A little Soul Cleansing

As I mentioned before, David, Wesley, and I went home for Thanksgiving and finally moved out of our house in Effingham. We decided that instead of selling all of our things, that we would donate them to Goodwill instead. So, we rented a Uhaul and packed up our house. It is such a cleansing experience for the soul, and so freeing when you go through your house and throw away junk that you kept, because "I might need this one day" and donating clothes that fit you when you were like 12. I was so humbled and ashamed in myself when I saw all the bags of shoes, clothes, toys, pots, pans, and other things we gave away. Americans as a society think that we need the newest and latest "thing" to make us happy. We get caught up in the latest trends and fads, and lose sight of what is really important. I mean I worked as a fashion consultant and buyer for a high end clothing store. Believe me I was DEFINATELY caught up in all the hype. Anyways, the only things that we didn't donate were a few antique pieces, that were handed down from my mom, and Wesleys baby furniture, swing, and exersaucer. Hopefully there will be a new Willingham bambino in the near future. After we dropped everything off at Goodwill, David and I could fit all of our clothes in one lawn trash bag, Wesleys clothes and toys in a suitcase, and all of our earthly possessions in the smallest storage room they had. I know this lifestyle isn't for everyone, and we probably won't live this way forever, but right now it fits, and I am loving every minute of it. It feels good to strip yourself down to the necessities and find peace in other areas of life. I am so excites about our journey and I can't wait to share our life experiences with you. Peace!!

My Thanksgiving lesson

This Thanksgiving was a thanksgiving I will never forget. Wednesday when David, Wesley, and I were packing to go back to South Carolina to visit my family, I told him that I had a weird feeling about this thanksgiving. He told me that everything would be fine, and that I was probably stressed because we were finally moving our furniture out of our house. Well, we were really donating all of our furniture, most of our clothes, and a ton of other things. Anyways, I just had a weird feeling. If I only knew what was coming. So we started the drive home, and we hit the traffic. It was bumper to number for miles and miles. What was supposed to be a 3 hour drive turned into a 5 and a half hour drive. Wesley did really well until the last 45 minutes, but who can blame him? We did purchase some awesome cowboy boots for him before we left. They are the most awesome boots I have ever seen. (I would post pics, but I am currently blogging from my phone bc my laptop died. Santa I really need a new one!) once we made it home we crashed for the night. So thanksgiving day we all wake up and cuddle in the bed and get ready to go to my moms. We arrive, my brother and his family arrives, and for the first hour everything is great. Then the war breaks out. Without getting into to much detail bc it's personal, I have never been so blindsided by meanness ever. Needless to say my intuition came true. David, Wesley, and I left my parents early and had thanksgiving lunch at Golden Corral. Now before you feel sorry for me, let me tell you the awesome lesson I learned. At first when all this went down at my parents, I was upset. But I realized I am no longer the person that I was even a year ago. By the grace of God I am changed. I am a mother, and a wife, I am no longer the selfish, rebellious, brat that I used to be. Thank God for that. I also learned that my family is now my amazing husband and my beautiful son. It doesn't matter where I live, or where I eat my Thanksgiving meal, I am with my family and that is all that matters. My husband and son love me for who I am, and they think that I am the best wife and mother ever. And you know what? That is good enough for me. So what started out to be a crazy thanksgiving turned out to be one of the best thanksgivings. I learned a valuable lesson that I will take with me forever. I hope you all had a great thanksgiving, and ate way to much turkey! Peace!

The Willingham's Lately

So it has been awhile since I last blogged. I have decided since David and I have made a serious life change, that I will start blogging about our adventures. What is this life change you ask? Well, we have decided to sell pretty much all of our earthly belongings, and travel around the US with David's job. He is a pipe welder and has this amazing opportunity to travel all over the country. We both love traveling, and since W is little, we thought why not? So I am going to revamp my blog, and blog about all of our adventures that we encounter. I guess you could call us your modern day vagabond. Also, I want to share with you guys our granola way of parenting. What is granola parenting? Well, basically, David and I cosleep, babywear, and cloth diaper Wesley. We dont babywear as much anymore because Wesley can walk, but when his little legs get tired, we babywear. So, this blog is my way of keeping my family and friends up to date, and anyone else who cares to read. Peace.

My Adventure in homemade baby food.

I decided along time ago that I was going to make Welsey's baby food. I figured it would be healthier, cheaper, and I love a challenge! So, a couple of weeks ago, when he was about 5 and a half months I started my adventure. Before I started, I did a lot of reading. After all, I definately didn't want to feed him something his little tummy couldn't handle, feed him too much, and mainly, just poison the poor guy. I found that wholesomebabyfood.com, for me, was the best website. I also asked several of my friends who made their babies' food some pointers as well. (Thanks Karen Bryant and Elizabeth Robinson!) So I went to the store with my list in hand ready to embark on my journey! I decided that I was going to make brown rice cereal, apples, bananas, carrots, and sweet potatoes first. (FYI - Do one at a time to make sure they aren't allergic.) I also decided that everything I was going to make for him would be organic as well. It is a little more expensive, but you still save SO much more in the long run. I mean one carrot is like 2 days worth of food at first. I was scared when I first started making his food, but you know what? It is incredibly easy. It eases my mind knowing what is in his baby food. There are no preservatives, dyes, or crazy ingredients in it that I need to be worried about. I wasn't able to nurse Wesley as long as I had planned, so making his food makes me feel less guilty. So, so far my adventure is going ok. I'll keep you updated as he starts to eat more challenging things!

Hold on to every minute and everyone, because you never know what tomorrow holds

What is going on? So much heartache is surounding our Florence community. With in a matter of days, a girl from Florence went missing in NC, and a great guy was murdered! I didn't have the privilege of knowing Kristy, but from what I hear she is an amazing girl. I did have the privilege of knowing Chris Deaver. He was an amazing guy who smiled all the time, was kind, funny, loving, a great father to his little girl, and a talented musician. He was murdered in vain by a 17 year old punk for absolutely nothing. My heart aches so much for his family, as well as, Kristy's family. To all of my friends who were closer to Kristy and Chris than I was, I am praying for you and love you, and just know that with time you will be able to smile again.

It's Amazing how something so unexpected can change your life for the good!

David and I have been dating for 2 years this July. We started dating July of 2009. In March of 2010 we found out that we were expecting a wonderful, bundle of joy. It was very unexpected for several reasons. One- we definately weren't trying to have a baby. We knew we were going to get married and that we loved each other. We just wanted to get married first. Two- I have a lot of health problems and the doctor told me that I wasn't able to have children. Before I met David I had a good run of about 3 or 4 years where I went off the deep end. I made a lot of mistakes, bad choices, and bad decisions that I am not proud of. I decided I was going to what I wanted to do, and no matter what that was the way it was going to be. I took my relationship with my parents for granted, and lost that closeness with them for awhile. When David and I met, I had just moved back in with my parents, and I was trying to figure things out and change my way of living. So fast-forward to March 2010. That was one of the best days and scariest days of my life. When that pregnancy test said positive, I didn't know how David would respond. He responded with "I love you and I couldn't be more excited!" Wesley is now 6 months old and let me tell you...He has changed my life. He is the absolute best, unexpected joy that I have ever had. I realized after having him that all those "independent" decisions that I made were so stupid. Living my life the way that "I" want is absurd. I want to be the type of mom that he is proud of. I know that I am going to make mistakes a long the way, but my decisions are no longer selfish ones. He has changed me for the better and I am so grateful that God allowed me to have him. I love being a mom so much that sometimes my love for him overwhelms me. David and I are more close now than before. I can't wait to marry him and have more kids one day if God allows. All I can say is that Wesley is one loved little man, and I am so fortunate to be his mom!

The Very Best Weekend

Friday is my birthday and David has National Guard Drill so we decided to celebrate it this past weekend. It was the best weekend that I have had in a long time! We went out to eat one night at Southern Hops and it was amazing! The customer service was fantastic! One of the owners came by our table several times and talked to us and answered a ton of questions that David had about all the different types of beers that they offer. My parents were nice enough to watch Wesley so we could have a date. I love date nights, but I couldn't get home quick enough to see my baby! Saturday all three of us went on a picnic and it was so much fun. Wesley sat in his Bumbo (which I LOVE!) and played like a big boy, and then we pushed him in the baby swings at the park. It was so cute. I started off pushing him really slow and then pushed him just a little bit faster (don't worry it was still really slow). He still hasn't quite figured out if he likes it or not. Then we went to the beach and that was awesome! It was Wesley's first trip to the beach and let me tell you, he LOVES the sand!!! He dug his little toes in the sand and squished it between his toes! It was so cute! We walked around Barefoot Landing, and Broadway at the Beach and just had great quality family time together. It was so special and sweet, and I loved every minute! We ate lunch at River City Cafe and I had the best turkey burger (and I splurged and had onion rings. Totally went off my P90X diet, but hey, it's my birthday!) We also went to this store called Retro Active at Broadway at the Beach. They sell 80's and 90's t-shirts and things, and we got Wesley the cutest onesie! It says "B is for Bob" and has a picture of Bob Marley on it. I love it! We came home Sunday really late and poor Wesley was so exhausted! He was out of his routine, but he had so much fun walking around in my baby sling (which I love love! Rebecca Phipps made it and it's the best thing ever!) I am so thankful for my birthday weekend and the fun that I had with my wonderful family! I will try and post pictures tomorrow!