Taking Time

It has been forever since I have been able to sit down and actually update my blog! Well, today is the day, I am just going to take a little time to do this!

We get so busy during this time of year and forget to actually take time to relish in what the true meaning of the holidays are. We are always rushing around trying to find that perfect Halloween costume, get that perfect turkey for Thanksgiving and making sure everyone on our list has a gift under the tree for Christmas, But, in the true reality of things , does it really matter?  What I mean by this is, if your child didn't have the coolest costume on the block would he/she get less candy? If you had hamburgers instead of turkey for Thanksgiving are you any less thankful? If there were no presents under the tree would it not be Christmas? The answer to all of these should be no, we get so caught up in the superficial rituals in holidays that we forget the true meanings and in turn become stressed and broke! How do we break the cycle? Do we bother breaking the cycle? When is enough, enough?? I have no room to give advice to any of the questions but the thought crosses my mind every year! My children are so blessed to have what they have and I always get emotional thinking of other kids who do not have the things that they do. I try to teach them to be grateful for everything they are given and to thank God for those things as well because without Him none of it would be possible. So, I guess what we all should do is to just take time to thank God for our many blessings and thank him for sending His Son, Jesus to save us from our sins, because that is the true meaning of the holidays!

Dora and a soccer player for Halloween

Ready for Santa

Before

After!! (notice Bailey climbing on the dollhouse, AHHH)

Merry Christmas!

Bailey's 1st day of gymnastics 9/2010

Bailey Has started gymnastics and loves it so far! But, her attention span last for about 15 minutes! lol This is her doing her favorite activity "the rocking chair"

Chase's Hunting how-to video- His dream is to be on the hunting channel!

Done & Over With

Well folks the car shopping has come to an end (hallelujah!)  I have finally got the car of my dreams (maybe not the best interest rate of my dreams but still) and I don't have to talk to any more salesman. I have settled upon a 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe, a white one, just what I wanted!!  

YAY!! Let the astronomical payments and gas guzzling begin!!

But seriously I am excited:)

Car Shopping!

I am so over car shopping!! Sometimes I wish I lived in a town where I could walk or ride a bike to where I needed to go (yes I realize this would be a challenge with 2 kids and all of their crap they have to take everywhere) but I'm just sayin'! My dear ole' husband found the truck of his dreams, and we just couldn't pass up a good deal, so in essence this left us with 3 cars, 3 car payments, and insurance on 3 cars...can you say $$$$!! My car is on it's last leg, the speedometer doesn't work (I am always going 120 mph according to the crazy thing) and my blinker quit working (I do believe I got a lemon seeing how I have only had it 2 years) so needless to say I needed a new one too. So I am left to the challenge of trading in 2 cars all while getting enough on trade in to cover the negative equity (somebody shoot me please). I have gone from getting a brand new car (due to rebates) to a semi-new tank (aka Tahoe) and now on to a semi-new Honda! I am praying the Honda works out, it is fully loaded with low miles and a gas tank that will last me all week. ( I am the girl who puts $25 in gas at a time just bc I hate filling up). So please everyone pray this car works out because "momma needs some wheels" lol:)

State of Utter Chaos!

"Seriously", "You have got to be kidding me", "what did I do now", "Ya'll are so being put it in a home", and "UGH!" are statements I say daily to my mother! She is always calling me telling me I need to apologize for this, calm down about that, and quit being so impatient. Now granted, my momma is my best friend and I love her like a fat kid loves cake but she is on my last nerve this week!! (just ask her she knows).

My life has suddenly turned chaotic now that Bailey is no longer in daycare everyday, Chase is playing football with practice 3 times a wk, working 40 hrs a week the hubby working swing shifts, trying to get to the gym so I don't completely turn to mush, and trying to keep my house from turning into a pigsty while keeping food on the table. So, nonetheless I am a little on edge these days. I have never liked for plans that I have in my head to change,no matter how small. I thrive on structure and organization but am the most disorganized and unstructured person alive. How can this be? How am I wired to be such a conflict of interest with myself? I promise to always apologize when I snap and I promise that it will happen again!

Today was a bit of a rambling day, as I have so much in my head to report but just can't put it in words at the moment. But, on a lighter note: THE GAMECOCKS WON!!! Go Cocks...SEC championship~here we come:)

Back to School

Back to school, Back to school, to show my dad that I'm no fool! Ok so maybe Chase was not singing that particular tune, but, he was definitely singing "please don't make me get up mom, i don't want to go to school"!!

It's that time of year again when parents are frantically running around the house trying to find this, trying to cook that, and trying to not be late! (well maybe that is just me) 

Chase started the 1st grade this year and he could have cared less. I walked him to his class and he was just walking in circles talking about some catfish he caught last weekend, I swear that kid would talk to a deaf person if they looked slightly interested! 

He looked super cute in his plaid shorts and pale yellow collared shirt (both staples of any true southern boy's closet). 

He is carrying his same book bag from last year but he finally grew into it and it has his name on it so why not?!

Chase goes to our small town private school and we are so thankful that he is able attend a school that is so focused on Christianity and having a relationship with God. The school year kicked off with a convocation in the gym that featured not one, but two pastors! They both preached a little but mainly we prayed for the upcoming year, the students, parents, faculty, and our country. God is so good and I am blessed to have my children in an environment that nurtures that relationship. They say prayer every morning over the intercom as well as say the pledges to the Christian and American flags. I honestly believe this is what is wrong with the public school systems, once you take God out of something it only leaves room for the devil!

Bailey was more excited than Chase about him starting school! She wanted to be in every picture!

The yearly bookbag shot! He has grown i know a good 6 inches since last year!!

 

Sitting right between two pretty girls, he is a happy fellow!!

I pray he has a successful and fun year. I am so proud of him:)

Edisto 2010

Yes, I am late in posting this but I wanted pics to go along with it!!

We went to the Edisto in June with my family and the great, Dee Wheeler, came down and took a few pics for us:)

Here is a sneak peek!

UPDATE!!!

COOKIE DIET = SUPER BORING!!!!


I officially joined the gym yesterday so I am going to quit being lazy and go!!


END OF STORY

Cookie Diet

Call me crazy, call me lazy, call me what you will...But, I am on day 1 of Dr. Seigals Cookie Diet!! So far so good! The cookies taste alot like cardboard but do keep you full. I am supposed to eat 6 a day and then a sensible dinner, so far I am on cookie 3 and it's 1:00est.



Has anyone tried this diet? Let me know what you think, I will keep everyone posted!

Chase is 6

And YES he is sitting on a turkey!! This is the one thing he has been requesting, is to have his picture made while sitting on the turkey in our small town!! So for his birthday we had a little photoshoot :)         

Six years has come and gone too fast 

you're growing up before my eyes

but watching you has been a blast!

You love to hunt and you love to fish

grilled cheese and steak is your favorite dish.

You love to sing at the top of your lungs

there's not a country song that doesn't just roll off your tongue

I think you may be the smartest kid I know

you get that from me, dont you know?

you love things organized and you love things clean

I'm not sure where that came from, if you know what I mean!

I can't wait to see what the next year has in store

but just know that I love you each day, more and more!

Thank you God for giving me such a smart, handsome, considerate, loving son! I am so proud of the boy he is and the man that he will become one day. He brings so much joy and laughter to everyone around him and is also such a wonderful friend to everyone at his school. He says yes ma'am, no ma'am, please, and thank you without being reminded. He helps keep the house clean (not just his room) and helps with his baby sister. I could not ask for a better son than him. I pray that he always keeps God first and that he keeps that loving personality. I am one blessed momma!

Class of 2010

My little boy is growing up!! I can't believe he will be in 1st grade:)

Just Sayin!

"A southern girl is a girl who knows full and well that she can open a door for herself but prefers for the gentleman to do it because it demonstrates a sense of respect. After all, every girl wants to be treated like a princess. We know how to make sweet tea and grits while telling you everything about any football team in the SEC. We pick our battles and fight with the heart of a pit bull while still maintaining grace and elegance. Our mystique is that of a soft-spoken, mild-mannered southern bell who could direct an army, loves her momma and will always be daddy's little girl."

Seven years ago today

Seven years ago today, I married my true love.

Seven years ago today, I was blessed from up above.

Though our romance has been a roller coaster ride

We always know that no matter what we will make it to the other side

You are my one and only, I will love you till the end

I am so grateful to God that I call you my lover and my friend

Easter Weekend

What A beautiful weekend the Lord blessed us with! I think this is the first Easter in many years that it wasn't cold and rainy! Although it looks like it is raining yellow snow all over the south, due to the pollen, the weather has been perfect! I only got a couple of pics from Easter bc my little bunnies choose not to look at the camera at the same time!!

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He is risen, we are saved!

My Little Princess is turning 2!

Oh Sweet Bailey, how you make my life an adventure every day! I can't believe you have been a part of our lives for 2 whole years, it seems that you have always been my daughter and have always been a part of me. You are everything i could have hoped for in a daughter! You are sweet, caring, beautiful, and full of energy. You are a little crazy sometimes and I chalk that up as a gene that came from your daddy.  You do not like to be told you can't do something because you always find a way to get what you want! You love your big brother and always make sure that he wakes up when you do, eats when you do, and plays with whatever it is YOU want him to play with!  Your favorite song is "ring around the rosie" and you love to dance. Right now you have quite the sweet tooth and love any and all candy! You love your dolls and love to wear high heels, but when you are outside you are not happy until you get dirty! You are such a morning person and wake up super early with a smile and a hug and kiss for everyone! You hate watching tv unless you are in my bed and it is dark outside and even then you are jumping up and down on the bed! You are wearing size 2t clothes and size 7 shoes, you don't mind wearing a dress but you hate wearing stockings. You are a mommy's girl and want to be right with at all times, but love when daddy takes you outside or wrestles with you on the couch! Bailey you are such a blessing in our lives and we love you so much! Please always keep that spunk and never let anyone tell you, you can't do something! Thank you God for giving us this little ray of sunshine:)

Photoshoot Preview

We are so fortunate to have a photographer that we also call a friend! Here is a sample of their spring photo shoot...I could just eat them up:)

Valentines and ear piercing

We had a wonderful weekend!
My Valentine had to work all weekend so he sent me a dozen roses to work on Friday!! So Sweet, I am so blessed with a wonderful hubby:)
We had a major blizzard Friday,which resulted in 8 inches of snow!! Which by South Carolina standards is the equivalent of 8 ft. up north! I am talking major small town shut down, no bread and milk left in the grocery store kinda blizzard! We had a blast playing in the snow for 45 min. and then we were ready for it to go! We are southern bring on the summer heat and humidity, it is how we function!!

(our little house covered in snow! This was just the beginning, I haven't uploaded the rest of the pics)







I woke up on V-day to make all of my little Valentines heart shaped pancakes, which is quite hard when you only have a heart shaped cookie cutter to work with!! Needless to say they had to settle with one little heart pancake and the others big and round!! After church I had a lunch date with my youngins' and decided to take them to pick out there own valentine treats. Chase picked out a motorcycle at toys r us and well I picked Bailey's gift and got her ears pierced. I have heard a lot of mixed feelings on this subject since she is only 2. My feeling is that, YES it hurt her and YES she cried, but only for 2 seconds and then she was on to eating her sucker! She looks just darling and like such a little lady! I have a feeling I am going to be losing her in a couple years to deer stands and mud holes with her daddy so at least now she can still be prissy while getting dirty!! haha...What are your thoughts on little girl ear piercings?? Be polite and remember to each his own!!

My little Valentine's for the day! I just love them to pieces and thank God everyday he chose me to be their mother:)

My little Bailey bug after her ears were pierced! Such a little doll:)






HAITI UPDATE:

I have heard from my Mom numerous times since she has been in Haiti. She says she is fine and the worst thing that has happened is she broke her thumb nail!! I think she will survive that crisis...They are really doing a lot of good while they are there. They are distributing food and medical supplies to the Haitians as well as some medical care. Please keep this group in your prayers for their safe return on Friday.

Ode to my husband on Valentines Day!

I have concocted this little poem in honor of Valentines Day for my Husband. He is truly the best husband and daddy in the world! I am the luckiest girl ever:)   (Don't laugh bc I am making this up as I go)

We met when we were 19 years old

It was January, at a party so we were drunk & cold

You told me that night I was to be your wife

and here you are 8 years later #1 in my life

Our romance is whirlwind but we've never been apart

you have always been there and you will always have my heart

Our children are blessed to call you dad

you are the best daddy they could have ever had

You work hard every day to support us all

and even stop what your doing to answer my call

I know I can be silly with my mood swings and such

but I put all that behind me when I feel your touch

I wrote this poem just to let you know 

that you are awesome, fantastic, and I LOVE you so!

 Happy Valentines Day, Honey! 

MY MOM IS GOING TO HAITI!!! SERIOUSLY

SOOO my Mom is leaving for Haiti in the morning with a group from our small town! I am a nervous wreck! Please pray for this group as they travel to the unknown and help these poor people! I am so proud of my Mom for doing this courageous thing, she has such a big heart! Yet, I am scared to death and wish she wouldn't go! I don't know what I would do if something happened to her! I pray for her safe travels as she serves the Lord in making things a little more comfortable for the Haitians.  I love you Mom:)

Ok,Ok,Ok

I am such a slacker!! I can not even believe I haven't posted since Thanksgiving! So much is going on in the Sturkie household I hope I can remember it all.

So where to start?!?

We went to the mountains the first of December and had such a wonderful time, we even got to see some snow!!

My little Bailey Bug was not so fond of the cold!! But was the cutest little snow bunny ever!










Chase on the other hand, thought it was the greatest thing since slice bread!! You can tell he doesn't see snow very often since he was sledding down a mostly grass covered hill! Poor thing:(   But, he loved it!!



Christmas was awesome as always! We have such a wonderful family and just love going to all of our gatherings. We both come from divorced families so our Christmas gatherings always start weeks in advance. Which for our kids means four times the gifts and four times the spoiling!!

Matt's Dads' a week before Christmas is always a good time! Kids are EVERYWHERE...They do the coolest game for us older kids that we always enjoy. Instead of buying us each a gift they buy a bunch of random gifts and we draw numbers and do a chinese auction, then they do the same for 2 sets of gift cards! We have a blast.

We go to my daddy's on Christmas Eve! My daddy never asks for anything and this year the one thing he asked me for was this Gamecock apron! I searched high and low for this thing and finally found one a county over! I had to call them and tell them to hold it for me! He was happy and that made my day:) 

 

Santa comes EARLY Christmas morning, because we have a busy day of here, there, and everywhere:) Chase summed his Christmas up after opening his presents..."I must have been REAL good Momma, because I got everything on my list" ...Chase's main gift this year was Nintendo DS and Bailey's was her Barbie jeep (which she has yet to figure out yet!)

Then it's off to Matt's Mom's for breakfast (which is always delicious). This is the aftermath of gifts! You can never see the floor and it's complete chaos for 30 min. We have the best time just watching Chase and Bailey tear into their stuff.

And finally, we make it to my Mom's (which is 2 doors down from our house, which is great) Every year She wants a family photo of each of the families! Ours has yet to turn out right and the kids won't stay still long enough  to get another one, so we make due with what we get! This year was no exception (who in the world was that boy looking at, SERIOUSLY) This year before we ate, my step-dad announced that they had a video of all of us throughout the year that we didn't know about. Well lo and behold my mother put together one of those elf yourself videos and I swear I think I peed my pants i was laughing so hard! I wish I could upload it but I have no idea how:(

We had such an awesome Christmas and love every minute we get to spend with our families. Jesus is the reason for Christmas and we thank God everyday for sending his son to forgive us of our sins! 

Well that pretty much catches us up to 2010...