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

ER Take Two

I won't get started on the whole timeline thing again because, when we thought we were dealing with just a dose of Colic, the night took a turn in another direction.

After coming home from our first visit to the Emergency Room we tucked Ellasyn safely into our bed where she falls asleep instantly. She usually always wakes, exactly 30 minutes after she has fallen asleep and we have to help her go back down. It's like clockwork, 30 minutes on the dot, and we have no idea why she does it but she always has, always will. Last night she slept right through her 30 minute mark which I expected since she had too of been exhausted because it was 9 p.m. and way past her bedtime. Adam and I finished preparing our romantic valentines day dinner. Which we enjoyed sitting on the living room floor in front of the season premier of Swamp People. Oh, he knows what I like.

At around 11:40 Ellasyn wakes up screaming. I figure she's hungry since she hasn't eaten dinner so I make her a bottle. She was on fire! But I, being a bad mommy and I'm half asleep I assumed it was because she was under the covers and snuggled in between her father and I. Both extremely hot natured people. She drank about an ounce and went back to sleep, sort of. She tossed and turned and would yell out just once and then go back to sleep. Finally at 12:30 the screaming was in full force and she was hotter than anybody, especially a baby, should be. So we took her temperature. 103.7. My heart sank. I was up and out of the bed yelling at Adam that we have to go, and we have to leave right now! I throw together a diaper bag in a state of panic, trying to fight back the tears that were coming. 103.7 for a baby. Questions were racing through my head. Is she going to start convulsing, should we call 911, will a wet rag help, OMG what am I suppose to be doing in this situation. I don't remember reading about this or anything. While I was freaking out, holding Ellasyn, and packing a diaper bag, my mind wonder to what was Adam doing? Getting ready, are you kidding me!!! "Wear what you have on it doesn't matter get in the fucking car," was probably what I was saying, I can't really remember.

Now lets take a break for a second and turn the tables to what I was wearing. Out in public, at a hospital, with a baby. It could have been worse but for me I should have been more prepared. I had on flannel navy pajama pants with pink polka dots and a grey v-neck boyfriend tee. The V was now shaped like a U because it was so stretched out and old. I threw on camel colored flats and my black North Face jacket that is to small so I couldn't zip it up. That doesn't sound so bad but I'm missing one crucial thing.....a bra. Now when your trying to have a serious conversation with a doctor about your child's health issues, bra less, can be a tad distracting. Especially when Ellasyn is yanking and pulling and clawing her way from any sort of machine they were trying to connect to her. I couldn't keep my jacket on because I was burning up so there I stood with my ta ta's greeting the world. I used to go to bed looking decent because you never know. Well nothing happened over the 10 years I followed this rule so I gave it up. Which was apparently not a good choice. It was embarrassing but I was in a hurry and that what the outcome. Maybe next time I will take time to primp like my laid back husband.

We arrive to the hospital where there are 4 other babies there for the same thing. We get excorted to our room right away which was nice but I could hear all the other babies screaming so it sounded more like a toucher chamber than a hospital. I'm curious to know what was going through Ellasyn's head? Did she know that she was next? Allison, her nurse comes in and she was beyond sweet. I love when I feel like I can actually be friends with the nurse. Ellasyn hates everything that happens to her, from the blood pressure machine giving her leg a hug, to the heart rate machine attached to her big toe. She pulled it off twice so now is was firmly tapped around her foot and a sock put on to keep her from tugging at it.

We met our doctor a few minutes later. I don't remember her name. She asks us questions that I answered before she even could get her sentence out. Apparently, a fault of mine. Last week my mother informs me that I finish people's sentences. I don't mean it in a bad way, but my brain has worked past what your trying to tell me and has moved on to my response or rebuttal. So it's going to be a difficult habit to break.

The doctor tests her for RSV and FLU by shoving two cotton balls up her nose which of course she hates. Then she informs me a catheter is next. What?! A catheter while she is awake and can feel it. I can not possibly put my child through that. But she insists its necessary to check for a UTI which is common in girls less than 2 years of age.

Let me stop to say how thankful I am for my husband. He has always stood by me and my crazy beliefs that follow our child. Like never letting her leave our sight while in the care of someone in a hospital. Ever since she was born we made them bring bath time to us, blood work to us, and everything. They never once took Ellasyn out of our sight and we were not about to start now. So she brought the catheter in. They brought in a stretcher, basically and were going to strap her in and do the catheter. I couldn't watch it. I had to leave. My amazing husband stayed because he believes what I do but he knows I can not bare to see our daughter, our life, be hurt in any way. It only lasted a second thank goodness and was over. She was a champ!!

After all was said and done every test came back negative. So they proceeded to tell us it was viral and for us to monitor it. What does viral even mean? A cold? I wanted more but wasn't getting it and I was not about to let them poke or hurt my baby any more without cause. So we brought her home.

Ellasyn has been fighting a fever for the past 24 hours and we will just continue to monitor it. We are giving her ibuprofen which we have never done before but it works. We have always only given Tylenol but Ibuprofen is where it is. I'm praying for her still and hoping for a speedy recovery. I am going to bed tonight with a bra on, just in case.

Today I am a wife, mother, and wearing bra.

Keep Chasing Those Fireflies
CJ

Valentine's Day

I know I already posted a Valentine's Day story but I wanted to share how my day actually went.

8:45 p.m. The day before Valentines Day I got to open my gift. It wasn't wrapped but thats okay it came in a box already so I wasn't to judgmental with the fact that he didn't take the time to at least add a bow. I got a watch. Which was exactly what I wanted and exactly what I knew I was getting. I loved it. Gold and silver so it would go with everything. I slide in over my hand and onto my wrist and...wwwwwhhhhaaaatttt.....it's heavier than, well something really heavy. I can't lug around a 22 lbs baby and a 5 lbs watch. What does he think I am a body builder? I didn't expect for it to weigh as much as it did so my excitement turned into a bummer, which was not my husbands fault but the watch makers fault. Can you make a boyfriend style watch that is good quality but doesn't weigh much? Please and Thank You.


6:21 a.m. alarm clock. Why is my alarm clock set for 6:21? It's not, that's the time my daughter decided she wanted to watch the second half of The Ellen Degeneres Show and the rest of us can just suck it if we disagree. Suck her big toe that is. Ok fine! I wanted to watch the sun rise and drink my coffee which I had no creamer for and coffee that you cream with milk is not the same.

6:22 I'm going to stop with the whole am, pm thing because its exhausting. Adam greets me with a Happy Valentine's Day, I Love You! I bet you do after that doozy of an argument we got into at about 10:01 the night before. "Happy Fucking Valentines Day to you," was all I could choke up. I left off the I Love You because I wanted to show him I was still pissed. My coffee wasn't giving me enough momentum to keep the argument going so I just dropped it.

7:00 Ellie who is my actually Valentine opens her gift and loves it, of course I picked it out.

10:23 watch is returned and I leave empty handed and sad.

I am actually going to stop the whole time thing all together. It just to exhausting to have to make up times of when I think these things actually happened.

It was a gorgeous day here in Memphis TN which you won't hear me say often because quite frankly I hate it here. It's nothing compared to where we lived in Virginia and I want to go back badly. Anyways, I wanted to get Ellie (my daughter) outside to play because I always feel as though she sleeps better after some fresh air. Adam had never been down to Mud Island and after today I can see why, there is absolutely nothing down there except, well a muddy island looking out onto an even muddier river. Before heading down there we decided to grab a bite for lunch. I wanted to try someplace new since I was trying my hardest to fall in love with this city. If at least not me, my stomach will be happy.

We choose Cafe Eclectic in Midtown. Midtown is where most of the yuppies live who think there hip but really are not. It's in the heart of Memphis, almost, so that means if you drive one block in any direction your trapped on Lamar and well you don't want to be there EVER!!

Cafe Eclectic was busy and crowded. Ugh, don't you people work. Ellasyn and her date were the only chitlins in there which meant we got some looks. Some 'don't sit next to me' kind of looks. The food was good, the service was slow, and our kids wanted to crawl around on the floor the whole time. It was exhausting!! Ellasyn is at the age where she knows she can walk so sitting is not an option.

We finally made it to Mud Island and played for a bit before returning home. Then that's when the real fun began.

At 5:30 p.m. (Here I go with the time again) It started. Ellasyn took a 160 degree turn for the worst. Usually when she cries or screams we can console her by holding her or getting down on the floor and playing with her. But not this time. She was screaming and screaming and squealing and breaking our hearts because we had no idea what had happened. She hadn't fallen or been hurt in any way. She hadn't eaten anything she wasn't suppose too, so why all the uncontrollable screaming. Eventually her wales turned into shrieks which left her shaking and gasping for air and that was when we said let's go. And we did. We packed up as fast as we could and headed to the ER. Adam ran red lights, carefully, to get us there because her jerking and screaming just became worse when we placed her in the car. I had never seen her act like this before so I was sure something serious was wrong. I was scared and worried for our little angel.

When we arrived they asked us what was wrong? Adam and I just looked at each other because we had no idea. We told them when it stared but nothing happened to her so we didn't know. For me, it's the worst feeling to not know what is wrong or how to help your child. They checked us in and we began the wait.

3 hours later we receive a piece of paper that says Colic!!!! Are you kidding me?! They did an X-ray and ran a few tests and they tell us it's Colic. Sure enough she fell asleep while waiting and woke up fine. Was it worth it? YES!! We had never experienced anything like that with Ellasyn before so we had no idea what to do. It was terrifying. But after it was all said and done she is fine and will be fine. Her 1st Valentines Day was also her 1st trip to the ER and her 11 month Birthday!! She just wanted us to be aware of her presence:)

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

Keep Chasing Those Fireflies!

CJ

A Day to be Remembered......

Today was one for the books. It will be a day I will always remember. No nothing bad or tragic happened, my daughter actually controlled her outbursts rather well. Today I bought my first......gulp.....one piece. Ok now I do realize way worst stuff could have happened to me them this and the fact that I'm even blogging about it is ridiculous. But everyone writes what bothers them, or their opinions, or whatever so today for me this was a big step, in the wrong direction.

The summer after Ellasyn was born I actually wore a two piece. Granted it was at the privacy of my parents pool where no one would judge me openly, at least not to my face. I felt more confident then, than I do now a year later. I guess because I could honestly say, "I just had a baby." That excuse expired about 4 months ago. Now I'm left with, "I just ate a footlong and had a beer." Not as good as the first one but at least I'm openly admitting it. Ever since I stopped breast feeding the weight packed on before I realized my muffin top was more offensive than normal. The extra 500 calories I was burning suddenly was gone but I continued to eat on a 2500 calorie a day diet. See for all you non-moms or mothers who did not breastfeed, breast feeding helps you drop weight FAST and keep it off. But when you stop you best be careful and cut back on eating. No one told me that except the scale.

I know, I know be happy with yourself and that's all that matters. Thanks, but no thanks. I want to be happily tucked into a size 4. When that happens come back to me and I can guarantee being happy with myself will be a lot easier. Self confidence is key. Now while I may be confident in my new suit I'm not confident flaunting it for the world to see. For example, you don't see me taking pictures of myself in the bathroom mirror in my new onesie, like you do girls in two pieces. Because its not accepted, no one wants to see cottage cheese on Instagram. No matter how much editing you do to it. What also shouldn't be accepted is pictures taken in bathroom mirrors in the first place. Especially when the bathroom your doing it in looks like shit! Pet peeve número UNO. Please, PLEASE when posting a picture of yourself look at it first. If your toilet seat is up and your sink is covered with toothpaste and your generic bottle of hairspray is showing, straighten up the damn place and try again. When Miley Cyrus posted the picture of her new God awful blonde pixie everyone was starring at the train wreck behind her, not her. Same goes when you post a picture of what you think people want to see. It's even worse if your a guy doing it so everyone stop. I mean what do you honestly expect people to say. And you think I'm self conscious or shallow because I bought a one piece but the women who post pictures to get a thumbs up's are not?!

Ok, back to what matters, my one piece. It's cobalt blue, strapless, and has those ruffle looking things that make your fat rolls not so noticeable. It's actually cute but you will never know that because I will never post a picture of a beached whale. They usually don't like their pictures being taken anyways. Maybe I will take my friend up on her idea of "Skypercising". Yes, exercising over Skype, brilliant huh:) I don't even eat that unhealthy but I'm a grazer. I eat out of boredom. So now I'm considering Weight Watchers. It worked for Jenny Mcarthy and well anyone who poses for Playboy at 40 goes to the top of my, "I wanna be like her," list. Plus, she's crazy fit! So we will see how it goes, in the less then 3 months, I have before the Southern Summer arrives in full force guns a blazin.

Today I am a wife, mother, and now own a onesie.


Keep Chasing Those Fireflies.

CJ

The V Word

Well it's almost that day of the year. The one day people loathe and just basically skip right over. Your calendar may look something like this:

February 12
February 13
February 15
February 16...

You guessed it Valentines Day! You either love it or hate it or you love to hate it. No matter how many times I've gotten burned, which has been a lot, I still genuinely enjoy this holiday. I feel, that because I was born on a holiday I was programmed at birth to love every single holiday that comes around. But that also means that I expect the person I'm with to know this and to support my expectations. See my mother has set the bar so high it's hard for the guy to reach it. But don't blame her I, mean it can still be reached if someone tried hard enough. My mom still gets me Valentines Day presents, Easter baskets, four leaf clovers and so on. Well at least until now, my daughter gets everything and I get nothing and I'm not happy about it:)

So back to valentines Day. Many women claim to not celebrate because they just don't want to. To those women stop lying to your inner self you know you want chocolate and a stuffed animal that screams I love you! Then my favorite are those women who post on Facebook how their husbands treat them to flowers all year round, which makes him a REAL man so Valentine's Day is just not that important. Oh please! Get Over Yourself. Valentine's day is not a competition but the social media world has made it into one. My news feed will be flooded with I married the most amazing man he got me these flowers....which are hideous by the way. You never see a status that says my 'dumbass husband forgot', because no one actually wants to admit that most of the time that's the way it goes. Then if your single you usually have something cynical to say or you post what your parents got you at age 40 because you still haven't found the one. While I am all for parents getting their daughters stuff if there is no boyfriend or  husband but don't post it on the Internet. It's like a big arrow that says, "Look at me I'm still single and need someone to love me." Then there is a whole other group of people who refuse to celebrate it because they always get let down. It never works out how they want it or it's just not as romantic as it should of been. I am almost ready to join this group and give up hope that it will ever be like........the movies. Yes, there I said it I want a Nicholas Sparks movie to be my real life. Whats wrong with that?

My husband is still paying for Valentine's Day last year.  I was about the size of a whale, pregnant with my precious little girl, who was leaving no room for mommy to breathe but plenty of room to finish off the plate of sugar cookies with a red heart stamped on them. So my expectations were that I should get a present from him and from our little bambino. A card from him and one from her even though obviously he would have to pick it out and sign it. Did I get any of the things I just listed? NO!! I didn't get a damn thing. NOT ONE THING. And trust me he's still paying for it. OK, maybe I got some flowers but I really can't remember all I know is it wasn't special enough for me to, well remember. If your reading this you may be thinking what a B, right?! I know it sounds horrible and I can't remember what we got him either. But I had pregnancy brain and lets be honest guys could care less about Valentines Day. The way I see it a guy should look at the years calender and start thinking of things in advance. He, my husband, claims I am hard to shop for but I know for a fact that I am constantly saying oh how I would love this or love that or isn't that cute. Why is he not keeping track? Or writing these things down? Every man should be born with one of those tiny spiral note pads to use throughout life. To keep track of important things like how I said those white Hunter rain boots were to die for 3 years ago and I have yet to receive them.

Do I need a present to know how my husband feels about me?

Yes. Actions speak louder than words. And if you think this is superficial or shallow because I need a present on Valentines day then you should just go look in a mirror. Because if Christmas rolled around and you didn't get anything you would be pretty pissed. Or if you told your children they weren't going to get the hundreds of crappy toys this Christmas because you were going to donate the money to people who have real problems and need FOOD and not another video game, they would shit a brick. Needless to say your kids would probably think you didn't love them because you didn't show by buying them presents. On every other holiday you get a gift then Valentines Day should be no different. Just Saying!!

So this valentines day I made sure I was guaranteed a gift. I made a list, sent pictures, and did everything in my power to insure a present would be bought. Its Tuesday and he still hasn't gotten anything but I'm sure hes not going to wait until the day of because that would just be insane. What's Ellasyn getting me you ask? I don't know but I'm sure Adam has it covered.....right baby?!

Happy (early) Valentines Day!!

Keep Chasing Those Fireflies!

CJ

Resolution....what Resolution?!

At the beginning of this year I made a vow, a commitment, a RESOLUTION to not buy a single piece of new clothing for myself until I wear every single thing I own. And I stuck to it. For a few weeks. I only bought a couple workout outfits because well that was another resolution, to work out and I had to have something to do it in, right? Especially since I'm such a yoga enthusiast after the one and only class I went to. Hey, I'm getting there. Now, I've went shopping pretty much everyday. What else does a stay at home mom do? Hobbies....shopping is a hobby. I fall in love with stuff every time I go anywhere but I have left empty handed, except that one time. And today, today I bought an outfit. I just couldn't say no. It's a heather grey maxi skirt with a hot pink button up that I will tie at the waist. One of Adams cousins had the outfit on at our wedding and it was so cute. So lets see if I can pull it off.

I haven't stopped shopping I've just cut way back on buying clothes. Now I still blow a ton of money on things for our house and Ellie's wardrobe. So this resolution hasn't saved us any money which should have been my real resolution. There are a couple reasons why I made this well resolution....(I used resolution a lot in that last sentence so excuse me)

I was tired of having a closet full of stuff I wasn't wearing. And my closet is no where near as obnoxious as some women. I honestly don't have that much stuff but just enough to overwhelm me. That got me thinking what my style is. Laid back, boho, sporty, preppy, soccer mom, and so one. I had no idea where I fell because honestly I am not really sure what it was I liked. I bought a lot of stuff on sale because well it was on sale. So it just hangs in my closet looking pitiful with the tags still attached. I had clothes in there from when I was a size ZERO! I had to spell it out so you, my faithful readers or not so faithful (bunch a cheaters) would believe it. Back in high school and a little after high school I was a skinny Minnie. Now my curvy size 10 self can't get one leg in. I shouldn't hang on to these because I will never be that small again, like ever! But a girl can dream. I also have a variety of clothes that I keep because of the memory that is attached to them. And I know I am not the only girl who does this. Then I have clothes that SCREAM slut! Ok maybe not a slut but defiantly a floozy. It was either to low cut or to short for any respectable married mother to wear. Yes I do think that women at a certain age and in motherhood and/or are married should not be caught dead in certain clothing. I don't care if you have the body for it but you should leave something to the imagination. I also only buy cheap clothes because well I'm cheap. This is a problem. I need to invest in good quality items then I wouldn't have a closet full of shitty clothes that only survive one wear. So this has all lead me to cleaning house....well actually closet.

My new and improved resolution is to get rid of everything that I don't absolutely love! And it also has to be in style at least for me. It also has to fit well and not look to sleazy. If it doesn't then I'm getting rid of it. I'm donating it or putting it up for grabs at our clothes swap were having. What's a clothes swap you ask? Several women will bring at least 5 items and we will all shop each other clothes. Sounds fun, I know!

Since January 1st, I have been faithful and devoted to my resolution. I only cheated twice but it was more just a kiss and while I consider that cheating in real life in the resolution world it's acceptable. I didn't go on a shopping spree it was just a specific 4 things I had to have. Key word HAD to have. They will probably hang in there with all the other ill fitting clothes I at one time pined over but have yet to wear.

Today I am a wife, mother, and resolution cheater, but just that once...ok twice.

Keep chasing those Fireflies!

CJ

It WORKS, It WORKS...Wait a minute no it doesn't!

It seems like in this day in age everything is about people selling one product or another. Running their own personal small business of some sort whether it be Premier Jewelry, Pampered Chef, Scentsy, Thirty-One, or It Works Body Wraps. Everyone is just trying to make a buck and I applaud that. They use their Facebook page to help build their business and book parties so that they have the hope of making it big. Booking the most parties, signing people up under neath them and so on equals being a success. I just don't understand how it is all so wildly popular and how people are actually making money.

I have tried all of the items I had listed above before. I own several pieces of Premier Jewelry, I love my Pampered Chef can opener, My Sentsy wall plug in is anything but satisfying, however, I do love my thirty-one bags when I have to lug all of Ellasyns stuff around. One that I hadn't tried yet was the It Works body wrap product.

My friend had a party several months back but I wasn't able to try it at the time because I was breast feeding my daughter and they suggest that you don't use while breast feeding. But now that I was all done, I thought what the heck! While at her party she tried one and I didn't see any difference but that didn't stop me from throwing my money into the wind. She had a few left over so I purchased one and dove right in belly first. We read the directions, followed the rules of what not to do and what to do the day. So I was ready. She places the wrap around my belly, actually its more like on the front of you torsoe it doesnt actually wrap all the way around. At least not around my love handles. It has a minty/eucalyptus smell and my skin starts to tingle right away. She wraps me in clear wrap tightly and we ready for magic!! The tingling intensifies and there for a minute I don't think I can handle it but it eventually subsides and I forget that I even have it on. For first timers it says to do 45 minutes just to see how the wrap interacts with your skin. So I leave it on for a little over an hour because I'm a daredevil like that.

Keep in mind. I have no idea how these work or what they are actually suppose to do. But the way people push them and actually make money from these baffles me. Their selling point must be something like buy four for $60 and you will see results and then they don't and never use them again. I think it's because so many people have never heard of it before and everyone wants a quick fix. Especially me I hate working out and I love eating but I want to be skinny over night!

So I have some pictures of my lovely experience. I am going to put an F RATED on here so viewer beware Fatass coming to your screen soon!!! Turn away, close your eyes, and sheild your CHILDREN!

Here is my before. Chubby full of celuliate and just goodess. More lovin to go around I would say. I just had a baby guys!! OK. I had her almost a year ago but I am still hoping I can use that as an excuse. I dont work out at all. I try constantly but I am not a self motivator. I eat horribly yet I am so angry at myself for being fat. I havent connected the dots that eating leads to being chubby I just think it's a curse.

 

Here I am right before I was about to take the wrap off. It kept riding up and my child just had to be held the whole time. So for people that sell this product will probably insist that, that was why it didn't work. I didn't put in on right. Uh huh I am sure that's it. I'm still fat under there, nothing had changed.

 



And Wa La!!! I lost inches like 100 can you belive how much skinner I am guys! All that water weight gone. This picture is just as scary as the first. I was really hoping that you guys would see something like this.....

 

 

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! Shoo that was just too funny!

 

After it was all said and done I was glad that I tried one. Because I am almost positive I didn't follow the directions correctly. I proceeded to drink wine and eat a small amount of....pasta. So lets just blame that. Everyone needs to stop looking for a quick fix, at least if you cant afford lipo, and do it the old fashion way. Get off your fat asses and walk around the block and stop eating McDonald's. Myself included. But for now I need to finish this plate of pancakes in front of me. There banana so that makes them healthier but I hate the taste of bananas so I drenched them in powdered sugar:)

 

Today I am a wife, mother, and not an It Works Believer!!

 

Keep Chasing those Fireflies!!

 

CJ

Ombré ombré ombré

Lets do the Ombré!


I had recently became obsessed with Ombré colored hair kind of like Americas newest obsession with Chevron. Like Chevron, Ombré came in style about a year ago but I figured I live in the south and that's typically how it goes. It starts in the North then eventually makes its way down here so we are always fashionable late. With that said I began hunting down ombré hair that I liked and ones that I despised. I always feel it is a good choice to show your hair dresser wht you like and then some examples of, if you do this to my hair I will kill you, just to insure she/he know where you stand. In my case I was at a salon I had only been to once before with a women who cut my bangs uncomfortable to short. My friend had complete faith her in for the ombré color so I thought what the heck. Appointment made and I was ready. Many of you have a loyal hair dresser that you only trust with color and cut. I to have one of these but she lives in another state and it was about time I found one in the current city I lived in. So for me this was a big leap of faith teusting someone to not only color hair but Ombré it without making me look white trash. I consulted my dearest set of friend with pictures and example of what do you thinks and can I pull it off. Two of my trustful friends, Kara and Amy, had a honest I don't think so reply. Amy urged that she hates this look because it looks like you need to get your roots done. I'm not fond of all her tattoos so I figured we would be even:) Kara just asks politely if I am....sure? Then proceeds to say that my hair is healthy so if it does look bad she can just die right back over. So two friends in the negative what the hell are you thinking side. My last fiend Shari to console me and tell me just what I want to hear says go for it. She too was hesitant at first but I continued to send of her pictures of hair dos so I think she just eventually caved. And it was her beloved hair dresser that I was uses so of course she was supportive in the whole she can do it don't worry kind of way.

The day was here and I was ready! I hadn't done anything to my hair as far as highlighting in years. Wen I was reunited with my husband I had blonde highlights which he informed me he hated. He was kind of an asshole not sure why I feel so head over heels for him that day. But that a whole other story. My current hair was shoulder length and drab I always referred to this plan boring brown color as mouse hair. It was lifeless there was no shine or anything to make it attractive. So a change was needed and why not something a little edgier.

I enter the salon sit in the chair and start showing her the 20 or so photos I have. Miley Cyrus' ombré was my favorite but her hair was unite a bit shorter than mine so I wasn't sure if that's what made it cute and my hair is at at that awkward not long or short length. Oh well! She said she had it and would be right back with the color. The process began. In order to to ombré you have to tease your entire head of hair. I NEVER EVER tease me hair. Just because I live in the South does not mean that I walk around with big hair like so many other girls I know. But if everyone would pick up a style/fashion magazine we would all see that big teased everyday hair is not what you should be wasting your time on.

So I have some pictures, of course, what kind of blog would this be if I didn't.

 

My Hair Before!!

The Teasing Part

 

And After.