Bad Parenting 101....

Does it make a bad Mom for having a 'pizza picnic' in the living room tonight for dinner (leftover pizza at that!) while watching a DVD?? 

Mommy & Me Day at the Farm

For our first Mother's Day outing we went to a farm a couple of miles from my parents house... it was such fun.  As an added bonus... Madalynn was free (she's under 2), and Mom's were free for Mother's Day weekend.... whooo0-hoooo!!!!

Madalynn wasn't too sure at first, but then she warmed up to the animals.  The first thing we saw were the baby cows... they were so sweet...

This is George

This is Norman (not sure if that's a nod to City Slickers or not??)

The Chase is On!!! They are both running in this picture...

This is me chasing after Madalynn....

Madalynn... you are my heart, my joy, and my love.  I adore watching you grow, and discover the world.  I love watching your personality emerge... a silly, fun-loving, attack life at full speed, independent, sweet girl.  Mommy loves you bunches, and bunches, and bunches, and bunches!!  Thanks for making me a Mom!!!

About a Mom...

Tomorrow I celebrate my 2nd mother's day... I can't believe it.  It was 2 years ago this weekend I got the call that I was 'paper-ready', and officially on the waiting list for a baby girl.  One year ago I celebrated my first mother's day with my daughter.  I feel so blessed.

Again this year her birthmother is heavy on my heart.  I think of her daily.  I pray she has peace with her decision, and somehow knows that Madalynn is healthy, and with a loving family that includes dotting grandparents, crazy cousins, and an aunt & uncle who adore her.  Not to mention a Mom who is beyond crazy about her.  I want her to know that in the gift of Madalynn she has given my life a joy that was missing before.

I also want to offer a special prayer or remembrance for all women who have a "Mom" heart but that dream remains unfulfilled.  This day can be bittersweet.  Also, Mom's who are grieving the loss of a child,  or have a child with a chronic illness.  I pray an extra special blessing to you this day.

I felt like I should give Madalynn something as a thank you for making me a Mom.  So, this year I've started a tradition of having a Mommy & me  day on Mother's Day weekend.  Just her & I doing something fun & different... I'll try to post pictures of our outing later.

Happy Mother's Day !!

 

More Spring

Last weekend we went out to celebrate my Dad's retirement.  He's worked so hard, and since retiring I think he's trying to find his groove.  Every morning when I pull in at their house he's waiting for us in the garage.  Madalynn is beside herself because she gets "GarPa" all day!!  Congratulations Dad!!

 

I also trimmed Madalynn's hair... it needed it.  I got some pics of her with her new sand table...She WILL NOT look at the camera!!  She was having a great time laughing, etc until I got the camera out.

I also got some pics of her sleeping, that I've always wanted to do but haven't dared.  She was napping & I had to wake her up to get ready to go somewhere.  So I went in & opened the shade & she still didn't wake up so I knew I had the light I needed to take her picture... I love the bum sticking up in the air.  She woke up when she heard the camera click...

 

 

My passion... my heart

I've been researching ministries that work w/ orphans worldwide... there are 143,000.000!!  That 143 million worldwide.  I can't wrap my head around it.

Through my blog hopping I came across a ministry Faces of the Forgotten.  If you follow that link it will there is a sidebar to your right that says 'take action' click on the "Enter Google Earth Project" it takes you to a google earth application where you can click on any flag for any country, and get country data, including a list of ministries that work in that country. (You need to have google earth downloaded, there is a link right there to download it).

I clicked on Guatemala, and was reading the stats, and then clicked on 'Photographs of Guatemala's Hurting Kids', and could only watch for all of 5 seconds before I completely broke down.

My motivation in adopting was never to 'save' an orphan.  It was a heart to be a Mom.  However, in watching those faces I couldn't separate them from the precious girl sleeping down the hall.

 

What Spring?? Where??

 

LOOK AT THAT BELLY!!!

In typical New England fashion we leap frogged over spring, and went straight into the heat of summer... not that I'm complaining after the winter we had.

Madalynn scored in the outdoor toy department!!

We got out her pool from last year...

This is serious business...

 

She discovered a tiny patch of sand in our backyard, and was OBSESSED with it, so Friday I picked her up a sand cart, hope to get pics of her soon.

Then... came the big purchase... Sunday Grandpa showed up with a swing, and it was all over.  She saw him at the door with it, and was jumping, and so excited... what great grandparents she has.  She helped Grandpa (and yes I know she needs a haircut).

Thank you for my swing Grandpa!!!

Just patiently waiting!!

 

PURE JOY!!!

Also, gardening year 2... I'm trying pansies this year... they grow in blizzards right??  They're such cheerful flowers.

This kid cracks me up....

Oh my goodness... I had pigtails in Madalynn's hair today & I took out the elastics for naptime... well she didn't sleep, but she needed to... so the lack of sleep made her ultra silly. She was jumping in her crib... with hair that is wild...