Testing

Testing out a new app on my phone! Seeing how easy it is to post from my phone and making sure it shows up!

I will be back hopefully later tonight with a post about mother's day.

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend, and a great Monday!

Busy Bees

And Taylor is no exception. She is making sure she can keep up with the rest of us. She is still not fully walking on her own. She will take 5+ steps if you stand her up and make her walk somewhere. Other than that, her preferred method of traveling is still crawling.

But man can she crawl. She is everywhere, always on the move, always getting into something, just a busy little bee!

We have been busy here too around the house. Finally getting the hot water heater and mold problem fixed. They came yesterday to start by replacing the water heater, and keep running into problem after problem. The poor guys were here from about 11am until 5pm. They finally got the new one in and old one out though! WOOHOO! No more leaking and hot showers again!

Since we live in a small house, no basement, the water heater is in the kitchen. The problem is the people that built the house in closed the water heater in the kitchen cabinets. So in order to get to it you have to take the counter off and all the cabinets apart. It's a huge mess. Once they finally got everything put back together yesterday and were about to leave there was a problem with the garbage disposal not staying attached.

So they have to come back this morning to put a new disposal and take care of the mold. They said something about spraying and putting some kind of powder stuff down that takes all the moisture out. And that by doing that it should kill the mold. I know nothing about this stuff so I sure hope that's all that we have to do.

Even though there is a little water damage and mold on the inside of the cabinets our landlord does not plan on replacing them. I am a little upset, but it's not super bad and I guess as long as the mold is killed and it's not harmful...I don't know. They said our landlord would only replace it if the cabinets were actually so bad they were falling apart, but we fixed the parts of the cabinets that were like that. Oh well as long as everything is safe then I am OK.

I woke up this morning to sunshine and it was just what I needed! There is suppose to be NO rain today! After seeing rain and storms for what feels like forever, the sun just made my day. We will probably be stuck inside though because of the men working in the kitchen, but it should be a good day if the sun is out!

Praying for all those families affected by the storms yesterday in the south. This has been one heck of a storm season.

I hope you all have a wonderful Thursday and that the sun is shining where you are. Get out and enjoy the day!

Love

Happy Tuesday Friends! Hope your having a wonderful day! It's beautiful in STL today, in the high 60s, sun shining, cool breeze coming through the windows.

I am having a lazy, relaxing kind of day. Reclining in the chair and catching up on my blog reading, which sorry for my lack of comments, I am behind. I will do my best to catch up today!

I hope the sun is shining where you are, and your day is fabulous. Filled with laughter and maybe a little love. We can all use some love right?!

Cheers to sunshine, lazy Sunday's, family, brother and sister hugs, and love!

Have a Beautiful Weekend Friends!

I just wanted to stop in and say happy Friday! Although it's more like a Thursday for me. Tim works on Saturday's so our Friday is tomorrow.

What are your plans for the weekend? Doing anything fun? I am just being lazy again today, we may go out to play this afternoon, or we may just stay in and snuggle. No real plans for the weekend. And that's just the way I like it!

Have a beautiful weekend friends, and a wonderful Friday!

* Sorry for the crappy cell phone pic

I swear she is 1 going on 16. Already jabbering on the phone, running up the bill!

Happy Wednesday

Good morning friends! It's Wednesday, woohoo!  I woke up this morning with a pretty nasty headache.  I am off to take something, lay on the couch as much as I can with three little ones, and hopefully get rid of this headache.

I should be back later today with some pictures from this past weekend.  Have a wonderful day!

Tweet Tweet

I am finally joining the rest of the world! I am back to tweeting!

Today Tim and I got new phones. I can actually Facebook, and tweet, and blog from my phone now. I am probably the last person on the earth to upgrade!

Anywho, you can find us over on twitter at http://twitter.com/nicolemassie218

I would love it if you would follow us!

I have so much to update on, with tons of pictures. But I am exhausted so look for a post tomorrow! Have a wonderful night friends!

For Tiffany

Hey friends, I want to share something with you in the hopes that maybe some of you can help out.

One of my friends, Deanna, who I went to the park with last week on St. Patricks Day lost one of her closest friends the other day.

Here is the news story.

Tiffany has 4 children, who are now left without the most important person in their life. My heart breaks for those children, whom were all in the house at the time of their father's attempted suicide. I have been praying and thinking about Tiffany, her children, family, and friends.

Tiffany has a memorial page on Facebook, which can be found HERE. There are details on that page on how to help these children.

I know they are asking for any donations, food/gas/and clothing gift cards for the children. I am sure anything would be very much appreciated.

I had only met Tiffany once at Deanna's daughter Ashley's birthday party. Which I blogged about HERE. She was so kind and sweet. Her youngest, son Caden played with Timothy almost the whole time at the party. Even though I do not know her well, I am just heartbroken over this tragic incident. I can only imagine how her family is feeling at this time.

I am sure that the family could use all the prayers and support they can get right now. It's going to be tough.

Praying for Tiffany, her family and friends, her 4 beautiful children. And also lots of prayers and love for my friend Deanna.

RIP Tiffany

Seriously?!

I tell ya, this year it has been one thing after another. Tim's poor parents just can't seem to catch a break.

The other day they got a phone call from their neighbors who are keeping an eye on their house that they are trying to sell while they are up here. The neighbor said she seen the lady up the street digging up flowers and plants, and stealing their garden decorations. She also said she has seen kids in their pool.

Tim's parent's immediately left and drove back to Texas.

When they got there, they seen that flowers had been dug up. One being a flower his mom got for her birthday 3 years ago from Grammy, the one who just passed away. All of her garden decorations were gone, most were gifts from Tim for Mother's Day when he was little.

The best part of all of this?

They also found a used condom behind their hot tub/pool (its a in ground pool with a hot tub connected). Seriously?! I just don't understand people I guess. Or kids I should say.

So they called the police and filed a report since they had more than one witness who seen everything that happened.

The police confronted the lady up the street and the lady's daughter, the one's who were seen taking stuff from the yard. The lady is 75 years old. She denied everything. They had until today or his parents would press charges and they could possibly go to jail.

Tim's mom really don't want to send a 75 year old lady to jail, but she took their stuff and is denying it.

So I am sure they will be staying there for most of this week. Which I totally understand, I am not sure I would want to leave all my stuff again until the house sells. Some people just suck. I don't understand the point.

I know they have to be back by the 3oth for grandpa's surgery to get his tumor removed. But they are just having a rough time. I really hope this lady just gives the stuff back, and makes everything a little more easier.

My Mind Is Swimming

Hey friends. I am so soryy I have been so sparratic with posts lately. We have been SUPER busy the past week.

I know I said I was going to post some pictures the other night, but we had some unforseen incidents pop up, like a late night hospital visit, that kept me from blogging right away.

I hope tomorrow (well later today, since it's 2am now) to have some posts to catch you up, with TONS of picture. You all will be so sick of seeing all the pictures. I had a baby shower for a good friend on Saturday, and Timothy and Taylor's party was today (well yesterday, since it's 2am right now)It was a blast!

But for now please keep Tim's grammy (dad's mom) in your thoughts and prayers. She is in the hospital, not doing well AT ALL. Which is the reason for the hospital visit, and the sparratic postings.

I cant wait to catch up with everyone else! Hope you all had a wonderful weekend!!!

So Honored

I was pleasantly surprised when I logged on today to give a quick update, and seen all my new friends!! Then I realized I was featured on For The Love Of Blogs!! I was so excited, but sad that I totally missed it because we have been so busy.

So welcome my new friends, I am so glad you stopped by! And thank you all for the sweet and thoughtful comments. SO much appreciated!

I wanted to jump on to give a quick update. Yesterday we went shopping. Big time shopping. We finally got a new TV. I remember one of the blogs I am following(sorry, I can't remember who) talking about being the last people in the world to get a new flat big screen TV, and thinking nope we still haven't. Now we have one!! We bought that and then had to buy a new entertainment center for it, and I got my camera.

I decided on the Nikon D3100 and I am in LOVE! I might go a little crazy with all the settings and trying to figure everything out. I have been playing with it since I got it! So if anyone has any suggestions or advice on learning, or websites, or anything that would be great.

I have been shooting in Manuel, and seem to be doing OK. I have a busy day today where I will get a lot of practice out of my camera. I will be back later tonight with LOTS of pictures, so I hope your ready for them!

And with that I am off to get ready for the day. I hope you all have a wonderful day!

Giveaway...Coming Soon!

Wow, I just signed on to post about a giveaway I am working on for when I hit 50 followers. I was pleasantly surprised to see that I am over 50 followers! AWESOME! Thank you all.

Although this post is going to follow the one I just wrote about, not worrying so much about how many followers I had. :) Oh who am I kidding it makes me all happy, and smiley!!

OK back to the giveaway, I have a SUPER neat giveaway coming for next week, that I think you all will love! I am just so excited about hosting my first giveaway! Hopefully by next week I have maybe 60 followers?! Not that it matters ;)

I can't wait to share this fun giveaway with you. So stay tuned!

Finding My Niche

As much as I try not to fret over "followers", "comments", "voting", "top blogs". It's hard not to. It's hard not to see the blogs you follow have hundreds or thousands of followers and 50-100 comments on any given post,and wonder how. I do it all the time, I wonder how did they get that many readers, I wish I had half that many people interested in my blog, and just a quarter of that who would comment.
Mason getting his haircut, which he hates by the way. Can you tell?!

Then I have to remind myself the reason I started this blog. It wasn't to become the top blog, or even one of the top blogs. Because let's face it, I don't lead that exciting of a life! It wasn't to have the thousands of followers, or hundreds of comments.

I started this blog for myself, to be able to get out feelings, to express myself. I started this blog for my children, to be able to remember special moments of their life, along with the everyday. I started this blog for Tim's parents, who live in Texas, and were having to miss out on so much of their grand children's lives. Although now they are moving back and won't be missing out anymore!

The boys with their fresh haircuts!

And while all the followers and comments would be FANTASTIC, it's not my goal. I can't lie though I do smile when I see a new follower, and I do read every single comment I get, and I appreciate those who read our story. Honestly, I have no idea how I got to where I am, I never expected anyone to read my blog, much less almost 50 people+, so thank you!

Mason setting up his dinosaurs yesterday.

I also try to be a follower that comments on other's posts, because I know how much they appreciate comments. I don't follow people to just "follow" them. I follow blogs because I enjoy reading them, and I keep up with them on a daily or every other day basis. And I comment as much as I can with three little ones! I don't think this blogging thing should be a popularity contest, but rather you following blogs you actually are interested it, will take the time to comment once in a while.
What the living room looks like after a day stuck in the house, just keepin it real!

Did you ever struggle with gathering more followers, and staying true to the reason why you started blogging in the first place? Why did you start blogging?
Mason wearing his snow boots around the house. I guess he wanted to go outside!

Have you hear of For The Love Of Blogs? Well if not it's an awesome blogging community with activities going on all the time. It's a great way to make blogging friends, and get noticed. Even though that's not what my goal is, right?! Ahem. Come on over and join us for Fab Friends Friday, and link up, or just find some new reading material!!

Have a great weekend friends!

Timothy wore his coat around the house most of the day yesterday, couldn't get him to take it off. I guess the boys are getting cabin fever!

My First Award!

I am super excited to find out that Jessica from Happily Ever After awarded me the Stylish Blogger Award!



Thank you so much Jessica, I was so surprised and excited! You are so sweet, and you have a great blog! Take a minute and check out her lovely blog.

Jessica mentioned how great it is to be recognized and know that people are reading and enjoying your blog. Even though I never created this blog to "gain" readers and make it big, it was for family. But it has turned into so much more, and I want to thank all of you, who read, leave words of advice or encouragement, and follow our story. It means a lot to me. Much love to all my readers!

As a recipient of this award I have to share 7 things about myself:

1. I always have to leave a bite of food when I am eating. I don't know why but I just don't eat the last bite. For example if it's pizza, I don't eat the crust, or the end of a sandwich.

2. I went to school for 1 year for elementary education. At the beginning of my second year I decided to switch to nursing. Then after the first semester of my second year of college I left to have Timothy and haven't been able to go back yet. I am not sure if and when I will be able to go back to school.

3. I have some kind of obsession with pens. ALL kinds of pens, I LOVE finding fun pens. This was worse when I was in school and working because I used them more. But deep down I am "old fashioned" and prefer to write things down and use a pen and paper!

4. Tim and I met online through AIM messenger when I was a Freshman and he was a Sophomore in high school. It was a coincidence that we went to the same high school. In October we will have been together for 10 years.

5. All three of our kids were not planned pregnancies and I was on birth control with all three. The boys I was on the pill((probably not taken 100% effectively), and Taylor I had the Mirena IUD in. I have the Mirena again this time.

6. I LOVE taking pictures, even though I am in NO WAY that great at it. I would LOVE to get a new DSLR camera!

7. I am a stay at home mom, and more times than not I really enjoy being home with my kids. BUT there are days that I long for a job and to get out.

Now I must award 15 other great bloggers:

1. *Mudpies & Marigolds

2. [Shutter}Mama

3. What a long, strange trip it's been.....

4. The Power of the Pink Lines

5. Trains, Tutus, and Tea Time

6. St. Louis Kilbanes

7. Reflection of Something


8. My Own Little Corner


9. Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas

10. Meli Feif Life

11. Me? A Mom?

12. Katie's Keepers


13. Freckles and Fudge

14. Kelly's Korner

15. Live. Love. Laugh

Now all you have to do to accept this award is follow the 4 simple rules:

Thank and link back to the blogger who gave you this award.

Share 7 things about yourself.

Award 15 other recently discovered (or in my case most of them were new to me).

Contact the blogger's you awarded and let them know.

Have A Fabulous Friday!

It's Friday woohoo!

Today I would like to share with you some fabulous blogs, so you have some fabulous reading.

1. A Sorta Fairytale
I recently stumbled upon this blog and LOVE it! Mandy's son is just adorable and just turned 1! All week she had been having guest posts by her son, Bennett's, relatives. This one she wrote to him, melted my heart. It makes me think about Taylor and how in a little over a month she will be 1. *tear*

2. Dirt and Lace
Another blog that I recently found. Stephanie has such a beautiful family, and takes awesome pictures of her pretty girls!

3. Kelly's Korner
Kelly has such a cute little blog. She currently has 1 little girl and is expecting another one if a few weeks. Check out her fun blog!

4. Me? A mom?
Cara is such a wonderful mother to her 3 beautiful daughters. She is also a very talented quilter, and her work is amazing. She blogs about everything from parenting to crafting.
One of her recent posts made me giggle, oh how I can relate. It you have multiple children, or heck even just one you may be able to relate too!
Cara is also getting ready to enter the work force again, after being a stay at home mom, so head over and show her some love.

5. Trains, Tutus, and Tea Time
Corrine, is an amazing writer. Her posts are inspirational and heart warming. Not to mention she has adorable children. She writes from the heart, and with honesty. She just hit 1 year of sobriety, and THIS post says it all so beautifully.

Head on over to For The Love Of Blogs and link up for Fab Friends Friday! You may just find some more fabulous blogs!



Have a great weekend!

A New Look

Well I decided the blog needed a new look! I would really love to hire someone to do a custom blog design, but money is tight so I had to revamp my blog on my own for now.

Thanks to For The Love Of Blogs on the lovely tutorial on how to make your own header. I am particularly fond of my new one!

What do you think?
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On another note, I haven't really watched American Idol for a couple years now, but just happened to catch the last 1/2 hour of it last night. And wow, I was in tears, I even think it got to Tim.

Did you watch last night?

Chris Medina's story and audition was moving and inspirational.

My heart and prayers are with their whole family.
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I will be back tomorrow with a more normal post. Hope everyone is have a wonderful day!