Random Stuff...

Because right now, I'm lovin' the little things...

Had to get a shot of this...

Lilee takes her "dollie tea parties" very seriously.

Even with a flower centerpiece...giving it the finishing touch.

Why is it that a "home-made" tent is always more fun

than the other 2 "real" tents she has?

And they always seem to be munchkin size...

not Mommy size

                    Lilee's artistic interpretation of herself and Mommy                

Hunter...furniture flyin'~

 And yep...that's a black eye. Wonder why?

Why is it that our basement always gets turned into a gymnasium?

 Ming Ming and Tuck...Lilee's turtles she brought home from the beach last summer.

Had I known these things would be so stinky, I'd have said NO WAY!

But, Lilee loves 'em...so I guess there staying.

A MOM MOMENT...

I'm in the process of getting all of my pictures off of my computer, and onto an external hard drive. While transfering the past 4 years of pictures...my heart swells. All those pictures ~ all those moments and memories. As I think, "Whew...where has the time gone?", I realize it's February...which means next month is March...which means my baby girl will soon be turning four years old. (...gulp)

"ALL BY MY OWN"...

"All by my own"  is Lilee's way of saying "all by myself".  Since she prefers doing most everything "all by her own"...I wasn't at all surprised this morning when she said, "Mom, can I make my bed all by my own?"

I'm thinking..."are you kidding me...YES!...one less bed to make in the morning!"

Just had to get a few shots, so when she's 16 and refusing to make her bed, I can have this as proof .

Lilee's "ALL BY MY OWN" bed making skills.
Definitely not perfect...

but she really tried, so that's perfect enough for me.

Pretty good huh?

FYI...She could care less that her bed is a still a toddler bed.  She thinks the Hannah Montana sheets (which I despise...but she adores) make it a big girl bed...and absolutely loves it!  I swear, I think her legs will be hanging off the side pretty soon.  But hey...whatever works, right?? 

A FEW HOURS WITH GRAM & PAPA...

Well, this weekend was very uneventful.  Mommy was "down for the count" with a nasty virus.  Saturday was supposed to be "take care of Mommy day", but somehow ended up like this...

(eye roll)... Yep, I was the only one in the house NOT napping.  Even max was snoring!
Oh well...like father, like daughter.
Sunday morning rolls around...and Brian had to end up taking me to urgent care.  So, Lilee spent a few hours with Gram and Papa.  And, yep...a mini photo-shoot was held.  But only after a deal was negotiated.     

The dress Lilee is wearing in this pic was mine.  When I was the same age as Lilee, my nana made it for me.  Mom kept it, throughout all these years...just waiting for the day, when she could show the "little girl" of her "little girl"...and say, "This was your Mommy's!"
Lilee, being "dress-up" crazy, wanted to put it on right away.  But was not thrilled with the idea of taking pictures.  So Gramee struck a deal with my little "head strong" Lilee.  If she'd let her take just a few shots...they could make brownies!
Good thinkin' Gram...the way into Lilee's heart is through chocolate.

 Lilee Ann...lookin' very vintage, in her Mommy's dress.

Now, off with the dress...and in with the mess!

Yes...that's my lil' choc-a-holic sucking down the hersey's syrup as fast as she can.
Uuuugh!...What else does Gram let her do when I'm not looking??

Back in her sweatshirt and sweatpants...now that's my Lilee!

Uhhh, Papa...that brownie mix is lookin' kind-of runny...

might wanna think twice about having a taste.

Actually...the brownie's ended up very yummy...and Lilee came home with a belly full of chocolate syrup!

Just A Thought...

Recently I read...that by submitting everything about our lives, everything about our day to Him (each morning before the day begins)...we are making an enormous difference in our ability to enjoy our lives today ~ and everyday that lies ahead.  So...

"Unto You, O Lord, do I bring my life."  ~ Psalm 25:1

Help me Jesus...to begin each day by submitting my life to You.  Help me never to forget ~ that each day is a gift.

What's On My Mind...

"For I have learned how to be content (satisfied to the point where I am not disturbed or disquieted) in whatever state I am." ~ Philippians 4:11

Today, I am making the decision to enjoy the journey. In my life...I often become preoccupied with the "planned destination", forgetting the consequence of a "fast-pace" day. All it takes to begin is ~ a choice...a deliberate decision. After all, what will matter at the end of this journey?
What will matter is not what I bought but what I built...not what I got but what I gave.
What will matter is not my success but my significance...not my competence but my character.
Enjoying the journey doesn't happen by accident. It's not a matter of circumstance...but of choice.
Today, I'm reminded to live each day as though God is constantly paying attention...
...because he is.
Yesterday morning…while I was getting ready for the day, Lilee was rambling on about, well…everything she could think of. About the time I think she’s about to wrap it up…she shifts her focus. She then begins to share a little wish (one that I’m choosing not to share…so I can keep it close to my heart). We both giggle.
Instead of taking the wheel of her little wish (which I often, as her mom, feel the need to direct the sails) something made me take a step back. So, I tell her…“Pray about it Lilee, and tell Jesus what your hoping for”, thinking she would simply include that in her prayer before bed tonight. I was wrong…
A few minutes went by and as I’m walking down the hall, I see her…kneeling at the foot of her bed…
…hands folded, eyes closed, head up…whispering her prayer.
I knew then…God was reminding me to step back and enjoy the moments…the journey…this life. By doing so, I allow Him to reveal His grace…uncovering moments that I'm normally too preoccupied to see.