Life, Love, & Happiness

This morning I came across our video on YouTube (what would we ever do without social media?). 

I have watched it numerous times, all of which bring tears of joy, but all of those were before we found out about having our first child, which changes everything. I could have never imagined my life today, as a mom, wife, & step-mom.  I am so blessed to love and be loved more each and everyday by my husband, my father, my step-daughter, and all of the many friends and family who surround us daily. 

May this video bring you as much joy as it has brought Cham & myself.

http://www.youtube.com/embed/GoGkExavAH4

God has blessed us with Life, Love, & eternal Happiness!

How to make... TISSUE POM POM'S

This year, for Jaydyn's 5th Sweet Shoppe Birthday Party, I decided to try a little DIY.  One of the many projects on my list were tissue pom poms. Who doesn't love little pom poms hanging from the ceiling? I had made about 12 smaller poms for my husbands surprise birthday cookout last year and they ended up in Jaydyn's room, hanging over her bed. Need I say they are still hanging and look fabulous! Pom poms can add pizazz to any room or event.

Supplies:
Entire package of tissue paper
Scissors
Pen/Pencil
Wire
Ribbon or something to hang the pom poms from

Step 1:

Unfold the tissue paper and lay it out flat on a table. Keep all layers of the paper even and all of the corners matched up.

Step 2:

You are going to 'acordian fold' the tissue paper back-and-forth. I made my folds about 1.5 inches wide, but you can go smaller or larger. (Note- the smaller the fold, the more difficult to separate the tissue paper later)

This is what your tissue paper should look like after you are finished folding..

Step 3:

Fold the entire thing in half to find the exact center, which is where you are going to attach the wire.

Step 4:

Cut a piece of wire (length doesn't matter, you can trim later).  Wrap it around the middle.  BE careful not to crease the paper. Make a loop so you can attach a ribbon or something to hang the pom pom.

Step 5:

Get your pencil or pen ready.  This step involves shaping the ends.  This is what makes the pom pom look like a flower. I like mine rounded (scalloped) so I just traced half of a circle on the ends to look like this..

Please ignore my lack of nail hygiene.. I was in between painting the "lollipops" and candy pieces while making these pom poms.

Step 6:

This is the most time consuming step of them all.  You want to separate each tissue layer.  Be careful not to pull to hard or the tissue paper will rip.  I usually do one end at a time.

It should begin to look like this:

Step 7:

Separate the other side of the tissue paper. You should start to see a "ball" forming.

Step 8:

Hang your pom pom for all to see!

I re-hung them in the hallway for additional color in the hallway for Easter!

Your Legacy..

The thought of being a mom thrills me beyond belief!  There are so many wonderful memories ahead and I just keep thinking that I want them to all be 'perfect'.  With this, the memories my children have when they become parents, has intrigued the wheels of my brain to turn. 

LEG-A-CY(noun)- something transmitted by or received from an ancestor or predecessor or from the past.

The word 'Legacy' means several different things to me; an no I'm not talking about the kind of legacy you hope for your daughter as she goes through sorority recruitment. 

'Legacy' is a powerful word.  It always has kept me on my toes since I became old enough to desire a family of my own.  My mom's legacy is what lives on inside of me.  Her legacy has empowered me to achieve goals that were unachievable and succeed at being the person I am today.  Even though my mom isn't physically present in my life today her spirit has always guided me in the right direction. 

When I think about leaving a legacy for my children (and eventually grandchildren), I think of people such as Mother Teresa, Florence Nightingale, Martin Luther King, Jr., Susan B. Anthony, Walt Disney,  & Rosa Parks (what would Jesus do?) ....... BUT I've realized that everyday people can leave a legacy that far exceed our imaginiation, such as my mom.  I can leave a legacy for my children, just at strong as the one left for me.

What precious memories I have of my mother.  She helped create the 'Washington County Animal Shelter' out of her love for animals. My dad always used to tell me stories about how she would "adopt" every stray animal she saw.  Several of these were while driving down the road and she would insist they stop to pick up the stray dog.  I think that's actually how we acquired all of the dogs we had as pets.  My husband always jokes that I pay more attention to our dogs than him. Of course, he's joking, but my love for animals is in abundance.  My mother was a teacher at Stratton Elementary, which was located in a rather low-income neighborhood for the simple fact that she told my dad, "she wanted to change the world".   Through her teaching she influenced many students at the different schools she taught.  She enjoyed sewing and "crafting" which are many of the things I enjoy myself. She was a member of the Junior League and many other community organizations.   She volunteered throughout the community, not for self satisfaction, but for the simple determination to help others and bring them joy.

Most of all, she wanted to be a mom, like ME!

Memories can sometimes fade over time.   I might forget the sound of her voice, the 'cackle' of her laugh, or the way she held her pen to write, but her legacy will last forever.   

Whether your role-model is someone you speak to daily, someone who crossed your path once or twice, or maybe someone you've never had the chance to meet; their legacy can influence, encourage, and empower you to achieve the highest goals you set for yourself. 

Through God, we can believe that the IMpossible is possible!

As a mom to my dearest Lula Mae, I promise to do all of the above and most importantly love her until the end of time.  I promise to leave a leagacy for her as strong as the one my mom left for me.

Whether you're a mom, grandmother, daughter, father, caregiver, teacher, cross walk attendant, bus driver, or neighbor to a small child; you may be a celebrity in their eyes. 

What legacy will you leave behind? What will YOU be remembered for?


Job 1:21
Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.