So kiss me

We are enjoying unseasonably warm weather in the midwest this week.

A perfect time to view waterfalls,

And wear light sweaters,

And catch ladybugs,

To act like a monkey,

To go for a slide,

Or a hike,

To shares smiles on the playground,

Or see the last geese of the season,

But, it's ALWAYS time for kisses. :)

Being present

As you may, or may not, know, I am an internet junkie. I get all my news, local, world and entertainment from the internet. I find phone numbers and old friends, pool care tips and devotionals, music and a history lesson, all in one place: the internet. I'm always jumping on to find some other little piece of information, updating my facebook status or checking what people are talking about on twitter. It's just a little jumping on here, a quick sign in there. Maybe while I'm nursing, or the peanut is playing dollhouse or I need a new recipe, it makes life so easy...right?

Well, maybe. Or maybe not so much.

The last few days as I've checked my twitter account, I've noticed a lot of moms with a whole lot of posts. Things like, "Just at the park with the kids...such and such just went tumbling down a hill. Ha, ha." Or, "Out for a date with hubby, checking email." Just updating their lives away.

As I was reading these posts I was just struck with the impersonal nature of the whole situation. I mean, where does the time begin where our very presence is given wholly to the other person that we are with? Where we are not concerning ourselves with having to write down every detail of what is going on, but start to live all those details instead? Don't get me wrong, I am all for journaling, I've done it my whole life, but I don't feel like that is what this is.

I know many see it as a way to socialize and be a part of something bigger than themselves. To reach out to the masses of people reading. And don't comments somehow make us all feel somewhat validated?

But, I just find to really be a part of the moment, these all too fleeting moments, maybe putting down the itouch or blackberry and not taking time to think about the funniest way to say your child just landed on their peanut butter and jelly sandwhich as they leapt from the second stair, off of the couch and onto the kitchen table, but just being present in that moment. Laughing, enjoying, crying...without ever having to update. Maybe it's that kind of prescence that we all really need.

Hope your days and nights are filled with others being present with you too!

10 Smile Tuesday

So here's it's Tuesday again so I thought I'd look back on the last week and relish the good of the last week.

1. My grandma (Bossy) going to be with the Lord. While it has been sad at the loss of life, the promise of eternal life is so much bigger that I find myself a bit jealous. Ah, the joy of seeing Jesus. What a day, what a place, what a Saviour!

2. An impromptu, and hot, day at the zoo last Thursday. It was like 90 but we had such fun! They have this new water area for the kids that is a total blast! Lilla just ran around splashing and loving the water spilling and spraying all about. I'm sorry I don't have pictures but I couldn't find my small camera and didn't want to haul around the big one. It was such good times though and I'll have to take pictures next time.

3. Garage saleing. So several of you asked if I found anything good on my new adventure on Saturday, and I did! We have a swing set for the peanut but we wanted a Step 2 thing for her to climb on too. We searched and searched and this is what we found for $20!

Not too shabby! We also got a Step 2 wagon that was in almost new condition for $20. I didn't get a picture of that yet. Our old one broke so we were excited to find such a good deal! I also got some books and clothes for the peanut for next summer. Her younger cousin is quickly catching up to her (Lilla is really small for her age) so the clothes train of her older cousin will probably be ending pretty abruptly. So, I'm stocking up for cheap, gotta love it!

4. A pool for the peanut. We were going to just buy one of the little blow up deals but this was on sale at Target and the peanut loves to swim so much we thought, heck, why not. Plus, she kept hugging the ad and saying, "My pool." I'm really not kidding. :) She is really something! So it's like 2 feet deep and 10 feet long, she loves it!

5. The peanut and Papaw on Father's Day. Is this not adorable? They were feeding the ducks together. Love it!

6. Storytime at the library. The peanut loves to sing and dance and that's what she got to do! I don't know if you can see the frog on the carpet in this picture but she really liked him. She kept saying, "Frog, ribbit, ribbit!" What a comedian!

7. Pea salad. I know that many might not like it, but I do. Really, just about anything with peas you can pass my way. My nephew had a graduation this weekend and my sister-in-law made it, oh just yummo!

8. Fresh strawberries. While most of my garden was a washout because of the flooding, a few of my strawberries, that were not eaten by critters, were able to be salvaged. Such fun to pick and eat them!

9. Time with my hubby. Michael took a couple of bereavement days last week to spend time with us and it was just so nice to have him here. I don't think I really knew how much I missed him until I saw him again. He suprised me by meeting me at the airport (he said he had to work and would send someone) with flowers. Such a sweet surprise!

10. Home. There is nothing truely like it, and I'm so glad to be back!

Oh, and one more for good measure. 12 weeks. I love 12 weeks. I feel like myself again. Very little to no nausea. Energy. It's like someone plugged me in. Love, love, love 12 weeks!!

What are you all smiling about today?

10 Smile Tuesday

Time is a flying and here we go again with the past week of some things that added a bit of extra joy to my day!

1. A big baby clothes garage sale type thing put on by a local MOPS every year. I spent $40 and got 3 pairs of maternity pants, a maternity jogging suit and several shirts plus a whole bunch of winter clothes for the peanut next fall and winter. Good deal!!

2. My herbs are popping up! Yeah! I was so concerned as it has been chilly willy here lately but I went to check them today and they are itty bitty but so there! I can't wait to start picking from my herb garden, love it!

3. Two of my nephews had first communion this weekend so my husband's whole family was there for the after party and it was crazy loud! So much fun though to see that they enjoy each other so much and want to be together. Can't beat that!

4. My sister was in the hospital unexpectedly this week so my niece stayed with us for a few days and she and the peanut had some fun together. After she left, whew, we had a HUGE nap as the peanut was one tired girl!

5. New lawnmower. My brother in law brought us the riding lawnmowever from KY that he sold us for $300. It is only two years old and has all these fancy attachments. We just can't believe he sold it to us for that, it was such a blessing. We would easily have paid $3000 for it had we bought it anywhere else. You gotta love family! It has made mowing the lawn a snap and kind of fun too!

6. Pregnancy news. It has been so fun telling people about the pea in my pod. Everyone is so positive about it and shared in our joy. It's been wonderful and we are thankful!

7. Flowers. My trees are all blooming and the one in the front yard is full of all these bright pink flowers. I don't know anything about trees but this one is fabulous!

8. Leviticus. I know this is not a normal smile but I've been reading it lately and praying God would help not to make it so dry. I really have been getting more out of it than I thought and enjoying the fact that we don't have to live by so many little laws like that anymore!

9. Cracker Barrel pancakes. After the shopping on Saturday my sister and I went to Cracker Barrel for breakfast, and let me tell you, they have THE best pancakes there. I had no idea as I never order pancakes out as they are so easy to make at home I hate to pay so much for them. I was missing out though, yummo!!

10. Having breakfast with my sister. No kids, no spouses, just us. That NEVER happens so it was just really fun. We sat and talked, yes, quite a bit about our kids, but we never had to wipe mouths, help reach for a drink or deal with bathroom breaks. We just talked. It was great!

What are you all smiling about today?

Covered with the fingerprints of God

Have I told you all lately how much I love being a mommy?

Take me out to the ballgame...

Look who went to the first game of the season!! My husband took his team from work, and their families, to the game yesterday and we had an absolute blast. Such a good time and the peanut absolutely loved it! She got to meet the mascot, who was just loving all over her, be on the Jumbotron twice and play on the lawn with other kids. It was a 72 degree day, sunny and the park was slow since it was at 2pm on a Wednesday. The peanut loved it!! We can't wait to take her to the next one!!

Mother of the year?!?!

OK, it's actually a post of why I will probably not be nominated mother of the year...take a look, what do you think?

Evidence #1: Running around with no pants on
Evidence #2: Teaching her to be a tree hugger
Evidence #3: Popcorn for lunch
Evidence #4: Letting her play in the mucky creek with sticks
Evidence #5: Letting her hug and kiss a worm

What's your verdict?

Let the peace of God Reign

In my last post I blogged about the Smith family who were facing the loss of their unborn child, Audrey. Yesterday she was born by c-section and they were able to spend two lovely hours with their daughter before she passed away. I am thankful for that this morning but my heart hurts for them, as it does with so many other blogger friends that I have met that have lost children. I honestly can not think of one thing more difficult in this life.

Through it all though they are trusting in God and in his blessed hope. Please join me in praying that the peace of God will continue to reign in their lives as the days ahead (burial, memorial service, recovery of body and soul) will surely prove to be challenging.

Let the peace of God reign,
Amy

All the small things

So this post is just one for me to have later to remember the adorable things the peanut is doing right now.

Last Wednesday she held a worm for the first time. I was digging up weeds and found one so I called her over. She thought it was interesting as she watched it wriggle and move in my hand. And yes, it's kind of creepy to me to hold worms but I want her to experience life so I do it anyway. She touched it and giggled and then pulled her hand away because of that smoothly wet weird feeling a worm has. I then encouraged her to hold it so she did and just thought it was so neat. How fun is it to experience life like that for the first time?

Then later in the day I found a ladybug and I showed her that too. She was enamored by the ladybug and insisted on holding her, talking to her, walking around with her for the longest time. I'm sure the poor bug was absolutely terrified at this giant walking around cuddling it like a teddy bear. It was pretty adorable I have to say. I wish I had my camera at that point but some moments just can't be caught.

I have no idea where she picked up this next thing, but we've noticed lately she's says, "Go away" as she points at you. At first we were totally insulted as it seemed pretty rude she's telling someone to go away. Apparently she has misunderstood the phrase though and actually means, "Don't sit there, sit here instead." She is too, too much!

One of the best parts of my day lately though has been watching the peanut chase her daddy around yelling, "Roar!!" at the top of her lungs and with her hands up in claw postition. Seriously, that should be caught on camera. It's hilarious! Particularly if you could see how small she is compared to my 6 foot 2 husband!

She has also discovered the fun of jumping on beds. Although she doesn't exactly jump yet, she kind of squats a bit and bounces back up. It's truely hilarious. So the last two days I've caught her doing this faux jumping on my bed while staring at herself in the vanity mirror. The first time she was watching herself singing, very loudly mind you, "Ma-ter...Sav-or...Je-Us" Oh my gosh how cute was that? Then yesterday it was, "Je-Us Love Me...Know...Bible...So". I mean really, did I ever REALLY laugh before I had her?

You say it's your birthday...

Yep, it's my birthday. Oh my gosh people, how did 33 sneak up on me so fast? It seems like yesterday that I was celebrating 16, now I'm over twice that age. WHAT??? Over twice the age of a 16 year old? Man, it goes by so fast. Too fast I tell you.

For some reason this birthday has hit me harder than any birthday has in the past. I think it's because I feel like time is slipping away to have another baby and it just hasn't happened for us. It's been really hard on me lately as everyone around me seems to be getting pregnant and having babies. Yesterday my best friend told me she's pregnant. She was resistant to tell me because she knows I want another child and it's hard for me. It was so sweet of her, but I want her to know that I will share in her joy. After all, that's what the bible tells us to do, and she's my friend. I am genuinely happy for her.

I've been thinking a lot about this being sad thing lately. I do it way too much with the why me thing. Just like my ring. Why me? Well, why not me? In fact, if I got what I really deserved, it would be death. I have so many things to be grateful for in my life, and I want to be faithful in telling God thank you for them.

Here is my list of 33, one for every year of my life:
1. Salvation
2. Life
3. My husband
4. My daughter
5. My home
6. My church
7. Freedom of Religion
8. Living in the United States
9. Freedom of Speech
10. Employment for my husband
11. God's provision to pay our bills every month
12. My sister
13. My mom
14. The rest of my family
15. My husband's family
16. My best friend, Carrie
17. The ability to read
18. Chocolate, I know, I know...but I really do love it!!
19. Hot showers
20. My blog friends for being so supportive
21. MOPS
22. Music
23. My car, I'm totally serious, I love transportation!!
24. The opportunities I've had to do missions
25. The opportunities I've had to travel and see more of the world
26. Myspace, totally lame but it has connected me with many old friends
27. The military, who really sacrifice a lot for us (and are not paid accordingly at all!!)
28. My pastor, who seriously brings the Word every Sunday
29. My former pastor for teaching me so much!
30. Bible Study Fellowship
31. My dogs, who drive me insane but I love them!!
32. My pictures, they provide me with some really warm memories
33. My camera, with which I've been able to capture the life of my little one!!

What are you grateful for today?

Wrapped Around Your Finger

Ugh, ugh, ugh....I'm just saying. So as if the loss of three months of pictures was not bad enough, oh do I have something that could top that by about ten BILLION (and yes, I mean BILLION) miles. On Thursday the peanut and I were running around town all day, you know, the library, the feed store to see the baby animals, groceries, Goodwill, all that good stuff, and then back home again to play outside while the weather was still warm. I was out taking pictures and having fun, came inside to put the peanut down for a nap, starting vegging to Reba when I suddenly noticed something missing. And when I say something, I only mean THE most important piece of jewelry I've ever owned. Yeah, my wedding/engagement set. It's gone. And I mean gone. I did not take it off. I am sure of that. It wasn't loose. How did it get off my finger? Not a clue I say. Not a clue. The only guess I even have is that since the peanut is always falling, maybe at one point I reached down to pull her up and her little hand pulled it off my hand. That's all I got. I have called all around, put an ad in the paper, searched the VERY LARGE yard a million times. It's gone. And, I'm just devestated over it. Clearly, I mean who would ever wish their wedding ring gone. I really wanted it to be the peanut's one day. It's just crushing. I just keep praying it will turn up. If you want to join me in prayer, why that would be super swell of you!! I think we are going to try to get a metal detector (they are like $200!!!) to try searching the yard. It's still just unbelievable to me that this could happen. So, that's the bad news for this week.

The good news, is that I won at the blog party again this year! Woo hoo! Last year I won a $15 gift card to Starbucks. I was number 100 out of nearly 1500 and I got an even better prize than last year. How this happened I have no idea. People must not have understood how super swell the prize is. You can go to Who Can Ask For Anything More, check out her page and see how terrific it is. A super cute bag, 3 cookbooks, and a totally terrific part, a $25 gift card to Target. Woo hoo! Mama needs a new pair of shoes! So, there is good news in an otherwise not so great week.

How was yours?

Spring is here, the sky is blue...

OK, so spring isn't actually here, but we did get a bit of a peek at her today. We ran around, played with the melting snow, got on the swings, scooped up doggy poop (which, clearly, was not my favorite part!) and just enjoyed the sun on our faces. Lilla's pants, shoes, gloves and behind were completely drenched and muddy from being out there, but I still had to drag her in. I think she's about as ready to be out there as I am!

Our chickens are producing again so that has been another fun part about the impending spring. We hadn't had eggs from them since the fall so it is nice to see those brown oblong shaped yummies once again! I love when they produce a lot because then we are able to share them with friends and family and they are always well received!

What do you enjoy about the warmer weather?

Let's Get it Started in Here

Hi all party girls! I want to extend a warm welcome to you and thank you for coming to my little corner of the net for the party! I am a little late joining, but I've been out of the loop for awhile and didn't realize it's party time yet again. I had a great time last year visiting so many of your sites and I look forward to coming back around to you all again!

Well, let me start by introducing myself. I'm Amy, as you probably gathered from my blog name. I am married to Michael and we have a two year old daughter we affectionaly refer to as the peanut. We live in a small town in Indiana, which we really enjoy. We also have two dogs and four chickens.

I stay at home with my daughter and usually keep super busy with story times, bible studies, MOPS groups and playdates. Along, of course, with just keeping up on the house, cooking and laundry. It all keeps me on my toes, but I would have it no other way.

My little girl last fall, isn't she a beauty?

My husband gives people on the interstate this sign in his rear view mirror when he's irritated. Isn't he silly?

I've been blogging almost 3 years now, although I really didn't get into it until about a year and a half ago. I've had three different blogs in that time but this was my first and I wound up coming back recently.

I usually blog about just life in general. Whatever is on my heart and in my mind at that time. That could be a new recipe I've tried, website I've visited, something the peanut has said that I just had to share and it usually consists of lots of pictures. I actually just lost my last 3 months of pictures so I'm still recovering and need to download some new ones soon.

Oh, and I almost forgot to mention the prizes I would really love to win from 5 Minutes for Mom. Last year I won a gift card to Starbucks and that was fabulous!

They have some fun ones this year too and my favorites would be:

1. $25 gift certificate to Target from Angela at MommyBytes

2. A $25 gift certificate to Amazon.com from Judy at Welcome to My World of Dreams

3. A $20 gift certificate to Amazon from MommyDaddyblog

4. Chocolate from the Chocolistas

5. Book Bag from Who Can Ask For Anything More

6. 50 Fun Family Nights from Essential Family Living

Please leave a note for me to let me know you stopped by and I look forward to visiting you too!

Our family last summer in Tennessee

There's just something about that name

Every day at naptime and bedtime, the peanut has a real struggle going to sleep. She fights it and, to say the least, is not happy about it. So, we've created a routine that we turn the lights off, grab her baby and bankie (blanket) and cuddle up with her in the chair and sing praise and worship songs to her. It's always just been a sweet time of worshipping God and thanking Him for the good things in our lives.

One of the songs I sing to her is There's Just Something About That Name. An old song I learned many many moons ago when I was a little girl. For those who don't know it, it goes, "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, There's just something about that name. Master, Saviour, Jesus, like the fragrance after the rain. Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, let all heaven and earth proclaim, Kings and kingdoms will all pass away, but there's something about that name."

Well the other day as I sat singing to her, she sweetly looked up at me and said, "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus." So, I started singing the song to her and you can not imagine how my heart melted when as I sang to her the words, "Master, Saviour, Jesus." came out of that child's mouth. I cry even now as I think of it.

Thank you Jesus, that you are already placing a love for you in my child's heart. Thank you for answering and hearing our prayers. My own heart sings out to you, my wonderful Jesus!

We've only just begun

The peanut is a comedian. I'm not kidding. She's a 23 month old entertainer.

While walking through Burlington Coat Factory the other day I told my husband to take a seat while I ran and showed the peanut the toys. We were about halfway there when I hear her yell out behind her, "Michael, Michael, Michael." Hmmmm...I don't know where she learns these things!

Today she brought me a pencil and some paper and said, "Name." Even though she'd never done this before I knew exactly what she wanted. She likes for me to write down her name and the names of various other people for her to see. So I looked at her and said, "OK, what's your name?" She said, clear as day, "Erika." Which, is my sister's name. I said, "What is it?" She said, "Erika, Erika, Erika." After the laughter stopped, I asked one more time and she said, through a big old smile, "Lilla." Too smart this one, too smart!

I tell you though, I think the most adorable thing that has come out of this child's mouth happened about a month ago. We went to pick up my husband at work I saw him coming toward the car. The peanut apparently did too because she called out, "Daddy." Then, in the sweetest little voice I hear, "Cuuuute". Is that not precious?

Auld Lang Syne

Did you ever wonder what this New Year's song means? I have. I mean seriously, it's one of those songs that you mostly hum, or better yet make up the words to and never figure out what it means. I promise, I thought it said, "And may old acquaintances be forgotten..." Yeah, I'm sweet like that.


Anyway, we've been really busy bees around this joint lately. Besides doing the normal running hither tither to and fro like anybody else during the holiday season, we've bought a new car for me finally, cleaned up endless puppy oopsies, had fun with all our new toys (and when I say our I actually mean Lilla's!), made tons of yummy creations and eaten even more, gained like 40 lbs, made a buck or two, spent all those bucks and even more, let the laundry pile up to the ceiling, kissed at midnight on New Years and just enjoyed life.

All that to say, I really have had good reasons for not being ever present in blogland for the past month.

How were your holidays? Did you make any good resolutions?

I actually enjoy making resolutions. I usually enjoy breaking them too, but that's another blog for another day. :)

I really do want to start excercising again. I am really not largely overweight, honestly, 10 lbs would about do me, it's just getting motivated to do it. I'm way too cheap to join a gym so it's almost always been work out videos for me. My problem is that I've never found one I've liked since Sweatin' to the Oldies. I'm so not kidding people. I really wish I was, but I'm kind of silly like that. It's low key and has great music, which is of importance to me. Unfortunately, they didn't have it for the DVD player so I haven't had access in ages. Well, that all changed today people. While over at my in-laws this infomercial came on for it. Holy cow, my husband was on the honker so fast...he understands you see. I have been pining for that old Richard Simmons for years. So, two weeks from now, Richard and I have a date. :)

OK, it's time for me to hit the hay. I can't wait to find out how all of your holidays went and what Santa brought you!

Amy

These are the crazy times...

Life has just seemed too busy for blogging lately. I keep forgetting to even go to my blogs so I apologize that I am not visiting. I actually can't even stay now, I am going to be late for church if I don't jump in the shower in the next minute or so. I just wanted to post this hilarious picture. I don't know why I find it so funny, it just makes me laugh. We went to the new Johnny Rocket's at the mall yesterday and the peanut had a blast just goofing off and watching the server's dancing to Stayin' Alive. Good times! Here are a few more of the pictures I took...

Beeny Weeny

Saturday night my sister in law decided it was time to get all the special girls together from her life and have a girl’s night. She rented a limo to pick everyone up, had drinks and food and foot baths. She wanted it just to be a time for the girl’s to have a great time and just be girls. That was so very thoughtful of her.

You know, since I got married I never have time with just girls. I always have the peanut attached to my side and I just thought it would be so much fun. You know, kind of relive my youth days a bit. Looking back I remembered spending lots of nights going dancing with my friends and just laughing and talking and I missed it.

I had another friend that lives nearby tell me she was going to have a weinie roast the same night and invited our family to that. You know, just sitting around a campfire. Toasting hot dogs and munching on smores. Laughing and talking, sounds like fun! Of course I couldn’t do both and I had committed to my sister in law first so that’s the way I went.

Taking a ride in the limo was fun. I had a glass of wine, which I just never do. Please people, I am way too cheap to buy alcohol. Not to mention, I don’t really care for the way it makes me feel and I don’t really like it around the peanut. Anyway, as a result of not drinking since I got pregnant with the exception of a couple of sips since the end of breastfeeding, it didn’t take too long before I was feeling it. And I’m talking not in a good way.

To compound the issue, I was surrounded, with the exception of my sister, Erika, by a gaggle of girls who’s apparent only topic of conversation was drinking, sex and more drinking. Wow, the depth! Mind you, I’m completely incapable of small talk so this to me is like sticking needles in my eyes.

Let me just tell you how by 9pm I was calling my husband begging him to come and get me.

On Tuesday I talked to my weinie roast friend to ask her how things had gone. She relayed the story of how her daughter got sick at the gathering but she wished I would have been there to shoo everyone away. Apparently they stayed another two hours. Is it totally sad I wished I would have been there too?

Yeah, when it comes down to it, I think I’m just a weinie roast kind of girl.

My two new favorite things

I don't know why, I suppose it has something to do with the changing temperatures, but I've been all about food lately. I'm so not kidding. And last night I had a dream that I gained a lot of weight and my face was round. I kid you not that I woke up with a racing heart. It made me think about not eating the foods I'm about to tell you about...but, of course, it's me and that didn't last long!

First of all, I've had a bread machine for years and haven't used it. It's just sat there rather helpless for the longest wishing for something delicious smelling to bake. Well, a couple of weeks ago I decided to give it another whirl. Oh, did I forget to mention why it hadn't been used in forever? I'm trying to forget it...the weirdest looking bread you ever saw. Who knows what I did wrong, but it was definitely not edible.

So anyway, last week I tried once again to make just a regular old bread of white. Holy cow was that thing delicious. And we blew threw it in like a day and a half. So, naturally, I had to make another one. And another, and another, and another. Yep, it's been going on for 2 weeks now and I see no end in sight. As a matter of fact, my house will soon again be filled with the delicious smell of fresh baked bread in another hour now. YUMMO!!

The other thing I simply must tell you about, makes me look like this...

And what can it be?

Yes, pumpkin flavored ice cream. I have been looking for it for weeks and finally found it at my friendly neighborhood Marsh. I had been told Kroger had, but that was a lie from the pit. My mouth is watering thinking of it now. It's like pumpkin pie, ice cream...yes, creamy form!! Holy cow this stuff is good. The price tag is a lot more than I wanted to pay...I think like $6...but I will only buy it once and oh my gosh, am I happy that I did. Now my hips on the other hand, may feel a little different!

Trick or Treat

We have had a busy last two weeks. Lots of playdates, a couple of trips to the doctor, a trip to the zoo and a super fun day of trick or treating have made me one tired mommy!! We have a real fun zoo program here where they do all kinds of cute kid things, like the bouncy house...

...trick or treating and pumpkin bowling. Since we have a zoo membership it's super nice that we can go there and just have a fun free day!

The weather here has been so cooperative. The peanut got to jump in a big old pile of leaves I raked for the first time too! She loved it! In fact, yesterday I opened the door for the dog, she walked right out and went right back to that pile of leaves. So cute! I got a couple of real cute shots that day too...

Then tonight it was dress up time. She was the cutest ladybug you ever did see! My sister's daughter wore the costume last year so it was free...my favorite price! And people could not stop oohing and ahhing over it. Adorable!!

My husband was Peyton Manning and the dog was dogzilla! Hilarious! I wish I had a better picture of it for you. You should google dogzilla costume and see it better. So funny!

The peanut got the worst ear infection of her life, which is saying a lot since she had one consistently for 6 months before she got tubes last year. I felt so bad for her as we had no idea and she was so fussy last weekend. We figured out the pressure must have been building and it finally just burst. It was horrible. So, she's on antibiotics (which have been burning her poor little tooshy to no end!) and ear drops now. Hopefully it will clear up soon!

I have a respiratory thing going on...what's new with that though. Nothing a little streroids can't help, right? :) Yep, they don't even mess with antibiotics, go for the strong stuff with me! LOL

One of my friends from Seattle was out last week (I lived there 4 1/2 years ago) and she has a daughter the same age as the peanut. It was fun catching up and was funny that it seemed like it was just yesterday that we had seen each other last! Aren't those the best kind of friendships?!?!

So that's what's going on in our lives...how are you doing?!?!