Changes....

I am taking the plunge! Diving in head first! Wearing the little yellow polka dot bikini...... I have invested in a fancy smashncy new camera and a few lenses. I have always loved taking pictures. As a young girl my grandpa ward always had a fancy camera with him 24-7. It always interested me, and I was often caught with it snapping photos and giggling! Since I have had Ian I have been come a little obsessed passionate about capturing every moment. So I have the camera and now I am going to start the never ending process of teaching myself how to use it.

I love like teaching! I love my students! I love that we have a love hate relationship most days. What I want more is to be getting paid to do what I love, while also getting to stay at home with the one thing I love even more.

My hope/goal is to learn as much as I can over the next year and be proud and confident for that. having my name out there and having my own business next summer! Being a photographer has aways been a goal of mine. I encourage my students everyday to write down and think about their goals and work hard at achieving them. I am finally taking my own advice.

Goal making will be has to be a big part of my plan. I really had no idea where to start...so I told myself, meliss, just start-Just Do It! Camera ordered and delivered, lenses ordered and delivered, cute bag for the gear being made, first class signed up for (Feb.20th). Next I am heading to check out a few books from the library, reading blogs, looking at photos, and taking them!!

Right now I am running on faith, love, and passion...letting god teach me these things, and hoping he doesn't let me lose momentum. Am I afraid I may not succeed? Of course, I am human. However my grandfather always told me 'every minute you doubt yourself is a minute you can't get back'.

I have the passion it is going to take to learn, the patience I am working on.....I know it will be a process of trial and error while learning the who-what-where-when-and why of photography.

I have my end goal in mind and am focused on reaching it.

wish me luck....



Flatout...{Pizza}

My Mr. loves pizza, with chicken wings of course....excuse me buffalo wings. So I have been enrolled online with WW since the week after Thanksgiving. ( I know, I know...please forgive me for not letting you in on this little secret....I will post later about it.) Anyhow.....I knew with his pizza cravings I had to find a way to make pizza he would like, and also keep it healthy for me. Flatouts! We love them- we use them for sandwiches, quesadillas, breakfast wraps, ect.....why did I think think of this sooner? Y'all it was delicious! And for half the pizza 6 points! 6, which leave the other half for lunch!

Gather the following:

1. The number of flatouts you desire. (This is your 'crust')

2. 1/4 cup of mozzarella cheese

3. 1/4 cup of cheddar cheese

4.1/2 cup of marinara

5. 8 slices of turkey pepperoni

6. peppers, red onions, and mushrooms sauteed up

First you must saute up your veggies.

Next you place the flatouts directly on the oven rack for 4 min @ 350 degrees.

Then place the marinara, and cheese, followed by pepperoni, and veggies

Place on pizza stone and bake at 350 degrees for about 6 minutes.....

The result...

Pizza even the Mr. will love! Enjoy!!

Sunday {Funday, Football, and a giveaway}

A lot going  on today. Sunday's always seem to be full no matter how many times I say to myself, "Were just going to relax today.", ha, who am I kidding? We started off the morning making Chocolate Chip Pancakes. Ian was a big helper by stirring in the chocolate chips, followed by handing me the bowl and saying, "All Done!". Bless his little heart.

After this was playtime of course, and then nap time. Yes, I did nap today when Ian did. I was exhausted, and it felt good! Then Mr. and I sat down and decided what we were going to have for dinner this week, and made our grocery list. Our grocery bill has been seeming to increase over time, and I came up up with a little solution. I was inspired by Lianne over @ a content housewife. I saw this  Menu Board she made, and that had a tutorial. I loved it, and it sparked an idea for me. If I make a menu before we go grocery shopping I will not buy anything that I do not need. (This is the problem that has made our bill keep increasing. The "oh its on sale let's get it.")I will also post it, so we stick to it! 2 weeks and it's going really well. I followed her tutorial and added a few flower embellishments. Love it!

When we returned it was Daddy time for Ian so of course, I started browsing through my favorite blogs. And guess what...Lisa @ Lisa Leonard Designs is having another giveaway, 2, TWO, did I say 2, $50.00 gift cards, and a free coupon code that is good until tonight at midnight for 15% off. All you have to do is go to her blog and leave a message on how you plan to spend your Valentine's Day this year! That simple. You may blog it, tweet it, facebook it for extra entries.

Here is our wishful thinking....

 

Now it's Football time!!!! Mr. says, "Go Packers!", I say, "Go Jets, GO , go, GO!", Ian says, "go jets". hehe

I hope his team, and my team win, it will make Super Bowl Sunday so much fun!!! Love you babe, but the JETS will win!

Go Jets!

Happy Sunday Y'all

Getting to Know You {2011}

Michelle over at Imperfectly Wonderful World is linking up a Getting to know you 2011. I have gained a handful of new followers so I thought this would fun! Join in! If you do please leave me a comment that you do , so I may read your post!

Getting to Know You {2011}

1. What time did you get up this morning?

7:12 A.M.

2. Pearls or diamonds?

Diamonds

3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema?

It's been way too long. It was right before Ian was born: The Christmas Carol

4. What is your favorite TV show?

Private Prcatice

5. What do you usually have for breakfast?

oatmeal and coffee

6. What is your middle name?

Ann

7. What food do you like the least?

crockpot chicken wings, they are just too slimy for me

8. What is your favorite CD at the moment?

The Only I currently Listen to is Baby Genuis Favorites -2 Full Hours. Ian is obsessed.

9. What kind of car do you drive?

Dodge Journey, and Hyundai Accent

10. Favorite Sandwich?

Veggie

11. What characteristic do you despise?

People who are dishonest and manipulative ( I have to agree with Michelle) and negative

12. Favorite item(s) of clothing?

Express Jeans, Yoga Pants, Jets Sweatshirt by Victoria Secret

13. If you could go anywhere in the world for vacation, where would you go?

 I LOVE to travel...but Australia and Iceland

14. What color is your bathroom?

Baked Scone

15. What is your favorite brand of clothing?

NY & Co., Gap, J.Crew

16. Where would you retire?

Lake Tahoe, California

17. What was your most recent memorable birthday!

21, big deal. Lake Placid Pub & Brewery, good times!

18. Favorite sport to watch?

Hockey, Football, Baseball, Soccer

Anything but Nascar, is that even a sport?

19. Favorite saying?

You are responsible for you no matter what anybody else says or does.

(This may be a bit overuse din my classroom as well.)

20. When is your birthday?

February 18th

21. Are you a morning person or night person?

Morning

22. Are you part of the problem or the solution?

Tough question. I feel it depends on the situation and who you talk you. But I like to solve problem and not be involved in conflict.

23. Do you have any pets?

Dog: Monroe

Cat: Riggs

24. Any new and exciting news you would like to share with us?

For my 30th birthday, although it is still about 28 days away my family bough tme a Nikond3100 with 2 different lenes. Also I am attending a photography class in Atlanta to learn all about shutterspeeds and aperture.

25. What did you want to be when you were little?

A hair dresser.

26. How are you today?

I'm great, it's Saturday! The weather is great. Spending the day with e-man while daddy is at the office. Lot's of dancing, playing trucks, and eating goldfish:)

27. What is your favorite candy?

Cadbury Eggs, it's a good thing they only come out once a year. Reese's Penutbutter Cups are my weakness.

28. What is your favorite flower?

Gerber Daisy

29. What is a day on the calendar you are looking forward to?

February 20, it's the day I am taking the Atlanta Urban Experience: DSLR class.

30. What are you listening to right now?

I believe little bo peep is on the cd player, and Ian is saying, "tank you", fo rhis goldfish crackers.

31. Do you wish on stars?

Yes

32. If you were a crayon, what color would you be?

Purple

33. How is the weather right now?

Cold- but the sun is bright!

34. What is your favorite soft drink?

Cherry Limeade from Sonic

35. What is your favorite restaurant?

Carabba's Italian Grill, Jimmy's 21

36. Natural hair color?

Dark brown

37. Siblings?

Monaca, Lance, and Paul. Brother-in-law: Shawn

38. Favorite day of the year?

Christmas

39. What was your favorite toy as a child?

Softball, Glove, and Bat...I grew up to hate it becuase my parents pushed it on me. I will never push a sport on Ian.

40. Summer or Winter?

Summer--no school! I am a teacher!

41. Hugs or Kisses?

Both

42. Coffee or tea?

Iced Tazo Tea

43. Chocolate or Vanilla?

Both Mixed: a Twist

44. Favorite season?

Fall

45. Last time you cried?

Monday. Ian was so sick and in so much pain I felt helpless, and I hated it. It broke my heart. I wish I could of taken the pain for him. He is much better!

46. What is under your bed?

Nothing, well maybe some lint balls.

47. What is your favorite smell?

Home for the Holidays (Yankee Candle)

48. What are you afraid of losing?

My jumpdrive. It has all my lesson plans and files along with all my pictures of my family and Ian since he was born. I really need to invest in an external hardrive.

49. Salty or sweet?

A littl eof each, I like how they compliment each other.

50. How many keys are on your key ring?

3, one for each car, the the house key.

51. How many years at your current job?

7

52. Favorite day of the week?

Thursday, it means tomorrow is Friday!

53. What was the last thing you had to drink?

Cranberry Juice

54. Ever go to camp?

Does Youth Commission Count?

55. Favorite book?

To Killa Mockingbird. A guy I dated in college, ok Doug, bought me a first edition for Christmas one year, it is aweosme!

Thanks for taking the time to get to know a little bit more about me!



Back to the Grind

After 10 days off from our wintery mixed, and 2 extra for little man not feeling well, it was back to the grind today. Bittersweet if you ask me.....but I did miss this view:

Giggles and Lunch Date

Today, I stayed home one more day with my little man. Just to make sure he was definetly back to himself. He sure was!!! Well besides the weezing, which is a horrible noise. A noise I thought I would only ever hear in one of those horribly made scary movies.

So it was back to giggles, and fun! We even got out for a lunch date at our favorite place, Tin Roof Cafe. If you are ever driving through west Georgia, i sugest you stop, and have a sweet tea, and banana pudding!

Free Valentines Day Subway Art Printable

Jessica at Craftily Ever After designs fabulous Subway Art for all Holidays. I have to say that I have been downloading them since I discovered her blog! he is at it again with the new Valentines Day Subway Art.



This 8x10 printable is also available in her  Etsy Shop, or if you would like to have it for free (!) please write a post about it on your blog, linking back to her, so that your friends can know about it too! In the comments area of her blog, leave  your email address and the link to your blog post and she will email you the image! That Simple!


(You might notice that her version is personalized with 'Dave &Jessica' which will be substituted with 'red & white' for everyone else!)


I can't wait to add it to my Valentine Decor!! (see this post)

Sleepless Nights...

Since Thursday Ian had been having very sleepless nights. He kept waking up, fussing, and screaming. Since he still has only 1 tooth, and and half of the next Mr. and I figured that it was his teeth. Sunday that changed. While watching the Jets game- GO JETS!, Ian was laying on me and was burning up! 103.5 YIKES! This is where I start to question myself, Was I bad Momma? Were all those cries because he is ill, and I blamed it on those delayed teeth? Monday, 103.5...102.0......103.7...calling the Dr. Advised to give him Tylenol/Motrin, and monitor the fever. If it doesn't go away call back. Well of course it will go away that is what those medicines are made for. So it did 101.2........and then back up 103.5 Were off to the doctor. Ugh. Yet another ear infection. How do these things keep creeping up on us. His 5th since he was born.

Please tell me What causes these things? Is their anything I am doing that is causing them?

All he wanted was his momma. All momma wanted was for him to feel better. It was the worst feeling in the world knowing he was in pain, and uncomfortable. My cuddling soothed him. I guess it's true that it's the little things.  He feel asleep on my chest tonight holding our Family Tree Necklace. It was so precious. Mr snapped a picture for me. It will be framed and hung up! If you would like your own check out Lisa's Shop, and Blog. She has some beautiful pieces! P.S. If you sign up for her newsletter you get 15% off your first order!

Who's your Monkey?

Today we had a play date with some friends at Monkey Joe's! All the kids had a great time, I am pretty sure all the Momma's did too!! Let me tell you running around with Ian, and climbing up the slides with a 25lb boy on your back is a work out. I was sweating more than I have been during my runs lately, no joke. I needed a shower when I got home! Needless to say to answer the question....Ian and Momma are your monkey!

Love me some {Banana Pudding}

My boy is all Southern, I think this proves it!

He sure loves banana pudding. I had never even heard of it until I moved to Georgia. Y'all the people here will wrestle you for the last serving!

Cabin Fever

Having a full week off from work, and E-man being at daycare, and Mr. having the first 3 days, we did have a bit of cabin fever silliness.

Ian tried convincing Roe Dog to take him out...got a bit upset...demanded he go, and finally found lunch!

        Dada and Ian skated in the Cul-da-Sak, Ian turned into a Boston Fan, Wake Up Dada, I'm a GooF!

                                         Momma and Ian were just plain Silly, and Lovin' it!

{heart} day decor

Once Cabin Fever set in from a week off from work, and lots of blog stalking, I was inspired to decorate for Valentine's Day. I must warn you Mr. and I do not celebrate this day the way the average American does. We both have a philosophy that we do not need a special day to celebrate our love when we love each other every day. However, my house has felt naked since my Christmas decor went down, and I love switching up the decor. I was mostly inspired from Lisa @ Lisa Leonard Designs. So I have to give her credit.

Mantle Makeover

I added 2 picture frames that I bought at {Michael's} and painted myself. I also added a glass vase as well with river rocks and twigs. On the twigs I hung Red Glitter Hearts which gave it just the right touch.
They were purchased at {Hobby Lobby.}

                             Red Wooden Heart {Michael's, $1.00}, Hand Print was Mother's Day Gift.

                                     Foam Hearts $7.00 for a pack of 30, XOXO sign $1.00 {Michael's}

                                      Foam Hearts $7.00 for a pack of 30, Love Letter sign $1.00 {Michael's}

 Top Right: I ran with the color theme. I had this old Christmas Card, and found it fitting with the colors, and since I was truly inspired to redo the mantle. Middle: Dot Glass is from Ikea. It's always son the dinning room table I just switch out it's decor depending on the holiday/season. Love Box Heart was just a top I had laying around from a gift years ago. Glitter hearts left over from the box of ordiments I used on the branches. {Hobby Lobby}

Top Right: Frame painted from {Michales} again going with the color theme. Art inside are Ian's hand prints layed on top of one another.

Bottom: String of hearts are foam hearts from {Michael's} 30 pack, strung together by yard I had laying around!



Ice Day

So not only did we have 2 snow days here in the ATL, we ended up with 3 Ice days after that. So yes, I had the whole week off. I know your super jealous, but believe me cabin fever set sin on about day 3 and I was going crazy.  So we did what any family would of done in this situation, take charge of the ice/snow. We got out, we had too.

The backyard....our very own skating rink!

                                                           Are we in the Adirondacks?

                                                        Ahhhh. This is slippy stuff Momma!

Sledding {Ian and Momma}

Ian thought the snow was a "ball", I had to correct him! Silly Boy.

Snow Days... {2 in a row}

Today we didn't have school because we received about 5 inches of a snow-ice mix  yesterday.  Everyone who lives in places where it snows regularly in the winter just laughs at how the world stops for five inches in Georgia. Growing up in the North- I get it. I want to giggle as well. However the South is very unprepared unlike the North, which is what makes it about 10 times worse than it seems. Think about it- we have about 3 plows, and a few truck loads of sand and slat in Atlanta, how would lake Placid survive on that?  It's true that we don't know how to handle snow and icy roads.

So at the Murphy's we have taken full advantage of our days:

We have danced.

We have colored.

We have finger painted.

We have jumped on the beds. (Don't tell Daddy)

We have cuddled.

We have read books.

We have watch many episodes of Sid, and Loony Tunes.

We have ate plenty of banana pudding.

We have giggle, squalled and laughed hysterically.

We have made fires.

We have decorated for Valentines Day.

We have shoveled.

We have baked.

We have just been plain silly and are loving it.

P.S. We have another one tomorrow.

                                                                                                            

what's your word {2011}

2011 is here! I have been thinking about my word of the year a lot. At first I thought {live}, since that first thought I have spent sometime relfecting and decided it is not, that is actually something I do really well.....it will be..{Better}. I choose  this word because it is meaningful and captures my heart! the perfect reminder to live each day well!

BE A BETTER ME.

I want to be a ‘Better Me’ ...in my work, my play, my marriage, my parenting, my running, my eating, my health, my friendships, my faith, my patience, and the list goes on.

It is so important to continuously work on becoming better. This year I want to make a constant effort to do that. After much thought and contemplation, I have come up with a list that I think will help me do so.

• I will become better if I can remember to just let it be.  What I mean by let it be is; letting go of the little things that really don’t matter.
• I will become a better me if I can remember to smile, laugh, and giggle everyday.
• I will become better if I can have a little more patience.
• I will become a better me if I learn to let Mr., worry. That is what he does, and he does it well!
• I will become a better me if I exercise everyday, even if it is as small as playing airplane (lifting my 26 pound cutie with my legs and arms) with Ian.
• I will become a better me if take time to read something for me. Not for my family, my job, my marriage, ect. Blogs cannot count for this.
• I will become a better me if I fnd more time to blog. It is theraputic...for me. (Y'all know for you as well)
• I will be a better me if I try to stick to purchsing only needs and not wants.
• I will become a better me if I find a church I love and practice my faith more often.
• I will become a better me if I can take on a new hobby. I would like this to be photography. I love taking pictures, editting pictures, and looking at photography.
• I will become a better me if I just stop life sometimes, and connect with my Mr. Our lives are busy and oftentimes we both give a lot but often not enough to each other. Date night every 2 weeks.

I can only hope at the end of 2011, I can say I have become a better me. I know it will not always be easy, but I am giving it a try and that will make all the difference. Here's to a 2011 and a new 'little word'.

P.S. Lisa Leonard is having another giveaway! Do you want your own wor dof the year necklace? Just stop by her blog and let her know what your word is.

 

A Full Day of Murphy Munchkins

Today Mr. and I got to spend the whole day with Ian, and his 2 cousins: Hailey (2), and Ryan (8 months). Yes- call us crazy a full day with 3 munchkins, Murphy Munchkins under 3. It was a blast!!! The only major issue was sharing of course. We need to have these days more often!

                                          Ian is Pushing Ryan around, with the "Who me?" look.

                 Lunch Time.

                                                          Sailing the high seas together.

                                                                          Tickle Time

                                                               Hangin' out in the Tent

The day ended by eating Cake....they are Murphy's.

An Apple A Day...

Ian still only has one tooth. The second is starting to make it's way. As I was enjoying an apple, Ian was very interested so being the momma I am, and let him explore anything........

I think we found a new teether.