Today...

was beautiful.

65 degrees outside, beautiful blue sky, no humidity. BEAUTIFUL!

I thought I would write about today because it is the last day of September and Fall is definitely in the air.

The leaves are already changing color. School is well underway, the temperature if falling and I've even had to break out the boys lightweight jackets for in the mornings...I haven' quite progressed to making/letting them wear pants/jeans to school...I'm not there mentally.

But it is beautiful this time of year. Living among the mountains is one of the few things we love about living in Nashville. Plenty to be thankful for, but we actually love the change of seasons.

Anyway, just had to share my thoughts about today!

TRULY BLESSSED to experience God's beauty during the change of seasons!

Chasity

PS...Halloween decorations are officially up in the front window and throughout the house!

Amazing...

Another year has come and gone in the world of cj Conference...

WOW! This is my 2nd year of helping with cj Conference and I am amazed, even more so than last year...It is unlike any conference you have seen or been too! All 60 something colleagues get involved...no meeting planners allowed in our office!

It was months of hard work in the making. Months and months of details. In the end, it was successful. In the end, we were tired, but proud.

My company has a Purpose: EMPOWERMENT. We all know this. My company also has 4 Core Values: Integrity First, Creative Enthusiasm, Team-Driven Culture, Uncompromising Service. We all know these as well. No excuses, we know them. We live by them.



I work for an amazing advertising agency. I work with amazing clients and amazing colleagues. SO BLESSED. BEYOND BLESSED.

TRULY BLESSED to have found this agency!
Chasity

PS...Have I said how much I love my job?!

My Name...

is Chasity. However, I really do answer to everything...

Chasity, Christy, Charity, Chelsea, Cassidy, Chastity, Chas.

I don't go around correcting people. I tend to think it is because someone usually ends up correcting it for me at some point. I've also learned, overtime, that people feel bad when you correct them. So, I don't. I just go with it and then eventually someone either corrects them or they realize it themselves...no need for me to make them feel bad.

My maiden name is Chasity Jean Bailey. It's funny...I tend to forget that I have a "weird" name...so, when I make fun of someone's name, I have to remember that I have too have a weird name and the table could easily be turned. I do have to say, though, I've always thought Jean was worse than Chasity...or at least I did until I realized how much it hurt my Mom's feelings that I didn't like Jean. You see, Jean is a family name...my Mom, Grandmother, my Great Grandmother, my Aunt..we all have the same middle name. Of course, I only found out how much it hurt my Mom's feelings when I officially "dropped" it after getting married...yep, dropped it like a hot potato. That's when I became Chasity Bailey Phillips.

I think I was lucky growing up. I went to a private Christian school, so I didn't get teased about my name. Virginity was preached daily, so having a name like Chasity, I think, just became something we didn't really think about. I think things would have been different it I had gone to a public school. It's funny...I just got asked the other night by a client if I ever got teased...and I can only remember one person ever teasing me about my name (I won't name names, but I will say that this person was one of the cutest guys in our class...he's now going bald!).

If I'd been asked the question "would you change your name" when I was younger, I probably would have said yes, but now...no. Why? Because Chasity is a name people remember. When I was going through RUSH at Florida State, I wasn't one of 100 Amys...I was Chasity...the only one...easy to remember. So, no I wouldn't change my name. I like my name. It's grown on me.

Now, my children...they got different, but easy to spell names -- Peyton and Palmer. Both a little different, but spelled the most normal way possible. And Brent, well his name isn't exactly normal either...it's Brenton (he just shortens it)!

TRULY BLESSED to be unique and original,
Chasity

PS...IF, and only IF, I like a person can they call me by my nickname: Chas (and it's pronounced Chas, not Chaz)!

Disney...

Enough Said.

My assignment is to write about a memorable trip we have taken. I can come up with many...honeymoon in Aruba where it rained the entire time; trips to the mountain for our 1st and 2nd anniversaries; trips to the Bahamas; trip to Europe, but I'm going to focus on Disney, as I have a few things I'd like Disney to consider before we arrive in November -- see below:)

Since I was five, pretty much every year, my family made a trip to Disney World. Now, we are doing the same for our boys:

2002 -- Yes, Peyton was conceived at the Swan and Dolphin Resort while Brent and I were visiting Disney. (No pictures of that...small children might read this:)!)

2004 -- Peyton's 1st Birthday -- we only stayed a 1/2 day and he slept most of the time, but it was fun.

(Peyton kissing Pluto -- I know, I try not to think of all the germs...and I'm not a germaphobic)

2005 -- Peyton's 2nd Birthday -- He was cute, I was pregnant...a FUN time.

(Photo taken at The Grand Floridian)

2006 -- Peyton's 3rd Birthday/Palmer 8 months -- Two days of stomach flu before we went, then 3 parks in 3 days...enough said (with an 8 month old).

(One of my favorite all time photos. Taken at The Crystal Palace Breakfast with Pooh & Friends)

2007 -- we skipped this year since we were moving :(

2008 -- My Mom and I ventured to Disney for one reason: To get Palmer's 1st Haircute:)

(I miss his little curls, but they did a great "memorable" job on his hair)

(I love this picture!)

So, this year, when we make the journey, I just have a few things I'd like Disney to consider before we arrive. Don't get me wrong...I look forward to these trips, but these few little things would make it A MILLION TIMES BETTER, so that our day would be "The Happiest Day on Earth at The Happiest Place on Earth."

Please consider:

1) We will be having breakfast with Pooh & Friends. I know I signed up for the "character" breakfast, but do you think maybe you could hold off on having the characters come to our table until after I have gotten at least 1 bite in my children...I mean, after all, for the $30 I am paying for just one meal, I'd like them to take at least 1 bite. Just 1.

2) My children do not like waiting in lines. Do you think that you could possibly manage to either 1) Treat us as a VIP guest and get us onto Dumbo without waiting...I mean, I have given you a TON of money of the past, oh say, 35 years of my life OR 2) Realize that my children are far more important than the other children trying to ride the ride, so really, they deserve to go first. And I can only hold them still for so long.

3) Please remove the carts of souvenirs and toys from the middle of the walkways...Really, I give you enough of my money, but do I really have to buy the "Invisible Dog Walking on the Leash" toy that costs me $50? I have three real dogs at home that my children ignore...why must I buy the invisible dog to take care of too?

4) Could you possibly create a "parent zone." I know there are kid zones, but seriously, I think all parents that have kids with them should get to go to the "parent zone" for an hour...No kids, No whining, No chasing, No strollers. Just parents:)

5) Could you possibly just rub all the characters down with Purell? I love the fact the my children want to kiss and hug ALL the characters along with ALL the other children in the world, but could you do something about the germs I'm letting my children collect because of their love for these characters?

6) I know my child is 1" shy of riding the ride, but for the love of goodness, could you just have your "Employee of the Month" turn a blind eye for just a second or at least let my child stand on his tippy toes...this would avoid a huge meltdown and allow me to keep my sanity for another 5 minutes.

7) The parade. Can I reserve a front row seat for this? or better, Can my child, just once, be chosen to be in the parade? My back is tired of holding the kids to be able to see the parade, my feet are tired of getting stepped on, the person next to me smells and I can't understand what they said to me as they gave me a dirty look when they stepped on MY toes. And, I really hate answering the "WHY CAN'T I BE IN THE PARADE?" question a million times...you try explaining this to a 5 year old.

I know these are big requests, but if anyone can do it, I know Disney can. In return, I promise to:

1) Spend money...lots of money that I don't have or need to spend, but I will.

2) Take my children back to the hotel for a nap instead of dragging them around exhausted, whining, screaming and crying.

3) Not try to cross the street while the parade is going on.

4) Try to outrun the kid/parent next to us, so that I can get the "blue" Dumbo hat and not the "pink" Dumbo hat.

5) Allow my children to make a complete mess at (I mean under) the breakfast table.

6) Not people watch and make fun of the Disney guests that apparently forgot to look in any kind of mirror before they left their rooms.

7) Stalk the characters even after it is time for them to leave and the line is closed.

See, Disney gives a little. We give a little. It's all about Compromise (or so Darby says on "My Friends Tigger and Pooh).

Ready for our trip!!!!

TRULY BLESSED to be able to take our kids to Disney and have funny stories to tell for the rest of our lives,

Chasity

PS...we might wait to tell Peyton about 2002:)

YAY...

for Brent!

Just a quick update to let everyone know that Brent fixed our washing machine...I think:)

After finding a video on the web about how to actually access the tub part of the washing machine, he got really ambitious and started tearing the whole machine part...literally. In order to get to the tub part, you have to undo everything. I was worried...WORRIED!

Then I had a thought (while on the phone with my Mom, panicking that he was taking the machine apart and wouldn't get it back together), that maybe, just maybe, this was a lesson in the fact that I should have more FAITH in my husband...I do now.

He worked hard. Cut his arm. Got a rash. Sweated over the machine for two days. The end result...we found the culprit (we think)...two quarters. TWO DARN QUARTERS broke the machine.

So, I haven't officially run the washing machine. We'll see if it works this weekend. BUT, he tried. He tried his hardest and hopefully, it worked:)

TRULY BLESSED to have an I-can-fix-anything husband!
Chasity

PS...You know I was having a heart attack when I saw 200 pieces and parts lying on the top of the dryer...and oh, all this forced me to clean off the washing machine and dryer and put away clothes.

Dang it all...

Two years. That's how long I've had my washing machine and dryer...the front loading kind.

10 years. That's how long I had my previous washer and dryer. NEVER ONCE did I have a problem with those. They were the top loading kind and although, they weren't pretty and didn't clean as good as the front loading ones, I never had to call someone to come and repair them.

It figures. Wouldn't you know it. The expensive ones are the problem. Yep, after two years, I have to call a repairman. It seems something has gotten underneath the agitator part of the washing machine and won't let it spin. And of course, these new fangled contraptions are too fancy for my "fix everything" husband.

We tried. We finally got it pulled out (a miracle in and of itself). Finally got the back off. We just knew if we could get to the back, we could get underneath to get whatever it is in there out. Nope. Not happening. Dang it all.

So, instead of going to look for cute shoes for the conference on my lunch break, I'll be waiting for the repairman that will inevitably charge me a million dollars to fix my fancy, just-had-to-have-them front loading washing machine.

DANG-IT-ALL!

Well, I guess if I have to find a bright side, at least I have a washer and dryer. I'm just praying that it won't cost me a million dollars to get it fixed. And, if I'm looking for a second bright side, I washed most of the clothes prior to this happening. So, I've got about a week before the laundry piles up on me. Did I mention it was Brent's clothes I was washing when it happened. I'm, of course, blaming him for having something in his pocket that did it. He, of course, then told me that I should have checked his pockets. REALLY?! @!$#*&@! That's whay I have to say about that!

Anyway, please say a prayer this won't cost us a fortune!!!!

TRULY BLESSED to have a washer and dryer...would love it even more if they wouldn't break!

Chasity

PS...Did I happen to mention that Brent is majorily hung over after watching the FSU game (they won against BYU) with friends, so fixing the washing machine was the last thing he wanted to do. I'm wondering if he could really fix it and was just too hung over to try?!

A Fork...

Put one in me...I am done. I give up. I've checked out. Mentally. Physically. Emotionally. Not spiritually...thankfully!

This week has been "offensive" as my colleague stated at 7 a.m. this morning.

7 conference calls (with 7 agendas and 7 different sets of notes) with 7 different clients in 7 different states in 5 days. My brain hurts. PS...these conference calls are like 7 different final exams with two CEOs -- the CEO of my company and my client --usually the CEO of his firm. Talk about stress. Pass or Fail baby...and have I mentioned the mile long list of things I get to do after these calls?! And oh, can't forget to mention the large conference we have next week with 40 clients made up of very smart, intelligent people that can't seem to figure out how to book a room before the guaranteed room block (with guaranteed rate) goes off. And then pitching a fit when they can't get a room because the hotel is sold out because they managed to ignore all 15 of the emails we sent reminding them of the approaching deadline. Yep...officially. over. it.

Dude, I'm done.

I have to brag though. My dear sweet husband is amazing. He's picked up my slack for this week. I owe him. Big time. And, he's done it without complaining. It goes back to that thing about knowing each other so well. He knows when to push and when not to push. He didn't push this week. His manly intuition must have kicked in and told him to "Just Do It Without Complaining" vs. "Just Do It and Complain. A Lot." I need to remember this next time he asks me to do something for him!

So!

It's been fun. Really. No. Really. Let's PLEASE do this week again soon. Seriously?!

Peace. I'm Out. Put a fork in me. I'm done.

Chasity

PS...So thankful to have a really great job with a really great company! Not complaining. Really. Just done.

Fall, Autumn, Indian Summer...

It's all the same...beautiful!

Fall and Spring are my two favorite seasons. Don't get me wrong. I love the snow during the Winter and the pools during the Summer, but my favorite times are Fall and Spring.

I truly believe God gave us "Seasons" so we wouldn't get tired of the same thing all the time -- hence the reason I don't live in "South Florida." I mean, I love the Summer, but being hot all the time and having to stay inside or at the pool gets old after a while. I love the winter, the smell of fireplaces going, but I get tired of being trapped inside all the time...hence the reasons we have Fall and Spring -- I can be inside and outside!!!!

I love the crisp air.
I love the change of leaves.
I love the new "scents" that take over outside and inside.
I love the activities -- football in the Fall, baseball in the Spring.
I love changing up the fashion statements.
I love the excitement that gets in the air.
I love the holidays that go along with both.
I love taking walks in the mountains (miss the beaches, but love the fall colors in the mountains).
I love that my birthday/anniversary/Thanksgiving all fall within four days of each other.
I love changing up my house decorations...yep, that's my window for Halloween:

I love that my puppies stay cooler and not as hot.
I love that I can cook in a crockpot.
I love cooking Thanksgiving lunch.
I LOVE the foods that go along with Fall -- apples this, apples that...
I love the colors -- rich, vibrant colors.
I love dressing my children up in "fall" outfits and special outfits for special occassions.
I love pumpkin patches, hayrides and outdoor bonfires.
I love the new TV shows.
I love the "routines" that seem to happen in the Fall.
I love that I get to see my family in the Fall.
I love taking pictures with my family in the Fall.
I love seeing my children get all excited about school, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas.
I love the stories of the Fall seasons: Ghost, Pilgrims, Jesus...

It's hard for me to find something I don't love about Fall. I love Fall!!!! It's awesome. It's beautiful. It's one of God's many beautiful thoughts and creations!

Fall is the time of year that makes me even more Thankful. Here's a song we sing at Thanksgiving (to the tune of "Are you Sleeping? Are you Sleeping?...")
We are Thankful,
We are Thankful,
For our Family,
For our Family,
We are thankful for our Friends,
We are thankful for our Friends,
Thank you Jesus.
Thank you Jesus.

TRULY BLESSED to be able to watch God's beauty in action during the Fall season,
Chasity

PS...Looking forward to Sept. 21st...Fall officially arrives:)

A Moment...

If you give a Mom a moment (particularly me), here's some of the things I might do:

Sleep
Sleep
Sleep
Did I mention...Sleep?!

And, I might even:

• Enjoy a moment of silence.
• Just enjoy loving on my family, without thinking about everything I have to do.
• Take the time to think of all the wonderful things my husband does for our family vs. remembering all the not-so-great things.
• Think of all the ways I could be a better Mom and Wife -- I need more than a moment to actually accomplish this.
• Think of all the things I want to do for others, just to be nice -- ditto above.
• Spend time thanking GOD for EVERYTHING, instead of just thanking him for a few things.
• Read a book (without carrying on two conversations while reading the book).
• Read a magazine and do some of the cute "do-it-yourself" things they say I can do.
• Catch up on old DVRd episodes (this includes watching anything BUT Disney Channel).
• Talk on the phone without shouting "hush" a million times.
• Run errands without feeling the urgency to return so quickly.
• Window Shop!
• Keep a clean house.
• NOT do laundry or toilets.
• Get a pedicure/manicure.
• Organize my pictures.
• Download all my digital pictures to discs for safe-keeping.
• Dust all my pictures:)
• Not feel guilty about neglecting something I have neglected.
• Eat dinner...peacefully without saying, "Cheeks on the Seat."

The list could go on and on...

Of course, the mission didn't say: what would Mom's do if they had a ton of money...I'm fairly convinced my list would be even longer if that was the case...

In the meantime, I've got to stop thinking about what I would do if I had a moment, because my moment is up...have to put two children to bed.

I must admit, I wouldn't trade any of the above for the fact that I am a Mom to two beautiful, crazy little boys!!!

TRULY BLESSED to be a Mom!

Chasity

Christmas...in September?!

Scary...I'm already thinking about Christmas! YIKES!

Apparently though, I am not the only person in my household already thinking about Christmas. Peyton already has his Christmas list done. In fact, he had it done in August. And boy, does Christmas keep getting more and more expensive.

In fact, this year, Santa has said..."Only three presents." Of course, I think he says that every year, and then he gets all into the spirit and forgets.

This year...HE MEANS IT. Three presents for each child, so they better make it good!

I, of course, am not thinking about presents (for me anyway...I'm always thinking about what to get others)...no, I am thinking about Christmas cards, wrapping paper, house decorations...all the stuff that I obsess about in making our house "feel" Christmassy. Every year, this becomes more and more of an ordeal. An obsession...

This year is no different. Two years ago, when I worked at Pottery Barn Kids, I obsessed and bought all PBK stuff for our house. Last year, I learned that you really do need a different wrapping paper for the Santa presents b/c kids are smarter than I was at the same age. This year, I'm obsessing over the Christmas cards. Last year, I chose the outfits, then tried to find a card I liked...took FOREVER. This year, I said I would find the card then choose the outfits. Did I do that. No! Did I pick the outfits, do the pictures. Yes...Do I still need to find a card. YES! Am I making this year any easier...of course not.

Well, anyway...Christmas is three months away and I feel it closing in. BUT, I am going to try to enjoy all the wonderful holidays in between now and Christmas...Halloween (and the neighborhood Saturday Social at our house), Disney World, Wedding for Chris and Jody, my dreaded 35th birthday, Thanksgiving (my favorite besides Easter) and our 10 year Wedding anniversary...so much going on that Christmas needs to wait its turn! Seriously!

So, here's a sneak peek at our Christmas cards...just a sneak peak!

(Not the best picture out of the bunch, but I only promised a sneak peek...not the best picture sneak peek!!!)

TRULY BLESSED each and every day, but I think I need to slow down and enjoy the ride a little...

Chasity

PS...Every year I say I am going to have Christmas shopping done before Thanksgiving. And every year it doesn't happen!

Scaredy Cat...

Inspired by a blog my friend Kim turned me onto, I am going to take Mama Kat's "Assignment" and write a blog about "Scaredy Cat"...

This particular "Scaredy Cat" is my 4 year old, Palmer Bailey. He loves to swim...with swimmies on. Try to take them off, he panics. Try to move him off the entry stairs of the pool, he panics. Try to get him to jump in or get his head wet, he panics.

UNTIL...last Thursday!

All Summer long, he has not gotten his head wet. We spend A LOT of time at the pool...not one day did he even try to get his head wet. So last Thursday was a HUGE step in little man's life. For whatever reason, he was in the big bathtub (somehow my jacuzzi tub has become the boys bathtub...still trying to figure out how that happened -- sorry, I digressed), when all of a sudden he decided to stick his head under the water. Over and Over and Over again. Of course, you would have thought he scored a perfect SAT score the way we were cheering for him.

So, as we were in the pools in Destin this weekend, little "scaredy cat" disappeared. He was putting his head under the water...even in the beach (which I had to warn him not to open his eyes since Salt Water burns). Then he got braver and went into the Lazy River by himself. Then he got even more brave and went into the hot tub (without swimmies). Then, before we knew it...he was SWIMMING! Yep, head and body under water swimming back and forth between my Mom and I. I KNOW...my little scaredy cat turned in a full-fledged fish!!! How ironic.

(Palmer with his head/body under water)

(On the Lazy River by himself)

Just like learning to walk. Learning to talk. Potty training. Giving up the Night Night (pacifier). It happens. In a blink of an eye, fears go away and they grow up.

TRULY BLESSED to be able to experience all these beautiful, important moments in my children's life. I can't begin to imagine missing any of it...

Chasity

PS... Just like Palmer, I learned to swim in Destin/Ft. Walton Beach when I was four.An oh, today is 9.9.09 -- how cool is that??

Too Old...

(Perfect Picture to describe our beach photo sessions)

I'm too old to pretend I'm young.

I can't do the things I used to do. I can't do the things I used to do, because things are no longer just about me. I have 3 other peeps in my house that require my attention, actions, brain power and more...

Going to Florida and back in 4 days with a family of four is just more than I can handle. From now on, if it's not for a minimum of 5 days, I'm not going! Really. I. Mean. It.

Packing, shopping, preparing, loading, planning all on my own is too much. Leaving at 3 a.m. is too much. Sand in the car is too much. Chasing children around 5 different pools is too much. A missing husband for 24 hours is too much. Ironing for 2 hours and selling my soul to my family to get family pictures on the beach is too much (especially when I was the only one interested in getting them done). Children up at 6:15 a.m. every morning is too much. Packing us all back up is too much. 12 hour road trip that should have been 9 hours is too much. Hearing my husband complain that he was missing the FSU/Miami game put me OVER THE EDGE. No more I say...I do not like Green Eggs and Ham. I do not like 4 day trips Sam I Am!

I love my family. I love my Mom. I love Florida, the beach, pools, palm trees...my heart says go, but from now on, my brain is going to say -- STAY.

I wouldn't trade the past weekend for anything in the world, but man...I'm too old.

TRULY BLESSED to have been able to go home...So thankful the Lord kept me from killing someone,
Chasity

PS...So thankful we made it home safely, especially with all the traffic...ugh! And, FSU lost. Boo! And oh, just ignore me on all of this. Clearly, I am very tired:( Give me another month and I'll be ready to hit the road...

Glimpse...

Yesterday, I had a glimpse of what it would be like to have a girl. I got to briefly imagine what it would be like to have a little girl. Yesterday, I got to experience a child's imagination in full swing. It was adorable and precious!

Children's imaginations are a beautiful, wonderful thing. Thankfully, I have a little 4 year old that reminds me of this on a daily basis.

Yesterday, it was about a puppy. This adorable little stuffed animal puppy disappeared from our lives for about 4 months, but we found him. He's dirty and not the yellow lab he once was, but he's Palmer's "Puppy" nonetheless.

For weeks, Palmer kept him stuffed inside a candle/lantern thing I have on one of our end tables. That's where puppy slept until I suggested to him that maybe puppy would be more comfortable in a shoe box, where he could stretch out...He's been in the shoebox sleeping endlessly for about a month now. BUT, for a month, Palmer has been asking if he can take puppy to the beach with us...well of course he can!

So, yesterday, Palmer named Puppy...Bella. Then he combed Puppy's hair. Then he decided Puppy needed food (and then went through the list of all the things Puppy eats, including bees, houses, grass, trees, shoes, paper, etc...but he ONLY drinks water)! Then I realized something...I don't have a little girl that plays pretend with baby dolls, etc...This is the first time one of the boys has pretended to be taking care of something. So this is what it would be sort-of-like to have a girl!

Palmer took Puppy to school this morning and the entire way to school he proceeded to tell me what him and Puppy were going to do while at the beach. It was cute. Build sandcastles, dig holes, enjoy the sunshine. BUT, Puppy doesn't like the water...THAT MIGHT BE AN ISSUE.

Anyway, it was great for me to get a glimpse of what it would be like. It was great to hear Palmer's imagination running wild. Oh, to be a child...

TRULY BLESSED to have two beautiful little boys that I would not trade for all the adorably, sweet baby girls in the world. My boys are my heart, and I absolutely can't imagine my life without them,
Chasity

PS...We're going to the beach...YAY! I get to see my Mom...Double YAY!