Can it be? 10 months already!

(A little past due-this was written 6-9-10)

My Dearest Baby,

It seems like it was just yesterday you were in my belly!  Now, you are a happy, healthy, mobile, chatty, singing, booty dancing, baby girl who is already 10 months old!  So many people stop me and stopped me when I was pregnant to tell me not to blink, it will go by so fast they would say.  I would nod, I still nod.  But they are right my sweet angel, it goes by oh so fast!  Soon you will be walking and running, talking and jumping...bouncing right out of my arms...well, you already wiggle yourself free when you need a break from mom.  Today you reminded me just how fast it has gone.  You see, you are already a big girl in so many ways.  You can feed yourself, drink on your own, get where you want to go, can reach almost anything it seems, put yourself to sleep, you even help me shampoo your hair!  We chat about lots of important things from friendships to having a good heart to where we will find your wedding dress...we told dad that we might have to fly to Milan to pick one out!  He rolled his eyes and we giggled!  He says you cannot get married until way after you turn 25...so be prepared if you ask him sooner.  We also have chatted recently about the importance of conditioner...yes for your hair.  No one likes a big mess of dry, damaged blonde hair!  I'm serious!  It's nasty!  You started this life with very dark hair but has since turned blonde so we have got to take care of it my sweets!  Dad and I sometimes joke about where you will go to college.  Mommy always votes for SMU and daddy always says TCU.  Yes, we know they are expensive...we have started saving already.  You can go wherever you want though and be whatever you want.  We will be right beside you all the way cheering you on and reassuring you when you get discouraged! 

Today while shopping with a friend and her sweet 4 month old boy, we pushed you both past your limits.  You guys needed a nap and we just needed to find a few more things for our trip...Baby J fell asleep on his mommy and I thought oh how sweet, I miss those days!  As you chewed on "our" gold wallet, you couldn't hold your head anymore and rested it in my hand.  It was pure preciousness!  Then you laid on my shoulder and went right to sleep!  I was in heaven!  If I could freeze a moment in time, that might just be it and I would hold you on my shoulder forever. 

I cherish every minute we spend together and when I think about how much I love you it almost brings me to tears, ok it does sometimes!  You mean more to us than words could ever describe and we love watching you grow.  You are the most beautiful girl we have ever laid our eyes on.  Daddy asks me once a day at least if it will be possible for you to get prettier and each day you do...inside and out. 

Love,

Mom

A few favorite things of mine you are doing now:

*waving at everyone that passes by-and if I say "hello" or "goodbye" you immediately start waving and smiling

*pointing your finger-you like me to come stick my finger on yours and say "ZZZZZZZAP"!

*getting on all fours, raising one hand in the air and shaking your booty (no idea where you learned that:) )

*climbing over Oscar like he's your personal jungle gym

What's on our reading list currently:

"Someday When my Cat Can Talk" by Caroline Lazo and Kyrsten Brooker

"Olivia" by Ian Falconer

"The Book of Virtues" by William J. Bennett

Favorite Foods:

Turkey and sweet potatoes baby food

Club crackers

Mum Mums

water

anything off moms plate

Cheerios

Saying Goodbye...

I apologize for the unannounced vacation from the bloggy!  We have had a very busy couple weeks!  We spent a week in Vail, CO and it was absolutely wonderful!  Post on that soon!  Tyler's sweet granny passed away over the weekend so we have been spending some time in her home town.  As hard as it is to say goodbye to people, it was so nice to hear about all of the amazing things she has done in her life.  People she has touched.  The community she changed.  We knew about some of the things but why is it that you learn so much about people you are so close to after they pass?  As I have gotten older and had a baby, I think of all the things I wish I could talk to my grannies about.  I guess when you hang out with your granny, they are just that...your granny.  They dont sit around telling you about their life adventures before you were around because when you have a good granny...YOU are their world!  None of the other stuff matters to them anymore! 

I don't think I have ever met someone that I have connected with as quickly as when I met Ruby (Tyler's granny).  She literally is the 87 year old version of me...or what I hope to be...Ruby immediately liked me too, I could tell.  There is no sugar coating with Ruby.  She always complimented my earrings and my outfits.  She was always dressed up, hair fixed, makeup on, and draped in jewels--the pastor of her church described her as "Well kept", I couldn't help but giggle.  You don't usually hear an 87 year old described as that...but she was til the end.  There is a picture of her hanging in the dining room and I told her about 6 months ago that when she was ready to part with it, I would love to have it to hang up with the photos of my grannies for Paige to look at.  She said that old thing?  She seriously looks more beautiful than Elizabeth Taylor (circa 1950) and she proceeded to tell me she had been cleaning house all day and a girlfriend of hers needed a passport photo taken and begged Ruby to go with her to Moto Photo.  She obliged even though she was in her "ragged, cleaning attire".  Once they got there the photographer kept doting on Ruby and wanted to take her photo so she finally agreed.  I love this story because she had on a fancy dress and I am pretty sure Ruby wasn't the "typical" housewife cleaning all day!! 

I remember when we went to visit her around the time we were planning to get Oscar and she asked what we would name the new puppy.  I told her I had decided on Oscar.  She looked down and said, "hmmm".  She did not approve!  HAHAHA  When I was pregnant we had the same conversation.  She said, "what will we name this baby?"  We said her name would be Paige and she said, "Oh that's nice but I really like Johnetta or Elizabeth."  HAHAHA  She loved Paige though.  She loves everything girly and would want to hold her right away when we would arrive.  Paige started crying once and Ruby said to her, "Now I do not hold crying babies so you stop that or you will have to go back to your mom!" 

I told Tyler's dad that I pray that Paige is just an ounce as strong, confident and beautiful as his mom and I meant it.  I'd also like to add successful to my list because her accomplishments in her 87 years was just unbelievable.  I felt worthless and motivated all at the same time when listening to all she has done.  I can only imagine how she has already shaken up Heaven! Ruby, as you sit in your gold, bedazzled thrown in Heaven watching over us, know that we love you and will miss you so much! 

Don't take your family for granted!  Have them tell you about their lives, get those famous family recipes, ask them the secrets to being happily married for 60 years! 

All Things Beautiful

All things bright and beautiful,

All creatures great and small,

All things wise and wonderful,

The Lord God made them all.

Each little flower that opens,

Each little bird that sings,

He made their glowing colors,

He made their tiny wings.

The purple-headed mountain,

The river running by,

The sunset, and the morning,

That brighten up the sky;

The cold wind in the winter,

The pleasant summer sun,

The ripe fruits in the garden,

He made them every one.

The tall trees in the greenwood,

The meadows where we play,

The rushes by the water,

We gather every day;

He gave us eyes to see them,

And lips that we might tell

How great is God Almighty,

Who has made all things well.
~Cecil Alexander

There is nothing too exciting about our little porch or flowers, unless of course you ask Paige or me!!  We spend a lot of time on the porch and when I decorated my little porch before we moved in I hoped someday I would have the time to enjoy it!  In an effort to save some money, I decided I would try my hand at planting seeds in my flower beds and see what happened.  I have been waiting and waiting...chirp chirp...nothing.  Then the hail storm came and it did a number on everything including my piles of dirt.  That's when I gave up hope.  Tyler and I made a bet about the beautiful pink petunias.  If I could keep them alive, he would let me buy some flowers.  I'm not much of a betting woman, makes my stomach hurt, but I hate to lose.  Next thing you know I had petunias growing on top of each other (bright pink pic above)!!  I was so excited and started thinking about what treasures I would buy for my little flowerbed!  Then last week we were watering and I noticed something that caught my eye in the dirt pile.  Sure enough it was a Johnny Jump Up (purple and yellow flower above)!  I planted those!!!  There was one.  Two days later there were three.  One day later there were seven.  Yesterday there were 13!!!!!!  There is also some evidence of other things but no flowers yet.  So I am beside myself with joy!  So I rushed to the garage and decided to plant some more seeds in a pot.  In the green pot above you will see lots of green sprouts...those are my Black Eyed Susans starting!  Those get quite tall and will be going in the backyard if they take off, which it looks like they will.  I needed to get my Ice Plant in the ground as it is a Perennial so I want to be sure it gets established so it will be back next summer so I bought four coleus to plant in between my four ice plants along my walkway out front.  It was Kim's suggestion and she was right!  The colors and the different heights look really nice together and I am sure the neighbors are glad they don't have to stare at the collection of pots I was starting to create along the front of our house!  Tyler started calling me the cat lady with my yard art.  Hopefully we will get some more things going in the back and I am convinced I can figure this seed thing out!!  I have a lot more respect for you gardeners...it is HARD work!  I am enjoying my suntan though:)

A Selfish Heart

There are a lot of situations in life when you get asked the question "Use one word to describe yourself."  I have used a lot of words but I never say selfish.  Not because I am not selfish because I am.  But because it isn't that endearing.  I don't have sisters and I didn't play boy team sports so that didn't help matters.  But I feel like in the 10 step program admitting it is half the battle.  I try to do better but sometimes it just gets the best of me.  I feel like this time though something is just testing my selfish heart...

I have been blessed with amazing friends in my life.  I have never been the type of person that needs thousands of acquaintances so I have always tried to build lasting, meaningful friendships with the people I connect with.  I love sharing in the happiness and joys of my friends.  Being there for them when things aren't so great.  And celebrating the chapters of life as they unfold.  Even when the next chapter leaves me say, 150 miles or more out of reach. 

In April, one of my dearest friends packed up her Ford Escape and followed her heart to Dallas!  I am so happy for her and that she is finally not commuting every weekend to see the love of her life.  I was sad though, what would I do without that piece of my heart here?  We are linked in so many ways and have so many weird things in common that we actually seem normal to each other.  Well, Dallas is a short drive and she is a HUGE OSU fan so I know she will at least visit during football season:)  Scheduled phone chats once a week also help!  I love you Chels and will never forget you barging into my office and letting me know you were not in fact easedropping on my phone conversations but you knew a thing or two about weddings and could help me out if I wanted you to with mine.  A million memories, chewed up carpet, curbside pick-up and a roadtrip to Austin later and we are still going strong. 

Genuine friends must be cherished and not forsaken (Prov. 27: 10)

Two weeks later I get a phone call from one of my best friends.  She had some exciting news!  She and her husband would be moving to Austin, TX where he will be starting his career as a dentist.  Gulp.  Of course this is good news.  They have a lot of family in Texas, tons of friends in Texas and wonderful job opportunities waiting for them.  I tried to be excited...I was a little bit excited...but I was selfishly sad yet again.  We started our big girl jobs together.  She was there for my engagement.  She was in my wedding.  I was there for her engagement.  I was in her wedding.  She was the one I had to leak the secret to when I found out the best news of my life...I was having a baby girl.  From laying in bed and watching movies to getting all dressed up and hitting the town, we have fun no matter what we do.  She even made sure that I brushed my hair & applied lip gloss before anyone snapped photos of me in the hospital after having Paige.  Another chunk of my heart is heading to Texas...I love you Bethie and will miss you so. 

A friend is a close companion on the rainy days, someone to share with through every phase.  Forgiving and helping to bring the best, believing the good and forgetting the rest (1 Corinthians 13:7)

My sweet hubby dried lots of tears from my cheeks over these gals.  Then reminded me ever so kindly that they were both a short drive or plane ride away and he would make sure that I get to see them.  Selfish me wishes they were both staying here, but I am working on it.  I know these next steps are right for them and I couldn't be happier as they follow their hearts and dreams.  But that nasty little part of me is thinking about none other than ME!   It just means I will have to work harder to be a better friend and work even harder to make sure no matter how many miles separate us, we will be just as great of friends as ever. 

As yet another friend is working on the next chapter of her family's book, my heart can't help but hurt a little more.  Talk about life phases...we met in college.  Worked at a small town bank together.  Were in each others weddings.  I was there when her daughter was born.  Her first son.  My daughter. Her second son.  first homes, second homes.  Laughter and tears. From laying on the beach to laying on the couch watching movies, to learning to cook.  From young and wild and free to giving up our careers to move on the the upmost calling of being mothers, we have been by each others sides...and always will be.  Kimberly, you are the closest thing to a sister I will ever have and I will always be by your side, no matter what. 

One of the greatest statements of friendship and loyalty in all of literature comes from the Book of Ruth. I love this story and read it often, especially when I need to be a better friend. I will sign off this pity party with this and will vow to be happy for these ladies and their new life adventures.  I pray Paige will be blessed to find friendships like these and more importantly, that she will cherish her friendships and strive to be like Ruth...the most unselfish of friends. 

But Ruth replied, "Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me." Ruth 1:16-17

All coming together!

Can it be true?!?!  Another room completed in our house??  The dining room turned out EXACTLY how I wanted it to!  I can't believe we have been married three years in July and we just made our first furniture purchase.  It was certainly worth the wait!  The room has been coming together for a long time.  When we first moved in there was a hideous brass chandelier that was a fire hazard (according to our electrician) so first order of business was a new chandelier!  I found just what I wanted at Pottery Barn and surprisingly not too expensive.  Then I peeled and peeled and peeled wallpaper.  I finally got to a smooth, clean wall and picked a Restoration Hardware color: Butter.  The room had original waynescotting but was a yucky, dirty, brown ivory color.  Tyler painted the walls first then painted the waynescotting bright white.  It looked so great!!  Then Janet made a beautiful curtain.  Oh how I love the curtains!!  I have a buffet and mirror that was given to me by a roommate because she didn't have anywhere for it when she moved out.  Score--I oh so love these pieces!  I honestly thought the buffet and mirror would have to go when we eventually bought a dining room set because Tyler hates black furniture.  But we found the perfect compromise of our two styles and (in my opinion) nothing could look better in this space!

When you love to cook there is nothing more important than a nice, big open kitchen with a couple of sinks, a double oven and a gas cooktop.  I managed to knock that out in my first order of business when we bought the house.  Next order of business (2 years later) is having enough space to have folks come eat the food we prepare!  I have dreamed of a huge table since we moved in but we decided we would take it slow and not rush into furniture.  We want to purchase timeless pieces that we will have for lots of years.  We found the table over Memorial Day weekend and knew it was THE ONE!  Almost three years, tons of stores, and lots of begging my hubby and it is complete!

*A special thanks to my hard working hubby to make my "to the moon" dreams possible

*Oh so grateful to my wonderful MIL (mother-in-law) who listened to all my ideas, let me drag her to tons of stores and ties the most lovely bows and entertains our favorite little dumpling through all of it

*Lastly, this could not have been possible without all of the muscles and pickups involved!!  Acea and Pappy, you are the bestest

Before!--Please note wallpaper, chandelier, shutters, doors, CARPET

Before--View from the "formal" living

After!!!--note-no wallpaper, no carpet, no shutters, no electrical issues!

This room outfitted by: Lorec Ranch, Pier 1, Garden Ridge, Tuesday Morning, Vu's Fabric, Mathis Brothers "As Is", Pottery Barn and various other gifts and hand me down pieces. 

Now I can cross another room off my list!!  We are getting closer!

Kitchen-complete!

Paige's baby dynasty-complete!

Dining Room-COMPLETE!

Guest Bedroom-semi/almost complete!

Family Room-semi/almost complete!

Not so Formal living-work in progress

Bathrooms and Master-TBA

I just realized the kitchen was old news to me...don't get me wrong I love it but I wasn't into blogging yet when we did the kitchen remodel so I will add that story sometime in the near future along with some other completed projects.  My current work-in-progress is the not-so-formal living room.  Its coming along nicely.  My turquoise chest sets the tone and a few other details are in the works. 

Lots of my little seedlings are starting to bloom in the front flowerbeds so my gardening ego is starting to grow.  Hubs has been clearing out the backyard flower beds so we can till them up and I can plant some seeds back there too. 

Have a fantabulous weekend! 

Dear Lord...

"He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm."

Proverbs 13:20

Please let me grow to be wise for her and send me wise ones to walk with in this journey of life!!! Amen