Before I was a Mom...

My sister wrote this great post, and so I decided to do the same.  Even though she's not the reader in the family, she's probably the better writer, so go read hers!

But, who am I kidding, before I was a mom I actually had time to read.  Now I only read books made out of cardboard.  Although, this has bumped my reading rate up a bit.  Ya gotta be quick to get all the words in before that page flips!

Before I was a Mom I would have blogged about something when I got the idea, not 4 days later.  I have Eli pictures and updates to do too, but it's a lot to drag out the camera cord and sit down long enough to blog!  : )

Before I was a mom I had a lot more money, although I don't know what the heck I spent it on!  (Not that we're made of money.  I mean, my husband and I are both teachers.)

Before I was a mom grocery shopping was a lot quicker and my house was a lot cleaner (not that it's dirty.  That's one thing I stay on top, the sinks and tubs just doesn't sparkle like they used to!).

Before I was a mom I didn't pee my pants a little every time I sneezed.  Eli spent 39 weeks and 6 days right on top of my bladder.  It happens.  : )

I agree with my sister, before I was a mom, I didn't really know how much my God or my parents loved me.

Before I was a mom, I didn't know how much I loved my husband.

Before I was a mom, I didn't have a clue how much my body could take.  I mean, 39 weeks and 6 days of pregnancy, gained 34 lbs (then lost 50), 24+ hours of labor just to have a c-section, 17 months of breastfeeding, pumping 2x a day at work (everyday for a year), running on very little sleep for weeks on end, and just the every day of keeping up with my little guy.  Motherhood is not for the faint!  But it is certainly worth it!  : )

9/11 - We Remember

Wow, I cannot believe it has been ten years.  I am so thankful for our military (and their families) who defend our country, and for those who defend their communities (fire department, police, EMT, etc.).

Ten years ago today I was sitting in my Honors Trig math class when another teacher flung open the door and yelled that we were being attacked and told us to turn on the tv.  We all sat there in silence.  It was such a somber time.  I have to admit, at that time I didn't know what the World Trade Center was.

After second block that day, I went home (I co-op'd) for lunch and woke my mom up (she was working third shift at the time).  We sat in her bed and watched the news.  I ended up driving to work, and they sent us all one at a time to go buy gas.  Everyone was in a panic.  I was floored that I was having to top my tank off for $1.50/gallon (wouldn't we love to pay that now)!

Our nation has been so different since that day.  We did some 9/11 stuff at school and most of my students had no idea why this day was important.  I am saddened that these kids (and my child) are growing up in a different world than what I did.

The Pentagon, September 11, 2001

For our first wedding anniversary, Wesley and I went to Washington D.C.  It was one of the most fun (and tiring) trips I've ever been on.  We went to the Pentagon twice.  The first time we got to see the memorial outside the Pentagon.

The names of those who lost their lives on the flight and who died simply because they came to work that day.

 (We weren't allowed to take pictures of the actual garden.  We actually weren't allowed to take ANY pictures at the Pentagon, but I didn't want to push my luck too much!)

The second time we went we actually got to walk the halls of the Pentagon (this is us parked AT the front door of the Pentagon, in the spot designated for the Secretary of Defense).  That night was something I will never forget.  You can read more about it here.

We went to the very spot in the Pentagon where the plane crashed and walked through the Pentagon's memorial.  It was indescribable.

Last night we sang Be Thou My Vision at church.  I think it was the third verse really stuck out in my mind; it was so appropriate for today!

Be Thou my battle Shield, Sword for the fight;
Be Thou my Dignity, Thou my Delight;
Thou my soul’s Shelter, Thou my high Tower:
Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my power.

Old Fashioned Blogging

Yesterday we spent the day at Family Reunion. I can only remember going to one true family reunion with my family (although there have been plenty of times where we've all gotten together), but Wesley's family has a 3 day family reunion every July. Last year (my first time to go and just days before our wedding) we spent the entire three days there. This year since I'm pregnant and not sleeping well, I didn't want to attempt to sleep on the bunk beds, so we just went for the day.

We had a great time! Wesley played a lot of sports with "cousins" (I use the term loosely - you know.....those beyond your first cousins) and I did a lot of sitting and talking, or listening really.

The reunion is of Wesley's paternal grandmother. Her maiden name is Jones and there were 13 "original Joneses". I refer to them as the OJ's, ha! I'm not sure if anyone else does this, but it makes sense to me! Maybe its just because I'm pregnant right now - but there is no way I would want to have 13 babies! That means that Mrs. Jones (the matriarch of the family) spent roughly TEN YEARS of her life pregnant - noooo thank you! Some of the OJ's have passed away, but their families are still coming to reunion.

Last night after dinner I sat around listening to Mrs. Taff (Wesley's grandmother, and OJ #9, I think), one of her sisters, and one of her brothers tell stories about when they were growing up. Some of them were very amusing!

One thing I learned about the OJ's is that they have an old-fashioned blog (as I referred to it) it's really a stack of letters they send around to each other. They call it the "JJ" - "Jones Journal."

The JJ starts with OJ numero uno, and he writes a letter to the rest of the family about anything that he chooses. You can write about life, updates on your kids and grandkids, the weather, etc., really just whatever fancies you! Then, that person sends their letter to OJ #2, who reads the letter, and then writes their own letter to add to the pile. This continues all the way to OJ #13, who then sends all 13 of the letters back to OJ #1. After its made a complete round, you write a new letter to replace your old letter, and send the thing on again.

They are currently on round number 141! The length of time it takes to make a round varies. I wish I had asked when the JJ got started, but I didn't (but, I did find out it takes 4 stamps to mail that thing! : ) ). I actually got to look at some of the letters too. Wesley's grandmother's last letter in the JJ was written in Jan. 2010.

Because some of the OJ's have passed away, they just have a representative (like a son or daughter) to write the letter and update everyone on what's going on with that family.

Wesley's grandmother mentioned that she has saved all of her prior letters (all 140 of them), and that they serve as an excellent family history. I was so fascinated by the whole thing. I don't know many families who are so close to each other, enjoy each other, and genuinely care about even the trivial things of each other's lives. I'm lucky to have married into that! : )

Recollections and Memories - 4

Name Your Siblings and Years of Birth

I am the oldest of three.

My sister, Caitlin, was born in 1986. In fact, today is her birthday!

(That's the soon-to-be brother-in-law on the far left.)

My brother, Zachary, was born in 1988. And, his birthday is actually next week!

Recollections and Memories - 3

Share a Childhood Picture.

I had to share this picture.

My family always laughs at this dress, but I picked it out all by myself. I LOVED that dress!

Recollections and Memories - 2

Where were you born? Be specific.

I was born at Flowers Hospital in Dothan, Alabama.

(I can think of nothing else to say today.)

Recollections and Memories

You can read about this new project here.

It sounds interesting to me, and I do love a writing prompt, so here goes nothing!

What was your day and date of birth?

I was born on a Saturday, June 15.

(So BrainBashers.com says anyway. I had to look it up; I didn't know!)

June 15th is the 166th day of the year (non-leap years): 199 days until the New Year!

Other June 15 Babies

Courtney Cox

Helen Hunt

Leah Remini

Jim Belushi

Dean Martin

Ice Cube

On This Date

1752: Benjamin Franklin proves lightning is electricity.

1775: George Washington was appointed commander in chief of the Continental Army.

1836: Arkansas becomes the 25th United State.

1864: Arlington National Cemetery is established.