Wake Up Call.....

A dear friend sent me this in an e-mail this morning. It really does open up your eyes. I wish I new the author so I could give them credit. I think everyone should read this.


Dear God:
Why didn't you save the school children at ....
Moses Lake , Washington 2/2/96
Bethel , Alaska 2/19/97
Pearl , Mississippi 10/1/97
West Paducah , Kentucky 12/1/97
Stamp, Arkansas 12/15/97
Jonesboro , Arkansas 3/24/98
Edinboro , Pennsylvania 4/24/98
Fayetteville , Tennessee 5/19/98
Springfield , Oregon 5/21/98
Richmond , Virginia 6/15/98
Littleton , Colorado 4/20/99
Taber , Alberta , Canada 5/28/99
Conyers , Georgia 5/20/99
Deming , New Mexico 11/19/99
Fort Gibson , Oklahoma 12/6/99
Santee , California 3/5/01
El Cajon , California 3/22/01
And Blacksburg, Va.4/16/07
Sincerely, Concerned Student
-------------------------------------
Reply:
Dear Concerned Student:
Sorry I am not allowed in schools.
Sincerely, God
-------------------------------------------
How did this get started?...
Let's see, I think it started when Madeline Murray O'Hare complained
She didn't want any prayer in our schools.
And we said, OK.
------------------
Then, someone said you better not Read the Bible in school;
The Bible that says 'thou shalt not kill,
Thou shalt not steal,
And love your neighbors as yourself,'
And we said, OK...
-----------------
Dr. Benjamin Spock said
We shouldn't spank our children
When they misbehaved
Because their little personalities
Would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem.
And we said, An expert should know what he's talking about
So we won't spank them anymore..
------------------
Then someone said
Teachers and principals better not
Discipline our children when they misbehave.
And the school administrators said
No faculty member in this school
Better touch a student when they misbehave
Because we don't want any bad publicity,
And we surely don't want to be sued.
And we accepted their reasoning...
------------------
Then someone said, let's let our daughters have abortions if they want,
And they won't even have to tell their parents..
And we said, that's a grand idea.
------------------
Then some wise school board member said,
Since boys will be boys
And they're going to do it anyway, let's give our sons all the condoms they want,
So they can have all the fun they desire,
And we won't have to tell their parents they got them at school.
And we said, that's another great idea...
------------------
Then some of our top elected officials said
It doesn't matter what we do in private as long as we do our jobs.
And we said, It doesn't matter what anybody does in private as long as we have jobs
and the economy is good....
------------------
And someone else took that appreciation a step further
And published pictures of nude children
And then stepped further still by
Making them available on the Internet.
And we said, everyone's entitled to free speech....
------------------
nd the entertainment industry said, let's make TV shows and movies that promote
Profanity, violence and illicit sex...
And let's record music that encourages
Rape, drugs, murder, suicide, and satanic themes...
And we said, it's just entertainment
And it has no adverse effect
And nobody takes it seriously anyway,
So go right ahead.
------------------
Now we're asking ourselves
Why our children have no conscience,
Why they don't know right from wrong,
And why it doesn't bother them to Kill strangers,
classmates or even themselves. ------------------
Undoubtedly, If we thought about it long and hard enough,
We could figure it out. I'm sure it has a great deal to do with...
'WE REAP WHAT WE SOW'

Hard to believe 1 is just around the corner :(

So, needless to say my little man's 1st birthday coming up so quickly. It is so sad to believe that it has been a year since I was gave birth to this perfect being. (Actually I was cut open, but the end result was the same!) He has brought more joy to me than I could ever imagine.

Anyway, I won't get all sappy on you, but I have had the best time picking out stuff for his little party! Morgan just remodeled his shop at the farm, so that will be the venue for this big event! Considering the size of our family, I thought this would be the best place for everyone to spread out. I always swore I would never have a child in January. Mine is the 29th and I never got to have those awsome "pool parties" or "campouts" that summer and fall babies had! Oh well, when you want a baby, you don't really think about the birthday I guess.

I love it when I hear, "Oh, I want to get pregnant in the winter so I have a summer/fall baby." Obviously, those women know their reproductive systems like the back of their hands. We had no idea when it would happen for us, so when it did so quickly we were just thankful to be pregnant.

Since this will be a farm birthday, I chose the e-i-e-i-o themed party goodies. What little boy doesn't like farm animals! At least he better love them. He lives on a farm, so this will be his life for at least the next 18 years!


Oh, and don't you just LOVE this cake?!? My friend's aunt makes the best cakes in the world, so this is what I have picked out for Wyatt. I have held off on letting him have sweets and ice-cream, so I can't wait to see him dig in to this tower of sugar!! He will be bouncing off the walls for a week.......he might have to go stay with his Nonni and Poppa until that wears off!!

Christmas Cards

Oh, I'm so excited! I've finally finished my Christmas cards. I am so behind this year. I appologize to everyone who has sent me one. I'm not quite as prompt as I was before this beautiful little guy came into my life! I just LOVE this picture on the front of our cards this year. Our wonderful friend Ms. Deborah DuBois of Sweet Pea photography took these for us. I thought they turned out so good.

Yesterday we took Wyatt to have his first picture with the "Big Man" aka Santa. He couldn't have been a better baby. We had to wait in line for 1 1/2 hours at the mall. This on top of the fact he hadn't had a nap all day. I was fully prepared for him to be ill, but he was so sweet. When it was finally our time to see Santa, he sat on his lap and stroked his beard! It was precious. I wish I could've gotten a picture of that, but of course they wouldn't let us take our own pics. The one they took so adorable though. Wyatt was grinning from ear to ear! I would share those, however, my scanner has officially died (there is a brand new imac wrapped under the tree, but my hubby refuses to let me open it until Christmas......I'm counting the days!)

Well, it's been a long day. I'm going to hit the pillow early tonight! The rain is coming down, so it should be PERFECT sleeping weather....hehe.

OH OF COURSE, ONE MORE THING, I CAN'T FORGET!! Good luck Molly and Casey tomorrow. I can't wait to meet Miss Anna Claire. I'm sure she will be perfect and you are all in my prayers. I love you Molly and I'm looking forward to seeing you all soon! :)

A girl can dream.....RIGHT?!?

I'm so excited, I've just ordered my first subscription to New Old House. I am in love with all things old, but with a new twist. I'm not really sure how you can be a southern woman and not love to make things pretty! I mean, isn't it instilled in us at a very young age to always be pressed, clean, polite, and NEVER live in a filthy house? Ok, well I'm not perfect in most of those areas, but I sure love to look at beautiful things, and old houses is what I love most! Some people love to shop for clothes and cosmetic things, and while I love those things too, there is nothing that I love more than to decorate my home.


My sweet husband reminds me everytime I bring something home for this house that, "Amber, our house is only 1700 sq ft." I am absolutely aware of that, believe me. We are bursting at the seams. I LOVE my humble home, but to be honest, I do look forward to the day when we can built our dream home. For the time being, this is my home, and I think a home should reflect the people that live in it.

Since we got married, I have kept a notebook of things I've torn out of magazines. I've also saved everything I find online as a reference for when we are able to make that step. I'm so thankful for our home we have now, and if it had just a few more closets and bedrooms, I would be perfectly happy staying here. However, the time will come when we have to leave and I hope to put all these pictures to good use!

I mean, who wouldn't want to call this place home?! I LOVE the huge porch and bold white trim. These two things are a must have on my list!

This picture just drew me in, I'm not sure where they found this bench, but I WILL have one someday (if I have to build it myself)!

Lately I have really been admiring the double front doors. I think they are so welcoming. I definately don't want a house where people don't feel welcome. I always feel so uncomfortable in homes that don't feel like someone really lives there.

Ok, let me just tell you about this bedroom. First of all, everything is PERFECT! I found this pic on HGTV.com and I go back quite regularly just to study it. I love the colors, the bed, the plantation shutters, well really there isn't anything I don't like here!

I don't think there is anything more classic and beautiful than white cabinets. So crisp. I hate how wood stained seems to become dated so quickly. I don't think I would ever get tired of looking at this!

A friend had one of these on her porch and I thought is was the coolest idea ever! A swing bed......Genious!! Give me a good book, a glass of sweet tea, and I'd be set for hours :)

UPDATE!!!!

I definately don't want to jinx myself, but Friday night Wyatt slept until 6 and this morning he slept until 7:30!!! Prayer really works......and the good Lord knows a frazzled mommy when he sees one :)

Will It Ever End?

So, I don't know if I'm the only mother in the world who feels this way, but this whole teething thing is about to drive me crazy. The first two came in October while we were at the beach, and we have not seen anymore since. However we have seen the side-effects for the past two months, and I am about to pull my hair out.

Wyatt has been waking at 3 on the dot every morning, but usually a bottle of milk and back to sleep he goes. Not this morning though. 2 o'clock I was awakened to the worst bone-cringing scream you have ever heard in your life. I go in his room, pick him up and he is drooling like crazy. We make our way to the kitchen, make the bottle, and settle on the couch for our usual routine. He finishes the bottle and I put him back to bed. Usually that would be the end of the story, but not this morning. He lays in the bed and jabbers for the next 2 hours. Yes, that's right. He was awake from 2 am until 4 am. Finally, I change his diaper and he falls off to dreamland. Thinking he will sleep late since he hasn't had much sleep, I go back to bed and prepare for a restful sleep. Oh no, what was I thinking? He's back up at 7! I want to die.

I decide I'll go ahead and get ready since Megan and Teressa are coming down from Tennessee at 10. Usually Wyatt has a regular routine of a nap at 10 and 2. Well, not today. He doesn't decide to fall asleep until 11:30, and as I write this post at 4:22, that is the only nap he's had all day. Needless to say, I'm exhausted. It has got to get better.

I must be spoiled, but Wyatt has been sleeping 10-12 hours a night since he was 8 weeks old. We followed the advice of Dr. Hull (the pediatric sleep specialist), and he has always "self-soothed" himself to sleep. It has been wonderful. I've never had to fight him, rock him, or put him in the bed with us. A teething baby makes me feel like I have a newborn at home again. I thought after the first two came in, the rest would soon follow.....yeah right! I'm convinced he is going to only have 2 bottom teeth when he starts kindergarden! I guess we will get a good nights rest when he graduates!

These Are a Few of My Favorite Things

I could literally live in this store. I love everything in it. The clothes, the furniture, the dishes, etc. etc. Everything is so beautiful, and the colors are to die for! I definately got my love of "junkin'" from my Aunt Rhonda, but I love all things old. They bring so much charm to a space.

My sweet husband bought me my first "real" camera for Mother's Day, and I haven't stopped since. It is the best gift he could've ever given me. I am able to capture moments in time that I will never forget.

Ok, seriously, if you don't own a Henri Bendel candle, I suggest you RUN to the nearest Bath & Body Works and buy them out. You will never regret it. They are my FAVS!!!

Lucky Brand Jewelry is my weakness. I love the chunkyness of it. It makes every outfit look better. Who says petite women shouldn't wear big jewelry??? They're WRONG!!

Well, technically I don't own a pair of these boots, but I think they are the most beautiful boots ever made (which they should be for $600). Morgan and I first saw them in Nashville while we were there on our little anniversary getaway. It was love at first sight......then I tried them on......Oh Heavenly!! So comfortable. All leather, handmade, with custom embroidery. The company is called Old Gringo. I will own a pair one day!!

I guess you can see shoes are a weakness! I bought these at the beginning of fall and I love them. Simple definately knows about comfort, and they look super cute with jeans!

I guess I wouldn't be a true Southern Girl if I didn't put this on here: Sweet Tea. It's a staple in the south. It really is DIVINE!!

Recent Pics

Ok, so this horse is Wyatt's new obsession! He thinks it is the best thing ever, although he is having a little difficulty understanding that you have to actually "hold on" to avoid nose diving into the hardwood.....we are working on that though!

Well, let me explain this one! So, yesterday I ask Morgan to watch Wyatt and I return to find this! Nonni bought this Tonka truck before Wyatt was born and fully customized it with a "Line-X" bedliner.....it is definately being put to good use. It makes me a nervous wreck, but he LOVES it!! Morgan and Wyatt's "Jeff" thought it would be a good idea to roll him back and forth while riding in the dump bed. Good thing he wears a helmet, it will probably be a life-saver for this child!

War Eagle Baby!

This would be the Christmas party last weekend. We had so much fun hanging out with friends as always! Since most of us have kiddos now, it was nice to have a night with only adult conversation.....believe me, around here that is a rare occurance! These were the only three pictures I took the entire night. I wish I had more to share, but there's always next time!

Wet Weather, Fun Times!

Life today started as usual, no where to go nothing to do, but I must say I haven't minded it a bit! The weather has been yuck to say the least, so indoors is exactly where I want to be! Morgan's parents have gone out of town, so their house projects are put on hold which means he got to spend the day with us!

Wyatt has played with his new rocking horse his Uncle Justin sent for Christmas. I have caught up on some picture editing, and Morgan has just "relaxed" (which he NEVER does)! It has been pure bliss :)

At our annual Christmas party this past weekend, our dining table fought its final fight. We have been desperately needing a new one since we were married, but it served the purpose, so I figured we would keep it around as long as we could. The base has been held together by zip ties and the chairs aren't the sturdiest (is that a word) in the world. So anyway, I'm not sure how it happened but a friend of ours basically knocked the back completely off. I guess he thought I would be mad, but it was the highlight of my week!!! FINALLY a new table!!

Here is one I've fallen in love with. Our little house doesn't lend much room to formal tables, so a nice little round one suits us fine. Of course I love the cottage look, so I'm thinking this just might be it!!