one little girl

Okay, so no. I don't have birthday party pictures yet. But, yes, I do have an excuse! In fact, I have several. Come on, you knew I would!! 

1. I have been busy.

2. When I haven't been busy, we've been gone to the lake.

3. The pictures aren't on my camera. My sister took them with hers.

4. She has been even more busy than I could ever imagine being and can't make me a cd.

5. I have no intentions of bugging her about it!! If she ever finds a moment to slow down, I want her to use it for herself!!!

Let's move on to things I do have.

1. two little girls in swimming lessons.

2. one little girl who has no fear of the water at all and will jump in without warning.

3. one little girl who is terrified of it and trying to get her into the pool is like trying to give a cat a bath.

4. one little girl who charms the lifeguards and other parents with her fun-loving personality.

5. one little girl who traumatizes the other childern with her screaming and makes the lifeguards wish they had called in sick.

6. one upset stomach at the thought of  six more days left of swimming lessons.

At the very last second on Friday, I sent the nanny a message and told her that the girls would start swimming lessons on Monday and that she should meet us at the pool every morning the next week. Her response? "Sure! No problem." Then I sent another message informing her that she would have to get into the water with Avie because of the pool's age requirements. Her response? "Um, are you serious? Okay...I guess." 

We spent that weekend at the lake. Because Anna Sue's birthdate is June 27, we decided to stay through Monday and skip the first lesson. Mr. Wonderful even surprised me and took off work so he could spend the day with us.

So Tuesday morning before the lesson, I had to run by the rec and give them our signed forms before we went to the pool. We were running very late because Addie cried and refused to put on her swimsuit before we left. She also cried and refused to let me fix her hair. Then she told me the whole way there that she didn't want to go to the pool. We were so late, that the nanny came looking for us. I ran out of the rec and she was sitting there in the parking lot. Poor girl. I quickly told her about the sweet older man who came in and asked about line dancing lessons for his wife...he wanted a LOT of information. (It was really sweet though!) and then we ran over to the pool. Thankfully, they were running behind, also, and hadn't started Avie's class. The nanny got in the pool with her and Avie was great. She loved it. She splashed like crazy...which the nanny loved by the way...dipped her face under water, and jumped off the side without a thought. Addie's class didn't start until a few minutes after Avie's, so she sat with me and watched. She commented on everything Avie and nanny did. She was loving it. No problem. Then her class started. She hopped right out of my lap and walked over with the others. No problem. They all sat down lined up on the side of the pool and stuck their legs in the water. No problem. Then the lifeguards put them in the water one at a time and asked them to hold a noodle and kick. No problem. It was Addie's turn. Problem!!! Addie began to scream and kick and claw. It was so terrible to watch. She finally calmed down and did a little better by the end of the class.

This morning when we were getting ready, Addie told me she didn't want to go to the pool. She said she was scared. When we got there, I had to walk her over to her class. I asked the lifeguards their names...Kyle, Andrew, & Megan...bless them! I told her that they were her friends and that they were going to take care of her. Kyle was the lucky one who I threw her to in the pool (I'm not cruel, I just knew if I put her on the ground she would walk away..if she's already in the water then she's more likely to stay) He was very sweet to her and she ended up doing better...not great, but better. When I get home tonight, I will talk to her again about her new friends Kyle, Andrew, and Megan and how much fun she had with them in the pool. It just takes more for her to trust someone. She isn't really that afraid of the water. She plays in the lake really well. I mean, she doesn't jump in like Avie does, but she isn't afraid to get in and splash. I think it has more to do with the people there. If the nanny were in the pool with her, I don't think she would have a problem. But (warning: I'm going to seem cruel again) "life" isn't going to accomodate her, so I'm not going to bend on this one. Her personality is so very much like mine. I truly do understand how she feels. Depending on the situation, I will usually try to do things to help her feel more comfortable. If she were afraid of the water, then I would get in with her. But there is no reason to be afraid of the lifeguards. She needs to be able to trust and understand that lifeguards, firemen, police officers, etc. are going to help her. I don't want her to be afraid of them. It concerns me to think that if there were some sort of emergency, that she would resist them. Perhaps we should take a trip to the fire station and let her see the trucks and meet the firemen. I wonder if they let you do that in our town. Hmmm. Time to make some phone calls and see what I can find out.

I also plan on picking up a few noodles to take to the lake with us this weekend so I can play/practice with both girls. My mother, Mrs. Incredible, the greatest woman in the world in my opinion (who does not read my blog so, no, I'm not sucking up to her) has offered to run the shop for me so that the girls and I can go back to the lake on Friday for an extra long weekend! Hooray!! We have so much fun with the family when we are there, I can't wait to get back. I know the nanny will be excited to find out she doesn't have to work all day Friday...I think we are leaving immediately after swimming lessons. Too bad Mr. Wonderful won't be able to come with us. He may even have to work for a while on Saturday. He would drive separate anyway, so that he can bring his boat. You know the fishing song by Brad Paisley? Well, that is what Mr. Wonderful would say if I tried to keep him from fishing. He hasn't been in years because he has been working too much and the girls have been keeping us busy and plus he sold his boat after having problems with it. He was finally able to get another boat after several years, and took it to the lake last weekend. I don't think I'll ever see him again! I know he loves me, but it may just be possible that he loves fishing more!!

Hope you all have a wonderful and safe weekend! 

Love and prayers for you all!!     

I survived!

Whew! Addie's 4th birthday party was this past weekend and I survived it!!

At last count, so did most of my friends and relatives ;)

I can't wait to show you pics and tell you all about it....coming soon!

one of us must die

During my blog surfing today, I found For Love or Funny. It is written by an author named Lynn Kellan and had an amazing post titled, "I'm just a heartbeat away from an affair."

I know you must think I'm nuts for saying that being a heartbeat away from having an affair is amazing..........but that's not what I said! I said that the post was amazing. And that is because of her conclusion that "love is a choice."

I was so thrilled to see someone else agree with exactly what I believe...love is a choice! I was having a conversation recently about the fact that I refuse to get a divorce. Looks like it is time for the good ole disclaimer, so here goes:

The opinions stated in this post are specifically opinions intended for the writer of this post and her own personal life. She in NO way expects others to have the same opinion as her. She also in NO way intends to force her opinions onto others and their life. She is completely aware that everyone's situation is different. She also openly admits that although it is easy to say what she would do in a particular situation...she has no clue how she would actually react if she were to be faced with that situation in reality. She is simply blogging what is on her mind at the moment because she is sitting at the shop alone and it is quiet at the moment!

Okay, now that we have gotten that out of the way, let's get back to the psychotic ramblings. So, yes, I refuse to get a divorce. Mr. Wonderful is fully aware of my stand and claims to agree with me...but it is possible that he is agreeing with me out of fear. When I married him and vowed to be with him "til death," I meant it. The day he asks me for a divorce is the day one of us must die. Yes, I said die. I felt this way before, but even more now that I have two little girls. There is nothing in me that would be able to handle them being away from me. There is also nothing in me that would try to handle some other woman coming into their life and making decisions for them. God gave them to me. If He had wanted someone else to be their mother, He would have done that Himself. I actually feel the same way about Mr. Wonderful. God gave them to him, not someone else.

I have seen many people who are able to make it work and I am so proud of them. I think it is amazing to see someone make the best of the situation they find themselves in, because that can be so difficult to do. I just can't imagine being able to. I'm too selfish. Yes, I said it and I meant it. I'm too selfish and I want it all, especially when it comes to my family.

But back to what began this blog post. Love is a choice, not a feeling. Most people don't understand that. Everyone is so quick to say that they "fell in love" or that they "just don't love someone anymore." But that isn't the case. Love isn't something you just fall into or out of. Love isn't something that just happens when you weren't expecting it. That, my friend, is lust; not love. That swirly feeling in the pit of your stomach when you look at someone? Yup, that one is lust also. Love isn't something that just comes and goes. It may change over time, but it doesn't just go away. The people in my past friendships and relationships may not be a part of my life today, but that does not mean that I don't care about them. I do care very much for them and I wish only the very best for them in life. I just wasn't ready to commit to do the work required to keep them in my life back then. And I'm sure it was the same for them. Love is a commitment that requires self-sacrifice. It requires compromise. If you aren't willing to put the other person first, then it isn't likely that your relationship will last.

 Love is a choice. It is a decision that you make. It isn't just romance and fun. It is hard work and commitment. It isn't keeping the "real you" a secret so you won't upset the other person. It is revealing your true self to someone and them accepting you even though you aren't perfect. Love isn't walking away when things aren't going well or when things get difficult. Love is being willing to stick around and try to make things better. 

Mr. Wonderful and I have been married for 7 years but have been together for 10 and a half years. I love him more now than I did in the beginning - which back then I didn't think was possible. I guess that the commitment I made to him has just continued to get stronger. I certainly would never claim that it has been easy, but it really has been a wonderful 10 years. We have been through so many difficult times together. Actually, the specific things we have experienced over the years top the chart as reasons people get divorced. I don't know exactly how, but we seemed to grow closer through those times. We were able to lean on each other in the midst of them instead of looking for comfort in other places. We have also been through many amazing times together over the years. Way too many good times...fun and silly and wacky and things only he and I would enjoy.....to count! 

Mr. Wonderful definitely knows me better than anyone. And for some reason, he still chooses to wake up every morning and put up with my chaos.

Other than putting up with my every day nuttiness..He has survived my admittedly psychotic pregnancy hormones four times. Along with those four pregnancies he has survived my extreme weight fluctuation...and has never, not even once, commented on it to me. He survived five years of me being a stay-at-home mother and the obsessive cleaning that went along with it. He has done every construction/redecorating project I have asked. He puts up with my cluttered chaos when I am in the middle of a craft project. He sticks by my side in the kitchen when I insist on doing too much cooking (especially on holidays) because I love it :) and he washes the dishes for me because I hate to. He sits up all hours of the night with me while I finish up a sewing project...because if I ever leave one without finishing it-it just doesn't get done. Which brings me to the thing he puts up with probably the most...my short attention span. He has spent the past ten years without ever laying eyes on an action movie (because I can't stand them) and has watched way too many chick flicks (because I love them and I'm selfish like that!) He has supported the ups and downs that have gone along with opening up the shop...and the super messy house that comes from me working away from home! At the moment he is enduring (as he has every year before) my extreme children's birthday party planning. Not THAT is love!! Or maybe that is insanity...not sure which but probably a bit of both :)

When I was little I was in a church play called "Down by the creek bank" and it had the cutest little song in it about being a good friend to one another. 

"Love is...never stuffed up, never puffed up, never gives up when the going's tough. It's the biggest little word you can say. By the way, it's sympathy, sincerity.....it's everything happiness is made of. And I like it best when it's shared with a friend."

I suppose that is the best thing about Mr. Wonderful...he is such a good friend to me. I know that 10 years isn't really much at all in the big picture. But it has certainly been enough time to know that it isn't always easy. I know that Mr. Wonderful thinks that I am beautiful, but then again he has to because he loves me. So it does feel pretty good to get a compliment from someone who isn't required to give one. Because of that, I really do understand a part of what she is talking about when people get sucked into the fantasy. Of course, Mr. Wonderful isn't required to pinch me on the rear every single time I'm in the kitchen cooking and my hands are too messy to smack him for it...so I suppose that makes me feel pretty good also (even though it is totally annoying!) I guess what I am saying is the same thing Lynn Kellan was saying in her blog. While it may be nice to think about some incredibly handsome Matthew McConaughey-type guy sweeping you off your feet....

you'd probably just look up and realize that he was just a younger version of the husband/relationship you already have and that the fantasy of being swept away isn't nearly as sweet as the reality of having the man who already knows you best and loves you anyway.

Suppose I should add in another disclaimer at this point:

Mr. Wonderful knows that I have a crush on Mr. McConaughey. Just like I know he has a crush on Jennifer Anniston, Kate Hudson, Cameron Diaz, Faith Hill, Carrie Underwood, and too many other incredibly beautiful celebrities to mention. So posting the amazing pic won't be a big deal. But just in case it is...

this one's for you, Mr. Wonderful ;)      

Guess today's post was just a crazy way of saying, God knew what He was doing when He said we should only have one partner and that partner should be for life. It just works better that way. And besides, who in the real world has the time to look like those two and still work on the actual relationship stuff?!?!   

Ribbon Cutting!!

I know it is super short notice,

I just wanted to let everyone know how excited I am about

LizzieLu & BabySue's Grand Opening!!!

We are having a ribbon cutting at around 9:15 this morning (Tuesday the 14th)

We will also have a few refreshments and

will be celebrating all week long with

special savings for everyone,

so come see us!!!

Love and prayers for you all!



about a zillion

First of all, let me just tell you that I have absolutely NO business blogging right now. I have about a zillion things to do, and haven't started any of it. In fact, I have so many things to do that it has been keeping me up the past few nights. Maybe if I take the time to put them all down, it will help me get organized enough to get something done!

Addie's birthday is in two weeks. I haven't even sent the invites yet. Actually, I haven't even made the invites yet. Mr. Wonderful gave me a Cricut Imagine for my birthday this year. I am so excited about it! It is such an awesome machine. It can do anything. The problem is that I don't know how to work it. I really want to use it to make Addie's invitations. I know that I should just give up for now and buy some, but I really had my heart set on making them myself. I am planning on using a watermelon theme for her party and having water games and activities, and I really wanted her invitations to have watermelons on them. Grrr. Maybe I'll try it one more time. This precious machine may just end up on Craigslist if I can't figure it out, though!!

Also, I forgot to rent the water slide for Addie's party until today. The one I wanted was rented so I chose another. It was also rented. And so on. The one I ended up with is the only one I really didn't want. Oh, well. As long as they have fun and are safe, then it doesn't really matter.

With me opening the shop and starting to work every day, I feel such an urge to organize everything in the house. Especially the things that I don't want the girls to get into. That would be bills and important paperwork and photos. I have a stack of at least 2,000 pictures sitting on the vanity in my bedroom from 2009. I don't do scrapbooks because I take too many pictures and want to use them all....even the ones where someone isn't looking or their eyes are closed. I know it's nuts, but I just really love how looking at pictures can bring you back to the exact moment when they were taken. I can remember everything about the entire day when I look at those pictures, so I want to put them all in albums, in order by date. When Avie was born, I got really behind and let them start piling up. Eventually, I just stopped getting them developed. As a result, I have eight SIM cards that have thousands of photos on them just waiting. It will cost several hundred dollars to develop each card. I would like to get started and just do a few at a time, but I don't want more pictures just sitting. I really need to get those out of my room and into albums. Maybe tonight.

Last year before Addie's birthday, Mr. Wonderful and my dad built the girls a playhouse. It is so stinkin' cute. I painted it the same color as our house, yellow with black shutters. But I didn't get finished before the party. And an entire year later, I still haven't finished. We also want to build a little covered area on the side of it so they will have a place to park their Barbie jeep and 4-wheeler. If we did it large enough, we may even be able to move their bikes and scooters out of Addie's bedroom and put them under there also. Once the yard is cleaned up enough, we intend to move the swing set and sand boxes over closer to the playhouse. Right now though, the entire yard is just a big ole mess!

Another thing about Addie's birthday, is that I can't decide what to give her. I really wanted to redecorate her room, but I couldn't decide if that was a good gift for a 4-year old or not. She still sleeps in her crib. And, don't you judge me for it, either!! At bedtime we carry her to her room, tell her goodnight, turn out the light and close the door. She sleeps in her own bed all night long and has never tried to climb out of it. But her bed can be changed into a toddler bed......and she is going to be four......and she will be starting preschool in the fall. I just can't decide if I'm ready to let my baby grow up! If I do decide to give her a room makeover, I would like to make the new bed linens myself....two weeks....eeeek! I would also think about painting the walls to better coordinate with the bedding fabric.....in two weeks....double eeeeeek!! But the bonus for redecorating her room is that I would move the huge television out along with the armoir that it is sitting in. I would paint that armoir and move it to the shop to use :) But I only have two weeks!!!!!!!!

Oh, but you'll be proud to know that I am in the process of using the Cricut to get started on her invites!! Hooray for me!!

But let's not forget that we have a ton of work to do at the lake, I still have to plan the menu for the party, clean the house for the party, cook everything from the menu for the party, find party decorations, decorate, come up with a birthday outfit, and a whole bunch more that I don't have time to mention!! Man, I better get started!

Love and prayers for you all!!