So ahead of myself

I got so excited about my new plan, that I got ahead of myself! Not unusual for me!

I posted about our RACK plans, then went ahead and got the stuff together, THEN I thought I should have posted a picture of this!

Next time I will think things through, then post about them!

FIRST- Here is the blog I stole borrowed the idea from and downloaded the card!

My RACK kit!

$1 to put on vending machines and candy canes!

While we are in the Christmas spirit, Em and I made up little goody bags for her play date friends! 

Don't say they look pathetic! You can think it, just don't say it!

Big Christmas Plans!

Tonight, in Wal-Mart (why do I feel like I live there?), Emma told an elderly lady, Merry Christmas, without me prompting her! Now, Emma is always REALLY friendly to strangers (with people she knows, she can be hit or miss.) The lady looked at me and said "Did she say Merry Christmas?" I said yes. The lady said "Well, I never! She is so sweet!" Then continued to have a long conversation with Emma. What can I say, Em is a people person!

I have been contemplating doing some fun Christmas activities with her, but tonight's encounter cemented it. We (Em and I) are going to RACK people!

Random Acts of Christmas Kindness

I got the idea from Pinterest, of course! I'll be posting how it goes!

*EDIT* I, later, decided I should post some pictures of my RACK kit... they are HERE! 

MOT Day 30- Last Day

Month of Thanksgiving
Day 30- Today, I am thankful for this blog.

Writing this blog has given me...
a place to brag about my baby girl
a format to share pictures of Emma
a place to vent my frustrations
something to obsess about... the number of page views I get :)
something to be depressed about... the number of comments I get :(
somewhere to boast when I do something cool (at least I think it is cool)
somewhere to catalog our vacation pics
a place to record our life for Emma to have in the future (*note to self* order blog books!!!)

I am, also, thankful for anyone who reads this blog!
I know someone does because my page views keep going up :), but I don't know who you are because no one comments ;(! Thanks anyway!! Keep reading... maybe someday it'll get interesting enough to comment about :D

MOT Day 29

Month of Thanksgiving
Day 29

Today I am thankful that the blogging pressure is off! I do not want to feel pressured to blog everyday anymore.

I know there is still one more day in the "Month of Thanksgiving" but I already know what I'm gonna write about! Woot Woot!

Obviously, I can't come up with anything clever or meaningful to write about today (or most days this month :/)! So again, I am thankful that this self imposed pressure to blog will be lifted and I will continue to blog when I feel like it or when I have something to actually write about! Rather than the nonsense (most of it was, admit it) I've been spouting this month. Sorry for that!

MOT Day 26, 27, & 28

Month of Thanksgiving
Day 26, 27, & 28

Again, I am showing my inability to keep up with daily postings! It's been a busy week here in the Cheatwood house, and it's looking like things are not going to slow down anytime soon! But here are some things I am thankful for...

I am thankful for date night with my hubby!
I am thankful for nights out with friends, new and "old"!
I am thankful for safe trips home!
I am thankful for cuddling time with my snuggly Snuggle Bug Emma!
I am thankful for lazy TV time with Clinton!
I am thankful for SOLO grocery shopping trips!

MOT Day 24 & 25

Month of Thanksgiving

Yesterday was Thanksgiving (Day 24), and I was thankful for time with my family (some of them, anyway...sure missed the rest!) Thankful for good food and fun!

Alex and Emma playing!

My two girls!

Day 25- Today I am thankful for the good time I had last night Black Friday shopping! Thankful there were not TOO many incidents and lots of laughs!

MOT Day 21-23

Man, I am bad at this!

I thought doing the Month of Thanksgiving on my blog would force me to post everyday. Well, we see how well that turned out!

At this point, I can't remember what all has happened this week for me to be thankful for. So I'm just going to post some random things.

I am thankful for a good movie to distract me from day to day life for a couple of hours.
I am thankful for a bad day that turned out ok.
I am thankful for my pumpkin pie recipe that rocks... Thanks Paula!
I am thankful I get to eat turkey tomorrow. Seriously, I've been threatening to cook one for months, I've been craving it so bad!
I am thankful that one day these whining, crying toddler days will be over.
I am thankful that my baby is still little. What will I do with myself when she's big?
I am thankful that when I'm in public with my whining kid, strangers still stop me to say how cute/ sweet/ funny she is. I know, right!

And here's her cute little face!

O' Christmas Tree + MOT Day 20

Month of Thanksgiving
Day 20- Today, I am thankful for the upcoming holidays!

Clinton, Emma, and I spent the day decorating for Christmas! But before I post those pictures... we let Emma decorate her own PINK tree last night!

It was decorated with flying things...butterflies, fairies, and birds!

And the finished product...

She LOVES it!

I didn't get any pictures of us decorating the big tree, but Emma was a big help. Except when she broke my Santa tree topper... its on the tree anyway! BUT I did get a picture of her wearing our stockings...

She almost busted it!

Here's our final product...

The fireplace needs work, but its a work in progress. 

Notice that the "Elf on the Shelf" is up, too! Fred (the elf) is watching Emma already!

She wasn't minding earlier, and I told her that Fred was watching and would tell Santa. She walked up to the fireplace, looked at Fred, and pointed her finger at him as if to say "You better not tell on me!"

MOT Day 18 & 19 + SANTA!

Month of Thanksgiving
Day 18- I am thankful for MOPS. Mothers of Preschoolers. I started going to MOPS last year, not long after we moved to Paris. I have met so many wonderful friends there! Friends, who are so great, that I already don't know what I would do without them! Thank you, MOPS, for helping me AND Emma make new friends!

Speaking of those friends....

I spent the day with Regan & Stacy at Tinsel & Tidings selling glasses, and baby stuff, and picture frames! It was great! We didn't sell out, but we had a great time!

Clinton brought Emma up there for awhile, and she got to visit with Santa!

She didn't smile, but she told him exactly what she wanted him to bring her for Christmas! This was her first time not to FREAK OUT when she saw him! This is a BIG deal to me and Clinton!

Speaking of CLINTON!

Month of Thanksgiving
Day 19- Today, I am thankful for Clinton (again). Today is his BIRTHDAY! Clinton is the best person I know! I love him with all my heart!

I think he had a pretty good day! He "got" to keep Emma all day while I was at the festival. Then he grilled steaks, while I made him a sopapilla cheesecake (his birthday cake request)! And to top it off, LSU is kicking tail right now! So he's happy! Happy Birthday, Clinny! I love you!

MOT Day 17

Month of Thanksgiving
Day 17- Today, I am thankful to God for giving me a shopping partner, Emma!

We went shopping together after I picked her up from MDO, and we had the best time! She helped me pick out shirts (for me!) She is so opinionated now! It totally cracks me up and infuriates me at the same time.

I am so happy that she will be my partner for years to come, or until she decides she's too cool for me :(

At least, I don't have to worry about that for a while.

MOT Day 15 & 16

Month of Thanksgiving

I'm behind again. Sigh.

Day 15- I am thankful for great friends and good opportunities.

Day 16- Today, I am thankful for sunshine. This weather, so dreary and dark, has me missing sunny days! The inside of my house, with the blinds open, still feels like a dark cave! I hate it!

MOT Day 14/ Mike the Tiger

Month of Thanksgiving
Day 14- Today, I am thankful for things that make my little girl smile. She has the best smile!


Yesterday, on our way home from Baton Rouge, we stopped by to let Em see Mike the Tiger for a few minutes! She was thrilled to see him walking around (usually when we go, he's sleeping!)

LSU/ WKU Game

At the last minute, Clinton and I decided to go to Baton Rouge for the weekend and go to the LSU game. We headed down Thursday evening with Emma and Clinton's mom, Sherri. We spent the day, Friday, with Terri running around BR. We met up with Mike and their son, James at the best pizza place EVER, Fleur De Lis! When we got back to Mike & Terri's house, we spent the night drinking wine and LAUGHING! OMG, I don't think I've laughed so hard in a while! Saturday morning, Clinton and I got up and went tailgating. Sherri and Terri watched Em for us ALL DAY! Thank so much! We spent the entire day at the stadium, which was ALMOST too much for me. But it was a great day! AND LSU won 42-9!

View from our seats... yup, that's the 50 yd. line!

I love this band!

They did a Veteran salute during half-time, and spelled out each branch! I had to get a shot of the Marines!

The big finale!

Some of the best moments of the game were watching this guy in the stands in front of us. Clinton got some video! Watch the man in white! 

MOT Day 9, 10, 11, 12, 13

Month of Thanksgiving
Playing catch up! Yikes!

Day 9- I am thankful for my siblings & in-laws. Jason & Andrea Killian. Quincy & LaTrishia English. Cody & Lynann Cheatwood. Love you guys!

Day 10- I am thankful for my in-laws, Ricky & Sherri Cheatwood. Special thanks to Sherri for going on our impromptu trip to watch Emma, while we went to the LSU game! Love you guys!

Day 11- I am thankful to Mike & Terri Bell for being so gracious and letting us invade their home again (and again and again!) Love you guys!

(Do I sound repetitive? That's what you get when I blog after traveling all day! No creative thoughts.)

Day 12- I am thankful for nights drinking wine and laughing with family!

Day 13- I am thankful to be home from before mentioned trip, safe and sound! 

MOT Day 7 & 8/ Playing in the Rain!

Month of Thanksgiving
Day 7- Today (Yesterday!), I am thankful for schedules! Now, more than ever, I felt like it was important for me to be on a daily schedule. I am proud to say that my schedule worked out perfectly! I got up early (wow!), fed & dressed Emma (and me!), ran errands, got work hours in, took Emma to the library for story-time, did laundry, cooked supper, cleaned, took Emma to dance, bathed Emma and put her to bed (by 9!!!), showered, worked more and went to bed! It was a jam packed day, but I was feeling like Supermom! Until about 5 am this morning, which brings me to...

Day 8- Today, I am thankful for false alarms! Emma woke up vomiting at 5 am. Then again at 6 am. So I KNEW she had a stomach virus! We didn't got to school or work, just stayed home. Amazingly though, she's been fine all day! More than fine, she has been so happy and sweet! In fact, she's usually scared of the rain and storms, but NOT today!

She went outside and wanted to feel the rain!

Ignore the diaper... we are having potty training issues!!

It tickles, Mommy!

Slide was wet, but she didn't care!

Later, she had to go back out in the rain AGAIN!

My pretty girl!

MOT Day 6

Month of Thanksgiving
Day 6- Today, I am thankful for God.

I was headed home today (HOME home- Cuthand!), when I got past Bogata, my foot got a little heavy on the accelerator.

You know how it is on those familiar roads, you've driven time and time again. You know ever curve, where the bumps are... This is the same road I had a huge accident on when I was 16. I guess I've always driven too fast on that road...

Anyway, I'm driving too fast and my accident popped in my head. Then I start thinking what would happen if I had another car wreck. What would happen to Emma if I was hurt or worse. Then I hear the announcer on the radio station comment that more accidents happen during the week surrounding a time change (which happened last night). I said, "Ok, God, I hear you." and slowed down. God was my inner voice today telling me I needed to be careful.

That led me to think of my relationship with God. My faith isn't the strongest. I, too often, feel as if I'm just going through the motions instead of feeling it in my heart. I do not attend church regularly. I do not know any Bible passages. I do not pray regularly. And worse, I have not taught my daughter about God and Jesus.

I started to cry as I drove past the church I've attended all my life. I feel as if today was a nudge by God to let me know I need to strengthen our relationship. I just don't know how. How do I mend where I've broken it?    

MOT Day 5

Month of Thanksgiving
Day 5- Today, I am thankful for the Tigers. The LSU Tigers, that is. Tonight is a big game between them and Bama... so they are on my mind more than usual. I am actually decked out in full purple and gold as I type this.

I know it sounds silly to be thankful of a college football team. But before I became a fan, I wasn't that into sports in general. Becoming an LSU fan has brought me and Clinton closer, I think. He used to beg me to watch sports with him, but now I will watch the LSU games with him (and Rangers, but that's baseball...) We have something to talk about besides our daily lives and more importantly, something to look forward to together.

Take today for instance- we are dressed alike, something Clinton has forbidden on other occasions (ha!), we have laughed at Bama fans on TV and around town, and we are both anxious for the game. Which starts now ....agh! We didn't get to go to the game today, but HERE and HERE are the links where I've posted about the games we've been to!

But seriously, win or lose tonight (its gonna be a close one!), being an LSU fan has given me one more thing in common with the man I've loved for 11 years. And for that I'm thankful!

MOT- Day 4

Month of Thanksgiving
Day 4- Today, I am thankful for my grandparents. I am very blessed to have all 4 grandparents still with me and able to get to know Emma.

I love you, Memaw, Papaw, Grandma, & Grandpa!

MOT- Day 3 & WAHM

Month of Thanksgiving
Day 3- Today I am thankful for my parents.

My mom, who would do anything for me and has. For example, driving 30 miles at at 9 p.m. to take me to the ER when I had that allergic reaction I wrote about HERE! She's my best friend and I love her!

Mom handing out candy to Emma & Kinsley on Halloween.

My daddy, who is a big ol' grizzly teddy bear. He's a bit rough around the edges, but he loves a lot and gets his feeling hurt surprisingly easy!

Daddy hugging Emma (Strawberry Shortcake) on Halloween.

*NOTE- Not the best pictures of my parents, but those are the most recent pictures of them I have!

In other news, I am now a working mom! I fell into a great opportunity to work from home. I am going to be doing accounting work (actually using my education) from home for a local company and maybe go in to work a couple of days a week. Emma will start going to MDO two days instead of one, but she loves it, so I don't think it will be too hard on her. I'm hoping it works out to be as great as it seems to be!

Month of Thanksgiving

It's all over Facebook. Everyone is posting something they are thankful for each day for the month of November.

I've decided to do it on my blog. Use anything for a post, right? Well, that's how my blog goes anyway!

So its Nov. 2, and I'm already a day late and a dollar short. So goes my life.

Day 1- I am thankful for my precious, aggravating baby girl, Emma Lee Cheatwood. She simultaneously makes me crazy and extremely happy. I wouldn't have it any other way! Well, some days...

Day 2- I am thankful for my precious, aggravating (ha!) husband, Clinton Duane Cheatwood! He works so hard to provide for us and wants so badly for his family to have a nice life. He's succeeding.

Trick or Treat

Yesterday was Halloween AND Em's birthday! BUT we didn't trick or treat or do anything fun. We were partied out and ended up at the doctor's office. Everything's ok, but we needed to get Em checked out.

However, Em did get to trick or treat Saturday night, and I should have posted pictures that night, or Sunday, or yesterday on Halloween, but I got lazy! Sorry! Anyway, here they are...

Strawberry Shortcake!!

Ready to go!

Alex the Witch

Kinsley the Flapper

Andrea the Native American

Emma, Kinsley, & Nakota

Libby & Emma

Trick or Treat!

That bag got heavy!

Bradyn came dressed as Coach English, otherwise known as his dad!

Jalyn was a Ghostbuster!

Kam (in that ugly uniform, ha!) joined in for a picture!

All the kids lined up for a costume contest!

It was a fun night! Em got a ton of candy, which we promptly hid!

So Halloween and Em's birthday are over... now on to the next adventure...

I am not longer going to be a SAHM! Starting this week, I will be a WAHM! Wish me luck!