the kids hit her Elmo piñata! Poor girl just didn't get it.. Can't say I blame her.

Some things about Elsie at age 1:
-she doesn't like sweets
-she loves peas, cheddar puffs, and drinks to no end (water, milk, anything)
-she has 4 top teeth and 3 bottom
-she pounds some serious laps.. Past walking.. Girlfriend straight runs!
-she weighs 21.5 pounds
-she's 30.5" tall
-and her awesome Bowler head is measuring at 18.5"... That's my girl!
-she shakes her booty (my favorite)
-she does a piggy face
-says moo, na na na na (no no no no), da da, ma ma
-she sings... It's cute now but if she takes after me or Jod, she's in trouble
-she's in size 4 diapers
-she gives the best loves and kisses
-when she's tired, she lays her face into the ground with her cow, don't forget the cow
-she laughs more at herself then anyone else
-she loves to get scared and play peek a boo, or "I"m gonna get you!"
-her favorite people besides us of course ;)... Jamie, Jeff, any 2-4 yr old, Laureen, Launa, and the Hopkins clan
-she sleeps like a champ 7-7:30 or 8 with 2 good naps a day!

I love this girl more than anything in the world and I'm so glad for the wonderful year we've shared as a family and for many more to come!!

30 days of Thanksgiving

November has always been my most favorite month... Along with Thanksgiving being my favorite holiday! I feel like its a happy month.. Where people are more kind, more thoughtful of others, and really, just a little happier :) So many take the time each day to post, write, or reflect on all the blessings they have in there life.. With that alone, I feel like if we all took the time of day, everyday, whether it was March, or November, the world would be a happier place all year round, people a little sweeter, and a lot more selfless!

As for me... I can be bitter at times, negative, annoyed, and many other things that aren't Christlike characteristics, but I feel that's part of being human. We all struggle with such things.. Or at least I hope so! I look at my current state and couldn't be more happier in my life!! Of course I don't have it all, but I have found a way to find happiness in all the things I do have, and all the things I don't.. In all the things that are perfect, yet all the things that aren't.. One of my most favorite quotes is "Being happy doesn't mean everything is perfect, but that you've learned to look beyond the imperfections." I feel that I have finally been able to do that! So many things aren't perfect in my life... (this is a long list for another blog post) but here is a list of the important things, at least to me, where I am able to lay my head down every night with a happy heart for all I do have!

- The Gospel- without it, I would be lost. It's as simple as that! It guides me everyday, and strives me to be the very best person, friend, mother, wife, daughter I can be.

- My Husband- I love this man more then anything in the world and I'm thankful everyday he's mine.. He is 100% my soulmate and I know the Lord put him on this earth for ME and it's reassured to me often! He is my rock.. He makes everything better, he makes life exciting! He has one of the strongest testimonies I've ever seen, thats all his! He's figured out so much of life on he's own and done a fine job in doing so! I loooove the outstanding father he is... He may not be the best at changing diapers, making dinners, cleaning bathrooms or seeing things that need to be done and doing them, in fact, he actually really sucks at all those above :)... BUT, he WILL do anything I ask, and try his hardest to do his best... He adores Elsie to no end, makes her days full of fun! Exceptionally thankful for him!!

- My sweet Elsie- where would I be without this girl... She is my whole life!!! There's not a day I don't look at her and feel a tremendous amount of gratitude for the blessing she has been in our lives. She has lit up our world.. Our family is a happier one because SHE'S in it!

- Puss the kitty- her sweet soul brings a sense of peace in this crazy house.

- My car- she isn't the shiniest, nor the nicest, but I love my car.. It gets awesome gas mileage and has been a faithful thing since the beginning.

- My parents- I have missed them more then I could ever say... Sooo thankful to have them home. Even though I'm old, married, with a child of my own, I will always look up to them and asking for help and advice til the day I die!

- My mother in law- at times I would completely deny that I love this woman and am thankful for her in my life, but I would be lying to myself if I did. She teaches me things everyday, and has the heart of gold! She would give you her last dollar or the shirt off her back for a complete stranger. I yearn to be more like her and her Christlike qualities.

- My friends- I have some pretty awesome friends in my life.. Young and old! Family, not family, but I'm grateful for friendships in this life and the wonderful ones I have.

- Food- need I say more.

- My home- it may not be the most cleanliness, or the most organized, but I have a warm, cozy, love filled home, that brings a smile to my face on cold, windy or rainy nights!

- A good heart- I'm thankful I was blessed with a good heart, who has good intentions and tries to see and love everything and all around! Of course I'm not perfect and have plenty of negative things in my life, but at the end of the day, I try to focus on the good, and do my best to be the sweet, kind person I know the Lord would want me to be.

- Jody's job- I'm thankful my husband has a job.. A job that continues to grow and that provides our family with the temporal things we need to survive and enjoy life. His best quality is that he is a hard worker... He never misses a day when he's sick, he'll get up early, work 20 hour days if needed, and balances out family time in the mix. Grateful he learned such great work ethic and will always do his best to take care of his family's emotional and physical needs!

- TV Shows- they keep me sane!

- Holidays - I LOVE holidays... They bring so much joy to all around.

- Modern day Medicine - it's amazing isn't it? Soo glad I live in a time with all the things they can do!

- Positive People - I'm thankful for positive people. Life is hard, things don't always go the way WE think or want them to, but I LOVE those positive people that roll with the punches and continue to find the good. I strive to be more like this. Thank you for being good examples to me!

At the end of the day, my list would never have an end because I'm thankful for all that I have, imperfections and all!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL!!