It's My Anniversary

Thankful Thursday

Happy Thankful Thursday everyone!!  With tomorrow being my one year wedding anniversary, I am extremely thankful to have married the love of my life.  I'm thankful that we have loving, strong and healthy marriage.  It's not perfect because all relationships experience ups and downs.  I'm thankful that we have had more ups.

And while we're on the subject of my anniversary, Tuesday evening I decided to pack up the kids and go out hunting for some other anniversary gifts for my husband.  It started to pour cats and dogs when I got ready to check out.  So, we had to get out of line and hunt down an umbrella.  Plus, I wanted to waste some time and let it slack up.  Well, I finally checked out.

We headed to car.  I got in and turned to key and nothing.  The battery had died and we were stranded.  Long story short, I ended up calling road side assistance.  But while I waited I prayed to God that the car would start.  To my surprise my husband called me shortly after I told him that road side assistance was on the way and said that he was coming to jump the car.

Out of all people, the landlord just so happen be about and offered to drive him to store and give us a jump. Yes, this is the same landlord that has yet to fix a single thing wrong with rental.  So, I am thankful that although, he might not be the best landlord he has a helpful heart.  But before either of them-my husband or road side assistance-could get to us, something told me to try the car one last time and I did.

Low and behold it started right up without a hitch.  Tell me if God isn't good!! But I waited in the parking lot until my husband showed up and we still let the landlord jump the battery.  We cancelled the road side assistance and headed home for a peaceful night.  I am so thankful for the way God let that situation work out.  He may not come when you want Him but He'll be there right on time.

I'm also thankful that my sister's pregnancy is going well.  So, far she has been experiencing too much morning sickness.  Her baby is due four days after JJ's birthday.    I'm also thankful that my little cousin was able to be released from the hospital.  He still has to check in with the doctors every two weeks so that they can monitor his heart but they think with his medicine and staying on bed rest he should be ok.

But on a sad note, my mom called me with news that cousin passed earlier this week in a motorcycle crash on his birthday.  He was home visiting from college to celebrate with the family.  So, please keep us in your prayers.

What do you have to be thankful for this week? Any unexpected blessings come your way?

Romance Wednesday: I Promise Constitution

A few months back my mom got me a marriage book called I Promise You Forver by Dr. Gary Smalley.  It's an amazing book and I recommend that every couple pick it up and read it.  Anyways, the first page of the book is the I Promise Constitution and I thought that I would share it with you all for Romance Wednesday.  Hopefully, this constitution will inspire you to change a few things about how you participate in your marriage.

I Promise Constitution

PREAMBLE: When we wed I committed to love and cherish you all the days of my life, and I affirm that commitment today.  I love you dearly, more than life itself.  I honor you and place you above all other people in my life.  My goal is to create in our marriage a place of safety and security in which you and I can share everything without fear and grow together in deeper love and intimacy.  To confirm my commitment to this goal, I willingly make these five solemn promises to you.

I PROMISE to conform my beliefs to God's truth.  I will gain control of my outlook, emotions, and happiness by continually examining my deepest beliefs and striving to make them consisent  with  what God's Word says.  I take sole responsibility for my beliefs with the understanding that they, not you, determine my emotions, expectations, and actions.  Thus I lift from you the burden of being responsible for me.

I PROMISE to be filled by God.  I will keep God in my heart as my source of joy and love.  My love for you will be His love flowing through me.  And I will receive your love as overflow from Him.  I will base the security of our marriage on making Christ my boss.  I will strive to conform to His image and follow all His commands, especially the one to love you and care for you all the days of my life.

I PROMISE to find God's best in every trial.  I give you the security of knowing that the negative things that happen in our marriage will not destroy my love for you.  I will not expect perfection from you, but will use even the irritations between us as opportunities to see my blind spots and foster my personal growth.  I will call on the power of Christ to root out my weaknesses.

I PROMISE to listen and communicate with love.  I will value every word you speak as a window to your heart.  I will honor your opinions, feelings, needs and beliefs so that you will feel free to speak honestly and openly will full security in my love for you.  I will be open with you in communicating my heart and will consider your feelings and needs in all my words.

I PROMISE to serve you all the days of my life.  I will fight all tendencies toward selfishness in me and focus on keeping you, your needs, and your goals before me at all times.  I will serve you willingly and wholeheartedly, just as Christ served His disciples not only in small, humble ways but also by giving His life for them and for us as well.

PS: Don't forget to check out Plum District.

It's My Anniversary Week

My first wedding anniversary is coming up this Friday and I am beyond stoked.  It might have taken us almost 6 years to get hitched but we finally did it.  And we did on our terms.  And I already kicked off my anniversary week right yesterday by choosing happiness. (Read the post.)

I can't put into words the overwhelming sense of pride and accomplishment that I feel to have made it this far.  After all a lot marriages don't survive their first year.  So, this is a huge milestone. 

How are we playing to celebrate you ask?  Dinner, a little shopping, gift exchanging and a movie.  And we're choosing to share this joyous milestone with Moo and JJ.  I know that a lot couples like to be alone on their anniversaries but we feel that it is important for us to show our kids that things like marriage need to be celebrated.  Also, I come from a family where divorce and unhappy marriages is very high.  I want to break that cycle.

There are things you can do to rekindle your marriage other than divorce and finding another spouse.  I can tell you from experience that relationships are hard work and marriage is even harder.  It's not going to be all rainbows and sparks all the time.  And there will be times when you feel like you don't love your spouse anymore but remember love is more of an action than a feeling.  You just have to be willing to follow through and not get caught up in a "The Grass Is Greener Complex."

Anyways, just a little reminder that the first 5 of you to sign up for Plum District using this link will receive $10 in Plum Cash.  Plum District is a daily deals site specifically created for and with moms in mind.  They have some really awesome deals and I'm actually taking advantage of one of them and getting my first ever gel manicure!!  And making this deal sweeter is the fact this week (Mon- Fri) you save an extra 30% off any local or everywhere deal on the site for the Share the Love friends and family promotion.

That's awesome since they already offer amazing daily savings of 50-80% off.  So, don't miss out on this great savings.  Find anything from restaurants and spas, to great deals on activities for kids and families.  Head over and get signed now!!

Thinking back to your first wedding anniversary, how excited were you?

Choosing Happiness

These past few months, I've been going through an emotional roller coaster.  I've had deal with a lot regarding sickness within my family.  I'm also in the process of trying to solidify myself as an extraordinary freelance writer as well as working on expanding the YUMMommy brand.  Then pile on being a mom of two, a wife and a domestic diva.  You could say that I have my hands quite full.

While, I started off strong at some point over the summer everything just kind of started to take its toll on me.  I found myself lacking true happiness.  Don't get me wrong, I wasn't bummed all the time.  There were moments when I was excited or anxious and even moments when I felt ok.  And I'd been asking myself "why can't I feel happy?"

So, after a few weeks of asking myself that question, I decided to pray.  For me prayer is a place I turn to for comfort, help, and understanding.  Anyways, last night I was reading Live Your Best Life Now for Moms by Joel Osteen when I stumbled across this:

Starting right this moment, I'm choosing happiness.  I'm not going to allow the negative and stressful things, people and situations get to me.  I have made the conscious decision to take back my joy.  We only get one life to live and I don't want to look back on my younger years and think about all the moments, I didn't truly get to enjoy.

I know that my stumbling across that passage was not a mistake but a message from God.  And I hear Him loud and clear.

What is it that you choose today?  Happiness, joy, love...?

Fall Is Here

Today is the first official day of fall and I'm excited.  Summer was great but I'm not at all sad about leaving all that scorching hot weather behind.  I'm happily trading in my shorts and sandals for some lounge pants and comfy wool lined slippers.  I'm also looking forward to Halloween because it will be JJ's first time trick or treating.

I'm thinking that I want him and Moo to have coordinating costumes.  Like they could both be super heroes, scarecrows, etc.  Hoping that Old Navy will have those cute little cloth trick or treat bags like they did last year.  Some of the trees here are already changing colors.  I love it!

The leaves just look so beautiful when they're yellow at the tip but get closer to red the further up you go.  Yes, I'm some what of a nature nerd.  I see the beauty in simple things like that.  I'm looking forward to being able to do the hay rides this year.  Moo is older and will appreciate it and JJ will be sit still as long he can look around and see his surrounds.

And Moo's 3rd birthday is coming up.  I can't believe she's not a little baby anymore.  She'll be starting preschool next year.  While part of me is happy because she'll get to interact more with other kids her age and make friends, I'm also terrified at how she will adjust and then of course there's her allergies.  All in all, I have a feeling that this is going to be a wonderful fall.

What is your family looking forward to this fall?

Thankful Thursday

This week has gone by super fast it seems.  Can't believe that it's Thankful Thursday again.  This week I'm really thankful for the cooler weather.  This summer was a scorcher and because of that we didn't get to enjoy outdoors a lot. But now that fall is here and I don't have to worry about my kiddies getting over heated or the heat making their eczema flare up, we can hit up the park on warm days and play outside.

I'm also thankful for the new addition that will be coming into our family next May!  Still can't believe that I'm going to be an auntie again.  I'm really happy that JJ will have someone closer to his age to interact with.   I'm thankful that my one year marriage anniversary is almost here!!

I'm thankful for the new opportunities that are happening for YUMMommy.  The blog is growing, the Facebook page is picking up and I started a community on BlogFrog. 

Now another note, I just want to ask everyone to keep Troy Davis' family in prayer.   Let us honor him by continuing to stand up and speak out against injustice.  

What are you thankful for this week?

Romance Wednesday

Since, my husband and I didn't have a traditional wedding, we never had a first dance.  However, if and when we do, we've both agreed that this will be our wedding song.  I think it sums up how we both feel about each other.  Take listen.s

Tell Us Something Good: New Addition

I'm going to be an auntie again!!  Isn't that good news?  My younger sister took a pregnancy test last Friday and it came back positive!   She and her husband are thrilled.  They go to the OB on next Tuesday to take an official pregnancy test and get her prenatal care started.

At this point, I'm not sure if they have a preference over a girl or boy.  But when they stopped by to tell me the good news, they kept referred to the baby as a she.  After all, my mom had almost all girls.   Our brother is the token male.  So, I guess it only makes sense that they would expect their first child to be a girl right?

Either way, I'm really happy for them.

My Weekend WrapUp

This weekend I got to spend time with my husband because he was off.  We didn't venture out because all of a sudden the weather went from being hot on Thursday and warm on Friday to freezing cold Saturday morning.  I kept thinking it would warm up enough to take Moo to the park but it never did.  And Sunday it was just as cold.

However, my husband bundled her up and took her outside to kick around her ball for a little bit in the front yard.  Their playtime was interrupted by our arguing neighbors!!  I can't tell you all how freaking happy we will be when we finally move the hell out of this place.  I get so tired of hearing my neighbors argue and slam stuff around.  It's like if you're not happy then somebody needs to move out.

I did get a break from putting the kids to sleep.  I was glad about that because I was pooped.  I've been working on a freelance project, guest blogging and other stuff.  It felt nice to have a little down time by myself.  I also wasn't as present on Twitter and Facebook.  It felt good to detach a little bit from the virtual world. 

I got to make progress on my kindle reading list.  And Sunday, I was able to work on my coupon matchups.

What did you do this weekend?

Stepping into Fall

One of my new favorite online spots shop for shoes is Infinity Shoes.  They have the latest trends and styles from brands we all know and love.  And what's even better is that they have pretty decent clearance.  And now they're offering Free Shipping on all orders thru September 30th with coupon code LSFREESHIP.

Anyways, it's been a while since I've updated my shoes.  I'm not the only one who noticed either.  I was putting on a pair of slip on loafers the other day and my husband said, "Isn't it time for another pair?"  What can I say, I like to get all my wear out of my shoes.    So, here are some lovelies that I'm debating about adding to my fall shoe rotation.

And of course, I couldn't help but look shoes for my love too.  He's a little bit less rough on his shoes but with his birthday coming up, I'm thinking that he might like one of the following choices below.  I'm certainly going to get him the bedroom slippers because he has a blue pair that are past by worn out.

And when it comes to dress shoes, he hasn't gotten a new pair since I've met him.  The sneakers are True Religion but I'm leaning more towards the loafers because I've never seen him a pair and want to revamp his look a little bit.

So, what do you all think?

{Disclaimer-All opinions expressed are genuine and my own.  Infinity Shoes is a sponsor of YUMMommy.}

~P.S.:  Don't forget to check out my latest giveaway.

Thankful Thursday

Today my heart is heavy and I have a lot on my mind.  Earlier this week, I found out that my little cousin was admitted to the hospital.  He was outside playing basketball like teenage boys his age do and started to have difficulty breathing.  I think my aunt's first thought was maybe he was having an asthma attack.  However, once they got him evaluated at the hospital it was discovered that he had an enlarged heart.

So, the situation was more serious than anybody thought.  And today, he's been transported to a different hospital that will be better able to treat him.  Right now doctors are thinking that the best way to treat him will be with a heart transplant.

And that freaks me out.  Heart transplants are big deals.  There are a number of things that could wrong.  I'm trying not to focus on those things.  Instead, I'm trying to be prayerful that if he does have to have the transplant that he won't have a long wait on the list.

The silver lining of all this is that at least he's still alive and pretty stable.  So, for that much I am thankful.  It's been a rough year healthwise for my family and as @Mrs_AOK told me, next year is a new year and I'm believing that things will be better.

-P.S.: I'm featured over on The Confessions of 30something... 

Plum District

Now, everybody knows that I love good deals!  And I'm not just talking about deals on groceries.  I enjoying scoring deals on everything!!  And thanks to Plum District, I can have those deals delivered right to my mailbox.  What is Plum District?  Well, I'm glad you asked.

Plum District is a daily deals site that offers deals specifically targeted towards moms.  So, you know what that means.  More me time!!   And you can do more shopping without breaking the bank.  Plum District offers deals on everything from 

Flowers, and

Jewelry

to Photobooks.

With Christmas coming up, Plum District is the perfect site to go to for gifts for your mom, sisters, aunts and mommy friends. You browse local deals specific for your city or shop their Everywhere deals.  While you're over at Plum District, you can check out there blog and stay up to date on contests, sneak peaks of upcoming deals and much more. 

So scurry on over there and sign up to start saving today.  Don't forget to visit Plum District on Facebook and 'like' their page!  They also have city pages on Facebook too.  Queen City moms be sure to show our Plum District page a little love here.

Happy Shopping!!

Bonding Time With McDonald's

Every family has a place that is THE place for family memories and bonding time.  For me and my family that place is McDonald's.

When I transferred to a new school district, my mom would bring me a hambergur Happy Meal from McDonald's for the first month.

In middle school, my mom would get two apple pies from McDonald's and my siblings and I would split them among ourselves.

My niece celebrated her first birthday party at McDonald's.

One of Moo's first words was McDonald's. (No lie. We have Grandma to thank for this.)

And I'm pretty sure that Moo's first food was french fries from McDonald's. (Courtesy of Grandma too.)

The Evidence

Thanks to McDonald's my brother got the money he needed to go to college. Yep, he won a McDonald's scholarship!

Now, McDonald's has become the spot where I take Moo to make memories.  At least twice a month, just the two of us go to McDonald's and I get her a chicken nugget Happy Meal and we bond.  The smile on her face is enough to warm my heart and let me that she appreciates this mommy-daughter time, especially since JJ was born.

And thanks to @McD_CLTArea, you can start making McDonald's apart of your family memories and bonding experiences.  Today until September 21st, I'm giving away a two McDonald's coupons: (1)-FREE Bowl of Fruit & Maple Oatmeal and (1)- FREE Medium McCafe Coffee to a YUMMommy reader in the NC and SC area.  Use the neat little Rafflecopter form below to enter.

{Disclaimer-All opinions expressed are my own.  I did receive coupons for FREE McDonald's products.}

Thankful Thursday

This Thursday I am thankful for having been able to spend more time with my family back home.  It seems like my car accident has put things in perspective.  Family is truly number 1.  And speaking of family, I am very thankful that ours will be expanding in a matter of weeks. I'm so anxious for my little prince to get here.

I am thankful that after almost three weeks of driving around in a rental we were finally able to get a new car. Well, at least it's new to us.  Although, we had to pretty much spend every penny we had saved up, we have transportation.  Nothing like having your own ride.  We're working on building back up our savings and working back towards getting a second car.

This past few months, I was in a funk about a lot of issues, but I am thankful that God has shown me ways to get where I want to be in life.  I've come to realize that my sitting around feeling sorry and stressing over the situation won't make things better. I have to get my booty into high gear and make things start to happen.  I have to put myself out there.

Last but not least, I am thankful that YUMMommy has grown to over 200 readers!!!  This is a huge milestone for me.  Thank you as always for your support!!

What are you thankful for this week?

Motherhood & Fashion: Not Mutually Exclusive

I am very fashion-conscious, and when I discovered I was expecting, I envisioned nine months of tent dresses and frumpy maternity jeans.  I remember when I ripped the belt loop on my favorite pair of jeans and realized that I would have to bite the proverbial bullet and buy maternity clothes.  Surveying my wardrobe, I felt as if I were parting with dear friends.

When I first started looking through the maternity sections of my usual fashion stores, I was disappointed with almost everything I found.  I grudgingly bought a pair of jeans that were completely out of style and a couple of blouses, but was unhappy with these purchases before they were even made.  Then I lucked out at a couple of stores and found some really cute maternity fashions!  I purchased jeans that were comfortable for my expanding belly while still being stylish, and tops that accentuated my femininity, rather than making me look like a walking beach ball in a shirt.

I am a teacher, so professional clothing is a must, but I was able to find slacks and dresses that were not only suitable for my professional environment, but also for going to church on the weekends, where I teach Sunday school.  Maxi dresses are versatile enough to be appropriate for these settings and comfortable for weekend lounging.  I am on my feet all day, resulting in swollen ankles and feet, but I wear flip-flops and sandals most of the time.  Of course, heels are a thing of the past (for now), but I don’t even miss them.

The real challenge is going to come after my babies are born.  I am expecting twins and plan to return to work as soon as I am able, so I need to find fashions that are easy and versatile, and that will accommodate my plans to pump every opportunity I can, which may include at church before or after Sunday school.  Thankfully, wrap dresses are back in vogue, and there are all sorts of post-maternity tops that are designed to facilitate the lives of new mothers.

It used to be that women had three styles from which to choose: before baby, during pregnancy, and after baby.  “Mom jeans” terrify me, and while these are still apparently fashionable in some circles, I am relieved that I no longer have to pretend that I’m still eighteen in order to be stylish. Nor do I have to pretend to be pushing retirement to show up at church. It's fairly widely accepted that women be fashionably dressed for church services. Modesty no longer has to mean a high collar and ankle-length hemlines. Women’s fashion is constantly evolving, and fashions seem to stay in vogue for a lot longer than they used to be. 

Because of this, I am confident that most of my pre-baby clothing will still be in style when I am able to fit into them again.  In the event that I am not able to get back down to my old size, there are cute fashions and respectable professional and conservative styles to choose from in all of my favorite stores.
Becoming a mother is a life-altering event.  My life will never return to its former carefree status, but I am okay with this.  In fact, I am ecstatic at the changes I foresee in my future!  However, my sense of style is not something I am willing to let go of, now or ever, and thanks to a fashion world that is finally taking the needs of mothers into account, I won’t have to.

Tiffany Monaco is an elementary school teacher and mommy-to-be of twins who lives and loves in the deep South. When not teaching, she spends her time blogging, cooking Cajun foods, and doing home improvement projects. Find out more on her blog at: http;//www.instructionsoptional.com or follow her on Twitter: @tiffmonaco

Never Forget

NEEDED: 2011 Christmas Gift Guide Sponsors

Christmas is just around the corner.  And you know what that means.....time to start shopping and pull out the wrapping paper and gift boxes.  I'm hosting a 2011 Christmas Gift Guide: Reviews and Giveaways.  I'm looking for sponsors to donate products or services for review and/or giveaway.  They don't have to be Christmas themed.

This is just a great and inexpensive way to advertise your products and services.  And shoppers this is will be a great way to help you find nice gifts for even the hard to shop for people on your holiday gift list.  If you're interested in having your product or service featured on YUMMommy please contact me.  And Etsy shops are welcome to join too!!

Thankful Thursday

This week has been a little eventful in terms of weather.  These last few days we've been having some severe storms that have caused a bit flash flooding in certain areas here.  Along with those storms came tornado warnings and hail.  We're in the thick of hurricane season and I feel like this is only the beginning of what we will have to look forward to.  However, I'm thankful that my roof didn't leak like it has in the past and that we didn't have any damage.

I'm thankful that I took a little break from house hunting because I was really starting to get frustrated.  And I don't manage my frustration well.  It has a tendency to boil over into other aspects of my life.  But I'm refreshed and renewed and recommitted to help my husband with our search for a new place to live.  It's just not possible for us to continue staying in this rental.

I'm thankful that I was able to send my baby sister her first care package.  I remember what it's like being a college student and living on campus.  She's hours away from home and I know that having that care package will give her some comfort and be a constant reminder that we still love her and we're still thinking about her.  Plus, I don't really want her worrying about looking for a job her first year.

I'm also thankful that Moo is making some progress on her potty training.  For a long time she has been boycotting the toilet period.  And then I had JJ and just slacked off on the training because I was just too exhausted.  However, we're getting back on track.  And I'm learning to not feel bad about her not being fully potty trained just because other moms have kids that are. Kids are all different and I'm positive she'll be there before her third birthday.

Last but not least I'm thankful for everyone who has continued to vote for YUMMommy in the CBS-Charlotte Most Valuable Blogger Contest.  It truly means a lot.  Tomorrow is the last day you can vote before they announce the winners.  I'm super excited and nervous all at the same time.  So please vote today and tomorrow please!!  Click on the badge below.

Anything happen in your life that has made you thankful?

Romance Wednesday: One in a Million

So, my one year wedding anniversary is a few weeks away and I'm super excited.  Can't believe that we've been married almost a year.  Time fly by so quickly.  And I can truly say that the love my husband gives me is one in a million.  And so, I dedicate this song to him.

Tell Us Something Good: Free Smoothies

It's no secret that I love smoothies.  My smoothie obsession started when I got my first job the mall.  We had a small cafe in my department.  It was their that I had my first smoothie.  No kidding.  My parents were milkshake people and I can't ever remember having had a smoothie before then.

It was made with real peaches.  And not the can kind either.  Well, over the years I've tried a lot of different fruit smoothies.  I was really excited when McDonald's announced that they were coming out with their own assortment of fruit smoothies and I think they've done a good job so far with the flavors:

Strawberry Banana

Wild Berry

Mango Pineapple

Anyways, @McD_CLTArea contacted via Twitter to tell me about their Free Smoothies for a Month Contest.  All I had to do was tweet out my fave McDonald's drink to get entered for a chance to win.  Of course, my favorite drink is the Strawberry Fruitopia.  I purchased a bottle from the grocery store but it just didn't taste the same.  I don't know what syrup to carbonated ratio they use but if I could bottle it up I would.

I entered the contest not thinking that I would win.  I've never had a lucky streak when it comes to contests. Sure, I've won a few but that's about it.  Well,  guess what?  I won!!!!  I'm super excited because as a smoothie junkie, I can finally quench my smoothie thirst.  Plus, it'll give Moo and I something to look forward to everyday.  

I can build mommy-daughter memories with her at our favorite fast food restaurant.  McDonald's has been a part of her childhood since she was a baby.  She had her first taste of french fries from McDonald's.  She had her first serving of chicken nuggets from McDonald's.  And she had her first spoon of ice cream with Grandma there.

I'm looking forward have this quality time with her minus her brother.  For about twenty minutes everyday it'll be me and her sharing yummy smoothies and enjoying each other's company.  And that is something good.  Something great!