I Love My Life

I have been feeling a bit down lately. I'm a passive person therefore I avoid conflict and don't voice what I am thinking or feeling. (I'm a work in progress guys...) Anyway, there's a lot going on in my life right now that has me down...but I am working at correcting those issues with my families best interest at heart.

There are quite a few things I am so excited about the potential for us that I am just busting at the seams. (No, we aren't having another baby right now...Ava is enough.) There are a lot of changes headed our way and I just can't wait to see God's plan worked out through our lives. Pray with me guys! I need the encouragement as some of these decisions could prove to be rather hard ones.

Now...I say all of that to say this...I love my life. I am blessed beyond measure with great family and friends. I have one of the best husbands in the world. He is so supportive of his crazy wife. I have one spunky daughter who can always bring a smile to my face. No matter what my day brings...I have these wonderful people in my life to help cheer me. Not to mention I have all you bloggy buddies rooting me on.

Anyway...today's post is kinda random...sorry...having a hard time making things sound coherent. So, how about some pictures of my soon to be dancer? YES! We signed up for dance this week!

Before we left the house...

Dancing Buddies (Ava and her cousin Madyson)

Her face when she realized that her tap shoes made noise! Priceless!!

Ay Carumba

Ava just learned to say ay carumba. It cracks me up how she says it. It's like she is saying "I" carumba. Anyway yesterday afternoon she was saying it and then looked at me and said "Momma, do you carumba?" too funny that child is!!!

Date Night

Hi guys! Sorry for the missing posts...our Anti-virus expired and I have been to busy to renew...so that meant no turning on of the computer. But I'm back!!!

Last night Matt and I had date night. Ava spent the night with my Mom and Dad. I received some beautiful flowers and treated to dinner. We headed out to Surin 280! Yummy yummy!

This is the Yummy Sushi that we had. It was called "Super Crunch". It's smoked salmon on the outside, then rice, seaweed and finally some kind of crispy rice coated in a sauce...Yummo!

And just when we thought it couldn't get any better...I ordered the Nom Tuk Beef and Matt got the Spicy Beef Noodles. Both were fabulous but we both agreed that mine was better. If you ever get the chance to go, try it!

That's about all for today...I am going to work on some of my other meaningful posts that I have saved that require a little bit of work before posting them. Take care!

Laken' It

This past weekend we were fortunate enough to be invited to our friends' parents lake house. It was our first time up there and it was beautiful. We had a blast and enjoyed the great company. Here is some photo documentation of the weekend:

I don't know what is up with my pictures. On my computer they are normal...on blogger they are all pixel-ly and to be honest...I am too tired to deal with it!

Please Pray

I had intentions of posting about our trip to the lake. Instead, I am simply going to ask that you pray for Baby Stellan and MckMama. Lift their names up to the Lord. Pray for the doctors and nurses involved in Stellan's care. Pray for peace and comfort during this weary time for this precious family. I will post about the lake tomorrow...but for today, let's pray!

Out Of The Mouths Of Babes

I am posting this via my cell phone so excuse and spelling errors, the lack of my cute little name and spacing issues...

Setting the scene: It was bed time last night and Ava had NOT had a nap...

Matt to Ava: "Ava, why are you whining?"
Ava to Matt: read in a whining voice "Because I neeeeed toooo!"

Cracks me up everytime I think about it. I love her!!!

Prayer Request

Will you guys say a quick prayer for me? I've been presented with an opportunity that would be an answer to my prayers.

Word Of God Speak-MercyMe

I love me some MercyMe and this song just speaks so much to me right now. It is one of the songs at the bottom of the page. Scroll through and find it and then read along (or sing along) with the words. It kind of sort of maybe goes along with our Women's Bible Study. We are doing "Having A Mary Heart In A Martha World" by Joanna Weaver. The verses we use are Luke 10:38-42. The lyrics to this song reminds me of Mary from those verses. She is just in awe and wants to know more and more about Jesus! I want to be like more that...I'm working on it guys. Here are the words to the song.

Word of God Speak-MercyMe

I'm finding myself at a loss for words

And the funny thing is it's okay

The last thing I need is to be heard

But to hear what You would say

Word of God speak

Would You pour down like rain

Washing my eyes to see

Your majesty

To be still and know

That You're in this place

Please let me stay and rest

In Your holiness

Word of God speak

I'm finding myself in the midst of You

Beyond the music, beyond the noise

All that I need is to be with You

And in the quiet hear Your voice

Word of God speak
Would You pour down like rain
Washing my eyes to see
Your majesty
To be still and know
That You're in this place
Please let me stay and rest
In Your holiness
Word of God speak

Excuse the lack of spacing...blogger is being difficult with me and no matter how many times I go in and respace it, it ends up smooshed again. Oh well!

An Award

I recieved this award from fellow blogger Valerie. Thanks!

I am supposed to now tag 7 of my bloggy buddies and then tell you 7 things you may not know about me. Here goes:

7 Bloggy Buddies-
1-Kristi at Bringing Lucy Home
2-Susan at Life With The Cooper's
3-Jen at Mommy to 3 Blessings
4-Shana at Serendipity
5-Jennifer at The White's
6-Whitney at It's All About Me
7-Katie at My Heart Will Always Burn For You

OK...Now 7 things about me-
1-There is nothing on TV that I have to watch...if I miss something that I like...oh well...Now Matt is a different story.
2-Ava starts dance in the Fall. Not technically about me but I am excited nonetheless.
3-I am addicted to my phone. It's an iPhone and I can't leave home with out it.
4-I hate to sweat. Perhaps that's why I have all this extra "love".
5-I don't iron. I wrinkle release.
6-I sew button holes by hand because I don't know how to make my sewing machine do it and I am too lazy to learn.
7-I rarely wear full on make-up. A little mascara and chap stick will work...most of the time.

There you have it...take care!

Have you seen the light, er, recipe?

Have you checked out my Recipe Blog, Cooking Up A Storm? I have posted my salsa recipe in hopes that you will go check it out and maybe, just maybe follow along with my cooking creations. (Thanks to my 4 original followers...Susan, Maggie Elizabeth, Whitney, & Kristen). Anyway, go check it out!

Blog Makeover

So I just entered to win a free blog makeover from The Design Girl! Check it out and enter!

Has It Really Been That Long?

I'm exhausted guys...we have been so busy here lately but we are enjoying our summer! Ava has had a blast swimming and playing outside.

I know I have been absent here lately. Like I said, we have been busy and it isn't slacking up just yet. I am going to make a very good effort to start posting again. All I know to do now is to start from here...I've missed too much to catch up.

Thanks to all those who have been praying for me. While I am still not ready to share details (none of us are sick or anything like that) I do want you to know that our prayers are being heard and I am gaining some perspective as to God's Will for my life.

I wanted to share this really fast. Our church started a Bible study last night at my MIL house. We are using the book "Having A Mary Heart In A Martha World" by Joanna Weaver. It is good so far. We are taking it chapter by chapter. I will post more about it later. Right now, I just wanted to let y'all know I'm here and making an effort to post.

It's Been Awhile

Sorry it's been so long guys. We have been busy little bees. Summer time is just so precious to us so we try and spend as much time outside as possible.

I have alot running through my mind...some I can share and some I can't and I can't wait to find time to sit down and write. I promise to try and write it all out soon. Until then, would you pray? Pray for those things in my mind that I can't share with you. God knows! Pray for peace and guidance and wisdom. Thank you Blog friends...you are a great group of people.

I'm still recovering...

Hey guys! I am still recovering from VBS last week. We had an amazing time! It was so much fun! I will do a full run down soon...in the meantime I am preparing to go to the beach...Hallelujah! Thank You Jesus!!! We can't leave soon enough! I need a break from this place. Please pray that we have a safe trip!

Here are a few pictures:

Works For Me Wednesday

Since I am busy with Vacation Bible School stuff this week I am leaving WFMW up to you guys...leave a comment with your tips, tricks and shortcuts that you think we all could use. Happy commenting!

To My Husband...

Matt, you are such a wonderful Daddy. It melts my heart to see you interact with Ava as you do. You never cease to amaze me. Ava is so lucky to have you as her father (accept maybe when she gets older and you are scaring off the boys...)! Thank you for striving to me a good role model for Ava and teaching her right from wrong. I love you so much!

Works For Me Wednesday

It's that time again...Works For Me Wednesday is here!!!

How about some helpful outdoor activities...since it's summer time and all.

*Side walk chalk-let your little one lay down on the ground and you trace them with a piece of chalk. Once your finished tell them to draw all their body parts...hands, feet, eyes etc.

*Wading pool-give your kiddo plastic kitchen toys and let them make you delicious meals.

*Bubbles-blow bubbles and let your little one try and pop as many as they can before they hit the ground.

*Clover flowers-you know, those little white flowers that grow in and around clover patches...we make necklaces and crowns and bracelets out of them.

*Picnic-nothing gets my little one more excited than eating somewhere out of the ordinary (the table). We take a blanket outside and eat our breakfast or lunch on it. She gets so excited!

Hope you all have a great and fun summer. Posting for the next week and a half will be kind of small...it's VBS time at our church next week. Take care!

We're Sad...

Have I mentioned that Ava has been battling a contact allergy? She continues to have the remnants of it and it all resorts back, sadly, to Lexie...our new puppy. We are so sad. We have found her a good new home (where hopefully her new kiddo playmates won't have an allergy to her). Pray that Ava continues to do well with her leaving. It breaks my heart. Maybe we are destined not to have pets any time soon...remember the fish?

Follow Friday

Welcome to the first ever "Follow Friday". I am joining my sister, Chickie, in this fabulous new series. Each week one of us will spotlight someone we follow in the bloggy world that we think is pretty spectacular and encourage everyone to share the bloggy love with them. Stop by their blog and say hello and maybe even start following them if you already aren't. Hope you all enjoy!

This week I am spotlighting my good friend Whitney at "It's All About Me". We have gone to church together for several years now. She is the nicest girl ever and has the sweetest heart. She recently started a series call "Hollywood Wednesday" in which she plans to share all the latest celebrity gossip. If you are anything like me you don't have time to site hop and find it all out...she is going to post the highlights!!! So looking forward to that!

Anyway, hop on over to Whitney's Blog and let her feel the love today! Leave her a comment and share the bloggy love!

Let me know by leaving a comment if you would like to perhaps participate next week. Maybe we can do a Mr. Linky and we can all share some bloggy love.

PS Check out Chickie's Blog next Friday for the next installment of "Follow Friday"!!!

Works For Me Wednesday

Here it is folks...Works For Me Wednesday!

This week I am spotlighting some of my favorite cleaning tips. Hope these help...

*My favorite cleaning supply is Clorox Disinfecting Bathroom Cleaner. This stuff rocks! It has a spray option and a foam option. I love the foam option because it clings to the sides of the tub...thus breaking down the germs etc. and requires minimal effort in scrubbing...fabulous!

*Peroxide...it removes blood stains from your sheets. When you have a little one they are bound to have scrapes that can (and more than likely will) break open during the night. Peroxide will remove them in the early stages.

*Dryer sheets are the new air freshener. Do you have a hidden vent? Place a dryer sheet under the sides (in a dome shape over the vent) so that the air flows through the dryer sheet...instant air freshener.

*When I dust I use a Swiffer Duster with my favorite furniture polish (currently the Pledge Multi-surface). I spray my cleaning spray directly on my duster and go to town. Super easy people...super easy!!!

That's about all I have right now. Sorry it took me so long guys. We enjoyed our day at the pool. It was fabulous! Check back on Friday for a pretty cool series I hope to get off and running!

Works for Me Wednesday- Coming Soon!!!

Hey Guys! This weeks WFMW will be up tonight. I am taking a break and enjoying the sunshine.

Be sure and check back later tonight for some great tips!

Also, peak in on Friday for a little special series that I am going to try and start.

Hope y'all have a sunshine-filled day!!!

Check, Check, Check, Check It Out!

Have you checked out my Recipe Blog "Cooking Up A Storm"? (It's not pretty yet...still working on a layout...) Go check it out and try my newest recipe...Steamed Broccoli!!!

Who Am I?

Well, I am Karmen, of course!

Welcome to my blog! Chickie over at I Love You To Pieces is opening everyone up to introducing themselves so everyone can get to know us even better. Hop on over to her blog and check out the others participating....

Ok, so here goes my "more about me"...

I have brownish red hair and I so badly want to do something to it...but I am afraid since I have never done anything to it.

I have a new found love for Hummus.

I am a twin. Her name is Chickie (Kristen).

I like to decorate...and redecorate...and redecorate!

I enjoy blogging and reading blogs.

I don't like to be hot. I would love to move somewhere that never really exceeds 70 degrees.

I love a tomato sandwich. Yummy! I may have to go have one...maybe for lunch.

I have recently discovered the Reuben sandwich. Very good...very good!


Well, that's about all my excessively tired brain can think of. Go on over to Chickie's blog and participate.

A Few Random Pictures For Your Viewing Pleasure

Today is just a picture post day...ENJOY!

Like Her Mommy...
It Takes A Real Man To Wear A Woman's PINK Robe To Walk The Dog (Love you Babe!)

Ava and Lexie

Talk about Recycling...

Works For Me Wednesday

It's that time again...this week's WFMW is dedicated to Ashley...my cousin (by marriage) whom I've never met but feel like I know oh so well. She has two adorable little boys and I am sure Ava would have a blast with them WHEN (notice I said "when" Ashley...not if) we meet! She requested parenting/kiddo tips...since us moms can never get enough helpful hints...what works today for us might not work tomorrow.

So here are a few random tips to give a try when you have exhausted all other efforts. This is how we have done things with Ava and they may not work for every child. This is simply what we have chosen to do.

1) Crib to Big Kid Bed Transition-Ava climbed out of her crib incredibly early even though it was at the lowest possible point...we took her crib mattress out of the crib and placed it on the floor. Once she got used to and stayed on the mattress we moved the mattress to her toddler bed. It made it so much easier and we didn't have to worry quite so much about her falling out of bed.

2) Sippy Cups-When we switched Ava from bottle to sippy cups (at about 9 or 10 months for her) we went cold turkey and she did great! We just started putting her formula in the cup and let her have at it. We also used these Nuby cups:
I honestly believe that the soft spout helped the transition...kind of mimicked her bottle but not really.

3) Teeth Brushing-We brush Ava's teeth the same time we brush our teeth. When we began brushing her teeth we let her hold the tooth brush and "brush" her teeth and then we brushed them for her. Over time she picked up how to do it with little effort.

4) Feeding-When it was time for Ava to begin eating real food we let her begin feeding herself with a spoon or fork. We would finish up feeding her to make sure she ate enough. She made huge messes but let me tell you, she can work a spoon and fork like no 2 year old I know.

5) Potty Training-We started potty training when she showed interest. And when she was ready I took a hint from this fabulous Mama and let her run around bare bottomed. We went to the potty every 30 or so minutes and she drank TONS of water. Slowly we increased the time between potty breaks and now she will go when she feels the urge. Pooping was a little harder for her which I have gathered is for most kids. Once she over came the apprehension she was good.

6) Teething-We weren't big on Orajel or Teething Tablets. They were solely last resort items. We would wet wash cloths and put them in baggies and freeze them. Ava would gnaw on them and soothe her gums. We also would put her Sassy (her pacifier) in the freezer for just a few minutes to give her a little burst of coolness on her gums.

7) Patience (the most important)-This one is hard sometimes. So grin and enjoy these times!

Well, that's about all I have right now...I have a few other parenting tricks up my sleeve...maybe I will share them soon.

What are some of your parenting tips? Comments are open to any one. If you don't have a blogger account simply click to post as Anonymous and be sure to type your name in the box with your text. (Amanda? Ashely? Brandi? (by the way thanks for following along with our crazy life).)

Karmen's ABC's

I saw this over at Stafford Stories and thought it was pretty neat...

A - Age: 23...soon to be 24
B - Bed size: King
C - Chore you hate: dishes...my Hubby has graciosly taken over this one...Thanks babe!
D - Dog's name: Lexie
E - Essential start your day item: A shower...but having a 2-year old kind of doesn't let that happen sometimes...it's ok though, I would rather be shower-less than not get to spend this time with my wee one.
F - Favorite color: I used to love pink...but I think I am a grass green or a bright blue kind of girl.
G - Gold or Silver: Silver
H - Height: 5'6"
I - Instruments you play: I used to take piano lessons...but I wouldn't qualify myself as "able to play the piano"
J - Job title: Stay-At-Home-Mommy, Wife, Sister, Daughter...
K - Kid(s): Ava-2
L - Living arrangements: In Alabama in a house that even UPS can't find...oh but we love it!
M - Mom's name: Marie
N - Nicknames: Karmie, Mommy...
O - Overnight hospital stay: When I had Ava was my only over-night stay
P - Pet Peeve: People not listening...
Q - Quote from a movie: Oh gosh, those that actually know me know that I can't stay awake during movies...Hubby! Help me out here!
R - Right or left handed: Right
S - Siblings: 1 Sister-Chickie, we're twins...1 BIL-Jason
T - Time you wake up: random times...usually whenever Ava wakes up
U- Underwear: Always wear them...
V - Vegetable you dislike: Raw Broccoli
W - Ways/Reasons you run late: Hubby or Ava
X - X-rays you've had: teeth wrist...ultrasounds when I was pregnant with Ava
Y - Yummy food you make: oh there's too many...I really like my chicken parmesan...
Z - Zoo animals you like: Elephant's

I'm Calling Him Out

Hey sweetheart! I know you're reading this! I love you and I hope you are having a great day!

Grace us with your presence and leave a comment. Go on, click on and write your wifey a little note!

I love you!

Shabby Blogs...AGAIN!!!

Y'all remember how much I LOVE Shabby Blogs right? Well...Megan is doing a giveaway in honor of her now 500 followers! Hop on over and register to win some really cute custom designed pieces for your blog!

Where is Daddy?

Each day when Matt calls to say he's on his way home, Ava and I lounge in our red chair right by our front window. We gaze out and watch to see his truck come down the hill. We made up a song to sing while we wait. It's to the tune of Are You Sleeping? Here are the words:

Where is daddy?
Where is daddy?

Not home yet.
Not home yet.

He will be soon, though.
He will be soon, though.

To play with Ava.
To play with Ava.

TAG...I'm It!

Kristen and Maggie Elizabeth both tagged me to do this... Go Check them out...


First off... the rules:

1) List Six Unimportant Things That Make You Happy.

2) Mention and link to the person who tagged you .

3) Tag six of your favorite bloggers to play along, and comment on their blog to let them know they've been tagged.


Okay..6 unimportant things that make me happy...


1) Lounging by my parents pool

2) Cute shoes!

3) Random Junk!!!

4) Chips and Salsa and Cheese Dip

5) The smell of Baby Shampoo

6) Writing for my blog



So...I now tag...



1) Kristi

2) Shana

3) Jennifer

4) Whitney

5) Jen

6) Amy