Saturday, July 30, 2011

{Dirty} Laundry

So, this weekend, I had my arm twisted the privilege of hanging out with the girls (and P, of course!) where we talked about anything and everything girls talk about.

Then the talk turned dirty.  Becky and Melissa (my aunt and sister) started dissing blogs.  Uhg.  Hate when this happens.

Becky swears that blogs are like those Christmas letters people send out that brag and brag about their lives.  I protested by saying my blog was not like that, and that I never "froo-frooed" up my life to be something its not.  She disagreed saying that she reads it and finds that is is like reading "Christmas letters..."

Uhg.

Once again, I retaliated by saying that I never try to be (or to depict my life to be) something I'm not, and that I just I LOVE to write.  If I could pick a fantasy job, I would be an author.  I LOVE literature and words.  Like, LOVE words.  I think it is so fun how you can make words bounce off a page and say "happy" about five hundred different ways.  So, of course, I like to make my writing interesting using interesting words.  Of course, I don't ALWAYS use words like smitten and facetious in my everyday language. (I would just like to interject that I can't use words like this because my family has no appreciation for such words and therefore would most likely not even understand what I was trying to say.  Humph.) However, like spices to a yummy dinner, in my opinion, these such words spice up writing and make it interesting and educating.  I think this might come with being a teacher.

Also, I can't stand to listen to people whine.  (There is a difference in needing consoling and whining...)  So, unless you are my immediate family or a very, very close friend, I try to always keep a very positive attitude, even when I'm not really feelin' it on the inside.  I really try hard not to whine on my blog.

But, just in case my blog has come across as a "Christmas letter" to you, I, my dear bloggy friends, would like to become as real as possible to you.  So I'm going to list ten things that I feel you should know about me.... gross, sad, funny, random, etc.

1.  I sometimes drink the juice straight from the jug rather than pouring me a glass.  After all, Perry and I are the only ones who drink it anyway, and heck, if I'm willing to drink after him from his sippy cup (oh yeah peeps) then what's a swig straight from the container gonna hurt?

2.  My first year of college, my uncle (by marriage) had an affair with my (then) 17 year old best friend.  It went on to the point of him moving in with her and her family.  I had to drive past her house everyday to go to school and had to see his truck there all the time.  I have long since forgiven both of them, but the hurt no doubt is still there.  However, I still have slight trust issues.  (I have thought many a night about writing a post on this tragedy of my life, simply because it has molded so much of who I am today, yet I in no means wanted to sound "whiny".  So, I shall list it on my "I'm a human too and in no way want to sound perfect list" and leave it to that....I'd also like to point out that said aunt is now happily remarried and has many blessings (such as Me!) in her life.)

3.  I misplace EVERYTHING.  I was going to link a very humorous post proving this point, but I actually can't find the original post.  (Go figure.)  In summary, when Perry was about 6 months old, I was running really late to his very first swim class.  I finally had P-man in the car and everything ready to go, when I realized I must have left my keys inside, and I had already locked the house.  I momentarily panicked, but then thought of the very tall ladder in the backyard.  I hauled that joker up to the front of the house, proceeded to climb up to the roof, and broke into my own house through my bedroom window.  Then, I ran like a mad woman through my house searching for my keys, frequently running back out to my car to check on Perry b/c I am so paranoid that someone might try to come and snatch him.  Finally giving up, I went back out to my car to take Perry out of his car seat and just miss the first class, only to find my car keys- in the driver's seat.... Please jump to #10 to hypothesize (does anyone in my family know what this word means??) the rest of the story.  ;)

4.  I frequently correct my family's grammer.  I know it's rude, but I feel like someone needs to encourage proper grammer techniques.  I don't openly correct my friend's (or stranger's) grammer, but please know I am cringing on the inside.  I have also been known to write letters to publishing companies informing them of grammatical errors in their books or publications.  I have also been paid to write many a college essay (don't even give me your honesty speeches right now... I'm telling you all the ways I'm NOT perfect...) and have even won a certain someone a scholarship with my penmanship.  Said paper was even printed in a certain newspaper.  Don't think I wasn't going crazy to tell everyone I actually wrote it.

5.  I (and I make my husband) reuse towels at least three times before I put them in the laundry.

6.  When I got my job offer at Southeastern (still... must write a post on this) I tried calling everyone I could think of to tell them and celebrate.  Ten dead end phone calls later, I jumped up and down and squealed like crazy, laughing and crying and celebrating by myself for a good five minutes.  Then randomly throughout the evening, I would get the urge to squeal at the top of my lungs, tighten every muscle in my body, and shake enthusiastically!

7.  I still wear my maternity clothes sometimes.  Those maternity pants are the bomb.com!  Why do all pants not have those comfy elastic bands?!

8. I am addicted to Christmas music.  I could listen to it all year round, hands down.  From November 1-December 25, if you try to change my radio station, you're dead meat.

9.  I borrow my sister's clothes without asking all the time.  It makes her furious.  Her irritation tends to make me giggle.  I kindly remind her that when I'm dead and gone, she's going to miss times like these.

10. I am late to everything.  (This is most certainly not intentional.)  Justin says I will be late to my own funeral.  I say no because I'm not having a funeral.  Seriously people, if you waste money on a funeral for me, I will come back and haunt you.  Just go shopping and have a nice dinner afterwards.  Or name your kids after me.  Whatever.

So you see?  I'm totally human.  I have LOTS of flaws.  I just like to focus on the positives when it comes to my blog.  Why would I want to document the bad and the ugly? In fact, I created a blog for these few reasons:

1. To journal about and organize pictures of my family's life.
2. To have a creative writing outlet.
3. To share with others the miracle of adoption and receive support from other adoptive parents.

So if you're ever feeling like my blog is "Christmas letterish," just shoot me an email or leave a comment, and I'll be glad to whine or share something embarrassing or ridiculous about my life for a bit.  :)

Disclaimer:  Love to all my family... and even Beck and MoJane... life would not be worth living without you all in it. Pinky promise!  :)

(AND- if you find a grammatical error on this post, please kindly keep it to yourself.  After all, it would be rude to correct a stranger! ;)

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Two Pennies {Black and White Wednesday}

When you have only two pennies left in the world, buy a loaf of bread with one, and a lily with the other.  ~Ancient Chinese Proverb




My sweet friends Leslie and James not only gave me the honor and privilege of shooting their maternity pictures, but then allowed me to come in and do Miss Lily's first official photography shoot.  She is truly one of the most beautiful babies I have ever seen!!



Congratulations Leslie and James!  Lily is so lucky to have you as her Mommy and Daddy!! ... And Addy is so lucky to have you as her little sister!


For more beautiful black and whites, visit Lisa's blog by clicking below.

the long road

Monday, July 25, 2011

Sunshine

You are my sunshine,
My only sunshine.
You make me happy,
When skies are grey.


You'll never know dear,
How much I love you.
Please don't take
My sunshine away.  


Thursday, July 14, 2011

Life's a Beach!

Or at least, I wish it was about 99% of the time!


We are having a blast down here playing in the sun!


Our little Perry is keeping us grinning from ear to ear!


He LOVED going on his very first helicopter ride!  (Almost as much as the pilot loved having him ride.  She was quite smitten with him!) As soon as he got out of the helicopter, his first words were, "Wan do it ah-gin!"


Isn't he the cutest stinkin' little aviator you ever did see?? ;)

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Sweet Summer!!

I am so excited to be entering the following photo in two of my favorite challenges:
The Paper Momma's Weekly Challenge- This week's theme is sweet.
and
Ordinary Miracles and the Crazy Eight's Monthly Challenge- This month's theme is summer.

I feel like this photo encompasses both themes to a T (haha!! get it?)!!


But more than that, I just LOVE it!  I LOVE that Justin is getting to do something so "Daddyie" with Perry, and I ADORE that face of intense concentration on my little guy!!

Justin was an amazing baseball player in high school.  Due to the death's of one of his best friends and one of my best friends in high school (a tragic four person car crash), he was not able to play in one of his last "scout games" that he was scheduled for.  I ultimately believe that his decision to be one of the paul bearers cost him a chance to play college ball.

So, I'm very thankful that Justin has this beautiful baby boy to show the ropes to.

And I'm not gonna lie, Perry was amazingly good!!! I don't think he missed the ball once!!  I'm very thankful that he shares in Justin's talent.  I think we are going to have some GREAT days at the ball park in the near future!!

Click on both links below to check out other amazing entries!!



Picture {Perfect}


I Love You to the Moon {AND BACK!}- Black and White Wednesday

Me:  "I love you to the moon and back, Perry!"
Perry:  "I ub ooh to da moon n back, Mommy!"


We are enjoying the sun, sand, and the GORGEOUS moon here at Panama City Beach, Florida.  I am so so lucky to have a few days to kick back and relax before my first day at my NEW SCHOOL on Monday!! (I seriously have GOT to do a separate post on that!)

But for right now, I want to "think" out loud a bit.  I have been filling out adoption paper after adoption paper and reading adoption book after adoption book and I am just beside myself excited to be officially on the way to Miss Ruby.  But, for some reasons, the happiest times for me are also a bit sad.  You see, I miss Ruby.  

I know this maybe extremely weird to comprehend, but I truly believe that God has a little girl waiting on us.  I don't know if she is born yet.  (I would think that most likely, she is probably at least conceived by this point, but really that is beside the point.)  But here nor there, I 100% believe that she is a part of our family.  She IS already a part of our family.  She grows in my heart every. single. day.  I just can't quite get to her yet.  

And it drives me bonkers!  Don't get me wrong, I LOVE being a three member family.  I cherish every memory we make as three.  But, oh how I long to see P play with his beautiful little sister.  I so wish that she could be experiencing the sparkling water and all the giggles that we are sharing on this family vacation.  

So all in all, I never want my daughter to question whether she was wanted or loved.  

Miss Ruby-Grace, you are LOVED to the moon AND BACK!!  

To enjoy more Black and Whites, head on over to Lisa's blog!

the long road

Saturday, July 9, 2011

Tiny Fingers, Tiny Toes {Sunday Snapshot}

On July 2nd, one of my very best friends, Leslie (and her hubby, James) welcomed their beautiful, first born child, Miss Lily Ann, into the world.  I had so much fun getting in a few minutes of snuggle time before I had to scoop up my own little one and assure him he was indeed Mommy's number one, now and forever more!


While we were visiting Miss Lily at the hospital, Perry was not too fond of her and kept demanding saying, "Put Baby Really (Lily) down on da flowah.  Hold ME Mommyyyy!"

So you can imagine my surprise (followed immediately by lots of warm fuzzies) when after about three days (of not even mentioning Baby Lily) Perry ran up to me all pouty with his little head cocked to the side looking all sad and declared, "Mommy... I need to go to da ha-pitah."  I quickly scooped him up thinking he might have fallen or something and said, "What's wrong Baby-Bug?  Are you hurt?  Do you need to go see the doctor?"  (All while searching him over for bumps or scratches.)  He sweetly replied, "I not hut.  I need to go see Baby Really!"

I am thinking he will make a GREAT big brother after all!  :)  

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Mr. Perry Had a Farm {E-I-E-I-O}

Better late than never, right?


Perry's 2nd birthday party was a farm theme, complete with an adorable petting zoo!


The kids LOVED it!!


Especially the TINY little pig and turtle!


I was so surprised that the kids wanted to get so close to all the animals!


I mean REALLY close to the animals!


Perry's Grammie made this ADORABLE cake for him!  Some of the guests loved it SO much, they have asked my Mom to make their children's next birthday cakes!


Happy Birthday Mr. Perry!! 
Mommy and Daddy love you to the moon and back!!

*The only thing I wasn't thrilled about was that in an effort to thoroughly enjoy P's special party, I let my sister be in charge of the camera.  While she did a great job with the pictures, I think she is so used to taking pics of P that she kind of steered away from him, leaving me with very few pics of the birthday boy.  She also doesn't know all of P's friends very well, so I don't think she took a mental note of who she took pictures of and who she didn't.  Therefore, I don't have many pictures of everyone.  :(  


Saturday, July 2, 2011

Camera Strap Winners!!



True Random Number Generator  7Powered by RANDOM.ORG
True Random Number Generator  5Powered by RANDOM.ORG


The lucky camera strap winners are....

#7- Kelly at Just the Two of Us
and
#5- Michelle at Snapshots- which BTW, I find it totally cool that we both have poochie pies named Hank!

Congratulations girls!! Send me your email addresses and I will get your beautiful new camera straps headed your way!! :)

Happy Saturday!

**Another BTW- When I did the random generator at random.org, I just copied and pasted the results into the body of my blog post.  However, when I click post, it posts as Min 1 and Max 100.... I promise I put a Max of 9.  I have even gone to edit and erased 100 and typed 9 in twice.  Every time I hit publish, it changes it back to 100.  Ain't gotta clue why.  But I promise I did it fair!  And, if anyone knows why it's doing that, please let me know.  It's killin' my OCD... ;)

Our Adoption Timeline

  • June 19, 2011- We are officially "Paper Pregnant!" We have submitted our Waiting Child Application to Holt!
  • July 5, 2011- Submitted our formal Home Study Application to Villa Hope
  • September 6, 2011- Submitted all of our paperwork for our Home Study
  • October 8, 2011- Completed our First Home Visit
  • October 17, 2011- Completed our Second Home Visit
  • November 14, 2011- Home Study Approved
  • December 1, 2011- Filed our I600a
  • February 1, 2012- I600a Approval Letter
 
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