Ahhh... Summer

I know it's not officially here yet, but I'm in full on summer mode!!  Actually, last night I did something I've NEVER done before... I used a grill... all by myself!!!  I LOVE to cook, but have always been intimidated by grills, and fish (still haven't overcome the fish).  Additionally, my previous condo didn't have any outdoor space for me to have a grill, and living here... I didn't know how I'd grill, while keeping Madalynn from running out into the street, touching the grill, etc.  This was a charcoal grill, and I was a bit concerned at first that the shooting flames would blow onto the house, and start an inferno but such was not the case.

But, last night I faced my fears & fired it up!!  The chicken was cooked through... not burnt, and juicy... then we toasted marshmallows!!  Madalynn enjoyed the marshmallows much more than the chicken...

Then Grandpa called to see if we wanted to go get ice cream...now, she's already had marshmallows, it was getting close to bedtime, and my kitchen was a disaster... BUT I try very hard to make decisions like this with this thought in mind...she's only going to be young once, and will she remember me cleaning the kitchen, or staying up too late, or will she remember going to get ice cream w/ Grandpa, and seeing the cows, and goats.

 

 

 

In preparation for summer I got Madalynn a couple new bathing suits... this ballerina one is by FAR her favorite (to my readers that know me well... I'm honestly NOT pushing these super girly things on her).  She's still too fast for me to adjust my camera to get the correct shot...oyyy...she was twirling in these pictures.

I hope you all have a safe, and happy Memorial Day!!

 

First Skinned Knee

I'm afraid I've created a boo-boo monster.  Any little bump, scrap, or bruise requires a band-aid... of which she's an expert at unwrapping, and putting on herself.  Of course, I love my role in this little drama as the one who wipes the tears, and kisses the band-aid to make it all better.  (Of course I'm referring to the non-serious injuries... the more traumatic times usually have me fighting tears too).  It's one of the things I always imagined doing in my dreams of being a Mom... I love it.  Someday I may regret feeding into the drama, but for now I love giving her the extra TLC.

After her first skinned knee of which there was NO blood, she needed the band-aid, and then to 'wrest' it in my chair... we even propped it up on a pillow...Gotta love that she's in the tu-tu too!

Twirling earlier...

Any other mom of a 2-3 year old girl recognize this attitude??

... just some Chatham love... this dog's personality matches her look... she's just the sweetest thing...

We also have a super-hero in our house... if you've seen "Clifford The Big Red Dog" you know the character of T-Bone.  Every once in awhile he runs around with a cape saying "Super T-Bone TO THE RESCUE!!"... Madalynn has taken on this persona as well... she has me tie a blanket around her neck, and she runs around saying "Super T-Bone TO THE RESCUE!!"...

Of course every super-hero has to fly...(weird window reflection in these shots... but you get the idea)  I think there are ER trip in my future.

 

 

This is why I love summer.... I was making dinner the other night, after being outside most of the day, and I found this when things got very quiet... snuggled up in her bean bag chair  with a blanket,her plug, and Pooh.

Just some more fun times outside... i LOVE this bathing suit my Mom got her...

 

I can't believe she's going to be turning 3 in a little less than 2 months.  The theme she wants for her party changes every few minutes... she goes from Curious George to Cinawrelly (Cindarella), Awrora (Aurora aka Sleeping Beauty), Pooh, or Kitty.  She's told me she wants pizza, juiceboxes, balloons, cake & ice cream... makes it easy for Mommy!! 

Still a patch.... just not as rough...

As an update to my previous post regarding a rough patch while my circumstances haven't changed a bit of my perspective has.  In that I feel as if God is using this to push me out of my comfort zone into something else.  A proposition that is much scarier as a Mom, as my decisions don't just affect me, but affect my sweet girl too.  Life is more complicated now. 

For some reason too I'm feeling a disconnect between myself & God too.  As I was telling a close friend the other day, I haven't changed what I'm doing with the Lord, I'm still in prayer daily, and maybe that's the problem maybe I need to change something in my walk with Him.  I just feel this distance from Him during a time I'm really struggling.  My heart of faith tells me He's here... I know He's with me... that is faith.  The last big change in my life was Madalynn's adoption journey, and God came so close to me during that time... He held me so close, and I had the peace that passes all understanding.  I knew it would all be okay.  The time when it got scariest to bring her home was the time I had the strongest peace.  This time is completely opposite.  I have such fear, and lack of peace this time.  But again... I wake up each day, and choose to trust...

trust God is with me (even when I don't feel it)....

trust He is in control....

trust He has a plan, and this is His way of working that plan out. 

Two songs I'm listening to a lot right now are Mandisa's "He is With You", and Steven Curtis Chapman's "Jesus Will Meet You There"...   Not only do these songs remind me that Jesus is with me, but also help with my perspective... there are far greater challenges, and struggles people are facing than myself.  If you have a chance go over to YouTube & listen, or download on itunes.... both will uplift you!

A Trip to the playground

Yesterday I took Madalynn to the playground... not something that happens very often (I'm a bad Mommy I know).  She does play quite a bit in our backyard...

She had a blast, and as was my fear... did not want to leave.  Before I get to pictures, in other news I think we also have a potty trained girl.  Something in the last week just clicked...  (well, that & I bought her a book about going potty, her own potty, and M&M's as a reward for going), but she's done very well.

Last week when we went out to lunch with Ga-Ga & Grandpa... strawberry ice cream for the first time...

I love this @ the playground... her feet aren't even touching the ground she's so excited...  CLMBING, SLIDING & SWINGING... OH MY!!!