He's Always Been Faithful To Me

Thank you all for being such wonderful friends. I could never do this thing called life alone. God has put such amazing people in my path and I am feeling extremely thankful for that, especially now. I have had "baby fever" for a little while now -- just hadn't expressed it here. Then Jay and I sat down to have THE TALK the other night and I discovered that hubby's heart is closed shut to the idea of expanding our family right now. Not that he doesn't want another child. He does. It is just too overwhelmingly stressful for him to think about financially. We are not wealthy. We are not poor, either. We live month to month. We both work hard to make this family of three work, and the thought of forking over thousands and thousands of dollars to bring home baby number 2 is just too much for my sweet hubby to handle. I am a crazy female that would just take out yet another loan to make it happen, but that isn't the wise thing to do and I KNOW that. After my last post I recieved so many encouraging comments and e-mails -- they left me in tears. Just knowing that so many people care about me and are praying for me made me feel so grateful. So, I just wanted to let you know that I am putting this situation fully into God's hands and I am trusting that He will work everything out...just like He did with my sweet Lily. I am reminded of a time once before in my life where my heart was aching for a child and how God's faithfulness to me was astounding. We sang a song by Sara Groves in my old church (the church that will forever feel like "home" to me) about God's faithfulness...

Morning by morning I wake up to find the power and comfort of God's hand in mine.

Season by season I watch Him amazed, in awe of the mystery of His perfect ways.

Chorus: All I have need of, His hand will provide. He's always been faithful to me.

I can't remember a trial or a pain He did not recycle to bring me gain.

I can't remember one single regret in serving God only and trusting His hand.

(chorus)

This is my anthem, this is my song, the theme of the stories I've heard for so long.

God has been faithful, He will be again. His loving compassion it knows no end.

All I have need of His hand will provide. He's always been faithful... He's always been faithful... He's always been faithful to me.

A special thank you to my sweet "sisters" (travelmates): your love and concern for me and my family is overwhelming. I love you girls so much and I can't believe we will all be together in one week!!!!!! Yay!

Bye! Bye! Baby

One minute she's a baby. I blink and she's a "big girl".

Just feeling like time is slipping thru my fingers.

She'll never be a baby again. I guess I'm having a hard time because I'm now wondering if I'll ever be a momma to a baby again. Or was this my one chance?

Don't get me wrong, I'm content with one. My heart is full.

It's just got me thinking, that's all.

Monkey mats and diaper rash

OK, some of you girls (you KNOW who you are!) want me to reveal a bit more of myself. Or, rather, the contents of my little home and my PURSE of all things!?

Well, I'm not willing to share such personal "stuff" with you at this moment. It's summertime and I'm too busy outside enjoying myself to do much cleaning around the homestead right now. And my purse! I don't even want to think about THAT right now. Can you say "junk sack"!? So, I will show you the lovely outer-workings of my tiny bungalow and the "monkey mat" that sits upon my porch (along with a rocking chair, a pink chair for Lily, lots of bubble-blowing equipment, bubbles, and other random items). This is all ya get for now. The rest will come at a later date. I promise. And if you're ever in the neighborhood feel free to drop by. Visitors are always welcome. Just don't expect my bed to be made.

Anyway, our weekend was a tad LESS fun than I had anticipated. The antibiotics that Lily has to take for her eye infection cause her to have nasty diarrhea. So, traveling was not the greatest thing for her (now raw) bottom. She was not exactly in "party mode" so we struggled through two graduation parties and lots of driving on Saturday. She slept like a rock that night, which was a pleasant change, and we did spend a small amount of time in my in-law's pool on Sunday. But, we were back on the road right after lunch to get our baby home sweet home. She is doing MUCH better today. She is learning that if she releases the "crap" into the potty rather than into her diaper it is better for everyone. Smart girl. So, I was running back and forth between my neighbor's pool and the potty all day today. My sister-in-law gave me some "bottom paint" to help with the diaper rash and it does seem to be working its magic, thank the Lord. So, that's what we're up to over here. We have big plans the next couple of weekends, so I guess it's better to be getting this out of the way now.

Happy Weekend

Well, our beautiful summer of perfection took a slight nose dive for a day or two. Lily developed an eye infection -- woke up Tuesday morning with her eye gooped shut crying "Momma, I can't see! I can't open my eye! It hurts reedy bad!" So, I started her on some eyedrops, but it didn't seem to be working fully because her other eye was swollen and red the next morning. So, Wednesday we were off to the Pediatrician's office. Her doctor was AMAZED at the huge change in Lily since her last visit. So big, so talkative, so happy to be there...who'd a thunk? Anyway, she's on antibiotics now and is definitely on the mend. We are going to visit my inlaws this weekend for fun in the pool and two graduation parties. It will be a great time, so I'm glad Lil will be up for the "party"! She informed me today that she is ready to go swimming "all by myself, underwater with my goggles"...(she swam with a little girl on Monday who was doing this.) We shall see if it really happens. She hasn't been real fond of the water on her face yet, so this would be a huge step for her. But, we were practicing in the tub tonight and then Jay went out to Target to buy her some swim goggles just in case. She had to try them on immediately. Pretty silly, eh?

So, we spent a couple of days inside trying out all of her new birthday toys (a giant puzzle, lots of great books, clay creations, and more) and just relaxed as much as a 3 yr old is capable of. We're ready to head back outside tomorrow for more fun in the sun. Happy weekend, friends!

Like father...like daughter

Well, as most of you know, Lily is very much a "Momma's girl". Jay jokes (quite sadly) that he was her favorite for the 2 weeks we were in China and I have been her favorite for the TWO (PLUS)YEARS we have been home. But, I am seeing her prefer him more and more lately. She will now wake up in the morning and say "Where's my daddy? I want him." And she spends much more time with him in the evenings. They go for bike rides and she helps him with yardwork, and she even shaves with him. I love watching them together -- and let's face it, it gives me a break (so I can blog!)

The funniest thing, though, is when I see him in the things she says and does. It catches me so off guard sometimes I just have to laugh and shake my head. For instance, her greeting to guys around Jay's age is sometimes "Rock on," And she even does the hand signal. I didn't even KNOW there was such a hand signal. Then last week when leaving a friend's house she (instead of saying goodbye) yelled "Peace out!" But the best was last week at my sister's house when my nephew Payton (almost 2 years old) was dancing around the room like the little maniac he is and Lily sat there watching and giggling, and then she just busted out with "Shake shake money mak-AH"...For those of you who are familar with the song, you are laughing. I have only heard the song cuz hubby is a huge fan of rap/hip-hop. (It basically is telling you to shake your bootie, AKA money maker...I think.)

I think Jay is a pretty incredible guy. Yep, he's goofy and a bit strange too, but I love seeing him in our daughter. They are both keeping me on my toes...and laughing a lot.

Lil tidbits -- summer fun!

Well, I don't have to tell you that we are LOVING OUR SUMMER!

We are having such fun and staying super busy outside in the beautiful, wonderful sunshine. We have been potty-training, doing lots of yardwork, swimming, and enjoying BBQ's with friends and family.
Lily is so great. She is Miss. Personality, Miss. Nice n Friendly, and (most) everything that comes out of her mouth either cracks me up or touches my heart! What's that you say? You need examples??? OK. Here goes...

1. Standing next to me, she starts squeezing herself around the waist and asks sweetly, "Momma, can you give me some love please?" And I obliged happily, of course.

2. While I was in the bathroom she walks in on me (like always), but this time she says "Momma, I'm gonna give you your pribacy" and leaves. She walked into the living room and I hear her tell Jay "Daddy, I really love my mommy."

3. Reading a Dr. Seuss book that says Go ask your mother: I ask her who her mother is and she replies, "Mommy, you're my mudda!"

4. Asks her bald daddy, "You got head, daddy? I got hair!"

5. Swimming in a friend's pool she splashes over to me and says "Are you happy, momma? I'm so happy. You make me soooo happy."

6. I'm in the bathroom again (sorry for all the potty talk) and Lily says "Good job, momma. Let it all out. You got more in there, or you all done?"

7. Yesterday at my parent's house for the "Father's Day" BBQ, Lily was loading her bowl with blueberries one by one and counting them IN SPANISH, up to 12! My mom said, I didn't know she could count that high in Spanish! And, neither did I, actually.

So, I'm blogging less cuz I'm inside less. But life is good over here!

Happy Monday everyone.

Unexpected lovin' on my birthday

OK, so yesterday was my 34th birthday, and I had every intention of just letting the day go by just like any other...no big deal. It was just MY birthday afterall. There would be no big "birthday extravaganza" . No pictures of my "party dress". I wasn't even going to post anything about it -- you all come here for Lily, right?? Well, too bad, this is all about me and my day because it ended up being anything BUT ordinary and I just had to make mention of it.I had such a wonderful and special birthday from beginning to end! I started my day by checking my e-mail and blog comments...just like every other day. Well, I had so many e-mails, Myspace b-day wishes, comments and e-cards...I was totally blown away! I then received several phone calls and texts, and this was all before I left for work! Work was good -- I got a card signed by all my friends (more like family) and lotsa hugs. I started to think maybe my birthday still was a special day afterall. Don't get me wrong -- I love my birthday, I just figured there wouldn't be any fuss made about it. I was wrong! My parents came and sat in my section for lunch, and brought with them beautiful daisy balloons and a card (and a huge tip)! I had a great day and stayed after to enjoy a glass of wine (or 2) on the patio with a co-worker and very dear friend of mine. We were having such a great time together that the hours just slipped away. My hubby ended up calling me and telling me to get my butt home...my family was there to celebrate and I was messing everything up by pulling a "no show". Hey! Who knew?

When I got home Jay was grilling steaks and my family was there waiting for me. I was so touched. We had a great evening outside enjoying good food, more wine and a lot of laughs. Later on some of my neighbors stopped by to join in on the fun.

It ended up being one of the best birthdays I've ever had. Really perfect.

I don't need much. Just the people I love the most close to me. That's all.

Lily wished me a happy birthday several times and was just her cute, little self...being her momma makes every day feel like my birthday. So, now I'm a year older and life honestly just keeps getting sweeter for me. I'm a happy girl.

Oh, and now it's officially over. It's June 16th...go over and wish Stef a very happy birthday. Today is all about HER...love you Stef! Happy Birthday!