Sweet reflections

One year ago today, I experienced one of the most phenomenal experiences that a human can know. I had the supreme privilege of going into labor. The contractions started, and so did my tears. Happy tears. Just thinking of that evening brings about tears. My God is such an indescribably kind God.

To have a baby is supremely wonderful. To know that the Lord gave her life, made her little body to grow, and allowed her to come into this world is amazing!! I never want to take that for granted, and I pray I never will . I think Jada's brief life will help me all the more to not take life for granted.

"Because thy lovingkindness is better than life,
my lips shall praise thee.

Thus will I bless thee while I live:
I will life up my hands in thy name."

~Psalm 63: 3, 4

I LOVE my (our!) precious baby girl. And tomorrow she'll be turning 1. Incredible. I've grown to love her more than my own life. Being a mother is just plain nice. There's nothing like it. The Lord has taught me much and I have no doubt will continue teaching me through Mikayla's life. Our prayer is that she'll come to know and love the One who is the giver of life!

Good night. I'm a happy mother indeed!!! and most blessed.

Popcorn and such

This evening my husband asked me to do something he's NEVER asked me to do before. He asked me to pop him some popcorn! Crazy indeed, especially if you know the guy. I was very happy to do so in my clean....

MICROWAVE!!! Yay! My poor microwave was in desperate need of a cleaning. Just ask my mom and CC. When they'd come over, I'd make sure they knew to NOT LOOK IN THE MICROWAVE. Phew, glad that's done. :) And it wasn't so bad. It was just something I put off doing for long enough. Just DO IT, you know? Maybe my Joseph finally felt like he could ask for popcorn, knowing it'd finally been cleaned. hmmmm.

And, I walked 3 miles today on the treadmill that my mom likes to call her own. It's actually my sister's, but I think my parents have conquered it b/c Grace belongs to the world's greatest gym ever and no longer has a need for it. Does anybody else wish what Early would get a gym? a good one? of course not. That was a silly question. We DID get a new hair salon, though. I might try it out; I could even walk to it, it's so close. But, I imagine the walk back home would do wonders for my new 'do.

We're off to visit Grannybear in the morning. Hopefully, we'll get in some good games of dominoes. That's always so much fun.

Grace has posted!!! Yes, I kid you not. And, it's a good one.

Hasn't the rain been WONDERFUL??! I love it. so much. and Jody, too. And Mikayla.

I think I've set a record for the most CAPS ever used in a post. What's the deal today? I don't know. I'm just rambling.

Good night, faithful friends. Let's chalk this up to yet another exciting post from the very happy mother of one! :)

I got it!

My apology for not having a new post in such a long time. I've been REALLY busy, mostly with trying to stay caught up with my Bible reading plan. So, in my free time, that's what I've been doing. It's a wonderful use of time (believe me), and I'll (we'll) be finished pretty soon. We're over 2/3 of the way through it.

Anyway, my mother's ring came in the mail. Yay! I really like it, and I'm so grateful to have it. It even has Mikayla's and Jada's name on it. Just wanted to share:-). Maybe I'll get a picture of it posted sometime.

Hope everyone's doing well. I sure am.

My Birthmonth Girl!

Mikayla got this ever-so-adorable birthday

banner from her Aunt Laura!

Just wanted to share that this lovely Monday.

ps. Laura, I'm so thankful you made it safely there!

We REALLY enjoyed your visit.

Hey, come again soon;)

A walk minus a sock

Mikayla and I had a fun walk today trotting around the neighborhood. Too bad we can't go to the park:( The whole time we were walking, I was concentrating on not losing my keys b/c Mikayla was playing with them. So, we had almost made it home when I realized she was no longer wearing socks. Oh well. They were getting too small anyway. She did have one tucked in beside her, to her credit.

Much to do today! We're expecting some lovely company soon. Today I get the privilege (SP?) of:

~catching up on laundry (I imagine if you read ANY woman's blog, the word laundry is sure to appear)
~cleaning house- PineSol, here we come
~taking care of my precious daugter (what a complete blessing!)
~SHOWERING

Yay! Fun day planned, as you can see. And Jody gets off @ 3. yippee!!
I'm off to have a bite (or 2) of lunch:)

One of the funniest things I've ever read

It's ok to quote from a blog you just read, right? Well, I came across this and it made me laugh out loud, literally! (yes, Grace, literally) Ok, here goes. Tell me what you think.

"My second daughter has taken to the habit of shouting out the words "ice" and "beans" quite frequently and for no apparent reason. I suppose she likes the sound of them. Anyway, the baby who is barely talking has begun copying his sister. He is often heard in his crib quietly cooing "ice, beans." -Kendra

Maybe it's b/c I have a daughter about the same age as the one who is doing the "quiet cooing," but this just struck something in me. Is it NOT FUNNY??

Happy Birthday, Aunt Laura!

A very happy birthday wish for my sister-in-law Laura! I hope you have a most wonderful, blessed day- being thankful for the years of life the Lord's given you:)

We got a new armoire (sp??). My dear husband put it together on Saturday. We got quite a deal on it, too. It went from 200, to 150, to 124. So, we snatched it up. We're hoping to sell our old entertainment center @ our yard sale on the 17th. HOPEFULLY we'll be able to get rid of lots of things. Slowly we're decluttering our cluttered home. And we're lovin' it.

My mom took a picture of it, so I'm waiting for her to send it to me. So, while I have a few moments, what's going on with YOU? Yes, you. I care and I'd like to know. Anyone?

Lord willing, my Joseph will be starting a straight day job (still @ 3M) very soon. After working shift work for over 7 years, this will be quite nice. He's eager to get into a set schedule. I'm encouraged for the strong possibility of it.

My dad came over for lunch. We had egg sandwiches and baked chips and water. When he left for Cisco, I snuck in a fiber bar. I know I talk about fiber too much (well, Grace thinks so anyway), but I'm a fiber fan. And a fruit fan. And walking fan. And a Mikayla fan. Ok, that's enough. Sorry.

Let's see if we can get that pic to show up...

Fruit kick

Am I the only one on a fruit kick? Isn't it so yummy?? My husband and I can't seem to get enough of it. Lately he's asked me to make him fruit salads, and in it I put- apples, oranges, grapes, bananas, pineapple, mango, strawberries, kiwi, and (thanks to my mommy), BLUEBERRIES. Makes for a pretty good little salad. And we've been making smoothies. Does anyone out there have a good recipe for a smoothie?? If so, please share. They can sure be pretty yummy.

We're having Mikayla's Aunt Laura and her 2 boys come, Lord willing, next weekend. Yay! (Laura, I'll email you a menu choice to see what you and your boys prefer to eat!:) We're really looking forward to seeing them and getting to spend time with them.

Today was a good day @ church. Since I've become a mommy I don't hear all the messages preached/taught like I used to. I've got a slight distraction. :) Hopefully, she'll start being able to sit in church without me having to take her out so often. What a girl. She's SO worth it!

I'd better jet. Grace and Mom (not to mention others), it's time for a new POST! Good night, sweet ladies. Y'all are the best! :)

Enough already

I'm all for respecting people, but haven't they gone a bit overboard on ANSmith's death/burial, etc.?? Seriously, I think she's getting more coverage than former presidents have gotten. "breaking news" grrr.

We had a wonderful visit with sweet Christy this evening. She kindly fed us and entertained us so effortlessly. It's easy to love somebody when they love your child so much. That would define Christy. :) I liked her before Miggy, of course, but there's an added element now to our friendship that I just love. We even watched the results of AI and part of "the #1 new tv show" Are you smarter than a 5th grader?

Then my dad wanted my mom home with him. Figures, but who can blame him? :)

I like the competitive talk, Laura! Good for you exercising! I enjoy walking so much. If anyone needs a walking partner (CC), let me know. Jody, Mikayla and I have walked every morning this week. It's been SO much fun. (I just noticed that I use the word "so" a lot!)

Ok, off to bed. Not the most exciting post, but it's better than an old one, right? right.