Our $4 Afternoon

See this face? 

It belongs to a girl who used the potty not once but twice today. 

See that thing she's holding?

It's a celebratory snow cone. 

We spent $4 on snow cones for the whole family and road the back roads listening to John Mayer's new album, which happens to be my new favorite thing. 

It was pure bliss I tell ya.

Even Lee, who isn't exactly a JM fan, loves this song, 

in spite of what I consider to be an unnecessary thirty second intro.

We laughed, we danced in the car, and we celebrated what is a pretty big deal for our wee little family member. 

What was the most fun thing YOU did today with your family? 

Do tell; I'd love to hear and get some ideas. 

Kinda In Love

Today I have a million thoughts swimming around in this little head of mine. 

Here are a few I'd like to share: 

* I am madly in love with this picture that my friend Erin from Erin Norman Photography took recently. Like I dream about it. And want it to be the background on my phone. It's love, I tell you. 

* I have officially started planning for Libby's upcoming eighth birthday party. That's right, I said EIGHTH. And although we have plans all our own, I do so love this party.

*Speaking of parties, I think all of the back to school parties I've seen floating around the Internet lately are just too cute. Too bad Lib's birthday is so darn close to the start of school. But maybe one day.....

* Know what else I'm loving? This girl and her hair. However, I'm pretty sure it's illegal to have such cute hair all the time. Good thing I am strict rule follower in this category; no cute hair too often around these here parts.

* I am also loving this site I recently found. I often feel totally inept in the whole 'make yourself look cute' department....perhaps this will help a little.

* Oh, and did you know I have a facebook page for this here blog? Sure do. And I often post good sites and blogs and whatnot there. Check it out if you like. I'd love to have you.

*At some point in time, I'd really love to make some of these for my blog. Agreed? I'll see if I can get on that soon.

*This looks melt in my mouth delicious. I see a first attempt in my near future.

* I think this looks like a great idea. I wonder if Jessie from Toy Story counts as a Disney character? She's Hollyn's favorite.....

* Love this blog. Love this lady. She is simply amazing. And this summer she hosted an orphan from Russia in her home. And their story is knocking my socks off. Seriously, grab some tissues and read about all that God is doing in their lives.

* I continue to be amazed at how much toilet paper my little family of four goes through each week. Am I the only one whose tp seems to run away while we're sleeping?

*Tomorrow I have a job interview. I'm pretty darn excited about it, as it seems to have great potential to be exactly what I've been looking for...Please pray that I don't trip over my own words and that if it's not a perfect fit, I will have the nerve to say thanks but no thanks. I want me to fit them and them to fit me equally.

Here's hoping your Tuesday is top notch, and if it's raining where you are, then I hope you have a snuggle buddy with skills as good as Hollyn's. 

This Week, In a Nutshell

This was Libby's first real week of second grade. 

One would think that this would lead to lots of only child fun at our house, consisting of hours spent sitting on the  floor playing with Hollyn, reading her book after book, finger painting the hours away until Libby comes home. 

Not. 

Instead, it looked something like this: 

Breathing treatments all the live long day. Sure looks fun, right? 

Well, add to that a terrible virus that seems to have come at me with a vengeance, and you pretty much have my week. 

Instead of finger painting book reading, there was lots of couch time and Tylenol. 

Try not to be jealous. 

On a positive note, it does appear that Hollyn is finally really understanding the purpose of the potty; 

that's right, folks. The potty is the perfect place to leave your baby. 

Here's hoping your week was more fun than mine and that this coming week will show last week who's boss in no time flat. 

Wheezing and Coughing and Hacking, Oh My!

First of all, I am MADLY in love with this picture taken by one of my sponsors,  Erin Norman. More to come on that soon and how you can get hooked up with her as well, but for today, this precious face is not so happy. 

She's sick. 

The breathing troubles have returned to our house. 

They were not invited. 

In fact, I am pretty sure I said, "Please take your stuff, get out, and don't ever come back," the last time they visited. 

Apparently they don't play by the rules. 

Funny how things change when we become parents. 

Nothing is about us any more, not our money or our time or our sleep. 

Lee and I took turns staying up all night to check on her. 

We debated an emergency room visit (haven't had one of those in a while; they probably miss us). 

And even when I tried to sleep, it wasn't really happening. 

After the several days we spent in the hospital this spring, I have no desire in my heart to go back....ever. 

Here's to praying this breathing machine kicks the healing into high gear. 

While I am very thankful for American emergency rooms, I really don't wanna go; please don't make me.

I love this little face, smiling or otherwise....but the smiles are definitely my facial expression of choice.

So, if you need me today, I'll be cuddled on the couch with Hollyn, fetching her orange juice, holding her breathing treatment mask, and watching Toy Story for the billionth time. 

Living in Limbo

Living in limbo; that's what I feel like I'm doing these days. 

I'm waiting for the phone to ring or for an e-mail to come through. 

Heck, I'd even be happy with a carrier pigeon. 

But good things take time....at least that's what I keep telling myself. 

I can honestly say that I was worried the first day of school might make me question my decision not to go back to the classroom. But I made it through Friday without so much as a blink. I honestly don't miss teaching.While I do love my kiddos, I am confident that I have made the right decision. I believe I would be being disobedient if I had committed to teach this year. But waiting to see exactly what He has in store for me is not easy. There are many things I'm okay at; unfortunately, being patient is nowhere near the top of the list. 

And today while Libby was at school, Hollyn and I had quite the day.

 Before noon, I had cleaned up broken glass, scooped poop out of the bathtub (Thanks again for that, Hollyn.), and scrubbed the masterpiece Hollyn had drawn for me in pencil off of her bedroom wall. And yet, not one time did I wish I was teaching.

 I am, however, longing for this like a crazy person: 

Back to School

Today was a big one for the Libster as she began her journey as a second-grader. 

I can't believe how much she's grown just this summer. 

Here's a look at her on the last day of first grade and then the first day of second grade: 

And here's to hoping that second grade is filled with good friends, great books, and a big adventures. 

And to my favorite second-grader on the planet, 

I love you mucho grande. 

Can't wait to see all the fun that second grade brings. 

But do me a favor: 

no more growing up, mkay? 

These Two

These two have been best friends since before they could walk. 

They have laughed together. 

And shared every major milestone. 

They've stayed up late giggling....

...and fought over who gets the red popsicle. 

They've given two tons of hugs.....

....and have missed each other terribly. 

And today, they're going to be reunited. 

Lily is on her way. 

Libby is pretty darn excited. 

And her mom, who happens to be my other half, is coming along for the ride. 

And I can't freaking wait to see this face:

There is guaranteed to be lots of laughing until I almost pee my pants, lots of late night chit chats, and lots of catching up of the very best kind. 

Don't call. 

Don't write. 

Don't send a carrier pigeon. 

I'll be busy until Monday. 

The real world will just have to wait until then.