memories

ahh memories...
i saw these pictures today and i just had to give a shout out to my best friends growing up. you know who you are. you two blondies who mastered the art of getting in the car without opening the doors. to my girl jen, you were always a lot more like daisy duke than me, but patiently shared the role with me anyway. and my big brother jacob, you did a really good job of explaining what was happening in these shows since i was a little naive. (thanks mom) kyle, i have to say you always held mr. t in high regard. i think you could relate to him at an early age. ha! all in all, we really did turn out pretty well didn't we? thank goodness jeff and kyle are not currently driving around in a muscle car avoiding the police all day. and jen, we both turned out to be educated, professional, loving mothers. shew! and jacob... well you still find yourself explaining things to me but, that's okay because i secretly like that i still need that from you. funny, my best friends growing up still pretty much are my best friends all grown up. :) i love you guys.

good news!

good news! i AM doing something right...

When your 1-year-old shouts "No!" and throws her spoonful of cereal on the floor, take her act of rebellion as a sign you're doing something right, says Theodore Dix, a developmental psychologist at the University of Texas at Austin. His research has found that defiance between ages 1 and 2 is linked to positive parenting strategies, like giving children some autonomy and being sensitive to their needs. Early defiance even appears to correlate with high scores on cognitive tests. That may be because when young children feel very secure, they're more willing to test the limits and explore the ways the world works, he adds. "I like to think of it as these kids becoming empowered." (Baby Talk, June 2008)

vacancy

yes that is our balcony and yes we would love it if you would like to come visit. :)

terrible two's?

i just had to share this moment with you. luckily i had my camera with me. taking mia to the store has now become just like pulling the clip on a hand grenade and tossing it in my purse. i think the formal definition of a grenade is quite similar.

"A hand grenade is a small hand-held anti-personnel weapon designed to be thrown and then explode after a short time." (Wikipedia)

here she is tonight when i had to run in and grab a few things. going to the store now requires a well drawn out battle plan. unfortunately i do not have the isles memorized yet but, trust me, i will get it down. i've been warned about the terrible two's but, it's my contention that kids are definitely more advanced these days. i am afraid those days are upon us, still i find myself loving every minute of it.

daddy's girl

well, here we go. i never imagined that i of all people, would create a blog. i literally just sat down and decided to do this about 5 minutes ago. i have no idea where this will go. but, just like most everything else i seem to have done for the past several years, i will just press on and walk by faith and do this for You, for me, and for everyone i love.

so today is father's day. this is the first father's day in my 30 years, that i have not been able to wrap my arms around my dad and give him a huge hug. i hope you know that my heart is with you today, daddy. for the very reason that i am not with you today, is because of the confidence and independence that you instilled in me for as long as i can remember. thank you for believing in me. thank you for giving me wings. i am humbled today, by your love. i hope that i make you proud. what a day to have picked to start my blog. not that it should come as any surprise.

i have been asked the following question several times over the past 17 months..."do you ever worry about the fact that mia does not have a father?" and my official reply is..."never. mia has a father and many amazing male role models in her life and she always will. most importantly, mia has a heavenly Father who brought the two of us together as part of His perfect plan. i am not even the least bit concerned." today as i sit here and proudly still consider myself a daddy's girl, i vow to my sweet child, that she will know a father's love, her Father's love, and that is all that matters.