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.

Five bottles, Five paci's, FIVE BABIES, oh my!

I had originally had something else I was going to blog about next, but something has been weighing on my heart pretty heavy,and so, my plans changed.

About a week ago, I read the Texarkana Gazette article here regarding Steven, Michelle & Brady who recently found out they were not only expanding their family, but expanding it by FIVE more. You guys guessed it! She is carrying FIVE tiny babies!!!!  My Husband & I went to school with these two and they are pretty awesome people!  Michelle actually taught our son. We had known about the pregnancy for a while, but this article just weighed on my heart. As a mother of two myself (and NOT twins), I experienced the up's & down's of a normal single pregnancy, and the financial burden of caring for them after they arrived. I cannot even fathom what Michelle is going through, physically, emotionally...nor what her family might be feeling! Through all of these bumps and turns, It is an absolute complete blessing from God, and I have no doubt that God laid this so thick on my heart because we all know it takes a village to raise a child, and for FIVE (well six, including sweet Brady) it must take the whole State of Texas and at least South Arkansas, correct? :) 

Our little community is pretty much the best ever, and always comes together in times like this. This sweet family already has so much much love and support from their families & friends. My husband and I still wanted to help, so I kept asking myself  “What Can we do to Help?" the answer we got from ourselves “Spread the Word,” So I contacted Michelle and got her permission, and now I am reaching out to you all (my dear friends and readers) in hopes that you will help me spread the word of this deserving family through your blog, social media, word of mouth, prayer list's....That is what I ask for this family the most..PRAYERS. Continuing ones. For the uncomfortable bedrest, for the time in the hospital, for the times they are away from Brady, for Michelle's safety &health, the babies safety &health, Steven's Strength, the whole family, the hospital staff, the delivery, the sleepless nights...the happy moments, the memories! ETC! SO many things to pray for.

If you could please take a moment to visit Michelle's blog page here you’ll see pictures of little Brady, Michelle & Steven and can read Michelle's updates on her health as well as the new babies. You’ll see why their story deserves to be shared.  

Michelle's co-workers have set up an account for her & Steven. If anyone would like to donate this is the information.

Red river credit union donation account #756326
For Steven and Michelle Seals.

With 1 here and 5 on the way, they will need all the help they can get, ya'll! :)

PRAY, PRAY, PRAY & Thank you for your support!

.............................

If you have a moment today, please say a word of prayer for these little babies and their parents. Also, if you'd like to share this story on your own blogs or even link to this post from your Twitter or Facebook posts, that would be amazing. 

Thanks for reading, y'all.

Confession Session

Even though its Thursday....It's my Friday, ya'll! I am off on Friday's and I'll just have you know I am tickled pink about it. I decided to jump on the Confession Session bandwagon. 

I confess:

that I am so glad to sleep in to the whooping 6:30 in the morning. This 4am business is kicking my tail and under my eyes. I need my beauty sleep. ha 

that there will be some sleeping in going on this Saturday. Serious business.

that I have no photo sessions scheduled this weekend and I am thrilled. It is nice to have a break ever so often. Its good for the soul..and I am hoping it will provide me with a little creativity boost. Ever feel like you get in a rut?

that I am in love with all things, gold. Seriously, it is my latest obsession. Like this pretty gem.

 


that I am feeling a craft day on the rise...

that maybe I am to lazy to do said craft day?

that I have not had the energy to cook not one meal this week. I have been under the weather with a little nasty cold and by the time I get home from work, I am zonked. I have zero energy. So we have ordered out. Hey, dont hate, I'm not perfect. :)

speaking of the above, it reminds me, I really need to get my meal planning and freezing back together and in order.

that I really, really, did I mention really like Instagram. I really actually prefer it over Facebook. The content is much more interesting to me. FB is over-run with negative crap that I dont want to look at. Plus, IG is made up pictures and well, you guys know I love those! :) and no, IG didnt compensate me to say this. It is fully my opinion. So follow me. Ill be giving Facebook a little rest... @mandiragland

that I love holidays way more than the average bear person. All this Valentine stuff is super duper cute.

and yes, I sing this to my kids. They think I am looney. Well, if the shoe fits....hahaha!


Oh gee, would you look at that? It is my bedtime. :)

Goodnight you darlings!
Mandi

Christmas 2013

I am always late posting Christmas pictures! It is my favorite holiday though and I want to make sure to document it! Better late than never, right?

Christmas this year came and went way too fast. I seriously soaked up all the time with my little family! Loved every minute of it. I cant wait until next year because we will spend Christmas in Colorado! WAAHOO!