Camper life.

Lets just start out with saying, I am way stressed, and when I am stressed, I come here and write about it and it usually calms me down and its way cheap therapy.


>>>> I would love to torch this camper we have been calling home since August. I am. dead. serious. KABOOM, up in flames!

No I am not ungrateful, by any means, but enough is enough here. Camper life is simply...not for us.
I am more than ready for our house to be complete.


PRETTY much nothing has went on the BUDGET or TIMEFRAME that we originally had in place. And thats just plain reality for home building for ya. We are saving a whole lotta dough by doing majority of the work ourselves but some days I wonder if it was worth it. We honestly did not realize what all is involved in this whole process. We didnt realize how hard it would be.

August until now, have pretty much been a blur! I feel like I have missed out on precious Birthdays, Showers, friends having babies and Weddings ETC .......I have had to bow out of Photography to help Adam out. I know I am not much help, but every open helping hand or just company to talk to makes time go by faster.

None of this adventure has been normal at all, lots of tears, frustrations and fights, but it has forced me to face my OCD ways, it has made me live more humbly, knowing that my "camper" that I complain about I will eventually be out of and in a new home, is better than the cold dark alley that some may call home. My kids probably will never look at life the same as they now have went months with no toys. We are forced to eat together, communicate more. It has really tested my marriage and I dare not lie that if we make it through this whole ordeal, we can make it through anything. It has truly made us all THANKFUL.

We should be in by Christmas, every second counts right now! It kills me to say no to my friends when they just want to hang out, and no to my clients who just want pictures for Christmas. I hate saying no! I know they all understand, and I just feel pretty confident that next year, at this very time, I will be in my new home, with a warm and cozy fire going, chatting with my friend (s) or planning Mini Sessions.

I appreciate the kind words and encouragement from all of you, because even though I know this was self induced changes brought on by our (my husband and I) own choice to build, and that it is all going to be ok like here in the near future, buuuuuut It helps sooooooo much to have prayer and support. 

At the end of the day,Even though I needed to vent out into the world via my own little cyber space, I am feeling so blessed. My heart is so full! Thankful, God is so good!

#HomeSweetRaglands

So, first to report on the mobile home, we actually ended up being able to sell it to family members! God always works things out the way they were meant to be! 

Second, the kids and I decided to embark on some school clothes shopping on Friday. Our trip was very successful. We got up early to beat some of the crazies out on the Texas State Tax Free holiday.

Kullen tested for his yellow belt. He did an awesome job! I am one very proud MOM!

The new house is finally starting to look like a house and not a chicken coop :) lol

I know we have a long way to go, but we are a lot closer to being finished than if we would have never started right? 

Here is some progress:  #HomeSweetRaglands

I am really nervous at the thought of the kids starting back to school while living in a camper. :/ I know we will adapt and I keep praying for the lord to give me strength and patience. 

The best new of all, is that Adam moved his letter back to our home church, and I am going to be baptized to become a member. (I was previously baptized but not in a Baptist church) My family and I went on a church adventure but everything and all Prayers led us back to this church. We feel like it is where we belong and where the lord wants us. 

God has been very good to me, my marriage, my children.....We are feeling very blessed! 

Please pray for us as we have never lived in a camper before!! :)

{five} years

Today, I'm blessed to be celebrating five years since I started officially dating my darling husband. And what an amazing crazy five years it has been!

My heart swells when I reflect back over the years. I can remember just like yesterday how my heart felt. I knew without a doubt that he was the one for me. He was the answer to my prayers.

He gave me butterflies. 
It was the can't eat, can't sleep, over the ballpark type of love.
He was so handsome.
I turned into a big pile of mush with his every smile and the way his baby blue eyes danced as he talked. 

It was a hook, line & sinker type deal as I got to know him. I fell in love with his kindness, honesty and humor. Anyone who knows my husband knows that he's a comedian, always the one to hold court wherever he goes. But, behind the dry and hilarious extrovert lies a man with a heart of gold. 

We fell hard and fast and it was no denying that only God himself had orchestrated the details. But, isn't that way the best things always happen? When we least expect them?  


To Adam:

Thank you for loving me so wholly and unconditionally. Thank you for accepting me for all my faults and shortcomings, and for giving me the grace to be my best self.

Thank you for your faithfulness and for your commitment to "us". 

I cam not wait to see what the future holds. I am so excited we are getting to build a house together. 

I love you.

Always
Mandi

Moving madness!

Greetings. Is it seriously already July? Is it just me or does time move faster as the years go by? For instance, I remember when I was around 10, Christmas would take 48 years to get here. Now, sheesh, I blinked and it is just around the corner. Not complaining, I love Christmastime. 2 months ago I created a countdown on my APP. (serious business) currently it reads..... 71 days until Fall, 136 until Thanksgiving, 137 until Black Friday (Although I think I am shopping via my PJ's at home this year) 164 days until Christmas. Not that I am counting or anything. Do you guys start shopping early?

In other news, we SOLD our Mobile Home! Just as I had hoped and prayed, the buyers are awesome. I know they will love the home just as we had and they will make many memories in it.

I'm going to not to get all sappy here, but the way I feel is sappy so, here goes. Its totally a God thing. Adam and I had been discussing different options for a while now. This is something we have prayed about for a good while now. We decided to take a leap of faith, and just go for what we wanted. TO BUILD A HOUSE! (were adding on the the existing shop, and building a small shophouse)

Sure there have been a few hiccups, sleepless nights. Adam and I havent had have had a few spats! (everyone says its perfectly normal) Building a house is no walk in the park. Some days I just want to pull my hair out, and throw in the towel. We had no clue what we were getting into. Really, I mean it doesnt come with instructions, plus we are doing alot of the work ourselves.

Everything has worked out so far and Ive learned to roll with the punches, as it will work out and in the long run it will be such a blessing. I am so thankful for my wonderful husband who puts aside his needs and wants to provide for our family. I am so glad he is a jack of all trades. He has completed everything from plumbing to wiring hisself. He gained so much wisdom from his Dad, Roy. Thankful for his wisdom as well.


Some of you who close with me, or friends on Facebook, may have seen I was struggling with my OCD. The fact is our lives are TURNED upside, down, right now....you know what..this has been so good for me. Everything has went back to the basics, everythings packed up so not much to clean...I have actually relaxed. Maybe not with my hands, but with my mind! I am still working on the new house and such...but that nagging, "always have to be doing,cleaning etc..." has improved. I am seriously going to be sticking with the less is more motto with the new house!

Here are some progress pictures.

Please be praying for my family! I will do my best to keep the blog updated!
Mandi

Mrs. Thomas' Kinder Class 2013-2014

My baby is about to graduate Kindergarten! I think ill go cry now.
I compiled a video to remember Reagan's Kindergarten year and also in appreciation for all of Mrs. Thomas' and Mrs. Dickens hard work! I am so thankful I got to be present for the first half of her year! It was sad when I had to go back to work, but I knew she was in good hands with the Teachers. (you other Mommie's feel free to use the video if you would like to. There are alot of Reagan in there. LOL)

Thank you,Mrs. Thomas and Mrs. Dickens for working so hard with Reagan.

Life ain't always beautiful

But its a beautiful ride. So very true.

Seems like when it rains it pours. This parenting thing becomes harder and harder as my kids grow older. In weeks like last week, I wish that my children came with an instruction booklet. I know that there will be storms and as much as I dont want for my children to go through storms in their lives I must remember that they need those hard times. They need them to grow and change. They need to see that they can get through situations, they need to see my reactions, to help them see how to adapt. They wont always have Mom to fight lifes battles for them. 

Kullen is in the transitional period between young boy and teen. I am finding this age to be a difficult one. He is not difficult, there are just alot of emotions for him to sort through....He is adapting and I am just taking it day by day. Praying relentlessly for him. All part of growing up and getting older I suppose.

He and I will be joining Karate together.( We start tomorrow actually) I took Karate when I was younger and it was a positive experience in my life. I think it will be wonderful for Kullen and ol' Mom will get to have some one on one time with him and get in shape as well. Plus, it will help me actually venture away from home on atleast two week nights, which is a very, very big deal my friends. :) 

I ask that you pray for he and I and if you have any parenting advice for me, im all ears! 

Reagan, has done a wonderful job in school! However, I received news that she has been struggling. Dont get me wrong, she is smart and I am not saying that just because she is mine. But I have to be honest, I noticed a difference in her learning, verses, how Kullen did at her age. I know they all learn different, and I am not saying Kullen in smarter than her. Just saying I knew something was wrong. I had a gut feeling before I ever received the phone call that there was a problem. I am still unaware of of exactly what we are dealing with because she hasnt been tested. I believe my diagnosis as her mom is that she is Dyslexic. She may grow out of it some, and I could be wrong. We shall see. I am going to continue working with her all summer the best I can and then see how she does in 1st grade. Please keep her and I in your prayers on this matter. Nobody wants to hear that his/her child is having a hard time. However, I am thankful for knowing sooner rather than later so we can hit the problem head on with a solution rather than pretending everything is fine.

Both of these matters hurt my heart as a Mom. I dont really know what to do other than do my best and lean on the Lord for direction and support. 


I would also like to pay tribute to all of the Military Men and Woman, past and present. Thank you so much for your service. May God Bless you.  HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY.

Love,
Mandi 

May is the new January.

May is the new January. Its like a time of the year that you can hit the reset button, again. That goes for the blog too, you guys notice the new look? You like? :)

There is just something about May that I love. The transition of spring into summer {for Texas that is}, flowers are in full bloom, the grass is green and the birds are chirping when I arise in the morning. I am truly opening my eyes to the seasons of life that God has started to display before my eyes. We are making so many changes in our lives lately with building a new home, and so many changes going on within myself here as well.

I am a list maker. I know that if I write it down it is more likely to get done. Sometimes life just gets in the way and things are often pushed to the side. I have a few goals for May.

{{{May Goals}}}

Make check list and knock them out
Build custom hall tree for new house.
Keep plants alive. {Last year they looked like Morticia's plants from Adam's Family}
Cook at least 4 nights per week.
Send  3 snail mail letters this month. {send me your addresses PEEPS!}
Continue eating better.
Keep RESISTING the urge to drink soft drinks. {6 weeks SODA FREE, can I get a what, what!}
Remember Teachers gifts for Kullen & Reagan's teachers for Teacher Appreciation. {its May 6th,ya'll}
Become more intentional with prayer.
Blog 1 time per week.
Be more present in pictures with my family- not behind the camera.
Go on a date with each child by themselves.
Stay off cell phone/electronics in the evenings while I should be interacting with my family.
Rest often.
Get as many donations I can for works event this month. {Wanna donate?? let me know!}


Well, thats ALL ive got for today.
I hope you guys have a great week.
-Mandi

Spring cleaning

For starters, Kullen passed both Math & Reading portions of the STAAR test. Given how much test anxiety he has I am extremely proud of him! HE has worked his tail off.

We spent the evening celebrating.

Sadly yet happily, I announce that my house is for sale. Although I am super excited that we are building it is bittersweet because I have loved our little starter home. It has housed a lot of laughter, tears and memories. We have been doing a lot of planning for a while now and now the only thing that needs to take place is to find our home some new owners. We have already been working on our shop (we are adding on to an existing building)

I wanted to document on here before it sells. We have had a few inquiries so far so god willing it will sell promptly.

If you live in my little corner of northeast Texas and you wouldn't mind, please spread the word. You can call Adam at 903 two80 thirty 12 for more details. I can tell you this we are are asking payoff so we won't be making a dime off of this sell. We are merely just wanting to sell it because the thought of two payments it unbearable lol. Whomever gets this home will get a deal. :)  I'm no salesman and I do not lie well so you know I'm speaking the truth. :)

We spent last weekend clearing out the shop. This weekend we will be doing the same. It's hard work but I know the end result will be so worth it.

Have a wonderful Easter weekend!
God Bless you all.

Reagan's SIX {6} year old pictures and Room Reveal!

Some of you have been asking me to post pictures of Reagan's new
"Big girl room". I am just now finding the time to post. Between work, kids, hubs, photography among a gazillion other things..it is almost impossible to squeeze in I dare say a whole 15 minutes. Oh and that is stretching it! Her is room is by no means just perfect but she is just so very proud of it and I love it as well. These photographs do it absolutely no justice. I can not wait to see her things in her new room in the new house. She also celebrated her 6th birthday recently in March so I wanted to document her at 6. It is so ironic to me how I am a photographer and always stress to my clients the importance of photos whether I was shooting them or they had to just snap them with a trusty ol' point and shoot.."document your life!!" is what I always say.... I should definately be practiving what I preach. I rarely take my childrens photos. Well, Kullen refuses majority of the time. (I wonder why??) LOL 

So here are a few of my favorites.