grab coffee, it's a long one

There have been a few things I’ve been meaning to write about (how many of my posts start like that? too many I’m sure…) and never find time to do it. not that there’s not time to do it, it just never happens. very disappointing. SO here’s my life in bullet point:

· Bella is growing so quickly (real observant I know) and I’m left feeling like I can’t figure out a way to really savor every day because we’re just making it through one day at a time... and now she’s nine months old. AUGH! Two weeks ago she got bumped from one classroom at church to another because she’s a crawler… they could break it to a new mom a little more gently than a sudden, she’s too old for this classroom and will be graduating high school and moving out and getting married in no time! (okay, maybe it wasn’t quite like that, but that’s what I heard!) Needless to say – tears! I’ve been taking advantage of sales for new summer clothing lines, and learned quickly in Target that she’s no longer in the infant section (there’s basically zero selection even for 9-12 months) and we have to buy clothes from the toddler racks. TODDLER?! I started breathing harder as I blindly piled clothes into the cart (Justin loved that) and walked away clutching my baby a little too tightly. She also has seven teeth now, eats cheerios and is really showing her personality – particularly when she’s crabby. not fun for anyone. I was talking with a girlfriend and realized I’m going to have to start really thinking about my parenting style because even though I’ve been a parent, I haven’t really had to parent, whatever sense that makes. Now that she’s swinging at me and throwing fits for no reason (I thought that didn’t happen until she was two?!) we need to figure out how to respond to it. me crying in the corner isn’t going to work much longer. ha!

· My parents bought tickets to come out for Bella’s birthday and Andrea just bought tickets for her and Lili to come out as well – it’s still over two months away but I’m SO excited to have everyone here to celebrate her day!! I’m a huge nerd and am already thinking about what theme her party will be but football and basketball games seem to be what best holds her attention at this point and I can’t picture her blowing her candle off a basketball cake. oh my.

· We’ve been talking more and more seriously about trying to sell our house and make the move back to Colorado – I can’t even explain how nervous I am to go back, but I the network that I need, especially in this new role of mom, is there… the market here is SO depressing though. Justin showed me that there are four houses within five miles of our house that have foreclosed and are listed for under 100k, which does no favors for us. Plus, he was always confident he’d be able to get a job wherever we moved, so selling the house was going to be the biggest hardship; now with the sweet economy the way it is, we’re not sure if the job or house will be the stumbling block. I’m not sure how to go at this anyway but blindfolded and have faith that it will work out if it’s supposed to. fingers crossed…

· Justin and I were encouraged by our small group leader to participate in Lent this year and have taken the challenge – no, we’re not Catholic, but I really like the approach to it: this is borrowed by Mike - sorry dude, I figure if the Pastor can use it I can too – The Lenten season is a 40 day period of time many Christians spend in contemplation of Christ's sacrificial death for us, as well as our own areas of sin, seeking the gift of repentance. You've probably heard of people giving things up for Lent, and I think that in general it is a good thing to do. A few things to consider fasting: TV, movies, non-Christian books, food, alcohol, the internet (except as needed for work), etc. Certainly things you think can get in the way of your relationship with God are good things to put aside for a season. A fast is usually only good if you replace it with something better - so if you ditch the TV, replace that hour with Bible reading and prayer. If you fast food for certain days, use the tummy rumblings as a reminder throughout the day to throw up prayers for yourself and others. Be serious about it - if you're going to not watch TV, for example, unplug the stupid things in your house and turn 'em backwards if you have to. so Justin’s not drinking alcohol and I’m not drinking Dr. Pepper and we’re both keeping the TV turned off until 9:00 p.m., which is pretty huge for us because we watch far too much TV. It’s been pretty cool so far actually because Bella’s in bed by 8:00 and so we have that hour to just the two of us. In the future we want to take that time to do our bible studies, have dinner together, get our house ready to put on the market and just enjoy the time together. So far I’ve fallen asleep before 8:30 (had to be the lack of Dr. Pepper) and the other night watched the Cavs game (it IS work technically!). TMI WARNING – we were talking about what we could give up for 40 days, and Justin slyly suggested I give up abstinence. HA! crap…

She's Gone Viral

my little belly bean was the cavs.com photo of the day. it's good to know people. haha!

- close up -

5 - 5 - 5

I was tagged by Sherry (awhile ago, just read through the whole blog past the picture to see I was tagged. oops...) to post the 5th picture from the 5th folder in my pictures files. I literally laughed out loud when I saw which one it was. can you tell I was five days overdue and waiting at the restaurant for our check before going to the hospital for the induction?! I actually like it because I think you can really see how ready I was!

The five people I tag are... Jenn, Megan, Gwen, other Jen and Sondra. lets see 'em ladies!

The Sentiment is Mine

So I'm not a songwriter (or a singer - except in the shower, and then in addition to all my thinking, I'm a pretty phenomenal singer. must be the acoustics... ha!) but I'm pretty sure if I could write a song - it may not be that far off from this one:

I Wish by Point of Grace

I wish I didn’t feel so helpless
I wish I didn’t act so selfish
I wish I didn’t wring my hands night and day
My hair was a little bit smoother
My jeans fit a little bit looser
And I always knew the right things to say
And I wish I wouldn’t hide what’s been going on inside
And I wish you wouldn’t get scared and run away

I wish I was doing better
With all the things that matter,
I guess I got some learning to do
I wish everyone had someone
To hold ‘em and to love ‘em
The way I’m always gonna love you
I wish wishes came true

I wish there was a cure for cancer
I wish somebody had an answer
And all God’s children, never got hurt
I wish Eve never bit that apple
Young men never went to battle
And I didn’t get so mad at the world
I wish I was more like Jesus
And could pick up all the pieces
And make a better life for my baby girl

I wish I was doing better
With all the things that matter,
I guess I got some learning to do
I wish everyone had someone
To hold ‘em and to love ‘em
The way I’m always gonna love you
I wish wishes came true

For everything I am wishing
I know someone up there is listening
So, I say my prayers when I go to bed
Pray my wishes come true

I know wishes come true.

Our Little Cavs Fan

We took Bella to her first Cavs game on Sunday for the Cavs vs. Lakers game (we figured we outta go big for her first time!) and she really enjoyed the entire time... even if the refs did make a lot of bad calls and the stupid Lakers broke our undefeated home game win streak. I think she really enjoyed some people watching and all the flurry on the court - she only cried once after a big play in the game and mommy clapped really loud and startled her. oops?! All in all, a really good day with the family that she may have already forgotten, but I'll always remember!

She doesn't quite size up - yet.

a confused baby with Cavs mascot Moondog!
not as glorious as a giant purple dinosaur, but a very close 2nd!
just chillin' at my desk - she liked to spin around in the chair.
I can confirm, it truly is as fun as it looks.