A Time And A Place For Prayer

        

Hi Guys and Gals.

It's good to have some time to get back with you and share some of the wisdom that I've picked up along the way.  Today I'd love to talk with you about something that seems small but can make a MAJOR impact in your life.  Wether it be your day to day comings and goings or the bigger picture of a life in need of depth, quality alone time with The Lord is not only powerful but it's truly possible.  It doesn't have to be you on a hill top overlooking the ocean.  It can be in your immediate surroundings.

        

I was inspired to write this after reading a great article over at RachelWojo.com. (blog link-http://rachelwojo.com).  The title of the post is Creating A Place To Pray.  It's a great resource that will clarify and make simple the idea and concept of finding a little place of peace for your alone time with The Lord.  Click the link below to view the post and come back here an let me know what you think.  Let's discuss...

(post link-http://rachelwojo.com/creating-place-pray/).

To Be A Student Of My Life's Work....That Is My Goal

        

The definition of work is:
(noun) Physical or mental effort or activity directed toward the production or accomplishment of something.

In life we all make it here with a predetermined agenda for our lives.  Some of us may be destined for a career in the medical field while others of us were created to teach.  Whatever your endeavor it should be your goal to be a student of your work.  To learn all that your craft has to offer must be your focus.  Studying how it came to be, who pioneered the way, and even innovations for the years to come are significant to your success.  This is not only true for career choices but for life choices as well.  If your day is mostly spent volunteering with the elderly or even staying home with your children there is so much you can learn to make yourself a better servant of that which you are called to.

                                         

As a homeschooling mom I find that I have to constantly remind myself to research more on the new things and even study history to refresh the old concepts that concern my everyday of being.  It's crucial for my children that I watch their changes and behaviors to stay up with their learning styles as time goes on.  I have to take a few minutes now and then to delve into new makeup and fashion trends and products as well for my makeup business.  As SAHWMs (Stay-At-Home-Wives & Moms) we can get so focused on staying on schedule and remaining in routine that we forget that we can refresh ourselves by freshening our approach.  It's fun for me to do new and different study skills with my oldest son, age 10 (almost 11).  I have him to draw pictures and write silly songs or riddles that coincide with the terms, ideas and subjects of the lesson.  It makes it fun for me and he not onely loves doing it but he retains it almost immediately.

        

Whatever you do make it fun, make it interesting, do it decently and in order and make sure it's what you love.  Work that's not rooted in love is not work…it's torture.

I hope that these little "snaps shots" of the lessons that I learn along my journey can help enrich your life the way it has mine….Until we read again.
~Alana

                        

FASHION FRIDAY: Blue with Black and White

Here it is...

The first outfit that I paired with the boots is a nice royal blue t-shirt and a stretch black and white skirt. I dressed up the shirt with layers of necklaces and I snagged a leather tie belt from a black coat that I thrifted.  The boots are Guess and were thriftedas well. 

Fashion Facts:

T-shirt: WalMart (old);  Skirt: Target (old);  Leather Belt: Thrifted;  Accessories: Various (old);  

Boots: Guess-Thrifted

            

                                            

              

This is my Wonder Woman Pose, lol.

                               

                                         

Have A Great Weekend,
~Alana

Fashion Defined...

Hello My People!
In keeping with the theme of defining the subject matter of this wonderful blog you are reading, here's a post that defines my fashion.

When it comes to getting dressed I consider it an adventure.  For me it's a full on exciting experiance!  Because I'm an über creative artist I love dressing with different colors, textures and fabrics that you may not normally put together.  I have also rarely found an event, circumstance or place where getting "dolled-up" is inappropriate.  We live in a country where we are relatively free to live our lives as we so choose.  This means to me that I am perfectly free to wear sequins to the grocery store and lace to the play ground.  Unless there is a strict dress code for where you are going there is no such thing as being overdressed!  If you're meeting your girlfriend for Saturday morning coffee and you want to wear a suit with rhinestone necklace and patten leather heels, YOU BETTA WORK IT!  There is so much freedom in doing what you want and being who you are through fashion.  Of course you will have those that will either wonder or actually ask you, "Aren't you a bit overdressed?".  However, there will be even more that will silently or verbally confess to be totally inspired to live life out loud by your public display of confidence.  My constant fashion encouragement is, "So do it!"

You mean you feel like wearing a feather boa with your denim jacket and skinny jeans, "SO DO IT!"
You say you'd feel liberated if you paired your sequins skirt with a t-shirt and chuck's, "SO DO IT!"  Throw away your inhibitions and GO! FOR! IT!  You have NOTHING to lose!

When it comes to shopping I am relatively frugal.  A great deal on gently used items at a thrift store fulfills me so much more than a pricey new substitute.  However, please don't misunderstand this.  I am defiantly a fan of the high, high end luxary brands that find their home at the likes of retail icons like Bergdorf Goodman, Saks and Neiman's and my closet will one day be filled with such things.  But for now, in this station of my life, I am way more excited at the potential of becoming debt-free than boasting of owning such gems of fashion.  My husband and I are on a plan to become debt-free by the end of 2014 and I aim to do my part in making that happen.  Until then, I have been so so blessed to find great things at local thrift stores and as products of my sewing skills.  This also means that you'll see me rewearing lots of pieces encluding jewelry and handbags.  It's my goal to simply inspire your creativity for what is already in your closet or an inexpensive alternative.  I wanna show you a realistic, non habit forming (lol), approach to fashion.  So, as you follow along with my journey, keep an open mind to the different ways you express yourself through fashion...economically.

Fashion forward,
~Alana

TEASER ALERT!

Hi Loves!

I'm bringing you another teaser to get you excited about this weeks Fashion Friday Post.  Some of you may have figured out that I'm an avid "thrifter".  I just get soooo excited when I find great items at my local thrift store.  I'll tell you more about that in a later post.

These black boot beauties were one such find at a thrift store I visited while in Louisiana, my birth state.  I'm going to show you a few outfits that I put together with these boots and give you a few tips on wearing boots and super high heels.

Sooooooo STAY TUNED...

                                     

Later,

~Alana

Purpose Defined...

                        

Hello Out There,

I hope that as you're reading this you're experiencing a great and fulfilling day.  If not, you're only one thought away from changing that. ;0)

I wanted to take a moment to lay out for you the purpose of this blog that you are reading and who you're reading about.

My name is Alana Higginbotham and besides my love for God I have many things that make my life interesting.  I am a wife, a mom, a women's ministry leader, a makeup artist and fashion stylist, we own a wellness business, and I homeschool my two sons.  In conjunction with the businesses that I own and my women's ministry experiance I also do public speaking events and am in the middle of writing 2 books.  Whew!!!  Lol, it sure sounds like a lot when you list it all out but even though I wear many hats I don't wear them all at once.  The blog that you're reading reflects all of those facets of my life.  You can't really call it a "Mommy Blog", it's not just a " Fashion Blog" and it's so much more than just a "Homeschooling Blog".  It's a blog about a girl living life with her eyes wide open, her fears vested in God, and a willing heart.  Every post will be centered around what I'm doing at the moment.  

The purpose of this blog is to encourage every woman wherever she is in life.  I feel like, by some measure, I can speak into the life of every woman.  In some fashion, God has allowed me to experiance a vast array of life's challenges and triumphs.  My purpose, much like the purpose of this blog, is to uplift you by sharing my experiences and injecting you with idea that you're not alone.  I truly hope that your life is enriched by coming to know me through my blog.  I appreciate your readership.

                       

Until we read again...

~Alana

Nuggets of Wisdom:

The world would be less violent if people wouldn't leave two Doritos in the bag and return said bag back to the pantry...World Peace Is Possible.

FASHION FRIDAY: Tease No More...Fashion Inspiration

Good Afternoon Lovelies!!!

When trying to figure out what to wear to Word Wednesday Bible Study (church site here, LiveStream here) last week, I stumbled upon an old post from one of my favorite fashion bloggers.  Eboni from The Fashionista Next Door (click to check her out) posted a look wearing a pink scarf as a turban.  And I LOVE IT!!!  I, of course, started to think of what I already had in my possession to pull this look off.  And wouldn't you know it ...I've got a pink scarf!!!!  Since I felt like my scarf was a little to big for the look I was trying to achieve, I cut it in half.  I knew I wanted to add a multi-colored element because I would be wearing a few solid colors.  Sooooo, I thought, "Let's make a clutch from the left over drapery fabric!"  and that's just what I did.
It was frosty out on this evening so I just had to pair my fav purple wool coat, that I thrifted a few years ago for $24, with this ensemble.

This is Mrs. Eboni, isn't she fabulous!!!  Click here to view her post.  My interpretation of her look is similar but not literal.  Though you can't see it here, my shoes are a mid-heel snake skin pump.  Keep scrolling to get a better look of the ensemble.

Purple Real Wool Coat: Thrifted

Yellow Jacket: Lane Bryant (old) Jeans: Lane Bryant Stretch Jeans  Snake Skin Shoes: Marshall's (old)  Clutch:DIY by Me   Necklace:  Vendor Booth at our Women's Convention  

Do you have a look that you've seen that you want to try? Are you unsure how to pull it off?  Tell me about it in the comments section.  I'd love to hear about it!  Have A Great Weekend!

TEASER ALERT!!!!

Hi Guys & Dolls,
HAPPY HUMP DAY!!!

This is just a teaser or "Prelude To A Post", lol.  Stay tuned to the WifeyMom Blog to figure out what these two things have in common.

Pink Turban Scarf

DIY Colorful Clutch-Made By Me

        

Silly Face ;0)

Have a great day!

I Love Color-OOTD

Hey Out There,
I'm keeping it short and sweet today folks...

Teal Top: INC from Macy's-Old   Pants: Lane Bryant (similar here), Belt: Lane Bryant-Old, Shoes: Cole Haan Kitten Heels (Thrifted)  Jewelry: Old,  Watch: Michael Kors-Gifted

I was actually headed out to do some thrifting on this day.  When I initially put this together I didn't want to wear these shoes with it.  But after putting them on I realized they couldn't be more perfect!!  They are a tortoise shell print and I love how well they compliment the entire ensemble.  They add more print to the printed pants and a shine that coordinates with the belt.  The shirt and pants are made of a cotton spandex that makes it extremely comfortable...like wearing pajamas.

  

Love These Girls!!!

Hope you enjoyed todays post.  Are you ever apprehensive about wearing prints?  Have you ever even thought about wearing prints together?  Tell me about it.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!

Let The Sunshine In...OOTD (Outfit Of The Day)

Headed To Bible Study

Hey Folks,
I thought today would be a great day to add some sunshine!  I'm not sure what the weather is like in your neck of the woods but here it's pretty gloomy, rainy and cold.  It's an official "No School Snow Day" for the school districts in our area so lots of kiddos are home today...but that's nothing new at the WifeyMom house. ;0)
This is a fun to wear outfit that I sported last week for our Word Wednesday Bible Study at my church.  (church site here, LiveStream here)  I got tons of compliments and comments, lol.  Mostly, the ladies mentioned that they would have never thought to put snake skin print with yellow and blue.  The truth is, animal print acts as a neutral.  You can pretty much pair any solid color with almost any animal prints. (We'll talk more about that in another post)
Here's a few more pics of the look and the accessories up close.  Enjoy and let me know what you think.

Balance is the key to life, lol.  I almost fell.

Outfit Stats:Top: George from WalMart (here) (you'll need to wear a cami under it-Lane Bryant (here) Pants/Leggings:Macy's (old)  Shoes:Antonio Melani (Thrifted)  Necklace:Gifted  Watch:Michael Kors (Gifted)  Bracelet:Charming Charlies (old)  Sunnies:YSL Nordstrom Rack (old)

Fashion...In The Unlikeliest of Places and OOTD

                   

Auto Show Ready!

Hello Out There,

I'm coming to you with an Outfit Of The Day post in conjunction with one of my fav fashion outings.  This weekend the Auto Show was in town.  Yep, that's right the Auto Show gets my fashion feathers perked right up.  I'm not sure if this is a common occurrence but at our local Auto Show women really dress up.   I don't know if it's because they are around all the shiny new automobiles or if they're using the "car show girls" as their fashion measuring sticks.  I'm talking 5 inch heels folks...and I was loving it.  So much fashion to see and appreciate.  I made a mental note of lots of fashion ideas.

The icing on the cake for me, and what I usually save for last, is seeing what the Toyota Girls are wearing.  I'm not sure how long this has been a Toyota Car Show booth tradition, but for the last two years that I know of each lady is outfitted in a beautiful new Escada dress.  And it's red!!!  Last year it had a great little ruffle of fabric in front.  This year it had a great little v-neckline with small pleats.  LOOOOOOVE IT!!!!

Jacket: Lane Bryant (old) Cami's: Lane Bryant Liquid Leggings: Dorothy Perkins (Thrifted)  Sequins Tennis Shoes: DSW  Scarf and other accessories: old

This years show was great!  These ladies were funny and I learned that Carla, on the left, has a great blog.  Go check her out at organiclifestyletv.tv  It's all about healthy living and eating.  She's a doll.  Check out Mr. Photo-Bomber in the back ground with his sharp self, lol.

                                               

Here's a full length shot of this years dress.

                                 

And this little red beauty is from last year.  Hubba Hubba!  Love That Dress!

Do you find a wealth of fashion in uncommon places?  Tell us about it!

Bittersweet Makeup Appointment...

Wuz Up! to the WifeyMom World :D
How goes it peoples?
This past weekend was filled with fun as we celebrated life and family at our family reunion.  I'll tell you more about that in a later post.  Today I just wanted to share with you a makeup appointment that had me a little bit emotional.  Yesterday, I did my niece's makeup.  Now, I've done her makeup before but today was different...Different because it was makeup for her senior portraits.  It was emotional because its proof that life does in fact move on.  I've watched her grow from a little baby girl to a very beautiful and compassionate women.  I've known her for her entire life and our little senior makeup moment was just a chance for me to bask in the glow of how good God is.  I can't believe that the sweet little girl with the tiny little smile is now a women making plans to go off to college.  I have no doubt that she'll be a success.  Her level of compassion for others is proof of that.  As her aunt I hope that she has learned a lot of good things from me that she can take with her on her journey.  I can also say that I have learned from her.  She's taught me to laugh out loud despite your situation, let people be who they are and live life with an open heart.
I love you "Krissy Pooh" and I know God has you in the palm of his hand in all that you do.
Signed,
Your T-Lanie ;0)

Published with Blogger-droid v2.0.6

A True Celebration of Life

Hello WifeyMom Followers!
Today is a special day in history for our family.  4 years ago on this day I gave birth to a baby boy and on my grandmother's, the matriarch of our family, birthday no less.  Without allowing me to even hold him or see him the Neonatal Doctor and his nurses whisked him away to the NICU.  As he walked out behind his nurses who held my baby, the Neonatal Dr. stopped and squeezed my shoulder as I lay on the operating table.  He said, "We'll take care of him." 
At that moment, there was a certain kind of peace that surrounded me.  During that space in time it never occurred to me to be alarmed or afraid.  As my mind processed that information and reflected on the words of the labor and delivery crew from earlier saying, "He's turning blue." I also took note of the silence of my husband.  But even with all of that I didn't think of it as a tragedy.  My outlook was simply that Dean had a special need and the tools required to help him just happened to be in the NICU.  It wasn't until 48 hours later that I was able to bring him to my room and have him in my arms all to myself.  That was also when I gathered a clearer, better understanding of why Dean spent the first two days of his life in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). 
You see, when a baby is born by passing through the birth canal the tight passage way constricts their body and forces the mucus from their lungs that accumulates there while living in the placenta.  Since Dean was birthed through C-Section he never passed through the birth canal thereby excluding said constricting and leaving his lunges filled with fluid.  That's why he kept turning from blue to red and blue again.  Taking him immediately to the NICU allowed the nurses to pump his lunges and attempt to establish a regular breathing pattern.  All tolled that process took 2 days.  I saw him in the little clear box in the NICU with all the tubes connected to him and the tiny mask taped over his face.  It was a mortality moment but still not a fearful one.  I am still amazed at how God and His helper The Holy Spirit could evoke such calm in my life at such a crazy moment.  It's a testament to God's promises and His control when given the opportunity.
Today, four years later, its a challenge to get him to sit still.  He went from fighting for a simple breath to breathing every breath God has for him each and everyday.  Dean is a healthy, energetic, extremely smart and monumentaly funny little, big guy.  "Get somewhere and saddown!" is what I say to him daily. 
The calmness that surrounded me and filled my spirit the day he was born was brought back to my existence 3.5 years later when he ran down stairs with blood streaming down his face from hitting his head (just above his eyebrow) after a fall.  God is continuously consistent.  His mercies are new everyday and He perfects ALL that concerns us...if we let him.
Happy Birthday Dean!  We Love You!

Published with Blogger-droid v2.0.6

Sweet Potato Hash with Sauteed Spinach & Snow Pea Avocado Salad

Hey, Hey, Hey, (in my Fat Albert voice)
How goes it WifeyMom Followers? I certainly hope that while your reading this you are experiencing all that God has to offer you.  But, if it's a bad day for you its totally okay as long as you know you don't have to stay there.  If you simply stand up and say out loud, "God, I thank you for where I am right now and I still know that you're mighty in all things." It'll change you day AND your life.  If you don't know God but are curious if maybe He really can fix your situation, send me an email or respond to this post. ;0)
alana@fashionbyalana.com
Well...Now...On with the recipe!

This post is actually 3 easy recipes in one.  We'll call it a full plate recipe.:D
Many of you may know that I don't eat meat nor a few other animal products.   I have also recently compiled a list of healthy foods that help to decrease belly fat.  I've also started including a few of those foods at each meal.  On this plate there are 4; Spinach, Avocado, Snow Peas & Olive Oil.
*All recipes are single servings.  Multiply as you desire.

Sweet Potato Hash:
2 Tbs Olive Oil
Half Onion (finely chopped)
1 Garlic Clove (minced)
1 Small Sweet Potato (finally diced)
Seasoning of your choice

•On medium/low heat, heat oil in a large pan, add sweet potatoes and sauté until tender then add onions.
•After onions begin to become clear, add garlic and seasoning to taste.
•Sauté for another 2 minutes and serve.

Sautéed Spinach:
1 Tbs of Olive Oil
2 Cups of Fresh Spinach
1/4 Large Onion (chopped)
Seasoning of your choice

•On medium/low heat, heat oil and add in spinach, onions, seasoning to taste and toss in pan until spinach is wilted. (dark green)
•Serve

Snow Pea Avocado Salad:
Half of Small Avocado (sliced)
5 Snow Peas
1 Tbs Pico de Gallo
Seasoning of Choice

•Arrange snow peas in a fan pattern on plate.
•Top snow peas with avocado slices in same pattern.
•Scoop Pico de Gallo onto bottom of fan.
•Sprinkle entire salad with seasoning of choice.
•Serve

FYI:  My seasoning of choice is a sprinkle of lemon pepper, garlic powder & a little Lowery's.

I hope you enjoy.

Until we blog again,
~Alana

Published with Blogger-droid v2.0.6

My Road To 26.2: Yesterday's Workout

Hi Folks of The WifeyMom World,

Yesterday was a running day for me on the good ole marathon training schedule.  My run was a 3 miler.  I headed out pretty late because of all the things I had going on that day.  I wasn't going to lay head-to-pillow without hitting the pavement.  I was actually looking forward to it because I knew that it was a surefire way to clear my head and relax my spirit.  I hit the pavement at 10:30pm and enjoyed the cool weather.  On the run my hip was sore but experience has taught me that it will pass as long as I press.  I finally reached my stride where I "settled" into the run.  I was kind of tired but not exhausted.  I knew I had a little more push so I wouldn't let my mind stop me from doing what I knew my body could accomplish.  My mind went to a lot of the people that comment on my posts with cheers, applause and genuine words of encouragement.  I thought about all the years that I had searched for someone that was like me that I could draw strength and courage from to continue my journey to a healthier life.  I recall the times I heard The Holy Spirit (that still small voice) say, "Maybe someone is waiting on you."  I realized that I could do this thing to better myself and possibly my family and friends or I could be a catalyst to truly shape the world around...even that beyond my physical reach.  There were a couple times I heard myself think, "You don't need to do the full 3 miles.  You can walk or just do 2 miles."  But I knew I had more left in the tank and even if I finished at a walking pace as long as I was still running I would definitely kick the old Me's ass!  Just as I started on my last mile my hubby drove up beside me with some water.  I love him and I appreciated the water.  Seeing him was just that extra go I needed to out run the mosquitoes and finish strong.   I finished with a cool down walk and then a great stretch after my shower.  All in all, it was refreshing and super rewarding.
What's the main idea of this post?  Sometimes when you may not want to do it for you, do it for someone whose life you could change...someone you may have yet to meet.

Until we blog again WifeyMom Peeps, I love ya!
~Alana

Published with Blogger-droid v2.0.6

My Road to 26.2...

My Road To 26.2:
Today's workout consisted of 2 miles of running and strength training (intense leg workout). I was super excited to get it done. When I finally got out of the house it seemed like it was to be like every other nice run. The weather conditions were ideal (sans a few mosquitoes). I began with a warm up and stretch, nothing new there. But...right around mile 1.5...I broke into tears. I was overwhelmed with emotion. I never stopped running, but I continued to cry. Even having my face covered with my shirt and sobbing I pressed on the run.
I cried...
For every time I lied to myself and said that I couldn't do it, For every time I let people, places and things get in my way, For every time I hated myself for what I thought was me giving up then realizing it was just where I was in my walk, For my husband's new eating habits and commitment to help me succeed like he has in so many other areas...
I cried because I could hear my inner self screaming, "SCREW YOU devil!" and shutting UP the voice of fear that I once gave place to its commentary. I cried because I knew...that this time...I was never going to be that girl again, the one you reference when you're describing someone heavy, "She was bigger than Alana". Never again would I wonder what it was like to LIVE healthy and not just diet. Never again would I find it odd or interesting when people eat healthy because they like it.
Then...I stopped. I wiped away the last tear... silently thanked God...and finished my run. (Then I mustered the chutzpah to complete my leg workout. ;0) )
...And my journey continues

The Things That Fill & Enrich My Life

Hi There WifeyMom Peeps, (All 20Billion of You ;0) Was that an Affirmation? Yep!)
I hope that all is well in your world as you read this.  Even though life can be filled with uncertainties one thing is for sure, You're still living it! 

I have had several "plates spinning" lately.  Many of you already know that I am not only a Stay-At-Home-Wife and Mom that home schools her 2 boys but I am also a makeup artist and fashion stylist.  Well, to those credits, I have recently added Women's Ministry Director & Marathon Runner in Training.  Sounds like a lot but not when you're operating in your purpose.  When you fully live life doing what God has created you to do, I mean living everyday open to the possibilities of being used for service to others, you find order.  You also find that your mind and life become uncluttered.  Your schedule seems to have a flow that it never possessed before.  The things that you have to do go by faster thereby making room for that which you want to do. 

From time to time I'll come to you keeping you up to speed on the happenings in my life.  I promise to always be candid, transparent AND you already know there will be some measure of "funny".  I know that it's not only important for you to read truth in my writings but it is also therapeutic for me to type them out.  I have come into both the knowledge and importance of transparency and truth as it relates to my own feelings and freedoms.  When you can, sans the guilt and shame, tell the story of your tragedies, tribulations and heartache you simultaneously tell the story of your victory.  So...when you read the inner lacings of laughter, despair, and encouragement that spins through this blog that is what you are immersing in, simple truth and complex situations that have simmered down to a revelatory breakthrough. 

I am honored to share my life with you.  I know how other peoples words have touched and enriched my life and I know that my words will certainly do the same for you.

Until we read again WifeyMom Lovers,
~Alana ;0)

Never Lose Your Giggle

It's been said that if you don't use it, you'll lose it.  Well, I believe that is not only true for your talents but also for...Your Giggle. 
Today I had breakfast at a local cafè.  I took my seat in the relatively quiet restaurant to settle into a hearty breakfast.  Then, it happened.  In walked the three ladies pictured above whom I will, from henceforth, refer to as "The Adair Trio".
From the time they entered the dining area they FILLED the entire place with warm infectious laughter.  But, it didn't stop there.  They had the wait staff giggling, the restaurant manger grimacing and other patrons smiling as well.
They are a mother and her two daughters.  They are confident and wise women who are unapologetic about there public display of happiness.  They laugh loud, love hard and make friends easily.  They are comfortable being themselves and that makes everyone around them warm and fuzzy too.
Being in the presence of these three feminine examples of courage made me realize how truly important it is to "Never Lose Your Giggle".  If you find yourself overcome by the things of life just take a moment to reflect on something that makes you laugh.  Take time out to giggle.  Schedule yourself some giggle time.  Don't be so serious about life all the time.  Slow down, look up, take a breath and...... GIGGLE!  Oh, and if you're really feeling froggy, Make some else giggle, LOL!
Now go out and get some funny in your life!!!!
Until we blog again...
Alana ;0)

Published with Blogger-droid v2.0.6

Appreciate the little things...They make a big difference

Good Morning Bloggers & WifeyMom Lovers,
Today I want to take a moment to share a "Nugget of Wisdom". 
In life, it is often times the small things that can ruin a happy moment, an otherwise promising day, or a well-intentioned believer.  Well...today I want to encourage you to see those "small things" differently.  As a Stay-At-Home Wife & Mom I spend a lot of time with my house, my husband and my children.  Because of that I can sometimes get thrown off by the least little person, place or thing that becomes out of place.  Those small things have the potential to send me into a TAIL SPIN.  They have the capacity to consume my thoughts and flat out ruin my day especially if they are a package deal, lol.  If the computer stops working during my work time adds itself to laundry woes giving way to spilled sugar jumps onto feeling bloated links up with shoes, toys or DVDs out of place it can be bad, bad business at the Higginbotham Estate, lol.  But today I reflect on the humor in it all AND the thought of it all going away.  My thought process has changed over the years, more specifically the last few months.  I am starting to see things more clearly.  I am beginning to view people not as things but as important parts of my human experience that sans their existence my happy existence would cease.  I've come to realize that one day my some days "picky eater" 9 year old will have someone else making his meals for him.  I am fully aware that one day, sooner than I think I realize, those cute little 3 year old shoes left chair side in my living room will morph into a big manly shoe before I know it.  I am conscious of the fact that one day the tedious and meticulous duties that make up being a wife, mom and home school teacher will dissipate.  In the future I will have plenty of time to run errands without interruption, talk with my husband with no side conversations, reach for the last cookie and know it will be there or keep my house clean without much effort.  But...Today...At this very moment...I choose to thank God for it all.  The truth is, my family needs me and I need them.  I am grateful that I can be a SAHWM. I am appreciative that I can slow my life down enough to enjoy the view.  I love my husband so very much.  He was made for me and I for him.  I never want to waste a moment of happiness on petty things that ultimately don't mean more than our love for each other.  My oldest son is such a wonder.  He is wise far beyond his years and his ability to articulate his thoughts and feelings are a true gift from God.  It will surely take him a long way.  Now my youngest, the fire ball of endless, undepleting (call Webster, I made up a word) energy,...Well, he keeps me on my toes.  He makes me laugh just like his brother and dad.  He teaches me all the time what it means to live out loud, with a heavy dose of laughter added to it.  I love my family and the life that comes with getting to know them.  I won't waste another second not focusing on the little things.  I am truly, truly blessed beyond measure to have this laundry filled, syrup puddle cleaning, snotty nose wiping, stinky feet smelling, potty training, sleep deprived, life of mine.  Here's to all your little things.
~Until we read again...
Alana