Needs vs Wants

I just love my Mom.

Growing up, she taught me a lot of really important life lessons that I want to teach my daughter. 

For example, somewhere in between 5th and 7th grade, I fell head over heals in love with Dr. Martins shoes.  Remember those?  The leather shoes with the thick golden thread around the soles.  Very distinct in their appearance.  I had friends that could spot a fake Dr. Martin shoe from a mile away.  It takes years of practice, I am sure.

I wanted those shoes SO BAD!  I really wanted the lace up boots that several of my close friends had (see picture above).  They made you look like a million bucks.  And you knew you were somebody if you had a pair.   Do you have any idea how much those bad boys were going for?  $150 - $200!  And that was back in the day!

The way I dreamed about having a pair of those boots one day seems so funny to me now.  It was not funny to me then... it was life or DEATH!

I had to wait years before I got a pair of those coveted leather boots.  It made me appreciate them so much more when I finally did get a pair.  I wore those shoes out!  In fact, I didn't get rid of them until about 4 years ago.  I didn't wear them much after Junior High, but I kept them packed away with all of my other shoes.  It was like giving away my child when I eventually let myself take them to goodwill. 

There is something to be said for having to work hard for something you want.  When I was a kid, I never went without.  I always had what I needed but always had to work for what I wanted.  When my Mom and I would go to the store and I would see something I would want... I would hear her say, "I could make that!"

For the longest time I would just roll my eyes and say, "yeah, whatever..."

Years of her drilling that into my mind, I have now become my Mother.  Which in this instance is a really great thing!  We didn't let our finances get in the way of working hard for what we wanted.  A little creativity and time goes a LONG way.  Over the years, she made dresses for my Senior Prom and the Homecoming Court.  She would make mums for homecoming and spent hours in her craft room making the most beautiful jewelry, yard signs, and any kind of decoration you could ever dream up.  She never bought our birthday cakes from the store and if there was a dress at the store that was too much money, off to Hancock Fabrics we would go. 

Imagination was a big thing growing up in our house.   The only thing my Mom couldn't make were those Dr. Martin boots I wanted so bad.  HA!  But you better believe that they were bought only when they went on sale.  :)

When it came time for my wedding, my Mom and I basically made everything.  The only thing we didn't make were my dress and shoes.  My wedding looked fabulous.  We were SOOO tired afterward but it was worth it.  My Mom just about broke her back helping all my dreams come true.  She has never been the "dream-squasher" type.  My Mom and Dad valued our dreams and wants and helped in anyway they could to make them come true without spoiling us or going into severe credit card debt by doing it.  We had to work hard for what we wanted.  I appreciate them for instilling this into me. 

This is what I want to teach Selah Grace.  Andrew and I will always make sure she has what she needs but we want her to learn how to work hard for what she wants.  (Finding someone with a great work ethic these days is hard to do.)  And that having an imagination is a good thing.  She can be a dreamer AND wise with her money.

So getting her nursery ready for her and with all the registering for a gazillion baby items, I have been asking myself (since we are two months away) what is a need and what is a want at this point?  We don't have a lot of space nor the money to buy every single bouncy seat, entertainer, or set up 5 pack 'n plays in our house.  It is not realistic.  So with two months left and several baby showers coming up, I have been asked... "what do you need?"

I thought I would share with you what is on our priority list at this point (and off the top of my head):

• A travel system (car seat and stroller)
• Diaper Bag
• Pack 'n Play
• Nursery Monitor
• Diaper Genie
• Baby Bath Tub
• Pacifiers
• Bottle Brush
• Diapers and Wipes

I can't be made to feel guilty if I don't have one of everything from Babies R U.  That may sound funny but some women out there will make you feel like you aren't "prepared" if you don't have the newest or best.  I hate feeling this way and I don't want other new moms to feel that way either!!  Remember a little imagination goes a long way!  If you don't have the money for it.. get creative!

I am excited about my upcoming baby showers.  Our first one is on August 7th.  I will be posting nursery pics in the next couple of weeks when I put the final touches on. 

Thanks for every one's support and all the gifts we have been receiving.  Selah Grace is one lucky girl to be loved by each of you.

Family Time

Since Andrew and I live so far away from our family in Texas we usually don't get to see them very often.  We have been so blessed to see family members from both sides of our family in about a two week time span... it has been wonderful! 

I knew we needed some R&R because one Sunday after church... this is the sight that I saw coming down the stairs.  Poor thing. 

First we drove 10 1/2 hours down to Frisco Texas to see my parents and two of my siblings.  The drive was pretty good. It only got a little challenging when my legs would fall asleep and then Selah Grace would jump on my sciatic nerve... gotta love that kid. Already pushing my buttons :)

My Mom and I did some shopping while Andrew drove another 3 1/2 hours to Abilene Texas to spend some time with his Grandparents that live there.  He had such a great time and ended up coming back with a huge (and I mean HUGE) pink bunny from one of his grandmothers.  It's pretty darn cute.  In fact, it is so cute that Ginger has made a habit out of body slamming it whenever she follows me into the nursery.  I can't keep her away from that pink bunny!

It's a good thing that I left the house clean because Andrew's sister, her husband, and their two kiddos drove up the next weekend.  They stayed for a week and I am pretty sure that they managed to see just about every inch of Nashville.  They had a great time and got lots of fun stuff to take back to family in Texas. 

Andrew and I are so grateful that they took the time and spent the money to drive 17 HOURS to come and see us.  That is a sacrifice that we will always remember and be grateful for.  We love you guys :)

The next time we see a lot of our family will be after Selah Grace has made her (hopefully) graceful entrance into this world.  Hard to believe, huh?

We gobble up as much time with our family as we can. These past two weeks have been like a love-overload.  Can't wait to see everyone again.  The sooner the better!

Stretch...

It has begun.

I look like a five year old has taken a magic marker to my stomach. 

Trust me, I butter-up and I stay really hydrated.  I take a big ole' glob of cocoa butter and rub myself down everyday and what do I get... STRETCH MARKS!  Yes, stretch marks.

My skin is SO fair.  Basically translucent.  I was bound to get them.. and deep down inside I knew it.  Was I in denial? Um, yes. 

But that day when Andrew blurted out... "What is that?"  I almost died.  I was wishing for the rapture in that moment. 

Now, I am a one-piece-bathing-suit-kind-of-a girl already... I have scars all over my belly from my appendix exploding when I was a freshman in college (which is a really funny story).  But do you know what these nasty little lines represent?  I'm about to be a Mom... and very soon. :)

PANIC ATTACK IS A COMIN!

As I laid there last night while watching two episodes of "I didn't know I was pregnant" (side note - how in the world do you NOT know that you are pregnant?), I saw my daughter take her feet/butt/or hands (really couldn't tell) and push as hard as she could on the left side of my body.  She is really ready to be out of me.  I have a bad habit of squishing her with my everyday movements.  Please don't call child protective services on me! 

All in all, I need to find a good stretch mark cream.  There is no "solution" to stretch marks but I would love to hear your hidden secrets!  

Stay tuned for vacation pictures :)