The weather...and other things

In the middle of the day yesterday, when the heat is usually at its worst, I looked up (while driving) and the temperature read 66 degrees.  66 DEGREES!!!  This is monumental in the middle of a Texas August.  Unfortunately, we didn't get our morning walk {due to rain}, but that was A-OK because I snuggled with my little puddin' face, Macklyn, all.morning.long.  {Macie stayed with my Aunt last night}

When we finally got out from under the covers, I walked to my closet and snatched my most comfy sweatshirt.  I jump at any chance I have to wear lounging clothes, and there is nothing better than cool weather lounging attire.

Our AC actually got a break!  Which is great...because we are overdue for a tune-up.  Less work = better. 

But, I'm afraid this is just a mere tease, my friends.  I checked and the weather forecast {which really means nothing, honestly} says the heat is coming back.  No 100 degree weather, but upper 90s, which is still hot.  Better, but hot.

Along with this "Fall Teaser", came a hankering for a yummy hot coffee drink!  I've always wanted to try those cinnamon lattes from Starbucks, but am afraid of spending $5 on coffee just to end up with something I don't like.  So....I decided to experiment myself.  I came up with a very easy recipe that actually ended up pretty good.

This drink is really going to come in handy when I start classes next week.  Coffee is going to be my best friend with my early mornings and late evenings!

************

So, today we pretty great.  Nothing big, but Chris is off work and we love having him at home!  This is his vacation week, however he worked Monday and Tuesday because he's a workaholic like that and wants extra dinero.

This morning, Macklyn and I met the neighbor girls and had a nice stroll around the neighborhood.  It was divine outside - so good I could have walked around at least two more times.  Macie stayed back at the house with her Daddy.  

When we got back, the whole fam headed out to have breakfast at a little diner down the road. 

  After a quick breakfast, we made the short trip back to the house - Macklyn got her breakfast....

 and I started housework.

Housework that hasn't been done in FOREVER because I NEVER have a free moment from "Little Miss Never Put Me Down."  She played with Daddy for a little bit, then needed to be fed again, then nap time, then eat again, then another nap.  In between all of that, I accomplished A LOT!  It's amazing what I can do when there is someone else to keep that little pea occupied.  It's official - I need a part-time nanny!!!

We never left the house again, just lounged around and I cleaned here and there.  Tomorrow is organizing day and I am ecstatic to get everything in order before classes start next week.  Then, the chaos officially begins!!!

I'm a little nervous.

Tomorrow, Chris and I are finally attending to our first church service here in Granbury.  We have lived here for 4 years and are just now "getting around to it." 

We have only been to church a handful of times since we were married (5 years ago!) - I'm talking probably less than 10 times.

I'm not going to lie, I'm extremely nervous. 

I grew up going to church every single Sunday as a small child.  My mom was the Sunday school teacher and we would attend the sermon after.  I have never been to another church in my life (aside from going with my friends the Sunday after the occasional sleepover and on Wednesdays - because our church didn't have Wednesday night services).

Every since moving here, we have always said we are going to find a church.  "Oh, not this week, maybe next."  Excuses over and over.

The thing is, I think I have been avoiding this moment for a long time.  I never found looked for a church family while in college, or after having babies and getting married.  I guess I just wait for things to come to me, and this was no different.

We started play group a year ago this month, and let me tell ya, there are some wonderful ladies in the group.  The majority go to the same church and I have said for a year now that I'm going to meet them one morning.  

Here, I have had the opportunity....why haven't I taken the leap?

Well, this is why:  I have been very uncomfortable with my spiritual knowledge for, well, forever.  I remember learning bible verses when I was little, but by the time I had reached the age that everything would stick, my family quit going on a regular basis - only holidays.

I believe in God, and Jesus, and I pray daily.  I just don't understand, or know....a lot.

I have a thing about feeling stupid (like how I thought I was great at English until I took a certain instructor in college that just completely beat me down - a story for another day and completely unrelated, just came to mind).  I don't like feeling stupid, and I get extremely discouraged.  I guess I feel what I will call "Bible illiterate."

I don't even know where I placed my Bible...it's MIA!

We have so much to be thankful for in our home and within our family.  It seems like when everything seems to go wrong, something miraculous always happens and it all ends up working out.  I know this is completely God's work and I feel that I owe it to Him to study and learn His word.

So, tomorrow we are meeting one of my play group friends, and this marks the beginning of our new spiritual path in our lives.  I hope we hear what we need to hear and we end up loving this church.  If not, who knows when we will work up the courage to attend services not knowing ANYONE.

If you're at all spiritual, pray for us and our new journey!

I'm at a loss.

Macie and I are the same person.  We butt heads constantly.  We both love each other so much, but we just can't get along for long periods of time.  I know she needs a LOT more attention than I am able to give her {lately}, and I feel terrible that I am not able to give it to her. 

She gets frustrated with me, and I get frustrated with her.  I am so so so sad to admit this.  I mean, I'm her mom, I should be able to figure this out.  I just can't.

I try everything.  I'm nice, I'm mean, she'll get a spanking. 

I expect a lot out of her {and I know I shouldn't, I'm working on that} because she has been so independent her whole life.  She wants to do everything herself, but ever since Macklyn was born, that has changed a little lot.  

I find her getting so angry and frustrated with little things, like putting the straw into the juice box.  She won't even let me help her anymore and gets mad at me for asking to help. 

Then comes the breakdowns -- when she has to leave somewhere and isn't ready.  Tears flow and along with that comes screaming and flailing.  I don't even want to go anywhere fun anymore because of this. 

We have our good days and bad days.  When it's good, it's really good and when it's bad, it's REALLY bad.  I try my VERY hardest to stay calm, and for the most part I do, I just get so tired and exhausted from fighting her to do things {like clean her room ... or pick up her toys}.  

I know Macie loves her sister, but now I wonder if I ruined her by giving her a sibling {that I just knew she needed}.  Don't get me wrong, we wanted another baby, and love Macklyn to pieces and are so happy to have her.  I'm just saying I feel like Macie thinks I just abandoned her or something.  

Maybe we should have waited longer?

Macklyn has been very high maintenance.  She doesn't really want anyone but me, and she has been sick a good portion of her short little life.  No one really wants to keep her, so I'm with her 24/7 -- never any one-on-one time with Macie.

I think I am having a hard time with this just as much as Macie, she just makes her frustration well known.  I understand what all is going wrong, I just have no idea what to do with it.

Sometimes I just wonder what in the heck I'm even doing.

I love that little girl so much, it hurts sometimes.  I just want to be able to make my little girl happy again.

The terrible twos were cake compared to this. 

Life - 1    Erin - 0

10 on {aug.} 10

Well, well - here we are August 10.  When did time start passing in double-time?  Seriously.  

I think the last 10 on 10 I did was back in June.  I'm excited to be back to share our 10th day with you.  We didn't do a whole lot of exciting activities, but we stayed busy and got a few shots in here and there.

I had one goal today :: to get the oil changed in the Tahoe.  I almost forgot, but by golly, the oil is changed and we had fun in between.

10 on 10 :: once a month on the tenth taking a photo an hour for ten consecutive hours. 

Finding much life and beauty among the ordinary things of our day! 

I'm linking up with *a bit of sunshine*

 

1. Headed out for our morning walk with the neighbor girlies.

2. Sweet baby sleeps.  Mommy cleans...bleh.

3. Listening to a little Pandora and up pops Deana Carter "...like strawberry wine...SEEEVENTEEEEN..." 

{{you know what I'm talkin' about}}.

4. Rainbow soap at the car wash.

5. Getting a little messy at Chickfila for lunch {Sissy was too busy for a picture - a trend lately}.

6. Just a neat place that I've been meaning to take a picture of for the past, oh, year or so.

7. Macie scored a new doll today and insisted on taking a pic {hey!} with her.  

{{tiaras were an absolute necessity, according to Macie - for the both of them!}}

8. Bebe feetsies.  Oh, I could just eat 'em!!!
{{and Toe Blooms = OHHHH x 1000}}

9. The girls' new matching outfits.  One of the best parts of having two girlies!

10. The best part of the day.......sleeping bebe.

I did it!

There you have it!
{{pats herself on the back}}

I'm not so good at this blogging thing, but...

I'll give y'all {if there are even many of you} an update with a photo montage:

Let's see, my last post was almost two months ago, so this is going to be all over the place.  You've been WARNED.

I'm taking the advise of my friend Holly, "if you've got 'em, flaunt 'em."

So, we have done a lot and nothing at the same time.  We went to the Dallas Aquarium, visited Aunt Ash, Macie got her first big haircut, and we took a trip to San Antonio (a girls trip, plus Noah - poor guy, he's going to be the only boy).

There you have it, I flaunted away.  There are a TON more, but I'll save those for another post!