An Itty Bitty Wheel

More like a hubcap.

This is a little video from when Alayna was 5 months old. I miss her being so tiny, but have so much fun with her now.

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

My Daughter, the Makeup Artist

So BabyWheel loves MAKEUP just as much as her mommy! (Mommawheel was a freelance makeup artist for a national makeup company during college) So, it should not surprise me at all that when I brought home a kiddie makeup kit, BabyWheel squeals with delight...and tried to put some eyeshadow on the cat. The worst part is that Oreo sat that and allowed her to do it! Now who's crazier, the baby or that cat? ;p

Lord have mercy, look out Sam Fine! (who is my FAVE makeup artist of all time, well other than Kevyn Aucoin, God rest his soul)

BabyWheel, The HoudiniBaby

There are a few things that BabyWheel does that CRACK ME UP!

When near the edge of a swimming pool, the girl has no fear. She will yell, 1-2-3 DUMP and "jumps" into the pool without thinking twice.

I guess I shouldn't have been surprised when BabyWheel mysteriously appears in our room at 3am tapping MY arm.

Does she go to Daddy's side? Oh no, that's too easy. She climbs out of her crib in a MacGyver-esque fashion and shuffles her little feet and says "BabyWheel Up Mommy". Of course, it was time for a big girl bed....I have to get the gate contraptions ready so that she is not downstairs at 5 boiling eggs. I KNOW that's next :)

Take a peek at the little gymnast in action!








Oh, by the way, for Halloween, BabyWheel was little Red Riding in the Hood. Her tights were all twisted and holey and she ripped out her bows all before 6pm! lol

--MommaWheel

What a Difference 2 Years Makes

Ok so back to the SC trip...

For many reasons, SC reminds me of my Dad even though we lived in GA :)

All throughout my childhood, my dad would make a point to travel. We drove and flew everywhere...He had my sister and I on a plane by ourselves at 12 and 9. lol

California on a 3 day roadtrip...sure no problem! Picking the hotels with the indoor swimming pools, way to go, Dad! Driving in 120 degree desert heat....let your kids put on their swimsuits in the car and douse themselves with water! Stuck in traffic for 3 hours in Colorado? What do we do? Stick our feet in the Colorado River just to say we did it...(it was back in the 80s when highways were still being built and they were blasting the mountains, so we were stalled for 3 hours)
Drive your whole family to Canada just so your parents AND grandparents and your children can see Niagara Falls? Sure! A non issue.

So imagine my excitement when we got married and PoppaWheel, although not a traveler himself, wanted to continue the tradition...Mexico, here we come! Jamaica, been there, honey! Driven all across the Eastern seaboard. Yepperoo. After my dad passed, for some RnR we went to SC (notice a theme about that place) :) and PoppaWheel rented a convertible and we drove down the coast to Sapelo Island, Ga. It was the most selfless thing PoppaWheel has ever done....I felt so close to my Dad....wow. Just thinking of it...gets me all teary eyed.

Later, BabyWheel was born and we had a chance to share our love of travel with her.

Here are some shots from our most recent excursions!!


Us in 2006

Alayna and friends at children's musuem
Us in 2008 :)
Alayna with her "big brother" playing with the ducks!

-MommaWheel

7 Prayers a Day

I found this on a blog I read often. I thought it was a great idea, and I am going to do that for our daughter. Feel free to teaek and add your own scripture and kiddos name :)

1. When they wake up: "Let the morning bring Alayna word of your unfailing love, for she has put her trust in You. Show her the way she should go, for to you she lifts up her soul." (Adapted from Psalm 143:8)

2. When they are getting dressed: "Therefore, as God's chosen child, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Lord, help her bear with others and forgive whatever grievances she has against others. Help her forgive as the Lord forgave her. And over all these virtues, help her put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." (Adapted from Colossians 3:12-14)

3. While they are eating: "Teach Alayna the secret of being content in any and every situation whether well-fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. Teach her that she can do everything through him who gives her strength." (Adapted from Philippians 4:12-13)

4. When they go out of the house: "Alayna do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-His good, pleasing and perfect will." (Adapted from Romans 12:2)

5. While they are taking a bath: Lord, give Alayna clean hands and a pure heart, and let her not lift her soul to an idol or swear by what is false. Let her receive blessing from the Lord and vindication from God her Savior. Let her be part of the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, O God of Jacob. (Adapted from Psalm 24:4-6)

6. When they are going to bed: "The Lord Your God is with you; he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, be will rejoice over you with singing." (Zephaniah 3:17)

7. While they are sleeping: "I pray that Alayna will do everything without complaining or arguing, so that she may become blameless and pure, a child of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which she shines like a star in the universe as she holds out the word of life-in order that she may boast on the day of Christ that she did not run or labor for nothing." (Adapted from Philippians 2:14-16)

-MommaWheel

So Much to Say

WOW, you know it's bad when you receive a phone call...telling you to update your blog.

Sorry to the 2 readers who keep up with me...to say we've been busy is an understatement.

SC was BEAUTIFUL! It was wonderful to show BabyWheel everything we saw in the low country. :) She swam every night and jumped in the pool and even dunked her little head under water.

To be honest, SC is such a blur. As soon as I got home, I went directly to TN to see about my mom who was gravely ill. She is stable now, and has taken a turn for the better.

I just realized that every weekend in Oct was spent in another state.

Week 1- SC
Week 2- TN
Week 3- GA
Week 4- NJ

Sweet, Sweet GA...my overnight trip for a housewarming was a whirlwind, but OH so worth it! I got to see my friends from high school and party like a rock star...

Then I come home to Obama as president ;) CAN'T GET ANY BETTER THAN THAT!

I promise...more to come!

-MommaWheel

There's Something About David

Have you ever heard a story that impacts you so personally that you have to write about it? :)  Wait, that's what blogging is.

Sorry we've been MIA for a little while. We got back into the work swing after our vacation, and now we're gearing up to leave again for another small week long hiatus.

Anyway, there is this man, David who goes to our church. He was hit by a car on his bike and was injured almost fatally. He sustained some pretty traumatic brain injury, to the point where the doctors had to take his brain out of his skull in order to relieve some of the pressure that was building up.  This happened no more than 8 weeks ago.

The reason why I bring it up is because I personally, along with others, have been praying for David's recovery.  I know that there have been times in the past that God choose to answer prayers differently than I expected.  I am amazed at what He continues to do in my life as I struggle to balance prayer even for myself, my family, and my issues. Can I get a few more hours in the day please?

The most amazing thing about it is that David walked into church last Sunday while I was singing on the praise team.  He WALKED in the door, smiling and coherent.  There are some people who do not believe in God or miracles, and would ascribe this healing to technology/medicine or good karma.  

I just believe that God heard us and chose to answer our prayer in the way of allowing David to fully recover from his injuries a short time after his accident.  

God still heals.  He still performs miracles in the lives of people everyday.  I am overwhelmed that God used this situation to not restore but rejuvenate my faith in Him and to physically see the manifestation of God's awesome power.

I have been praying for some things in our life at home like baby #2, health and wellness for our family and financial independence.  I believe with all my heart that God will honor our requests and make Himself known to the people in our circle as a God who cares, loves and listens when His children talk to him.  

Now, we're off to SC to work on that #2. lol

--MommaWheel