Answered Prayers

When God looked at me he knew what I needed in my life and that included this sweet little guy.  

He is my saving grace, sense of normalcy and such a blessing to me.  He doesn't try and see what he can get away with just because he can.  He is a normal kid and I love him so so much!  Thank you God for this sweet little boy.  My son.

Annual Christmas Pictures

In an effort to save money, I've started taking our annual Christmas picture and try to photoshop it.  So far it has worked out good and the pictures come out really good.

The top one is my fav but the bottom one looks like it would be good to send as Christmas cards.  

Merry Christmas!!

I'll post more pictures of Christmas destinations soon. We've had a busy couple of days.

Thanksgiving Memories

This is me first thing this morning.  Real party pooper.  Maybe it was because I got up so early but I wasn't ready to shine yet.  

Then the day brightened when I saw these two!

Sweetness!

Special Moments.

Is it just me or did they add an extra gaming strategy with the fire and ice in Sorry?  I don't remember that from when I used to play when I was younger.

She is much braver than her momma. I could never hold a turtle like that. 

Check out that turkey.  It was so moist.  I used the brown paper bag method.  I had it drowning in chicken broth, Rosemary, Thyme and butter.  Perfect!

I found this and thought it was perfect for the day.

Hope your day was special.

Ill leave you with these two silly kids.  :-)

They wanted to talk to Santa yesterday at the mall.

Crockpot Sunday

Crockpot meals are the best!

I pulled out the recipe book today to come up with something tasty.  I ended up making Crockpot Chicken with Black Beans and cream cheese.  So good!  I'd definitely recommend but I'd also recommend using low fat cream cheese. It tasted really rich.  Here is a pic.

 

Ingredients: 1 can of black beans

                   1 can of corn

                   1 jar of salsa

                   4-5 frozen chicken breasts

                   1 bar of cream cheese

Chicken was cooked through thoroughly.

Would definitely make again. 

Singles Day

So today I am linking up with Kelly Stamps at Kelly's Korner Blog to meet up with other single people across the United States.  

Let me start by saying I am completely happy being single but I would eventually like to meet a guy who has my same interests, goals, faith and who I can enjoy life with. 

I am a 40 year old single mother of two children living in sunny, Central Florida.  I did recently get divorced and thought the best years were behind me, I was heartbroken.  But I am realizing the best years are yet to come and I am so ready to move on to the next chapter of my life with my kids and hopefully it will include a man for me. 

I am currently employed at a High School and I love my job! I've worked in the education environment the majority of my career.  Both in Higher Education and Secondary.  

My kids are my world.  

I love to spend time with my family and friends too.

I like to be silly.

I love including my kids in my life.  They bring me the most joy and I couldn't have gotten through the roughest years of my life without my sidekicks. 

I'm not afraid to say I'm not perfect and have my downfalls but that is what makes a relationship balanced by not being perfect but having flaws that are only fixed with time and prayer.  Two imperfect people joining together and realizing that love can see past faults and imperfections.  I am a romantic at heart.  I am a movie buff.  My favorites are usually love stories and comedies.  Anything with Jennifer Aniston, Patrick Dempsey or Rachel Mcadams is a sure hit with me.  I love bonfires, walks on the beach, traveling, reading, visiting state or local theme parks, pretty much anything that can be done outside or together with a friend.  I'm also a girl that likes to take care of myself with hair appointments and trips to the spa.  

My plans for the future are to encourage my kids and their schooling.  I want them to continue with sports, pursue their education, get a college degree, buy a house next to their mother and I can come over and visit anytime I want.  Cook them dinner, do laundry whatever needs to be done.  I love my kiddos!

As for me.....

I'd love to meet my soulmate from this matchup link but if not, I know greater things are still to come.

  

I'd love to talk with other people in my same stage of life.  Please feel free to email me at ssmithoc@gmail.com.  I'd love to talk with ya!

Sherry 

Bedroom Ideas

Pillow top mattress?  Yes, please!! 

I currently do not have a bed frame for my queen size mattress. Which means I am basically a foot away from the floor.  It gets kind of old.  My last bed frame was bought from a consignment shop; albeit it was brand new when I bought it.  I only had the bed frame for about a year and a half and it broke in two spots.  I don't weigh that much but my bed couldn't handle it, obviously.  So I'm looking around for a new bed.

Here are a couple of beds/bedrooms that I would love.  That's the good thing about being a single gal, I can girly up my room as much as I want!!  Ruffles and lace galore!  

This flows more toward Shabby Chic.  ❤️

More modern but still luxurious looking.  ❤️❤️

How I would love a big chandelier in my bedroom with a big fluffy down comforter.  ❤️❤️❤️

This was a remodel I just watched on fixer upper.  Love the size of this bed.  

So basically it looks like I am leaning more towards a cushioned headboard that is big because my son and I enjoy reading in bed.  

So there are a few ideas.  💤💤

Titan Homecoming

If you can't tell..this boy makes me smile.

❤️🎃💑

And last year Susan was a wildcat. 

🎃🎃🎃

September is National Suicide Prevention Month

Suicide Awareness Month.  Could be the person next to you that's contemplating life.  Take your time and listen and care!  People are irreplaceable! #speaklife

Warning Signs - Withdrawal, depression, speaking of ending their life, isolating oneself.

No person should go through this life alone.  And no person should think one person or people are worth ending their life over.  

Life is a beautiful thing to waste!  

Losing a biological father to suicide, I understand how much the absence of a person affects your life.  It totally redirects your life and what you will experience in this life.

Life is beautiful, maybe not everyday but most days.  And sometimes you have to pull and seek the beauty out of the day. It may not reveal itself on its own.

#speaklife

Cleats and ponytails

2016 school year started off with a bang.  Susan is on the track team and James is playing football.

#Bulldogs

#Titans

And I'm a proud mom of both!  

Busy days for the Smith's!  

Lola aka Lolita.. Probably the most annoying animal on the planet! No joke.  She looks innocent but when she's not looking I will send her on a rocket to the moon where she can bark and absolutely no one will hear her!  That'll teach her!  😜🙈. #nothinbutlove

Ho hum!  

Gym Fitness

I'll post more soon but for now I'm finding most of the days in the gym.  Not losing a single pound but trying to tone up.

This kind lady was in the bathroom and offered to take my picture.  Kinda digging her outfit.  A little bit of this pattern, a little

Bit of that.  But she may have convinced me to start buying some protein shakes.  She brightened my day by acting surprised that this was supposed to be my before picture and not after.  She touched my heart.  I need more people like that in my life.

My mini me.  I love him!!

That's it for today.  Enjoying our summer break!!  

Making the best of small spaces

So I recently moved into a much smaller place which meant I had to downsize.  

What it also meant was I had to be creative with storage solutions.  One idea was in the bedroom.  When it came to the closet in the master bedroom it only had one small door leading into the closet.  

And as you can see above, a very small space for hanging clothes.  Thank Goodness I already had this over the door hanger where I could place coats and other sweaters.

But I also knew I needed even more room. So I went to Walmart and picked up this closet organizer.  It was only about $50 but made a huge difference.

Now I have room for all my clothes, shoes, scarves and hats.  Because it has 3 rather large bins that pull out for storage.  Great option on a budget!!

 I'll post more pics of other rooms as I get them finished. 

Here's a sneak pic of the kids room.  Still had a few things to finish in this room.  

I'll keep you posted!!

Check back again!

James Award Presentation

Of course the ending of the school year means awards and celebrations.  

This little guy never lacks for receiving an award usually based on athletic performance in PE or such.  

His award was titled Mr Sports.  His teacher was Mrs Collins and she was so good with James. James could always push himself further: he really has got to want that for himself too.  He'll get there!

For now, he is on to 5th grade and we are celebrating!

And here's a quick pic of Sue wearing her dress for the 8th grade dance.  She didn't end up wearing this dress but she picked it out, we bought it and it is cute nonetheless.

And Sue is moving on to 9th grade.  All is well!  😊

Jacob's Day!

Yesterday we went to Jacob's birthday party.  He turned 8.  Can not even believe that.  He was a highly energetic boy yesterday so I wasn't able to get a picture of the birthday boy alone but here are some cute pics from the day.  

Above - picture of Ethan about to swing at the piñata.

Jacob about to take a swing.

And the piñata broke.  There are my kids scrambling for candy.

Susan and Colette

Jacob about to blow out candles on the birthday cake. 

Finally, a group picture of all the kiddos.  What a fun time!

Happy Birthday Jake!  🎉