"Today"

Today I think about my mothers mother, Becky, whom I never had the pleasure to meet at an age where I could remember her. She passed away from a few forms of cancer, when I was only 10 months old. She raised MY MOTHER, so this is why today, I take a moment in prayer, to talk to Grandma Becky. To thank her for raising such a beautifully spirited and loving mother, who is more than my mom but my best friend. I can only imagine that my mom got Becky's best qualities.

Today I think about MY MOTHER. My mother raised me, a single mom in the 80's. In the 80's people got divorced, but not as rampant and as "normally" as they do today. As a young, 22 years old, single mother, whos mother just died, my mom arranged child care for me and still worked full-time. My mother made sure I had everything I NEEDED and I never wanted for a thing besides a puppy. My mom put MY needs over her own. My mom taught me that you get more with sugar than with salt. I watched my mom meet and fall in-love with a wonderful man, who is my step-dad. They together have set a wonderful example for me as to what love is. My mother may not have supported all my terrible decisions, but mistakes she let me make. As I learned from every single one of them, the lessons, she knew from  the start I would learn. I didn't listen to her as much as I should have, yet in the end she was right. Without my mom, I don't know where I'd be today. My mom taught me, without knowing it, how to be a great mother. She taught by example, her hugs were like gold.

Today I think about the little girl, who 3 years ago made me a mother. I think about the way in which she changed my life, for the better. I think about how, if I could do it all over again, I would. Same result. I am a young single mother. When I gave birth I was only 21, I am now 24. I think back to the wonderful example my mom set for me, when she was just in her early 20's. My mom made everything look so easy and here I am trying to do my best and I am lacking the grace and class she had that or she was on heavy drugs...xanax anyone? I look at my daughter and I thank God every single day for allowing me to be her mom. She is wonderful in ways I can not even describe. She is the sole reason I get up in the morning that and I have to go to work, to pay my bills, bills, bills I think about where I would be without her and I can't. She has made my life worth living. The little, sassy, too-smart for her own good, lovable, hyper, caring, crazy haired girl who made me a mother is the reason why I smile.

Today I think about the 4lb ball of fury, my kitten, who made me a pet mom. It's weird how much I love and how little time I have had her. I can't imagine my house without her zipping in and out of bedrooms, pouncing at the most inopportune time. I can't imagine sleeping without her rhythmic purring.

Today I think about ALL mothers. Mothers who carried a child within their body, Mothers who had someone carry their child in their belly- waiting for the day her baby was placed in her arms, Mothers who adopted the child who was created by God and born to be theirs, Mothers who foster children until they find a forever home. Mothers who acquired children through a marriage- loving that child as your own, GODMothers who are there when the child needs a second opinion and who always are more fun than mom,  Mothers of furbabies, because animals are a part of the family and need love, just like a human child.

Today I think about Mothers-to-be and Mothers in-waiting, waiting for a positive hpt, or waiting for the call that your surrogate is in labor or waiting for the call from the agency telling you that your baby was just born.

No matter what type of mother you are, you are a MOTHER and today you should be celebrated. So take a moment and realize that you are wonderful and you deserve a day to relax and be pampered.

Happy Mothers Day to ALL the different types of mothers out there; today is your day.

...

Keep up in between posts, I Tweet , A lot.

xo

-Kandid Kelli

"Five Question Friday"

Welcome to Five Question Friday--the easiest blog hop around!

Rules for 5QF: Copy and paste the following questions to your blog post, answer them, then link up! Remember, most importantly, to HAVE FUN!

Questions for Friday, May 6th: (Special thanks to Lorilynne, Kate,Jolene, @trooppetrie, and@scrumpture for their question suggestions! If YOU would like to be linked in a future Five Question Friday, c'mon over to my community and offer up your best question suggestions! Feel free to shout 'em out to me [@5crookedhalos] on twitter using hashtag #5QF, as well!) (Weird...for some reason this paragraph always gets all wonky when I copy and paste!)

1. Have you ever had roommates?

Yes, in college; I was not a fan. There was Stephanie & Kristen- first, Then Hayley, Startice & Kristen in the dorms, then two others who names have slipped my mind at my off campus apartment & Courtney in my condo. Girls are so catty. I stayed with some guy friends of mine for a few months, b/c I walked in on my roommates whos names I can't remember, doing coke on the coffee table, I had to get out of there! I enjoyed staying with the guys much better. Guys make better roommates than girls do. 

2. How many names do you/your children have? (i.e. Prince Charming William Phillip Arthur Louis John JacobJingleheimer-Schmidt)

I have a first, middle and last name and my daughter has a first, middle and last name. So we each have 3. 

3. Did you watch the Royal Wedding?

I did not get up at 4am to watch but when my alarm went off for work at 645 I turned it on and watched until the "kiss". Waiting that long for the kiss made me late for work.

4. What is the messiest room in your house?

Its a toss-up between the office/guest room or the dining room- everything gets tossed on the table and the chairs. Shoes get taken off and left by the table, etc. Every room in my house gets messy, I have a toddler but I pick-up everynight. My room gets neglected, only picked-up once a week, usually Sunday afternoon.

5. What is your ideal mothers day?

Spending the day with my mom and my beautiful daughter, who made me a mother. Going to church in the morning followed by a nice lunch out and maybe some swimming and just hanging out at my moms house. Just a nice relaxing day. I can't say I want to be spoiled b/c my boyfriend, TM, already spoils me. 

...

Keep up in between posts, I Tweet , A lot.

xo

-Kandid Kelli

"Goodies"

I had the best Mother's day I have ever had, this year, 10 days ago, damn procrastination. I got to spend it with my 2 lovelies.

Sunday is our family day. Its M's only full day off (he works 1/2 days Saturdays). So its the only FULL day we have as a family & boy do we take advantage.

Mothers Day started early for me as I bought myself this VERY VERSITILE (and awesomely "GREEN") purse in my favy color... its more purple in person. (UrbanJunket): Originally $105...on sale for $32 through Jasmere.com .



Wondering why I bought MYSELF something? Well M has this theory... Im NOT his mother... so why should he have to get me something? My thoughts are that I am the mother of "his" child and that is to be celebrated with lots of wonderful goodies. So I didn't think I was going to get anything, and I was perfectly fine dealing with it. So I got myself something.

I am a good mom. I deserve a little something every now & again. So what if I have a lot of purses and shoes. This was a GOOD deal, plus its good for MOTHER earth... it was MOTHER'S day after all (earth day wasn't so long ago either!). That arrived in the mail on the Thursday before MD. Yay! The same day I received the purse from my mom . We are so much alike.

I had a big project due the following week so I was working my butt off all weekend, Saturday (the day before MD) E and I needed to run to ACMoore for some supplies for my project, as I walk outside my FIL directs my attention to these:



"These are yours, they're from E" I got the biggest smile on my face. M never ceases to amaze me. At this point E says "Mama meme give you flowers!! Meme gives you flowers!!!!" She was so excited. Not even 5 mins later I get a txt :

"Do you like them? Happy Mothers Day baby"




Then on Sunday M asks me if I want a special breakfast... "No just waffles & coffee, but you will make it wrong so I did it already" So while we were eating he handed me a card...

"Happy Mothers Day" ($25 GC to target!)
"I won't dare try to pick out something (clothes/shoes wise) for you"

I wasn't expecting anything else b/c I got the flowers & even that was more then what I was expecting b/c of his philosophy. I was pleasantly surprised, and he could tell by the big smile on my face. With my GC I got:
This colorful, perfect for summer, [& PERFECT length, which for someone 5foot is hard to do], Maxi Dress, A cute, flowy, T-Back black tank; with sequin accents (hard to see in pic) and my favs purple/berry colored ballet flats w.ruffles. These go w. over half my closet (and my new dress & shirt since its black!):



So versitile & comfy.



We also went to the outlets, b/c I had been wanting to go forever. What better day then Mothers Day? While there I got a few cardigans from Gap and a shirt for $10 from Banana Republic, thats a steal, yall! I bought E a pair of Neon, hurts your eyes they are so bright, pink crocs but not the typical style. She got these:




Over all it was a great day. Sadly it led into one of the worst weeks we've had since we've lived up here. She got yet another ear infection, we experienced the day from hell , she got a stomach bug, then she got a little better and I got sick. Now we are all healthy and we can look back and smile b.c thats LIFE. It happens.

Thanks to my wonderful fiancee & daughter (and mom too a few days before) for the best Mothers Day yet.

...

See yall tomorrow!

Don't miss a beat, keep up in between posts, I Tweet , a lot.

xo
-Kandid Kelli

"May 10, 2009"

--Disclaimer: This has to do with religion, I know some are not comfortable with religion or God. Thats fine, this is MY blog & no one is forcing you to read it, I suggest I you are uncomfortable with the topic that you do not read todays post. It's as easy as that. I will not tolerate: mean, hateful or nasty comments. Period. The End.



One year ago TODAY (mother's day last yr)- I made the decision to dedicate my daughter, usually it would have been done when she was just a month old but GD was still hanging around, like a bad fungus, said "No way". As 1/2 of her genetics, I said fine, then took a shower and cried. I wanted MY daughter to be dedicated.

That doesn't mean God wasn't present EVERY SINGLE DAY, just b/c she wasn't dedicated.

A baptist dedication is not a baptism, she can get baptized if/when she knows and understands what it means. Until then I wanted to take a part in my daughters Christian upbringing.

When you have your child dedicated you go up in front of the entire congregation and your pastor asks if you're willing to raise your child in a godly way. Before I had her dedicated I was very sporadic in my attendance at church. Holiday's, Family Occasions, etc.

Not only did I dedicate to raise my daughter that the Lord comes first, but I dedicated my own life. After that day, I started to attend church regularly, again. The way I saw it was, I was raised in that church and my daughter deserved the same better.

When I woke her in Sundays, I used to say "It's church day!! Are you ready to go to God's house?" I loved seeing how excited she got. I CAN NOT WAIT until June to see that same excited expression on her face again. She is so loved by the nursery staff & by our entire church family. All of whom watched me grow & mature. I can't wait for them to all watch her grow & mature. They've already watched her for a yr.

I am so glad I made the decision to have her dedicated. I talk to her about Jesus & he amazing unwavering love. I am not perfect, but I do the best job I can.

I couldn't think of a way to get on her level, so I was talking to my good friend and she suggested "Veggie Tales"- at first E was not interested, now she loves her "Amato". After we get done watching, I always talk to her about it. I don't want to loose a chance to talk to her about the Lord.

She was given a small chapter of the bible when she was dedicated. I think she is still to young ROUGH to have that yet, so it still sits on the VERY TOP of her book shelf, that is something I want her to treasure when she is a little gentler with her things.

To make it an even more special day, her Godmother, Hayley, my best friend of 20+ years drove 2 hours to be in attendance. It was a beautiful day.

Here are a few pictures- [HK tried to take a few while E was actually being dedicated but my small P&C cams flash wasn't good enough and the pics inside the church didn't show up. I know someone from the church staff took some. I should hunt those down & have HK thow those in the back of the 2009/2010 (#2) Scrappie. HAHA. ily.]

All the moms- Godmommy Hayls, Mama Me, 13mon old E & My Mom aka 'Nana':


My Dad aka 'PePaw', E, Stepmom Jane aka Grandma, not so little 10y/o sister Destiny:


Godmommy & E


...

I have a small poster to do & I have to type up standards and I AM DONE with work for this semester! Woohoo.

Don't miss a beat, keep up in between posts, I Tweet , a lot.

xo
-Kandid Kelli

"I am..."

I got the idea for this list from Hailey over at Be Serious . With Mother's Day on Sunday, I thought it was fitting.



...

A... Short Order Cook who can whip something up for the pickiest 2y/o I have ever met. Usually After she has her food and I have mine, I see her little blues eyeing mine and we switch but sometimes I want MINE, so I have learned to have a back-up for these occasions.

A... 5 star chef who can make cheap meals taste gourmet. I rock.

A... Top Notch Bargainer telling my 2y/o if she does this, she can have this (toy- that was taken away b/c of not listening or a single piece of candy as a treat) as a reward for listening- THE FIRST TIME ASKED. The deal goes out the 'window' after the first time.

An... Architect who can build the biggest best block house for 'little people' - it's so awesome, it withstands the town giant, shes 36.5 in of 2y/o terror. I can also put together christmas & birthday presents in record time. I am a wiz w/a screwdriver!

A... Vet who can make puppies and monkeys better with a quick wrap of a blankie and a "all better now", sometimes a smooch is necessary in the more serious cases.

A... Dental Hygienist who has not only learned how to get my stubborn child open her mouth for a proper brushing but I have taught her how to do it so when I am done she does it herself. I have caught her in there trying to 'brush feeth Mama!". I call that a BIG FAT WIN.

A... Translator who is constantly decoding the ramblings of a 2y/o. Most everything she says is coherent but when she gets going too fast/excited translation is needed.

An... Octopus which means I can do numerous things at once b/c of course I have 8 arms & keep it all in order, I checked my sanity at the front desk of the hospital when I gave birth.

A... Teacher who is teaching my 2y/o major life lessons & how to count to 20 (we've got up to 15 so far) & her ABC's & work on reading too, I am ambitious- all before pre-school @ age 3!


A... Pharmacist who has mastered the art of administering eye drops and antibiotics to a child who runs a hides at the mention of meds (bribery, what?).

A... Dr. with magical healing powers, I can heal any boo-boo with a kiss and the sporadic mini (yes it has to be those annoying mini ones) Band-Aid.

A... Fitness Instructor who has convinced myself that dancing with my toddler around the house serves as an aerobic workout.

A... Choreographer who can choreograph a rad routine to Phineas & Ferb, Whitney Duncan, Laura Bell Bundy & the like if we're gunna be rocking out around the house kiddo has got to have moves!

A... Make-Up Artist b/c my toddler is obsessed with getting into my make-up, and wants "MORE ippysticks".

A... Costume Designer b/c when my girl plays dress-up, it gets serious, its more then playing in mommy's clothes & jewerly, she wants to be "so cute!".

A... Detective that can use clues to find where my child is hiding & why. She usually only hides when she knows shes done something 'wrong'.

A... Maid I have tried to give up the job, clothes, bathroom & dishes still get dirty- who would've thunk it?

A... Plumber who unclogs a very clogged toilet when a 'little peson' and too much TP is flushed. I tried to save the little person, but my attempts were futile. The prince now resides in our septic tank. RIP.

A... Chauffeur that is terrible at the whole driving thing, ask anyone who has taken a ride.

I wear many hats.

I am a Daughter to a GREAT mom.

I am a bestfriend .

I am Kelli.

I am a mother.

A mother is all those things and more.

Happy Mothers Day to ALL the Mothers I know & to all those expecting.

...

This is the purse I got from my mom for mothers day! Isn't it beautiful! (I got the pic off the website b/c Im tool azy to actually take a pic)

**I has PURPLE inside & out, My mama knows me soo well!!!**


...

Keep up in between posts, I Tweet , A lot.

xo
-Kandid Kelli