Top Two Dream Jobs.

Top Two hosted by Taylor at Jimmy Choos and A Baby Too!! 

You can see Taylor's Top Two picks of the week, and many other Mommas Here:http://benandtay.blogspot.com/!!
 

1. Okay, so this is easy!!  My #1. DREAM JOB is to be a SAHM (Stay at Home Mom)!!  Every little girl plays with her babies, as a little girl.  Bathes them, feeds them, changes them, and pushes them around in their little buggies.  We want to be mommies, we want to be just like Mommy.  It's innate in us to want to nuture, protect, provide, and give of ourselves.  And the rewards are HUGE!! 

I thought  nothing could top our wedding day, than we found out we were pregnant, and even before that moment, when we suspected we might be pregnant, I loved that little life that might be growing inside me.  When we discovered it was true, from that moment, I had a wave of love wash over me, and I knew that I would do anything for that little life growing inside me, and that I could love nothing else like him/her.  Most people upon the birth of your child say, "You're a Mommy now!"  But, really your're a Mommy from the moment you discover that little life is growing inside of you. 

I LOVED being pregnant and felt like there was nothing else in the WORLD like carrying a child, experiencing a child growing inside of you, nuturing, feeding that child, protecting that child.  And, I would want nothing more than to be pregnant all the time, and have babe after babe, and have a whole house FULL of little Garretts.  That is my dream!!  And, I would try and be the BEST Stay at Home Mommy, cooking great meals, baking cookies all the time, making home-made baby food, and using cloth diapers.  I think I might even learn to sew!  Ha!  And as my Hubby says, I would have to handle all the financial aspects of the house, and be our little Accountant. 

I would LOVE that.  To have children crawling all over me, even screaming and yelling, and going absolutely CRAZY all over the place, and I would LOVE to capture it all on film, and be a REALLY GREAT PHOTOGRAPHER, which...leads me to...

2. Professional Photographer.  I have to say, I really have THREE DREAM JOBS, becuase while I would like nothing more (after SAHM) to be a professional photographer, that dream is more for our family &and friends, than the general public.  I REALLY want to be able to capture some beautiful shots throughout our families lives, images that will stand the length of time, and be passed on from generation to generationa treasured for years to come  I mean, it really is the one thing to me, that stands the test of time.  And, to be able to give that gift to future children's children, and families realitives and children, to me, I think that would be an AMAZING legacy and gift that I could bestow upon future generations. To awe, inspire, and to give that gift.

But, while I would love to be a professional photographer, I'm not sure that I woudl want tio meet the demands that that entails.  Editing, etc, is a very time involved process, and while you can outsource that to someone, I'm just not really sure how I would feel about that, though I have considered it.  But, to me, is it still your finished art, your masterpiece, if someone else edits it?  I'm sure most photographers get over that aspect, bc how coudl they possibly edit every single photo themselves and do all the photography sessions they complete. 

Also, Photography is life, and life happens every day, every moment.  And, as with Real Estate, which I had my hand in a little, to make any money as a phtoogrpaher, you have to be flexible, and be available for sessions to gain clientele and be successful monetarily.  And, I'm just not sure that I want to be rushign off to photography sessions every hour of the day, all day, all week. 

So, maybe my dream is to be a REALLY TALENTED PHOTOGRAPHER for my family and friends, but not to necessarily make it a career.  At least not, a very demanding, all consuming career. 

Which leads me to say, I HAVE to at least mention this as it has been my DREAM since I was a little girl, and that is to own my own store.  My mother always wanted it, and among the many things I used to "play" when I was a child, "Shop Owner" was one of them.  I used to pretend I owned a Stationary Store (as I had lots of Stationary) and I LOVED girly things.  Then for years, I wanted a girly store with all kinds of Knick Knacks (is what I call them), but really it's more like a Ritzy Home Goods type of store, with Decorations for your home, and stationary, etc. 

Now, my DREAM is to have my own BABY STORE, with Ritzy Baby Clothes, all things Baby.  As a shop owner, you can work when you want, and still be involved, but you have flexibility and are not tied to anything or anyone.  But, I could still come in and work when I wanted, or needed it for myself, and be surrounded by BABIES and all things BABY.  And, yes, there were probably be some HIGHLY overpriced fru fru baby stuff in there, but I would also try and have either really good sales, or have some items such as Mud Pie clothing that is fairly priced! 

Any other Moms feel teh same way??!!  Who wouldn't LOVE to be surrounded by Cute Babes, New Mommies, and TONS of ADORABLE BABY GOODS!!

Secret Obsession.

Ok, I have to admit I have a secret obsession for American Idol.  Yes, it's true.  Don't laugh. Really, let me explain. 

Ok, so I have mentioned that the hubs and I don't have cable, so we get 5 channels, and on any one day, all or one, or none can come in (we have rabbit ears in the attic-He he!).  But, FOX is usually pretty clear, so we have to like what's on FOX if we want to zone out and watch some TV.  You kind of have to like what's on. 

Well, my obsession with American Idol is not a complete obsession.  I mean, it goes back and forth and up and down.  Some years I only watch the Beginning (by far, the best part!!)  Sometimes I only catch the end, where it's down to only a few contestants (which I like too!), sometimes I miss a complete season, and sometimes I am failthful and watch it from beginning to end. 

But always, and this is the reason for my obsession, always, I am moved by the stories that some of these contestants have,  Especially at the fore front, when they have auditions, I love the stories and the backrounds that they contestants and American Idol share with us. 

I LOVE how they surprise you and give this outstanding performance after the story build-up, I LOVE how they rush out into the hall and their whole family and friends are waiting, and how they jump up in the air and scream, shout, and yell!  You just get those tinglees all over and I just think it's incredible!  I LOVE how they slow the film (and seemingly slow time for that momwnt), and how for just that moment, you are enthralled in this person's life, their dream.  You get to experience their dreams, their passions, their desires, and witness pure, sheer happiness.  Whether they make it to the end or not, in that moment, they are truly happy and hold all the hope in the world, and that to me, is so beautiful. 

Hope.  Pure, undaunted, simple hope.  To witness that, is why I love American Idol.  So, I will be watching tomorrow, and can't wait.  Yes, they sucked me in, again.  Anyone else?

                                            

Giveaways.

Juliana over at A Blonde Walks into a Blog. is hosting a giveaway for a Belle Baby Carrier pictured HERE.

I am LOVING this carrier!! We have the Baby Bjiorn for Nik, and I do LOVE it, but it hurts my back terribly!, and I hate to say that I did not get to use it as much as I would have liked due to this fact, and have since stopped using it.  Perhaps bc our babe was always in the 97th percentile in height and weight, but, I would LOVE to be able to carry her around more comfortablly in one of these chic carriers and future babes!  I have to say I was torn with which one to get as I really like this one:

But, for a boy, or if the Pooky would want to carry the Babe around, I don't think that he would much appreciate this design.  But, it's not all about little ole me, so, I'd have to go with this one as my fav pic:

Which I also actually really like anyway, and it is the same one Angelina Jolie wore on the cover of W!!  But, that is not all influencing my decision in picking it, I swear!!  Really, it's not!!

So, head on over to Juliana's. and enter to win.  I think it's still up for grabs! (I hope!)

and

Stopped by The Nester, and she and Dayspring are having another giveaway.  Stop by Here. to enter yourself to win.  Loved the story behind this picture design itself (check it out on the original post).

Happy Saturday!!  Have a great Superbowl Sunday!!  Looking forward to it, and to the commercials as well!!  The pumpkin is sick AGAIN, so I think we'll be laying low!!  Boo, hoo!!

Miss you pumpkin...

Wish we were snuggled on the couch together on this cold, snowy winter day!

Happy Friday Everyone!!

Etsy Give Away.

I am a follower of Lyr, of Breaking Through.  She is hosting an Etsy Giveaway in Honor of reaching her 20th Week mark(Yeah babies!!). I have been a follower of hers for several months now, and love her blog!  She is a beautiful person, and a wonderful wife and mother.  Her words are honest, her faith inspiring, and her attitude uplifting; she is beautiful. She loves photography as well, and I found  him (whom I have blogged about) through her.

My favorite item on Angie's "Foster Kade Designs" is the Baby Sling featured here:

Isn't it beautiful!!  I'd LOVE one liek this!  I never did get a baby sling for Nik, but I wanted one so badly.  I almost got a Pea in the Pod turqoise blue and brown polka-dot one that went on sale at a local store, but that fell through.  And because they tend to be a bit pricey, there was always somethign else we needed more.  I used to just use our Baby Bijorn, but I always wished I'd had a really cool one like MckMama.  Not sure which pattern I would chose.

The item being given away is the Emery Lin. Day to Night Clutch and Wristlet.  I liked the Amy Butler Slate Morning Glory (with a custom flower pictured here):

I thought thia was a good neutral choice, but I also really liked the pattern.  I think the bags are adorable!!  I can just see it under my arm or hanging from my hand! Ha!  Paired with a cute dress and a pair of heels! 
You can visit Lyr and enter yourself Here.

Happy 14th Lydia!!

Today is Josh's (and my) niece's 14th Birthday.  Didn't she just turn 13th??!!  Wow, that year flew by!!  We were just adjusting to her being 13 and (officially a teenager!), now she's 14 and nearly old enough to drive!!  Oh my goodness!!  Soon she'll be heading off to college.  I'll be soooo old by then, good Lord, slow down time, just a little...please!!!  I wonder if the year flew by as fast for her as it did for us.  My teen years seemed to last FOREVER.  Each day was like a year!!  She had a highschool welcome night to attend tonight, so her b-day party was at 7:30 pm. 

I'm so excited for her to take this next step into highschool.  She's going to be amazing!!  She's the most amazing kid you'll ever find, really, truly she is.  She is so beautiful, more and more each day.  Each time, I see her, it seems like she's gotten more beautiful, which just seems impossible.  She's growing up so fast, every time I see her, she seems like a different person, as she is growing into womanhood so perfectly.  She is brillant, and crazy talented!!  She's the most self-less teenager you'll ever find, funny, and a joy to be around, so spunky-cute, and just lights up a room, especially with a smile.  She just amazes me, I am so blessed to call her my niece.  She's like 14 going on 30!! 

I really hope that her experience is well, amazing, and filled with everything highschool should be.  Josh, Nik and I stopped by to see her in the afternoon, as Nik and I couldn't be there later that evening, bc I had to get Nik to bed.  I neglected to take a pic till right before she was rushing off, so in my haste I didn't get a good pic, but I have to post these, even though they're not stellar!! 

I would love to get Nik to smile for a pic (Ahh!!)

Happy 14th, Lyds!!  We love you!!

P.S. My sis-in-law makes THE BEST homemade Mac-n-Cheese EVER!!!   Yummy Yum Yum!!

Wordless Wednesday.