to my mommie...

I miss you.

I don't know what triggered them, but I just had a flood of memories that made me really miss my time with my mommie. 

I have special memories from my childhood through now that I cherish with her, but I am talking specifically about our time we had about 6 years ago when it was just me and her living together.  My brother was living with us too, when he was home on leave, but most of the time, it was just me and her and I miss those days.

I miss going to the store with her.  I miss driving down to Downey Drugs and having lunch with her just because I wanted to.  I miss our Friday night dinners we had together at Logan's, Top O The River (remember the night that waiter hit on you? :)), and Jefferson's.  I miss her waking me up in the mornings for school.  I miss her being there when I got home in the evenings...ok, sometimes in the middle of the night :).  I miss sharing her makeup, deodorant, toothpaste, and shampoo. Yes, I miss the little things.

And as I'm getting ready to take Sammie on our first ever girls trip to the beach, I am missing our trip that we took to Panama City Beach for the 4th of July in 2005.  Her sisters and their families were already down there and we drove down, just the two of us (well, 3 if you count Sammie in my belly), and met them.  We had talks, we told jokes and laughed, she drove while I slept, and we enjoyed the company.

I guess I just miss being the daughter.  I am still her daughter and forever will be, but now I am much more than that.

I am a mother..

a wife..

a provider..

and the sharer of makeup, deodorant, toothpaste, and shampoo.. 

I do not wish my children's lives away, but I do admit that I look forward to Sammie getting older and being able to do the things that I loved doing with my mom.

I love you so much mommie.  I miss you and am looking forward to another weekend with my family and Grammie. :)

I love you more than...

That was the "battle of words" that Sammie and I had out last night. 


I started with: "Sammie, I love you more than all of the trees in the whole world."


Sammie: "is that a lot? because I love you more than Disney."


Me: "oh thank goodness!"


Sammie: "Mommy, I love you more than my tv."


If you know my child, you know that she considers that a big deal.


I am so thankful that my little girl is exactly that...my little girl.  She is absolutely precious and steals my heart all over again every day. 


And even though I'm supposed to be teaching her things, she is actually teaching me a very important lesson...


how to love myself...


I've been working really hard lately to get myself in shape and down to a certain weight that I see as "skinny enough" or "good enough" for a bikini or just to look at myself and be satisfied.  I've been on a fairly strict 1200 calorie diet during the week, have given up caffeine completely, working out everyday for 30-35 minutes on my lunch break and on Saturday mornings, and doing the 30 Day Shred every evening.  I am certainly seeing the results I want...slowly....but certainly.  I am enjoying myself and am very proud of myself for the hardwork I'm putting in to it. 


But more importantly, I am beginning to love myself.  And my body.  Which for a woman, is BIG news. 


You may be asking yourself how Sammie teaching me things has anything to do with this, but bare with me.


Sammie has her daddy's freckles.  Not quite as many as he does, but his nonetheless. They are under her eyes and across her nose.  She has always complained about her freckles.  She's always (since she's understood things) said that she hated them and wished she didn't have them.  I've noticed, however, that as she's getting older, she's beginning to love them....


Me: "I love you more than the amount of freckles on your face." 


*I immediately cringed in fear about what her response would be*


Sammie: "aww, I love my freckles, mommy."

*huge sigh*

I love you Samantha Grace.  You'll understand how much one day.

I've got mine..

I was reading a blog yesterday that I try to read daily and came across this little paragraph that made me smile..

..."We look for that ONE guy out there to fulfill all of our needs, right? One person. He’ll be strong and sensitive, he’ll smell good and he’ll listen, he’ll be funny and serious. And I’ll never have to ask him to take out the trash: he’ll just read my mind."...

The reason it made me smile is because after everything that we've been through lately I have realized that I have found my "ONE guy"...

He'll be strong-physically (he's got muscles), mentally (well most days=)), and emotionally (he's dealt with certain things better than I have).

and sensitive-our relationship and family means everything to him and when something doesn't go right, he gets his feelings hurt. He cares for people and animals in a way that is so precious to me.

He'll smell good-thanks to Degree deodorant and Axe body wash and spray, he smells pretty darn good. =)

He'll listen-he proved that for Valentine's Day and every day since we've been diligently working on our relationship.

He'll be funny-have you been around my husband? He keeps me laughing almost constantly. And during almost every phone conversation I have with my mother, she says "haha, he's so funny, I just love him". =)

and serious-at the same time that he's funny, he's equally serious. There are issues that he deals with seriously and he definitely takes discplining the kids (and Anheiser) seriously (an area that I do admit I struggle with).

I'll never have to ask him to take out the trash- yep, he does that one on his own. On top of the dishes, picking the kids up from day care, cleaning (sometimes), and cooking dinner (more times than not). All of which I overflow with thankfulness for and admittedly take for granted.

So, you see I do, indeed, have that "ONE guy".

Thank you, Lord, for Matt. He is so precious to me and I cherish everyday that I have with him even though we've both taken too many days the past 6 years for granted, we are learning because of You, how to savor every minute and enjoy everything. (Yes, even our uncleaned home) I am so thankful that You've restored his soul and made him my encouragement to get through situations and even my encourgament to get up and get moving when I don't want to. And while he may not be the most romantic man, You certainly have molded him to be pretty darn close and I thank You for that as well. I pray that we will continue to grow together in You and that we will, together, raise our children to serve You, love You, and to know the love You have for all of us. Amen.

Joshua Mahlon Myers..

was born two years ago today. At 5:35 p.m. to be precise. He didn't wait near as long as Sammie, but that little boy sure didn't want to come out! Once they got me admitted, they did the ultrasound to see where he was....he was all the way up in my ribs. Almost like he was hiding and not wanting to let go of his mommy. =)

From the moment I saw him, I was in love. Even after months of fear of having a little boy. He still loves his mommy as much as he did when I was pregnant and doesn't like to let go of me. That's ok with me because it makes my heart smile. Even though it's only been two years, it seems like he has been part of our family forever.

This morning once he woke up, I did what I normally wouldn't do, but because it was his birthday....

he got a cupcake for breakfast!

Following suit from Sammie's birthday post, I will tell you a few things I love about this boy in a bullet post:

• his blonde hair
• those big blue eyes
• those precious pouty lips
• the closed eye, showing all his teeth smile (see above picture!)
• his precious heart
• the love he has for his mommy and daddy
• the sweetness of his "love you, momma"
• his big squeezes at bedtime and byebye time
• how he gives me all of his kisses (each cheek, forehead, nose, chin, and lips)
• watching him love on his 'sissy'
• how mischievous he is (even if it does get him in trouble)
• how he snorts when he laughs
• how he loves for me to hold him like a baby and sing "rock a bye baby" and once it gets to the end of the song, I drop him on the bed like he's falling out of the tree
• how he calls his hot dog, his "hot diggity dog"
• how he loves to stand at the door and watch the garbage truck and every time he sees him he says, "oh wow"
• he never wants to stop, but once he does, he's out
• watching him play with Anheiser like he's bigger than him
• watching him play with his Uncle John Morgan, who just happens to be 6 months YOUNGER than him. :)

There are so many more things about this boy that I could list, but I'll just let them soak in my mind and heart today (and every other day). I pray that Mahlon will grow up to be a strong, loving, independent, and Godly man. I wouldn't mind if he was a mixture of all the men in our lives.

Happy Birthday sweet Mahlon! I love you so much!!

hello world

Sorry I've been so absent lately! We've had a lot of things going on in our little world, but all is well and hopefully I will become a regular again! =) (*fingers crossed*)

I'm not even sure of where to begin!

We had Sammie's birthday party that was a success and she got lots of toys, money, and clothes that she loved. The favorite being her red cowgirl boots her Granny PattPatt got her. She wears them everyday, with everything.

We had Christmas with several sides of the family and enjoyed all the gifts we received as well as gave. I think it's safe to say that we started a new family tradition this year for Christmas Eve. We had dinner and gifts with my dad, stepmom, granny, and little brothers. It was so much fun and so nice to be with family. Santa was really good to the kids this year. =) And for the third year (right?) my mom spent the night with us on Christmas Eve. It's always fun to have my mom with us on Christmas morning, it makes it that much more special to all of us.

Mahlon's growing like a weed. He's starting to really repeat everything you say and his little personality is shining through like crazy. He's doing excellent with his sentences and as long as you're paying attention and trying to figure out what he's saying, you'll understand him. He loves to eat and he loves to eat ketchup. That's right. On anything. Last night he was dipping his tortilla chips in it. He's such a delight and so loving. And believe it or not, he'll be two in 10 days and is in desperate need of his first haircut!! ahhhh craziness.

See the little "alfalfa" spike in the back? that's his PONYTAIL!

Sammie is still as sweet as ever, sometimes. She's little miss independent for sure. Her personality is starting to break through more and more here lately, as well. She's very opinionated (the most when it comes to clothes). Just this morning I was trying to get her up and dressed and every shirt that I pulled out of her drawer was "ridiculous" or "oh my goodness awful". Needless to say, I am NOT looking forward to her teenage years. She's my little princess and I love her so much.

She's going to be playing softball this year! We are super excited!

Mason killed his first deer this year! Matt has been working so hard to find him the perfect place to hunt and on the last day of the season that Mason would get the chance to hunt, it paid off. We did have to walk the pine tree lanes for an hour or so, but we finally located her and the excitement on Matt's face and the giddiness that Mason had was priceless. Mason is growing up so fast and he's such a hoot. I love him and I love when it's our weekend and all of the kids get to be together. Granted it is a little hectic and loud and chaotic and messy and...well, I think you get the picture...it's absolutely wonderful to have all the babies together.

The rabbit was Matt's roadkill on the way home. Men...

Matt and I are back on track after a couple of "falling outs". Our love for each other has grown the last couple of weeks in ways that I never thought it could. We've both agreed that it feels like it did when we first got married. Simple, fun, adventurous, loving, peaceful, and there's more teamwork than there ever has been. Thank the Lord for bringing us through!

I think that it's unanimous that we are ready for Spring and Summer. All of this cold weather is getting to us! The kids love to be outside playing ball, riding bikes, and swimming, but Old Man Winter is really dragging this year. And to think we have more "winter precipitation" coming this week. Enough already! =) I'm ready for sunny days, THUNDERstorms (not just the quiet cold rain), crystal clear water, and screams and giggles of kids having fun. Are you with me!?

I do want to thank everybody that's been praying for my family and ask that you will continue to do so. We've been through many obstacles lately and still have some coming within our extended family. Just keep us in your prayers and I promise to do better with the updating! =)

5 years ago..

today my beautiful red headed, blue eyed, freckle faced little Samantha Grace was born. She was born at 1:10 in the afternoon at Jacksonville Medical Center weighing in at 6lbs 9.5oz and 19 1/2 inches long.

I have so many thoughts going through my head about this precious little girl that I want to write here, but here lately, I'm really struggling with exhaustion and can't seem to focus the way I want to, so bare with me if these thoughts are scattered and quite possibly bulleted. :)

• I get so much joy from Sammie Grace.

• I love how she loves unconditionally.

• I love the silly ways she tells me how much she loves me. Here lately, it's been armpit licking..silly girl

• Even though I know it means she's growing up, I enjoy her independence.

• she's the best big sister in the world and she loves taking care of Mahlon.

• she's the best drama queen there ever was...i.e. her Christmas play last night...oh lawdy, that girl

• I love how when she gets shy, she throws up her binoculars (with her hands)

• I love how much she loves the Lord and wants to learn about Him.

• I love the fact that she told everybody at her birthday party yesterday about Jesus' blood and that He died on the cross for our sins. So proud of my baby girl!

• she's my "1st day of Christmas" present..no partridge in a pear tree for this momma!

• I love that she tells me every morning once I get dressed that she thinks I'm beautiful

• I love that she loves her mommy and daddy the way she does.

• I love that she has no idea that she's getting more presents when she gets home from school today!

Tonight, we will continue our family tradition that we started on her first birthday (even though then she was too young to care) and go through town and look at Christmas lights and go "out and eat" as she says. Her pick and we'll take as long as she wants..after all, it is HER day.

I love you, Samantha Grace Myers!

Once again, I apologize for the rather, unconventional post, but you get what you got. :)

Family

I love it when my family comes to visit! We're all so scattered now and with Josh's schedule the way it is, it's hard for us all to get together, but it sure is nice when we do!!

My brother, Josh, his wife, Stephanie, and my beautiful neice, Savannah (affectionally called SavyBaby by her aunt Sarah) got to come home for Thanksgiving this year and it was much needed. By both me and my mom!

As you can tell from a previous post, I wasn't counting down the hours until they got here :). Once they got to town I got them to come by and see me at work! I see SavyBaby maybe two to three times through the year and I'm always afraid she isn't going to remember me, but dangit she did!! I got her door open and she was jumping and trying to get unbuckled and screaming "Sarah Sarah I love you!" Made my day!

Over the next couple of days, my home was filled with people. Little running feet, screams, laughter, silence (very rarely), and snoring (mom!). I wouldn't have had it any other way! *Well, maybe with a cleaner home once everyone left, but hey..what a price to pay for what I got to enjoy!*

I love watching SavyBaby and Sammie play together

and it's really nice when they can include Mahlon without fights....

and sometimes, Mahlon and SavyBaby get to sneak away and enjoy Fruity Peebles off the floor! -haha- This was priceless! Mahlon was eating them from the bag, but once SavyBaby wanted some, he would grab a handful and drop them in the floor infront of her. I know that sounds (looks) gross, but my floors weren't THAT dirty. :)

We spent Thanksgiving Day with my mom's side of the family and that's always nice! They are such a silly bunch of people and I love being with them!

Once we got home Thursday night, Steph and I stayed up and went shopping for Black Friday! We got to WalMart around 11:20 p.m. and shopped until 5 a.m. We got what I was after and some extras (thank goodness!) and headed back to the house where Steph climbed into bed and slept the rest of the day while I got in the shower and headed to work for 8 hours. What a day!! Luckily it was a slow day and everyone in the state of Alabama was at home watching the Iron Bowl! 37 1/2 hours of no sleep is NOT fun, but the shopping sure was!

Saturday was spent with the Patton family at our annual Thanksgiving. It was nice to be around everyone, but it was strange being there without Granddaddy. We made it and we made it fun so we know he was there in spirit!

I am so thankful for my family (every one of you!) and I'm thankful that we do all get together throughout the year! I love you all and can't wait until Christmas!

I miss this man...

James Edwin Patton...better known as "grandaddy" or "pawpaw pattpatt"

I'm having a hard time lately. I suppose it's because it's getting close the anniversary of when we found out about grandaddy's cancer.

October 31st used to be a day that I looked forward to (because I love getting the kids dressed up and I love the atmosphere), but now I'm sitting here dreading this day. I remember every minute of that morning and I remember the phone calls so vividly that they hurt. I had just gotten to work and had a note on the bulletin board to call Jan. This was rare, but I thought "well, maybe she's calling to let me know they won't be home tonight", so without hesitation, I called and said "hey, you called?". I remember being very upbeat and excited that morning...until I heard her voice and I knew something was wrong..something was very wrong. She gave a heavy sigh followed by "Sarah, I've got some back news. They took grandaddy to the ER last night and he was airlifted to UAB. They think he may have brain cancer." . She asked if I was ok to which I forced out an "uh huh". But I wasn't. After she filled me in with the details, I cleared my face and began my work day. I didn't speak to Matt at all that day because I knew I wouldn't be able to hold myself together. I kept telling myself that I would talk to him when I got home and could see him and let him hold me. I didn't do that. When I got home, I saw him, and my heart broke. Without saying a word, I went to my bed and sobbed. He knew something was wrong and gave me a few minutes before he came in. He knelt beside the bed, rubbing my hair, and asked "baby, what's wrong." My words were, "I'm not ready to lose him." "Lose who? what's going on?"...Once I was finally able to tell him, he did exactly what I wanted him to do...he held me and he comforted me. I spent the next couple of days traveling back and forth to UAB. Grandaddy had brain surgery to have the "spot" removed, successfully. But to see him in ICU was heart breaking. He was out of it and couldn't hold his eyes open (thankfully), so I quietly held his hand while I cried and told him I loved him and that he was as handsome as ever. Bless his heart, the only thing he was worried about was me seeing him without his teeth. I didn't care. I wish I could see that toothless face again. I wish I could hold that big rough hand again. I wish I could tell him how handsome he is again. Not long after he got to come home, he got the shingles and I gave birth to Mahlon. We spent the next couple of months having phone conversations because we couldn't be around him. Once he was well, we went down as much as time would allow. I wish we would have forgotten about every other "priority" we had and spent more time with him. This man meant the world to me. He was always there for me. Even if he didn't approve of my situation, he always let me know he loved me. Even if all he said was "me too". You see, that's how he replied when you told him you loved him. I wish I could hear that again. From now on, when I have a memory of him I'm going to post it here, so that I'll always have it. And if you have one, please post it. I would love to read it.