The Rest is Still Unwritten: Alaina

Showing posts with label Alaina. Show all posts

Sunday, June 5, 2016

Spreading Kindess

Ready to lend our helping hands!

I knew keeping up with this blog would be tough, but I'm only four days behind so progress, right? This last week has been nothing short of crazy and busy but we managed to get in our act of kindness and a bit of fun girl time while doing it.

Let's start off with some food for thought:

Did you know that 15.3 million children lived in food-insecure households in 2014?

The USDA defines "food insecurity" as the lack of access, at times, to enough food for all household members. In 2011, households with children reported a significantly higher food insecurity rate than households without children: 20.6% vs. 12.2%.

According to The Galveston County Food Bank's website, Feeding America estimates that roughly 53,660 Galveston County residents are in need of emergency food assistance in a single year. That is 1 in 5 of our neighbors in Galveston County, compared to the national average of 1 in 6.

Breaking apart toothbrushes for our care packages.

These are peoples babies, y'all. Yes, I get it, get a job. Do better for yourself and your family.

Ok, actually, no, I don't get it. THESE ARE PEOPLE'S BABIES! We don't know everyone's life circumstances. We don't know what people have been through. Sure people make bad decisions, but why can't we sometimes choose to look beyond those decisions...or to realize that those precious, perfect babies are victims of circumstance? Can't we choose to be the hands and feet of Jesus.

This household lives a comfortable life. We are privilege beyond measure. Maybe even a bit entitled and often in need of a reality check.

And that's why this week's project was so perfect for Lainey and I to participate in for our Summer of Kindness Act 2.

Last week, we volunteered with an organization I love and have been a member of for 6 years. The program works to provide food for children in food-insufficient homes. There so many aspects to this program, including tutoring, book distribution and more, but we participated in a one-night stuffing event. I took the mini-me down to our building to fill bags with toiletries and snacks to send home with kids to help them get through their weekend.

Can you imagine not knowing where your next meal is going to come from? Worse, can you imagine not knowing where your BABY'S next meal will come from?

Lainey and I helped stuff 65 bags to send home with kids who live in food-insufficient homes. On the way down there, she had no interest in helping. She was concerned that the kids will want to take her toys or her own food -- we are doing this project for a reason, y'all -- but once we got there, she was ready to work!

She stuffed and stuffed until she broke a sweat. I don't think she truly understood what we were doing, this act may have been above her maturity level a bit, but she did it. She worked hard and she was proud of herself. And that's a lesson, too.

Kindness is something I have to work on every second of every day. I am short-tempered and I lack patience entirely. If I want to teach my daughter to be kind, genuine, compassionate woman, it starts with me. So maybe this project is to teach me to be kind and to think of others first just so she can be witness to it.

Week 2, that's a wrap.

Catching a quick rest -- on the Pilates Reformer -- post volunteer bath.

Monday, March 4, 2013

It's getting close

The day I've been dreading for almost 8 months is right around the corner. My due date.

Baby number 2 should be making his or her grand entrance into this world in just five weeks. But he/she isn't. And I am still not expecting.

While it's been tough, I can say, I think I am reaching a place of peace with the whole thing. I'm ok. I've reached a place where even if I don't have more babies, I think I will be just fine with the perfect little girl that I do have.

I am blessed and I know that. Finally. It has taken me since Septemeber to get here, but here I am.

Look at this face!

Despite it all, things are great. I am happy. Really, life couldn't get better unless another little one did join our family.

Things are moving along with our new house and we should be in at the end of summer. I am so excited about this I can hardly wait!

Finally permitting our lot! Ready to see some concrete!

Things with my headbands are going amazingly well! I'm actually stocking merchandise in a boutique now! It's crazy how things work out. Be sure to take a look at my Facebook page. I am annoucinging a giveaway tomorrow! I will soon play catch up on my blog reading! My google reader is out.of.control!

Thursday, November 8, 2012

A Thanksgiving Dress...

Last week I won a $50 gift card from Shabby Apple from Heather's blog and I wanted so much! But, like so many mommies do, I used the gift card to get Lainey's Thanksgiving dress! I was super sad because the dress I wanted wasn't available in her size but then I saw this:

Strawberry Patch Dress
Photo from Shabbyapple.com

Super adorable, right?! I love it. I got some brown boots for her to wear with it. Can't wait to show y'all after Thanksgiving...And fingers crossed it gets here on time!

I love it. Now, I need to find out what this mama is going to wear!

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

New Look and Lainey's Birthday Part 2!

I am so excited about the new look of my blog! Thanks to the lovely Jenn at Munchkinland Designs for hooking me up big time!

Jenn was super patient with me when it took me almost 3 months to finally get my order going and never called me crazy once. At least not to my face. ;)

And...continuing with Lainey's birthday party! Part Two:

I was so amazed that she actually sat and opened every single present!

Like her mommy, she loves presents!

with daddy and grandma

with mommy and grandma

lots of friends!

I love how she loves her Uncle Jason

Come back tomorrow as I will have another giveaway for all of the mommies of little girls to help celebrate my new blog layout and my newest obsession....

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Mother's Helper...Let's face it, sometimes it's just hard.

Sometimes being a stay at home mom is hard. It is the best job in the entire world. I wouldn't trade it, but it's hard. You can't ask for a break without sounding like you don't want to be around your little one but at the same time, it's nearly impossible to get anything done.

Moms who work think you are wasting your college degree and other stay at home moms judge every decision you make, like since you are a stay at home mom, your child should be perfect.

I'm still struggling to find thebalance. Is it ok to let Lainey play on her exercise mat alone while I iron clothes or clean bottles? I'm sure it's fine, but the haunting guilt does nothing to help me feel that it is, in fact, ok.

Not to mention working out. That, itself, has been a major task.

I try to tackle as much as I can while she's napping but she's a pretty poor napper. I'm lucky to get a 30 minute nap out of her. But, she gives me about 4-30 minute naps a day...Hence, the difficulty actually getting to work out.

If it were possible, I would spend every second of every single day snuggling that little cutie, but I know that isn't good for either one of us.

Taking a time out when B gets home is difficult as well. He works a lot and long hours so when is home, I like to spend time together as a family.

Enter: The Mother's Helper.

This is something I first heard of on Real Housewives of New York City. I remember thinking Luann was a lazy parent for having a Mother's Helper. Oh how quick we are to judge...

Well, I have actually hired a Mother's Helper/babysitter. A high school student from my church will be coming by three days a week, starting today, to help out. She will come by after school, actually during Lainey's nap time, to keep an eye on my bug so I can go for a run or get in a workout and do a few things around the house. She will be here for approximately 2 hours.

My goal is to have this be Lainey's nap time so that I don't have to spend too much time away from her. However, if she wakes up, I don't have to immediately hop off the treadmill to attend to her. Our helper can do that. She's a wonderful girl, and I actually used to be her babysitter! And that makes me feel old...

So, what is your take on the Mother's Helper?

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Random Ramblings with a video

Not much to post about today. Just a few thoughts I've had that I'd like to get out, I guess.

Tomorrow I will be 28 years old. And I'm actually excited about this.
I have officially submitted my first article of the year to my editor. About cupcakes. Sweet.
Last night I couldn't sleep because all I wanted to do was stare at Lainey. She is growing way too quickly and sometimes I feel like there just isn't enough time in the day to spend with her.
If I was extremely wealthy, like a billionaire, I would probably have 5 kids. No joke.
I told Bobby I have two ideas for books. But I'm pretty sure most of America couldn't handle the level of sarcasm they would be written with. Except for maybe the Chelsea Handler crowd.
The thought of taking Lainey to Costa Rica is starting to freak me out. But I'm still uber excited.
I big pink puffy heart Rob Lowe. He's so dreamy.
Today Lainey is having a playdate with two cute little boys. Already.
I miss my sister. Lainey was sick, then my nephew was sick. Makes it hard for us to get together.
I'm still convinced Lainey looks like me.

Me in 1984 at 9 months

Lainey this morning. I had to use this picture because it was so cute! She is giggling like crazy!

This is Lainey getting up and ready for the day. Cutie Pie!!

Monday, January 2, 2012

3 Months...

Dear Lainey,

Today you are 3 months old. Wow, where has the time gone?! Each and every day I feel more blessed to have you in my life. I promise that I will hold you and love on you as long as you will let me. And even then, I may fight you for a big squeeze.

You are incredible and an obvious reminder that we serve an increible and loving God.

You have recently discovered your hands and they are always in your mouth! You have also started reaching for toys and you are so much fun to watch.

You are very, very ticklish and I love hearing your big belly laughs! Everyday before bathtime mommy tickles the heck out of you because your laugh is the sweetest sound I have every heard.

You look just like me, to me. And you look just like daddy, to daddy.

Sometimes I am amazed at how much love you have brought out in me. I didn't know I could love this much.

You are growing quickly, stretching out your 0-3 mths clothes and fitting snugly in 3 mths. Soon we will have to 3-6! Right now you are getting over a tummy bug (and heaven help them if I find out who gave it to you!) and at your doctor's appointment, we found out you now weigh 11 pounds 10 ounces. You are currently in the 40th percentile for height and weight. In other words, you are perfect.

You are sleeping great through the night, usually from 9:30 p.m. to 9:30 a.m. You are only a somewhat decent napper but hey, I'll take whatever sleep you want to give me!

You are currently eating 5 ounces every 3 hours. Mommy tried her hardest to breastfeed but it just didn't work out.

You, my child, are absolutely incredible and so, so loved. You are my entire world.

Love,

Mommy

Saturday, December 31, 2011

A Year In Review...In Photos

Wow, I cannot believe this year is already over. I guess being pregnant the entire year (at least that's what it felt like!) helped it fly by extra quickly.

Last year we rung in the New Year with a few friends. Nothing too crazy because I was not so secretly hoping I was pregnant. I wasn't.

The weekend after the New Year, I celebrated my 27th birthday with a big surprise party. Way to go, B! This was such a fun night and I was so happy to have all of my friends show up for me!

And two weeks after that...I got this:

What a happy day!

We celebrated other birthdays with friends, and I pretended to be on medicine so they wouldn't be suspicious as to why I was skipping out on extra cheap, delicious beer