Onto 2011! Living for the Small Things!

This time of year I begin to think about how quickly the year flew by and all the things I “was” going to do and change about myself… I hate resolutions! I NEVER keep them and end up feeling horrible about myself at the end of the year.

This morning I went to a funeral and as I sat their listing to people talk and watching pictures of David’s life and family on the tv. I felt God had put me in that room not only to support a friend who lost her husband so suddenly, but as a wake up call to show how SHORT life can be! I wanted to run home and hug my girl and thank my husband for putting up with me.
You hear people say “life is so short” all the time, but do we really grasp the meaning of that… I don’t think we do until something jerks our world (as we know it) apart. I don’t want that to be me, I don’t want to just go through the motions of life. This year I’m not making a signal resolution!!! I’m going to live in the moment and not take my family for granted!! in a way I guess that's a resolution..
Of course I’d love to keep my house clean, organize my bedroom, scrapbook, fit into smaller jeans, take time for myself, and on and on. BUT what I really want is to remember today, the feeling of deep sadness for someone whose life is changed forever, but at that same moment I felt such a passion for life. Not the bills, cleaning, bossing, being uptight kind of life.. But a life of loving, inspiring, laughing, and making each moment count kind of life!

As I rocked my girl to sleep for her nap just a bit ago, I whispered in her ear “ I love you Mailey bug!” she looked up at me and said “Mud you mommy.” Laughed and closed her eyes. I don’t think my heart could swell anymore or my cheeks smile any bigger! Onto 2011 where I'll be living for the small things!!!

Please keep my sweet friend Laura in your prayers!

Christmas FUN

We went ice skating... Mailey liked it, but loved dancing to the music and running around more!

 We went to see Yogi Bear in 3D with Grandpa and out to Olive Garden

Geegee and Poopa came over before Christmas to give Mailey her presents! She couldn't wait to open them. She loves her new couch.

Trying to take Mailey's picture... She was more into the Handy Cane (as she calls it).

Christmas Morning!!!

Christmas day at the Geegee and Poopa's house!

Thanksgiving

We have so much to be thankful for this year, well every year! We're thankful for the roof over our head, our jobs, all the material things we really don't need and of course for our Family and Miss Mailey Bug!!! I love this time of year because it reminds me of all that I have and should thank God for! The pumpkins are put away and the Christmas decorations will be put up this week!!!

Coloring turkeys for grandparents

 Kisses for Landon

 Grandma got her a turkey!

 Bit of Wii action

Just dip, no veggies..

Sleep Training...

Obviously this isn't me... BUT I have felt like this the last couple of nights.. When we first had Mailey she slept with us, it was just easier to feed her and I couldn't stand just letting her cry herself to sleep in her own bed.... I have always hated hearing a baby cry, makes me want to scoop them up and sooth them whoever they are!

Well 19 months later and a few nights of being seconds away from being this lady, I realize the importance of letting your child sooth themselves to sleep! The first night was shear hell, I'm not gonna lie, but every night the hours have slowly gotten shorter and Mailey is learning that she can go to sleep without mom or dad rocking her.. ** KNOCK ON WOOD** I don't want to jinx myself :-)

On a lighter note, Miss Mailey is 19 months old today! She is such a blessing in our life! She is learning all kinds of words (every word we repeat...) and asking "This?" over and over until you tell her what it is. Mailey is a busy, busy girl with lots to say about things. Her favorite things are coloring, jumping, reading books and slathering on Vicks vapor rub! :-)

Through the eyes of a child

Through the eyes of a child

By: Dawn Stout

Through the eyes of a child,

I see the green grass and leaves on the trees.

I see the bright blue sky and the white puffy clouds.

Through the eyes of a child,

I see the good in all people

I see the joy in a new puppy.

Through the eyes of a child,

I learn to love again,

The simple things in the world around me.

Who wouldn't love that face!!!

  

As I was driving alone to Eugene the other afternoon for Ivy’s birthday party, the car was quite and my mind was going over all the things I still need to do (pay bills, laundry, find the rotten sippy cup that’s smelling up the car) I came around the corner and out in a field were a couple horses grazing in the field. My mind immediately thought “Look at those horses Mailey!” If you’ve ever been in our car when we pass a horse, cow, or a sheep, Mailey yells out the animal name at the top of her lungs over and over until you say something back to her! Mostly everything is a "horsey"... 

Checking out a horse for the first time with Geegee in AZ

One of the best parts of being a parent is having the ability to see the world through your child’s eyes. Most of us are guilty of not taking the time to truly appreciate it. But, every once in a while things like seeing a group of horses out in a field will bring me back to reality. I realized that night that I clutter my life with “busy” work that clouds my ability to see the beauty in the everyday small stuff!



In AZ on the way to the cemetery, there's a rainbow coming down from the clouds

It’s easy to get caught up in all of life’s “little” things, but I’ve promised myself that I with the new year around the corner I will take the time to stop and smell the flowers and enjoy every moment!! 

An attempt at a fall family picture with a self timer, a dog, a child that never stops moving and a husband who thinks I take too many pictures!

Happy Halloween!

We had a BUSY weekend full of Halloween fun and Candy!!! My little Raggedy Ann kept her hat on most the time, and loved to see all the people and costumes. Thanks for all the candy and goodies, I think this will be the only year I can get away with eating all her candy :-)

Mother of a Sale

I found this great website through a friend and they have amazing deals everyday on baby and  children things!!! Check out there website and get some great steals!!  http://www.motherofasale.com/

Pumpkin patch

Right before she ripped her hat off..

Got our pumpkins, Apple cider and popcorn!

They had oats to play in and it was really fun!

 I might have photoshoped this pic..... "Might"



Fall Pictures

A couple weekends ago we did fall pictures with Mailey. She was mostly interested in the fake pumpkins.... But she was able to get some cute pictures!!

It's tutu's and dancing around here!

While at my Uncle Greg's 50th birthday party Mailey got another tutu which she wouldn't put down on the way home (well just to eat some cheese crackers) and then on Sunday she brought it to me after church and wore it the rest of the day. I had to go into Napa and a customer said "She's a bit dressed up to be in here.." We didn't think so, tutu's go with EVERYTHING and for EVERY occasion... Right :-)

Later that night she was dancing in her room and I snapped a picture!

Where does time go?

I can't believe that today Mailey is 17 months old, seems like she was just a little chubster! She defiantly keeps every day eventful and there is never a dull moment with her around! She is now 25.5lbs 31.5 inches and has 16 teeth! She has learned so many new things over the last few months! She can now say a whole list of words not just "NO" now :-) she has learned to do marching, jumping, and running... which she does quite often!

It's crazy how fast they grow and a bit sad!!! (Ok a lot sad!!!) She now says "Duke" instead of "Doo" which makes me sad, her babyness is slowing fading away. She sits at the table like a big girl throwing food down to Duke and trying to eat off our plates. She loves looking and reading books, lately her favorite book is "Mr. Jones Farm Animals" I think I may have it memorized and have taped all the pages together!

She has learned to throw herself down or bang her head on things if she doesn't get her way.... On Sunday night Geegee came over to visit and Mailey wanted her phone, but couldn't have it. So Mailey ran over to her toy box threw some toys out and then looked around for a clean place to throw herself down.. She didn't see one so she picked up some toys and then looked at us because we were laughing so hard!

Learning to color!

Waiting for her nails to dry

Sweet little face!!!

State Fair

We had to have an $8 corn dog and curly fries

Yum a giant turkey leg :-)

She wasn't too sure about Smokey.. but we had to have a picture

The animals were favorite, especially the chickens

Resting our feet and bums!

Melaleuca

I've been looking for safe natural products for my lil family that won't cost an arm and a leg. Well a lady at work introduced me to Melaleuca and I decided to try their products. I was really sceptical but thought I'd give it a try. The box came last week and I filled all the bottle (the products come in concentrate form) and tried them out... I LOVE THEM!!!! I haven't found a good tile cleaner until now, and I don't have to worry about fumes or it not being safe for Mailey!

I'd love to talk to anyone that is interested!!!! Check out their website and watch the videos, let me know if you have any questions! http://www.melaleuca.com/

Some Videos

Mailey learned a new trick while at Costco.... She thought it was quite funny!

Boots are her new favorite accessory and of course you must dance in them too!

Catch up...

We've been quite busy these last couple of weeks, and haven't had much time to sit down and blog... :-) I decided to make a few collages instead of posting millions of pictures. Mailey finished her swimming lessons, she loved it and did pretty good, except she hates floating on her back. We've been playing in the pool outside, went to the jamboree, Ben & Amanda's wedding, bike rides to the library and camping! My camera battery died and then I lost it so I'll have to download pictures off my phone and post more later.

 There was lots of time for exploring and getting dirty..

 Camping was really fun and DIRTY! So dirty Mailey got a bath in one of the coolers :-)

 We swam and took a bath in the river, which was really COLD!!!

Mailey loves the water and gets to pass onto the next level next year!

My atempt at sewing....

I got this fabric for .99 a yard and figured that I could at least try to make Mailey a dress for that price.... Well I did, but if you sew you should NOT look close at this dress :-) I used one of Mailey's dresses as a template, next time I think I'll just buy a pattern!!! I also made a matching bow that Mailey will promptly rip off and throw down!