Do you or Don't You?

There has been a question lingering in my mind since about half way through my pregnancy. Ok, well maybe sooner than that. Probably right about the time we found out we were having another girl so 12 weeks. We found out early thanks to genetic testing which is awesome the things they can test for and it be so accurate these days. Anyways, the question is:

Do you shower you second bambino or not? 

Shower meaning a baby shower. At first I thought, no. Especially if it is the same sex. But that got me thinking and asking even MORE questions like, why do it or why not do it?

Some may think that a mother who just had a baby 20 months prior would have everything that they would need. So is that the reason? If there is more time in between babies then it's okay? Question upon question. Are parents really suppose to hold onto things for years piling up their attic because that's what's expected?

Since my first born I have learned A LOT! Like never run out of wine because taking your toddler into a liquor store is never a situation that is fun but you gotta do what you gotta do. Ok, seriously though. For example, a wipes warmer would have made my child's life probably more enjoyable. Also those knee saver pads when your giving your child a bath. Ellie hated bath time and the bath tub. I then discovered this cute little cozy thing called a blooming bath that is basically a big comfy flower you put in the sink. How fun would that be? I believe as mothers each time around we learn what was beneficial and what wasn't or what we wish we had but didn't. 

In my situation if Ellie didn't like it I tossed it or sold it on one of those better than eBay site. The swing which was to big for her when she was first born and couldn't actually use it because of head control until 9 weeks. By then she was already addicted to my arms and it never got used. How was I suppose to know what kind of swing to invest in as a new mom? I had no clue. Several things I borrowed from my amazing sister in law so when finished they got returned. Her basement flooded so some of those things are no longer up for grabs. That's not my fault or anyone else's.

So that brings up the question what do people even register for with their second?

You guessed it. Everything I didn't think would be useful the first time around I actually wish I had for this time around.

My husband goes on to believe that people don't want to buy gifts all the time especially baby shower gifts. But what would the difference be if I had two kids and I invited people to their birthday parties? Am I suppose to switch years of which child gets to

Celebrate? Oh sorry Ellasyn but I can't invite your family and friends this year because its your sisters turn?

Am I reading to much into this?

That's why I am turning to you, my readers, do you or don't you shower each baby with love and gifts or is just your first born the lucky one?

CJ

Hey Ya'll!!

Hey Ya'll!

Don't you just love the word ya'll? What I love is the options my spell check has for me to replace the word that apparently isn't an actual word. Spell Check must not be from the South.

Since it has been a gazillion years since I have posted a blog I wanted to catch up my fellow reader, yes one if I even have that, what I have been up too.

My last blog was announcing that I was preggo back in March! Yowza! Well, you guessed it I am still pregnant. But I have become tantalizingly closer to my due date so the excitement has grown to, get this baby out of me right this second. They don't teach you that, in the seminar they force you to go to in high school where they talk about being pregnant, that you are pregnant for a full 9 months, which is practically 10. I always thought the 9 month marker was it but no its the end of the 9th month. Dammit! Instead of forcing information into our young minds about practicing safe sex and STD's they should give us the cold hard facts. Like, those crazy bulging veins that you 99 year old grandmother has, you will get those at 26, during pregnancy. That will scare those teen girls into never having sex again. Yes, again, because usually they are a few years too late with those lectures, especially these days.

Besides being pregnant I have been falling more and more madly in love with a brown eyed beauty. And no I don't mean my husband he has green eyes but my daughter Ellasyn. She amazes me everyday with how smart she is, its unreal. She also absorbs every single thing that I say or do. Her most recent thing is pointing and waving her finger back and forth when someone does something they shouldn't. Its hilarious and adorable and infuriating all at the same time. She has started mothers day out, a.k.a. school, or you can just say daycare. I call it mommy free day to do absolutely nothing or everything in the short 5 hours until I have to go pick her up.

Speaking of those short 5 hours I have picked up and dropped several hobbies since my last blog. Lets recap. Photography...nah. Crocheting...nope. Arbonne...sort of. Advocare...trying. Crocheting...loving it again but only simple hats. Have I missed anything? Throw in I still want to be a writer, maybe? Open my own business, but selling what I have no clue. There is no telling but I am still on the hunt for what I want to be when I grow up and I will just do everything until I figure it out!!!

This summer we took a family lake trip which was as fun as it can be when you have two families coming together for a whole week when everyone in on their own schedules. We made a weekend in St. Louis just to get away. Ventured over to see my Dad in East Tennessee. Took about a 4 hour road trip all around the mountains with my grandmother and it was the most amazing day! Those are the memories that will last a lifetime. I have decorated, undecorated, redecorated my house about 1000 times because I can never make up my mind.

So that's it! Just something short and sweet to get the ball rolling again which I will try to keep rolling this time but you never know. That's the great thing about life, is you just never know what is going to happen next!!

Oh I almost forgot! Notice the blog name change? Yeah, yeah boring and totally dreadful but for now it will have to do. I have no idea what to call this little space on the internet so for now it will be my name! Lovely, huh!

CJ

We're Pregnant!

Now when I first saw that faint, faint litte line indicating I was expecting I didn't believe it. Couldn't, believe in fact. So I downed the rest of my margarita and tried again. Yes, if that was the last drink for 8 months, I'm enjoying evey drop. I even ate the ice. Another faint half there line, am I seeing things. Pregnant or not? Will another Margaritta be okay, I mean we are at the beach? The beach, a place I will never go back to again. We conceived our first at the beach and found out we were pregnant with the second, at the beach. It's a curse. I'm never going back. No more margaritas for me.

How could this even happen? Adam and I were so looking forward to a planned pregnancy, where we could actually try to have a baby with all the activities that come with trying. We must be the two most fertile people in the World! Ok, that's a lie we werent as pre-cautious as we should have been. But when you have 10 minutes before your daughter wakes up from her 12 minute power nap pre-cautions get thrown into the wind. So here we sit with another bambino on the way.

I love being pregnant, really I do. It was amazing with Ellasyn. I don't remember being tired and I absolutely love the attention on my belly and baby. It's amazing growing a human. If I was tired I don't remember I was still working a lot so perhaps that kept my mind off of it. This time around I was tired for about 2, 3, 5, maybe 7 days. I don't know if it was tiredness or sheer fear of having another baby. We were excited, really we were, like really. This time around was different we were married which is a big bonus, we have a great house, and we live close to family. All things we didn't have last time. This time around we know what to expect and we know what not to do and do differently. So it's a fresh start to correct all our little mistakes we made with Ellie.

But another baby. WOW. A baby with a toddler. That will make them 20 months apart. I will have two kids in diapers. I'm going to need a bigger diaper bag. That is if I ever get the courage to take them both anywhere, which more than likely will not happen. Ellasyn hated the car, correction hates the car so why put myself through the stress. I'm going to become a hermit until Summer 2014. That's my release date....from prison. I'm kidding, I'm kidding that came out wrong. It will be fine, everything will work out beautifully. Sleep is overrated, I mean everyone has a sleeping disorder these days it's like the new black. So I will be fine. I keep saying it so it will sink in.

Ever since we found out we were expecting the big número dose we have been in Ellie project mode. What we were to lazy to change but now had to because we have to get ready for the next one. Getting her out of our bed, off formula, break the bottle and paci, oh and if she could sleep through the night, ride in a cart at Target, and not hate the car would be all added bonuses. The list is long but we have 9 months. And if she could be potty trained that would be awesome but don't worry I don't see that happening. So into the crib we go. First night she woke up what felt to be a gazzilion times. The second night was only like 10 and the third 7 and so on. It eventually came down to once. Then she got sick and is back in bed with us. Everything good came crashing down with one sneeze. And that's where we stand. Accomplished nothing but we will get there. And do not even suggest letting her cry it out unless you want me to use fowl language on exactly where I think you should shove your so called advice. We like sleeping with her but when society makes you feel guilty for it, you begin to actually feel guilty. When you shouldn't!!

We're wanting a boy of course. I say of course, because most people want the opposite of what they already have and for us that's a boy. And I worry if we have another girl Ellasyn and (Emmerson) will claw each others eyes out. I've heard horror stories about kids of the same sex being to close in age and quite frankly I'm terrified. I can't believe people actually try to have babies this close together. I mean I get it I really do. Just do it and get it over with so in 5 years their in school and in 18 their in college....hopefully. We also want a boy because out of Adam and his brother it would be the first. The golden child, the favorite. Yes, I said it, so sue me.

My due date is in November around Thanksgiving. All summer, fat and pregnant. Not looking forward to that but I will survive. All summer without a Strawberry Limearita in my hand out by the pool. Nothing but a good ole glass of H2O. I don't really miss alcohol that much. What I really miss is the unhealthy amount of caffeine I like to ingest. Ok, ok, I miss the alcohol too.

Today I am a wife, mother, and exhausted because I'm pregnant.

Keep Catching Those Fireflies!!

CJ

Sip N Paint

As much as I love girls nights that revolve around a bar and drinks there comes a point in your life when it's just not exciting as it once was. That point came for me when I graduated to having a ring on my finger and 15 extra pounds of left over baby weight. Guys used to hit on me, right? I think. Maybe? If they did that was somewhere 5 years ago and sure hasn't happened since. Not that you go to a bar to get hit on but it would be nice to be noticed. I mean I showered, put on make-up and let my hair out of its sock bun.

Anyways, creativity had set in and we started searching for other things to do. Bar drinking is still on the list but mixing it up a bit is nice. Of course, the other activities chosen are still ones that can be done with a glass of wine in hand. So this lead us to Painting with a Twist. I've seen classes like this getting popular on Facebook when a group of girls would display their recent artwork. Well, that sounds fun. Painting I can totally do that. I was awesome in Art Class in High School. Who am I kidding, Art class at Newark (small town in AR) was a joke. I honestly walked away from that class learning absolutely nothing but the teacher was awesome so it was a nice break from all the other mono toned bores.

On Painting with a Twist website they have a few months calendars up of different painting options to chose from and sign up for that class. This seems easy enough. Pick what I think is cute, round up some girls and let the good times roll. I did just that. The only day I could actually do, was a painting of a Chandelier. It was cute and would look adorable along side Ellie's finger painting. Mommy's art, Ellie's art. I'm 26 not 6 months so what's my excuse. Oh that's right WINE!!:)

Let me take a moment to talk about my new BNF. I will tell you what that means in a minute so try and figure it out on your own. When we started building our house we couldn't be more excited. We picked the perfect lot and we made it one where no one else on our street could build our exact model. See in a cookie cutter subdivision you choose a house plan from a book and more than likely their are about 10 other ones just like it. But they can't build the exact same house next to each other there has to be a lot in between them. So we were set. We wouldn't have to worry about our house anywhere on our street, because our lot was positioned in the middle. It was a short lived victory. Adam got the call, THE call, that our house would not fit on the lot we chose and would have to move to the right or left. Are you kidding me?! These little snakes. So we moved, ugh and picked a lot we end up hating but loving all at once. Anyways, shortly after another house starts going in next to us. So, it's our house, the empty lot we wanted, then the beginnings of another house. Adam and I, are those nosy neighbors and want to know everything so we go ask what model of house they are building one empty lot away. Basically, it's right next to each other because there is no house in between. And it's OUR HOUSE! Our exact model. I was furious, red with anger. But then I met the young couple with an adorable 2 year old girl and fell in LOVE. They were funny, smart, and Awesome. She has become my Best Neighbor Friend. Our girls play together while we patio drink, it's a perfect match.

I'm done with the little back story.

So she is one of the girls I rally into going and painting with me. Her husband and her came over for dinner, we had a glass of wine and brought two bottles with us to the studio. A white and red, you never know what you might want. When we leave and are getting on the interstate I ask her if my head lights look like they are on because they look dim. She insures me they are so we go back to chatting. When we arrive there was only our small group of 5 in the entire place which was great! We didn't have to worry about anyone else and could be as loud or obnoxious as we wanted. My best friend from AR also came over to join in on the fun. We were supposed to be at book club but I thought this would be more entertaining. Shame on us, but we hadn't read the book so we would just be sitting there.

Our teacher was Christen and so nice. Dealing with drunk women repeating everything at least 5 times has got to be exhausting. When your in there you think I can hold my drink while I do this. It can be that hard. But to our surprise it does get a little intense. You have to pay attention and follow direction. So talking doesn't happen as often as I might have liked. And you draw everything with chalk first and then paint over it. The reason you do this is because you can just wipe off the chalk if you mess up. But in the end it was a lot of fun. So much fun in fact I signed up for another a month later. Now let me just tell you I hang these pictures up in my house no matter how bad they are. I think I'm going to start painting ones at my house just because they do make it look so easy, sort of.

We finish our painting and both bottles and my neighbor and I make our 10 minute journey home. During this painting course we learned more and more about each other and one thing was that we have both recently became obsessed with some Tay Swift. The ride home was blaring her music and singing along. We turn it down to talk and discuss what we think of the songs are about, while we sit at a stop light, when the light turns green, blue lighst fill up my rearview mirror. "Laura!!! Were getting pulled over." Deep breaths, deep breaths. I was far from drunk but probably couldn't pass a breathalyzer. Laura, my BNF, is a lawyer. We pull into an empty parking lot and I roll down our windows. It was like 28 degrees outside so I'm not sure why I did this. Its not like we had just smoked a big joint or anything. We smelled fine. Laura proceeds to take off her seat belt like she was going to get out and deal with this situation. "PUT YOUR SEAT BELT BACK ON" I demand and chuckle all at the same time. I cant find my drivers license. I also can feel my heart racing throughout my whole body. OMG OMG OMG were going to jail. I can't go to jail they will eat me alive. "Ma'am, did you know your headlight was out?" I knew something was up. I explain that I didn't but I would get it fixed right away. And that was it. Shoooo. I almost peed my pants. The rest of the car ride home there was no music we just rode quietly. Needless to say the next Sip and Paint I drank only water.

 

The Chandelier in Ellie's room.

 

The Owl which is in my living room for all to see.

 

 

Today I am a wife, mother, and artist.

 

Keep Catching Those Fireflies!!

 

CJ



Just say NO, or maybe don't.

As a newer mother the word No seems to be the only thing in my vocabulary these days. When I say 'newer' I mean I'm not fresh out of the hospital but instead I have survived my first year of motherhood. My daughter Ellasyn is 1 and a full blown toddler. I wished for this day everyday until it came.

From newborn to six months life was simple. She would just lay there, slept in her own crib, and was easy-ish. But when 6 months came along she was sitting up and the demanding 'don't leave the room I can see you wherever you go' kicked in. Ugh!! "I can't wait for her to crawl, so she can have some independence," I would explain to anyone who would listen. I would roll my eyes ans say that I was in hell, because she stopped napping and started sleeping with us and her new 'trick' of sitting was more of a burden than a success. I know, I'm horrible.

Army crawling came a month or so later and finally she could go after what she wanted,or follow me to the next room. She will be getting more exercise, which surely will help her sleep better. This will be an awesome accomplishment! Everything I just said is what I told myself, none of these things actually happened. She didn't go after what she wanted, she still screamed, what I believe to be constant, and if I dare stepped out of her sight that was it.

Regular crawling, then cruising, and now walking all followed. With each new thing she could do I became more and more thrilled on just how much easier this was going to be. While yes in many ways it did get easier but now I'm on NO patrol 24/7. No don't touch that, No don't climb that, No this and No that. I read that is good to give them a reason why they can't eat the rocks in the fireplace. So my No's became, 'let's not do that because if you eat those you will choke and die.' She would laugh and just do it again. Who writes these damn books on patenting?! Are they actually parents?! Not a single one says when you discipline your kid their going to laugh in your face and do it anyways.

And then if I raise my voice when I say no, even a little she cries like I just told her I was going to put her up for adoption. I'm glad she's exploring but does she really have to suck on the squirter of the Windex. Or eat lotion. Does that actually taste good? It doesn't. I tried sucking on the baby lotion to see if anything was actually coming out and there was. It tasted like soap. She obviously didn't mind it one bit because she just snatched it away and put it right back in her mouth. Which I will need to remember when she's older and says SHIT. Threatening to wash her mouth out with soap won't be so much of a threat. I hope she doesn't grow up to be on that show Strange Addictions. And even though we have everything locked away and the cabinets baby proofed she as just learned how to reach her hand inside and pull down that little white thingy. Now what am I supposed to do?

So tell me is No actually the solution? Should I sit down and have a heart to heart with her? With all the No going on in our house, she loves shaking her head...No. "Are you ready to get out of the bath?" She turns her back to me and shakes her head NO. "Would you like to add a Hell in front if that darling? Or maybe flip me the bird?"

It's bound to get easier. Then harder. Then easier....surely.

Today I am a wife, mother, and "Ellasyn, NO, get your hand out of mommy's wine. I don't share."

Keep Catching Those Fireflies!!

CJ

So I changed the name to Catching Fireflies. Because let's face it their slow so chasing them doesn't last long. I also started my Photogrpahy business. Well, I'm trying too. Since there's about a gazillion photographers out there its a competitive field. Check out my Facebook page Catching Fireflies Photography. Thanks!

Lesson I want to teach my daughter.

This list will continue to grow and change but for now here are 25 things I would like to teach my Ellie Bell.


1. Be nice to others and expect nothing in return.
2. Always wear sunscreen. It is the cheapest and best anti-aging tool.
3. If all else fails wear a pony tail.
4. Second chances are usually a waste of time.
5. People never change but then sometimes they do, but it's a slow process.
6. Old habits die hard but breaking them will be worth it.
7. Never chase a man. Or let him chase you. There is no need for games when you are in a relationship.
8. Wine is to be sipped not chugged.
9. Cameras are everywhere. So don't do anything you don't want the whole world to see.
10. You is kind, you is smart, you is important.
11. Learn grammar and speak well.
12. Cursing is not attractive. You don't have to use the f-word to get your point across. I'm still learning this myself.
13. The sunshine on your face is the only high you need.
14. Spend your life outdoors.
15. DO NOT LITTER.
16. Be kind to our planet and all the things that live on it. Only you can save it.
17. Grow your own food. It is a great sense of accomplishment.
18. Continue to educate yourself even after high school, college, or grad school.
19. Make mistakes and learn from them. But when you continue to make the same one I will always be there to catch you.
20. Don't gossip unless you want to be gossiped about.
21. There is no need to waste time with fake friends. Find the ones who truly know you and respect you. Then they become family.
22. It is better to have 5 good friends than 100 not so good friends.
23. Go Barefoot. Be a city girl and a country girl.
24. Your dad will say he's smarter than me but he isn't:)
25. You will never be able to get rid of me. This is something my mother always has
Told me and does. No matter what the mistake or decision I made she always supported me and I never feared that her love would fade. Our love for you will ALWAYS BE HERE!

You will always be our little girl. I love you.

Today I am a wife and a mother of a daughter.

Keep Chasing Those Fireflies!

CJ

Born March 14, 2012

When we first found out we were pregnant, what a shock it was. It was completely not what we expected!

Ugh!!! Are you kidding me?! I hate when people say things like that. Like, 'Oh my how did I end up pregnant?' You had sex you idiot. And I'm going to assume without protection. Damn you Ocean City beach. How dare you trick us into having such a good time. I would have been happy with a souvenir shirt. But needless to say our little angel came from those few good days.

Anyways, as soon as we found out I was ready to quite my job, sit back and get fat. Adam, however, leaned more towards the, you need to work or you will get bored bit. Ummm, eating is entertaining. Fine, if I can't quit my job then I want to step down to just a part time manager who would only work a measly 15 hours but would still have enough power to boss around the associates. I was currently working, like a dog, as a store manager, of a store who had hood rats hiding stolen jewelry in the back part of the toilet. For goodness sake people! This was like the second most expensive county to live in, in the United States. Should people like that even be allowed to live here?!! So, since I couldn't step down I insisted on moving home. To the South. Where it's cheap to live and completely acceptable for grandparents to raise their kids, well kids. Not that I expected my parents to do that but it would have been nice for them to at least of offered. Kidding.

Adam put in his transfer papers and a few months later we had been transferred to Memphis. Oh joy. We went from one of the nicest, cleanest, thinnest places, to Memphis. Where fried chicken is actually on the food chart, and a packet of jelly is considered a fruit substitute.

Somehow I have went off on a rant about, well everything. Lets get back to the point, which is my bambinos arrival.

I had the best pregnancy. Except for a few minor pains which had me screaming and crying on the floor, begging Adam to call 911. They called it rounding ligament pains or something another. It was seriously worse than contractions. I thought I was dying. Other than that it was great. I was working part time for the same company I had worked for in VA. But the hours were more like 30 instead of 15 which I guess helped keep me thin-ish.

I craved cereal and those sugary cookies you buy with the printed holiday picture on them. I would eat a pack before going to the doctor and she would be like, 'So, have you been eating healthy?' Rolling my eyes and hiding my face usually lead to the, 'you don't want a fat baby' speech. Not to mention my doctors name was Betty Jo!! It doesn't get more Southern than that. I refused to let her measure my baby's head and say she's going to weigh 10 pounds. I mean really?! This is my husband, Adam, his nickname used to be Head, because he has a huge head. Of course, she is going to have a big head that doesn't mean she will be a big baby. She didn't scare me with the big headed fat baby crap just so I would cut out carbs! Carbs, I mean seriously, I'm pregnant.

My due date was March 9, 2012. It came and went. No Ellie Belly. I was ready for this chicka to come out. My liver had recovered enough. I needed a drink! She then set a day for me to get induced because she was going on vacation. Selfish B!

Now Ellasyn's name came off of a street sign we saw while out looking at houses, except it was spelled Elysian. Touching I know. We obviously were not pronouncing Elysian right because we thought it sounded like Ellasyn. You can also spell Ellasyn about a million different ways. We finally settled on this one and call her Ellie. Or Ellie Belly when she was in my belly. Bellamy came from Kate Hudson's baby daddy. And then you know Jones because letting her take my maiden name was out of the question.

March 14 was my induction date. I couldn't eat after midnight and wouldn't be able to eat until after she came. So I gorged myself on Olive Garden and then got up at 11:54 to have a mixing bowl size bowl of cereal.

We arrived at the hospital at 5:30 a.m. Got checked in and the party started. They gave me an epidural right away which I didn't understand. I hadn't even started having contractions. But I didn't want to feel any so it was fine. I had heard horror stories about an epidural so when the time came I was shaking and my blood pressure sky rocketed. My teeth were chattering and I couldn't sit still. I started stuttering because I was so nervous but excited all at once. The guy doing to epidural, whatever he's called, was calm and telling me to breath while Meryl, my nurse, was kind of pulling my shoulders in and down to arch my back like a cat. It didn't hurt one bit. I didn't even know when it was over. Shooo what a relief. The numbing running through your body is an odd feeling. Losing sensation of your total lower half is freaky.

They started inducing me and it got soooooooo BORING!!! I did have to be placed on oxygen the whole time which made my face sweat and was very uncomfortable. I was progressing slowly and didn't bring enough entertainment to keep me busy.

About 7 hours into it Ellasyn started having issues. Her heart rate was dropping on and off but they would roll me from side to side and it would come back up. Then all at once 6 nurses came rushing in. Telling Adam to move back and I was being flopped around like a fish back and forth from my right side to left. I had no idea what was happening because they don't talk to you just to each other. If I'm dying here could I at least have some final words? They called the on call doctor and got ready for an emergency c-section. I felt like this moment only lasted a second and I can barely remember it. I just remember looking at Adam and he just stood there. Pale. Worried. He had no idea what was going on either. They finally positioned me and her heart beat came back up and that was it, they all scurried out like a bunch of ants.

Then shit got real. I know what your thinking, what could be scarier or more real than that? The pain started. Bare able at first but grew intense quickly. They call an epidural person in to see what was going on. They injected me with more pain meds in a tub that was tapped to my shoulder and it made the pain worse. it burned my back so bad. If I could have moved I would have dropped kicked that little Mexican in the face. He kept asking me what I wanted him to do. I don't know your the doctor you dumbass, fix it. I told him to leave and bring back the original guy who did my epidural that morning. While all of this was going on, my nurse Meryl, explained to me that studies show that screaming and cursing doesn't help the pain. Really?! Well you know what would help the pain? You bringing your scrawny 98lb ass about 1 foot closer so I can punch you in the face. I swear her remark made the pain worse. Almost 2 hours later the original guy came back. Jiggles the tube going into my spine and wah-lah it's fixed. Ahhhhhh! Thank you God and this guy who gets paid to much money and probably smokes.

After all of this, it was time. As soon as I couldn't feel the contractions anymore it was time to push. Huh. What? I'm having a baby? Like right now? All questions I'm asking. The shaking and stuttering is back and there are people looking at my jewels saying numbers and doing things. I start to get very nervous. My mom was there, Adam, Adams mom and my dad was on the phone, on speaker. We were laughing and cutting up in between pushes. Looking back it was kind of fun. We all were having such a good time sharing this moment. I pushed for 45 minutes but it felt like 2 and there she was. When they laid her on me I honestly had no idea how to hold her. I was exhausted and everything was happening so fast. She was beautiful. Black hair, olive skin, and dark eyes. 7lbs, 7oz, 20 inches long of perfection.


We made it a year. Today was my little toddlers first birthday. There have been days where I thought I wasn't going to survive the screaming and then days where I couldn't set her down because I just wanted to stare at her all day. We're so lucky and blessed.

Will I have another perfect little angel? Hell No:)

Today I am a wife and a mother.

Keep Chasing Those Fireflies!

CJ

Ellasyn's First Birthday Party

 

Welcome to Ellie's Pie Shoppe

 

 

Let's start off with what the adorable invites looked like. Are they not just the cutest thing ever?! I love the Pie Tastin' and Good Time Makin' part. As well as adding Ellie's Interest so people would know what she was in to. All thanks to the designer for that idea.

 

Then we have the front door to Ellie's Shoppe. I loved the Southern-ness of a Pie Party.

 

 



Ellasyn's fabric wreath. I am obsessed with fabric. I don't know why I just love the raggy look.

 

 

We decided to give away Pie Pops as our favor. I liked this idea because everyone could enjoy one. It wasn't something just for the kids but for the adults too. We placed it next to our front door thinking people would grab one on their way out. But no one did. So for future reference we will place them in a more predominate area.

 

     Ellie's wooden high chair I found for such a steal. I also made her hat. With more fabric, of course. But I didn't have the stretchy band that is around most party hats I instead used ribbon with the assumption that I could tie it around her neck. Boy, was that a hot mess. It did not work so this hat went to waste.

Our food table. I used fake pallets of grass to give it the picnic feel. We have pulled pork sandwiches, cornbread salad, broccoli cauliflower salad, Cole slaw, fruit in waffle cones, pigs in blankets, and popcorn chicken for all the kiddo's.



Her Pie Tastin dessert table. With 6 different kinds of yummy pies to try.

Here is what confused me. The whole opening presents in front of everyone when my 1 year old could care less. I mean she doesn't show enthusiasm she's 1. She has no idea whats going on. So here I sit getting ignored by her and trying to be excited about a Minnie Mouse ball. In the future we will not open presents during the party. Sorry if that's wrong but it annoys me. Either your kid doesn't care of you have 15 other annoying children doing it for her.

 

She did love the Minnie Mouse ball. For a whopping total 20 seconds. Record Breaking I say!

 

Moving onto bigger items like her toy car which she lives in. She refuses to ever get out and just sits and screams until someone pushes her.

 

Smash Pie time. This was the only homemade thing on the table and it really wasn't even that homemade. I poured the contents out of a can. Yes!! I bought all frozen pie's. Like I actually bake. Puh-lease!

 

I was afraid she looked like a boy. She had on pink bloomers but you cant see them so I had to add the most obnoxious bow I could find.

 

And Wah-Lah here is was. She loved eating the pie.

 

Feeding mommy and daddy.

 

 

 

Ellie's Pie Shoppe.

 

 

All in all it was a good party. We had so much fun! I want to thank everyone for coming out and celebrating with us. I cant believe our little angel is 1. This years has flown by. I hope the next 17 do as well because I'm ready for this chick to move out. Hahaha I'm kidding, sort of:)

 

Today I am a wife, mother, and mother to a toddler.

 

 

Keep Chasing Those Fireflies!!

 

 

P.S. Look for a blog name change coming soon!

 

CJ

 

Poop Happens

My oh my it has been awhile since I have blogged. Your probably thinking its because Im just too busy living this fabulous life to blog. It is a fabulous life indeed but I haven't been doing ANYTHING. I have had plenty of time to share my thoughts on why I think people wear camouflage outside of the woods or my bad day that lead me to cursing out the lid to the toothpaste.

But all in all I have been kind of busy. I'm wanting to jump start a photography career so I have been taking photos of precious little chittlins with baby ducks and chicks. It will be launching soon so look for it. My daughter had a smashing first birthday party that would lead to me shooting the bull with my dad until 3 a.m. A decision I am still paying for 2 days later. I have been working on a crochet hat for a friends little stud for several weeks now and still cant get it right, which has lead me to never wanting to crochet a another day in my life! So those are important things that I have been doing and blogging has just taken a back seat. I am very sorry for that because I love it so!

Anyways, lets get started. You always hear the phrase 'shit happens,' and while this phrase is true, on many occasions, tonight was a new one for us. I have heard horror stories of parents leaving their baby diaper less and poop being the sure outcome of this choice. My brother in law told us a story, that when he was getting his daughters ready for church he left the youngest one naked for a bit. She then came into the living room with poop down her leg which puddled in her dress up shoe that she proceeded to wear around the house. I could not stop laughing!!

This had never happened to us. We prided ourselves because we had, had no poop disasters. She peed on the floor all the time but never any poop. At least until now.

It was our normal evening routine. Dinner, scream. Play, scream. Bath, scream. Ellasyns new favorite thing is to shake her head no. Which helps out a lot, except when Im telling her to not do that or if she is ready to go. It's cute so I take advantage of asking her things that I know will guarantee a head shake. So we had finished eating and took a little trip around the house in her new car before pit stopping at the bathroom for bath time. She loves bath time. I mean who doesn't? If I had someone give me a bath I would be trilled. Hell, if I could just take a bath that would make me happy.

We adjust the water, add in toys and then place Ellie in. She's splashing and splashing and poop is far from my mind until I hear it. The grunt heard around the world. I was watching her play but also doing a bit of Facebook stalking when I heard it.

NNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOO in slow mo!

I looked down and there she was, leaning over to give room for it to happen. Looking back it is hilarious. She just leaned to one side and pooped. I had no idea what to do. I mean what does one do in this situation? We have been reading how you need to applause poop happenings so that their not one of those weird kids who goes and hides in the corner to do their business. So should I stand up and cheer? Fish it out and let her keep playing? See these are the kinds of things that should be in a baby book. Not all that other jibberish that I could care less about.

I decide on the more sanitary answer which is get her out of bath tub and cleaned up. Now that I think about it should I have given her another bath in another bath room because the bath she had was dirty? Well I didn't so go ahead and judge. I inform my sleeping husband that we've got a situation that needs his assistance. We bleach and sanitize then all is right with the world again.

I took a picture but won't share I just thought the grandparents would think it was funny and I may slip it into her baby journal I've been keeping for when she brings home some boy we think is anything but acceptable to date our daughter.

Today I am a wife, mother, and poop fisherman.

Keep Chasing Those Fireflies!

CJ

Birthday Party Prep

My daughters 1st Birthday Party is right around the corner. Like right around it. Am I prepared? Am I ready for the big joyous occasion? Nope. Am I starting to freak out and talk to myself? Yes! Deciding on a theme was a mess. Of course, as you know if you read my first post ever.

Pie. Picnic. Country. Theme?

How on Earth did I come up with Pie as a theme? I guess somewhere in my head I decided I didn't want to give my child a big sugary cake for her to get sick over, literally. And I thought a pie would be better because, well it has fruit in it and I could control the amount of sugar added. Here is the real kicker. I DO NOT KNOW HOW TO MAKE A PIE! Like at all. I can make an overly dry chocolate pie pop but that's easy. I must need to brush the pie crust with butter or something to give it some flavor.

Now I know you can just add some pie filling to some crust and bake and your done. But I am already the daughter in law in the Jones family who can't cook, let alone bake. I show up to big family events with a salad while my sister in law has a gorgeous home made pie. I'm jealous, really. And if your reading this you can volunteer to bake some pies for the party...wink, wink, you know if you want to.

I also have no clue what to turn to for decorations. I love fabric, anything! Fabric garland is defientently my favorite. I had it everywhere for our wedding an it didn't disappoint. So for Ellie's birthday some bright colored fabric will help make the dessert table pop. I think. I also made a darling fabric wreath that has little mini pennants in the middle that say Happy Birthday Ellie. And then a small fabric garland to put on her high chair that says 'I am 1.' I wonder if when she's older she will think I'm so creative or just cheap. I would like to say I'm both...sort of.

Now to do streamers or balloons. I love balloons, who doesn't? They come in a ton of bright fun colors and then at the end of the party, everyone can get high off the helium and talk like a bunch of chipmunks. It's a win, win I would say. So balloons, YES!! Can I get them in Coral colored? I am obsessed with Coral, just like the rest of the world. I did find coral balloons but not for the price I wanted which was somewhere around 5 cents. Unrealistic I know, but I can dream. I'm cheap, cheap, cheap, cheap. So instead I will get a bunch of colors that will match the garland. Her party won't so much as have a color theme but will have every color. It's almost Spring so I think it will be fine and all blend together well. Shit, I don't know. I am also going to have Pom Poms. A wall of them was just to much work, so I am going to hang them on the part of our ceiling that comes down. Now that I am writing this all down I do not like it at all. I was just freighting about it but now I'm in a full blown panic! Why couldn't I have just done Barbie or something. She likes Doc Mcstuffins, I should of just did that. Actually, I like Doc, Ellie just sees a bunch of colors on the tv.

Okay, so what else?

Thanks to the amazing invitations made by Southern Bella Vita Studios I started to use it as my inspiration. It says at the top of the invite 'Calling all Cutie Pies.' Which I love! Then it says join us for 'Pie Tastin and Good Time Makin.' In the South you can end any word in 'in' and it be completely acceptable English. So for the dessert table I have made pennants that say Pie Tastin to hang above. I thought that would be a cute incorporation.

Now, food. What would you have at a picnic? Sandwiches, pasta salad, potatoe salad, fruit salad, I could go on but don't know what else to say. I don't remember ever having a picnic growing up so I'm not sure what you have. I know what your thinking, hamburgers or hot dogs. But to me that's a cookout, this is a Picnic. Two different things at least to me. Adam suggested pulled pork. That lead me to realize we should have all of the same stuff we had at our wedding. We loved the food and so did everyone else so why not.

Lets recap:

Decorations are struggling.
Food is set.
Dessert: I know what I want but have no idea how to make any of it, so check-ish
Games, activities, music, and whatever else: I haven't thought of yet but I'm getting there.

Ellie's first birthday will more than likely be a hot mess. But I figured with family, friends, food, pie, and booze, it's sure to be a good time. And if you think it's inappropriate to have alcohol at a first birthday party then you don't know what your missing because its a must have! When you have 20 screaming children you can't face them without Chardonnay in your grown up sippy cup.

Today I am a wife, mother, and not a party planner.

Keep Chasing Those Fireflies.

CJ

Yummy For My Tummy

Ever since Pinterest became a wild success I have been pinning my little heart out. Pins of things I wanted or wanted to make or even do. Ideas for Photography, Ellasyn's nursery, and Party/Wedding Ideas. I planned our entire wedding, myself, with Pinterest. I didn't get to enjoy much of it, because I was running around like a mad woman, barking orders and using language that only a sailor would use. Luckily for me, I married a Sailor and my mom was one too, so they weren't surprised.

But, I have other boards I've barely looked at. I just pin it and forget it. So I have all of these wonderful stolen ideas, I want to claim as my own, that have just been pushed or should I say pinned aside. However, this weekend my mom came to visit and she demanded pasta. Not so much demanded it but really really wanted to make some. So I went to my yummy in my tummy board and started to look around. Pasta, Pasta, Pasta. Hmmm, what to make, what to make. I wanted something with lots of fresh herbs and ingredients. Things that I would have to make a special trip to Whole Foods to get. Which was an absolute mad house on a Saturday!! I decided on 3 delicious meals that I wanted to try. Here are what the pictures looked like from Pinterest.

Prosciutto, Tomato, and Olive Spaghetti.

Cottage Cheese and Tomato on Baguette

Garlic butter Spaghetti with Herbs.

 

I only took pictures of me making the first reciepe. I didn't want to incorporate them all, but did want to show you the ingredients. This is the Prosciutto, Tomato, and Olive Spaghetti. I used cubed Prosciutto because it was cheaper and it really ruined the look. I also didn't follow the instructions and added it to the mix when it was actually supposed to be on top as a garnish. You basically cook everything in one pot which I like.



Here it is a brewin'

 

You add Parsley and FRESH Parmesan and enjoy. It was okay. I didn't like the tomato paste that you had to add. It could have easily been left out and would have made it much better. My husband loved it which is a good sign, at least for me. He is the cook in this family and a damn good one.

I had never tried cottage cheese but I just knew I wasnt going to like it. I mean you call those wrinkley dimply things that are on the back of my les and stomach cottage cheese, why on Earth would I want to eat something that was called that. But the picture made it look so good, I just couldn't pass it up. This could be a meal in itself. It's just toasted, any kind of bread, cottage cheese, then cherry tomatos, green onion, drizzle olive oil and Whoa La!! DEE-LISH!!

 

The Garlic butter and Herb spaghetti, I forgot to take a picture of, so this is it the next day. It was good even warmed up. It's so simple, really! Just take a skillet with butter then add garlic and then anything you want. We did baby spinach, fresh basil, fresh oregano, and asparagus. This one was my favorite by far!!

 

 

Needless to say the 2 pounds I lost last week I gained back this weekend. I also indulged in a delicious slice of pizza at Whole Foods and tried Tofu for the first time. It was so good, I could honestly give up meat....OK no I cant.

 

 

Have a FAB Monday everyone! And thanks for reading!!

 

Today I am a wife, mother, and pasta extraordinaire.

 

Keep Chasing Those Fireflies!!

 

 

CJ

How we became The Jones'

This entire story I would like to dedicate to my friend Charissa. She is the reason we are living happily ever after.

When I first met Adam, my husband, it was the summer of 2001. We hung out backroading in a single cab truck with another couple. Sounds snug, but we were all a little smaller back in those days. I don't remember this date ever happening so I am going solely off what he has told me. So for all I know he made it up:) 'Back Roading' in our small town was actually considered an acceptable date. Later in life I realized it was not and that I needed to be fed first! I didn't drink at this point in my life, I mean I was only 15. So I was still considered a goodie goodie. It lasted about 6 more months then my goodie goodie ways went down in a ball of flames.

After our first date, I'm not sure what happened. I didn't have a cell phone and that was before texting became cool. We had a land line at my parents with an answering machine before it became old school. I'm not sure if he called or kissed me goodnight, I don't remember. What he remembers was that the next day he saw me out witnessing and that was a deal breaker. Yes, I said WITNESSING, you know about our good Lord and Savior. I do, however, remember doing this and hating every second of it. I'm pretty sure that was the last time I was in a church. No I'm kidding, I've been to church since then........maybe. I vaguely remember seeing him and I'm pretty sure I probably would have waved. I'm guessing Adam ducked his head and acted like he had no idea who I was. And that was it. The End. Ok that's not it at least that was it for Adam and I as far as us becoming a couple. A few days later that same couple we went back roading with took me back roading with another guy who wasn't scared of a little witnessing. I proceeded to date this guy for several years. We all hung out together. It was our little red neck click, I guess you could say. Adam and I proceeded to flirt shamelessly and hang out alone because what else was there to do in a small town. We kissed occasionally and he was madly in love with me and about 3 other girls I went to school with. So you could say he wasn't in love but neither was I we were just having fun.

Anyways, 3 years later in 2004 Adam joined the Navy and left. I don't remember him leaving which makes me sad. I always ask him what if we would have been together that whole time or while he was gone in the Military. He explains that it would have never worked and he was right. I was a senior in high school who had several relationships/break ups under my belt before I found myself in a pretty intense one and not in a good way.

I saw Adam again in 2005 when he was home on leave, for a short minute. He was too cool to stay and hang out at the party I was throwing. A party that lead to all of us girls dancing on my parents coffee table. Where my shirt broke and flashed everyone my ta-ta's. Then proceeded to light a cigarette while yelling out that there would be absolutely no smoking inside. All before I found myself passed out in bed with one of my friends who would later discover her panties in my car. Needless to say it was a night for the books, at least my book. From the age of about 16 to 24 I went through my rebellious, wild stage. Yes, it did last almost 10 years. If you knew me or hung out with me you would agree.

The pretty intense serious relationship I found myself in was a hot mess from the beginning. It was the on again and off again kind that lasted about six years. Im surprised everyday I actually made it out alive. I became an awful person while dating him and did awful things. So if your reading this and you ever found yourself in the crossfire of some pretty vicious behavior, I'm Sorry. It was perfect timing when Adam came back into my life and saved me.

Then in 2010 Adam appeared again. I received a middle of the night text that explained that this was Adam and he wanted to take me on a date.....a REAL date! Needless to say he had had one to many and was at a local watering hole called Spanky's. It's Arkansas what can I say. We exchanged a few texts and that was it. The next morning I texted him bright and early to pay him back for texting me so late. I need my rest or I was already passed out from my daily intake of alcohol. Even that next morning no longer in his drunken haze he still wanted a real date. This is hilarious to me even to this day. A real date. What is a fake date? I let him know I was currently seeing someone...kind of. Of course, any guy you tell that your 'kind of' seeing someone only hears 'give me a reason to not kind of see someone'.

I was talking to a girlfriend of mine about the exchange I had with Adam and she invited me over. Adam decided to drop by too and that was it. A set up
I would say. We all sat around reminiscing and chatting about the gold ole' days and what we were up too these days. Lets see I still hadn't graduated college, lived with my parents, and was in a relationship that was going no where. He lived outside of D.C.. He was not longer in the Navy and was working as an air traffic controller. I don't really remember him telling me any of this but I'm sure it was true. I do remember him asking me if I had drawn on my hot pink dove tattoo. Which always pisses me off when people say, "Is that real?" No!! I sit around and draw on myself all day! Of course it's real you idiot! We hung out and it was great but I didn't really expect much to come of it until....he kissed me. When we walked out to our cars I was rambling about something and his asked if he could kiss me. Very gentlemen like I thought and so cute so I couldn't say no. It was a great kiss. I had kissed Adam several times before in the past on many different occasions but this was amazing. I do remember that! My friend was peeking through the windows, little sneak, so as soon as I got in my car she texted me, 'what was that?...big smiley face. She then informs me he has a girlfriend. A GIRLFRIEND!!!! That asshole! I know your thinking, well you had a boyfriend. And yes I did but cheating on each other was something that happened often. So my conscience wasn't phased by it. Don't get me wrong I was faithful for a very long time but someone can only cheat on you so much until you just decide to join in on the fun. If you can't beat them, you might as well join them. Now, after I say that I want to clarify that I never actually "joined" them, just started being scandalous myself. I wasn't that outraged at Adam really. I did feel bad but I also felt that he was kind of mine first.

He left that next day to head back home and we exchanged a few texts but what else could honestly come of it. I remember clear as day him texting me saying that the timing was off and maybe down the road we could be together. I wanted to be like, 'look buddy it's no big deal I'm fine.' I wasn't I wanted him to dump his girl and be with ME! A week later he did just that. A month after that I flew out there to see him. And then three months later I moved out there. I haven't been happier. He puts up with my crap on a daily bases and I love him for it. I've never been easy to deal with but he liked the challenge.

A little after our year anniversary we found out we were pregnant on July 7, 2011. This was the scariest day ever because we weren't married or even engaged. We talked about our future all the time but nothing was ever set in stone diamond stone that is. He proposed a week later and we married shortly after. We said our vows at The Great Falls in Virginia. In the exact same spot he asked me to be his girlfriend the first time I came to visit him. We got married September 1, 2011 and gave birth to our life on March 14, 2012., Ellasyn Bellamy Jones. Adam and I had a wedding, my dream wedding at my parents on September 29, 2012. I haven't been happier and while I wish we could have been together all those years we weren't and that's okay. We had to grow up apart so we could grow old together. I am so in love with him and will fall more in love with him everyday. And that is how we became the Jones'

They Lived Happily Ever After.

Today I am a wife, mother, and Mrs. Jones.

Keeping chasing those Fireflies!


CJ

In 2005 at THE Party

My family. The Jones' Adam, myself, and Ellasyn at a pumpkin patch.

Our 2nd Wedding.

Our 1st wedding.

Words to Live By

While diving into my chocolates from Christmas, yes Christmas, I am reminded why I love Dove chocolate so much. When you unwrap the little square of deliciousness you have a saying or words that obviously someone out there thinks you should live by. Or at least those words should pick up your mood on a bad day, which is why your eating chocolate in the first place. At least that's the case for me. I've turned into one of those people who eats dinner and then just has to have something sweet afterwards. I hate is because you can never have just one cookie, one donut, one scoop, or one piece. You always want more.

Anyways, back to my chocolates. The bowl had been starring at me for a month and a half now, begging for me to eat them. I love Dove chocolate probably because my mom does and she was the one who stuffed my stocking, even though my husband tried to take the credit. But, I dont like dark chocolate, so I put it in a pretty antique glass thing for other people to enjoy and hopefully eat it right off my hands. I like carmel chocolate or milk chocolate. Actually, I don't love chocolate that much at all, what I really like is candy. Sour straws and Nerd ropes to be exact. But when you can get what you want, you try to enjoy what you have. Now that is a sentence to live by, a life lesson I would say.

My first chocolate I open says 'Indulge in dark.' Well, okay. Ive never indulged in dark before, only dark chocolate. This wrapper wasnt very satisfying, mainly because it didn't specifically say what kind of dark I should indulge myself in. Dark clothes, dark hair, dark alleys, dark men? The wrapper wasn't the sign from God that I was looking for. Yes, I do think God speaks to me in a variety of unique ways. Chocolate wrappers ranking at the top of the list. So in true Courtney fashion I go for another because somewhere in this bowl there will be one that will mean something to me, even if I have to open every damn one of them!

Chocolate square number 2. Dark chocolate is good for you, right? It says, 'Its OK to be fabulous and flawed.' Well that sounds more like it. I am fabulous and I guess flawed, in some ways. As far as my husband is concerned I'm perfect in every way. But I still wasn't satisfied. I either wasn't satisfied because I really wanted a donut or slice of cake or pie or I was still looking for the wrapper to say something important. REAL important. That I could relate to on a deeper level.

Chocolate number 3 hit the spot. With my belly and with my heart. It actually brought a tear to my eye. I struggle everyday to find out what exactly I am supposed to be doing with my life. And this little silver wrapper gave me the answer. 'You are exactly where you are suppose to be.' Well, shit! Thank you. That helps. I believe in a lot a things and don't believe in a lot of things, especially when it comes to religion. I question everything. But I know there is a God but not a jealous, vengeful one but one who loves us always. And who also will give us a sign when we need it.

I was so satisfied with the last wrapper I thought I was done eating chocolate. But I wasn't. I wanted more signs from God, or just the writers at Dove Chocoaltes. Wrapper #4 said, 'The more you praise and celebrate, the more there is in life to praise and celebrate.' Damn that was a good one. My last and final one because I didn't want to push it read, 'Remember the simple pleasures in life.' Now those are all words to live by.


Today I am a wife, mother, and am exactly where I should be, being a wife, mother, blogger.

Keep Chasing Those Fireflies!

CJ

The Ugly Duckling

While reaching deep down into my soul for the last bit of sanity I had been saving for a rainy day I decide today is the day. I needed to get out of this house and actually accomplish something. Ellasyn's fever was down but runny nose and congestion still in full force buy I figured she could handle just a few quick errands. In addition, I would have the help of my husband just incase her mental state became questionable with one of her vicious out bursts. Ellie is a back archer, throw herself on the ground kind of girl which is exactly the kind of woman I am so you can only imagine the site when we are both not getting what we want. Which usually, all I want is to shop in peace and for her to sit blissfully in the stroller with a sippy cup and snack. All she wants is to push the stroller at a pace slower than a snails. Which is cute don't get me wrong, but it usually puts a hefty dent in my errand running, when she pulls off 25 Tervis cups from the shelf at Bed, Bath, and Beyond.

My husband wanted to shop for a lawn mower and golf clubs and I needed to go to Hobby Lobby for some of Ellasyn's birthday decorating supplies. We survive the golf store and that was it, Ellie had lost it. So we were headed home. A failed attempt at getting anything done and 30 minutes with her screaming outside of the house lead me straight for the liquor cabinet.

We're not fancy enough for an actual liquor cabinet it's more of a cabinet above the fridge where we hide all of our cheap booze. If it cost more then $15 we may leave it out on the counter. Right now our counter is empty and everything is stored away tightly so no one will see just how cheap we are.

As we load her up in the car and turn on Doc Mcstuffins she calms down and convinces us with her good behavior that we can make another stop. We make our way to our local Tractor Supply, which is not near as nice as the one in our home town, but it will do. "We need a lawn mower," my husband proclaims as we pull in. Duh, why else would we be here. So we get out and head in. The first thing that catches my eye are the trees. Being in a new development they strip down the land and remove any living thing. It's depressing actually. So we have no trees in our yard. Ok, I take that back we have two pitiful little twigs in the front yard. I hate, hate not having trees. I mean you can't even hang a bird feeder anywhere.

I spot some fruit trees buy the cash wrap and head over to assess what they've got. I'm not really a fruit girl but I have been dieing for a plum tree. I was actually thinking is was more of a bush but whatever. I don't like plums by themselves but I love me some plum jelly and a plum tree was going to make that happen. I read the tag to Adam and it says you can harvest in September. Plums by September, I was thrilled!! "In about 5 years you will actually have plums." Hopes and dreams crushed, 5 whole years?! I will be like 30....31. Oh we'll, I still want it, you've got to start somewhere, right?! Adam really dodged a bullet from crushing all my hopes and dreams until he said, "You hear that? They have baby chickens." Wwwwhhhhaaattt! Baby chickens oh my!!! And sure enough we walk over to four (to small in my opinion) troughs with heat lamps and baby chicks. I want one, I want one, I want one! Repeat 30 more times and you get the idea. I'm showing them to Ellie who is anything but enthusiastic when I make my way around to.....baby ducks!!!!!! Ahhhhhhh!!! And for a whopping $4.97. Is that even a legal price? I've had gold fish cost more than that. My 'I want' turned into a, 'Give me one now'!

Adam turned, looked at me, chuckled and said...No. All calmly like nothing was going to come of it. Excuse me? Did he just say no? To me? This was something I wasn't familiar with hearing and I could feel my back start to arch and tears coming because I just had to have one. Ellie would say the same thing if she knew what he was saying no to. He proceeds to start asking me all these unimportant questions like, where would we keep it? What would we do with it when it got older? Who would take care of it?

My answer went something like this. In our room on a little duck bed, of course. Ellie and I would love it and cuddle it and feed it everyday. Take her for nice walks and play, you know fetch or something. And there's some water behind our house so when she got big she would just go live out there and it would just work itself all out.

He didn't like my answer obviously because I'm sitting her alone, duck less. And let me clarify there was absolutely nothing ugly about these ducks just my husbands behavior towards them. So I'm hoping he will make up for it on Easter and Ellie and I will get one or two in our Easter baskets:)

Today I am a wife, mother, and baby duck lover.

Keep Chasing Those Fireflies!

CJ

Share Much?!

With today's media world sharing information has become a constant daily and hourly stream of facts about people. Even though many are not very factual so lieing about how awesome your life is has become rather popular as well.

You have social sites such as Facebook and Twitter where statuses are updated constantly because you just have to tell the world that the muffins you baked this morning were dee-lish! But when you update your status 6 times before 8 a.m., you may have a problem with Over Sharing. I decided to capitalize it because I believe it's a disease. Not really but it is annoying. Now don't get me wrong I love to share everything from my opinion to what's going on in my love life. I feel as though a way to connect with people is to share something personal. But can we share something in just one status not 10. There is a delete button for a reason. I would way rather scroll through my news feed to see what my ex is up to with his cute new girlfriend who dresses to the 9 or to keep scrolling and see just how ugly another ex's girlfriend is and feel sorry for him, than to see what you have to say before coffee.

Facebook, Twitter, and now Instagram are also all about sharing pictures. I share pictures of my daughter everyday because I think she's the cutest most spoiled rotten little egg I've ever seen. But when does it become too much?

I used to think Instagram was just to modify your pictures before posting them to Facebook, and before Facebook added the little modifier to its mobile options. But its not, on Instagram you can follow people, like photos and leave comments. But it doesn't have the whole status updates and groups or events and so on, like Facebook. As far as I know. One evening I was pursing through Kourtney
Kardashians hundreds of photos of her breakfast and I wondered why? What's the point of sharing that? Here I go judging people for sharing to much but just last night I shared a picture of my first crochet hat I ever made. I did it because I was proud of it and needed a pat on the back because the criticism my husband gave it just wasn't enough. So do we share for attention? I'm going to say yes. I shared my daughters illness because I needed some support and ideas of why to do. Just like the reason you shared that your running a marathon this morning because you need digital high fives which equal the like button.

Then theres Twitter which completely confuses me. It's more of just sharing statuses and very few pictures. I guess. I honestly have no idea how to @ someone or # anything. I actually called in number sign before I realized it was called a hashtag. You follow people on Twitter like Instagram, instead of friending them like Facebook. Following someone leans a little more into the stalker side of things. Which I don't know why they didn't think that might be a little strange.

It's honestly getting to complicated, because now when I want to see what someone is up too I have to check all these social media sites. So basically it turns into stalking, which I'm not above btw. And I know for a fact everyone does it. I get friend requests from people I have never even met but they know someone who knows someone who knew me when I was with someone so now they want to know something about me. There should be a message that pops up when you ask them to be your friend that states, "Have you ever even met this person or seen them face to face?" Then you have to click yes or no before proceeding. I don't actually have 483 friends I have like 5 and the rest are just people I know or don't know or met that one drunken night at a party and she was going to be my new BFF. At least until the hangover wore off and I forgot her name.

Then Blogging, my new favorite. I get to come on here and write what basically is a big long status in my view of something or the other. It seems like everyone blogs, everyone about everything. I love it I really do. Sharing all my thoughts and opinions with my readers and not worrying about you judging me because I don't even know who actually reads it. It's great!! So are we a generation of a bunch of over sharer's? Yes and let's just keep on sharing because everyone needs to know that after Writing this I now have to pee. Ok, I peed while writing this. Too much?

Today I am a wife, mother, and an over sharer.

Keep Chasing Those Fireflies!

CJ