Unlocked

A while back I read the book "Unlocked" by Karen Kingsbury. It is about an Autistic boy who hadn't talked or barely communicated verbally for years and years. It took the bravery and dedication of one girl, a friend to "Unlock" his ability to communicate.

Yesterday I had an "Unlocked" break through at church. I sing. I have always been able to sing, I have always LOVED to sing. Music is one of the biggest things that speaks to me. However, when singing in front of others, I have always held back. I rarely ever, probably never just belted it out in a way where there was no holding back. Primarily due to fear of messing up. If I sing loud...but not TOO loud and not TOO spectacular...it would be easier to hide any imperfections in my notes or if I mess up a word or phrase. Yesterday, was a day unlike any other. We did 3 songs which were all pretty new to our praise band. All by Jesus Culture. Freedom Reigns (Where the Spirit of the Lord is), Worthy is the Lamb, You Won't Relent. We did great with all of them, but You Won't Relent was the show stopper. First time through it went "ok". But then I stepped out of God's way and He showed up in a big way. I sang like I have never sang (In front of other people) before! It was like something was unlocked. It was amazing. "I" wasn't amazing. It was God working through me and the entire Praise band that was amazing.

On my drive home I started thinking...I have always seen myself being able to sing and perform like I did on Sunday. But I had never actually achieved it. Sunday I achieved it. Now I KNOW that I can do it, and if feels liberating. Do you know what it is like to know that you have a gift, but for 32 years to have never fully used it? Its kind of like having the cure to cancer 2 feet away from you, you can see it, but it is locked behind a 10 inch piece of bullet proof glass.

Then I started thinking about my weightloss rollercoaster. If you have been with me for awhile you will remember, if not...here is the history. Just 4 weeks ago I was back up to 242 pounds. Just 2 years ago when I first went public with my weight I was 243.2. I lost weight, got down to 218, got pregnant, got up to 255 during my pregnancy, lost weight back down to 225 within a couple weeks of giving birth. Then slowly crept back up maxing out at 242. In the last couple of weeks I have slowly been getting motivated and changing little habits. I have already lost 6 pounds and am down to 236. I have been toying with the idea of signing up for Medifast for months. My friend Debby has been on it this last year and has lost 60 pounds. She looks amazing! I know how to diet, I know what I have to eat, I know how to excercise. Most overweight people do know how to do all of this because we have tried it ALL! I am only committing to 30 days of this plan, there were no contracts. I just need something to kick start me and help me get my habits turned around. The more simple things are, the easier it will be to stick with it.

Back to my thinking on Sunday. I started thinking about how I have always invisioned and dreamed about being skinny. I could see it happening, but always holding back on my full potential. I would lose a bunch of weight and then soon after sabotauge myself somehow. I would like to think THIS is MY SEASON. My season of unlocking my full potential in all areas of my life.

It's my turn! I am sick of sitting back watching other people enjoy what life has to offer!

Harrison 8 Month Update

Harrison will be 8 months old on January 11th. Can't really fathom it. What I need to record is this:

Teeth

At 6 months old, early November, he broke his first 2 teeth! The bottom front. It wasn't too horrible of an ordeal. I think he is in the beginning stages of getting his top 2 teeth right now. Lets hope that gets accomplished before I go to Blissdom.

Sleep

Since the time change early November he has stopped sleeping through the night. He now gets up once or twice even to nurse. He still sleeps in the rock 'n cradle right next to our bed. Actually...I have tried to move him to the crib...but that isn't working out very hot. I didn't read the fine print on the rock 'n cradle when I got it...it says you shouldn't make this your childs main place to sleep. I now see why. He loves to be cuddled, cradled. The cradle does that. The crib, not so much. Any ideas for me would be helpful!

Mobility

Around this same 6 month time period he started rolling, and eventually army crawling any where his little body could take him. On Thanksgiving day he started full throttle crawling! That would be 6 months and 2 weeks old. He can get himself to the sitting up position..but he still keeps one arm holding him propped up. He can't seem to get the courage to let go of that one arm keeping him stable.

Words

Right before Christmas he started saying "Da-Da". Figures right? Yo...baby...who has nursed you, changed you, etc for the last 8 month! That was my original thought...but then my second more sensible thought was this: If hearing his son say Daddy..helps him have the motivation to work hard for his family...so that I get to stay home and raise them...then so be it. On this past Sunday, 1-1-12, he said "Bubba" at church. Bubba is what Xavier & River have been teaching him. Later that day he finally said "Ma Ma". 

Food

Harrison still exclusively breastfeeds. We have tried rice cereals and baby foods. He doesn't like any of them. I have mentioned this on Facebook before...and I get a trillion people thinking it is because he can't. I know he can...because he has a couple of times. What he does though...is he starts gagging BEFORE the spoon ever even gets to his mouth! The "don't make me eat that disgusting stuff or I will make myself puke" kind of gagging. He also does not take any form of bottle. Doesn't matter what kind of bottle, or what is in the bottle...he absolutely refuses. I also have people tell me "If he is hungry enough he will take it". Really? How long shall I starve him? I have tried letting him be somewhat hungry....but it doesn't matter. I have just decided to roll with it. It really isn't a big issue...except that James & I are limited to 3 hour dates. I don't plan to leave him overnight until he is at least a year old.

and really...how could I be mad at this? 

Temperament

He is the absolute most dreamy, happy, smiley baby I have ever met. Everyone who meets him says the same. He is an absolute joy to be around. And as the picture states above...it will be ok! We are just rolling with it. Basking in the joy of being with him so much during these itty bitty days. Because I know those days are short, and soon he will be running after our 3 year old! 

Size

Did I use the term itty bitty to describe Harrison?  Yeah...he is 20 pounds! His rolls have rolls! Not sure on his length. He was 36 inches tall at his 6 month appointment. I love his chubbiness. If only someone would say the same thing about me? :)

Nicknames

Mostly everyone calls him Harrison. Xavier and one of my nephews call him Harry. I am not opposed to calling him Harry. I just seemed to have stuck with Harrison. When his great grandpa met him for the first time (whom he is named after James Harrison Miller) he kept saying..."Harrison, that is a good name, just don't let them call you Harry". Great Grandpa Jim is 93 years old. He is highly opinionated. He is a super cute old man. He was absolutely tickled that we named him after him. Sometimes I even forget that Harrison's first name is James. Sometimes I call him Baby James. A lot of people tell me that he looks a lot like me. Then people say he looks just like River & James. He is a perfect blend.

Toddler Learning is Fun!

 

This is a creation I made over the summer for the little boys' room. (which is pretty much River's room until we can trust him to sleep in the same room alone with his baby brother) I had to hurry up and post this now because...I...myself...came up with this creation. The was design BP...that stands for Before Pinterest. It is true that I am now a Pinterest addict. However THIS creation...I came up with ON MY OWN. Just yesterday I was on Crackerist Pinterest and I saw a creation similar but not the same. What I am learning about Pinterest is this: If you can dream it or think of it...it is more than likely someone has already done it. You can have a thought like..I wonder if I can create something with toilet paper rolls...and then you type that in and whalah! 50,000 other people had the same thought and did it! I love to inspire others with my creations. I love to see other inspirations and make them my own by changing them up a bit. But lets just get real here. When it is something you did come up with on your own...you want the credit for it! :) I am so humble right? 

Ok...back to the post. I bought 2 packs of alphabet flash cards at Wal-Mart. I got out my huge roll of jute rope and my paper puncher. The cards are 2 sided. So with 2 packs I was able display the upper case, lower case, and 2 pictures corresponding with that letter.

 

Then later...we were working on colors with River, and I had a thought. Same concept, this time I just used colored card stock paper, wrote the name of the color on the bottom of each paper and put them on the string. I didn't take a lot of time with this project. If I ever do it over again...I would take the time and put the papers through the printer and print the name of the color on each page. I hate my handwriting. My Father has always told me I write like a boy. :)

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And the best part of this photo shoot:

 

Oh, that big gash by his eye?? Yeah...he tripped while carrying a pen and jammed it into his face. It came 1/4 inch away from literally poking his eye out. It was pretty deep and gross. It required a doctors visit and liquid stitches. He will definitely have a permanent battle wound. 

The end! Someday I will show you the rest of the room. There are 2 beds (which are bunkbeds torn apart) a rocking chair, a changing table, a bookshelf, 3 hanging vintage metal airplanes, several other vintage style metal vehicles, blue walls, Bed Bath & Beyond quilt....and 4000 stuffed animals.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from our family to yours! 

I pray you all have a blessed holiday season and that you are able to spend time with the ones you love!

Vintage Frame Layered Wreath + Holiday Craft Link Party

Last week I linked up with The Southern Hospitality blog with the holiday link up party. I showed you all my great room mantel. This week I am linking up with Kate over at The Centsational Girl for her Holiday Craft Link Up . I am pretty excited to show you one of my latest diy projects.

This project was kind of an accidental happening. It started with this styrofoam wreath. I bought it intending on doing a wreath that I saw on Pinterest. So I made this wreath with yarn. Then it was like...now what do I do with this? Well...I then saw these snowflake ornaments that I bought at a garage sale. Someone had a Christmas wedding and sold all of their decorations. I got about 70 of these snowflakes for about $5. I layered a couple with the marvelous hot glue gun. Added a glass bead for the cherry on top. THEN...I was cleaning out my apron closet and I found this antique frame that I had forgot that I had purchased from an estate sale this summer. It was just the frame. So I took the frame and painted it with glitter spray paint. Which I might add....is an addicting invention. I mean...glitter AND spray paint combined...LOVE! I put up the frame...then I added the wreath. My front entry way doesn't get much light...and I just felt like it needed something else. So I took it to our local glass repair company. For $11 they make a mirror for the frame. Now this project is perfect in its completetion! Hope you enjoy!



Thanks for stopping by! I can't wait to go digging through the link ups and see what others have created!