New Promo Code for Photo book Savings!!!

This is a sponsored posed from @USFG, which may contain affiliate links.

Technology is great but nothing beats a good book full of all of your favorite memories! Cold screens may be our future but nothing's like the opportunity to breathe life into our priceless photos and turn them into spectacular keepsake photo books to pass down to the kids! 
@Adoramapix's custom books are high quality and display each image in rich detail. You can choose from gorgeous linen, hardcover and leather covers, as well as 6 stunning paper finishes.
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15% off photo books!!

Use code: PhotoBook15

Sale ends on 11/05/2016 at 11:59 PM EST

Disclaimer: This blog accepts compensation in the form of products and/or monetary for selected posts which will be labeled as sponsored. Please note that I only write about items and/or services that myself or family have had personal experience with or ones that I believe you, my readers, will enjoy and/or benefit from. All opinions are my own and may differ from those of others.

This post may contain affiliate links.

View Full Disclosure for further details.

Turn Your Summer Memories into Life-Long Treasures with Blurb Travel Books

(Sponsored by Blurb)
**This post contains affiliate links which means that I may receive a small commission if a purchase is made after my links are clicked. View FTC disclosure for details.**

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Create Your Very Own Travel Book

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With summer almost over this is the time to start creating the book you've always wanted to make — a customized travel book aka travel journal that spotlights each and every one of your favorite summer adventures! With Blurb you'll receive step-by-step instructions along with tons of ideas from some of the awesome travel books already created using Blurb - All of this is to ensure that you make a one-of-a-kind travel book that you'll be proud of!

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If you have a computer and/or camera full of summer memories - in photo form- then your more than ready to begin creating your very own custom travel book/journal!

Simply use the Coupon Code: AUGUST15

at checkout to SAVE 15% on all Blurb purchases!!

- Also -

Blurb is offering 25% off print book orders of $75+ on your 1st purchase!
For New Customers Only - Running Now through August 25th!
Use Coupon Code: TRYOUT

Disclaimer: This blog accepts compensation in the form of products and/or monetary for selected posts which will be labeled as sponsored. No matter the compensation, I only write about items and/or services that I have personal experience with and believe my readers will enjoy and/or benefit from. All opinions are my own and may differ from those of others.

View Full Disclosure for further details.

This post may contain affiliate links.

Pop the Question in Print with a Memorable Phone Book

Cherish your special moments and keep them for years to come...

This post contains affiliate links which means I may receive a small commission if a purchase is made after clicking on my links. View the FTC disclosure for more details.

Some proposals happen by moonlight on the beach. Some happen while eating breakfast. Whether you prefer something extravagant or something a bit more low key, you're going to want to remember this moment for the rest of your lives. That's why the idea of publishing a proposal into a printed Blurb book is so appealing.

Below are a few ideas of how to craft the most creative "Will You Marry Me?" chronicle.

• Write a children's book where the main characters are you and your beloved. Print the book with Blurb, then have it put onto the shelves at your local library. Take her on a reading date and "stumble" across the book. (Just remind her that you're in the library and she'll have to tone down those shrieks of joy.)

• Create a beautiful photo essay of your relationship. Include photos of where you met, special pieces from your first date, scenes from your favorite events. Use the pictures to tell a silent story of your love and then complete this happy ending with a picture of you and a sign asking for her hand.

• Is your beloved a foodie? Make her a Blurb cookbook of love! Ask your family and friends for their favorite recipes and put them together into one book, complete with pictures. Add in your own recipe of love with ingredients that include moments from your courtship. Just be sure that when the relationship is fully baked, you ask about the final course - a lifetime of sweet memories.

Blurb loves helping people to publish their dreams and right now they are offering two special deals to get your proposal in print:
Save 15% on all purchases by using promo code: AUGUST15 at checkout.
Save 25% on print book orders of $75+ on 1st purchase only when using promo code: TRYOUT at checkout.

Both offers expire on August 25th, so don't wait to publish the most important question you'll ever ask!

Disclaimer: This blog accepts compensation in the form of products and/or monetary for selected posts which will be labeled as sponsored. No matter the compensation, I only write about items and/or services that I have personal experience with and believe my readers will enjoy and/or benefit from. All opinions are my own and may differ from those of others.

View Full Disclosure for further details.

This post may contain affiliate links

Testing opportunity from Crayola - Try out a New Product for FREE

-- Attention Parents --

The days have flown by and the end of Summer will be here before we know it but that is no reason of why we have to stop creating new memories with our kids. Right? Everyday is a new day for creating lasting memories!!

Crayola and ExpoTV have joined forces with an opportunity for a selected number of parents to test out one of their new products and share their honest opinions with other parents as well as with Crayola themselves!
How cool would it be to receive a package in the mail, full of Crayola goodness, knowing that you didn't have to pay a dime for your kids to enjoy the product to its max, building all kinds of creative memories and art magic!!

Apply today for the Crayola Fun Program from ExpoTV!

Only a selected number of people will get accepted into this tryolgy so its best to apply early to get your name seen. You'll receive an email confirming your spot in the program if your selected!!



(You DO NOT have to have a blog to be accepted for product testing from ExpoTV)

Disclaimer: This blog accepts compensation in the form of products and/or monetary for selected posts which will be labeled as sponsored. No matter the compensation, I only write about items and/or services that I have personal experience with and believe my readers will enjoy and/or benefit from. All opinions are my own and may differ from those of others.

View Full Disclosure for further details.

This post may contain affiliate links.

Beautify Your Photos with Shutterfly!

Shuttefly Photo Deals

Even though the groundhog was said to of seen his shadow, which calls for 6 more weeks of winter, why not get a jump start on your beautifying those precious Winter Memories. With a wide variety of photo gifts available at Shutterfly, the possibilities are endless when it comes to your photos!
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Everyone loves photo gifts!

If you've never used Shutterfly before, then prepare to be amazed!

Visit Shutterfly.com today and see what kind of surprises they have in store for you!!!

Receive a FREE Portrait Package for your New Baby

Is your bundle of joy 6 months old or younger?

If so, then your in luck!

I was very surprised when I ran across a printable coupon on the Olan Mills website for a FREE Portrait Package for Babies ages Newborn to 6 months! 

The Package includes: (1) 8×10, (2) 5×7′s & 8 wallets.

No Processing Fee

Snag the printable coupon,

Play dress up with your baby...

And make some Memorable Portraits!

Hurry and scoop up this wonderful opportunity before it's too late! Click to find an Olan Mills location near you.

Coupon Expires on December 31, 2013

This blog accepts compensation in the form of products and/or monetary for some posts which will be labeled as sponsored reviews & sponsored posts. No matter the compensation, I only write about items and/or services that I have personal experience with and believe my readers will enjoy and benefit from. All opinions are my own.

This post may contain affiliate links.

Purchase Holiday Photo-books Now and Save!

The Holiday's are on their way and I can't think of any better way to say "Thank You" then a beautiful photo book full of priceless memories! Blurb makes it easy to create photo-books in minutes and from now through September 9th, Receive 15% off your order when you use the Promo Code - TAKE15

I've used Blurb in the past and I can't get over how beautiful my pictures look inside those little books :) I love them all and I know you will too!

Don't miss out on this great opportunity and create your Blurb books now and spend more time planning your Holiday plans and less time worrying about gifts!

Blurb 15% Off until September 9 with code: TAKE15

Turn Summer and Back-To-School Photo's into Keepsake Photo Books!

It's week 2 of the #BackToSchoolBlogParty and I couldn't be happier about bringing you a wonderful way to no only preserve your Summer Photo's but a neat way to capture all of those 1st day of school memories as well!

Blurb is offering a 15% discount on their Photobooks!

Snag the Coupon Code below and get to creating memories!

Blurb has many options for you to convert all of your memories into beautiful keepsake memory books! A few of their options include: hard cover books, Facebook books, even Instagram photos can be transformed into wonderful gifts or memory books to show your family and friends for many years to come! The books are quick and super easy to make, and many options are cheaper than $10!

Start on your Summer Vacation and School Memory books with Blurb today!

Use the code: BLURBBOOK15 to receive your 15% discount!!

 This offer is good for 15% off your product total up to a max discount of $150 USD, CAD & AUD. Each code may only be used once per user and on books made by you. Offer expires at 11:59pm (local time) on August 31. Offer may not be used in conjunction with any other offers, volume discounts or retroactively applied to any previous orders. 

Don't forget to join us during the Back-To-School Blog Party using the hashtag #BackToSchoolBlogParty 

Happy Father's Day

It's Father's Day.... And my fiance has to work both jobs today :( The joy of working 2 restaurant jobs......

I met my fiance through my aunt Lori. in 2004 she was dating a guy named Joe and his best friend was Alan. Lori and Joe decided that Alan and I had a few things in common and would make a good couple.... It turns out that they were right!

Alan and I before kids -- 

My fiance has 5 kids, including our 2 daughters. CW is 14, MJ is 10, Bre is 11(who we NEVER see and probably won't for MANY years! That's a different post for another day...), Loran is 7 and then there's Jade who is 6! Alan and I have been together since I was a teenager, October will make 9 years. He has always had a job and never once gave up on his parenting jobs. He pays child support for his two boys and is the main bread winner in our household of 4: Alan, myself and our 2 daughters. At the moment, Alan works 2 jobs and they both just happen to be restaurants (Good restaurants though – Red Lobster and Applebee's). Which means he works a lot of doubles along with mandatory holidays at both jobs.... Including: Father's Day, Valentines Day, Mother's Day, Memorial Day, New Years and many more... sometimes even Christmas Eve. There are days that I don't see Alan until 2 or 3am! But when he is off, he spends his spare time with the girls. No, we don't have any extra money to go on vacation or to buy new clothes and sometimes we barley scrape past the bills on-time. We've moved many times since the girls have been born but the residence we're at now is the longest we've lived at so far. (We almost moved at tax time but had a change of plans... Next tax season will be a new home for sure!! I'm not as happy in this neighborhood as I was this time last year.) Even though we have bounced around and had a pretty rough life, Alan has almost never been without a job since we've been together. I worked full time at Blimpie's Subs and Salads (sometimes being the only employee other than the owners) from the age of 16 until three days before my oldest daughter was born, when I was 18! The shop closed down while I was on maternity leave so I wasn't able to get another job until after I had Jade in 2007. I've worked at Toys'R'Us and Ingles since the girls have been born but I have been a stay at home mom for about 4 or 5 years now and Alan has never complained much.

He works his butt off for hours, standing on his feet while dealing with continued back pain (When I was pregnant with Loran, Alan worked for a big construction company. He was on a grading crew but they were also one of the only railroad crews and it really did a number on his back. Not to mention that his feet could REALLY use more arch support!) Even though most of Alan's hours are spent at work and most of Alan's checks go to Child Support and Bills, Our little family is still standing on our feet!

Yes, it's been very tough to stay together at times along with staying on our feet but with Alan's hard work and my continued determination to be a strong mom and over come the thoughts of feeling like “a single parent with an overworked roommate”... We have climbed every mountain that has stretched before us and crossed every river that has tried to drag us under. I couldn't do this without Alan. He's my other half and I love him more than I could ever explain!

Even though there was a possibility that Alan already had a daughter in his hometown (Lenior, Hickory, Hudson area...) but didn't know for sure.... he was convinced that his little swimmers couldn't make baby girls! So when I got pregnant, Alan was not expecting to hear the doctor tell us, twice, that we were expecting a daughter! Those baby girls that Alan never thought he would have, has become his pride and joy. Nothing can beat a bond between a loving daddy and his little girls... Not even a few late nights at work! I couldn't of chosen a better father for my daughters!

Happy Father's Day Alan W!!!!! I love you more that you will ever know.

Did you do anything special or planning something special for the outstanding Father's in your life??

Share your stories below and I'll make a feature Father's post soon!

It's Caturday...on Sunday!!

I know it's no longer Caturday... It's Sunday - but work with me here :-)

When I was a kid, I remember always having a cat. My mama has always been a cat person and it wasn't odd for us to have 6 or 7 cats at one time! We never had more than 2 at a time inside, that's a plus! I loved every cat we owned and even had my a cat named Pooh Bear but he ran away... As an adult, I never wanted inside animals, I don't like the fur everywhere among many other things that bothers me abut inside pets. But in 2010, our neighbors had 2 female cats who were getting ready to pop! The first litter was ready just days before Jade's birthday and even though Alan was at work... we ended up owning a kitten because the girls insisted on being one home. My fiance was okay with it though because we were talking about getting the girls a pet anyways. Since Jade's birthday was coming up, we let her name the kitten.... She named her Tinkerbell but often called her Tinkers. (She was really into Tinkerbell the faerie during that time) TInkers was so tiny and got stuck in a tree before she even made it in the house for the first time! It was great!

A couple weeks later the other litter was ready to find new homes. You guessed it... Another kitten moved into my house. Just as Tinkerbell was getting use to her new home, she gets a tiny roommate! Loran's birthday was creeping near so she chose the name for our new kitten. That tiny little orange kitten got named Punkin Pie... Not Pumpkin - She got called Punkin often. Both kittens were girls. We loved those cats and they even moved a couple times with us. My daughters could do anything with those cats and they would just let 'em! We kept them for a couple years but ended up not being able to keep them.

Tinkerbell got pregnant and we let her stay with a friend until she had her babies and we never seen her again :( Punkin got let out at my daddy-paws shop and he took care of her there until he believes a lady who lives near by may have took her inside, which is good since Punkin Pie was an inside/outside cat, but spent 80% of her time inside.

It's been 3 years and we still think about our cats sometimes. The girls remember them well and I've had to promise to get them another pet again soon. I leave my door open to much during the summer to get a cat and I don't like dogs in my home more than I don't like cats inside! So I'm not sure what kind of pet we'll get but I'm sure I'll find out sooner or later.

Do you have a pet that's become a part of the family?

Or are you missing your four legged friend?

If you like cats - Check out this Artwork from an Artist who uses Kittens to Recreate Classic Album Covers!
Don't forget to hop over to the feline blog hop also!
(Use the button at the top of the post)

Make A Plate Giveaway

This is one plate that I would want my kids to draw on! Check out this great giveaway and see how you could win!

Make A Plate Giveaway

Hosted by Pea of Sweetness

Sponsored by MAKit

With MakIt’s Make A Plate kit, you can create any unique design that they’ll bond to a plate. It’s sturdy enough to use everyday, and precious enough to cherish forever! These would make great gifts for grandparents and other family members!!

The Make A Plate kit is:

• Made of break-resistant, durable melamine
• Measures 10 inches in diameter
• Nontoxic (BPA-free) and dishwasher safe *Do Not Microwave*
• Comes with 25 blank templates

MakIt is offering a special promotion so you can order a Make A Plate Kit for only $12.99 - $5 off the original price! (ends 6/31)

Visit Pea of Sweetness to read the full Make A Plate review.

About the Giveaway:

This giveaway begins on 6/7 at 8pm EST and ends on 6/22 at 12:00am EST and is open to US residents ages 18+.

Please refer to the full terms and conditions in the Giveaway Tools

The Prize: One lucky winner will receive a prepaid Make A Plate Kit!

Entry-Form

Disclosure: Void where prohibited by law - I received no compensation for this publication. My opinions are my own and may be different than yours. My Kind Of Introduction is not responsible for prize fulfillment. The odds of winning are based on the number of entries received.

** This promotion is no way sponsored, endorsed/administered by, or associated with, Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, Etsy or Instagram**

It's a small world after all....

It really is amazing when you realize how small this world is!

My fiance and I recently started talking and hanging out with a couple who moved in next door about 7 months ago. They have 3 boys and their oldest son started playing with our daughters. It started with my fiance and the husband, Corban, started talking and really hit it off fast. They quickly became close friends in just a matter of weeks! I had never met Corban's wife, Jillian, but had heard lots about her from my fiance and her husband Corban. The guys were on a mission to get us together so we would all be friends and be able to hang out more often. One night when Jillian and Alan were both off work, Alan and I went down to hang out by the bonfire with the neighbors. Jillian and I hit it off wonderfully and it was pretty funny when Corban and Alan gave each other a high-five when they realized we were going to be great friends lol 

Last night, Alan and I went back down to hang out with Jillian and Corban. The boys started playing video games while Jillian and I started looking at some pictures and talking about our kids. I then had a bright idea to ask Jillian what school she went to... She replied with Erwin, which just happen to be the same school my aunt and my childhood best-friend went to (I tried to get my mama to let me go to Erwin too but she wouldn't change my schools). I asked Jillian if she knew my friend and she didn't. But when I mentioned my aunt..... A light-bulb lit up above both of our heads!! My aunt use to be Jillian's neighbor when she was little, Lori (my aunt) use to be close friends with her sister! Come to find out, I use to hang out with Lori and Jillian's big sister often and I knew Jillian as "The annoying little sister!" HOW FUNNY IS THAT?! I am now very close friends with Jillian and I can't believe that I have knew her since she was a little girl! It's amazing and I couldn't be happier to reconnect with Jillian! She is no longer the "annoying little sister"! She is now a mom of 3 beautiful little boys and a great friend. her boys and my daughters love playing together and I can't wait to let my aunt know about this awesome new friendship!!! (If I can get intouch with her....) :-)

RIP Richard "Hank" Edwards

Dear Hank,

  I said good-bye today and it truly broke my heart. I know we will see each other again but we'll be missing you until then. I touched your chest and broke into tears... i didn't know what to say to your dad and seeing Dotty so hurt, made me break down. Yall were perfect together, brought out the best in each other. the perfect match for the perfect people. They say that the best die young but I don't understand why. Why can't the best thrive to be even better? Why take such a young life?

I was only able to go to the viewing and I hate that I am going to miss the funeral. alot of your friends are going to do "donuts" Hot-rods in your memory! I bet your looking down on us, very proud to see everyone who loves you. The funeral home was packed! People just kept coming! Everyone is going to miss you!

Dustin is taking it pretty hard. You and him were very close and we all wish we would of had more time with you. I've rose Duder out of a depression slum before and I am ready to do it again. It's going to be tough but we will get through it.

Jeff also came. He broke down and cried. We had some good times together. I'm thinking about asking Jeff if he wants to go walk to that abandoned house with me soon and see if we can sit on the porch and remember old times. The porch that we ran from.... Through the woods and Jeff landed in a hole... You and I stopped and you made sure I was safe. I wasn't scared, you and Jeff were there to protect me if anything went wrong. I miss those days.

I remember you hanging out in the "hood" with all of us. Dustin, Dotty, Mom and Pops, Butters and the rest of the Enka crew..... We had some wonderful times. I saw April and Zeke, Nicole and Misha. Butters and Rosco, Brandon and Melody. Everyone showed up to pay their respects. And I mean EVERYONE!!

Don't worry about Dotty, we'll take care of her. She's a strong girl and has lots of loving people around her. I also know that not only are your watching down on her... Mom and Pops are too! Yall keep watch from Heaven and I'll keep watch from Earth. I won't let her fall and I won't let Dustin fall either. 

You have my word! 

You lived a great life! You were happily married to the woman of your dreams, had wonderful friends and always kept your head up. Never angry for too long. I don't remember seeing you mad at all! Down to earth and quiet. As sweet as a teddy bear! We love you more than you will ever know!

Hank... You will forever be missed and remembered in our hearts and memories!

It's your turn to relax.... We will see you again one day!

RIP Richard "Hank" Edwards

Love always,
Your Friend Autumn



The above words are my own feelings and memories of a lost friend. Some of the names used in the writing are real life Nick-names while the real names are in the obituary at the top.

A Sad Day in Candler

I recently found out that a close friend of mine that I hadn't seen in a couple years, passed away due to head trauma during a 4-wheeler wreck. I don't really know how to feel because I use to hang out with him all the time when I was in high school. We hung out with the same group of friends and I even ran from the cops with him and another friend, once (We wasn't doing anything bad, just hanging out at an abandon house while our friends was going to get some pizza. The cops didn't want us there and we didn't want to talk to them...) Hank was always a very down to earth person and died at the young age of 26. He was happily married to a wonderful girl who is a dear friend of mine. I haven't talked to Dotty since this horrible tragedy but I know she is in alot of pain, she just lost the love of her life.

I had never lost someone real close to me until my best friends mom and step-dad died a couple years ago. That was the toughest few weeks that I've ever been trough! And now another close friend has passed away and I don't know what to say. What's going on in this world? Why did he have to leave his family on the day before Mother's Day? I'm sure Hank's family is asking the same questions right now. The answers... we will never receive. I want to hug Dotty and tell her that everything will be okay, that we will get through this together. She's a strong woman, it will take time.

I miss my friend. That abandoned house is not very far from my home... I kind of want to go sit on it's porch. To remember the good ol' days.

Today is Mother's Day and I sit here at my desk grateful for my life and for my daughters and mom. But then I look to my right and I see a photo of my best-friend's mom and I start to cry. I know that Hank is with Mom and Pops in Heaven.

It may be a sad day on earth for us... but it's a reunion in Heaven for them.
Mom, Pops and Hank are sitting on a cloud, watching over all of us, wishing we would all just dry up our tears and smile.

RIP Hank
You will be missed by many!

I also want to wish Donna Wolfe a Happy Mother's Day in Heaven.
We love you! - Hug Hank for us!

This song from Jason Aldean makes me remember the good times when Hank, Mom and Pops was still with us, here on Earth.

Happy Birthday Lori!

Happy Birthday to a VERY Special Person!

Today is my aunt's 26th birthday and I can't believe how much has change in the past few years. Lori has always been my favorite aunt. She's my mama's sister and only 5 months and 3 days older me. When we were babies, my daddy-paw (Lori's daddy) would hold Lori in one arm and me in the other while teaching us what to call him... He would look at Lori and say "Daddy" and then look at me and say "Paw". I squished the 2 names together and started calling him Daddy-Paw :-)

Lori and I are so close in age that when we were kids that I would spend 90% of the time that school was out, at Lori's house. (We went to different schools so we couldn't spend the night with each other on school nights) We would blast "Great Balls Of Fire" and "Low Rider" while jumping on the trampoline and playing "House" in a near by barn.

I remember hanging out at my Daddy-paws shop with our radio and heavy bags full of paper, coloring books, magazines and all kinds of other stuff that could keep 2 little girls occupied for hours. We would dance on the back of a flat bed truck and search for blue crab claws in the near by creek. We even started our very own magazine called The Butterfly Club. We took interviews of family members and had everything planned out. We even printed out fliers, I remember that they were yellow with flowers and butterflies all over the page. We has our own nick names for The Butterfly Club Magazine but I don't remember what they were... Bubbles and Buttercup keep popping into my head but I'm not sure if I'm thinking about the Power Puff Girls or about our Butterfly Club Nicknames lol

We would go fishing for huge goldfish at our paws house and swim around in a creek for hours. I could never take a fish off my hook so I always had Lori do it for me :-) The creek would be full of random cows alot of the time but Lori and I didn't care, we would play in the sinking sand and splash around all day... Cows or no cows.

Lori and I grew up together, we went through the same troubles at the same time. I would be there for her and she would be there for me. 

Since we've became adults, our relationship has faded a bit but I still love my aunt more than ever. We worked together, we were pregnant together Our daughters are the same age and I wish they were as close as Lori and I were. Maybe one day they will be :-)

I know that if I ever truly need something, that Lori will be there for me. She's a wonderful person and I don't know what I would do without my aunt Lori! 

This photo is from when Lori and I was
in high-school. She was playing with
my hair and this is the out-come!
Beautiful!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LORI!!! WE LOVE YOU BUNCHES!

Some cool info about my aunt:

• She LOVES washing clothes
• Her Favorite Color is Purple
• She's had many nicknames but her latest one is Lu-Lu
• She's a hard worker and currently has 2 jobs
• She can do amazing things with hair!
• I LOVE HER VERY MUCH!!

OOOOHHHHH Before I forget.............

"Happy Happy Birthday, from all of me to YOU.......

Happy Happy Birthday... I hope your dreams come true!!"

(Alittle Birthday song that I call and sing to Lori every year!)

All photographs appearing on this site are the property of Autumn Banks. All the photography on this blog is protected by U.S. Copyright Laws, and are not to be manipulated, downloaded or reproduced any way and may not be used in commercial or political materials, advertisements, emails, products, promotions without written permission. Copyright 2013 Autumn Banks All Rights Reserved.

Childhood Memories - #CHALLENGETOWRITE

My Favorite Childhood Memories

#CHALLENGETOWRITE

Summer will be here soon and I can't wait! I LOVE Spring but I'm not a big fan of the chilly days where the wind makes me go grab a jacket.

I'm hoping that we will be able to go on a vacation this summer so I can get out of Asheville! I need a break for a week or two, I'll even be okay with a weekend out of town.

I remember when I was little that we would go to Lake James every summer for a few weeks. Some friends of the family would drive down a week before and clear up the area under a big bridge that we use to always camp at. It would get so grew up over the off season that without the clean-up, it wouldn't be clear enough for us to camp. We would have a big group of people camping under the bridge and was able to play in the water for as long as we wanted! I remember spending the whole day swimming in the lake until it got dark, then we would ride the boat to the other side of the lake to dance the night away to one of our friends' band. He would leave our camp early at night to go set up for his show and we would meet his there a couple hours later. It was wonderful! I remember my step-brother getting stung on the lip by a bee that was hiding in his drink can... He looked like Bubba from Forest Gump... He hated me making fun of him but I couldn't help it! haha

I want my daughters to have fun summer memories. I only have a few childhood memories that I can truly remember but I'm hoping that I can gain many more as an adult. My daughters deserve it.... even though they get introuble alot... they still deserve to have fun! 

I want to take them fishing soon. I use to go fishing with my daddy-paw ALL the time! He would take my aunt and I to our Paws house and we would go fishing for HUGE gold fish in the creek. It was so fun and I loved all the time I got to spend with my awesome daddy-paw! My daughters have only been fishing a couple times and only one of those times was with my daddy-paw. Maybe this summer I can try and get everyone together and go on a family fishing trip so my daughters and spend time with my daddy-paw and their cousins that we don't see very often.

Below are some photos of Loran and Jade on a fishing trip they took with their daddy and a family friend a couple years ago.

I love how they're barley holding the tiny fish tails!! haha

The one thing I'm not looking forward to once Summer gets here is not having the daily week-day baby sitter for my kids called School :-)

Don't get me wrong, I love having my kids home with me but I don't have anyone to watch my kids if I have something important to do. School is my only ME time..... That's one of the reasons that I stay up late at night... It's quiet and no one yelling "MOMMY!"

I wonder how much Summer Camp is..... :-)

Question of the Day - April 29

- Question of the Day -

What's you first memory as a child?

Mine is pretty funny.... I remember crying up against a wall when my mama told me that I couldn't out water in my Barbie Pool. I cried until she decided to let me go ahead and put water in it :-) The joy of being an only child for a few years


What's you first memory as a child?
or
Do you have a funny childhood story you would like to share?

Bitter Sweet Memories

So many people are having babies these days, it's like it's the Baby Boom all over again! 2 out of the 5 pregnant women that I know had their baby boys during the past 2 weeks and I've seen many more facebook notifications and statuses announcing even more new babies that have been brought into the world throughout the past couple days.

2018 Kindergarten Teachers better be ready for some big class sizes!!!

I'm very sad to say that in alittle over a month, my daughters will be 6 and 7 yrs old! No longer babies :( I can't believe it's been over 6 years since I had my first child. Loran was a true blessing to me. I was quiet the party girl when I was younger and I was never into the whole settling down and getting married dream like most girls my age were. (I'm still not interested in the whole marriage ordeal as an adult) I just wanted to have fun and I didn't care who I hurt in the process. I made my way through alot of dust trails in my teen years but I wouldn't change a thing. It all lead to the way my life is today. No, we're not rich and my relationship is no where near perfect but I do believe that I found a wonderful man who I am proud to say is the father of my girls. Our family is happy and that's all that matters.

I'd had many family members tell me that getting with Alan was the wrong choice because he was 5 years older than me and already had 2 kids of his own but that didn't matter to me. I fell inlove with those little boys of his just like I fell inlove with their father. It's not like I was with the man for 2 months and got pregnant.... we were together for over a year before I got pregnant with Loran. When I found out I was pregnant, I had just turned 18, had a full time job and had been in a serious relationship for just over a year. Yes, I lived with my mama, my boyfriend did as well. You may not agree with the way we lived or the way I was raised but it worked. I was able to be there for my mama and little brothers and she was able to be there for me. (My step-dad was jealous of my mama and I's relationship so me and him never got along) I went months before I told my mama I was pregnant. She kind of already knew but I would never confirm it. When I finally told her that I was pregnant.... she cried. The only thing she could say was "What are you going to do?" Of course I replied with "I'm going to have a baby!"

It didn't take long before she was just as happy as I was that a new baby was going to be added to the family. Once I went to the doctor, I realized that i was 4 months pregnant...... I had turned 18 just 2 months before that... I got pregnant at the age of 17. Yes, that's young but I have to say that kids these days are starting alot earlier than I did and I'm not okay with it... I do have 2 DAUGHTERS!

Anyways, I gave birth to Loran on June 12 of 2006. A beautiful baby girl that already looked just like her daddy. Alan and I got our own place and about 3 months later I realized that I was pregnant again! I wasn't as happy about this pregnancy as I was about the first but once I found out i was having another girl, I felt alittle better. As soon as I was able to feel my baby girl move inside my belly..... I was inlove! No one was going to tell me that I wasn't going to be able to raise my daughters. They were my life now and I would risk mine to save them.

Jade was born at the end of May... Just 2 weeks before her sisters 1st birthday! My daughters are only 11 months apart... for 2 weeks out of the year my daughters are the same age! They look nothing alike so noone can mistake them as twins but if I get asked about their age during that 2 weeks out of the year.... I get some crazy looks. It's pretty funny and even though my daughters fight OFTEN, they love each other and  will never be without a best friend. They support each other and protect each other and that's what makes me smile.

This summer is going to be so bitter sweet when my girls become even bigger girls then they are right now... Age 7 is no longer a baby and I'm not sure how I will feel when the end of May starts getting closer.

I GOT TO START PLANNING A PARTY!