I wish...

Everyday was Mother's Day...

You see, today, I've been able to say to the family "Today is my day...you HAVE to do whatever I tell you to do without arguing or complaining!" So far, it's working (almost...)

Ok, so my Mother's Day started at 5 a.m. when little Palmer climbed in bed...proceeded by him coughing, sneezing and sniffling...GREAT (just when I had the thought that it had been a while since the boys have been sick). So much for sleeping in!

I'm not much for big to-dos, so we are keeping today simple...All I asked for this morning was "Peace and Harmony." Brent did a great job trying to make sure I didn't have to deal with arguments, etc... We took the cheap route for breakfast -- Cracker Barrel -- vs. my favorite restaurant of all time -- Cheesecake Factory! Nap, Pool and finally, Crockett Park for the Nashville Symphony Orchestra. Just spending time with a peaceful family is more than enough on this beautiful day!

Mother's Day is all about celebrating the joys of motherhood! I'll say it again, I am blessed!

I have a wonderful Mom! She is amazing! My inspiration! My Best Friend! I have a beautiful family filled with all boys...and I can't imagine it any other way! The Lord knew I needed boys in my life. They are happy, healthy and the joys of my life (sometimes a little spoiled, but oh well)!

What more could a Mother want? Here's to many more year's of celebrating Mother's Day!!!

Truly Blessed with the most amazing family on this Sunday morning, Mother's Day 2009!
Chasity

PS...Pictures were taken this morning...it was as challenging as it looks:)

Punishment...

It's hard to do! I hate doing it!

So, it has been raining here for two weeks straight! I've never seen the grass or the trees so green...it is beautiful. But seriously, the rain has got to stop. We have landscaping to do. AND, I have two little boys that are going absolutely stir crazy (and driving us crazy in the process).

By 9 a.m. this morning (amidst the Flash Flood Warnings and Tornado Watches), the boys were already driving each other crazy. One was in time out, while the other was aggravating the one in time out...definitely a "CALGON Take Me Away" moment!

So after aerobics class literally kicked my butt, I had a brilliant idea...take the boys to the indoor pool at the Y. Let them get out some of their energy. PERFECT! So what did I do...I told them. Complete bribery on my part! "You guys take a good nap and after nap time, we'll go to the pool!" How awesome...they'll be so excited they'll listen and then peace will fall upon our house! OH, if only that were true...

30 minutes later, two crying children, two aggravated parents and the decision was made...NO POOL (and they have to stay in their rooms for the rest of the day). I hate it. I REALLY wanted to take them to the pool!

I've come to the decision that, sometimes, punishment is harder on the parents than the kids! Why is this? Is it because I know they will be missing something fun? Is it because I really wanted them to get rid of some of their energy? Is it because I wanted to spend time with them doing something they love to do?

No matter what...we'll all punished. YUCK! Now, I get to clean out my closet...going to the pool would have been way more fun!

Truly Blessed with two little boys full of energy (and being punished) on this rainy Saturday afternoon,

Chasity

PS...Tomorrow is Mother's Day, so I did promise them if they are good (that includes Church), we'll go tomorrow. We'll see...we might need some luck! Also, the picture above is a reminder to me that, sometimes, they do get along!

Saturdays with "The Storm"...

Welcome to my newest blog addition...Saturday's with "The Storm."

A little background: We are called "The Storm" by family members that we often stay with when traveling! You can imagine this b/c with two little boys (and Brent, ha! ha!), they are like bulls in a china shop. Nothing is safe. Therefore, it seems we always come in like a strong thunderstorm...loud, destructive, chaotic...then we leave! And guess what, there's a huge mess left to clean up (or at least I always feel like there is, even if there isn't).

I have a million pictures that are my "favorites." I needed to find an outlet for these, since I have all but given up on scrapbooking for the time being. This is my new creative outlet, so with the help of a some special software...I am adding this post as a way to share all of my favorite photos!!

The Storm Story:

Oct. 11, 2008 -- Brent was out of town for training and Peyton was out of school for "Fall Break" -- which by the way, I don't ever remember having when I was young...sorry, I digressed -- so, we packed up the car and headed to Tallahassee...Florida, that is. B.B., Disney World, Palm Trees. You name it. Mom joined us for our adventure (which I am not so sure she will do again...). We visited Downtown Disney (where Peyton thought Lego Land WAS Disney -- which by the way, makes Brent really mad since Peyton has been to Disney at least four times and doesn't remember any of the visits), ate breakfast with Lilo and Stitch (and Mickey) and then visited Disney World, all in only two days (talk about a very long drive back to Nashville)! A little tired to say the least. Oh, and how could I forget...Palmer had his first haircut at Disney World (he was 3 years old). We had a blast and I just love these pictures!

Thanks for letting me share some pictures from our latest trip to Disney World!!!

So Proud...

of Brent!

This is a total shout out to Brent for being ranked #1 in his district and region (we got the news yesterday)!!!

This has tons of meaning...why you ask?

A while back, Novartis sent out a pamphlet giving details about the highly-coveted annual sales trip for people that are ranked in certain percentages (president's club, etc...). In the pamphlet, it details where the trip will be, who gets to go, awards given out, etc... This year, the trip is to St. John's Virgin Island. Spouses get to go. All expenses paid!

The one award Brent can possibly get is the "Rookie of the Year" award. He told his boss that "Rookie of the Year" award is his goal. Now his boss knows his goal. This #1 thing definitely helps! When it comes time for his boss to nominate someone, I pray he will write in Brent's name, since he knows this is Brent's goal.

We are so thankful for this accomplishment. I am so very proud of Brent...he is working harder than he has ever worked since we've been married! I want him to get "Rookie of the Year." He deserves it! We also deserve a trip to St. John's (or at least I think we do, given the fact our Honeymoon was not so great -- to put it nicely).

For years, Brent has done a great job at all of his jobs...I just really want him to be acknowledged! My prayer...please let him continue to do a great job, move up in rankings and be acknowledged for his hard work!!! If all things work together, who knows where this will lead..._____________ (feel free to help us fill in the blank)!

Truly blessed and so very proud of my hubby on this Friday morning,
Chasity

PS...please continue to keep Brent and his job in your prayers!

Our Blessings...

are many and my worries are few!

I love this saying! For Brent and our family, this is so true...

I had to write about this, as today was a huge reminder of how blessed our family is during this time when the economy...well, sucks!

Today, we got the terrible news that one of our close friends here in Nashville was let go from his job. Like us, his company moved him here. He received a promotion while here. He had been with the company for eight years. He and his wife have a four year old little girl and a 5 month old. And like us, they have no family here. When will this sadness end?

All of this not only reminds us to be thankful, but it also reminds me of the power of prayers and how great the Lord's timing is...

It seems like only yesterday that I was laid off from St. Joe...what a scary time, but then again, it was really a blessing in disguise! You see, I stayed home with the boys for four months. I was one of the first people laid off, so I had first pick of jobs (this is when there were still jobs to be had). Three months later, the entire company was gone.

Two years ago, Brent's territory went away, which is why we are in Nashville...at least he still had a job!

And how can we forget last April 16th. The day Brent was fired...what a scary time (especially for me...someone that needs security). We still remember all too vividly the feelings we went through. Even though it was only six weeks, it was a very scary six weeks. Stressful! Every interview Brent went to, felt as though I was interviewing with him. We said a lot of prayers...We'll never forget: Patience, Strength and Wisdom -- these were the things we prayed for during that time. Looking back, how lucky were we that it happened when it did? Companies were still hiring...competition was less...Brent got a BETTER JOB, BETTER BOSS, BETTER Company! Best of all, it made our relationship as a couple stronger. We cried together. We encouraged each other. We worked together. We prayed together.

Tonight, our prayers are with the Rudolph family. We know how it feels and don't wish it upon anyone. We do know that Art is a great person and will find something so much better. I just pray that they will be faithful and look to the Lord for guidance, strength, wisdom and so much more!!!

We are SO VERY THANKFUL for the blessings we have. I pray everyday that I won't forget the blessings we have been given -- First, we have God on our side! Second, we have a happy and healthy family! Third, we have wonderful jobs! May we never forget this! May we always be thankful! May we always remember the Lord knows his plans for our family!!!

We are TRULY BLESSED on this Tuesday evening,

Chasity

PS...the pictures above were taken during a very scary time for our family, but it does remind me that there is nothing like the love of family! Also, the picture of Brent was taken on the day he was offered a job:)

Shutterfly Sunday for May 3, 2009...

May 6, 2007 -- This was the picture we used for our "We've Moved" Cards. We had only been in Nashville for about 3 weeks. We love the view from our back deck...having been in Florida all our lives, we were so excited about having "hills." This was the first of many pictures taken with the tripod! We learned very quickly that we had to take our own pictures...no one else around to take the pictures for us:(

Palm Trees...

I miss them!

Not exactly sure why this is! I came to this realization last week and had to write about it.

It could have been the new Lilly Pulitzer book I got or it could have been the fact that when I asked if it was possible to plant a Palm Tree in Tennessee, I was told it wouldn't survive (I might have to try it anyway). Either way, I discovered that I need Palm Trees in my life.

They remind of me of Florida. Sunshine. Beaches. Salt Air. Beach Cottages. Simple things. Happiness. Laughter. Grilling Out. My children...yep, they even remind me of my children (hence the pictures above). Even Palmer has Palm in his name!

The Lord has us in Tennessee for numerous reasons, so for now, I'll have to miss Palm Trees. I think I will definitely appreciate them more. Their beauty and everything they stand for.

Isn't it funny that something so simple, can mean so much?

Truly Blessed (but missing Palm Trees) on this very rainy Sunday,
Chasity

PS...I'm serious about planting a Palm Tree. Just watch. There will be one in my backyard!