Welcoming a fresh start in 2012!

I've never been very big on making New Year's resolutions, and if I did, it was always one I could keep.  For example, GAIN 5 pounds this year.  (Best resolution ever, I might add…)  But things have changed so much in my life this past year that I was really forced to look at things and re-evaluate a few areas.  Being pregnant for most of 2011, then welcoming a beautiful baby girl into our lives made quite an impact on me, physically and emotionally.  So here are my resolutions for 2012 (and all the years to follow, God-willing) in no particular order:

1.  Take more pride in my appearance.
I have really let myself go since JB was born.  It's hard thinking of anything besides her and unfortunately that means I have put myself way on the back burner.  I realize that when I take a few minutes for myself, I feel better about myself and in turn, I'm a happier mommy for her.  So I'm currently working on a "home schedule" that allows me a little room for a morning shower, teeth brushing and getting dressed.  I also will be putting in a bit more effort in my clothing choices.  Eventually exercise will work it's way in there too, even if it's just daily walks with JB.


2.  Stop saving things for "a special occasion".
No more staring longingly at my beautiful unused stemware and dishes, or those amazing shoes that have yet to see the pavement, or that divine dress that would be perfect for dinner at the perfect restaurant.  I'm going to use/wear these things as often as I can.  Life is not promised to us.  Every day is a special occasion.


3.  Blog more.
I love blogs.  I love the sense of online community that bloggers seem to share.  Recipes, home decor, fashion, parenting tips…  I want to join in!  I have enjoyed writing on this blog from time to time but never really dedicated enough time to make it relevant.  This year I will put more time toward sharing my experiences with others and forming bonds with more moms and women like myself.

4.  Build more Godly character qualities:
I printed off this list of character qualities from the Duggar family website a few years ago.  It lists 49 positive character qualities along with bible verses that correlate with each particular quality.  I would like to take a quality each week, spend the week studying the verses that support it and practice integrating it into my life daily.  I want to teach my daughter how to be a good person by example and I know I have lots of room for improvement before I start guiding her.  I also hope to strengthen my personal faith and relationship with God during this process.

So here's to a year that is sure to be even more joyful and more random than the one before it.  Wishing many blessings to everyone in 2012 and the many years to follow!

I'm baaaack!

So, I know I've been MIA for a few months but apparently babies really take up a lot of one's free time! Here's the condensed version of our life since September:

In late September, we welcomed The Joyful Baby into our lives!  Labor was surprisingly easy (Thank goodness. Pregnancy was rough.  I earned it.)  JB has been an amazing blessing of an addition to our family.  She's such a happy baby, smiling all the time and, more recently, babbling non-stop.  Wonder where she gets that?  Must be from her father…

Anyhoo, we had DH's parents down right after she was born.  Then my parents, brother and sis-in-law and nephew came down for Thanksgiving where I hosted dinner outside on our lanai.  We figured what better way to celebrate a Florida Thanksgiving?  The weather was gorgeous!  Everyone is totally over the moon for this little girl!  We also squeezed in JB's first Pumpkin Patch experience right before Thanksgiving.  We picked out a Mommy pumpkin, a Daddy pumpkin and a Baby pumpkin!

Our Outdoor Florida Thanksgiving Dinner Table

I had lots of fun decorating the house for Christmas this year.  It's always been my favorite holiday and I was extra excited since we had JB around for this one.  I started in early November.  Having a new baby to tend to meant that it took a few weeks, but it finally got completed.  I wanted to have everything up before my family arrived for Thanksgiving.  Here's a link to my Christmas decor.

Our first Christmas with JB was fun.  We took her to see Santa.  She was so sleepy in line we were afraid she might cry in his lap.  She didn't smile for the picture.  She was way too interested in the skylights and everything else new around her.  Even after waving jingling toys, goo-gooing at her and fluttering around like a moron in a mall full of people to get her attention, she didn't smile.  But she also didn't cry, poop or spit up on Santa so we called it a win-win scenerio.  Of course the second Santa handed her back to me, she turned to him and flashed one of the biggest, gummiest smiles ever in his direction. *sigh* Oh well.  Maybe next year?

(This Santa looked so much like the real thing I almost bumped JB out of the way and took a turn myself!)

Two happy parents and one SLEEPY little girl

On Christmas morning, we tried to let her "help" open her gifts by slipping her tiny fingers around some of the paper but she was still pretty sleepy.  Less than five minutes out from all the gift-opening excitement, she was out like a light.  We Skyped the family, then went to my cousin's house for my extended family's Christmas party.  JB got to meet my cousin's new baby girl for the first time.  They are only 5 weeks apart (JB's the oldest) and were so cute together!

As far as work went, our original plan was for me to return after my three-month maternity leave.  As that time came closer, we were back and forth on the decision.  Could we afford to have me be a SAHM?  I just couldn't imagine leaving this sweet angel's side.  We prayed (constantly!) about it and finally decided that I would stay home with JB.  We both feel such relief and happiness to have finally come to a decision and are very pleased with it.  There will be lots of sacrifices made, but for our family, this was the best choice for us.

So now that the new year is right around the corner, I'm ready to enter Mommyhood full force.  I've literally stumbled my way through the past three months (sleep deprivation will do that to you) and have finally developed somewhat of a rhythm.  I'd love to blog more.  It's a fun way to share the joys and journeys of our life.  Who knows, maybe someday people will actually READ it! (besides my mom, haha)  Take care all, and many blessings into the new year!

Christmas Home Decor 2011

This year marks our first Christmas with JB.  I wanted to leave no stone unturned for her first Christmas season so I decorated everything I could get my hands on!  I went very adult and rustic/elegant inspired because this will be the last year for quite some time that I'll be able to display breakable/edible/dangerous items.  At the bottom of this post, I uploaded a pic of the loot I scored on sale at Target the day after Christmas for next year.  Next year's Christmas will be MUCH different.  Lots of bright colors, PLASTIC ornaments and very whimsical.  Think Christmas in Who-ville.  I can't wait!  Now without further ado, I present to you, Christmas in the Joyfully Random Home!

Just noticed the can of pledge on the shelf. Oops.

My in-laws got us the "Our 1st Christmas" wedding ornament last year and the "Baby's 1st Christmas" ornament this year.

And as for that sneak peak into next years Christmas…

Merry Christmas from The Joyfully Random Family to you!

Chalkboard Guestlist

When DH and I got married, we had decided on a very intimate wedding consisting of our immediate family only.  It was a wonderful idea and made the day so special to be surrounded by our loved ones.  

Since it wasn't your "typical" wedding, we had to find unique ways to do traditional aspects of the wedding, like our guest list.  It seemed silly to have an entire guest book devoted to 12 signatures, plus I wanted something I could see everyday as a reminder of that special day.  I saw something similar to this chalkboard "word find" as a random google image and was totally SOLD!  The project occurred in many steps, but here is the finished result in our dining room:

(I cropped our last names out for privacy)

We started with a piece of 1/8" MDF that we painted with about three coats of chalkboard paint.  After that dried, it was time to paint the letters for the word find on the board.  I took advantage of a slow day at work to whip out a pencil and paper and write up about a bazillion different configurations for the lettering, making sure it fit each family member's first name, our wedding date, my maiden name and my married name.  After re-checking for the umpteenth time for any accidentally hidden swear/dirty words or mistakes, I had a final draft.  I then divided the board up equally for each line, making tiny marks with a pencil on each side, then taping regular thread all the way across, then vertically to make equally spaced squares to paint my letters within.  This part was a little time consuming, but I wanted it perfectly symmetrical.  I just used a simple paint pen and a steady hand (first time for everything...) to hand write the letters in.  I liked the look of a handwritten board, it made it more personal. 

We had a "Wedding Eve Dinner" (since we didn't need a rehearsal) with our family so we lugged this big floppy board into the restaurant where everyone was able to find and circle their names on the board.  It was fun and everyone was excited for their turn!

After we got the board home (carefully!!!) we sprayed a sealer over the whole thing to keep the chalk from smearing.  Of course we figured out the hard way that a matte finish was the most appropriate finish.  After two WAY too shiny coats of one sealer, we bought the matte finish, sprayed it again and it worked like a charm.

Since the board was so floppy and thin, we decided to build a nice beefy frame for it to attach to for hanging.  After a few sketches, we decided on a design and we DH began building. Here's the frame:

We put a layer of wood glue down on all of the wood, then laid the chalkboard facing upward, flush against the edge of the frame and on top of the support pieces (which we set just 1/8" back from the frame edge so that the board would lay flush).  DH used small nails along the very edges to secure the board to the frame. We flipped it over and stacked a bunch of books on the back to help the board adhere to the support pieces.  Once it was dry, DH attached the mitered trim pieces to the front (also offering further security to the board) then I painted the trim on the front and sides black. 

To hang, DH secured a long wood strip to the studs in the wall and we just hooked the top of the board over the wood strip and screwed it into the wood strip from above.  It's VERY secure!  Here's a close-up and another shot of the finished product.  We love it and get lots of compliments on it!  It's a great reminder of our wedding and those who shared that special day with us.

I am linking up to A Bowl Full of Lemons: Tuesday Link Party (Decorating with Chalkboard Paint)

Awaiting a Miracle

I sit here, just 4 weeks (and a couple days) away from my due date, thanking God for this precious miracle inside of me. I used to wonder what it would be like to carry a child, to have a little piece of me and the one I love all balled up into one sweet little baby. We never thought it would really be in the cards for us, as I mentioned here. But God has somehow seen it fit for us to experience this journey, and oh what a journey it has been! 


Our baby girl is a busy little thing, rolling around, kicking and squirming. She adores the sound of her Daddy's voice, responding with big rolls whenever she hears him. She entertains me with her games of "tag", reminding me I'm never alone. Whenever I worry about how she may be doing, or how my pregnancy is going, she gives me a painful playful nudge to the ribs, as if to say, "I'm okay Mommy! And look how strong I am!" 


I think to our future together as a family and get so excited to pass on family traditions as well as make new ones with our little family of three.  I hope for her to be independent and strong, yet loving and open-minded.  I can see her with her Daddy's intellect and my free-spirit.  It's scary at times as my due date approaches, the unknown, never feeling fully prepared, but I know that God trusted that we could handle this responsibility and I know that He will continue to guide us along the way. 

The Most Joyfully Random News EVER!

We're going to have a baby!!

This news is particularly joyful and random because almost two years ago, I was told by my Ob-Gyn at the time that it would be very difficult for me to have children without the aide of fertility treatments.  The news was saddening at the time, but my optimistic nature quickly allowed me to keep my chin up about it.  DH and I agreed that when the time was right, we would pursue only the minimum fertility treatments (most likely Clomid) and if that didn't work, we would adopt.

Fast forward about two years, we were comfortably settling into our home, and the thought of starting a family was on the back burner for both of us.

I had been seeing a new Ob-Gyn who was thought I was suspicious for a diagnosis of Endometriosis.  I knew that sometimes being on the pill could help lessen the symptoms related to that condition so I asked to try that route before doing anything more invasive.  He agreed and prescribed the birth control.

I came home and discussed all of this with DH and revisited the "starting a family" topic and we both agreed we wanted to wait a bit longer anyway, so it would be fine to be on the pill for a few years.  I carried the little script around in my purse for a few weeks, finally finding the time to fill it.  The pharmacy tech rang it up and said, "Forty-five dollars."  I sputtered, "Oh my God!  Forty-five dollars with insurance??!!  It'd be cheaper to have a kid!!"  He laughed.  I paid.

It had been several years since I was on the pill so when I got home, I reread the instructions on when to start taking them.  I needed to wait until my next period.  No problem.  That should be any day now...  Well, actually, I guess it should've been last week.  But I'm hardly regular, so I didn't think twice about it.  However, I really wanted to go ahead and start taking them (for the relief that was sure to come!) so I used the tried and true method for making Aunt Flow arrive immediately.  I decided to take a pregnancy test.

Now before you think I'm insane, here me out.  In the past, when I've found myself waiting for my period for a frighteningly long time then decide to just suck it up and take a test, when it comes out negative, my "monthly visitor" basically comes knocking down the walls the very next day.  It's like Murphy's Law to the extremes.  Trust me.

So, anyway, I had a spare test under the sink (from a previous "motivational start" method a few months earlier) so I pulled it out and put it in my tampon box (how appropriate) by the toilet for the next morning's use.  I didn't even bother telling DH--he'd think I was insane too.

On the morning of January 28, 2011 at approximately 5:00am, I staggered into the bathroom, one eye open and proceeded with my "test taking".  I put the completed test stick (capped!) on the back of the toilet bowl and sleepily worked on getting my other eye to open.  A moment later, I grabbed the test nonchalantly, preparing to see a single line, thus securing my plans to be able to start my new pills the upcoming weekend.

I looked down at the test area and saw one DARK pink line...and a faint pink line next to it.

"HUH?!?!"


Surely my eyes were just blurry and creating some sort of "ghost image".  I rubbed my eyes fiercely and looked again.  Two lines.

I set the test on the sink and called for DH to come into the bathroom NOW.  I'm sure he thought it was another palmetto bug incident but he groggily walked in and asked what was going on.

I pointed to the stick on the sink, as if it were an ancient code that I was trying to decipher.  He looked at it, then leaned in for a closer look, then looked at me, then looked at it again.  "What's it mean?"

"Well, it says it's pregnant," I said, as if the stick were having a baby and now we were going to have to figure out how to support it.

After about seven or eight "Oh my God"s on my part, we departed from the bathroom.  I had to explain my "Murphy's Law" theory of "cycle encouragement" to my bewildered husband (remember, he had no idea I was even taking a test), then we both just finished our morning routine in complete and utter shock.

The next couple of days were a complete daze.  I was so shocked that when I talked about it to my mom, the doctor's office (to make my first appointment), or anyone else, I almost felt as if I were lying about being pregnant.  I didn't feel any different, aside from my ravenous appetite and hourly trips to the potty. I even took three more tests, just to be sure.

But the tests were right, and I am pregnant.  The most joyfully random news of our lives!  We can't wait to see how this new addition will change our lives for the better.  We are about to be a FAMILY!

Oh look Honey, visitors!

When LDHB and I bought our house one year ago, one of the things that sold us was this incredible nature preserve in our own back yard.  No backyard neighbors, no noisy highway, just the quiet sounds of nature...

All of that was true until this summer.  All of a sudden, our peaceful oasis turned into the Florida Zoo! 

Some were cute.

Some were creepy, but harmless.

Teensy weensy garter snake that was desperately trying to escape DH's lawnmower!

Others were down right UNWELCOMED.

This friendly little visitor is a Florida Water Moccasin, a highly venomous, highly aggressive member of the pit viper family. We fondly named him "Denver" since that is exactly where our next door neighbors packed up and moved shortly after meeting him. He's staring at us as we were huddled up, open-mouthed at the bedroom window.  Everyone say "Hi Denver!"  He was kind enough to visit us TWICE.

So needless to say, we decided we needed to do something.  We couldn't exactly live in Florida and not ever get to go outdoors for fear of being EATEN.

Introducing our brand new screened-in lanai, just one day before lovebug season!

And if you don't know what a lovebug is, you'll never know how significant this screen has become...

Ninja Secrets

So, DH and I don't fight often.  But when we do, let's just say I tend to have a flair for the theatrics.


Our most recent "disagreement" left me storming out of the bedroom, Scarlett O'Hara style, screaming something on the lines of "Fine!  I'm sleeping in the guest bedroom tonight!"  Blankie and purse in tow, I burst into our sparsely furnished guest bedroom and flung myself dramatically across the half-made queen-sized bed.


This certainly is NOT a Tempurpedic mattress, I thought, as I almost bounced right back off onto the floor.


First line of defense in fight:  Cry loudly.  Loudly enough that DH might fear that I am being tortured and come to my rescue with armfuls of apology...and maybe a snack.


When the tortured crying didn't do the trick, I had to turn to a new defense plan.  Maturity kicked in with the idea of going for a "little drive".  Since I had my purse with me, my car keys were readily accessible so I slipped into the garage like a sobbing stealthy ninja, opened the garage door and backed out into the night.


Halfway through the neighborhood it dawned on me that I had nowhere to go.  And I was wearing pajamas.  Great...  I decided on the Winn-Dixie parking lot about one whole whopping mile from our neighborhood.  I am such a mastermind.


Now what?


After about ten minutes of sitting under a buggy street light in my car ALONE, wallowing in self-pity (thanks to some depressing music, compliments of the "New Moon" soundtrack) DH and I began texting.  Apparently he actually did hear me leave.  So much for my ninja stealth mode.  But I wasn't quite finished making my point, whatever that may have been.  I wanted to make him wait it out.  To miss me darn it!  Yes, just wait.  My elaborate plan is working.  You are falling into the depths of despair without me by your side...


Oh crap.


I have to pee.  I have to pee and I'm in my PAJAMAS.


The thought of traipsing through a public grocery store in my PJ's with my hair standing on end and puffy bags under my eyes was not as appealing as my quickly growing bladder wished it could be.  I even resorted back to my childhood and sat in my empty car with my legs crossed as tightly as they would go.  Nope.  Not working.


So in the end, I was betrayed by my stupid bladder.  I went home.  To my sweet, happy-to-have-me-back-home husband.  And the potty.  We made up, of course, and I learned a few valuable lessons:


1.  Sometimes a large cup of juice with your dinner can save a marriage.


2.  Invest in a good mattress.  Not only in your master bedroom, but the spare bedroom also.  Just in case.


3.  Ninjas don't cry.