With grace…

I survived my day yesterday! Whooohooo!

Being here….

was not exciting…or fun. In fact there were moments I was sure I might pass out. When I was sitting in the awful chair…hooked up to the stat machine…my heart rate kept going up and down. They really shouldn’t leave oral surgery tools out for you to see…or the sound turned up on those machines….so you can literally HEAR your anxiety. Ha ha ha h!

I did have a funny moment. The mural on the wall…you know the ones meant to relax you…ha ha ha ha…looked like Walden Pond! So because I have spent so much time learning about Thoreau in my grad class this semester…I tried to imagine I was at Walden Pond when the needles were being jabbed in my jaw! It didn’t really help…but I did laugh about it later!

I really am so blessed that I was able to even have medical attention yesterday. Single Mom budgets aren’t exactly equipped for major medical problems…thank GOD I have such a supportive circle of friends and family. I couldn’t not have made it the past 2 weeks without them. And Dr. Gilbert was just precious. He did some extra helping too. Love him!!! And what a blessing!

If you need an oral surgeon in the West Texas area ---- there’s just no comparison! Yes --- I took pictures of his business card and texted them to the people I know need to know him! Ha ha ha!! He’s that amazing!

And you know my best helper was there too….waiting on Mamma!

 

This was before we left……

In the waiting room…..

And after the day was over on our way home….

If I had a picture of myself….I felt the same way! Worn out!!! My Mom helped soooo much. She even bought me Jason’s Deli Green Chili Corn Chowder…my favorite…and so soothing at the end of a day after oral surgery! It was perfect!

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This entire ordeal has really made me look at my heart and at my life. Funny how God does that right? If you won’t stop….he’ll find a way to make you STOP and listen.

The holidays are my worst time of the year. I seriously dislike them. I used to love them…but with a broken family now…it’s not easy. Jaxon’s Dad and I have really started to work well together balancing his time with both sides of the family…but even though we do all we can…there’s still that twinge of pain…knowing this isn’t how you  meant it to be. It can be a really big hole of negativity that I fall into and this year I’ve made a conscious effort not to do it.

We have SO MUCH to be thankful for…we are so blessed. Our life isn’t picture perfect…but we are blessed. Last year I really struggled with the whole Christmas gift issue. It was all I could do to keep a roof over our heads and food in our bellies. We weren’t suffering by any means…but I couldn’t shower Jaxon in gifts like I wished. This year…will be the same…if not harder. But this year my heart has grown. Our Advent calendar this year will be to celebrate the little things…to celebrate our life…and our blessings. It might only be hot chocolate in a Christmas coffee cup…or a craft we make together…or a free parade. No matter how small our little holiday celebrations might be…we are celebrating our blessings big and small….and not in materialistic ways.

I saw this video today [[and bawled my eyes out]]…and it solidified by intentions for Christmas this year. Not once…have I ever been homeless. Not once did my son not have a safe home, or a warm bubble bath, or warm, home-cooked meals. We have more than we really deserve….and we will share our blessings this season and be grateful for all that we have.

Before the holidays get you down…or you allow that Mamma urge to feel guilty about not getting every single thing you think your kids want…watch this video. It will put everything in perspective.

 

God is so good. We are all so blessed…and this is the time to celebrate that goodness…and share our blessings with everyone we can!!

XoXo

Happy Monday!

My goodness gracious – is it really the last few days of November? Where in the world did the month go? I can’t believe we already experienced Thanksgiving and are well on our way to Christmas. I hope you had a very BLESSED and MARVELOUS Thanksgiving!!

You may have noticed I have been out of pocket for a few days. I had a health issue pop up and it has really kicked my keester! I’m having oral surgery today so hopefully I will be back to normal ASAP! This time last week I looked like this….and the swelling was down at least 50% by this point! It’s soooo fun looking like Cyclops! LOL! NOT!!!



I ended up in the Emergency Room and I was NOT a happy camper. Not only do I NOT want that bill…but I severely dislike hospitals, doctors and all that jazz. They scare me to death! It was a good shock to show me I need to take better care of myself. I always put by self and my health behind everything else. And isn’t that completely opposite of what we should do? After all in an airplane they tell you…in case of an accident…put your oxygen mask on first…then your children! Umm…I have put everything above myself including my health…and to not have to experience that again…my main goal for 2012 is to prioritize myself in ways that I need to!!
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In order to get my lovely ER picture off of my phone, I had to clean off the pictures files from my phone and upload them to my computre. 1,333 pictures later and it’s clean. Goodness!!!! I love seeing all the funny ones I’ve taken over the past few months and thought I would share!!

I see this face frequently….


This boy and his horsies….


See what I mean….


My new feather earrings from a few months back…Jax saw me posting this picture and said “Mamma you preeeeddddeee.” Awww…made my day --- especially considering how I’ve looked lately! LOL!!


Ha ha ha ha ha ha……love him!!


Morning coffee on my little cottage porch while staying at the Antelope Lodge in Alpine [[for class]]….


Facebook video chatting with my brother --- who’s in Afghanistan [[he’s in the Army]] right now – love him!!


Jaxon checking out the Pecos River --- on one of our trips home from Alpine.


Horse lights…perfect for a horse lovin’ little boy…


We made a huge road and bridges for his cars…


He loves Lola as much as he loves horsies….



Helping me put up our Christmas tree!


He has a little tree that is his with all his special ornaments on our kitchen table. He loves it!


He was trying to avoid going to bed…by jumping off of the fireplace…oh little boys.


He’s the BESTEST little helper-and if I’m washing dishes…he’s washing dishes. Too stinkin’ cute!!!


Hope you have a MARVELOUS Monday!

**Don't forget - you can leave me a comment HERE to be entered to win a $50 Visa gift card courtesy of BlogHer! Yahoooo!

Hugs and love from me and my sweet Jax!!!
XoXo

Head & Shoulders review! Super FUN!

This is a sponsored post from BlogHer and Head & Shoulders.

Hello lovelies! Hope all is well in your worlds!

I wanted to let you in on a secret. I just might be addicted to the new line of Head & Shoulders. Yes, this is a paid review, but seriously, I’m in love. 

Not only do I have an uncontrollable mop head at times, but with all this hair, my scalp can get itchy, especially in the winter months. With the cold months creeping up on me, it’s time to start thinking about these lovely locks.

I always look for shampoo or conditioner with tea tree oil or something “tingly.” I have issues with peppermint, tea tree oil, eucalyptus, etc. If it’s tingly and minty feeling, I LOVE it!!  I actually prefer to use minty shampoos, conditioners and soaps year-round. Tingly soaps are like a cup THIS BIG of coffee in the mornings.

If you haven’t already tried it, I dare you to try a minty shampoo and conditioner on a Monday morning when you are pootered out and not too sure about starting another week in the grinder! I promise you will be REFRESHED and ready to ROLL!

I’m warning you though. It can be addicting!

I really feel like Head & Shoulders follows through with what they promise in their new collection. They promise to ease three common scalp and dandruff problems: dryness, itchiness, and sensitivity. With 84% of surveyed scalp issue sufferers concerned about these issues, Head & Shoulders has combined the effectiveness of their HydraZinc formula to alleviate these conditions leaving your hair beautifully flake free*.  (*Visible flakes with regular use. Up to 100% Flake Free.)

Some shampoos and conditioners tout “minty” ingredients and may smell a little “minty” but do not actually feel very tingly or even refreshing. This does!! And if you are a “minty” soap addict like me, the feeling needs to last even when I’m done showering. This lasts so long; I actually wait as long as I can to dry my hair, so that I can revel in all the “tingly” goodness. Ha ha.

I am also a big judge of conditioners. If you have hair resembling a horse’s tail, not all conditioners are created equal. Watered-down conditioners will not work for my Medusa hair. This conditioner is like a handful of thick, creamy hair-loving goodness! It works marvelous for course-thick hair!

Just look at this thick, creamy goodness:

If I can comb my hair easily after washing it, then a conditioner WORKS.  And this stuff, is MARVELOUS! 

Woooohoooooooo! See–no matted–tangly–MESS!  

I’m 100% in love with the Head & Shoulders new collection. I’m so glad I had a chance to review the new collection. I will be using it from now on! 

Pretty hair = a HAPPY Mamma!

Have you thought about how you will change your beauty routine this season yet? How do you change your beauty routine in the colder winter season from the warmer seasons? Leave me a comment to be entered for a chance to win a $50 Visa gift card, courtesy of BlogHer.

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d)For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.

This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older.

Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail.

You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.

The Official Rules are available here.

This sweepstakes runs from 11/21/11 - 12/22/11

Be sure to visit the Promotions & Prizes page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ reviews and find more chances to win!

Want more great tips for winter hair care? Check out the newest “Looking Your Best” post in the Life Well Lived section of BlogHer.com.

Yahooo! My Vintage Pearl necklace came in the mail today!!

Oh my goodness!! Remember like almost a year ago when I told you I had finally won a blog giveaway??? Ha ha ha…or maybe it’s been so long ago you don’t even recall that little diddy.

Well I did win…and I looked at all the goodies over and over…and couldn’t make my mind up. Then…my mind forgot. And lo’ and behold…almost a year has gone by…and I finally remembered I had a gift certificate… made up my mind and ordered a SWEET NECKLACE!

I’m SO in LOVE with it!!!

I’m so BLESSED to have won! I would never be able to buy myself anything extra like this…and I love it so much!!!

It was like getting an EARLY Christmas present!! Pretty sweet!! If you haven’t looked at The Vintage Pearl before…you really should. They have such amazing handmade jewelry. I love it all!

Hope your week is going AWESOME!!

XoXo

Cake Pop Recipe!

Oh yummmmo! Have you discovered cake pops yet? I’m sure you have! They are all the rage lately. From Starbucks, to local bakeries, cake pops are everywhere! And they have a PRETTY price too!

I have tried them at Starbucks once, but after the whopping prices, it’s just not something that gets on my priority list. We have a very teeny budget, and $20 for a dozen of those goodies aren’t practical in single Mom land! BUT…thank goodness for awesome Mammas like Pioneer Woman…who have made their own and shared it with the world!

I saw her recipe (found HERE) and I thought…omgeeeeee….I can so do this! For maybe $5?? Oh YAY!!!

So are you ready to make your own too? It’s SUPER fun for kiddos too! Jaxon LOVED helping!

Here we go!!!!!

This is all you need to make your own cake pops! Shut up! Isn’t that nutzo! Who knew!

You can mix and match flavors if you want! I wanted chocolate cake with vanilla outside icing stuff! LOL!

Mix and bake the cake as directed on the box. Cover a cookie sheet with aluminum foil or wax paper. Allow the cake to cool completely. Grab your little helpers and start crumbling the cake with forks. I just left our cake in the pan we baked it in…you could use another bowl if you wanted.

Jax thought this part was SUPER cool!

Add in about 3/4 of the container of frosting and mix well. For extra gushy, moist cake pops add the whole container.

I tried to get my little model to help show off the icing container…notice there is already chocolate on his face.

Once he realized that the container was chocolate icing…it was all over…all he wanted to do was lick the spoon!

Combine cake and icing until it looks like this.

It’s a chocolate mushy mess! LOL!

Next, I used a soup spoon to scoop out even amounts of the cake mixtures. You could use a melon scoop too…I just don’t have one!

Place cake balls on your lined cookie sheet. Once done shaping cake balls, place cookie sheet in freezer. Allow cake balls to freeze 20-30 minutes until hardened.

Melt almond bark in the microwave. I zapped mine for 1:30 minutes and just stirred until it all melted. The heat will eventually melt the entire bowl until is smooth.

Use a fork to hold your cake ball and spoon melted bark on your cake ball. Try not to roll the ball in the bark, believe me, I learned the hard way and had CAKE FLOATIES! LOL!

If you are going to decorate your cake balls, now is the time! Sprinkle with decorations and place back on cookie sheet to harden.

To make cake pops with popsicle sticks, I stuck the sticks in the cake balls, and spooned the melted bark on them. I placed them in an upside down strainer to harden. ((saw that idea on Pinterest! Yay!))

Then we proceeded to taste test. And by we…I mean ME because Jaxon thinks they are weird and won’t touch them! Ha ha ha ha!

They are sooooo DEEEEEELISH!

We added a few holiday sprinkles to a few to show how caaaa-ute they would be for CHRISTMAS! Love it! [[I’ve been fighting putting up my Christmas decorations since November 1st. Ha ha ha. This is the first year I am making myself wait until after Thanksgiving. Who knew it would be so hard! LOL!]]

 

If you think about it…homemade cake pops are a cute and inexpensive…handmade gift!! There are sooooo many possibilities with these!! We already sent some to Granny and PaPa’s house.

You could make them for your kiddos’ teachers….for neigbors…for friends!

What YUMMY FUN!

Here’s the recipe! Click the image to enlarge!

Have a BLESSED day!

XoXo