weekend in pics

This weekend we watched some amazing fireworks!

We also went to the library and acted silly!

We also had a meltdown, the struggle is real!

Capturing it on camera may not be fun for her at the time, but I have a feeling she'll look back at this pic one day and smile. 

I'm excited that this week is a four day work week and cannot wait to get this weekends festivities started!

Hurry up Thursday!

Birth Story - why not!

As of recent so many bloggers that I follow have had babies and have shared their birth story. Granted my child is almost six years old, it has donned upon me that I have never told y'all Cadence's birth story, so without further ado...

Cadence's original due date was Christmas Eve 2008, then it got moved up to December 19th. I went in the Monday before Thanksgiving in 2008 and my doctor told me that I was already effaced and 3 centimeters dilated. She anticipated an arrival on Thanksgiving Day. It didn't worry us because in the ultrasound Cadence had measured fine and healthy, so even a month early she would have been fine but my doctor put me on light bed rest to be safe.

Thanksgiving came and went and no Cadence.

We were all bummed because a "turkey" baby would have been great and I was beyond ready to see her and have some spare room in my belly. I got so big that even eating was a chore at that point and when you're pregnant you love to eat!

The doctor saw me once a week after Thanksgiving and determined that she would induce on the 19th of December if I had not gone into labor yet. I was so excited because we had an official date set in place.

The morning of the 16th was just like any other, sleep! Fair warning to all you expectant mother's, you will be so tired at the end. I was sleeping hard but would toss and turn due to the huge mass of what was my stomach. In between tossing and turning I felt wet sheets, I got up, looked down and thought that Macy, our chihuahua had wet the bed. Pissed off, I got up to go and pee first prior to cleaning the sheets and woosh! Just like in the movies my water broke all over our master bathroom. Thank goodness for wood floors!

I wasn't at all nervous, just very excited. I pee'd first because when you're pregnant and you have to go, you have to go! I called my doctor and she told me to come in right then. I called Tarl who worked 30 minutes away and told him to come home. In that time I got in the shower, changed my clothes, checked the hospital bag to ensure we had everything we needed and glanced in the mirror one last time, because I knew that I wouldn't come home with a pregnant belly. This was the last time looking in my bathroom mirror at Cadence in the womb. 

Tarl got home and we were off. The only thing I regret is no makeup and not straightening my hair. It seems so juvenile but I was huge and swollen from head to toe (you'll see in pics) and a little bit of makeup and tamed hair would have went a long way with pictures. All the pics of me in the hospital, I look like a beached whale!

We walked in the doctors office and they immediately sent me back where my doctor confirmed that my water sure enough had broke. She had us head straight for the hospital and had already called and had them set up a room for me. 

I was still only 3 centimeters dilated so they started me on Pitocin at 12pm exactly.I was hell bent and determined to make it as far as I could without getting an epidural. I was by no means against the epidural and I thank the Good Lord for making the man who invented it because it's a glorious thing, but I was scared it was going to wear off before it was time to push so I wanted to make sure I could last as long as I could prior to getting it.

At this point mom had showed up and we were just hanging out in my room, Tarl being the most nervous of all of us.

See what I mean? You could have sent me to Sea World and no one would have known the difference. I was 115 pounds when I found out I was pregnant and exactly 160 the day I had Cadence.

The contractions started becoming more regular at around 1:30 and became fierce at 2:30. The bed railing was my best friend for a long time and ice chips were my crack. I couldn't get enough of those savory little chilly morsels. 

The nurses were in and out checking both mine and Cadence's vitals. My doctor came in at 4 to check my cervix and I was at 5 centimeters. She told me I could get the epidural at any time but not to wait too long before it was too late. I made a deal with her that once I made it to six centimeters I would get it and she said that would be fine. It only took 45 more minutes to get there. 

The epidural was the only time I cried from fear. I hate needles and the thought of one going into my back scared me. There was a nurse there and I will forever remember her holding me in her arms while I was bent over and the anesthesiologist was inserting the needle in my back. It was a piece of cake. It felt like a tiny sting (rubber band popping me in my back) and that was it.

Not long after I felt nothing. A nurse would tell me I was having a HUGE contraction and I couldn't feel a thing which was fine by me. 

Five thirty in the afternoon came and I was at nine centimeters. The doctor came in at six and confirmed we were at a full ten and it was time to push. 

I started pushing at 6pm on the dot and nothing was happening. My doctor told me that Cadence was too big for my frame so she needed to do an episiotomy to keep me from tearing and ensure Cadence came out as she should.

After pushing, having a nurse sit on top of my stomach, and a lot of screaming just due to pressure (no pain), our healthy 8 pound 8 ounce baby girl arrived at 6:51pm.

I was blessed in the fact that I had such an easy labor and delivery! My mom told me horror stories about her being in labor for 48 hours...I was worried going in, but it was great!

See what happens when you don't fix your hair, crap pig tails with industrial rubber bands, but what a beautiful baby to make up for my horrible hair :)

When Cadence popped out there were no infamous baby cries which worried Tarl and I sick. They whisked her to the baby station and started sucking her mouth and nose with the syringe to get all of the fluid out of her air ways and then we heard her beautiful first cry. The brought her over to me and I held her first. Unlike most babies born with stone blue eyes, she had brown eyes from day one, beautiful big brown eyes and a head full of hair to match.

Friends and family filtered throughout our hospital room the next three days until we were released on the 19th, seven days before Christmas. We went home to a home filled with Christmas decorations and the best present we could have ever received.

This was on our way home. We had picked out a beautiful white dress for her to wear and she hated it. So one mile from the hospital we pulled over in a bank parking lot and changed her into a plain white tee.

From day one she has rarely cried, has been happy and such a complete joy in our lives!

My friend Emily bought me this onesie for Cadence in size newborn. I had to exchange for size 0-3 months because of my chunky child :)

It's so hard to believe she will be six years old this year. 

The days are long but the years are short!

xo

A typical Target trip...

1 - When I walk in and there is the glorious dollar spot. I came in for one particular item in mind, but the dollar spot is an absolute must. My breathing gets heavier as I quickly grab and throw items into my buggy as if it were the last item standing, although there are 50 more of the same item. Let's be honest, I absolutely do need the "grow your own cilantro", and Cadence would love this miniature American flag. Oh my word, they have kitchen towels for $1!!! So I grab about five of those bad boys. I've realized that I've already got $10 worth of items in my buggy and I just walked in the door, keep walking Miranda...

2 - I don't need any more t- shirts. I've already got two in the same style in different colors, but looky here, there is a beautiful aztec print one and I ease my mind seeing that they are 10% off. The shirt itself is only $9, so I'm only saving $0.90 cents, but still, it makes me feel better about throwing that in the buggy, so it gets added to my collection of goodies.

3 - Woo child, look at those precious short shorts. One in every color imaginable. I quickly grab the hot pink (naturally), mint, and standard denim and head straight to try them on. The clerk asks me how many and I tell her three. I ask her very politely to watch my buggy as if it were her child around a cliff. I don't want anyone else grabbing my goods that I have took the time to pick out.

4 - I walk into the dressing room and wouldn't you know I love all three pairs. At $20 a pop it ain't  happening today though, so I make a hard decision and choose the mint. I justify that because I already have pink and denim shorts. I politely hand her the pink and denim and sadly put the mint shorts in the buggy, all by their lonesome selves. They look up at me, sadly, screaming to put their friends back in with them, so I turn around real quick and grab the pink pair and shove them in too. There there little mint green shorts, now you have your pink sister to keep you company.

5 - I rush out of the clothes being careful not to look at any other items, scared that I would have to shove them in the cart too, and thats when I see the kids clothes. Cadence would love this maxi dress and she would look damn cute in it, ah what the hell, that gets thrown in to.

6 - Tarls birthday is coming up and there is a card that fits him to a tee - throw it in!

7 - Look at that planner. I already have two, but I don't have one that would fit in my purse as perfectly as that one, guess what I did...yep - threw it in the buggy!

8 - Onto what I came in here to get, concealer. The bags under my eyes are heavier than the grocery bags will be when I walk out of the store, so to Maybelline I go...but wait, look at that book. It looks like a great read and I just love hard copies rather than reading them on a kindle or iPhone, so that gets shoved on top of the rising buggy load.

9 - I finally made it to the beauty aisle and saw a brush that promises no tangles, hallelujah, let's get that too!

10 - Look, e.l.f. has new products. Raging from $1 - $3 I stock up. Can't wait to try that new contour brush, hoping that it will work as well as the Nars Ita Brush (not a chance!).

11 - I've realized I have already spent too much time in this God forsaken store, so I head to check out keeping my eyes solely on my buggy and no other merchandise but of course while waiting in line to check out I see the July edition of Food Network magazine and the latest Kardashian scandal on the cover of US Weekly, might as well throw them in there too, what the hell.

12 - I'm almost out of gum so I grab some trident. The clerk starts ringing me up and my heart rate starts going back to normal again. I'm done. I've made it to checkout. "Miss", the clerk says, I look up. "That will be $110.00." What the f***?!!! What the hell did I get? I look at the four bags, loaded with clothes, beauty products and the rest of my belongings and sadly swipe my card.

13 - On my way out the doors, depressed and my card burning from it's most recent "swipe" I realize a Vente Lime Refresher would make me feel better and Starbucks is conveniently located at the exit, so I head for that wonderful place. After the barista makes my drink I thank her and go on my way.

14 - I'm free I think to myself as I feel the fresh air and see the sunlight. Free at last and boy does this lime refresher taste good. I start loading my bags in the car, return the buggy and head out the parking lot.

Shit, I forgot to get concealer...

Happy Friday folks!

Most of my best memories come from some old dirt road

One of my most favorite things to do with Tarl is ride. Get your mind out of the gutter people, I mean actually riding, in his truck, down the back roads. Some of our most favorite date nights together are the ones where we will have a nice dinner, then ride around afterwords. We reminisce on old times, discuss our plans for the future and simply take in the moment with each other.

Last night after dropping Cadence off at VBS, we went and ate dinner at our local pizza place then took an hour drive down the back roads with the windows down taking in the views. I took pictures along the way and thought I'd share some of them to journal them on the blog as a memory that I will forever hold in my heart.

My dad was always a very strict man. He didn't want me dating until I was 18, it got moved to 16 after I found out that both of my older sisters were allowed to date at that age and mom scolded him that it was only fair that he give me the same rules. Boys were allowed to come over, but we were never allowed to go out, just the two of us and dad always had to be present. I met Tarl when I was 15. Not long after we met he first rode over to "meet the parents". He and dad hit it off from the get go because unknown to both Tarl and I, his Grandaddy (may he rest in peace) was a great friend of my dads. Tarl and dad talked for hours about the times that my dad and his grandad shared. We all had a mix of emotions from laughing to almost tears talking about this sweet man that I unfortunately never had the pleasure of meeting. I've heard countless stories both from my dad and Tarl and although I never had the pleasure of meeting his grandfather, I like to think he had a hand in bringing us together. Dad allowed Tarl to take me out to dinner the following week, just the two of us :)

I love this man. I cannot tell y'all enough how blessed I am that the Lord chose him for me. His mom and dad raised him right. Thank you to both of them for raising the man of my dreams.

We were riding down the roads as the sun was setting, the view was stunning!

Blurry, but one of my favorites!

The road was private so we didn't ride down it, but I loved the sign and naturally had to snap a pic! 

Here in SC, it sure is, almost Heaven...

After seeing this sign two songs came to mind and of course I immediately had to listen to them both. Coincidentally they are both by Jake Owen, but it's the words in each song that I dearly love, the fact that he sings it is just icing on top of the cake.

If you have time to listen to the song, Heaven:

If not, here are the lyrics:

There's a place that they call "Heaven"
Just south of town way up on a hill
They say you can see for miles
When the sun goes down, time stands still

No I've never been up to "Heaven"
But I've always wanted to go
It's ten miles down highway eleven
And ten more minutes up the old dirt road

Well hey baby I was hoping
Maybe you'd feel like taking a drive
Cause I can take you on a trip to "Heaven"
And have you back by tonight

Well there's a store on the way to "Heaven"
They oughta have everything we need
A bag of ice, a six pack of something
And a few dollars worth of gasoline

Oh I've heard that it's perfect
So what do you say we see if they're right
Well I can take you on a trip to "Heaven"
And have you back by tonight

There's a place that they call "Heaven"
Just south of town way up on a hill
They say you can see for miles
When the sun goes down, time stands still

Last night truly was a little piece of Heaven. I love my sweet girl and wouldn't trade her for the world, but quality time with Tarl is also priceless to me.

The second song, and my most favorite is called Journey of Your Life. When I first heard this song tears streamed down my face because the words rang so true. It's also where the slogan on my blog came from, "may the simple things be amazing."

Each time I hear this song it makes me think of Tarl's grandfather. From the stories I've heard and the memories that Tarl relives by telling them, he seemed like such a noble, fun loving, kind hearted man. It saddens me that Cadence will never know her great-grandfather, but I know that her dad's stories about him will have an impact on her life like it has with mine.

Well he was old school in overalls
Tough as nails as I recall
He fought a war and came back home
Honest as the day was long
And right before my grandpa died he looked me right straight in the eyes
Said here's some words to get you by
To help you on the journey of your life

You'll need a hero
And a good dog
Especially a good dog
A hammer and a handsaw
Bandaid now and then
You'll need a home to come home to
Son we all need a refuge
On the straight and narrow path
You need to learn to bend
Get a good square and keep it level
Have grace to face the devil
You need an angel flying by your side
On the journey of your life

Ride the wind 'til we meet again
On the other side of life
You'll need some good luck and a Bible
Especially a Bible
A lot of faith in god above
And a woman you can love
You'll need a good song that you can sing on
And a shoulder you can lean on
And you gotta draw the line sometimes when push comes to shove
You'll need to lose some to be a winner
Have courage to surrender you'll need to
Laugh a lot and keep it light
On the journey of your life

And no matter what dreams you're chasing
Never get above your raising
May the simple things be amazing
On the journey of your life

He said I'll be the angel flying by your side
On the journey of your life

Ever since I heard this song a couple years ago that one phrase has stayed with me. May the simple things be amazing, wow! It's so significant, isn't it? Think about all the amazing times in your life. The ones that are most special to you. I bet 9 out of 10 are simple things, am I right?

I will definitely get that phrase tattoo'd on me, just unsure of the place right now, but one day!

xo

May the simple things be amazing...