She and I

The morning was pretty uneventful. Busy, but uneventful. A trip to the mall, a bit of shopping, seeing the sand sculpture of dinosaurs and riding the carousel. Lunch was Chick-Fil-A, and then home. Andrew, who lately has been favoring "rest time" in lieu of a nap, actually slept today. I heard no noise coming from his room. No animal sounds, no ongoing narration of the books he had stacked in the bed with him. Just my angel boy curled around his beloved Pooh bear, fast asleep.



But that girl of mine, oh that girl of mine. She paced around her crib like a caged animal, alternately snorting and screaming and throwing things out. The floor of her room was a jumbled mess of blankies, bears, babies and the bows that were in her hair. She roared like a tiny lion, called everyone in our family, and then started in on the neighbors. She played peek-a-boo with herself and sang songs. She counted (1, 2, 3, 8, 5, YAY!!) and kicked and grunted. She tried to pull her clothes off to get to her diaper. She spit at no one in particular. I watched the drama from a safe distance, confident that she would finally surrender to the sandman. She did not.

I gave up, and got one tiny, ecstatic girl out of her crib and decided that she and I would have some quality "girl time" while Bubbie was asleep. But THAT was not to be, either. She kept chanting over and over, "Mommy bed, mommy bed, mommy bed". She grabbed her beloved duck blankie and, with thumb in mouth, hightailed it to my room. A glimmer of hope! Maybe that nap would come after all.

We snuggled into the softness and warmth of "mommy bed". " Pink! Pink!" She kept exclaiming at the top of her lungs pointing to the underside of the tester canopy. "Mommy bed, mommy big bed. I big girl. BIIIIIGG BEEEDDDDD". "Mommy, da wolf", "Mommy, da wion" "Mommy Puuuuupppy GOG" Yay" MOMMMMMyyyyyy".... along with a cacophony of other sounds and phrases. She alternated jumping around (on ME~) like a miniature jumping bean and falling down and pressing her tiny body next to mine-- complete with squinting her eyes and making fake snoring sounds! The last time she snuggled was it.

The wee squinted eyes began to relax, the fake snoring subsided and was replaced by the soft even breathing of a sleeping child. Eyes darted back and forth underneath closed lids. Her long, long lashes (inherited from her daddy) rested softly on her sweet cheeks. Her curls spilled across her forehead, a smile flitted across her lips, her hands jerked, and she found her thumb. Even in sleep, she sucked on it for dear life. I watched her and it took my breath away. Images flashed across my mind of all the times I've stood and watched her, watched both of my treasures, sleep. From a tiny newborn, to my fat cheeked baby, to this active toddler that now roams my house.

I thought about just 2 short years ago when I was expecting her. I would put Andrew in his crib, and lie down across my bed with a huge quilt and rest when he did. I was hot and tired, and so very pregnant and swollen. The after lunch siesta was something I looked forward to, and relished. She was there with me then, too. A swift kick, a gentle nudge, the movement of an arm, a leg, or a wee hand. I dreamed about what it would be like to have a daughter. I dreamed of how different it would be from having a son. I dreamed about what she would look like, and how much fun it would be to indulge my love of all things pink and frilly. During those quiet moments it was just she and I.

We revisited that for just a little while today. Just she and I resting in the quiet of the afternoon on that very same bed. I still dream about what she will become. I still pray about the woman she will be. She still gave me the gentle nudge, the movement of her little arms and legs... but this time I was watching her. Those sweet, precious (albeit brief!) moments this afternoon were priceless. The kind that burn themselves into your memory forever. Sweet memories that I hope will be the first of many for she and I.

Organizing bliss

Anyone that knows me knows that I am constantly decluttering, looking for better ways to organize and compulsively straightening things. I know, I know, it's a sickness, but I get it HONESTLY. My mom and sis are worse than I am (though my husband might disagree with this, he has never lived with the two of them. It can get ugly, y'all !!!!)



Soooo, you can imagine my excitement and absolute GLEE when I discovered this little organizational tidbit buried in the Living section of our paper. I am constantly battling organization in the drawers in our bathroom. I've reorganized, regrouped, bought tiny containers, bought larger containers, etc. Still it is never up to my standards. But NO MORE!!! The article suggested that you think of the things in your bathroom as kitchen utensils/tools/items..... and buy things that you would to organize the kitchen-- such as utensil holders and MY FAVORITE thing of all..... the inner door organizer like the one I have in my kitchen (for Saran Wrap, Foil, sandwich bags, etc. )



You can use it in your bathroom for things like hairspray, hair products, etc. You know, those things that clutter up drawers and under cabinet areas and make people like me crazy!!

Works like a charm, and has made my weekend, I tell you!

Let me share....

Exhibit A

Exhibit B.....

Okay, you know I had to stick a couple of kid pics up!

Little Miss Anna Kate is Lovin' her new outfit from Uncle "John John", and my Andrew is stylin' in some shades (that might be some old ones of mine!) and his Baptist hymnal... totally his own idea (even if it is upside down)

Have a great weekend y'all!!

Happy Friday and Much Love,

Linen Roses

Y'all.... I came across this idea in a back issue of (what else??) Southern Living (link in sidebar, in too much of a hurry to insert here today!) this morning while "purging" old mags and just had to share.

This is PRECIOUS!!

It's a idea to use for cloth napkins. The photo in the issue shows some bright colored funky ones, but I had some beautifully trimmed antique white ones in a drawer that I wanted to try....

It turned out like this








Isn't that the cutest??!! I tied them with some leftover raffia that I had in my "craft bag" (the article suggested twine, but I was, ummm, fresh out of that!!) . Sooo , when your guests need a napkin at your next little soiree, they can simply "pluck" a flower and unroll. Too cute!



Instructions:

Open napkin flat; then fold the lower left corner to the top right corner. Then, fold lower right corner to the top left corner, forming a triangle. Starting at one corner of the long edge of the triangle, roll it firmly toward the other corner. The result mimics the tight bud of a flower! Tie the "stems" with ribbon or twine, and loosely gather (like a bunch of flowers) in a compote or bowl (I used a low vase). Enjoy!

Taken from Southern Living- 2007

Happy Wednesday and Much Love,

The blog and stuff

For some reason, my first "blog-o-versary" passed unnoticed by me. I'm not quite sure why? I looked up one day in June and realized that it had come and gone without so much as a fleeting thought from yours truly. Maybe it had something to do with the fact that I don't blog as much as I used to... Or perhaps the fact that I don't think about my blog as much as I used to.

But then I DID start thinking about it. I went back and read my posts from when this journey began and contemplated all that has come and gone in the time between. I know some bloggers have great stories about why they began, or a catalyst they had for starting... HOWEVER, I am still just not quite sure just why I began blogging ( Okay, so how many times can you use the word, or at least the root word, blog in one post????) I think it had something to do with reading a few blogs, and tiring of sending out lots of kid pics via email. I think it had something to do with thinking it was a little bit fun to express myself in writing. I think that I am rambling and racking my brain for reasons that don't exist.

What I do know is this.... it has been an incredible blessing to me. YOU have been an incredible addition to my life. I have "met" so many of you who have encouraged me, prayed for me, befriended me, loved me, and shared in our lives. I know some of you in real life, have MET some of you in real life, or just plain feel like I know you. I have laughed at you until my sides have ached, cried with you or shaken my head in agreement with you. Some of your recipes are in my book, I've watched your children grow, marveled at your projects or just wanted to hug those of you who make me realize that I'm not the "only one" who feels/acts/ sees things/ or REacts a certain way. So thank you. Thanks to all of you for being you.... and for being real.

I don't know what the future in this adventure holds for me. I could be at it until I'm 92.... but then by that time, we should all be able to "virtually" be in each other's living rooms!!! I could decide to quit next month, or next year, or, or, or.......... you get the picture. I've thought about qutting several times (but then I think about allllllll those emails I'd be obligated to - wink, wink). I currently don't post as much as I used to. I don't comment as much as I used to. (please forgive me!) I am still reading, though. My priorities have just changed a wee little bit. I think all of that is okay. I know that I don't ever regret beginning this endeavor, and I can't imagine NOT having done it.

So, happy (late) one year mark to me.... I can't wait to see what the next one holds. I adore all of y'all. You are fabulous women (and maybe one or two of the male persuasion!) and you inspire me daily.

Happy Tuesday, Happy Independence Day and
Much, MUCH love,

FCPA

...... Ahhh, yes, the Future Circus Performers of America club..... and I think I may just have the first two members! What are they, you may ask? Why, a clown and a trapeze artist (at least from the looks of things!) We took a little jaunt to the circus tonight, and I think the "adults" enjoyed it as much as the kiddies!

Party Girl

Our little angel marked her second birthday yesterday! Unbelievable. At any rate, we celebrated in fine form with a Tinkerbell party complete with "confetti" pixie dust (that I am STILL picking up out of the carpet!!!), fairy punch, balloons, tulle, family, friends, food and cake.
It was a grand celebration of her little life, and I squeezed her just a little tighter today as I realized my "baby" is growing up! Oh how I want to freeze both of them just like this for now! (BIG sigh)~



You can read her "story" here in the post I did for her birthday last year.
Here are a few pics from her "big day".

Reason #

Reason # 5,483 that I can tell there is a man in the house again



Yes.... that would be a hedge trimmer... ON MY BED. Nice.

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to my sweet husband and my Daddy.

You are both amazing men and far more than I deserve!

I love you both!

Click here to read my tribute from last year to my daddy... (It still rings true today), and here to read my tribute to my hubby!
You both mean the world to me!

Happy.....

Happy Flag Day!!

The kiddos are SO happy with their "new" table set... just in time for flag day!!

In reality, the Pooh set was looking rather shabby, so Daddy repainted it, and we added cute wooden stars with their names on the backs of the chairs. Now NO MORE fighting over "whose is whose" and an extra coat of poly really helps with the crayon marks.

Hooray for Old Glory and the USA!

Thoughts from the week.

My favorite thoughts and phrases from the week....

On mornings ......"Alarm clock bad. Coffee good". (from my mother's coffee mug)

On a daily quiet time.... "A mother of small children gets a dozen unpleasant surprises a day! She needs time to settle her heart with God and be a growing Christian" (Anne Ortlund, Disciplines of the Beautiful Woman)

In song.... "Be still and know that He is God, Be still and know that He is holy. Be still O restless soul of mine, bow before the prince of peace, let the noise and clamour cease" (Steven Curtis Chapman)

Out of the mouths of babes... "Mommy, you are my BEST girl" (Andrew, age 3)

While shopping.... "Ma'am, did you realize this outfit was 30% off today?" (Sales clerk in children's boutique)

In print..... "No! She wept. Oh, God, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. I'll take it back. I'll do anything...". Yet even as she reached out, the defilement disappeared and he stood before her, perfect again. "I am the way Sarah. Follow me." (Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers)

Happy Weekend and
Much Love,

Hooray!

One of my favorite blog friends is back !! Joy ( Joy in theJourney) had to take a little hiatus to give birth to her beautiful twins. She also has three other precious children and is wife to a pilot/missionary in Indonesia. Whew! Makes you kinda tired just reading that, huh? She is a beautiful person, inside and out and was a sweet encourager to me during Andy's deployment. Please hop and over and welcome her back.... and prepare to love her blog if you don't already!
Happy Thursday and
Much Love,

Yummies

Depression glass dessert cups (gotta love that retro green!)
Hydragnea from my Gran's yard (in my favorite "new" inherited silver bud vase)

Detail of a baby bubble outfit I am making for my sweet girl.... To be embellished with delightful embroidery, tatting and more delicious pink braid trim.

Happy Tuesday and

Much Love

One of the many....

One of the many reasons I love my husband.....

In the middle of scoring and staining our back porch and outdoor patio, and in the midst of a painting project on the kid's table and chair set; he took the time to do one of his MOST UNfavorite tasks of all time... to dig and plant a flower bed for me.

AND instead of complaining about it, after he finished I found a sweet little "chalk message" written on the fence above the flower bed. What a guy.

Happy Weekend and

Much Love,

Vacation!!!!!!!!!

After a WONDERFUL, fabulous week on vacation to .... D*I*S*N*E*Y we are home!! Now the tasks of unpacking, laundry, and putting my nest back in order are the tasks of the day.... and probably the weekend! We feel so blessed to be a family again and things are falling into place quite nicely here at home. More later!!

Happy Friday and

Much Love,

HOME!!!!!!!!!!!!

Home..... as of 5/10/07 at 0415 hours. Praises be to God!

Happy Mother's Day!

Quilt tents

It's been a dark, dreary, rainy Friday here in the deep south. After a morning of the gym, errands, and taking Andrew back and forth to preschool (all in the aforementioned rain, mind you!), we had a quick lunch and then naps for the little ones. Unfortunately, the rain and "funder" were worse than ever when they awoke. I faced the daunting task of a very long afternoon cooped up indoors with a 3 year old and a 1 year old that love spending their after nap time outdoors more than anything. Sooooo, I revived an old favorite from my childhood..... the quilt tent. My brother, sister and I spent many a happy afternoon cozied up in our elaborate creations hung between dining room chairs and couches and anchored with mom and dad's heavy old college texts. The one I made today for them was a pretty simple version of the ones of old. Just one quilt, 2 chairs, 3 books and a couch. The sum, however, was one happy little "pirate boy" (who insisted on wearing his costume from last Halloween all afternoon),one happy little toddler girl, numerous baby dolls, books, sippie cups and crayons. Oh, yeah, and one happy mama that played in there with them, reading books, coloring, tickling and throwing household chores to the wind for the afternoon. I can't think of any other way I'd rather have spent it!




Happy Friday and
Much Love,

... and COUNTING!

We have officially entered the "under 30 days" mark for Andy to be home. In some ways I can believe it and in some ways I cannot. Sometimes I can't believe that he has been deployed since September, and sometimes I halfway expect him to walk through the door at the end of the day. So strange. However we are SO super excited, and my little man is just about beside himself because we are almost done "marking off the days" on his little bedside calendar. I am so glad that this is *almost* behind us and that I will have a partner to share the load again. I am so thankful for my heavenly Father who has sustained me. He is always faithful.

My exercise and fitness regime is going well! The torture from the trainer is paying off, I suppose.... especially when I caught a glimpse of a pretty well defined tricep muscle while unloading the dishwasher today! Who knew it was even there before? Everything is firmer, more toned, and I am down one size since beginning this mission. And that ellliptical machine? Totally my best friend now. Love it. I get to have 45 minutes to jam out awesome praise and worship music on my ipod, read my latest mag or just watch my favorite news channel ...uninterrupted. It is a great break in the mornings that always seems to come just when I need it!

My little Andrew contines to crack. me. up. every day. I have to call mom and dad to give them an update on what he has said during the day every single night! He is absolutely hysterical... but I guess most 3 year olds are because they are just so literal- you know? We were at my grandparents visiting one afternoon last week, and Andrew proceeded to wander around the back porch and yard with my grandfathers "yard hat" (a straw hat) on. My mimi asked him why he decided to wear the hat and he (dramatically) sighed and said, "Well, I'll just tell you what Mimi, I am having a bad hair day today". Where does he hear these things? I don't say that. Needless to say, we HAD to laugh at his expense. I walked into his room this week and found him lying on the rug (not asleep) but with his eyes closed. I proceeded to ask what he was doing, and he replied "Mama, I am pwaying to God 'bout some things and you just reawy don't need to worry bout it". He is a great source of entertainment for me, let me just tell you!
Our sweet Anna Kate (or "Kay-Kate" as she has taken to calling herself) has been ill and vomiting today... we spent the better part of the afternoon in the pediatrician's office, and I think she is a little better tonight. A 21 month old+ many vomiting episodes=much extra laundry for mommy today. Hopefully, no one else will get this!!???

I have SO many things I want to post about... my recent "new" vintage clothing purchases, my awesome pillows and sundress I just finished sewing, etc. Hopefully, time will allow in the next week? Hopefully.

Thanks for all the sweet birthday wishes! I had an unbelievable time, and came back refreshed and renewed... Sleeping late (what's THAT??!) can do that for a girl. The food was Fabulous. Fabulous! Did I mention FABULOUS? Let's just say that the entree I ordered began with the words "Sin city" and also had the words "Garlic, butter, gravy, shrimp, grits" ... need I go on? Oh, the birthday cake, you ask? Yes, that would have been chocolate turtle cheesecake on Friday, and a traditional chocolate with cream cheese vanilla icing and ice cream at the family celebration on Saturday. Daddy and I blew out our candles together (our birthdays are separated by only 1 day) and it was great. I adore birthdays.

Happy Thursday and
Much Love

Another year...

I'm another year older today and I don't mind a BIT! What a privilege to be alive, healthy and blessed far beyond what I deserve! Each birthday is a blessing and a gift ... I realize this more and more the older I get and the more I see suffering, sorrow and pain in lives all around us.

I was born in the latter half of the 70s, was a little girl in the 80s and a teenager in the 90s. Each birthday was a huge production when I was growing up..... themed parties, Easter egg hunts, slumber parties (where no one slept). I remember eating out of the "you are special" plate at supper, and having a huge breakfast in bed. Mom and Dad always made a big deal out of birthdays. I never tired of hearing the story of the night/morning that I came into the world and mama always told me again every year. After marriage, my precious husband has continued the breakfast in bed tradition, the fanfare, the presents, the cake, the works.

Today has been a little different. I woke up this morning to the sounds of a sweet 3 year old saying "Oh, mama today is you bur-day, you are a BIG girl now, mama!" while covering my face with kisses and singing "Happy Birthday", while a sweet little 1 1/2 year old clapped excitedly. There was no mom and dad here this morning, no siblings sitting on my bed watching me open gifts after my grand breakfast, no husband to give a happy birthday kiss (though phone calls from overseas are VERY sweet). But tonight will be a very grown up birthday party at a very grown up restaurant with my sister and some friends. My parents will be babysitting their grandchildren while their mommy is having the ultimate girl's night out. A very different birthday? Oh, yes. But still a wonderful birthday with every reason in the world to celebrate.
Psalm 139:13
Happy Friday and
Much Love

Easter Scenes

Here are a couple of scenes of what Easter entailed around our house. Sleet on the patio, and cute little outfits that had to be covered up with bulky coats. It was a blessed resurrection Sunday with 2 services filled to capacity with people hearing the wonderful story of hope that Easter brings!

Happy Monday and

Much Love,

Seriously?!

Thanks to sweet Jenna G for this award! And yes, my first thought was "Seriously"?!

So, thank you, Jenna. You really are just TOO sweet.

...Nominees from me later (I'm a little short on time right now!!)

Happy GOOD Friday and a blessed resurrection Sunday to all of you!

Much Love,