Allergic to pregnancy

I'm back ..not for long but I figured it was way past due for a blog. Here's my update on having "24/7 pregnancy sickness" Yeaaaa not any better. Here we go again is all I can think. I have never had allergies untill the other day the doctor finally gave up on trying to cure me and diagnosed me as allergic to pregnancy. I laughed at first I thought he was joking...nope it's for real. Have you ever heard of such a thing? So my wonderful mother in law is coming to pick up miss Ava, myself and baby. It is going to be so tough on Don and I. I think we'll be away from him for like 2 weeks and a HALF. Yes the half counts. The longest we have been apart since being together was maybe a week...it was brutal. But now Ava is in the mix. That is a reallllly long time for her to be away from her Da-Da. I mean she cries and watches the door even if he is an hour late in the evenings coming home from work. Oh plus my baby girl walked for the first time this week! She is so smart. Only 8months old people. So I would hate for her to Da-Da while away from him....Oh the stress. Well I know it is only temporary and needed. I don't know what I would do without the help we've received from friends and family. I have gone through madness at the hospital in for a week, out and back in again yesterday. I have a pic-line in my arm connecting into my chest. IT WAS PAINFULL. But my home nurse is wonderful. So anyways I'm tired of talking about it..and just tired of it all period. Tommorow we leave for Ohio. Pray for a safe trip !! Ps. Mandie sorry no hospital pictures or anything girl you wouldn't believe the knots that formed in my hair. Yes mine! I wasn't able to brush my hair for days and now the problem is fixed thank God..but the pics aren't pretty!

story of my life.

Well I now am back to what I went through with my first pregnancy...I have "morning sickness" to the extreme. Except it last past morning, past the afternoon and all night long..The feeling never goes away. If I sit, stand walk and sometimes talk I throw-up sorry for the details...Layin down is the only way to keep me from constantely gaggin and throwing up..what little I even have to. I basically am living off of water and saltene crackers..and the occasional ginger-ale. Today Don made me eat a little toast..which I've kept down thus far...cross my fingers and knocking on wood UUGH!! I hate being this sick I don't understand why nothing has been invented to make this go away. My last pregnancy got me so bad I was in and out of the hospital constantely needing re-hydrated and drugs...for 5 1/2 months!! (yes the half counts when your this ill!)

So here's my question to all of you..Any morning sickness remedies you can share with me?? DO THE LOLLIES ACTAULLY WORK? I just sent Don out searching for them!

Some call me crazy...

I have to name 7 random/strange facts about myself!
Here we go!
1. I can pick up just about anything with my toes. They're my second pair of hands.

2. I hate Eggs!! BUT the wierd thing here is that I will only eat them at one place and ONE way= crackle barrel over hard! And I hate the smell in your home after you cook them at home. Eww.


3. I have never broken a bone. Knockin hard on wood!!

4. I have a wierd fear of someone breaking into our home in the middle of night or some tragic event. I always plan an exscape route and defense for every situation haha I know it's crazy.

5. I hated cartoons for the most part when I was a little girl. Dislikes included: barney, muppets, lamb chop, ninja turtles, and anything from looney tunes. I liked the random ones punky bruster, strawberry shortcake, and the barbie looking rockstars the lead blonde had a big star over her eye...I forget the name but loved it. I did sneak watching days of our lives with my step mom though. haha.

6. I saved my sisters life once when we were younger. She had drowned pretty much. She was 2 I was 7. It was intense and I can't believe I had done something so amazing...I think God was with me. It still gives me chills and my family was forever grateful. Shes my baby :)

7. I had a dream when I was younger not to be a doctor or a singer or the President (that'd be something)... but to be a mommy :)
And now I am I just can't believe where my life has directed in these past few years..We want 5 or 6 is that a wierd thing? Everyone I tell thinks we're crazy...Except Holly haha. At least someones on the same page!

Bun in the Oven.

Today was a glorious day! Donny and I found out we are expecting our second bundle of joy. I am so happy and just speachless. Unexpected again..but we are thanking Jesus for our suprise!!!

Time to vent. Positively.

Life is wonderful right now. Sure, there are things that when I think about them I get a little overwhelmed, but for the most part...I’m so extremely happy.

I feel like we have gotten to know one another alot better in these past couple weeks and it's time I share some of my deepest darkest secrets with you all..well as my mother or closest family would know I am (was) a disaster. I hated cleaning and my floor was covered in clothes, regardless of my gigantic closet space that I loved and couldn't have lived without. I cluttered, and would probley take an entire day/night to clean my room about once a month. But as of late I have found a new appreciation for cleaning. I'm not sure if it was really by choice, my eyes no my gag reflexes couldn't take how discusting it is living with a man. I mean honestly toothpaste in the sink..dirty socks on the floor (and I mean Dirty.) I could go on and on. He believes in "soking" a dish still filled with whatever meal ..just fill it with water and that makes it ready in a few days to clean he says. Haha Ok ok this is postive venting still. I am laughing. But I never really was all that messy I think back and I lovedddd a clean room and making my bed ahhhh the feeling ..lighting a candle in a clean room even better. But I was able -aloud to be messy and had way too many items of clothing..I had an attachment problem haha. But now..now things are looking up. I mean I clean constently ..clorox disinfectant wipes have become my partner in crime. I literally wipe everything with them all day long. I buy them in bulk at sam's even and that's alot. haha...

Ok otherwise what's going on with me? Well I am living life one day at a time...taking time to smell the flowers. Reading an amazing novel called love and respect. I promise you ANY married couple needs to read this it's wonderful. So I think I've said enough about that you get the point it's good. ..

This is going to be a lil' off the cuff-I'm in a strange mood today-
I just simply feel like resiting my thoughts out loud.

I need highlights. No I want highlights.
I am very emotional today...and I've been soo extra hungry.
Tip: When feeling emotional:hungry don't watch sex and the city movie with no girlfriends around to laugh with you --it turns into tears.
Man give me a good chick-flick anyday.
I'm still hungry.
Mandie's hair looks so different long..
I miss my friends.
I wonder if that's Donny or Ava snorring?
All day I just wanted fazoli's but there is NO stupid fazoli's in FLORIDA! UGG. The stress.
My complaints are so petty..but I make myself laugh..
I haven't laughed like really laughed in a really long time.
Makes me think of :"When something is really funny"-Miranda
There really is nothing that compares to find TRUE honest complete through-n-through good friends..man I am blessed to have found one. And to know how wonderful it is to recieve so I can continue offering..


I can wait for my mother in law to get here in one more day..
Ok ok well emotional hungry me is going to call it a night..I'll write when I don't have writers block I guess..all my random thoughts were just killing some space.

Oh and ONE more this ones exciting! Today a lady (customer ) came into the salon with a box and a huge XXL sized duffle only to reveal Designer purses!! I couldn't help but to casually walk by like 5 times..pretending I was doing something ya know keeping busy. Ok Ok I really didn't want to look desperate..It's just been a very long time since I have seen them let alone baught a purse for myself. And lets be honest I was a hip purse girl back in my day..shoes and purses..no heels and purses were my thing. Now my closet has over 20 pairs of gorgeous heels..never getting worn and my purse is Ava's diaper bag lets be honest. hehe...Oh motherhood...

Content.

Hello again..I'm exhausted but very happy. Things have gotten alot better. And we are moving on with our lives.. Let's see what's new with us? Well, I got a job at a local salon during the week. And I am so blessed to have found it! I love it. I really enjoy everyone there too! It is perfect for me. slkjfsis'aso-eoq932uhnjkhmrfdui <----------- that's Ava I'll get back to this sometime soon she is on my lap and not bein so patient. Untill next time-

Intervention

So I have been struck with the most difficult weekend of my life. It has been emotionally draining and physically I look it, (can I just live in the shower and hide?) Oh how I love showers..Anyways Don and I were tempted both took the apple ..and now we are in intervention and learning marriage basics all over again. Trust, compassion, support, respect...I know this may not make sense but take it how you will and relate to your relationships in your life.

NEVER think it's too late to remind yourselves of the "basics".

NEVER forget God is number 1 and running the show.

Never forget no matter how hurt you are, or how upset you can not take back words once they're out they're out. I believe God was right here with me when I lifted my hands and prayed begging him for advice and guidence...He held me, he nurtured me like a security blanket..I couldn't let go. I still can't and don't want this attactment to go away. Long story short- Don and I have an amazing support team. And marriage is not always going to be easy, just like anything in life you must work through it and be determined to get what you want. I will always want Donny my eyes are on him and he is my prize. Tommorow I am picking up my wonderful father in law from the airport once filled in on our circumstances he, my mother in law and pastor back home all checked into flights for TONIGHT! I can't describe the amount of love and friendship I felt at that moment..Do to everyone having lives and the economy unfortanetly only one could come out but he is goin to stay a few days and have an intervention for life! with us he says haha- So please keep us in your prayers, although everything is much better now you never know where life will take you along the long road of marriage.. We are still young and have a very very long road in front of us, I think it's a dirt road to be exact ..haha but I will walk the entire way slow and steady -side by side- hand in hand with my love of my life.

Always and Forever.

Dear heavenly Father, I pray this prayer to you Lord to forgive me for living my way. I have sinned and have lost count. I'm giving myself back to you Lord, my life back to you Father God - I surrender to you. Lord be with Donny and I please. I ask for your guidence, your will be done and most of all your love. I can't do it with out you. Walk with me through this tough, amazing scarey and wonderful journey we know as life. Mend my marriage Lord and broken spirits. I give my all to you , I love you, thankyou Lord lead our way- In your Holy Sons name Amen.

BREATHE.

OH my Lan-ta!
Ok I'm not even going to explain.

But here it is in a nut shell.
We will not be moving.

Kickin old habits..

So it's been awhile. I feel as if things are still in the process of slowing down for us, better- But still getting there. Church was amazing Sunday I needed it soooo bad and it just hit me directly ( what am I talking about every Sunday I think it's like a direct message from God to ME!) And I'm sure that's why the guy next to me is prayin just as hard, or the woman with her hands in the air worshiping is weaping... haha I swear to it though it's amazing how one simple hour message can apply to so many different lives! I love it. And Oh my goodness I just needed it!CAN I GET AN AMEN PEOPLE! lol
So anyways...

I haven't been completely depressed here, but I have to say I have some tough days missing my friends, I haven't met a single person here to hang out with or just simply talk to like one of my girls back home. Don is always my "girl" now haha. He doesn't honestly mind he chimes in on my girl talk anyways when I'm on the phone but I'm trying so hard to meet friends and it's like no one here is my age has my intrest or anything -do I belong in Florida? lol I know that's silly but I hate it, I mean I'm just not used to being without them to chat with, or come over or go out...Espeacially Sarah my best friend in the entire world! We like cry sometimes (pathetic I know) bein without oneanother because man this past year I would not have made it without her. She was literally with me almost every single day when I was pregnant and I would just leave in the hard nights to go stay up all night and talk to her, or sit at her work with her all night...there's too many times to recall.The thing I miss the most is how much I laugh with her, I haven't laughed like I do with Sarah since leaving the day I moved here. So anyway I may be taking in a foster child haha, no not really Sarah may be coming home with us from our trip home to Ohio for Thanksgiving. She has been on - off in a RE-DICULOUS relationship (to a jerk I might add), for about 3 years now. I tried convincing her to come with me when moving here..but she just wasn't ready. And now that they actually moved into seperate places...yet still having random sleep overs (don't get me started)..She is ready to move on (maybe.) Key word MAYBE. It is always a big fat maybe with her regarding leaving him for good so I'm praying like 24/7. She needs this split to grow, and become an amazing wife someday to someone who will apprechiate her. I could rant and rave about this for hours but I am thrilled least to say about it she will stay for a month and at Christmas go home and decide if she'll be moving back after. I am sooooo excited did I mention that? But once again..It's still a maybe. lol



In other news..Ava loves her visits to her big brother Frankie (the boxer). She just cracks up and loves him lickin her ! We pick him up for good at the 1st of the month. Don can't wait. He just keeps sayin "Finally someone on my team!" haha.
Donny is amazing, still no complaints..I guess I could name one? Hmm..He has an issue with rinsing his dishes, drives me nuts! See he isn't completely perfect ladies! lol..
Long story short he has quit smoking twice outa all the years we've been together the longest was before Ava got here when I was pregnant so he wouldn't spend the extra cash, and would be healthy and not worry about ever needing one when around us yada yada yada... So you get the point. Well when moving here stress flu down on him like a brick so he picked up the habit again , and while at the mall we came across a small booth with a big sign reading "electric cigarette". It's great! We picked up a case, after my manly man hadddd to nagochiate the price down (like with everything lol)..and it's basically rechargable even in the car and has flavors such as apple, mint, tabacco, and chocolate. What you do is start out with the stronger nicoteen ones and go down in levels. And you count your puffs. So for instince Don usually smokes reds (heavy nicoteen cig) and hard puffer so he takes 6 puffs off the electric one and he's done. He must count because it does not burn. There is no chemicals, no smell et cetra... It's water vapor basically and you go down in levels of nicoteen untill you are using the no nicoteen for about a month and kick the habit! So keep him in your prayers I think this will work wonderfully for him! I'm excited. Well untill next time Sayonara!

Home is where you make it.

This past month has been so stressful, and super busy. Funny thing I know why it's been so extra stressful (because we've been slackin on God) and ...I know it's no exuse that we're "busy". But I feel like I haven't even caught up on thinking let alone sleep. Hopefully things will calm down by the next week or so...So here's an update on us. I got the job! As you heard before but I am still excited and will shout it at the top of my lungs! YAY! Thankyou Jesus! And my cousin Kimberly's wedding was beautiful, elegent but on the beach. Wierd combo but it turned out great! She looked like a princess. She married an amazing man (jimmy), I am so thankful God put him into her life, she's waited a long time to find someone and was so patient. She deserves her happieness! Ughhh I'm gettin teary eyed again, well you get the point it was beautiful. A sand ceremony where they mixed two colored sands together, beautiful! And they did the sweetest thing for Don and me. Donny and me never got to have a "first dance" at our wedding because the reception was held in our church after the ceremony. So being First Baptist they didn't want to disrespect the elders and the church's past written rules or what not so anyway we just weren't aloud. Well this was heartbreaking to me because I loooooovvvvve to dance, I grew up being a dancer and ever since I can remember I dreamed about my first dance. So anyhoo they had the DJ annonce to everyone that we would be joining them for our first dance. So they had 2 first dances haha. But it just melted me! I was so grateful and it ment the world to me, and hey it wasn't at my wedding, but it was at A wedding. Overall wonderful weekend.

.... And now back to reality..we are working on moving out, some family is coming down this weekend to help and get us into a smaller but affordable (drama free) apartment. And then we bring home our new puppy Frank Sinatra.. We'll call him "Frankie" for short.

My marriage couldn't be anymore perfect, knock on wood. I love Donny with all my heart and will till the day we die. I take that back, I will beyond that point. He is my back bone and I don't know how I'd get through life without him, so to you Donny I love you and apprechiate you. Thankyou for being here for me, and being such an amazing father to Ava.

Ava is talking CON-STINTELY She just babbles but it's gettin so close to MAMA or DA-DA! I can't wait for her to say I love you..ok I'm getin ahead of myself..I'll just be happy for a MAma. I can't believe where does the time go?

Random thoughts this week: "I eat way too much southern cookin!!"
(but I will not stop) It's good for the soul.
"I stress too much."
(I need to work on this.)
Well untill next time Arrivederci

"Lord draw me near."

TRAIN ME.

I got the job! YAY!! I'll start by doing a wedding in the end of the month & training next month for airbrush makeup how exciting!
Tommorow morning Ava and I are taking a train to Tutu's House. (My mom her grandma is hawaiin for grandma)..I'm so excited to travel by train I feel like I'm in some 1920's movie. I should dress the part. Ha! Just kidding I am breaking out the pink sweats for VS. Comfort is key. So keep us in your prayers for a safe and sound ride! And other than all that Jazz, this weekend whats happin in the TAMP is my cousin KIM'S wedding to Mr. James (jimmy) Leonard. They are so great together ! Its a beach wedding so we are crossin our fingers for hurricains to not destroy such a glorious day! So this weekend couldn't get any better for me. But unfortanetly my best friends is goin down the other direction. So I'm puttin out an anonomous prayers requests for her!!! I love you girl! Stay strong and remember I'm here, but Jesus is always near ;)

Interview

My weekend was wonderful, lots of way over priced hotel food and relaxing. I love hotels, even if its next door to home I feel like its a getaway, the beds are just heaven. Well what's new with us, of course nothing is slow. We got home slept all monday away and went to some condo's for our move. I think we found a wonderful place, affordable and closer to Don's commute to work. It's in Pembroke pines and called The Resort. How fitting. I want to tell the most exciting news yet! I got an amazing job offer yesterday! A women emailed me from a website I belong to asking if I would be intrested in viewing her website and talking more about an interview. I am shakkinng!! I check it out...and none other than my dream job, an international company that does events for hair and makeup. I would do weddings, celebrities, fashion shows, and other major events. I am sooooo excited! And they usually use airbrush makeup(it's flawless). I'd have to train for that but I am more than willing to get on the ball immediately for this job..And yeah I said celebrities..as in they have done Halle Berry, Venice Williams to name a few! I already set up child care with my Grandma for events I'd have to travel during the week for , and if it's a weekend. Ava will have to deal with Daddy haha. So if you can not tell by the number of explanation points or prolongging of words, I'm excited. So tommorow at 3:00 at Starbucks I will be interviewing. PLEASE keep me in your prayers!! Thanks all :-)

Yes thats my man.
daddy & Ava in Hotel lobby

TGIF

"I lift my eyes to You, the One enthroned in heaven." Psalm 123:1
MMM...Good morning verse!
So it is Friday, I am more than trilled about this day. My mom is coming to Miami and we are staying in a hotel with her for a mini vacation! How exciting! Something I - we, need very much! I am in a wonderful mood Ava is healthy and happy as ever. Hopefully our weekend just gets better and better! Have a blessed weekend readers & friends :-)

Stressful serenity?

I am new to blogging but I am so excited and couldn't wait to commit. I'll start by saying we just moved to Florida from Ohio recently after adding an addition to our family. Miss Ava, who I will rant & rave about all the time! She is truly a joy! So what to do now?...hmm..I suppose I'll jump right in and vent..trust me it's like a soap opera you'll catch on to everything & everyone after just a few episodes!

In today's world it is virtually impossible to avoid stress. Almost everyone is carrying some amount of it, in varying degrees. Many find it increasingly difficult to simply survive in the world we live in. In desperation, people are seeking relief for their problems through any remedy they can find. Our culture is inundated with self-help books, therapists, time-management workshops, massage parlors, and recovery programs (to name just the tip of the iceberg). Everyone talks about returning to a "simpler" way of life, but no one seems to even know exactly what that means, or how to attain it. Many of us cry out like Job, "The churning inside me never stops; days of suffering confront me." (Job 30:27).
To be honest my life has not been easy lately. I rarely complain because I feel like man, there are so many people worse off than me but sometimes you just have to let it out and pout a little, lifes not always going to be easy. Donny (my husband, supporter, lover) is so amazing at keeping me positive. He even will yell at me constantely when he thinks I'm even THINKING something negative. haha. We moved here for his job, which was going so well...untill lately he has been waking up late! I know what your thinking shouldn't he had grown out of this annoying habit already?!! But no. He is truly a big kid at heart. And still can't get his butt outa bed for the life of em'. God bless him! But I have to shuve and kick and raise my voice to get him to even communicate, and half the time he'll talk to me but it's not really Donny..it's him sleeping and having no conciousness of what he's saying haha. So anyway, he has been at his job now about 4months and I believe his late score is now like 4 times? Which looks really bad of course and they have a 3 strikes your out policy...Luckily only one of those times went as a write up, which number 1 is a warning. But I messed up this time. I was exhausted and didn't even realize I hit the snooze button once or twice..and then slammed my hand down on whatever button (in my sleep) turning the entire clock off. Waking up to my lovely daughter crying two hours later. :-/
I felt horriable, not only did they say if anything happens again he is fired but on this particular day his boss was picking him up and had waited outside for almost an hour! Geesh I still feel awful! I was like brain storming ways to at LEAST make up Chris(Don's friend/BOSS) waiting..baking him cookies, inviting him over for dinner? haha I just couldn't stop. So I turned to my Mama , she always calms me down and gives much needed advice! Reminding me, it's out of my power, it's not in my hands. Leave it to God, he will take care of everything, even the baking of cookies between Don and Chris. If HE wants Donny to be at this job it will work itself out, and if not he has an even BETTER plan for him. Wow something so easy to remember slips from your mind so easily. I think my walk has honestly kinda seperated lately too, which was amazingly pointed out to me at church on Sunday. I went to service open minded and the message hit me directly. It reminded me to get back in , get engaged again and live it 24/7. I'm not ashamed to admit we've been slackin! That's life! And I think all this stress & drama was sent my way as a reminder. So anyhoo I learned somethin this week to remember and I am so thankful for that.

"Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (Mt. 11:28-30).