It's Christmas Time..

Christmas is here! Christmas is here!
Here I am at work, counting down the hours till I punch out and we get this party started.
The last week I have been going non stop. Have spent lots of time going over the list of things to be done, and of all things I am greeted with a lovely migraine today. Thinking times like this is when my body is saying "Slow down Amanda, and enjoy the right now!"

So,I am not going to whine and complain about how cruddy this 2013 has been for me and my loved ones. Because trust me the list could go on and on.
But I am going to Thank God for getting us thru the many trials that we have faced head on.
Because I know none of it could be done without HIM..
I am so grateful that the outcome of different things have been nothing but good.
Family members are healed and on the road to recovery.
Relationships have been restored.
I have special ladies in my life who pray for me and with me.
I am surrounded with many people who do love and support me and mine.
We have jobs that we enjoy and love going to each and every day.
I am surrounded with precious little people.
My Dallas Cowboys are going into the play-offs and winning the Super Bowl.. (HeeHee)
My hubby and children are healthy, happy, and loved.
What more could this momma ask for, right?!

So a big and happy Good bye to 2013.. And here is to the best year yet 2014!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and yours, from me and mine!

Thankful...

On the way to church, a certain group of fellas gave me a hard time for posting things I am thankful for on FB for the month of November.
Evidently it is a beating for some people.
I will admit it kind of hurt my feelings.
Started to feel bad, and even thought I would deactivate my fb for a bit.

Than last night I read a fellow blogger’s blog. She went on and on about bragging about the things she was thankful for. She showed gratitude to many people. When I finished reading her blog, my heart was so happy, and it made me proud that I did take the time all month to post on my FB page..
Kind of like God was giving me a pat on the back and saying “You did Good Amanda”!

You see, my familia and a few close friends had a horrible 2013. It seems that each month there was an attack on myself or someone that I dearly love. I have spent a lot of time on my knees praying, and will even admit sometimes I was begging for prayers to be answered.
Thank God that he never left my side, he walked us thru those storms, and maybe even carried us a few times thru them. But here we are, We Made It! And even though we are still waiting on results this wk, I am at peace that God had it all under control..
So yes, I was one of those who posted each day. Because I know that life can be brutal.
But, I also know that I am truly blessed for who and what I have in life.
Is my life perfect? Heck no, it is far from perfect. But, I have the perfect people in my life, that are worth fighting for to keep in my life. And for that, I am happy and thankful to brag about them. I personally think, that it only makes relationships stronger when people know how much you love them, and are thankful for them.
So brag away!! Life is too precious and there are no guarantees!

And to those certain fellas who gave me a hard time.. I wont mention any names..I am still very thankful for each of you. I love and adore you, even when you drive me crazy. I think You are amazing, funny, good looking and very talented. I thank God for giving you to me. And if I embarress you for my post, than it means I am doing a dang good job at being a momma and wife..

My Happily Ever After..

Dearest Trav..
Happy 17th Wedding Anniversary!
Whoohoo! Look how far we have come my baby!

Thank you for keeping all the promises you have made to me..
For Loving Me!!
For loving me thru thick and thin and back to thick..
For Loving me at my best and mostly at my worse.
For Loving Me!!
For giving me four amazing children..
For being my hero and rescuing me over and over from my greatest fears..
For being my own personal Mr Fix-It..

For Loving me!!
For Choosing to stay with me each day!!
For always coming back home to us after a long day at work!
For Loving Me!!
For dealing and understanding and loving my crazy and wild familia..
For being a great role model for our Boys..
For being a great daddy for our Girls..

For Loving Me!!
For praying for me each day..
For fighting for me and what I love..
For Loving Me!!
For singing to me..
For dancing with me while I try to make dinner..
For Loving Me!!
For hugging me when I am ready to give up..
For making all my dreams come true..
For making me Mrs Travis Hammett

And just like the song you dedicated to me, that I could not post on FB due to language content..
Here's to us! Here's to Love..
And last but not least.. For loving me and giving me my own Happily Ever After!

And for the ones who texted and asked me about the song, it is
(Here's to Us by Halestorm)

Because I am MOM and I said So!

One of the greatest joys in life is being a parent, one of the hardest things in life is being a parent.
Not one day goes by that I ever doubt how much I love my 4 children. But I will admit many days I struggle with if I am doing a good job. If I am letting them down, or failing them miserably.
Had a convo with a couple of ladies about dealing with strong willed children. And I said the key word was consistency. And even though there were days that I swear I felt like all I was doing was spanking my kids all day long, or had them in time out corner most of the day, I knew that if I stuck with it, that they would learn that I meant business.
Having 4 kids that were the ages of 12, 4, 4 and 6 months at that time, tested my patience. But because I stood my ground and did lots of praying for patience and wisdom, those kids are now 24, 16, 16 and 12.

And I look at them and think, “I made it” or shall I say “They made it”


But I am noticing some of the concerns and worry never goes away. I spend so much time protecting them and teaching them right from wrong, and just hoping and praying they listen, but what about when they are not under my roof anymore, and this momma has no say or control anymore. ? You see just this last week, we got a phone call from our oldest at 2am, she was hit by a drunk driver. Of course that phone ringing was enough to make this momma’s heart stop. And hearing her voice crying and saying “daddy” made a knot in my tummy form. Thank God he was protecting her, and she was not injured. I know it could have been way worse. Her car needs a pretty good size band aid, but again so thankful she is ok..
Again all I can do is continue to pray…

Than one of my handsome fellas asked to drive me to the store since he knew I could not drive the other day due to meds I was on. And he decided that would be the perfect time to let me know he has pretty much made up his mind to join the Air Force. Now before anyone goes off on me. I know I should be proud, I have very much high respect and honor for anyone who serves our country. I pray for them and the families that are left at home. It’s never been a life style I desired to ever be part of. So pardon me for wanting to be selfish and not share my son with the lovely government and country. But it seems that this momma has to put her big girl panties on and show my son that I will support whatever decision he makes. As long as he promised me, to pray hard and non-stop for guidance and wisdom, and peace. Nothing has been set in stone, nothing signed just yet. But I know, that no matter what I will still always be his biggest and #1 fan..
But, ugh gosh I know that this is an opportunity to grow in many areas for him and me.

Again I say that being a parent is the greatest joy in my life, and being a parent is the hardest thing to do in life.
If only we could rewind time,..

My Aunt Lucinda

A couple of years ago in November, I did this “I am thankful for..” and each day I wrote about people in my life that I was thankful for. It got a lot of attention and reads, and I know the people I wrote about truly enjoyed it. Well, this month was one of my favorite people’s b-day. And I told her, that I was going to blog about her, and actually wrote a blog, and than it got too long and wordy, so I saved it and figured I would edit it the next day. Well a couple of weeks have gone by, and between me getting sick and my kiddos getting sick or injured it has been a tough couple of weeks. So here I am, and going to sit here and make myself finish what I promised..

Today, I am thankful for a lovely woman that was and is part of my life. My Aunt Lucinda. You see I grew up with uncles and brothers. I was the only girl for a long time, until my Uncle Junior married my aunt. I was about 5 years old when she came around. And was thrilled when she got pg and gave me girl cousins.. My family was weird during that time; I think there was like 200 of us living in a 3 bedroom house, so we being close is an understatement. Heehee

But when my uncle moved his family back to Denver City, I had the privilege of spending my summers with them. Even though the first time I went, I ended up crying and making my momma come get me, I eventually got used to staying longer each time. (Hey don’t judge, I am a momma’s and daddy’s girl)..

My Aunt was just fun to be around. She was always very loving, and she taught me how to cook certain meals that I make for my family today. She taught me how to put make up on, so that I did not look like a tramp, and she taught me that even when family hurt you, you should always forgive and love them anyways. Each summer I got more and more privileges as I got older, to go to the youth center, and hang out with her cute little neighbor next door. (shh don’t tell my mom)

One of the things that I admire her for though is the kind of mom and wife she is. First of all she is married to my Uncle Junior, even though he is extremely good looking, I know he has not been easy to live with for over 20 something years.. lol She also has two girls who are grown up now. And no matter what her girls have done or do, my Aunt is always right there standing beside them cheering them on and ready to rescue them.
She shows unconditional love.

Recently she was given a precious baby boy as a grandbaby, and I think it is a sweet reminder to momma’s out there, on how not to hurt your children on those tough days, because they will give you grandbabies one day.. =0)

So… Aunt Lucinda, I know I don’t get to see you as much anymore. And our lives are just busy as can be. But, I wanted to take the time to say “Thank You” for being a great Aunt to me while I was growing up. It meant more than you will ever know, and I love you and Uncle Junior to the moon and back. I only hope I can be as good an aunt as you were and have been to me. Happy Birthday! I hope it is the best one yet..

P.S. In case Junior, Brenda, and Crystal are reading this, yall know how blessed yall are, so don’t let a day go by without showing your wife and momma how much she is loved and appreciated..

When My Kids Grow Up..

Hello Faithful Readers! Yes, I know it has been a long while since I have blogged. I promise I have started many, and just did not finish them, or felt it was best not to share them at that time. And now this site did something new, to where I can’t post pics like I used to, so I gotta figure out what is up with that. Soooo.. School has started; all my kiddos are finding their groove, after a long and lazy summer. No Summer Vacation for us, just could not pull it off financially. Which leads me to my topic for today.. The Things I will do when my kids grow up and move out.. Sleep.. Yes, I will be able to sleep in, instead of getting up at 5am each day for cross country practice, basketball practice, meets, etc… And not worrying what time the kids are coming home, and if they are safe, and no more 1 am talks when the teen decides that is the best time to share.. Laundry.. (the real laundry people) with it just going be me and the hubby, I could actually get away with doing laundry once a wk, and maybe even just 3 loads, verses the laundry every other day, and about 14 loads a week. Clean House.. Yes I do make my kids help with cleaning, I am one of THOSE MOMS, and proud that my kids will move out knowing how to cook, clean, do laundry, sew, and iron. But I look forward to cleaning house and it staying that way. No reminders being yelled across the house to pick up shoes, socks, t-shirts, dog poo each day.. Mommy Mobile… Ohh I am dreaming of the day I get to buy me a cute little car, and not spend over 100 on gas each week. Vacations.. Trav and I want to do so much!! See the world, and we will finally be able to do just that, and it just be us.. Good Employee.. I will be able to go to work each day, and not have to go in late or call in because I have a sick kiddo tossing his or her cookies. I will finally be able to be the good employee that my hubby has been all these years.. Bathroom.. I will get to go pee, and shower, and get dressed, and put my make up on, and not be disturbed. And find things the way I left them, instead of asking my girls if they took my brush or tweezers etc.. Apparently we have an open door policy in my bathroom..lol Food.. I will be able to know there is always water and my cokes in the fridge, and that the box of popcorn is not empty, and that cereal box is full,.. Peace and Quiet.. No more name calling, and playing referee, and hearing shot gun and them running to the car, and no more watching these weird shows with horrible acting. Or the fighting over who got more Xbox time, or computer time, and who took the trash out last..I am thinking LMN channel all day long. Life sounds quite lovely, right?! But who am I kidding,. I am trying to convince myself that this is something to look forward to, but this year when I dropped my baby boys off for their Junior year, and my sugar bear for 7th grade. I realized my mommy days are going by way too fast, yes I will always be there mommy, but they wont need me so much when they move out and I am gonna miss my little people so very much. And life like it is right now, with laundry and messy house, empty food boxes, and playing referee and driving the big SUV that gulps up my gas, is what I love, and I am so blessed that God chose me to be their mommy.. And I would not change any of it for all the money and sleep in the world. So parents.. Treasure each day, even the rough ones.. They are more precious than you will ever know..

Facebook Diet...

So you may have not noticed, but I deactivated my FB acct for a while..
My goal was to make it two weeks. And now I am almost into week 4, and pretty proud of such a minor thing.
You see we were celebrating Trav’s 45th b-day at the end of February. When certain people made comments about me being the FB queen. And how they know everything we do, because I put it all on FB. And I have no idea why, but this really embarrassed me. I thought to myself “Well, I will just defriend them if my post annoy them”.. But than the more I thought about it, I had to admit that I have a serious habit. I literally set my alarm for 20 minutes before I get out of bed so I can look thru my FB, and like all my friends post and pictures. I was in “love” with Facebook, because I enjoyed keeping up with family and friends and what they were doing. It made for great conversations, or to be told yeah I know I saw it on FB. Lol


But, I also let FB control my emotions and moods. I would get my feelings hurt when I did not get many “likes” or comments on my post. Or when I did not get tagged in some people’s friendship post. Or when I would see my friends get together and know that I was not invited. So the more I thought about it, the more determined I was to try to go two weeks without it. I took it off my phone so I was not tempted to take a peek. The first week was tough. Lol

I had my phone in my hand and went to look for the app, and remembered I was on a FB Diet. And I was pretty moody about it too.. But what hurt my pride the most, is I had told my hubby that everyone would notice and wonder if I defriended them ,and I would prob get lots of text asking where I went.. Do you know by the 1st week not one person noticed.. OUCH!! Yep, big blow to my ego. But it is also what made me realize that I was not as important on FB as I thought I was..
And after some time away, I am ok with that. I have learned It’s a big distraction, and just gives us ammo to snoop and gossip about what we see. There are lots of negative post, and inappropriate pictures. And it enables people to be ok with staying to themselves and not leaving the house, but still know what everyone else is doing. I have realized, I hear from my family and friends personally more since I have not been on fb, because I actually take the initiative to make personal contact. I get to hear the latest from their mouth,.

Now I admit I still have Instagram, and a Twitter, but it is not nearly as addictive as FB has been for me.

So, I don’t know how much longer I will go without my FB acct. But when I do get back on, I am cleaning up house, and making sure I don’t let FB control my mood and actions. I suggest yall take a bit of break too. It has been oh so good for my mind and soul..

Update...

First wanted to thank each of you who said a little prayer for my baby girl on Friday..
I would like to let everyone know that this precious little girl...

Is officially a 7th grade cheerleader..
Her daddy and I are super proud of her accomplishment, and we look forward to watching her cheer at those football games.. Go Jackets..

We love you Jazzy Girl..

My Baby Girl...

It has been a long while since I have felt like blogging.
We have been quite busy in the Casa De Los Hammetts....

But I think now is the perfect time to blog..

I know you all know my Jazzy girl.
She turned 12 in January, and it makes me feel all kinds of emotions, from being super sad to being super excited at the young lady she is becoming.
 She has been working her bottom off the last couple of months, as she is preparing to try out for a basketball league this summer, and 7th grade cheerleading, and this stupid Starr Test that is coming. She is usually pretty easy going, but this has been a lot of stress on her. And it is tough as a mom to watch your children want something so bad, and not be able to help or guarantee anything.

Well, she tried out this week for the basketball, and she did not make the team. Her daddy had to come home and tell her the news, she is an alternate player. She was devastated. I literally saw her heart break. And I will admit, my heart broke for her. It is crazy that something so small can cause so much heartache. She was embarrassed, and just felt defeated. She had the choice to say forget it I don’t want to play period or to say she would take the alternate spot, go to every practice and game and know that she will not get to play at the games unless someone is sick.

Now, if it was me, I would have said “Screw it”! Yes, I am not proud of that attitude..

But after licking her wounds and crying she told us she is going to play, and show them she is as good player as the rest. And that she will get better for 7th grade basketball.

Gosh I admire this little girl of mine. Her precious little spirit lights up a room. Her smile is contagious. And when I grow up, I want to be just like her..

Now pray bloggers, that this cheerleading thing works out for her.
She is a natural cheerleader.. And she will always be my baby girl..