When I took the dog out this particular morning, I noticed and really listened to everything around me. I heard the rustle of the brown leaves sweep across the pavement. A fluttering white butterfly floated by. Mr. Rabbit sat quiet and still in Cotton's front yard. Sirens screamed in the distance. A cool, gentle breeze filled the air as I listened to my daughter chatting wildly. Our dog whirled around in circles barking at the two birds chirping in the tree overhead.
I usually miss these sweet, abundant moments from my Creator because I'm too busy rushing off to the next thing.
04 October 2007
03 October 2007
On the move....AGAIN!
Yes, that's right! The Byers family is on the move again! We close on our BRAND new home in Franklin a week from tomorrow and are so thrilled! The whole experience happened so quickly we're still not really sure what hit us. We've been working on a building project the past few months to build a house but the land and everything fell through about 3 weeks. We then starting actively looking for "affordable" homes online. We found a cute, cottage type home and called our realtor. The moment we walked in, we KNEW it was home! Later that afternoon we submitted an offer to the seller and by the next morning we got a call saying our offer had been accepted.
Everytime we've gone to check-in on the new place, neighbors keep coming over welcoming us to the neighbor. There are lots of kids BEB's age and everyone has been so friendly. There are only about 15 homes in the subdivision and we're on a cul-de-sac so we don't have to worry about crazy traffic.
CNB and I were laying in bed late last night WIDE awake, unable to drift off into lah lah land. And we started thinking about how many times each of us has moved over our lifetimes. Coincindentally, we BOTH have moved 21 times each - that's 42 moves combined!! Needless to say, we're both ready to get settled.
We're excited about this next chapter of our lives God is going to write in our new home. More to come...
Everytime we've gone to check-in on the new place, neighbors keep coming over welcoming us to the neighbor. There are lots of kids BEB's age and everyone has been so friendly. There are only about 15 homes in the subdivision and we're on a cul-de-sac so we don't have to worry about crazy traffic.
CNB and I were laying in bed late last night WIDE awake, unable to drift off into lah lah land. And we started thinking about how many times each of us has moved over our lifetimes. Coincindentally, we BOTH have moved 21 times each - that's 42 moves combined!! Needless to say, we're both ready to get settled.
We're excited about this next chapter of our lives God is going to write in our new home. More to come...
17 August 2007
Milestones
The Byers family has already experienced some incredible milestones this month!
We started out the month taking a plane trip to NC to see Nana, Bell, Aunt Jordie & Uncle Stevie (aka Unc Fevie!). BEB did surprisingly well on the plane trip - coming & going! CNB flew out with us, which proved to be so helpful! Plus, he didn't want to miss the experience of her first flight. The challenging times were keeping her in the seat AND trying to take her potty on the airplane! We were a little concerned about her ears because she had tubes put in earlier this year but the change in air pressure didn't seem to phase her at all. She enjoyed conversing with the passengers around her and met a little friend, Jacob (age 3) who sat in front of us on the flight home. It was just BEB & I on the plane ride coming back to Nashville - CNB was out in Monterrey, CA on a business trip. I was super stressed about going it alone with her but Jacob proved to be such a blessing! Anytime BEB got anxious and fussy, I would "yell" up to Jacob (in front of us) and tell him to play with BEB some more. They would talk back and forth through the cracks in the seats and share their toys. He didn't like the fact that Brit pronounced his name Jayco!
On the 5th, Chris and I celebrated our seven year anniversary! We celebrated at Saffire, the best restaurant in town! An incredible place decorated in cobalt blues, old wooden tables with mismatched chairs and long, burgundy velvet curtains don the windows. A vibey place with amazing food! We both savored the filet mignon and key lime pie! Then we watched a Christian Bale movie at the theatre and took a drive in the country. A wonderful way to start our 7th year of marriage!
This past weekend, we took a leap of faith and converted BEB's crib into a day bed. We bought all new bedding and girly pillows to make it special! In preparation for the new freedom she would have, we gave her pep talks all last week about staying in bed and explaining the consequences if she decided not to obey and get out of bed without asking first. She's done amazingly well in the evenings. Naptimes are a different story!
Oh and today, BEB said out of the blue, "Mommy, I want a baby sister NOW!" Not quite ready for THAT milestone yet!
It's been a fun month of wonderful milestones for our family...
We started out the month taking a plane trip to NC to see Nana, Bell, Aunt Jordie & Uncle Stevie (aka Unc Fevie!). BEB did surprisingly well on the plane trip - coming & going! CNB flew out with us, which proved to be so helpful! Plus, he didn't want to miss the experience of her first flight. The challenging times were keeping her in the seat AND trying to take her potty on the airplane! We were a little concerned about her ears because she had tubes put in earlier this year but the change in air pressure didn't seem to phase her at all. She enjoyed conversing with the passengers around her and met a little friend, Jacob (age 3) who sat in front of us on the flight home. It was just BEB & I on the plane ride coming back to Nashville - CNB was out in Monterrey, CA on a business trip. I was super stressed about going it alone with her but Jacob proved to be such a blessing! Anytime BEB got anxious and fussy, I would "yell" up to Jacob (in front of us) and tell him to play with BEB some more. They would talk back and forth through the cracks in the seats and share their toys. He didn't like the fact that Brit pronounced his name Jayco!
On the 5th, Chris and I celebrated our seven year anniversary! We celebrated at Saffire, the best restaurant in town! An incredible place decorated in cobalt blues, old wooden tables with mismatched chairs and long, burgundy velvet curtains don the windows. A vibey place with amazing food! We both savored the filet mignon and key lime pie! Then we watched a Christian Bale movie at the theatre and took a drive in the country. A wonderful way to start our 7th year of marriage!
This past weekend, we took a leap of faith and converted BEB's crib into a day bed. We bought all new bedding and girly pillows to make it special! In preparation for the new freedom she would have, we gave her pep talks all last week about staying in bed and explaining the consequences if she decided not to obey and get out of bed without asking first. She's done amazingly well in the evenings. Naptimes are a different story!
Oh and today, BEB said out of the blue, "Mommy, I want a baby sister NOW!" Not quite ready for THAT milestone yet!
It's been a fun month of wonderful milestones for our family...
28 July 2007
Mema the beautiful
I've heard it quoted that "it takes a lot of thankfulness to live life."
When CNB & I first started dating, his family graciously welcomed me into their family like a daughter. The biggest blessing was "inheriting" two more grandmothers. My grandparents (on both sides) have since passed on, so it's a true blessing to have these women in my life (and now in BEB's).
Mema B. has shown me what true beauty is. From her slender Olive-oil (Popeye's wife!) like stature to her heart deep within, she radiates beauty. She lives life with a grateful heart that is bursting with Jesus and spilling over with love for her family and the world around her. She has suffered great losses and knows what it is to be lonely. Despite the trials, her gratitude and joyful heart are what keep her alive.
We are miles apart but she keeps us close in prayer and monthly writes beautiful letters that express her immense love for us. I so long for her to live close. I think about what it would be like to have her in our lives daily. I think about having a woman like her pouring into me.
I believe she is truly the most free and content woman I have ever met. She is a dear soul.
In her loving and optimistic words "We're gonna have us a good week ahead!"
When CNB & I first started dating, his family graciously welcomed me into their family like a daughter. The biggest blessing was "inheriting" two more grandmothers. My grandparents (on both sides) have since passed on, so it's a true blessing to have these women in my life (and now in BEB's).
Mema B. has shown me what true beauty is. From her slender Olive-oil (Popeye's wife!) like stature to her heart deep within, she radiates beauty. She lives life with a grateful heart that is bursting with Jesus and spilling over with love for her family and the world around her. She has suffered great losses and knows what it is to be lonely. Despite the trials, her gratitude and joyful heart are what keep her alive.
We are miles apart but she keeps us close in prayer and monthly writes beautiful letters that express her immense love for us. I so long for her to live close. I think about what it would be like to have her in our lives daily. I think about having a woman like her pouring into me.
I believe she is truly the most free and content woman I have ever met. She is a dear soul.
In her loving and optimistic words "We're gonna have us a good week ahead!"
27 July 2007
I'm back!
It's been almost two months since I last sat down to blog. While I've still been exercising my creativity, I haven't made the time to write. I've been painting, making bows and managing my Myspace page but I've missed this expression of creativity.
I'm back and hope you enjoy my two latest entries below.
I'm back and hope you enjoy my two latest entries below.
I'm an addict
You might be an addict, IF...you can send a text message to your "drug dealer" and instantly get a fix.
That's what happened yesterday. I was desperately in need of a fix. My fix, however, comes pretty cheaply - only $3.06! And it's the ONLY fix that seems to work!
I've been getting headaches a lot this year. The kind that make me sick to my stomach. Wednesday I felt one coming on at work and made a Starbucks run. I purchased a Coffee Frap lite (only 2 points on Weight Watchers!) and within 15 minutes, I felt like a new woman!
Yesterday's episode was a little different. I was talking on the phone with my parents and when I stood up, it was like the lights went out...and I couldn't see for a few seconds. Then the WORST headache I've had yet, came on viciously. I couldn't function. I literally couldn't get off the couch. In the midst of the episode, I was still trying to take care of BEB. In an attempt to communicate through the pain, I tried to let her know that Mommy wasn't feeling well. She would sweetly come up on the couch, lay her head up to mine as if to console and comfort me. Regardless, she still wanted her toys right then and she was pleading for dinner. I nuked a pizza in the microwave and mustered up the energy to serve it to her. Pizza, dried cranberries and grapes, that's a decent meal - at least the best I could do at that moment. Then back to the couch to warm my chilled body and shut my eyes for a few minutes. I could hear her moving around and just prayed she wouldn't take a dive in the trashcan or worse get into the knife drawer. Poor Scout was doing circles - which means he has to GO!
I kept thinking about all the women who are addicted to "real" drugs. Wondering how they manage to take care of their children when they're laid up on the couch, getting a fix. It was a horrible feeling being so out of control.
Tylenol wasn't touching it so I sent a text to my dealer (CNB). Little did he know what he'd be walking into when he got home. A war zone, a crying daughter, a dog about to wet himself and a lifeless wife. In spite of all this, my hero came home with the goods, took control of the situation and sent me up to sleep it off. Thank you, CNB, for loving me so well. I love you!
That's what happened yesterday. I was desperately in need of a fix. My fix, however, comes pretty cheaply - only $3.06! And it's the ONLY fix that seems to work!
I've been getting headaches a lot this year. The kind that make me sick to my stomach. Wednesday I felt one coming on at work and made a Starbucks run. I purchased a Coffee Frap lite (only 2 points on Weight Watchers!) and within 15 minutes, I felt like a new woman!
Yesterday's episode was a little different. I was talking on the phone with my parents and when I stood up, it was like the lights went out...and I couldn't see for a few seconds. Then the WORST headache I've had yet, came on viciously. I couldn't function. I literally couldn't get off the couch. In the midst of the episode, I was still trying to take care of BEB. In an attempt to communicate through the pain, I tried to let her know that Mommy wasn't feeling well. She would sweetly come up on the couch, lay her head up to mine as if to console and comfort me. Regardless, she still wanted her toys right then and she was pleading for dinner. I nuked a pizza in the microwave and mustered up the energy to serve it to her. Pizza, dried cranberries and grapes, that's a decent meal - at least the best I could do at that moment. Then back to the couch to warm my chilled body and shut my eyes for a few minutes. I could hear her moving around and just prayed she wouldn't take a dive in the trashcan or worse get into the knife drawer. Poor Scout was doing circles - which means he has to GO!
I kept thinking about all the women who are addicted to "real" drugs. Wondering how they manage to take care of their children when they're laid up on the couch, getting a fix. It was a horrible feeling being so out of control.
Tylenol wasn't touching it so I sent a text to my dealer (CNB). Little did he know what he'd be walking into when he got home. A war zone, a crying daughter, a dog about to wet himself and a lifeless wife. In spite of all this, my hero came home with the goods, took control of the situation and sent me up to sleep it off. Thank you, CNB, for loving me so well. I love you!
Advice from Momma
**ATTENTION ALL GUYS**
This blog contains info about female stuff! Just wanted to forewarn you!
I entered an essay contest. Not something I've ever done before but this one piqued my interest because it was asking you to submit one piece of advice your Mom passed down to you that has impacted your life. And the fact that the winner would be awarded $25k didn't hurt either!
So here's what I submitted...we'll see how it turns out!
Ode to Momma
"This too shall pass"
Encourager. Servant. Nurturer. Comforter. Words that come naturally as I think about my Mom. She is an amazing woman who has loved her family well. Over the years, she has passed along numerous nuggets of valuable wisdom. One in particular came at a crucial point in my life - the dreaded middle school years! Four simple words, "This too shall pass" has had a profound impact on my life. Many times throughout my life from a kid on to a wife and mother, I have clung to these words like a toddler clings to a security blanket.
Imagine the scene. A pre-teen entering into womanhood. It happened. I got my period! Like it was yesterday, I vividly remember thinking, there's absolutely NO WAY I can go through life wearing bulky pads and dealing with this horrific rite of passage! Embarrassment first came when I had to change in front of the other "chatty" girls in gym class. Everyone could see my panties bulging from the enormous diaper-like pad! Even my Dad would lovingly make things worse by displaying the newly purchased winged-pads in the back window of our wood-paneled station wagon as we were packing up for family vacation. Mortifying!
Consolation came when I rested in the loving words of my Mother. If Mom and Grandmommy could make it through, I knew I could too. "This too shall pass" has empowered me to look beyond my present circumstances and smile (more like a grimace) with hope at the future.
This blog contains info about female stuff! Just wanted to forewarn you!
I entered an essay contest. Not something I've ever done before but this one piqued my interest because it was asking you to submit one piece of advice your Mom passed down to you that has impacted your life. And the fact that the winner would be awarded $25k didn't hurt either!
So here's what I submitted...we'll see how it turns out!
Ode to Momma
"This too shall pass"
Encourager. Servant. Nurturer. Comforter. Words that come naturally as I think about my Mom. She is an amazing woman who has loved her family well. Over the years, she has passed along numerous nuggets of valuable wisdom. One in particular came at a crucial point in my life - the dreaded middle school years! Four simple words, "This too shall pass" has had a profound impact on my life. Many times throughout my life from a kid on to a wife and mother, I have clung to these words like a toddler clings to a security blanket.
Imagine the scene. A pre-teen entering into womanhood. It happened. I got my period! Like it was yesterday, I vividly remember thinking, there's absolutely NO WAY I can go through life wearing bulky pads and dealing with this horrific rite of passage! Embarrassment first came when I had to change in front of the other "chatty" girls in gym class. Everyone could see my panties bulging from the enormous diaper-like pad! Even my Dad would lovingly make things worse by displaying the newly purchased winged-pads in the back window of our wood-paneled station wagon as we were packing up for family vacation. Mortifying!
Consolation came when I rested in the loving words of my Mother. If Mom and Grandmommy could make it through, I knew I could too. "This too shall pass" has empowered me to look beyond my present circumstances and smile (more like a grimace) with hope at the future.
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