L.O.V.E.

Last week, my dear friend Jess married her main squeeze, James. As her friends, we've all schemed and dreamed of this day for as long as we've known her. I couldn't be happier for her that she met this wonderful Liberian man with the "big arms" and snatched him up for life. 

Five of my beautiful, bosom buddies were there. That was a rare treat for my soul. We are so seldom together nowadays. Mandy came sans-husband and child from Wisconsin; and Amy bushwhacked her way through the Boundary Waters to be there. She even shaved! I'm so proud.

Our other lady-love is Brittany, who as you may know, is in Ukraine working for Jesus. She was with us in spirit in every happy tear and hug. How we miss her so.

Gerrit was my very handsome and understanding date for the evening. 

I was gabbing and giggling with these two all night. Amy and Mandy were my college roomies and I couldn't love them more. 

Congrats to J and J. Happy Marriage to you both. 

Seven, I love you much. My heart was full that night.

Addie's "Me-Time"

Recently, my sister Carey and her husband Greg handed down a children's set of table and chairs to Adeline. Their kids have outgrown it and Addie is just loving it. Thank you to them! She points and gestures at me and the table until I help her onto a chair. 

Sometimes she has a spot of tea while she sits.

Then she reads for quite a while. She points to the pictures like we do when we read with her. Then she starts "talking" in a reading voice as she turns the pages. 

Uh-oh. She's on to me!

 Gotta go!

Bedtime?

I think not. There wasn't a tired bone in this child's body after Gerrit laid her in the crib. 

Hearing her yells turn from happy to mad, I went into the room. She was doing acrobatics and had thrown out her pacifiers and bunny (for space, I presume). We let her out of her "cage" for a few minutes to get the wiggles out. 

She's sleeping peacefully now. Hallelujah. Sometimes, bedtimes are meant to be broken. Roll with it. 

Summer Essentials

Shades.

Extra Mom and Dad time. 

 Corn on the Cob

Ice Cream!

Red, White, and Blue 

 Getting "So Big!"

How Do You Plead?

When I say that Adeline has a naughty streak, people tend to scoff. 

One look at her sly smile will tell you that she feels no guilt for these crimes.

I would now like to present my case. 

Exhibit A:

 Attempted robbery: Trying to open the desk drawer.

 

Exhibit B:

Voluntary manuscript slaughter: Upon finding a loose receipt on the desk, attempts to rip it to shreds in order to eat said receipt.

Exhibit C:

Destruction of property.

 

Exhibit D:

Fleeing from the scene of a crime.

                                      

Exhibit E:

Looting: Picking up and consuming crumbs.

Exhibit F:

Dumpster Diving in the recycling.

Exhibit G:

Breaking and Entering

 Exhibit H:

Vandalism: Tearing of toilet paper.

I rest my case. 

Adeline, how do you plead?

 
Update: The Perp is being held without bail in the pack 'n' play in our room. She has gnawed through the paint on the crib rail, turning the wood into a dangerous, splintering weapon. 

His and Hers

As we prepare to have a post-birthday and dedication celebration for Adeline with our families, I needed to grocery shop today. This morning I said, "Before I go, I need to make a list."

Gerrit looked confused, "Didn't we already make a list?"

About a week ago, we jotted down the big picture list...on this envelope...this unopened junk mail. 

I laughed a little bit at the thought of carrying this to the grocery store. 

Now, Gerrit being the calm and wise man that he is, could probably breeze through the store with this list. He'd see "fruit pizza" and be able to visualize every item he needs and where to get it (that is if he were at all interested in knowing how to make a fruit pizza).

I, on the other hand, need a detailed list (sometimes with check-boxes) with items listed in the order in which they appear in the store. If I don't have this, I cannot go to the check-out with confidence that I have everything I need. I don't think I'm alone here. Can I get a witness?

They should make this a reality show....Women must go to the store with no list in hand!!! 

*Cue dramatic music and shot of a woman pivoting with fear in the middle of aisle 6*

Would I Rather

Do I love EVERY MINUTE of being a parent? 

No. 

I'm far too selfish for that. 

Sometimes, I would rather take a bath than give a bath. 

Many times, I'd rather sleep in than wake up with Adeline's internal clock.

Once in a while, I'd rather be reading than redirecting a busy girl.

And I would always rather change my nail color than change a diaper.

 But do I love ADELINE every minute?

ABSOLUTELY.

And I'll show her that by giving her a bath without getting one until late evening.

I'll greet her in the early morning with a smile and a kiss, because it's not her fault she's a morning person. 

I'll put down the book, or the iPad, or the phone and play attentively. 

And I will leave my nails naked so that I can fish for that piece of lint in Addie's mouth without her biting off a paint chip.

I will succeed and fail daily. But by the grace of God, she will know that she is loved. That she is a joy and a delight. And I love being HER mom.