Life Change?

This will be a "boring" post to most, but I think it will be beneficial to me in the future...maybe. I've known for a while that my current job is not where I was going to stay. I didn't think I would anyways. It's no secret that I've wanted to own my own daycare for a while now, but that's such a huge task to overtake that I just have no idea where to begin. Obviously my first plan would be to come up with a business plan. Do you think this girl knows anything about business plans??? That would be a no lol. I've found sample ones online and I really think it's something I could get done if I just gave it a shot. I can get past that obstacle, but the one that gets me everytime is the funding. I want to run a privately owned and operated facility but have no idea where to even begin to look for funding.
For a while now I've had Maddy's daycare on my mind. I've always thought I was supposed to try to get a job there, but I'm not sure. There is no way I could afford to work there. Not to mention we aren't too liked there due to an issue that occurred when we first started going there. I always end up just forgetting the whole thing and just try my best to hold on to the job I have now. I feel like if I'm not careful God is going to "force" me out of my current job to do what I'm supposed to be doing. I know daycare is for me...I have no doubt about that. I just don't know for sure what it is I'm supposed to be doing. I had a talk with my mom today and she told me to pray specifically that God would tell me or show me what it is exactly I'm supposed to be doing and what Maddy's school has to do with anything. I've been so busy crying about my current job that I haven't really focused too much on the daycare thing. I'm hoping I will be open to whatever answer He gives me. The problem is what He usually wants me to do is so far out of my comfort zone. Because of that I wonder if I will really hear what He says for fear of what it might be. I mean I've left my job before without having a back up plan and I had bills such as a car payment that couldn't go unpaid. As I'm thinking back to that time I was just reminded that even though I had no job lined up my needs were met. If my needs were met back then when it was just me and it was mainly a car that was taken care of...won't God take care of me and Maddy that much more? It's so easy to sit here and say that, but to put that into action is almost unbearable to think about. I'm not saying I'm quitting my job but it really wouldn't surprise me if I do in the near future. This will be another prayer journal entry for me to see how the end results end up. I remember writing at the end of last year and wondering what all would happen this year. Honestly this year has been a horrible year...well..not completely, but mostly lol. I feel it's a miracle I've made it this far. I think this year was the start of a new chapter for me. I'm so thankful for God providing me and Maddy our own place and for Him providing the resources for bills to be paid on time and food on the table and Christmas bought. I'm even more thankful that He brought us back to our "home" church. He has done a lot in a year's time. It will be interesting to see where me and Maddy are in life this time next year...hopefully it will be a MUCH better year next year :) I do have high hopes for that and I am confident we will.

I'm not really "advertising" this post anywhere, but if you happen to stumble upon this post and you have ideas on how to start an actual daycare center...please please let me know. I'm at a loss here. I know it takes time to get everything done. Maddy's daycare took 5 years before they were up and running...I don't have 5 years to wait, but again we will see what God has in store. I am also fully aware that God may NOT lead me down this road...right now all things are pointing towards a daycare for me, but it may not be anything like what I am thinking.

Life Happens

I can't believe next week is Thanksgiving. I must say I am beyond excited (despite the yucky couple of weeks I've been having) and cannot wait for our local stations to play nonstop Christmas music. Tonight was the start of Hallmark channel's Christmas movie night. I actually have the schedule handy:

I'm usually not THIS Christmas dorky lol...I found it in a magazine I have and of coarse I am posting it to my fridge :) Come December I will be watching ABC Family's 25 Days of Christmas and then flip back over to Hallmark. This girl is serious about her Christmas movie/tv time lol.

I have been browsing the Black Friday Ads on my phone...I have an app :) There aren't too many things I see yet that I think are just amazing. There is one thing on there for Maddy that seems like a great deal so I'm hoping they will have it online as well. I've decided to do my black Friday shopping online...if it's not online then it's not worth it...unless it's like a 60" tv for like $20. I'm contemplating becoming an Amazon Prime member, but I'm just not sure if it's really worth it. It equates to less than $7.99/month but I don't know. If I do then I would probably cancel my blockbuster mail program to make up the difference. Are any of you Amazon Prime members and if so is it really worth it??

Maddy has some strange ways of sleeping.

What you don't see is that one of her legs is dangling down to the floor. I got tickled at her and had to snap the pic. I never know how I will find her when I go in there to check on her. One day I really expect her to not be in her bed and me freak out. It wouldn't surprise me to find her under her bed, in her closet, or even in the rocking chair. Speaking of rocking chair I am thinking about taking it out of her room next year..closer to when she turns 4 and making her room really her room. I'm not putting ALL toys in her room, but some. Right now I don't allow toys to stay in her room because she would probably get out of bed to play.

She has been waking me up unusally lately. I'm not complaining at all...I'm just not sure why the change all of a sudden...I know I know...she's growing up lol. The past couple of weekends and even this morning she will scream, " MOMMY.....I NEED TA POO POO AND PEE PEE!!!!!!" I don't always wake up immediately...I usually end up catching the last word or something and then think I'm dreaming until she does it again lol. I will say I am very proud of her though because every time I have taken her with the exception of one morning, she really has pottied. She's doing SO good on telling me when she needs to pee and I'm really feeling more encouraged. I am hitting the spot of driving down the road and then all of a sudden needing a bathroom right then right there. I think I should carry her potty in my car because at home she uses the big potty. Is this TMI? lol. She is really wanting to wear big girl panties so she has been working hard on potty.

I have most of her Christmas shopping done. I am very thankful the Lord has provided enough money for her Christmas. I am getting her a couple more presents and then I will start working on the rest of my family. I have no idea what I'm doing for them.

This past weekend was a lazy weekend for us. I actually think we both had a touch of something. I got out Saturday morning, but the only reason I did is because I was supposed to have my oil changed and needed to get the supplies. Once we got home we played and watched tv. We did get a good nap in...I was SO thankful for nap that day. I really was beyond tired and had no reason to be. I realized she was being super quiet and had been in her room. I decided to peek in and she was working diligently on getting her shoes on. I tried to snap a picture but she had just finished and was getting up when it took.

I think she was embarrassed when she saw me because she had that look like aw man lol

These are the random glimpses into what has been happening in our life lately. Hope y'all have a great week!

Moms On Call

I thought after having two days off I would feel so much better, but boy was I wrong. Those two days were apparently were the calm before the storm. I seem to be having more of these days lately than not. I usually have an idea when I'm going to be going through rough times, but this hit me completely off guard.

Maddy has really been acting out this week. I thought the two's were bad...HA!!! I do think the three's are worse. She has developed this attitude already when she talks back to me. I swear I think I'm living with a teenager already lol. She is packed FULL of emotions and she wants things done when she wants them. Don't get me wrong...I love her to death, but this has been a very challenging week behavior wise. Last night I threw in the towel after being hit multiple times by her. I had heard about Moms on Call through a blog I read, but didn't really think I needed it nor did I think it would be worth the money. Last night I didn't care lol. The online seminar is $29.95 and they also have a toddler book for $15.95. If I weren't so desperate I would have just bought the book, but I needed answers right then. It was the best thing I could have done for myself. I didn't learn a lot of "new" information...they just gave me my confidence back. From the time Maddy was born I've had all kinds of people put into my thoughts that I'm basically not a good parent. I should have done this or I carried her car seat wrong or I didn't have socks on her feet or her blanket was too thin, etc. When you hear these things consistently you really begin to doubt yourself...especially when you grew up in a home where everything you did was wrong. I'm not perfect by any means, but I was so relieved to find out that I've been doing most of what they recommend for toddlers. I did learn a few things that I am implementing. Things such as lay out what the house rules are and there are three: 1) Obey mommy 2) Do not hurt yourself and 3) Do not hurt others (hands are for helping not hurting). I've learned when she pitches a fit it is ok to remove her and put her in a room by herself and let her "cry it out" and then I can go in and talk to her. I've learned things about dinner that I thought were ok but I just wasn't sure. Watching this online video was the equivalent of a mommy spa day lol. I had no idea just how much confidence had been chipped away in  the three short years she's been born, but it was pretty close to empty. I feel renewed in my parenting ability and highly recommend it if you're sitting there wondering what in the world you should do next. I do plan on buying the book in the future.

Halloween Fun

The weekend before Halloween we had a "Halloween fun day." We were supposed to bake cupcakes AND cookies, but my mom's mixer decided to break down so we were only able to bake cupcakes. Maddy and my two nieces took turns putting in the ingredients to make the cupcakes. Once they were done they each got to decorate their own. Maddy had so much fun just pouring the icing on the cupcake, but she didn't like to taste ALL the icing she poured out lol. My nieces are old enough to understand that pouring out the icing might be fun, but it wouldn't taste too good. It was a very trying day. Maddy was unable to get her nap in so her mood was touch and go lol.

Sorry, I rotated it but it isn't showing as rotated on here. Once it was all mixed up they put their cupcake papers in the pan.

 Her dog sitting beside has become her best friend...for now. She has actually named this one...her name is Bella. I LOVE the name :) She alternates favorites every so often.

Maddy's iced cupcake :)

After we finished cupcakes it was time to carve our Mickey Mouse pumpkin! None of the kids really liked to feel the inside of the pumpkin lol. Maddy just did whatever my two nieces did, but I don't think she minded as much as they did...getting out the goop that is lol.

It was a very fun time and we plan on making the cookies this month :)

A Fall Day

This weekend we had a great day outside! Saturday we had morning orchestra rehearsal, which apparently I was too concerned with actually getting there on time I didn't notice I left my keys hanging in the door! Sometimes I really amaze myself:) After practice me and Maddy went with my mom to pick up my nieces to start off our "fall day" fun. My mom got a nice big leaf pile and the kids all enjoyed jumping in...especially Maddy. This was her first time jumping in leaves and she just had a ball!

My camera died after that last picture, so I will have to add more once I get my mom's memory card:) My mom had a great idea of making a bon fire and roasting hot dogs and making s'mores. She wasn't able to obtain a burning permit, so we couldn't make a real bonfire, but we were able to make one in the grill. All the kids took turns roasting hot dogs and marshmallows and they really seemed to enjoy it. They wore oven mitts to keep their hands safe from the heat. It was an extra fun day and something to remember for a while! I can't wait to share the pics :)

Halloween 2012

I'm way behind in blogging. Last week I actually got up early to start work, which meant going straight to bed after work...we are on OT.

I took Maddy costume shopping at the beginning of October to pick out her costume. She chose a ladybug. The day before Halloween I was telling her she was going to dress up in her ladybug costume tomorrow. She got so upset because she said she wanted to be a cat. I was so torn on what to do. Do I go get her a cat costume or do I just keep the ladybug.I decided that it was best for everybody's sake to just keep the ladybug costume. It all worked out because on Halloween she had no problems being a ladybug. She was such a cute one too!! She was a ladybug when she was a year old so now I can compare pictures :)

Halloween 2012 vs. Halloween 2012 lol. We went to our church's trunk or treat. Maddy did so good. We sat for a long time and watched everybody come through. Maddy liked seeing other ladybugs there. It was then her turn to go get some candy. She was too busy watching everybody else she didn't notice people with candy in their hands. I didn't bother having her say trick-or-treat to anybody because it was just so crowded. I did try to get her to say thank you, but she was way too preoccupied. We had a lot of fun and she has enough candy to last her till at least Christmas.

Liebster Blog Award

Thank you so much Wendy for nominating me. Wendy has a wonderful blog that you can view here.

The rules, should you be nominated:

1. If you were nominated, post 11 things about yourselves.
2. Then answer the 11 questions the person who nominated you created.
3. Create 11 more questions to ask the bloggers you decided to nominate.
4. Choose 11 bloggers to nominate with less than 200 followers.
5. Make sure and let these people know you nominated them! No tag backs, so don't nominate someone who nominated you.

11 things about myself:

1) I am a VERY shy person. It takes me forever to warm up to people, but once I do I am a huge talker. Most people think I am a snob because I rarely talk and don't make eye contact and those type of things...I seriously need to work on this lol.

2.) I absolutely LOVE going to the beach. There are days I wish I lived on the beach

3.) I get the Christmas spirit by October and generally listen to non stop Christmas music from October through the New Year.

4.) I am a child of God and He is constantly showing me things. This year I have really focused on getting my faith back like it was when I first got saved. I have also been humbled quit a bit this year.

5.) I am a single mom to my three year old daughter Maddy. She is truly a gift from God.

6.) I am a weather geek. I enjoy keeping up with it and try to predict bad weather on my own, but I need a lot more practice.

7.) I play the flute. I started playing in middle school, midway through my seventh grade year. I started out on clarinet but my band teacher at the time didn't have time to work with anybody but the percussion. I needed help on fingerings, so I switched to flute so my mom could help me when my band teacher couldn't. We are the flute section at our church.

8.) I love to scrapbook, but generally don't have the time nor money to devote to it. I have started Maddy's scrapbook, but haven't gotten very far.

9.) I like to work out...I actually love it...it's just the time issue in actually doing it. I pretty much work 24/7 so by the time I'm off of work I either have the choice of working out, cleaning up, cleaning myself, or bed.

10.) I have high hopes of ONE day being able to own and operate my own daycare. I have a lot of opinions when it comes to daycare and how they should be run. I want to make my facility the best, or what I consider to be the best, but work with parents on the financial piece of it...daycare's today cost WAY too much.

11.) I love pretty much anything with hearts on it. I can't explain my fascination with hearts, but they are special to me. I actually have a heart shaped freckle on my knee. Needless to say I LOVE the liebster blog award lol.

11 Questions for Wendy's Nominees

1. What do you struggle with right now?
I have been really struggling with worry. I am a true worry wart even though we aren't supposed to. God has been trying to show me how He can provide for me if I just trust in Him, but that devil knows right where to get me. 
2. What's your favorite comfort food?
Well, mine is more of a beverage. For stress I go for mello yello, but my so called comfort food would be a cappuccinno blast from baskin robbins. My favorite food would be a variety lol...Olive Garden is pretty high up there.
3. What can you do really well that's unusual?
I'm very good at messing things up lol. This is a tough one. There aren't many things I consider myself to do really well...the only thing I am somewhat confident in is being a good mom. Maybe playing the flute??? 
4. What can you cook that everyone absolutely loves?
I'm fairly new to cooking all the time. I haven't cooked for people yet, other than Maddy. I did find a recipe on Pinterest that is just amazing and that is Crockpot Cream Cheese Chicken Chili....I HIGHLY recommend that recipe :)
5. What inspires you?
My daughter Maddy
6. What do you see yourself doing in ten years?
I'm really hoping I will be in a profession that I am passionate about such as daycare. I have a heart for the children and helping them see just how special they are...especially in the eyes of the Lord. I will also be crying over Maddy being a teenager lol
7. What's the best advice you've ever been given?
To pray about everything and trust in the Lord. 
8. What one word do you think describes you best?
shy
9. What is your best feature?
I'm really not sure. I think it's my heart. I  sincerely care for people and would do whatever I could to help. 
10. What's your favorite time of the day and why?
The end of they day when I'm rocking Maddy. We have some of the best moments when we rock. In fact she brought tears to my eyes last night because she had me fold my hands in prayer and she took it upon herself to pray my toe would feel better...that really touched me and is something I will NEVER forget. I was one proud mom!
11. Where is your favorite vacation spot?
For now Panama City Beach, Florida

11 Questions For My Nominees:
1.) If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
2.) What if you favorite TV show?
3.) Do you have a favorite type of car?
4.) Has 2012 been a good year for you?
5.) Favorite nonalcoholic drink?
6.) Favorite fast food restaurant?
7.) Favorite dine in restaurant?
8.) Favorite recipe?
9.) How do you cope with stress?
10.) What made you start blogging?
11.) Favorite time of year?

I don't know 11 blogs to nominate and most of the people I know have already been nominated. I may have to add to this a little at a time. I am tagging:

1.) Amy at All About Us
2.) Rachael at The Lewis Family