7 Random facts about ME!

My friend Gwen has asked that I post 7 random facts about myself, and I adore Gwen so I am gonna do it. It is strange, though. I am so used to going on and on about Lily on this blog, but not so much about me.
But, here goes:
1. I dream of someday moving to a warmer climate. I love Michigan because my family is here, but I think I would be soooo much happier living in say Florida, or Georgia, or Tennessee!
2. Both my hubby and I were engaged to other people before we started dating each other.
3. One of my biggest passions is singing. However, I suffer from severe stage fright -- I have sung many solos before, but my dream job would be singing in a group, or singing back-up for someone else!

4. I love to write and hope to someday write a book loosely based on my life's experiences (love, marriage, infertility, adoption, and motherhood)...maybe it will have to be more than one book?
5. My favorite flower was always the daisy. I was crazy for all things daisy...Until I met my Lily! Being her momma is my greatest joy in life...but you all knew that!
6. I have been working in the restaurant industry for almost 15 years, and I still like it most days. I just hope to someday have my weekends back.
7. And lastly,(or firstly), I am a lover of God who is constantly slipping and trying to make my way back to His feet. I am weak, but He is strong. I couldn't do ANYTHING if it weren't for Him and His wonderful grace that is new every morning!

Those are just some random facts about me that you may or may not have known. I am supposed to tag 7 people now! Instead, if anyone wants to do it: go ahead and leave me a note in my comments so I can come check out your "random facts". I will say that I love learning little tidbits about my bloggin' friends, so play along if you dare!

P.S. Don't worry: I'll be back to pictures and stories of Lily tomorrow!

Mother's Day

I wasn't going to post anything for Mother's Day because a lot of the women who read my blog are waiting moms. Waiting and waiting and waiting. Some of them will not only be "celebrating" this Mother's Day without their child, but also without their own moms. This has made my heart quite sad to think about, but then I remembered another woman who reads my blog. My mom. And, yes, my mom-in-law too. So, this is for them.

Mom, just typing that word choked me up for a second. You have that effect on me -- you always have. There is just something so special about a mother's love. Something bad can happen to me and I'll keep it together, but as soon as I see your face or even hear your voice I will totally break down. It's like I'm still just a big baby who needs her mommy to make it all better. And, I know that your life's mission has always been just that: to make everything in your daughters' lives better. You have taught us so much about God and life and love. You have shown us that relationships aren't perfect, but when we love each other we can look over some imperfections to see the heart. And, you have a good heart! As a small child I remember you being my number one supporter. You were there after school every day with a snack and a smile. You volunteered in the library at my elementary school to be close, and I remember being so excited to see you in the middle of a school day!
When I was sick you held my hair back so I could throw up without making a big mess. (yuck)
And, you were in the kitchen crushing ice so I would stay hydrated. (I still remember how much noise that thing made. ) As I grew older, and more rebellious, you made your opinion known but you also let go and let God. And, I eventually found my way back to you (and Him) and you let me come home -- no questions asked. Remember that day? I'll never forget it.
Now that I am a mom I realize even more all of the sacrafices you made. I understand how deeply your love runs for your children as I am overwhelmed with love for my own sweet child. I get to see you loving, nurturing, and caring for MY daughter now and it makes my heart swell. I also love OUR relationship. You are one of my very best friends. I love to chat with you daily about the silly little every day stuff that goes on, and I still like to discuss the bigger and more important issues with you too. I love the times we spend out together -- shopping (like last night) and out to eat! Yes, we do love to eat out! It is so fun to make you laugh. You have become such a good sport...you really don't have a choice with a kid like me, right? But, you know I think you are the greatest and I'm so glad God gave us to each other.
Happy Mother's Day mom. XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

Sheri, when I married your son one of the (many) things I was excited about was marrying into his wonderful family. You all accepted me from day one and I have always felt nothing but love from you. You are a sweet and kind woman whom I really love and admire. You can cook and bake like nobody else I know (except of course your mom and sister!) And it is always fun to see what fun treats you cook up for us when we visit. You have been so thoughtful, kind, and generous to us over the past 6 years. I wish we could see you more often, because we always have the best time and it just gets more and more difficult when we have to part ways. You are so good to Lily, too. You are such a loving and patient grandma! I love to watch you with all of your grandchildren. You are an incredible woman and I am tremendously grateful to be able to call you mom. Happy Mother's Day to you. I can't wait to see you again. XOXOXOXO

So, with that I will just say: I hope everyone has a Happy Mother's Day. Whether you have your mom with you, or just her beautiful memory. Whether you can wrap your arms around your child(ren) or they are still a world away...a mother's love knows no limits.

Nothin' lil about THESE bubbles!

I can't believe today is Friday. This week FLEW by for us, which is weird because I thought it was gonna drag. See, hubby has been out of town since early Monday morning building a cabin with his dad and it has been just us girls at home. I didn't think I would be real good at the single mom thing, but it was actually a lot of fun. Don't get me wrong: I miss my man and I'm very glad he's coming home tonight, but Lily and I had a great time together. (Although, I did NOT get very good sleep! I am a big, fat scaredy-cat. And, last night I was up due to a very sore throat. I think my Strep is back. Ugh.) Anyway, Wednesday we stayed in our jammies most of the day because it rained nonstop. We finally got dressed in the evening so we could run to Target for a few things. As we were leaving Lily was waving and yelling "We'll be back red tarts!" As I've mentioned before, she's a huge fan of their red carts.

Yesterday we were at my sister's from 1 until 9 cuz she needed me to babysit. Lily (like always) had a blast with her cousins. I have more pictures I'll post another time. We were outside for hours, and I actually got a sunburn! Woo hoo! We played on the swings, the slide, the monkey bars, and yep! we blew bubbles for a very long time. She truly is a Lil Bubble Queen. I have never in my life seen anyone love bubbles as much as she does. "Momma, I'm gonna bwow a big one and a wittle one and a double one for you, otay?" "Now you bwow a big one and I pop it!" And on and on it goes. She played so hard that she fell asleep in the car on the way home and stayed asleep while I brought her into the house. That NEVER happens. Like I said, it was a really good week. Hope you all had a good one too!

It's all about the boogers!

I have a confession to make:

I am OBSESSED with boogers. I cannot stand it when Lily's nose has a booger in it, or if I can tell by the way she is talking that her nose is stuffed up. I MUST get the boogers out of her little nose, no matter what the cost. Now, Lily HATES it when I go after her nose. She screams and cries and says "OUCH, IT HURTS!" (when I know, in fact, it does not hurt.) I try to explain to her that I am doing a good thing. She should THANK me for helping her breathe. Every once in a great while she WILL thank me, but usually she will reply (thru her tears) "All done breathe!"

But, the "booger sucker" is a part of our lives. I use it at least 3 times a week and that is just the way it goes. I have actually used it on her in the middle of the night while she was sleeping -- cuz I just couldn't handle the noises those things were making rattling around in her nostrils. So, this picture was taken a few months ago when Lily found another use for this baking utensil. Just looked like a giant booger sucker to my girl! Her latest retort is "I hode the booder sutter, momma. I do it like a big girl, all by yourself."

*Funny: Lily just came into the room and looked at the picture and said "Oh wook! It's a pitcher of Yiddy and the booder sutter, dats funny!"*

Family, fun in the sun, and a little pillow talk.

Yesterday was a GOOD day. We spent our morning outside blowing bubbles -- surprise! surprise! We had a "picnic" on the porch, and then it was naptime (for both of us). In the evening we went to my brother-in-law's softball game with my sister and her kids. I love watching Lily play with her cousins. They are all just so darn cute together.
We didn't watch much of the game, because there was a very cool playground and a big field to run around and play in. Lily had a blast, and it made me smile to watch her.

She has graduated to the "big girl" swing now. And, I can't seem to keep her off those monkey bars! Wonder why?

Not a bad way to start our week!

And now for some "pillow talk": Lily, as you know, is a night owl. She really seems to get a second wind after most kids her age are counting sheep. And, she is still sleeping in our bed so we have MANY conversations late at night, cheek to cheek. Sometimes I am just praying she will FALL ASLEEP ALREADY, but other times I am CRACKING UP at the things that come out of her mouth! Here is a peek into our pillow talk Sunday night.

Lily: (while petting me) You da bweatest wittle guy.

Me: Um, I'm a girl.

Lily: You da bweatest wittle girl, momma. You a ox. What a ox say, momma?

Me: Well, I really don't know.

Lily: Maybe a ox say Wa Wa Wa.

Me: Maybe they do.

Lily: Momma, what a ox say?

Me: Wa Wa Wa.

Lily: Dat's wight momma. Dat's IT!

Slight pause. I start to wonder if she is falling asleep. Nope.

Lily: I'm gonna sweep in da baftub. don't pee in the baftub. Go in da potty first and wear Dora panties. Momma, you wear da panties. Daddy wear boxers. Daddy got HOT HOT pee!

I begin laughing hysterically at that one, so she giggles, rolls over, and yells "Goodnight" with great satisfaction.

Gotta love that pillow talk!

She's lucky she's cute!

Where do I begin?

Um, have you ever had one of those days? You know, the kind where if something COULD go wrong it does, and by the end of the day you just want to close your eyes and forget it ever happened!? Well, that was my Wednesday. And my Thursday. Then I worked all day Friday and went straight to a bridal shower that evening. Yesterday I had ANOTHER bridal shower and I babysat my sister's kids last night. So, I haven't been on the computer at all and I feel sooo out of the loop. But, I thought I'd give you an update on us. We were in pretty rough shape for a couple days. Lily spent the majority of her time crying and I spent my time trying to figure out what was wrong. (Well, I spent some of my time crying too, and also pulling out my hair, cursing, and begging God for a little mercy.) See, her crying is relentless. She has always been able to SOB for long periods of time without growing weary. Her tears weren't just being spilled in the daytime hours either -- she was up more than a newborn on Thursday night. I don't have much in the way of patience at 2am, but we made it through somehow. Thankfully, "Sobfest 2007" was only a 2 day tour and we are back to sweet, funny, happy Lily. She has been a total crack-up this weekend! I feel like she is starting to talk so much more, and in full sentences. She will talk to me about the adventures she is taking..."thru da pickers and thorns...thru da ocean with da cwocadiwes...wook out for wild adimals!" (She watches WAY too much Dora!") And she is quick to give a big kiss and say "I yuv oo sooo much momma. We're a famiwee." She can be challenging at times, but one sweet little word from her mouth and all is forgiven.

More later. I need to get ready for work. Hope you are all well, and I will be catching up on my bloggy pal's blogs later tonight. Happy Sunday all!

Feelin' groovy!

OK, so the bug left my body as quickly as he came and I was able to enjoy the BEAUTIFUL, PERFECT, SUNNY day with Lily yesterday. We literally did not come inside for 7 hours straight (except to do some quick diaper changes).

We had friends over in the morning and we walked with the kids up to the park. Then, we went in the backyard and played on the swingset for awhile. Lily ate her lunch "picnic" style, and we stopped over at the neighbor's house so Lily could pet their cute little bunny rabbit Mr. Beans. Lily is SUCH an animal lover, so she was in heaven over the fact that a fuzzy little creature actually sat in her lap. She is so used to kittens and puppies running from her. When it came time to ask Lily if she was ready for a nap, she just laid down on the porch and said, "I sweep outside today." It was so great to enjoy all the fresh air! Lily was just so happy! For awhile she just sat on her little chair on the porch yelling at the neighbors "Come over and see me evewee one!" For a child who claims to "yuv winta" me thinks she is a pretty big fan of the warm stuff too!

And, to totally change the subject: to my fellow American Idol watchers -- wasn't tonight's show great?!? I loved it and thought that everybody (minus Jordin, surprisingly) did an incredible job with Bon Jovi's songs. I am so curious to see what TWO people get the boot tomorrow, I think it will be kinda sad to see anyone go at this point.

Well, thank you for all your well wishes on Sunday. I am so happy I was only down and out for one day. It stormed again today, but we are supposed to have nothin' but sun for the rest of the week, so I don't expect to be in the house much...lots of late night blogging for me!