Lovin' Daddy!

We celebrated an amazing Daddy today...

These two together are just the best.  I absolutely love to see their little connection.  They have the sweetest daddy-daughter thing goin' on.  I pray each day that it will always be that way.

They play and laugh and chase and tease and giggle.  They have so much fun together, and there is a special smile that only comes across Mark's face when his daughter is around.  He is so in love with her.  And, good lord, that makes me so in love with him. 

Isn't it funny how married couples start calling each other "mommy" and "daddy" when you have a child?  I even answer his phone calls and greet him most days with "Hi, Daddy".  Weird?!?   Today, we took the Daddy and my own daddy to breakfast first thing this morning.  Then a few errands, a haircut for the Daddy, and a present or two....

All of his favorites!  My honey is a total junk food addict, and he loves to snack (I blame him often for my own figure...).  We packed up all of his favorites - Oreos, pistachios, sunflower seeds, sour patch kids, beef jerky...along with some of his favorite magazines.  I think he was pleased! 

Also - I've had to come to terms with the fact that babies don't understand holidays and special occasions. :)  Natalie typically does well and I don't have many instances to complain about - but today, of all days - she decided to get up early, and take a one hour nap (when she usually sleeps for 3).  That made for a whiny and restless baby today. 

Therefore, this evening, during the bewitching hour (that 90 minutes between dinner and bedtime that you just need to get through!) we went outside for a little water play.  I would be crazy to not share more pictures of my little beauty in her swimsuit.

(captured that attitude I was telling you about...)

She and Harley are getting along swimmingly these days.  And he thinks her baby pool is his very own.

(Oohhhhhhh. Birdie.)

Sharing a poolside snack with Daddy.

Finally it was time to come in for bath, jammies, snuggles, etc.  We had a little fun in the tub, and I am completely in love with this picture.  Her little face!!!

Finally, I can't end this post without a little Father's Day love for two other important daddies.

Happy Father's Day to my own Dad.  The man who always provided, forever practical and matter-of-fact.  A man who loves to fish, hunt, and would choose to be outdoors above watching TV any day of the week.  A guy who doesn't mind saying what's on his mind, but always quick to hug a grandkid or give a loving pinch.  I love my grumpy ol' Dad!

Happy Father's Day to a wonderful father-in-law who shows an admirable amount of love to his family, adores his granddaughter, and never hesitates to say "I love you."  A man who taught my man to be loyal and loving and has the same sense of humor and quick, smart tongue.  He is so sweet with Natalie, and we wish we could spend time with him more often! 

We are so blessed to have all of these wonderful fathers in our lives, and grateful for a day to show them how much they mean to us. 

Remember when.... A post about ME

Remember when I used to blog about stuff other than my cute baby?  Those days that I blogged of crafting and decorating and teaching and all that other fun stuff?  I miss those days!
I love being a Mommy, and it is true that in the past 15 months (and 10 months of pregnancy before that...) that part of my life has somewhat overtaken and infiltrated every other interest, hobby, and passion that I have.  But - my life is not completely defined as a diaper-changing, boo-boo kissing, car-seat loading, diaper bag packing, lunch fixing, booger-wiping, song-singing, baby-talking Momma (to the most beautiful and precious little one on the face of the planet, IMHO).  There is more to this Mommy than all of that, but I feel as if my blog - which is a great place to share with family and friends about the goings-on in our family - as morphed into that kind of blog.  You know the kind....where mommies post the play-by-plays of potty training, or 100 pictures of what all look like the same exact kid in the same exact outfit.  Well, maybe not that bad....but you get the idea.

I know you all love reading about my sweetie pie, and even more love to see her sweet face all over this blog....but tonight is about telling a little more about me.  The me who is not just a Mommy (even though I love it more than anything)!

I am a teacher.  Summers are amazing, but 10 months out of the year I work my butt off.  We are talking loonnnngg days with amazing kids (and kids that just plain wear me out).  Lots of parent phone calls and emails and "No Thank-You's" and "Stay in line please" and "Let's talk kindly to each other, shall we?"  A job that can feel like a constant hamster wheel - because as soon as you have accomplished one week of teaching and learning, another is upon you.  A constant struggle to reach every kid, and find enough time for all 27 of them.  "ON" every single second of the day.  Because teachers can't have bad days or personal issues or illnesses...no time for that!  Too many little people counting on me!  It's a job that I love, despite the challenges. 
I am a creator, by nature.  Since I was little, I've loved art and drawing and painting.  I sew (my Grandma taught me when I was a girl).  I love beautiful things, and feel that my eye is drawn to finding pretty details around me.  Presentation is important to me.  I like to decorate (and re-decorate, and re-decorate) my house.  I like color and calm and the way my house looks has a direct effect on my mood/feelings/etc.  I like organized spaces and a good, detailed list.  I like to take pictures and I love to scrapbook.  And the sweet little business that I started with my bestie is the perfect creative outlet for me.  Because I'm the kind of person who needs a little creatin' every once and awhile.  It honestly brings great joy to me.  My family gives me a hard time sometimes, saying things like, "Of course you made that yourself!" but I know they appreciate my creativity, too.  My hubby supports me endlessly in this "hobby", and understands that I need some time in the craft room every once and awhile.
Speaking of the hubby, my role as wife is equally important to me as the role of mother.  My guy is the love of my life.  Our love isn't perfect by any means, but it is perfect for us.  I can't imagine my life with anyone else - and he is still the person that I look forward to seeing and spending time with at the end of each day.  He is sweet and so generous.  He has a quick-temper, and a fierce love for his family.  He makes me laugh each day.  He does the grocery shopping every week and makes dinner 95% of the time.  He drives me absolutely crazy quite often.  He leaves his socks on the floor and never makes the bed.  He loves junk food.  He loves his daughter.  And I love him.

I like to read, but wish I would set aside more time for it.  I refuse to say that I don't have time to read.  I just don't always choose to use my free time for it.  I have a sick addiction to reality television.  I spend time designing for The Lovely Apple.  August through May, you can find me on the couch any night of the week grading a stack of papers or lesson planning.  I like to go for walks/runs and play outside with the little one.  If I could go to antique stores every weekend, I'd be a happy girl. I wish I was better at getting my family to church each week.  I pray each day and try to see the wonderful qualities in each person I meet.  I can be impatient and get frustrated easily.  I wish I weren't that way!  I am not very funny, but I love to laugh.  I hate my hair, my knees, and my hips.  I love my family like crazy.  My sisters are my some of my best friends, and their children are so precious to me.  I feel so blessed in so many ways, and appreciate things that help me remember that.

There you have it - everything you ever wanted (or didn't want to know!) about me.
And - some obligatory pictures (from the phone, no less!) since I hate blog posts with no photos.

Hope to be back soon with a BUDGET update!  'Cause I freakin' OWN that !*#&@ budget!
Happy (almost) Friday! :)

A Trip to the Farm

We spent a beautiful Friday morning at Deanna Rose Farmstead.  A lovely morning bathed in sunshine and cool breezes and plenty of little ones running and exploring and laughing.  Natalie loved every minute of it!

She got to ride around with her stroller buddy, Jack.

He is ALL boy - a perfect wild compliment to her calm & easy nature...

They are too cute together.  Ringin' cow bells.

And climbin' slides.

I think nothing pleases two bestie mommas like seeing their babies together.  As much as we've been through together in the past 10 years of friendship, it is beyond satisfying to see our babies interact and play and learn together.

Hands down, best part of Natalie's day was the goats.  She absolutely fell in love with these little guys.  Following them around, petting, laughing, jabbering.  No fear.  I think she thought they were dogs. :)

 She walked up to this spotted one and started having a conversation with him.  Then kept lifting up her shirt and showing him her belly..... oh, to know what is going on in that little mind of hers!

 Looking at momma...such a proud face.  Look at me, Mom!

 She was so comfortable in there, completely surrounded by her little goat friends.  The one in the back was trying to eat her shirt...

She put an arm around each one...then went in for a little goat love.

She cracks me up!  I was wishing I would have videotaped it, but I didn't have enough hands!  Jenn and Jack were busy trying to stay out of the goat poop (told you he was all boy!).

We moved on to the gardens...

Sweet little faces!

Natalie was such a good girl, and loved watching everybody and checking out all of the new surroundings.  I just love watching her do new things.  I'm so excited for a whole summer of this!

Bestie clicked some pictures of me and my girl in front of this gorgeous hydrangea.  She was mostly cooperative.

I love her face in this one!

We had such a fun day.  So glad we could have a morning with our friends and plenty of play time.  Oh yeah, and the goats. :)

Weight Loss Update

Well, I guess these have become an every two weeks update, rather than every week.  Really, it's been getting redundant.  Another week, another pound.  Blah, blah, blah.

Not much to report....like I said, in the past couple of weeks, I've lost a couple more pounds, bringing total to 16 pounds.  Eating has been so-so...not always the best choices, but managing to keep my calories down.  I'm hoping to get back on track this week.

Some back/hip issues have interrupted my workouts in the past week or so.  I went to the chiropractor, and my pelvis was tilted in the wrong way?!  That, along with my neck out of place, had been giving me daily headaches and some leg pain while running.  I'm feeling much better after a couple of adjustments, but I really didn't get any workouts in (except for a couple of walks) this week.  Hoping to get back on track with that this week, as well.

Hoping to get to the 20 pound mark soon!
Also hoping that this will give me some much needed motivation this week: