Welcome into the world Lily Kennedy Smith

One of my best friends from high school Casie and her husband Jonathan welcomed their first little girl Lily Kennedy Smith into the world at 3:27 pm. Lily weighed in at 9 lbs and was 22 inches long.

Keeper

I received this in a email today and wanted to share...Hope everyone is having a great Tuesday!!

Their marriage was good, their dreams focused.. Their best friends lived barely a wave away. I can see them now, Dad in trousers, tee shirt and a hat, working on the lawn mower, and Mom in a housedress, dish-towel in her hand. It was the time for fixing things. A curtain rod, the kitchen radio, screen door, the oven
door, the hem in a dress. Things we keep.

It was a way of life, and sometimes it made me crazy All that re-fixing, eating, renewing, I wanted just once to be wasteful. Waste meant affluence. Throwing things away meant you knew there'd always be more.

But then my mother died, and on that clear summer's night, in the warmth of the hospital room, I was struck with the pain of learning that sometimes there isn't any more.

Sometimes, what we care about most gets all used up and goes away....never to return. So... While we have it... it's best we love it... And care for it.... And fix it when it's broken..... And heal it when it's sick.

This is true... For marriage.... And old cars........ And children with bad report cards........ Dogs and cats with bad hips.....And aging parents.... And grandparents. We keep them because they are worth it, because we are worth it. Some things we keep. Like a best friend that moved away or a classmate we grew up with.

There are just some things that make life important, like people we know who are special... And so, we keep them close.

Good friends are like stars.... You don't always see them, but you know they are always there.

What A Crazy Week but A GREAT Weekend!!!

All I'm going to say about this week is WOW it was crazy and I'm glad it's behind me. Monday night me and my cousin Kristi when to "Crunk" class at the civic center and after getting over the major shock of the dance moves she wanted us to do I must say I had a blast and I can't wait to do it tomorrow. Tuesday was when alittle bit of the craziness started and I want go into major details because I choose not to but Shaun's ex wife (the kids mother) wanted to try and start some craziness and act like a teenage again. Even though I know the truth it was still very hurtful but I am so glad I have wonderful family and friends that know the true me inside and out. I did visit the Kids Kingdom consignment on Tuesday night and I got Kason a few things for the Summer.





Wednesday and Thursday I was still dealing with the drama from Shaun's ex wife and by Thursday night after a dinner meeting with out of town work guest I was ready for a major break down. I don't even know why I let people get to me but I do especially when things are being said that are far from the truth. Friday was a pretty normal day and that night me and Kason met my parents for dinner at Logan's and then made a stop by Lowe's to pick out my new porch flooring and a new ceiling fan.





I came home that night and finished painting and then I got a call from one of my best friends from high school and her and her husband came by to visit.
Look how cute my prego friend is...Casie I can't wait to meet Lily this week. :)


Saturday morning Kason woke up at 6:58 am..Seriously if he would have been at his dad's he would have probably slept till 9:00 am. Saturday morning was shoe shopping day for us because Sikes had already gotten there summer shoes in and if you don't get them now you don't get them.


So $140 later we have 3 pairs of shoes



Before heading home we made a couple of stops, one being JcPenny's for Kason some new summer clothes and then home for a nap. Later that evening I had to pick up my stuff that didn't sell at the consignment. Luckily I only returned with 3 items and made $55. I was able to pay for the stuff I bought on Tuesday so I was happy with that. That night me and Kason went over to my best friends house April and Doug for dinner, kid play and poker. I of course didn't play poker because A: I don't know how and B: I don't have the money to waste.
Look at the kiddos :)

I was a little emotional after a night with all the happy little couples but I know that feeling is just going to take time to pass.

Sunday Kason was up at 6:40 am I guess he didn't want us to miss church so after getting up several times for things he thought he needed right then I decided to go ahead and get up myself. Church was absolutely awesome this morning and was something I very much needed to be apart of after the week I had. Learning to deal with the loneliness that I have been feeling has been very difficult and I must say it's not easy. Today's Sunday School lesson was titled "Praying For Your Child's Mate" and could also be used for myself in praying for a future mate.

Scripture it suggested when praying for your child's future mate as well as for myself:
*That they will be equally yoked (2 Corinthians 6:14)
*That they will love the Lord with all their heart, soul and mind and strength and will build their home and relationship according to God's plan for marriage (Mark 12:29-30; Ephesians 5:20-25)
*That God will protect their purity, keep them from the wrong mate and save them for the right one, bringing them together in His perfect timing (2 Corinthians 6:14-17)
*That both will grow to spiritual maturity and will develop the wisdom needed to raise godly, wise children (Luke 2:51-52)
*That as they live together with Christ, their love will grow more perfect and complete (1 John 4:17)

It also gave this poem that I really loved
Teach me the value of my thorn.
Show me that I have climbed to thee by the path of my pain.
Show me that my tears have made my rainbows.

I don't know what the future holds for me and Kason and I know there are going to be many of times were I sit and cry but I know God will take care of us. All I know is My Mate should equal My Best Friend and I'm leaving it in God's hands for his PERFECT timing until then I'm going to find my old self again. The last two years have taken alot out of me and I don't want to be defined as someones wife anymore I want to be me (Angela Diane Bowman) and a mother to a sweet little boy who loves me unconditionally and if it's God will for me to be a wife again then it will be icing on the cake. Please continue to pray for me!!!

After church me and Kason, met with 2 Lindsey and 4 kids for lunch at Chili's. I 'm sure after us being there all together that place will never be the same. Nap time of course was a must and I have spent most of the evening working on more consignment stuff for the up coming Kid's Market and Mom sell. My night is now ending with the finally scenes from Sex and the City the movie.

I hope everyone has a great week !!! Love you all

Weekend in Review

Friday night Me, Lindsey, Doug and April decided to go out since no one had kids. We headed to Logan's for dinner were we ran into Jeremy and Kourtney. After a great dinner we decided to go hang out at Home Field. We actually had alot of fun and ran into a lot of people from high school. I told my mom I would be home by 5 am and she said I better not stay out that late. After a visit to Waffle House with April, Doug and Mat I was at least home by 3 am. Had a really great night with great friends.

Saturday morning we woke up to a beautiful morning and day....I worked in the yard a little bit then started painting my dining room. Many of you may remember a previous blog regarding the "New" color Shaun decided to paint my dining one day because obviously he hated the red. Well I hated the mustard yellow so since he is gone I decided to paint it back red. It's not the exact color but I think it looks alot better than the red before. Of course it did take 4 coats but I'm happy with the results.

Before...

After...Stolen Kiss Red




Saturday night I hung out at the house, cooked chicken on the grill and watched a movie (Couples Retreat).

Sunday my plan was to get up and go to church but that didn't happen. I got up and did some stuff around the house then took a 2 1/2 hour nap again so I guess everyone knows I probably want sleep tonight. I have started another paint project as well today and will post pictures when completed. Finally I had to meet Dennis so I could pick up Kason and then we headed to Gardendale for a dinner date at Habaneros. I asked Kason what he wanted for dinner...POP Tarts. I wonder were he got that from???

Please continue to pray for me...as much as I hated the way Shaun treated me I miss the "fun" Shaun and at times it is very difficult.

Love You ALL

Trying to Figure Things Out...

Well I dropped Kason off today at daycare and he will be at his dad's for a few days. I have no idea what I will do with myself over the next few days so I don't go absolutely crazy. I really need to get a hobby or learn to just relax but normally I can't be still for long periods. I'm hoping to finish getting my consignment stuff together and also try and finish painting the dining room. I'm so glad to finally get rid of Shaun's Mustard Yellow that he thought he would paint since he didn't like the red but guess what I'm going back to red, Stolen Kiss to be a matter of fact.

I have been a little overwhelmed emotionally the last couple of days trying to except the fact that I'm going through a second divorce. Shaun finally answered to my papers and unlike what he told me he thought he owed me which was half the papers said otherwise so as of now we are waiting for a court date to be scheduled. I paid over $3000 in debt from his previous marriage, supported him and 2 girls financially for 5 months with my paycheck, child support and savings since he went on disability May 7th not to mention bought a truck for him to drive because he couldn't get it in his name now I had to sell it and eat $950. I may not get a dime from him but it will be because the judge tells me no not because Shaun Dooley doesn't think he owes me. He turned out to be a dishonest person with no ambition and who could never be the man he needs to be and I continue to see that everyday.

I think the feeling of being alone is starting to really set in. I know my family says I'm not alone because I have God, Kason and them but there is nothing like companionship with a spouse. Even though I don't miss the way Shaun treated me I do miss the attention, sounds crazy I know but every woman wants to feel wanted.

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" (Jeremiah 29:11)

Happy Valentine's Day

I really thought Valentine's was going to be hard this year because of everything that has been going on but I must say for the most part I had a great Valentine's weekend with Kason. Valentine's of course fell on Sunday this year so not only were we treated Saturday night with a great dinner but Leigh Ann are teacher provided us with all types of yummy breakfast snacks that morning for class. I also had the joy of taking Madison my niece to church with me as well while my sister and brother in law did volunteer work at the Mercedes Marathon.

Before church exchanging Valentine's


After church me, Kason and Madison went to his Granny Linda's house for lunch with his Kason's daddy and Allison. I know most of you are thinking is she crazy??? probably so but we had a nice time.

Later that night Me, Kason, Lindsey and Madison went on our Valentine's date to Chuck E. Cheese. I thought since it was Valentine's it would be sooooo bad. Well after standing in line for 45 minutes just to get in I was really starting to think this was a bad idea but of course everyone knows you don't take a 2 year old up there and then say hey we can't stay. We meet some really nice girls while standing in line that actually go to GFBC and were there babysitting for the night so we all sat together and talked while the kids played. Probably wasn't such a good idea because at one time Kason is running around Chuck E Cheese with no pants on. After searching for the pants they finally appeared and I asked Kason why did he take them off his response "Because I can". Even though the place was a mad house Kason and Madison had alot of fun.

Single Mom's Valentine Banquet

This of course was my first year to ever go to a Single Mom Valentine's Banquet I know most people are thinking how sad is that Single Mom's Banquet but I actually had a lot of fun. They had everything decorated, provided us with a Steak dinner and a lot of funny entertainment. We also had Judy Woodward Bates aka "The Bargainomics Lady" as our guest speak, which we also received a free copy of her book. You can also visit her website at www.Bargainomics.com.

We learned that Bargainomics is based on:
Proverbs 31: 17-18 She is energetic, hard worker; and watches for bargains.
1 Cor. 6:19-20 You are not your own; you were bought at a price
Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

She provided us with alot of helpful ideas for making it as a single mom.


Me and Lindsey


2 of our table buddies...I forgot there names but they were 2 sweet girls that are going through the teen challenge program. Sometimes God puts people in your life to show you it could be a lot worse. Please keep this ladies in your prayers.


Our live entertainment...


This ones for the girls

And ofcourse I will survive

Hebrews: 4:15-16 Jesus Christ understands our weaknesses, for He faced all of the same testings we do, yet He did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive His mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.

I asked that you continue to keep me in your prayers as I go through this difficult time. I know that me and Kason will be better off but it doesn't heal the pain that I experience at times. I do at times have that lonely feeling but I know with God I am never alone. Please help me to except the situation and move forward.

Love you all, Angela