Confessions of Nothing

We are going to Alabama. Yes - I scream like a little girl and clap my hands, and then like to sing a bit of Sweet Home Alabama when we cross the state line. I also love songs by Randy Travis and Alabama.

It took me hours to narrow down what outfits to pack for Squirms - something I thought I would never say as a mother. I had sworn to be efficient and low maintenance, but that has gone out the window while packing. And it was fun. She has so many and they are all adorable (thank you other people who sent them).

During our twelve hour car trip, at least eleven hours will be spent listening to NeedtoBreathe.

R asked me guess what this weekend is? the other night. I replied college football starts, Auburn plays Clemson, Squirms will watch her first Auburn game, H will teach Squirms about football, we're going to Corner, we get to meet my cousin's little boy, we get to meet AnniePant's little boy, and college football starts. He laughed and replied no, the new season of Doctor Who begins! 

I miss seeing MMD.

I brushed my hair

Warning - the following photos may be considered disturbing, especially since in the side view you can't tell which way I'm facing.

Sorry for a photo without make up, just focus on the hair

This one kind of scares me

This is the back, not my face covered by hair.

Ten Things

1. Laundry hamper/sorter. This has changed my life. It has four compartments, a slim depth, and the bags are removable! Yesterday I picked up the bag with the color clothes, took it to the washing machine, and placed the empty bag back in our bathroom. I didn't have to pick up any socks or undergarments that fell out of the ginormous pile I usually try to carry in my arms (laundry is like grocery bags to me - one trip operations).
http://www.target.com/p/target-home-4-compartment-sorter-with-removable-brown-bags-33-45-x15-x37-35/-/A-13743072

2. We have been practicing sitting....aka, falling over or face planting.


3. Iced coffee. I've been pouring the remains of the morning coffee over ice and adding a dash of milk for an afternoon snack.

4. Blueberry crunch. I don't need to explain this one - delicious and it reminds of me of Grandpa's blueberry bushes.

5. My daughter sounds like Darth Vadar this week.

6. Doolin, Ireland has come up twice this week already. This was our favorite stop in Ireland (2010).

Doolin

Bed and Breakfast

Our hiking (and traveling) buddies

7. VBM, a church and jogging buddy, let me know that Essie makes a nail polish color titled Trophy Wife. Yes, I am wearing it now.
http://www.essie.com/shop/trophy-wife-p-380.html

8. JCrew (outlet) boyfriend/tissue t-shirts. I feel like this is my uniform now. They are comfy but also v-necked so I feel like I'm wearing a t-shirt without looking like I'm wearing a t-shirt.

9. H is going to teach Squirms about football Labor Day weekend.

10. Confession: the only piece of clothing I have purchased for my child is a beautiful gingham smocked Auburn dress.
She is six months old. I have bought one piece of clothing.
(Please note, this is mainly because people have been so generous in giving clothing to Squirms that I have not needed to buy anything)

Dedication at Church

This past Sunday R and I had the honor of standing before our church and committing to teach our daughter about God, to raise her in a home that honors God, and to ask our church members to help us.

Our pastor read from Deuteronomy and referenced the story of Samuel being dedicated to our God. 

Squirm's dedication is about her future - about how we can have dance parties to songs about Noah's ark, her learning her first Bible verse, reading Psalm 24 at the top of our voices, maybe joining the children's choir or AWANA, going on youth trips, working Habitat for Humanity with R, and hopefully committing her life to knowing and following Jesus.

But it also brought back memories of how our Sunday School class encouraged us, with cards and pizza, after our failed placement. And how AWANA workers, choir members, and friends brought diapers, formula, baby girl clothing, and toys to our house while we were with Squirms at the hospital. And how many people, near and far, were praying for us, Squirms, and her birth parents.

Dedication Day - Such a lady in her smocked dress and pearl bracelet

Our pastor also led us in a prayer for Squirms and asked that her life be used to share God with others.

Then he gave a sermon, The Gospel is here and He is Jesus, with three points:
1. The gospel is simple. I Corinthians 15:1-4 (Christ came, Christ died, Christ was buried, and Christ rose again)
2. The gospel is scriptural. I Corinthians 15:3-4 (in accordance with the Old Testament, Isaiah 22, 53, Exodus 12, Leviticus 16, Psalm 16, 22, etc.)
3. The gospel saves. I Corinthians 15:1-4 and Galatians 3 (Paul's message is for believers as well as unbelievers, the more we look for the next level, peace, contentment, we still find only Jesus)

The Joys of a Child

Lots of deep, long thunder tonight. And lightning.
The yellow color of the sky prompted us to make a "who gets Squirms and who gets the dogs and rushes to the closet" plan.

Last night Squirms gave us a scare. She'd been asleep for about two hours when she started yelling. She seemed fine according to the video monitor, but her cries insisted attention.

Her adorable nose was congested so I held her while R operated the snot bulb. She looked terrified, not being able to use her nose, so of course we were also terrified.

Then, with the bulb in one nostril, LOTS of mucus flew out of the other nostril and I cried It's in my eye! It's in my eye!

Squirms is fine and breathing well, and we have been taught to respect the strength of her nose.

Family Visit

One of the best things about Squirms is how many visitors she gets!

This past weekend Senior R and Mrs. MHJ visited. Squirms loved having her grandparents here and R and I took advantage of having baby sitters and went on a date! We also got to enjoy celebrating R's birthday with his family. 

Yes, they make Lego candles.

R had some help with the candles.

And Auntie C came too!

Camping?

It's not an adventure if you know you're going to make it 

-DBC (aka R's best man)

To celebrate R's birthday we drove to a campground on an inlet south of here. 

We arrived and were attacked by bugs. Lots of bugs. Their bites stung.

R set up the tent and travel crib. 

We went on a walk as a family. It was a lovely walk. 

The dogs happily made themselves dirt beds. 

R cooked dinner - foilies and peach cobbler (both boy scout camping recipes).

When it was time for Squirms to go to bed, she promptly responded heck to the no. 

Just in case we had any doubt about our decision to pack up and head home, Squirms screamed extra loud from her comfy car seat in the air conditioned truck while we scrambled to take down the tent and clean up the site before the sun set.

Yes, the carrier is soaked with drool.

Our first camping trip as a family of three, or five if you count Tanner and Shelby Ann, lasted almost exactly four hours. Please note the facial expression of our daughter in the above picture taken in 85 degree heat and the facial expression in the picture below taken in her crib in an air conditioned house.

Yay for the 21st Century

 Diva.

I don't camp in August in Florida.

While R was slightly disappointed that we had to call this trip a Dry Run and compiled a list of Lessons Learned, later that weekend we dressed her in a Star Trek bodysuit.

Wearing a bow too so her mom doesn't get in trouble.

The photo below is from today. This is how she spent some of her afternoon. Chewing on things. Not camping.

I like to drool.

Happy (30th!) Birthday R

Happy Birthday to R.

I learned a word this year, a Greek word, Praus. In simple terms, it means power under control or strength brought under control. 

A responsible man who likes dinosaurs.

This past year R learned to surf, had four patent applications, served six lovely widows from our church, took the leading role in helping us recover from our failed adoption placement, had his appendix removed, became a father, bought a truck, restructured our budget so I could stay at home, celebrated six years of marriage to me, and made wearing a bow tie popular.

An intelligent man who knows how to have fun.

His strength is quiet, sometimes overlooked, never waivers, and comes from his daily time with God.  .

A handsome man who looks hot in a bow tie and in a cap

I learned the word praus at church, during a sermon. In current society, we know this word as meek.

A disciplined man who prioritizes helping others.

I'm certain that if R can make bow ties popular in central Florida, he can certainly bring back the acceptability of the word meek.

A wonderful father who loves to nap.

Bunny Slippers

Today I am thankful that my dear friend is addicted to her phone because she kept me updated during her labor yesterday, and that she and her baby boy are healthy (extremely happy about the healthy part). 

AnniePants with Squirms this Spring

This afternoon Squirms tried on shoes and hats. 

Or, she tried to play and chew on things while I put random hats and shoes on her.

Hat

Bunny Slippers

We have also been watching the Olympics! 

And she has a minor stomach virus. So I thought lounging in slippers would be good for her.

Watching the Olympics

Sweet Shelby Ann. It warms my heart when she puts her head on my lap.

R turns 30 tomorrow!
We are going camping.
Only for one night. Because we are taking the dogs. Two adults, one 5 1/2 month old, one dog with separation anxiety, and one dog that likes to bark at clouds.