Happy Halloween!

Lily is really getting into Halloween this year. A holiday that celebrates costumes and candy? Lily says "Sign me up!"Although, when watching the Halloween specials on TV this morning she got a bit "spooked" and asked me to turn it off.

"I no like da ghosts and fowests...Hadoween is rewee scawee!"



We went to the pumpkin patch last weekend, but only got one picture due to the fact that it was cold and pouring down rain. We had fun anyway - can't you see by the look on her face that the weather didn't ruin the experience for her? Afterall, to Lily EVERY day is a beauty-full day.





Last week, her dance class had their Halloween party, so Lily got to wear her Supergirl costume (which she picked out herself...we really have NO idea why) but she loves it. They danced a little and then ate cookies, cupcakes, and candy...and then we went out to dinner for some REAL food. Although Lily would eat sweets for every meal if we let her. Her dance class consists of just 4 little girls...aren't they going to be adorable in their recital? Can't wait.





Tonight we are going to another Halloween party at my sister's church, so Lily will have one more opportunity to wear her costume and get some more candy.

Soup anyone?

One of the things I enjoy most about Lily is her funny, silly sense of humor. She finds humor in the small things - and we all find her to be quite hilarious. The other day she said she was "reewee hungwee for soup" and then decided she would put her dog Spot in her pail and mix up some "Spot soup". When she saw that I found this to be funny she put on a real show for me.
MMMMM...dewishis!

Other things that I found funny this week:

Ran into the store to pick up a few items, and Lily was skipping along next to me holding my hand when she yanks me to a stop. "Momma, momma, what are deez?" "Bandaids? Are dey bandaids? Yeah, deez are bandaids!" (She was pointing at Always Maxipads)...a little further down the aisle she was yelling "Wook mommy...TAMPONS!" Yeah, she KNOWS what those are. hehe

Last night she said to me "Mommy, I'm gonna help you fode da waunree, dat will make your day!" And her idea of folding the laundry, although cute, is anything but helpful...but it did make my day.

She has also just discovered the extreme joy that chewing gum can bring into a little girl's life. She will say "It's dum time!" "I want da bween dum!" "Momma, watch me chew!" And then she will chew that dum, I mean gum, with all her might for about 10 minutes and then she'll head to the garbage to throw it out and demand a new piece.

She has also become interested in commercials. I'll be in the kitchen fixing her oatmeal for breakfast and I'll hear her say (from the couch) "I want dat" "Can I have doze?" "I wanna be a Disney princess." "I need to have Ah wa dots"... Her Christmas list will be easy to make this year! Apparently there isn't anything that she DOESN'T want.

What's new? I'll show ya.

Lots new here. I've got a ton of cutesie pictures of my girl that I can't wait to share with you, but FIRST...Jay and I got new tattoos last night. You can see that they are still "fresh" (aka red and a bit swollen). We have the Chinese theme going: mine means "love" and Jay's means "Angel from heaven". And can I just say AGAIN, that I do SO love my sweet angel from heaven who came to us via China!?

Lily is also sporting something new. NOT a tattoo, but a sparkly heart necklace. It was a gift from my friend Holly. I've worked with Holly for about 7 years and we have grown to share a very special friendship. When Holly lost her only daughter unexpectedly about three years ago, our friendship became even more precious. She is one of my favorite people in this world. Her faith during very difficult circumstances is an inspiration, and she is constantly reminding me to savor every moment with Lily. She bought me a similar necklace awhile back, and Lily just loved it, so Holly decided Lily needed one of her own. She has worn it just about every day since Holly gave it to her and when someone compliments her on it she replies "it's my howt neckwiss fwom Howie". She told my mom that and my mom was like Howie? Who's Howie? I was like HOLLY mom, she is saying Holly! What will I do when I no longer have to translate for my girl?

And lastly, but not leastly, here is our new bathroom. I am just lovin' it. Yes, people, I know it is tiny, but now it is tiny and lovely. Jay had some help with the floor (from my sweet cousin Ben) and together they did a fabulous job. Lily loves it too - talks about our "new bafwoom wif da special Chinese showa turtain"...

More fun with tools

On the first Saturday of every month, Home Depot has "tool time" activities for kids...they're fun AND they are free! We went to build firetruck crayon holders this month and the kids had a blast. (My dad went with my niece and nephew as well).
Lily is following in her daddy's footsteps when it comes to this stuff. She already knows more than I do (which really isn't saying much), but you get the idea. Jay bought her some safety glasses and she'll wear those around the house when she's in fix it mode. I do have pictures - I'll show them eventually.
I've cut WAY down on my computer time. Trying to take care of other things in my life, not to mention the fact that Lily only naps a few times a week now and I have been trying to go to bed BEFORE midnight...
Happy Wednesday, all. I'm off to read "Lilly's Big Day".

*Also, I would love it if you would stop by my friend Lynn's blog (Waiting for Hope) and send her some prayers and well wishes - her friend's son was hit by a car this morning.
While you're in prayer mode: please remember my friend/coworker too. She lost her mother on Friday, and it is a very difficult time for her and her family.
Life is unexpected and bad things happen to good people. That is why every day I TRY to enjoy every minute and focus on the things that make me smile. Every day is a gift.*

Why am I smiling???

Things that made me smile this week:
-My sister celebrated a birthday. I was emotional all day...maybe because now I know that expanding your family is a huge decision and it isn't always easy. I am just so thankful that my mom and dad decided not to stop with just little ol' me and God blessed us all 32 years ago with my sweet baby sis. She is my BEST friend and is constantly impressing, surprising, and inspiring me in this life!
- Gwen and Pam received news that they will travel to China early next month to bring home their babies! This news has me sooo excited that I'm jumping out of my skin. I cannot wait to see them holding their children in their arms. God is so good!
- LILY! LILY! LILY! She makes me smile (and laugh till my sides hurt) daily. She woke up this morning and found her favorite spot on the couch to watch Playhouse Disney. She was cold and asked me to wrap her "wike a mermaid" in her blanket. After I did that she asked me to put my arm around her because "momma, your skin is so warm and comfy"... I sat there for a minute and then told her I needed to go take a shower. She responded with "Will you just sit here wif me for two minutes, pwease?" How could I say no to that?

She also cracked me up the other day when she woke up from her nap saying "I wanna go on the Peter Pan ride! I wanna stay awake!" (In Disney she fell asleep while waiting in line for this ride, so we didn't end up going on it.) Maybe next time, kiddo

Some of her favorite phrases this week:
"My butt stinks!" (I think I've finally broken her of this one, cuz I only smiled the first couple times she said it...when she shouted it in the grocery store I was less amused.)
"I'm a pwoo pwincess" (true princess)...YES, she is. She wears her princess nightgown and slippers any time we're home now, too.
"I wanna be a good wistener and I wanna be sweet" (Most of the time she is...sometimes not so much)
Her favorite song to sing:
"Jesus Loves Me"

Many reasons to smile over here. Hope you all are finding your own reasons to smile... Have a great weekend!
Oh, I will post pictures of my new and improved bathroom next week...I'm sure the anticipation of that will be overwhelming!

More trip highlights

OK, a few more pics and thoughts about our trip to sunny Florida. My cousin Michelle was in Orlando on business, so she met us at Disney and spent a few hours with us. Lily latched on to her immediately and had a great time getting the grand tour from a real Magic Kingdom expert - thank you, Aunt Michelle! The girls' favorite ride was the "Tea cups"...I actually enjoyed it too (it was nice and breezy!) Lily and Hannah even shared a sweet hug. awwww. (There will be no pictures of the two of them squabbling, although that did happen too!)
The girls also found some fountains to help them cool off. Looking back, I really should've joined them! My favorite part of Magic Kingdom was in the evening...YES! After the sun went down...the Light Parade was very cool. The girls loved it (although you might not think so by the picture). Lily just thought it was a tad too loud.
Now we are back to life, back to reality. Fall has arrived in Michigan and we are happy for the change. My bathroom is completed - I just have to decorate with a couple pictures. I loooove it...hubby did such a great job.
Happy Wednesday! I'll be back later this week with some more Lily stories. There is never a shortage of those over here!

Home, at last!

Too tired to type much. We survived Florida and are finally home again. The bathroom remodel turned into QUITE the project and our toilet was in the hallway on Friday when Lily and I got back - so we quickly grabbed some warmer clothing and headed to my parent's house to sleep. We finally got to come home last night and sleep in our own bed! (and the bathroom is 90percent finished now)...anyhoo, our vacation was good. It was wonderful to be with our friends again and the girls cracked us up and kept us on our toes. They had a blast together (with only minimal arguing). I won't go into many details. I'll just say that 3 year olds fall asleep and have to go potty at the most inconvenient times - therefore, Disney World was an "experience" to say the least. Did I mention it was HOT, HOT, HOT!? I will leave you with some pics of the two cutie-bugs together...Lily and Hannah...or should I say Cinderella and the Fairy Godmother?!? (the names they went by on the trip)

There will be more to come, I'm sure.

Steve, Tracy, and Hannah - thank you for letting us crash your vacation. I hope you still love us cuz we sure love you and miss you already. Let's do West Michigan next summer - I promise Jay will come and it will be a total blast!

Dannye - sorry we weren't able to meet up. I do have something for you...I'll send it. XO

Eric, Donna, and Leah - I'm sad we couldn't see you either. I have a tendency to over book. (sorry) Love you guys.

Michelle - it was sooo good to see you again. Can't wait till January. Thanks again for everything.

Some bubbles...and we're outta here!

Well, as soon as I posted my "fall pics" SUMMER returned with a vengeance! It is back in the upper 80's again, so what have we been doing? Blowin' some bubbles of course. (Lil Bubble Queen lives on)

I leave you with these photos and won't be back for a bit...Lily and I are off to Orlando tomorrow to vacation with friends. (We have missed them sooo much!) We are also going to meet up with her and her husband. (can't wait) We will also get to see my cousin while we are there, AND another family that we traveled to China with... AND WE ARE GOING TO DISNEY WORLD! Not too shabby, eh? I'm very excited, but a little nervous. This is my first trip with Lil that my hubby will not be coming with... he has to work. And he is re-doing our bathroom while we're gone. Yep, he definitely got the short end of this stick!

I'll miss ya'll, but will surely have many stories and pictures upon my return. Have a fabulous week!

Friday's Fall Photos

Just outside enjoying the changing seasons with Lily...she can't just "take a wittle walk" anymore...she's gotta walk, skip, run, spin, stretch, and do the splits! She is enjoying the leaves turning colors. Her comment to me the other day: "Momma, da leaves are changing color eveweewhere. wed, yewow, gode - God made all da colors. God takes care of me so I don't have to be scared of monsters."
Man, she's cute.

Have a great weekend!