Weekend

We have had such a great weekend!  It has been a nice mix of both doing stuff and relaxing, and I LOVE weekends like that. 

On Friday night we went to a local restaurant for dinner with Brooke, Reid, and Kennedy.  We had planned to take the girls to the park after we ate, but made a last minute decision to take them to the playground at the school where Brooke and I teach instead.  It's open to the community after 6, but is rarely used anymore since a new park opened a few years ago.  That turned out to be a great decision, because we were the only ones there!  The girls had SUCH a good time running and playing together!

At Michem's with the pig!

 

 

 

I can't believe how big she is!

 

 

 

 

Saturday ended up being a stay-at-home day.  I've had things to do for the past two Saturdays, so it was nice to be at home all day.  I cleaned and did laundry--not very exciting at all.  I made chicken quesadillas for dinner.  I am in love with quesadillas.  I've been making them all the time lately, with all sorts of things. 

Today was homecoming at church.  We had a great service, and an awesome lunch afterwards.  I love covered dish meals at church.  There are some amazing ladies in our church who can really cook!  We spent the rest of the afternoon napping and playing.  Bradley's parents came for dinner, and we enjoyed spending time with them. 

Mother's Day 2013

Not a day goes by when I don't think about how blessed I am to be Aniston's mommy, and Mother's Day was no exception. 

 

This little girl and her daddy are my whole world, and I'm just so thankful.  I had a wonderful Mother's Day.  After church, we went to Logan's for lunch--my favorite!--and then spent the afternoon together.  Last night we had my family over for dinner.  Bradley grilled chicken, and it was delicious!  It was so good to spend time with everyone, but especially my mom. 

As I was getting ready yesterday morning, one of my favorite hymns kept running through my mind.  "Great is Thy Faithfulness" sums up my Mother's Day--and my life. 

So blessed. 

Friday Confessions

I love Friday nights.  I read somewhere that studies say people are at their happiest at 7-something on Saturday, but Friday night has to be a close second!  The workweek is behind us, the weekend ahead...it's just a perfect time.  :)

And, of course, Friday means Friday confessions!  So let's confess, shall we?

1.  My little brother graduates from college this weekend!  It's been a long (ah-hem) five years, but he made it!  I like to give him a hard time about that, but, in all honesty, I am so, so proud of him. 

2.  We're not actually going to be able to see him graduate, though.  He's skipping graduation to fish in a tournament in Alabama.  It's all about priorities.  ;)

3.  Having a toddler in the house has made me realize how few family-friendly tv shows there are now.  I remember growing up and being able to watch tv with my parents and Eric--and everyone enjoyed the show.  Full House, Family Matters, Step by Step...I miss ABC's TGIF from the 90s!  Why don't we have shows like that anymore?

4.  Speaking of shows I miss from my childhood--Double Dare.  Do you remember Double Dare?!  I always thought the obstacle course looked so fun.  And all those cool prizes?  To die for.

 

 

5.  I planned to write more, but got too caught up in watching Double Dare videos on YouTube and now I'm out of time.  Ha!

 

 

Have a great weekend, y'all! 

A Simple, Magical Thursday

Bradley had band practice tonight, so the princess and I were on our own.  This afternoon, I decided tonight was just going to be about her.  She's growing up so quickly, and I just wanted to be with her and share some quality one-on-one, mommy-daughter time.

We had a picnic of pizza and breadsticks (one of her favorite meals) on the living room floor.  I'm pretty sure that made her day--she thought it was so funny that we were eating on the floor!  After dinner, I asked what she wanted to do and (of course) she replied, "Play!" (Which sounds more like "pway" and is one of the cutest words she says.) 

And so, we played.  We played with toys.  We played babies.  We played outside (she insisted on wearing a tutu) and I showed her the wonder of sidewalk chalk.  (By the way, she does not understand the idea of chalk on the driveway--as I was showing her how to draw with it, she just watched and then said, "Clean, clean, clean!"  It bothered her so much that I just left the pictures there and didn't clean them up!  Ha!)  She ran, drove the Cozy Coupe, played with the schnauzers, and laughed.  Oh, how she laughed tonight!

When we finally came back inside, it was almost bedtime.  We went through the regular bedtime routine, but tonight I didn't rush her.  She always wants to crawl to the bathroom to brush her teeth (I have no idea why--she never crawls otherwise), and usually I'm fussing at her to get up and hurry--but tonight I didn't.  I let her move at her own pace.  I blew raspberries on her tummy as I changed her into her pajamas and listened to her giggle.  I let her pick her bedtime story--and even though it took forever for her to make a decision (she's definitely her mama's girl!)--I didn't get impatient.   We read the book she chose--it was about the Disney princesses--and then we talked about her day and said our bedtime prayers.  She always squeezes her eyes shut so tight, but then peeks after awhile to see if I'm looking at her.  I took time to appreciate that.  Sitting beside her bed, my heart was just so full.  She is such an amazing little girl, and I'm just in awe at how blessed I am to be her mommy. 

I'm so thankful for this simple, magical Thursday with my sweet princess. 

Monday Randomness

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The weekend flew by.  (Don't weekends always fly by though?  I've never found myself on Sunday night saying, "Wow, that weekend lasted forever!")  It was relaxing, but not exciting at all.  It rained--a lot--and we didn't do much of anything.  Instead of blogging about our not-so-interesting weekend, I'm filling this Monday post with randomness.  And bullets.  (Because I heart bullets.  And lists.)

 

 

-I want this.  I'm not sure why, exactly, since I don't cook or bake or anything.  I'm sure I would start, though, if I had this guy to work with.

 

 

 

 

-I'll never find out, though, because Bradley refuses to pay $350 for a mixer for someone who considers the break-apart Toll House cookies 'baking'.  It's sad, really, because I'm sure I could be really good at it....if I had this mixer.  Sigh.

 

-I gave Aniston a little toddler mani this evening.  It's cute, but was way too much work and now I have Piggy Paint on my pants.  (And all over Aniston's cuticles, but whatever.)

 

 

 

-Speaking of Piggy Paint, I love the stuff!  It's polish just for little girls and is non-toxic.  They have non-toxic, odor-free polish remover, too.  It's the only kind I've ever used on Aniston.  If you have a little girl, you should definitely check it out!  (I'm not being compensated in any way for saying that, and I haven't received any free products.  I'm just sharing my experience. :))

 

-There are only four Mondays left in the 12-13 school year!  I can't believe how quickly the year has gone.  But I'm sooo excited to spend the summer home with Aniston!

 

I hope y'all have had a fabulous Monday! :)







Why I Blog

Instead of Confessional Friday, Leslie is hosting a "Why I Blog" link-up.  Since I'm always so interested in why people started their blogs, I thought it would be fun to join in!

A Little Background
I started blogging in May 2009.  Bradley and I had been married for two--almost three--years.  We had been trying to start a family for over a year, had started fertility treatments in February, miraculously conceived the same month, then lost our baby in April. 

Why did I start blogging?
I started blogging because, in short, I didn't know what else to do.  I had all these emotions and thoughts and everything was just so difficult.  Life was painful and I needed an outlet, a place where I could vent and say all the things that were too hard to say out loud.  I also knew we had family and friends who were wondering what was going on, but were afraid to ask.  I wanted a place to document the good, the bad, and even the ugly.

Through the blog, I've shared our life with family, friends, and, ultimately, people I've never met, too!I've blogged through years of fertility treatments, my pregnancy with Aniston, and, now, our life with her. 

Why do I continue to blog?
I blog to remember things. 
I love looking back through the blog.  Some posts are happy, some are sad, but they chronicle our life.  I love that those memories are there for me to revisit any time I want. Reading the happy posts always makes me smile, but I treasure the sad posts, too.  They help me remember where we've been, how merciful and good God is, and how blessed we are. :)

I blog to connect with others.
 The blogging community is so supportive and caring!   During our struggle with infertility, I connected with so many people going through the same thing.  If not for blogging, I never would have "met" them.  Those girls prayed for me and encouraged me for years.  Connecting with them was such a God-send!  Now, I love connecting with other wives, moms, and women my age.  Some are in different states, others in different countries, but being in the same stage of life gives us common ground.  It's fun to follow along and read about their lives!

I blog for me.
I've always loved to write.  I certainly don't claim to be good at it, but I enjoy it.  Blogging gives me a creative outlet, and it's a fun hobby for me. 

So...why do you blog? :)

Friday Confessions

 

 

I confess...

...Bradley bought a motorcycle a few weeks ago. You think you know a person, then all of a sudden there's a Harley in your garage.  Totally didn't see this one coming.

...I was a little way upset about the purchase at first, but after the initial shock of it, I (kind of) think it's okay. (That's a secret I will never, ever admit to him out loud.  Ever.  I will be using this bike as leverage for a long, long time.)

...I went shopping last weekend with a friend--without kids!!!  or husbands!!!--for the first time in forever and it was so much fun!  I love love love Aniston and Bradley, but it was so nice to have some much-needed time to myself. 

...Aniston had her two-year-old well-check yesterday.  She weighs 28 lbs (65th percentile) and is 34 3/4 inches tall (70th percentile).  She is growing up sooo fast!  I just can't get over it!  Dr. H says she's perfect (but we already knew that! haha!), and is right on track developmentally.  We are blessed to have such a healthy, happy little girl. 

...there were babies all over the place at the children's clinic yesterday, which made me think, "Hmmm...." for about 2.5 seconds.  Then I was over it.  We're pretty happy with our little family of three. :)

...this is the story of my life.



...and this too.

 

 

 

Have a great weekend, y'all!