Coffee Date Friday

Today I'm linking up with Alissa at Rags to Stitches for her coffee date Friday. I've always wanted to link up with her because, well first I adore her face and second I love the idea of a coffee date.

Honestly, you might not want to coffee date with me today.
I'm moody. The Hubby was been out of town working since the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Yes, you read that right ((and yes I want to cry)). I miss him terribly. Like an achy kind of miss him.

Since he's been gone Littleguy has been standing, walking around the coffee table, and had his first Christmas.

Since Hubby has been gone, Buddieboy is speaking in full complex sentences, road a big wheels, and started drinking out of a regular cup. He also has turned into a little character!

Since Hubby has been gone, I've been sick, sad, crocheting, working to build a business, and have been sleeping with a bat by the bed.

 

Since Hubby has been gone. I've missed him so so much.

What about you? What would you chat about?

Oh Monday!

I am so glad its Monday! I know I know it seems crazy but, this weekend was nuts!
It was one of those weekends that seemed to fly by.
Originally the plan was Chris was going on the Man Up hike with church, Holden was going to his Nana's and I was laying by the pool.... or at least tempting to!

This is what happened....

Yes, that is the side of the road. After the car started making this loud thumping sound we pulled over and checked the tires. None of them were flat! So we kept going and it got worst! It was like the whole wheel was trying to come off.

After having the car towed back to the house, the tow truck guy showed us the huge whole in my tire! The belt in the tire blew! The funny thing is, its still inflated!

Fun side note!

I'm hosting a give away! I'm so excited its going to be so much fun! Everyone keep an eye out for it, you'll love it I promise!

Creating

I've been painting, a lot lately.
To the point that I really need to start painting for other people because I'm running out of room in my house for stuff!!

I used to paint all the time. I would paint and re-paint over and over again. It was really therapeutic for me. The good thing, is it still is. This week has been a good week! I finished Holden's room, created more color for our living room, and did the sun room! Now I'm starting "presents" for some of the little ones (and coming attractions) around here! Well here, Charleston, Cali, ect!!

But, this is my idea (let me know what ya'll think). I think I might actually start selling the things I create. It honestly freaks me out a bit. I really love everything I make, I love the idea of the things that I create go to people I know, people I love. But, its getting expensive to keep going (and going at the rate I have been).

So what do you guys think?
Do you think I should try?
Do you think I could actually do it?
Do you think it would actually sell?

Sorry its a bad cell picture, my camera grew legs!

I just don't know...

yes, ya'll are witnessing my fear of rejection! I'm working on it! lol

MIA

So this is me. No not really. There has been alot of changes in the Pate home over the few weeks. More to come when I actually have time to sit and make a really pretty and informative posting!
Until then, this will just have to do!

Dear Lady

Dear Lady,

Please don't sell your self so short. You are an amazing women, a beautiful sister, and worth so much more than you let your self have. Why? Why, not shoot for the moon! God wants so much for you please oh please don't limit yourself. Open your self up to others, we want to show you what love is. We want to be there for you. We want to hold your hand and cry with you. We want to run and laugh with you. We want to believe in you, to be scared of what your scared of and fight that with you.

I know its scary. I know it is so hard to break old habits. I, also know how worth it to let others in. Your life can be so rich, so beautiful with others adding insight. Trust me they have insight. That's the blessing to adding people in your life to love you. God gives them the insight to be there, to help, to talk things out, and to kick you in your pants when you need it.

It is worth it to be open, to take your emotions and break. Breaking is okay. It is okay to take a step back and see that you are being stretched. You are being molded into something beautiful. I know how amazing you are now, I can only imagine how beautiful you are going to be once you let go. Let go of how you think this life should be.

Explore this life, all the ins and outs. Explore what God means to you. Explore your relationship with Him. It's not going to look like mine, its not going to look like anyone else but, yours. Your beautiful, messy, ever changing relationship!! Rock it out!

Don't be scared to want more. You are beautiful. Be strong and have standards. Don't let some one play with your heart. Let love grow organically. It'll be messy, and hard, and scary, but please don't push it. It does not have to be as hard as you make it! The best thing you can ever do is get out of your way. Don't let your ideas of how life should be, stand in the way of what your life CAN be! God has more for you then you can ever hope or imagine. Fall into Him, and let Him show you what that life can be.

Lady, you are loved so much always remember that...

Oh, Mondays!

Its been a long long week....
We have been doing so much. Between taking Holden's paci away, getting excited about moving, slight packing, foot ball games, and all of that life stuff. I'm exhausted. There is so much to update and my brain is just not up to typing, so you guys are getting a week in pictures!

Bowling at Strike City Tuesday was so much fun! It was great to get out and hang out with friends and meet new people...
Plus I so beat Chris the first game!

Saturday we had breakfast with Frank, Abbey and Annabelle which was so much fun!
Sunday we went to Lowes picking out some cute stuff for our new place.
Holden loved it! First he "drove" around the whole time laughing!
Plus he loves ceiling fans, and literally gasped and just pointed staring up at them hanging!

Sunday after noon and night was foot ball time. With a change of clothes for Holden.
He rocked his Green Bay bib for the Packer game, then his Nana
when out and got him a Steelers shirt for the Steeler game that night!

I have no idea what were going to do for the Super Bowl!
I believe there has been a bet placed using Holden, and what color he will be wearing for next year....

Sunday night I got out of the house and had a big girl night out! It was great, and so needed!
We went to Trio in Pineville and it was so so so yummy!
It's really great being able to just sit and chat with other momma (and mommas-to-be!).
I think its so great that it doesn't matter if you know some one or not, if you both have kids its like instant friends!

It was a great week! I also did some painting & crafty stuff this weekend but those pictures will have to wait till I'm totally finished with the projects!

Dear Diary

I love to journal, I love a brand new journal even more.
There is just so much hope, beauty, and openness in those empty pages!
I really love it!

Now, I know a lot of people blog now instead of journal. I just think there is something to be said having your deepest thoughts on paper. I have doodles, list, recipes, all sorts of randomness in those pages. I some times day dream about Holden, (or one of the other imaginary babies, you know the little girl I hope to have) reading them. Maybe laughing, maybe crying, maybe just maybe understanding me a bit more than they did growing up.

In my mind my journals are my legacy.
They house my deep thoughts, prayers, questions.
You can read them and see how I thought things out, planned things, and discovered things about my self.

I love it. I know I'm a total journal junkie and I'm okay with that!
But, I am really picky about my journals. They have to feel right.

It's hard to explain. Some just don't feel inviting. My journal has to draw me into in.
Almost beckons me to write. To be open and transparent.

It's not a exact science.

I literally have to pick up and crack open every journal in the store, and stare at the pages to see if it says "hey, come share your secrets."
Some don't.
Some say "what do you need from the store." Or, "you know I'm just going to end up under your bed." Or for me the worst, "Dear Diary" (those tend to be really pink, glittery, or fuzzy.)

Do any of you journal?
If so how do you know you have the right journal, or can you just write on anything?
Am I the only journal snob?

Bits & Pieces

My heart it totally swollen.

No really I feel like it could pop right out of my chest!

no I didn't have to much coffee

I am so excited right now about how everything is falling in to place, yet so trying desperately to hold everything in. Yes, I know it sounds very "top secret" and it is. Sorry.

Yes, your getting emotions and not actual information.

Don't ask me why, it's just all good things I promise!

Just know this...

God is good.

He's timing is so beyond perfect.

I love that He knows the plans for me and places people in my life and around me accordingly.

I'm a little overwhelmed in a beyond joyful could run laps around the neighborhood kind of way.

yes, I said run.

I PROMISE all will be reveled. Not really sure when, but it will be.

But, in the mean time. Ya'll are more than welcome to pray for us.

God knows what your praying for.

ps. I know I'm going to get this, so no I'm not pregnant.

No creative title...

Its nine thirty at night.

The baby is fed in bed, fast asleep.

The rest of the family is in their rooms.

The hubby is at work (still).

Me, I'm wide awake with nothing to do.

Okay that's a lie, I have a pile of clothes that need folding, trash that I'm sure can be taken out, and (sniff) did I shower today??

(yes, I did shower.)

I'm bored.

Beyond bored. So bored that stalking on facebook wasn't even cutting it.

Sad I know.

With everything that goes on all day every day I've lost the capability to be still.

Be silent. To just sit.

There is something important to be said about learning to be still.

We all run around life from one "important" event to another.

In constant motion.

Is that doing us any good really?

Is every important thing really all that important?

Am I just rambling because I really need to just go to bed?

I don't know.

What do you think?

Social Commentary

Driving through the neighborhood tonight

a random thought hit.

I could see straight into a lot of people homes and noticed,

that most people have home offices where their dinning room should be.

Then, I remembered my friend Abbey

(who was a leasing agent in her past life)

saying years ago that the least used room in an apartment was the dinning room.

It made me think: Why?

What does it say about us, as a culture?

Is the all might dollar more important than quality time with our families?

Are we working our selves into early graves?

Is our homes no longer sanctuaries where we can go to and forget about everything else?

Why do people not seem to have dinning rooms?

Do we not eat together anymore?

Is it no longer important?

I'm not saying I have any answer,

just a lot "humms"...

What do you think?

I would love to know!

Cards !?

I've been trying to find a Christmas card.
I love doing Christmas cards!
I actually started doing cards for me and Chris when we were still dating!
I was bummed last year because I was so exhausted from being pregnant that I didn't get any of them done.

I am bond and determined to do it this year!
Especially with Holden here now!
I want to give him every Christmas thing that I can.
I want to start forming family traditions!
I'm so excited for it.
Needless to say, Christmas cards are a big thing for me right now.
John, over at Indie Sunday is going to do photo's for us!
I'm really excited about it!
John did our photos for our wedding so its really great to have him do this next step in our lives too!

But, getting the photo is one thing...
Picking a card is a total different thing!!
I found these great ones on Shutterfly!

I used Shutterfly last Valentines Day to make a beautiful book for Chris!

So I know these cards will be amazing!
What do you think?

Which card is us?

I love this one because it's more traditional,
but am I traditional?

This one is great, because of all the cute pictures I have of Holden.

I love this one because it is nothing like any other!

What do you guys think?
Which one screams the Pates?

The groove is in the heart

There's all this talk about groove lately. Blame it on Jessi and her getting her groove back post (can ya'll tell how much I love her blog yet?) and the kick in the pants that followed for me.

I want to get my groove back.
wait. . .
have I ever had a groove?

Little soul searching time.

What is my groove? Where do I find my groove, where do I even start?

Heart.
My heart, the heart of our family.

What is in my heart?
God, Chris, Holden, coffee, nail polish, earrings, oh and shoes totally shoes! How does this translate to my groove? How can my groove translate to my heart?

I don't know yet. I'm still working on figuring this whole thing out. Until I do, let groove a bit!

Urgh!!

Urgh.

I'm having one of those days. The day when your brain just feels mushy and full of idea's and overwhelming emotions. Its like standing in the middle of the room and not knowing which door to go through. It honestly sucks.

So this is going to turn into a random list of thoughts. Consider your self for warn.

• I miss Charleston, nothing new there.
• I think we're suppose to stay in Charlotte
• I have no idea where to go.
• I have no idea what we are doing!
• I have to do something!
• I don't feel content at any church in Charlotte! Why?
• I'm so ticked with life, in a general urgh, kind of way.
• I love being a Mommy.
• Its exhausting being a Mommy.
• My son is now not wanting to sleep through the night.
• He's also currently running a fever.
• I'm really confused if I need to just buckle down and jump into a church, or keep looking.

That's what my big problem is. I don't know what to do. I miss having a home church, I miss small groups, and feeling so connected to God when at church. I don't know if I should just keep looking or just go to any church just to be at church.

Like I said urgh.

And Quinoa....?

I love to read other people blogs.
Being a stay at home mommy with out a car it's really easy to feel well, trapped. I have a list of blogs I follow from people I know, have meet, or am just inspired by. So let me tell you how excited I was that one of these ladies that I know and am inspired by has a new blog.

http://pizzatoquinoa.blogspot.com/

It makes me even more excited because we share similar struggles with food, and now we are both searching to make our lives healthier. Now she and some of her friends are blogging about food! I'm so excited, because she likes to take pictures of food and that just makes a blog so much better!!

I've been wanting to get this family of mine healthier. Frozen pizza should not be a dinner option, shouldn't be an option at all! Not when there is so many other amazing foods out there. I don't want Holden to grow up needing a snack cake intervention like his parents!

Horse of a different color.

It always makes me laugh when people jump on bandwagons. It drives me nuts when I hear someone talking about something that they didn't look up them selves. When they bash on something just because they heard some one else talking negatively about it. You can tell almost every time when some one is just repeating an opinion or they actually formed there own thoughts.

It makes me laugh even harder when there is something that is just a rephrased description. Especially when the thing that is rephrased is accepted but, the other is condemned.

Monthly I get a baby magazine. I love it, its my soak in the tub & read day every time it shows up! But, this months made me laugh.

There is a great article called you new parent survival guide. It's hilarious. Why you might ask. Its pretty much Babywise in a new package. Babywise, the books that so many bash, has the same steps. Even the same wordage. It makes me laugh so hard!

Basically the aritcle breaks down the first few weeks/months of a babies life. First being focus on feeding. Keeping a log of feeding, and diaper changes so you can monitor how much the baby is getting. Then it talks about give the baby a bottle around 2-4 weeks for the first time. It also talks about learning your babies cries, starting with check if its feeding time, then if the diaper needs changed, then if the baby is uncomfortable, finally ending with if everything is okay to let the baby fuss it out. Then getting into a routine with feedings, play and sleep.

Welcome ladies and gentleman to babywise. Now I know that these aren't new ideas, or a new process of doing something. Babywise wasn't the first nor (obviously) the last of the same idea. I just think its totally funny how so many can bash on it with out know what it really is, but read a different version of the same ideas and accept it with out batting an eye.

Just makes me laugh....

Topics

I've been wanting to blog but, can't really build a post. I have all these topics flying around in my head but, nothing is transforming into a post that is actually readable. So here are some of the things I've been thinking about writing.

* Turbo Jam.
I started working out last week and really really enjoyed it. It's a little scary, I'm not the work out kind. I get winded walking around the outlets!

* Elevation.
I'm loving church and really hopeful and excited about it. I really miss community, being around others that have the same faith, hopes, desires, and beliefs that I do.

*Crocheting.
I have some really great projects going on, but can't talk about them! Boo! They are presents for some lovely ladies so no sneak peeks.

*Etsy
Totally obsessed. I created an etsy store just finishing up some projects before I post pictures and stuff. The store is called LaLaLu Designs. It's all baby nursery things. After hating almost everything out there for babies I decided to make my own. I figured I can be the only person out there that is over the "daddies little champ" stuff.

Well, that's all I got. Maybe one day I can build off these!

10 Little Things.

What are the 10 things I'm loving right now?

1. Writing everything centered.

Why? I have no idea, I just am really liking the way it looks on my blog. I know its strange and weird but, for some reason having everything justified left was just really starting to bore me to tears.

2. Jessi's Blog.

I am really enjoying it.
Especially being a stay at home mom now, I'm enjoying reading about other's mommy lives and what they are doing, dealing with, learning, changing, and ect.
check out my blog roll for other great mommies!
3. Cooking.

I've always loved cooking, I've just rediscovered it. While I was pregnant the smell of anything made me sick, and my hubby started cooking a lot.
Now I'm really enjoying planing out meals, and trying new recipes!
Speaking of new recipes try some of these!

4. Mead OrganizHer Meal Center

This made me do the "happy dance" in the middle of Target yesterday. I'm totally in love with it! Its an amazing wipe off board that is set up to write down what your having/making for lunch and diner. Plus it has a place for notes and a magnetic shopping list pad!
The whole thing was around $8.00 and now is proudly stuck to my fridge.
I love being organized and it really helps me get done the things I want to finish. I'm very, very ADD and end up cleaning half the house at a time. As in I start in the kitchen, get distracted by something in the bedroom, start cleaning there, and then remember I was cleaning the kitchen.
So every room tends to only be halfway clean at a time!
The note part of this is great because I write down what room I want to work on for that day.
It's a great way to hold my self accountable!

5. These people.
I just love them to pieces! I love their funny personalities. I love that Holden loves his daddy so much, and I love how much Chris loves Holden. He's so good with him, and just plays with him! Its really such a blessing to see!
It makes me so happy and feel so blessed that I know how good of a daddy Chris is.
I couldn't be more amazed by them!

6. Pampers

Okay I know so there is all this stuff going on about these things.
But, I'm loving them right now. We've just switched Holden in to them and they are fitting him so well! My son is a little skinny mini twiggy thing!
When I change his diaper I don't to clean his but, just the crack he has in his back!
Seriously, the kid has no hips or butt!

7. Ruled Index Cards

No, I haven't lost it. I promise. I've been on a mad hunt for a recipe box, and cards that I like.
Guess what... I'm too picky.
I haven't found a single one that I actually like.
So I'm making them. My sweet hubby picked up some 3x5 index cards for me yesterday, and I've spent today stamping them.
Can I tell you, they look good too!

8. Glee
I'm a huge fan. It makes the drama queen in me glee with envy. (cheesy I know.)
I never was in glee club, nor musical theater. I can't carry a tune in a paper bag, cup, pail, what ever you want to chose. I can't carry it.
But, I can pretend!
And that's what I do every week!

9. Swagbucks.

Now I know some of you are going huh? Its a search engine that gives you "swagbucks" for searches, polls, ect. Bucks that you can use to either buy or win stuff. Its silly I know but, if I can actually win some of the "swagstakes" I'm in, I could be the proud owner of a new Hoover or an Ipad.

10. Being a stay at home mom.

Now I'm totally loving this! I wasn't sure if I would, so I'm really glad I am.
I'm actually getting alot of satisfaction out of it! I'm loving (as you can tell) taking care of my family, planing meals, clean, organizing, ect.

I'm just totally in love with my life.

My Hubby

My hubby is unique. In everything he does it some how goes against the grain. Its one of the things I love the most about him. It makes life always interesting and very entertaining.

I can honestly say there is never a dull moment in our home.

It has taken some getting use to. You have to always be on your toes trying to figure out what he is actually saying. As most of our friends know, he sometimes starts a conversation in his head, but finishes it out loud.

Its take me years to understand the little that I do about this man. But, here are two things I know for sure.

1) He mentally process things a little differently from most, if not all of humanity.

2) He's missing a filter.

Knowing these facts, still did not prepare me for the array of amazing comments that have came from him since I've been pregnant. Noticing how golden each of these quotes where I started carrying a small note pad with me. Every time a little quote would come out, that little piece of gold was written down.

So, here for your reading pleasure. My hubbies comments from the past two weeks. (More will be on the way I'm sure of it.)

"It looks like your carrying a skin egg."
said as he rubbed my tummy

"um, not with that belly."
the response to me asking if he wanted to save time and hop in the shower with me.

"its not like its wider it just hangs lower."
his statement to my complaining about going up a size in underwear, and yes the comment was about my rear.

"no they're just big."
His observation when I stated I thought my new underwear looked larger when you held them up then when they were on.

"you belly looks blimpish."

"When your pregnant its like you have a sign on that says 'yes, I'm friendly come talk to me.' but, your not."
after the sixth person at Ihop came up to us.

"I want to put a sign on your belly that says 'yes, we had sex'."
Another Ihop comment, we're now limiting his coffee intake.

"It looks like an animal anus."
How he described my belly button.

My favorite moment.

Sitting at our parenting class during a lesson on breastfeeding, I hear this "suck, awe" noise. The lady on the video had just described what a baby sounds like when it feeds and this same noise was now coming from beside me. I look over and my husband has his hand in the C position on his chest making that noise.

I die. It was the funnest thing I have ever seen. I know that he is really processing what she is teaching, and is really trying to make sure he gets it. Which I think is the most precious and loving thing ever. But, see when I looked over so did all five other people and they all laugh.
It was quite a bonding moment for our small group.

Like I said my hubby processes things a little differently than most, and I love him for it!

I wish SOMEONE was having a girl!

With all the preggo lady's running around at church, I wish someone was having a girl!

Now I know that seems like a totally random thought but, I promise there is a reason behind it.
See I'm so excited to be having a boy. I knew Holden was a boy as soon as I thought I could be pregnant. I'm just as excited for the other boys coming all around the same time (due dates as follow: march 22nd, april 2nd, and april 13th. yes ALL boys!).

But how cute is this!

Baby Leg Warmers!
Can you really get any cuter! I mean really! Plus you can get them in this kit with the little headband!

Its by a mom name Melanie. Who as the story goes, learned how to make these cute little thing for her daughter, made a lot, and now started her own company making and selling them!

I have to admit I was doing a little wishful thinking. If I was having a girl which ones I would pick out. But, luck, grace, or a smart mom was on my side.

They have some for boys!!


You guys have to go check them out!
The kits for boys come with a little knit hat that by its self is so cute, but and the leg warmers and (hopefully) Holden will be rock'n!


(That's the boy set I liked! wink wink hint hint!)

MDDesigns
http://www.etsy.com/shop/mddesigns