I did a thing today

Today I graduated from the Athens State University with a bachelor's in psychology. I haven't told many people about my graduation.  Thanks to COVID-19, we were only allowed 2 guests!  However, I felt the need to write this blog post, because I need people to know the hard work my family has put in to get me here.  People always ask me how I do it all.  The answer is simple. I don't.  I have an entire team of people who have given up their time and resources to help me succeed.  They are the reason why I am more knowledgeable and that much closer to being able to help those who don't know how to help themselves.  They are the driving force behind my success.  I feel so grateful today.  Words could never describe the warmth I feel in my heart when I think of everyone who has supported and encouraged me on so many levels.

To my sweet, caring, and extremely patient husband, I am forever grateful.  You lift me up when times are hard, and I know there have been some really really hard times during this journey.  You have given so much of your time and resources to see me succeed.  Like that one semester when I spent almost every night at Panera Bread writing.  I know that wasn't easy on any of us, but you never complained.  That was a hard semester.  Just thinking back on it makes me so thankful I persevered, but also a little sad because it was really hard on our family.  You have been a strong sturdy wall in our family throughout this.  Word's do not express how thankful I am for all you have done throughout this journey.  Thank you for supporting us!!

To my little growing up boys, I hope this journey has shown you that you can accomplish whatever you work really hard for and set your mind to.  There has been so many moments that I have missed being with you because I had to study, do homework, work on projects, or write.  No-one tells you how much you will miss being with your family because schooling has asked that of you.  I know I have been so blessed to stay home with you both so I get to enjoy you for most of the days, but I still feel the loss of time when we're away.  I am thankful you so easily forgive me when mommy hasn't been at her best in the patience area because I was overwhelmed with my school work.  I hope, when you grow up, you will see how hard I was working for us all.

To my sweet friends, you lift me up in ways that only girlfriends can.  There has been so many of you that have listened to me throughout the years and offered words of support.  Just hearing you all say that I was doing a great job would lift my spirits and keep me going.  Encouragement feels me up and you all do it so well in so many different ways.  There are 3 ladies I need to highlight because they have walked with me the closest.  Megan, my sweet, gentle, slow to speak, and quick to listen friend!  I can't count the times you have seen me cry - haha.  You listen to my fears and take them in.  You allow me to get it all out.  You listen.  You look over papers for me from time to time, and you speak God's wisdom and gentleness into my life.  You encourage me to be kind to myself when I'm too hard on myself.

Ashlea, my fiesty, full of fire, and ready to take on the world friend.  Oh, and let me not forget lover of all things tasty.  There have been so many phone calls, messages, and girls nights between us throughout the years, and with each worry I hear you say... you got this!  You lift me up and remind me that I can do all the things.  You show me how us women can be strong and courageous.

Kathy, my artistic, full of life, bold, advice giving friend.  You have been a source of encouragement and advice throughout this journey.  Also, you help me to see my classes in a different light with your unique abilities.  You have walked along side me in your own journey with your master's and I thoroughly enjoyed all of our talks about the classes.  You lift me up and show me the fun side of learning.

You all believe in me, and I am forever grateful for all of your friendships even those not mentioned, because I know there have been so many that has supported me!  To my counselor.  I never knew that God was calling me to be a counselor.  If I would only have stopped to see all the signs around me that was pointing me to it.  However, it took God putting you in my path to see it. I wasn't calling to see you that day, I was calling to see someone else in the office, because my insurance company gave me the name.  However, the receptionist on the phone said, oh, you need to see ______ instead.  I know God had led her to say that, because I specifically asked for a different person.  You have been a great example of what a counselor is.  You have also been a great source of encouragement when sometimes I run into people who don't "believe" in the counseling field or who have grown up where it wasn't a good thing to see someone for therapy.  You have believed in me and told me that I am going to make a great counselor one day.  I believe your words are honest, and it gives me hope that I am on the right path when sometimes I start questioning.  Thank you.  To our families.  I know there have been lots of times where you may have wanted to help, but couldn't because of our distance.  I know that you would easily support us in any way that you can.  I am forever grateful to know that if in a pinch you would make that distance for us.  Thank you for listening and encouraging from afar.  A special thank you to my sister, Denise, who when I cry either tells me to suck it up or just tells me it is going to be okay.  haha.  There's nothing like a sister bond.  Also, thanks for watching Carter for me while we went to graduation.

So, to sum it up, I didn't get here on my own.  Sure, I put in the work to get good grades, but I definitely couldn't have persevered so well had it not been for my support systems. I graduate today with my undergrad and will start my master's in the fall.  I thank you for your continued encouragement and support.  I have such great people in my life.  All those mentioned and the many many more that wasn't.  Thank you! 

October, a month of loss

On Saturday we had a birthday party to celebrate my little boy turning the big 5!!  It was a great party.  I think he and his little friends had a good time.  We are so lucky to have friends and family who want to celebrate our children with us.  This year we decided to throw Carter a Halloween themed birthday party with costumes and everything.  However, I didn't have a lot of Halloween "stuff" to decorate with so I ended up having to go out and buy some things.  That was fine, because in the future I can decorate with it again.  You see, Halloween just isn't my favorite holiday.  I keep saying to everyone around me that it's not my favorite and I don't know why but you don't just advertise death anniversaries to the world.  As the month has went on the days seem to drag by.  As it gets closer to the end of the month my internal unconscious anxiety picks up.  Tonight I was sitting here at the computer working on homework and I kept looking at the date.  Tomorrow is Carter's birthday so I was obviously thinking about that.  At the same moment I could feel that awful feeling you get when you're about to cry.  I was so sad all of a sudden.  It occurred to me that the days are so slow because unconsciously I spend them trying to not think about the loss that has occurred in this month.  Halloween is not my favorite.  I try to be happy and celebrate with the kiddos, but it will forever be the anniversary of my dad's death.  October 28th will forever be the anniversary of my sister's death.  These dates are so sad for my family.  When you loose the ones you love so quickly without much of a warning or without a warning at all it's so hard.  It sticks to your bones and becomes a thorn of grief in your side.  Especially when you don't have answers like we didn't with Marie.  To this day my mom will hardly talk about Marie.  We barely mention her name in hopes that we can just keep it together for a little longer.  I know the heaviness in my heart and she was just my sister.  I don't mourn the loss of a child though.  I don't know how one survives that.  Just when you think the heaviness in your heart has passed it pops back out and says, hey, I am still here.  I hope that one day I can enjoy Halloween again.  I hope that one day the days leading up to their deaths won't haunt me.  I hope that one day I can celebrate their life instead of mourn their loss.  This marks year 15 that dad has been gone.  It will be 11 years since we lost Marie.  Just saying that causes my soul to cry.  It opens a wound that never heals.  We will forever miss them.  We will forever mourn the lost time from lives gone way too soon.  So, this Halloween if you know my momma send her some love.  Let her know you're thinking about her.  Let her know that you still remember.  You remember what she lost.  She lost a husband and a child 4 years apart.  This is also a good reminder to me to remember my friends and family who have lost those they love dearly!  It may be uncomfortable to reach out when the topic is hard, but I can tell you from personal experience that death anniversaries are just "lonely" and sad sometimes.  Also, if you have loved ones today that lost someone please send them a you remember message.  It could be a phone call, text, handwritten card, etc.  It will mean so much to them. 

This may be controversal - remember I love you and you love me too....

Hello!  Long time, no writing!  I have missed writing, but my daily responsibilities haven't left much room to write.  I wanted to share something with you that I was shocked by.  I'm not here to get into a debate about vaccinations/no vaccinations.  I did want to share a store with you.  This past month my little family has been pretty sick.  Each one of us back to back, but my little carter seemed to catch the worst of it.  He has always been my sicker child.  He runs the higher fevers, and he stays sick longer too.  In the past anytime he caught a simple cold and started coughing it would always seem to sit on his chest and we would have to do breathing treatments, etc.  EVERY TIME!  At the end of January he came down with a cold with a cough and it is the first year that we have not had to do a breathing treatment on him (praise God).  The doctors mentioned once that he may have a touch of baby asthma and it should go away as he gets older.  I am thinking maybe they were right.  Anyways, back to the story. Dexter came home with the a high fever (flu) on a Thursday after school, I came down with it on Saturday, Dustin had it on Monday, and Carter had it on Wednesday.  On Monday, however, Carter's eye was blood shot so off to the doctor we went.  He had pink eye.  Wednesday rolled around and Carter had to go back to the doctor because he had the high fever 102.8 and after an hour on tylenol it even went up.  Took him in and of course it had went down after we were there, but he did test positive for flu.  So, we take him home with instructions to push the fluids, etc.  by the weekend he had stopped running a fever, etc.  come the next Monday his fever was back up to almost 103.  Doctor instructed us that if he got better and then worse again to come back in because she was seeing alot of secondary infections.  So, off to the doctor we went.  He had an ear infection.  Great, we can do something about that.  We get antibiotics and go home.  All this time he has been sick he has been complaining about his stomach hurting.  Well, when he went on the antibiotics it just aggravated his stomach even more and we had 3 days of explosive diarrhea.  I even went to the pharmacy on that Thursday night to make sure he wasn't given too strong of a dose because she had gone up 1 ml than his normal dose.  (this is the 3rd ear infection since October so I was familiar with his dosage)  She did all the calculations and he was in his range.  on the upper end but not over.  All you pharmacist will understand that talk.  I can't explain it but she showed me what she did.  Anyways... she instructed us to do probiotics and double the dose for the next 3 days or so.  On the way home I had learned that Carter had vomited as well.  We were trying to push the fluids, and honestly I thought we were doing a good job of keeping fluids in him.  The very next day.  Carter is laying on the couch crying that his stomach hurts so bad.  I can't get him to get up so I call the doctor and inform them that Carter isn't getting better.  He still has the high fever, etc.  By the time of his appointment at 1:30 Carter will not hold his head up and he would not stand up.  He laid in my arms the whole time at the doctors office with his head just limp!  I am tearing up just thinking about it.  I was so scared.  I had no idea what was wrong with him.  He wasn't getting better.  They got us back really quickly and when the doctor came in he wouldn't raise his head up for her.  She put her hand around his head to raise it up hoping he would keep it up and it just laid back.  She ordered blood work and came in with a popsicle.  I had to make him eat the popsicle.  They came in with another popsicle and I think he drank a little bit while there too.  He finally started holding his own head up.  She checked his ear again and the infection had got significantly worse so she stopped his antibiotics and opted to give him an antibiotic shot.  The antibiotics he was on were just going straight through and not having time to absorb.  While we were there she made sure he would stand/walk on his own before she would let him go home.  Thankfully, he did and he wasn't so lethargic.  We were under strict orders to hydrate him and also make him eat something (he had ketones in his urine), and we were to return Monday to do a recheck.  So, every 15 minutes he had to drink and was made to take a bite.  Anyways, to the point of this story.....  after the dramatic leadup. haha!  Monday morning we go back in and see another doctor.  After chatting with her and being all happy because Carter was doing so much better (No ear infection left so no more shots needed, YAY!) she made the comment....  oh, yea, they can get dehydrated really fast when they're going to the bathroom like he was and also vomiting.  Even when you are doing your best to push fluids.  She then said back before they came out with the rotavirus vaccine, during the sick season, it was very common for me to have 6 or so patients a day have to be sent to hospital because they were so sick and dehydrated!  I'll never forget that.  Think about it: 6 patients give or take a day for just that one doctor being sent to the hospital because of the rotavirus.  I'm not saying that that cured everything and babies/kids don't still get sent to hospital for dehydration, etc., but I do know that from this experienced doctors mouth that 6 patients a day scenario doesn't happen like it used to.  Yes, I am pro vaccinations, but I'm not going to be ugly to you or not like you or whatever if you choose otherwise.  I do want to say in the most loving way because those who know me know my heart for them..  When you have a very sick child and are scared to the point of total helplessness I promise you that you will do whatever it takes to help them.  That includes any medications necessary.  That is the love we have for our children.  Don't let fear cause you to be afraid of something that is LIFE SAVING.  I don't know if your child will ever come down with one of these deadly diseases, and I pray that they never do.  I even pray that for my own children even though they've been vaccinated.  I also understand that some kids can't take them for medical reasons, etc.  Even Carter had a bigger reaction to them than Dexter...  We then spaced them out so he wouldn't do them all at the same time.  There is options.  =D  Love you friends and always remember....  it's about protecting our children and families and people.  Don't let the fear of a reaction to them cause you to not want them.  I hope I don't offend my non vaccinating friends.... I love you, regardless. 

p.s.  Carter was not to a point to where he needed hospitalization (however, he was close.  The doctor was straight up with me that if we couldn't get him to stand or walk that we couldn't go home).  I was still scared/very concerned and wanted nothing more than for him to be better. 

In times of sorrow there is also great healing and peace

Hi, friends

The last few weeks have been hard.  On Mother's Day a tragic accident happened to a family of our church.  Their son was leaving church and was involved in a tragic accident.  He passed away.  After receiving this news I was instantly heartbroken for these people whom I call my friends, whom I call my family in Christ. Their lives were instantly turned upside down on a day that should have been a day of celebration.  There are no words to describe how terrible this was.  On the way back to Huntsville I had made a few plans to help in any way that I could.  After visiting with them on that Monday I was even more heartbroken, but there was also something stirring.  I could feel it in my soul.  God is so good y'all.  Through this he was working in the lives of a lot of people.  I couldn't really see the full impact on our church as a whole at that moment, but I knew we were all grieving along side this sweet family.    Come Wednesday night services I go to my class for the night and someone comes in and lets us know that the family was there and we were going to pray over them.  When I entered the sanctuary you could feel the sorrow.  You could feel the love throughout the whole room.  Our church as a whole was grieving.  We were mourning the loss of someone we loved and someone we have prayed for.  Someone we had seen God answer many prayers for.  Someone who came to know who Jesus was.  Someone who had struggled back and forth, but still sought after Jesus.  We grieve for a family who consistently seek the Father.  We grieve for our family.  After the family had come in and we prayed over them I look up to see a circle of people who love and care about them.  People were crying and weeping.  I didn't even realize there was that many people on Wednesday nights, honestly.  I saw faces of people that I did not even know. That night we didn't even make it through our lesson.  It was a night for grieving and healing.  It was a night for us to come together as a church and grieve together.  I can't tell you that I left feeling joy that night, but I can tell you that I left feeling the healing power of God.  I felt a true peace that surpasses all understanding.  A peace and comfort that only comes from the Father.  I felt a love that crosses all boundaries. I can't think of a time that I have ever seen a church family come together in such a way that I have seen with this.  It was one of the most beautiful things I have EVER witnessed.  I will remember it for the rest of my days.  I could go on and on about it, but all I really want to say is this, if you don't belong to a church family or if you don't know who Jesus is and how he radically changes lives and builds relationships and Saves, protects, guards, fights for you, heals, loves beyond comprehension, and all of everything then you are truly missing out on something special.  They will never get to see or talk to their son again on this earth, but they have peace, hope, joy and restoration in Jesus.  They know that this was never his final home.  They know that they will see him again.  They know that they have a church family who will stand along side them and walk them through this terrible season of sorrow and loss.  I truly love our church and everyone in it.

edited to add:  I forgot to mention a few important events that happened in between all this time and after, but one I wanted to mention was that following Sunday morning.  I was running late to church so I came in a few minutes after service started.  When I walked in the door I saw a people standing side by side towards the middle of the church arm around arm and hand in hand!  They were singing a song without any music.  The praise band came together in one line on stage and with one BODY they worshiped.  What a blessing it was to see this.  It was truly magical and beautiful.  OF course, after this song they broke off and service went on as usual.  IT was powerful.  It was love.  It was one body filled with a lot of people.  I am so thankful I was able to witness such a wonderful thing. 

1 Thessalonians 4:13-14(NIV):
13 Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. 14 For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.

John 11:25-26 (NIV):
25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

With love,
Felicia

A day in the life

Hello:

This past week was spring break for my boys.  They were able to go camping earlier in the week with grandparents.  Then, the rest of the week we tried to do something fun each day.  We went to the library one day and played in the yard another day.  Late Thursday night Dustin and I decided to take a day trip Friday up to Chattanooga with the boys and visit the Tennessee aquarium!  We got up early Friday morning and set out on our trip.  We ate breakfast on the road and off we went.  The boys were so excited to be going on a road trip.  I would not tell them where we were going, but I did print them out several activities to do on the way up there with hints on where we were going.  After a 2 hour drive we finally reached the aquarium.  Just a hint if you decide to go parking is NOT fun.  The place was packed and we ended up parking several blocks away.  Not a big deal.  We purchased our tickets and off we went to explore the aquarium.  This aquarium is divided into 2 different segments.  They have one building the is dedicated to the RIVER (freshwater) and there is another building that is dedicated to the ocean (saltwater).  WE decided to go with the river building first thinking that we wanted to save the ocean for last.  However, we were really pleased with the river side.  They had so many things to look at.  I was pleasantly surprised with how fun and awesome this side of the aquarium was.  We even got to witness some scuba divers feeding the rays.  Talk about BEAUTIFUL!  They were so big coming up the glass that they scared Carter!  It was so funny.  It was pretty understandable.  Especially since some of these rays looked bigger than even I am.  They were larger than Carter and Dexter for sure.  Dexter LOVED it.  He did not want to leave.  It took us quite a while to get through this building so we were all very hungry after.  We decided to grab lunch before we went to through the ocean building.  We walked a ways up a street and ate at the local mellow mushroom.  I have only ate at mellow mushroom three separate times and only one of them has been good.  It wasn't this one.  My pizza had no flavor.  The service was great though.  So, lunch was disappointing, but that wasn't going to stop us from having fun.  The boys were fueled up and ready to go.  We got back to the aquarium and went through the ocean side.  By this time my camera had died and I had to resort to cell phone pictures.  They didn't turn out as good, but at least I have them.  I have to say, we were not as impressed with the ocean side.  I figured that would be the highlight of the trip.  Either we were all tired and done by this time or it just wasn't very impressive.  Dustin and I both agreed that the river side was the better side of the aquarium.  After leaving we were going to visit Ruby Falls, but the boys were done "looking" at things and just wanted to play so we decided to just head home.  After all it was 5:30 by this time.  Thoughts on this aquarium:  The Atlanta aquarium is better.  The ocean side just paled in comparison to the Atlanta aquarium.  I would really like to go back there in the future.   All in all it was a great trip and I hope to go back to Chattanooga in the future and visit the other attractions they have there.  Ruby falls, and the discovery kids museum are next on the list.  Have you been to Ruby Falls?  What other attractions would you suggest for Chattanooga?

Looking at life

King Solomon in Ecclesiastes gives us a great image of how life can be so meaningless without God.

The last few days around here have been rough to say the least.  I live 2 hours away from family who I can call if I am in dire need of some help.  I have plenty of friends who I know I could call, but they all have children too and I don't want to get any of them sick.  So I don't call.  Both of my kids are sick.  It wouldn't be so bad if we weren't sick every 2-3 weeks this winter.  Specifically, Carter.  The boy is full of so much joy and happiness when he is feeling well, but when he is sick that is another story.  He becomes me when I am sick.  I have to tell you.  I am not the best sick person.  I get tired, angry, whiny, and become a pile of mush with all the tears.  It is exhausting taking care of that.  Yes, I should apologize to anyone who has had to take care of me in the past.  If it was you I am sorry.  Today I decide it is time to go to the doctor.  We get there and one has a major ear infection and the other shows all signs of a sinus infection.  Praise be to the lord for negative strep and flu results.  We've already had the flu once this winter.  Out the door we go and we just get to the car when Dexter falls on the ground in pain because his stomach is hurting.  Yes, my child falls on the pavement in the middle of the parking lot because of his stomach hurting so bad.  I finally get to the car try to open the door and my car key battery is dead so I have to fish the keys out of my huge bag.  Open the door manually and I hit the unlock button.  At this point all I can think of is just getting us home.  Well, the unlock button for some reason will not unlock the back doors.  All the while Dexter is still on the pavement crying.  I crank the car and it lets me unlock the back doors.  No sooner than I get both boys in their car seats Dexter starts dry heaving.  At this point I am racing to the other side of the car saying please don't puke in my car, please!  I grab him out of his seat and bend him over so he can puke in the parking lot.  Which he does.  I tell him to hang on and run back into the doctors office to grab a puke bucket from them for the car ride home.  Thankfully we didn't need it and he fell asleep on the way home.  All of this to say we have had a very hard morning.  I was up all through the night with sick babies too.  I myself do not feel good and I am worn so thin.  I can't even see my thin line anymore.  On the way home I am throwing myself a big pity party so I stop by sonic and order me a combo plus an onion ring for good measure.  The caffeine is helping.  Plus, both boys are napping so I am able to refill my energy a bit without a constant need of something.  I sit down to read my bible because I am feeling so worn down.  To the point where I am questioning everything.  Why is it so hard?  Why is it this?  Why is it that?  I am fussing in my mind because I have a million things to do and no time already to do it and now I have 2 sick boys and a not feeling good momma.  I am thinking maybe there's something I am missing.  Maybe it isn't supposed to be this hard.  Maybe God will reveal something to me in his word and it will make things instantly better.  Well, he does come through.  Just not always in the way you are expecting.  Today I am reading in Ecclesiastes and reading what King Solomon is saying.  This was a great king who had everything he could have ever wanted.  He had riches, smarts, respect, etc.  Yet, at the end of his life he is saying non of this matters without God.  Life isn't about all the things.  It is about glorifying God and being within God's will.  I was reading the commentary to Ecclesiastes 1:8-11 and it said, "Many people feel restless and dissatisfied.  They wonder: (1) if I am in God's will, why am I so tired and unfulfilled? (2) What is the meaning of life? (3) When I look back on it all, will I be happy with my accomplishments? (4) Why do I feel burned out, disillusioned, dry? (5) What is to become of me?  Solomon tests our faith, challenging us to find true and lasting meaning in God alone.  As you take a hard look at your life, as Solomon did his, you will see how important serving God is over all other options.  Perhaps God is asking you to rethink your purpose and direction in life, just as Solomon did in Ecclesiastes."  Wow!  How spot on was that?  I have all these questions about why is it so hard, etc. and there it is in front of me.  It doesn't have to be that hard.  My eyes are just focused in the wrong areas.  I think that I am pleasing God by putting on all the extra work load when all he is asking is for me to look to him for the purpose and meaning.  Not to all the stuff.  I should not be living to please man.  It should be to please God.  I just have to figure out the difference between what God really is asking me to do and what man is asking me to do.  Because all the things I do are not bad in and of themselves, but just maybe by me saying yes to all these "extra" things I am saying no to the possibility of letting God allow someone else to step up and fulfill that potential that they have.  It is about balance.  My prayer for today is about balance and seeking after God's will alone.  No one else.

I hope you all have had a wonderful day.  I am going to let the words of King Solomon penetrate my heart today.  I am going to meditate on what the Lord is trying to tell me.  Will you search for his will in your life today?

With love,
Felicia.

Kitchen tools I can't live without

Hi, friends.

Today I come to you after fixing my little family a pot of delicious chili.  While I was prepping to fix this amazing dinner the thought came to me that I should share some kitchen gadgets that is worth investing your money into. 

This weekend I went to my aunt Debra's house to play a game of phase 10 and hang out with the people I so rarely get to see anymore.  When I got over there she wanted to make her some lemonade and use up the lemons that she had before they went bad.  I saw that she was hand squeezing these lemons.  Now, friends, you may want to go and work those hand muscles out and squeeze lemons my aunt Debra's way.  However, I promise with a few tools your life will move a little quicker.  Unless of course you prefer to relax and slow down and do without these products.  Below you will find a picture of some of my favorite kitchen tools that I use pretty much everyday.  They save me time and energy and are so helpful in the kitchen. 

Let me tell you a little about each thing in this picture. 
 - Wood cutting board - They are so much better to cut on.  I don't understand why I just know that my knife works better at cutting on a solid wood cutting board.  It also helps if it is cute.  I do not like cleaning it though.  If you get one make sure you wash it off immediately after use and do not let water sit on it.  You can also scrub it with half a lemon with salt on it.  I saw one person add a drop of Olive oil to hers after thoroughly cleaning to help it not to dry out. 
 - The little white thing on the board is a rubber tube that I put garlic in and roll around.  It takes the papery shell right off of the garlic.  No more using your fingers to peel or smashing your garlic.  You can easily find these on Amazon.  Mine came from pampered chef at someone's party, but any rubber tube will work. 
 - Chef's knife - do I need to say more?  This knife has been a time saver in my kitchen.  I taught myself how to chop vegetables with this and it saves me so much time chopping. 
 - Sharp pairing knife - Key word here, SHARP.  A good sharp pairing knife will be your best friend for any type of quick cutting.  I mainly use mine for cutting up fruit or vegetables that don't require lots of chopping.
 - whisk - I don't necessarily use this small one all that often, but I can't live without my larger whisk.  Everyone needs a whisk in their kitchen.  I used to go old school and just use a fork, but once I got a whisk I haven't looked back.  My favorite thing to use my whisk with is pancake batter.  It helps get the clumps out so good. 
 - lemon squeezer - Need I say more after my aunt Debra story.  I could live without this, but the best thing about this is it keeps the seeds out of my juice.  It also helps me with the hand squeezing.
 - Garlic press - If you use garlic on anything you need one of these.  Your welcome.  Dustin is always joking around about me saying "what does she not put garlic on".  Trust me, use garlic, and use the press. 
 - Tongs - I don't use these metal ones much because I use my non stick pan more often, but I have a pair that has the silicone end that you are able to use on non stick pans.  I am pretty sure I use it for more than I ever thought I would use it for. 

So, there you go.  A list of my top kitchen gadgets.  I did not include my kitchen shears, but they are up there too.  If you want a quick way to cut up pancakes for kids.  USE the kitchen scissors.  OR, use a pizza cutter.  I hope you enjoyed this post.  What are your favorite kitchen gadgets?

~Enjoy