Day 30 of being thankful

DAY THIRTY.

I'm thankful for…

supportive family and friends. Tonight is my Scentsy launch party and I am so excited!!

I have no idea how it is going to go, I'm hoping successfully, but I'm just excited. I'm very thankful for friends that are willing to come be a part of my new business venture and family members that are being supportive from afar.

Not just in this new venture, but just in general, I am truly grateful for all the love and support that I personally have received over time from loved ones. I have great friends and even greater family. I don't know how people in our lifestyle survive without a strong network of support. It would be physically impossible to have such a fabulous life that we have without our loved ones.

Thank you all so much! I am eternally grateful for you.

Day 29 of being thankful

DAY TWENTY-NINE.

I'm thankful for…

medical care (and for my husband being home to help out with today's medical care needs).

After fighting a cough the last few days, Cheyanne woke last night throwing up which required a middle of the night complete bed change, bath, and all night cuddle session. Hoping it was a fluke and knowing that my daughter is just a sick puker, I thought we'd see how today went without any doctor intervention. By 10 this morning I knew that wasn't going to happen. When she practically couldn't catch her breath from coughing so hard all morning, I made the call to our base peds. I'm so thankful they had an opening within an hour. And I'm so thankful that the Giant was able to be in the waiting room waiting on us to arrive instead of being away like I'm used to.

The doctor decided we needed a chest x-ray to clear out any pneumonia possibility. Me being pregnant, I couldn't go in there with her for the x-ray so thankfully her daddy was there to take over. Just listening to the terrified screams from the other side of the x-ray door was too much for this mucho preggo Momma to handle. At one point, I actually thought about busting into the room despite the obvious, but knowing she was in good hands made it easier to keep my feet planted. While all of that was going on, I ran to the nurses station and had them give me a lollipop and stickers to have ready for Chey when the trauma was over. Ugh my poor baby.

Thankfully, the doctor called and told us the xray looked clear and she feels that Cheyanne is battling a bad cold and possibly something else so she put her on an antibiotic since we've been dealing with her cough and diarrhea for over two weeks.

I know today's incident is nothing compared to what so many other families deal with medically, but for me, this was a first and boy was it rough. I'm so thankful for the care that my daughter received right away and that her daddy was here to help her through it. Some things Momma just can't do these days apparently.

Say a little prayer that she feels better soon.

Day 27 of being thankful

DAY TWENTY-SEVEN.

I'm thankful that…

I inherited my dad's creativity. I wish I had inherited my Mom's constant ability to organize things as well though. I think that would probably have been a good pairing with my constant creative/craft thoughts.

Sometimes craft ideas run through my head so fast, I can't keep up. That's where I think my Mom's organizational skills would help me keep it together. Walking through craft stores like Michael's and Hobby Lobby is like setting off fireworks in my head- mind blowing. Its sometimes (always) overwhelming. My husband can't even go in those kind of stores with me anymore because my mind runs faster than my mouth can explain my ideas and it becomes all too much for him. If we go together, he typically waits in the car and sets the timer.

Charleston got our first Hobby Lobby last month, and lets just say its a good thing that I live a solid 35 minutes from it, or it might very well become my second home. Craft stores are to me what Lowe's is to my husband and that is putting it mildly. I went today with my girlfriend Leslie and I think I might have even overwhelmed her with my creativity. I gave her fair warning.

The list of projects grew today, but thankfully, the supplies to complete those projects were checked off so I can finally start getting things done here. I say that slightly sarcastically because things are ALWAYS getting done here. If I told you how much we got done this weekend, it would probably be too much to read. Our small list: nursery painted, bonus room transformation into bedroom supplies purchased, bonus room transformation into bedroom begun, 2 walls up, Christmas decorations up, fall decorations put away, etc, etc… All this weekend. It never ends.

I hope Cheyanne inherits a healthy mix of her Mommy's creativity and her Daddy's practicality- or we're all in trouble!

Day 26 of being thankful

DAY TWENTY-SIX.

I'm thankful for…

the extra pillows that my husband put in bed for me tonight. The time has come where I can no longer lay in bed comfortably without extra pillows in between my legs. I mentioned it last night as we laid in bed, asking him to remind to get some the next night because I was too tired to go get them out of the room that night. Well, of course after that I fell asleep and forgot completely. Tonight, I got to our bed and Hubs had already laid out the extra pillows for me.

Ah, I love that man- and my extra pillows! Thanks Hubs!!!

Day 25 of being thankful

DAY TWENTY-FIVE.

I am thankful for… Christmas traditions.

I love that finally the Giant and I get to start brainstorming and create our own Christmas traditions with our daughter. Its about time!

Coming soon.

Day 24 of being thankful

DAY TWENTY-FOUR.

I'm thankful for…

post-Thanksgiving Christmas Chaos.

It's one of my favorite days of the year. Pulling out all of the Christmas decorations to arrange where each and every piece will go. 

I'm usually (a little-ha) OCD about my tree and how decorating it goes, but this year, I threw caution to the wind and made use of my helpers. 

So what if all of our red balls are on the lower left side of the Christmas tree. Its how Cheyanne wanted it so I let her do her thing.

I swear our tree isn't miniature, it just seems to look it next to the Giant.

Yes our tree does have over 1000 lights on it, why thank you. The Giant made sure that it twinkles just right. 

And our star may be a little crooked at times, but its pretty perfect to us thanks to Chey Chey.

I love the chaos that comes from making memories. And I love even more the chaos clean up that happens after bedtime! More pictures of Christmas decor to come.

Day 23 of being thankful

DAY TWENTY-THREE.

I'm thankful for…

TUMS!!

33 weeks pregnant and the day after Thanksgiving. Need I really say more?

Day 22- Our first family Thanksgiving

The day started early and perfectly yummy. 

Knowing that we had friends coming over to join us for thanksgiving, we started most food prep the night before. I'm so glad we did that. All we had to do the morning of was a few side dishes, dessert, and the turkey. Oh, the turkey.

Long story short, someone very tall who shall rename nameless came home from the grocery store with a rather large bird- 30 pounds to be exact. After a mild heart attack and MAJOR pregnancy meltdown which included a rushed call to the grocery store to plead using my "I'm very pregnant and might cry so please accept my returned bird", the 30 pounder was returned and an appropriate 13 pounder was brought home for cooking instead.

The 30 pound monstrosity

The delicious apple/carrot stuffed honey/orange juice glazed Wood bird- bird #2

The feast!

Proof that people ate my Thanksgiving feast!

I'm getting stuffed just looking at all that food again. Between us all, we had almost everything that I could even imagine for Thanksgiving. Oh my gosh. I literally feel my stomach growing as I look at this. When I say that I could not move by the end of the day, I'm not exaggerating. At one point, once everyone was gone and I sat on the couch watching Miracle on 34th Street with the Giant, I actually considered asking him to pick me up and carry me because I was so uncomfortable from my fullness. Pregnancy NOT to blame.

I apparently ate for three instead of two because my little turkey didn't eat a single bit of our Thanksgiving feast. Well that's not completely true. She did devour some homemade pumpkin bread. I had no idea she was eating so much of it (I thought she was just munching slowly on the same piece) until I followed her into the dining room and caught her on her tippy toes grabbing two whole slices of it on her own. Sneaky turkey.

My sweet silly turkey loved her first Thanksgiving with Daddy so much that she didn't even want to stop all the fun to take a nap. She didn't want to miss a minute of Turkey Day. I can't believe she went strong ALL day without an ounce of napping.

We had a wonderful first thanksgiving all together and hope that you enjoyed your day as well. We (I) have so much to be thankful for this year. I truly can't even begin to express my love and appreciation for life right now and all that I've been blessed with. 

I'll leave you with this picture of my little Indian butterfly. 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

DAY TWENTY-TWO. I'm thankful for... my life in every possible way today.

Day 21 of being thankful

DAY TWENTY-ONE.

I'm thankful for…

grocery stores being open the day before a holiday for slackers like me!!! I'm so glad that my family will not be eating fast food instead of our homemade turkey and Thanksgiving meal. If the Commissary hadn't been open, we might very well have been eating a little Chick-fil-A instead of delicious casseroles (because what else would I make but a billion casseroles?).

Day 20 of being thankful

DAY TWENTY.

I'm thankful for…

an outlet.

Some days, I just need something other than my norm to keep myself feeling worthwhile. I had started to feel rather "bored" with myself not having anything to think about other than this house and the people in it. All of which I love dearly. But some days I feel like maybe I should be doing more to contribute. Finally I found something to help curve that feeling.

Whether it be Scentsy or some other creative outlet, I'm just thankful to have an outlet. It may not make me rich, but it gives me some other fun things to think about.

PS, I have a website if you're interested. #shamelessplus. http://mollywood.scentsy.us

Day 19 of being thankful

DAY NINETEEN.

I'm thankful for…

warmer weather again. Roanoke was COLD!  Not that it is especially warm here in South Carolina now, but it sure it warmer than VA, a whole 10-15+ degrees warmer. Thank the good Lord.

Day 18 of being thankful

DAY EIGHTEEN.

I'm thankful for…

quality family time. We had a fantastic visit with my family in Virginia this weekend- baby shower and all. I always love family time, but it was extra special that the Giant was able to be there and take part in his first baby shower.

Me and my sweet Momma. I'm not good at remembering to take pictures, but at least I remembered to get one with a family member.

Exhibit A.

DAY 17 of being thankful

DAY SEVENTEEN.

I'm thankful for…

some pretty amazing people in my life that were willing to spend an afternoon celebrating the little baby life that will change the world one day.

I have the most amazing family and friends, and I am so thankful for them. I am thankful for my sister T and my dear friend Denny for throwing me a fantastic shower today. I am thankful for a great set of girlfriends that I have stayed close to since childhood that all came to celebrate today. I am thankful for my dear dear friends the Kloeppels for driving all the way in from DC to be with us today. I am thankful for amazing parents and grandparents that made today so special. I am thankful that my husband was able to be with us today and take part in his first "shower." I am just so thankful today.

I can't even begin to tell you all how very thankful I am for you all. I am beyond blessed in the love area. We are so grateful for each and every one of you that contributed to today and made our family feel so special.

Better pictures to follow soon! I'll get a post up of the shower as soon as I come down from my sugar cookie and chips/dip high- because what else do you do at a shower but open presents and EAT?!! And eat and eat and eat. I'm NOT thankful, however, that I have a 32 week dr appt Monday where I will get weighed. The ridiculous amount of sugar I consumed today will not be helping me in the poundage dept. But, I'm still thankful for all the people that had a hand in preparing all that food. My full belly thanks you.

Day 16 of being thankful

DAY SIXTEEN.

I'm thankful for…

Starbucks!! More specifically Buy One Get One at Starbucks this weekend.

Awe, perfection!

My heart makes a little pitter patter when I drive by a Starbucks during the holiday months. Starting in September through the winter months, there are few things I enjoy more than a freshly made, steaming hot, Starbucks holiday cup full of heaven. And this weekend it is buy one get one free, which makes my heart beat a little bit faster. One for me. One for hubs. Only because I'm pretty sure that two grandes back to back might make this little baby boy jump right out of my belly if I dared.

Today (and every day) I'm thankful for yummy Starbucks.

Day 15 of thankfulness

DAY FIFTEEN.

I'm thankful for…

"Daddy here!!! Daddy here! Daddy here!"

She waited by the door as he pulled in the drive.

She is loving getting caught up with Daddy.

Yep, these two really missed each other.

I am thankful he is back with us!

Day 14 of being thankful

DAY FOURTEEN.

I'm thankful for…

the memories that my daughter is creating with her GREAT-grandparents while we visit family.

Being back in Virginia makes me thankful that I'm blessed enough to still have 3 of my 4 grandparents all within a 3 mile radius of the home I grew up in. Cheyanne has all of her grandparents and 5 of 8 great-grandparents which is such an amazing thing to be thankful for.

Since being here, we have been able to spend each afternoon with our Mamaw and Papaw who live right up the hill (literally) and tonight we spent time with GG (my grandmother that has since been renamed "GG" Great-Grandmother per her request).

Cheyanne has loved all the extra attention from her great grandparents and I have loved sitting back and just watching the joy that my family has in each other.

I am truly thankful for great-grandparents.

Our first "choo choo" ride

was a success!

My little traveler is now a train traveler as well.

Here she is in front of her first "choo choo" train. She was pretty excited.

I was less excited in the beginning because this (below) is what we left out of- way to stay classy Charleston. Notice the police car parked out front. I'm sure there is reason for this.

Thankfully, my girlfriend Leslie was nice enough to drive us and let us hang out in the car until the train arrived so we wouldn't have to wait around in the depot. Ick.

Once we got to our seats and settled, we made ourselves comfortable.

Keys to a successful train ride with a toddler:

1. Snacks. Lots of snacks so you don't have to spend money on the overpriced train food (which actually smelled delish as people walked back to their seats from the food car)

2. Electronics. The great thing about Amtrak is that there are outlets at your seat for electronics. So, pack your DVDs and laptop and get comfy with movie time. Although, beware of that one conductor that will walk by and say "She needs headphones to watch that movie." Just nod your head and act like you are scrummaging for her headphones (that you didn't bring because she won't let you get near her head with them) until he's gone then go on with your low volume movie because no one around you cares as long as you don't have a screaming toddler. You're all in for the long haul.

3. Bring comforts from home. Blankie and the nemo pillow are a must.

That's all. With those key things, you should have a pretty easy choo choo experience. It was fantastic. So much easier than driving and having to plan activity stops along the way. 

Chey loved her first choo choo ride, although we were more than happy to arrive at Nana and Skipper's house at the end of the day. For the low price and huge ease, I would definitely travel Amtrak again- fyi.

Day thirteen of being thankful

DAY THIRTEEN.

I am thankful…

that my husband will be home soon!!!

He passed his final flight today and will be headed our way tomorrow!

I am so thankful today! Thank you for all of the support and prayers that we've received during these last few months of training seperation. It has encouraged both the Giant and I on a daily basis knowing that no matter what, we are surrounded in love and constant prayers.

I can't even put in to words how excited I am to have the Giant coming home in a few days. Its going to be a great weekend in every way.

Big thanks!

Day 12 of being thankful

DAY TWELVE.

I'm thankful for…

and easy traveling toddler!

I feel like maybe I should capitalize every letter of this one. I do not take it lightly how great a traveler my daughter is. I am very blessed in this.

Starting our traveling at 10am. Arriving at my parents' house in Virginia at 10pm. Not a single moment of tired-traveling tears in all 12 hours. She is such a traveling trooper. I am so thankful for this. Whether it is by train, plane, or automobile (with a DVD player), she rocks.

Thank you Jesus.

Day eleven

Day eleven.

I am thankful...

That tomorrow Cheyanne and I are heading to Virginia for the week to see my family and friends. I couldn't be more excited. Nevermind the fact that my husband should be joining us there too and bringing us home later in the week!!

We are taking a train up north in the morning. Say a little prayer. I've never been on a train in the states and am very very nervous about it. I don't usually like to do brand new things like this with Cheyanne when I have zero idea what to expect. I've got our bags packed and plenty of carry on things to hopefully keep "us" occupied on our seven hour trip.

Ill be more thankful once we get there probably, but tonight I'm thankful for the chance to see my family again. And so thankful that soon my family of three will all be under the same roof again!!

Day 10 of thankfulness

DAY TEN.

I am thankful for…

allrecipes.com

I am not a cook. I'm not even close to one. And I am not a spokeswoman for the recipe site either. I'm just a really bad cook that wants to be better and not always feed my kid things out of a box.

The great thing about allrecipes.com is you don't have to be a cook to feel like one. On nights when I feel courageous but lack the know how, I type in whatever ingredients I have lying around and I'm in the mood for and search for things I can make. That's half my battle, coming up with the menu. I never follow a full recipe. And sometimes they are complete duds. But on nights like tonight I score a winner and feel like a pretty good mom. Not a mrs clever mom but a "yah I cooked that" mom and it didn't come out of box! Love it.

Tonight I made a "version" of squash casserole with what I had here. Since we're leaving for Virginia tomorrow, I didn't want to make much or buy anything. Somehow my lack of groceries worked out. Two nights in a row now I've been sneaking veggies in Chey without her knowing via delish allrecipes.com recipes. I feel so accomplished. Ill share the recipe with you when I'm not typing on my phone and am back on my laptop.

So thankful for technology that actually helps me tonight. Thanks allrecipes.com for helping this infamously bad chef feel less bad. :)

Day nine of being thankful

DAY NINE.

I am thankful for…

fun days with my little Chey Chey. Its by far the best part of being a stay at home mom.

Disney on Ice made for a very fun day today. She loved all TWO hours of the ice show.

Neither of us have ever been to a show like this before, so I had no idea what to expect. I told her in the am we'd be going to see Mickey Mouse, which she seemed very confused by, but once we got there, she was in love. Mickey and Minnie. Woody. Buzz Lightyear. Tinker Bell. The whole gang was there and shockingly kept her two year old attention.

I'm so thankful for the time I get to spend with Cheyanne as she grows. I would hate to miss these special days. We have our days where I wonder if being a stay at home mom is the best for her, but then we have days like this that I know we made the right decision for our family. I'm just so thankful I get to spend my days with her (and Mickey- and our dear little friends Colin and Dylan with their mommies).

Day 8 of thankfulness

I took a picture for today (seriously) but I decided that no one in their right mind deserved to see it, so here's one without a picture. I'm not sure why I even thought taking a picture would be a good idea. It wasn't until I saw it and realized how pretty gross it is all alone. I'll spare you.

DAY EIGHT.

I'm thankful for…

30 weeks with an innie belly button.



I'm not sure how much longer I can call it an innie. We had a good run at 30 weeks, my innie belly button and me. It seems to be quickly changing sides though. Its been a gradual progression, closer and closer to popping out, but I'm quite sure that by this time next week (or tomorrow) I will no longer have my cute innie but instead will be sporting a real button belly button.

I still rock my belly button ring in case you were wondering, even though I'm pretty sure someone might hurl if they actually caught of glimpse of it against my big belly, but I like it so its still sticking around. I have no husband around to tell me its grossing him out and thank God Chey couldn't care less because she just likes to pull on it if its in view (awesomely comfortable…sarcasm). I might have to remove it here soon though if the dreaded hole pops out because I don't want people thinking I have three belly buttons poking through my shirt. Now that would really be gross.

Is this TMI? Eh, its my blog. :) And I'm pregs, so forgive me. Hope you didn't read this during meal time. Oh mother nature, how I wonder about you sometimes.

Day seven of thankfulness

I don't feel like being serious tonight, so…

DAY SEVEN.

I am thankful for…

because no matter what kind of Wednesday I'm having, I always know my day will end with laughs as long as this show is on. Fitting since today is Wednesday (and last night was the elections).

If you haven't seen this show, you should. Its the Giant's and my favorite family time. Love it.

Day 6 of being thankful

This one is easy today.

DAY SIX.

I am thankful…

that I live in a country where I have the right to vote and was able to do so in such an important race.

I am thankful for the right to voice my own personal opinion without fear of retribution or fear of safety. I am thankful for the women and men that came before me and fought with all they had to make sure that on a day like today, my voice would be heard and my vote would be counted. I am thankful for these heroes.

via

I am thankful that, no matter what the results tonight, I can say that I am a proud American.

instagram dump

If you follow me on instagram, you've probably already seen these pictures because I don't know how to edit without sharing them yet. But since my mom still uses a flip phone, ahem, I thought I'd share these here for your entertainment.

Cheyanne helping Mommy eat chocolate covered strawberries on my anniversary.

Sunrise at the Outer Banks while we visited my family a few weeks ago.

Cheyanne with her baby cousin Libby. It was all she wanted she do, "Hold baby!"

 Cheyanne standing at Mommy and Daddy's wedding location- Manteo Lighthouse.

Standing on "our" bridge

just a quick flashback for good times sake…

 Back to instagram. Chey at the OBX Aquarium.

The girl loves her fish.

That's just a little of what we've been up to that I've not posted on yet. I'm starting to love my Instagram. If someone could let me know how to edit without posting, that would be great. 

If you are on instagram, follow me at "thiswoodhouse." No idea how you can find me, but I've been told that there is a way to search people. I know no more than that on instagram so hopefully you know more than I do.