It's tough

I was coming home from visiting my family in Louisiana today. I needed a few ingredients for a soup I am making for church tomorrow along with a birthday gift for one of Lyla's friends who is turning one and celebrating tomorrow. I decided that we would stop in Hattiesburg at the super target. There I could get my groceries, the gift, and a Starbucks. :) Don't you just love super target??

As with most trips, I decided to stop at the bathroom first so that Lyla and I could both take care of business so as not to interrupt any shopping. There was a line for the family bathroom, so I decided to just take us into the women's bathroom. We did what we needed to do and got on our way shopping.

Now, if you know anything about Target, you know that most of the grocery sections are diagonal to the bathrooms-basically meaning, you cannot be further away from the bathroom when you are shopping in that section.

I was checking out the frozen foods when I saw Lyla lift her leg in her car seat. I thought it was kinda cute (heel stretch-haha) That is, until I saw what was literally "oozing" out of her diaper onto the car seat and into the buggy. Hadn't we JUST gone to the bathroom??

So, I put a wipe under her and we hall tail to BACK to the restroom area. Again, there are about 3 people standing in line at the family bathroom (I know it's big and all, but come on people!) So, I take her into the ladie's room where the ONLY changing table is right by the door-not in an actual stall. Clearly a man put it there! No woman with a child would EVER think that is a good place to change an infant.

I am struggling to change her and get her clothes off. (she has literally ruined her outfit) As I am doing so, women are giving me looks that could kill. I don't blame them really. The smell alone could kill. And here's what made it EVEN better. There were three VERY essential things that I could have used in my diaper bag that were NOT there. 1. Her laundry bag ( I ALWAYS carry it in her bag to put her soiled clothes in, but took it out JUST THIS MORNING!) 2. smell good bags to put the stinky diaper and wipes in-yes, I had NO other choice but to throw the "nasty" in the trash can. (To be fair, I did tell a Target worker to change out the bags when I left. )3. WIPES! Yes, I had maybe 3 or 4 individual wipes in her box. And trust me, this one could have used a whole box. So, I wiped her the best I could with what I had, wrapped her clothes up in toilet paper (there were no paper towels), got her in a one-zie, and apologized to everyone in the bathroom for the smell.

 As I am apologizing a woman comes up to me and says, "It's tough being a mom, isn't it?" Maybe she saw the frustration in my step or saw the actual sweat pouring from my head at this point. "It's tough being a mom"...

I said earlier that I had just left family in Louisiana. The reason I was visiting is because My Aunt Cathy, who lives there with her family, is not doing so well. She has struggled with cancer for quite sometime and has been moved to hospice.

I was only there for a day, but I got to talk to my cousin Hope (15 yrs old) about how she is coping with all of this. As we cried together, I couldn't help but think-man, that's HER mom in there. I watched as Hope would hold her mom's hand and tell her she loved her and my Aunt would just smile at her. She may not be able to respond to much, but she KNOWS her daughter's voice and her touch. My aunt is fighting to stay alive for her family because she loves them more than her own life! THAT'S TOUGH! Yeah, it IS tough being a mom!

 Thank you Lord for the time you give us with each other-even when it's messy and tough.

**please continue to pray for my aunt and her family**

6 Months

MY MY! Where has the time gone?? My sweet baby girl was 6 months this past Friday. We have been so busy that this is literally the first time I have gotten to sit down and blog. 

Lyla is growing and changing so much everyday! She is such a fun, happy baby!

This month was a big one for our little family. We did a lot of traveling, which meant getting to see a lot of family. 

This month, Lyla got to meet her Nona for the very first time. It was love at first sight:)

She also got to meet many of her aunts and uncles and second cousins. They LOVED playing with her. 

 Lyla and cousin Elizabeth and Aunt Pat

Lyla and cousin Clara (they are only a week apart!)

Lyla and cousin Khoen (me and Steph were pregnant at the same time with these beautiful girls-just like our moms were!)

This month we spent Christmas in Texas. You got to visit your Gigi and Uncle J! They just ADORE you!

We had so much fun watching you open presents...you seemed to like what you got, but in the end, I think you liked the wrapping paper the best!

While we were in Texas, you got to experience your first snow. It was a white Christmas!

We later got to spend New Year's with Gammie and Papa..boy did they spoil you!

One of the sweetest gifts you got this year was a puzzle to share with your best friend Zoe (technically, you have never met, but TRUST ME! You will be best friends!)Such a precious gift from your grandparents!

Gammie and Papa also bought us the baby bullet so we could start making your baby food. I am a little behind on this update and your first actual taste of food came a few days after you turned 6 months! We tried cereal (oatmeal) at first and you made the most sour face and screamed! I took that as a sign that you didn't like it, so on Jan 9, 2012 I made you your first sweet potato. You seemed to really enjoy it!

I was very pleased with how well it turned out and cannot wait to keep making you more healthy baby food:)

A few other highlights from this month: 

You are starting to sit up by yourself more. We only try it on the bed just in case you topple over. 

You can reach for things and bring them to your mouth (which is probably your favorite past time-chewing on things!)

I love to see you reach for me or your DaDa-however, when you reach for me, you usually come out with a big chunk of my hair that you have pulled out. *We are working on that!*

This month, I swear you said your first word DaDa-however, we have not heard you say it again. I have doubted myself, but I still think you said it. Maybe this upcoming month, you will tell it all!

You are SO close to rolling over on your tummy from your back. You have even started sleeping on your side. 

You LOVE to kick your legs. Sometimes I worry that you slam them down so hard on the floor that you are hurting yourself, but you think it is such a fun game to kick and play.

We grow more in love with you everyday little girl! You light up our life!

We LOVE being your mommy and daddy!

Happy 6 months Lyla Rae!

The hole

Two weeks ago, our youth group had their Christmas party. Like almost every other day this season, we had a million things to do before the actual party including seeing our dear friends Sally, Landry, and their baby Charlotte (who, by the way, are HOME now!- Praise the Lord!) We were running way behind by the time we actually got back from the two hour trip and were rushing to get something on the stove to bring for the party. We knew the kids were bringing sweets, so we decided to bring meatballs and cider (great combination, right?!) Anyways, I told Jeff to just go up to the church to start setting up and I would bring everything with me. The meatballs were done, the baby was screaming and we had about 5 minutes to spare. So, I grabbed the pot off the stove and put it (and the baby) in the car and headed to the church. Well, we get there and I call for Jeff to come help me get everything out( i mean, i got it all in the car, HE can unload it!) He goes to get the pot and guess what?! IT'S STUCK TO THE SEAT-well, not just the seat, but also stuck to the jacket that I put it on. So, Jeff does a couple of hard tugs and FINALLY the pot comes off, but unfortunately, with the pot comes my jacket (stuck to  the pan) and half of our passenger seat. Yes, there's a HUGE pot sized hole in our seat.

Now, I have to brag on my husband for a second, because I was ready for him to lay it on me. "Why did you put a HOT pan on the seat?" "What were you thinking?!" "Do you know how much money this is going to cost!?" But, nope! He said none of that. He simply shrugged his shoulders and said we needed to get it fixed. That's it?! ha. He's so patient. Nothing phases him really-not even a hole in the car.  His patience reminds me daily to be slow to anger, a lesson I need to learn many times over.
He hasn't brought it up since....I on the other hand remind him daily that I BURNED A HOLE IN OUR CAR-WHO DOES THAT?! HA.

Anyways, we took it to get fixed this morning so I don't have to ride in the back seat anymore-which I don't really mind because I have beautiful company back there-a.k.a Lyla:) . And just in case this ever happens to you, it's a couple hundred dollar mistake -oops! So, that was my day...how was yours?:)

CRAZY

Sometimes I get a little down about missing out on stuff back home. This past weekend, for example. My sister had her first wedding shower and our family had their Christmas party-and we weren't able to be there. While I am so thankful we get to visit as often as we do, I can't help but want more sometimes. Confession: I get kinda jealous over those people who live so close to their parents (who have free babysitting right at their finger tips-ha!) and can see their families whenever they want.

BUT, I have to remember why we are here! We moved here two and a half years ago and it is so amazing to see how much God is doing here in this little town of Quitman. One of the biggest blessings this year has been seeing what God is doing in the apartment complex of Quail Run. Can I share with you what GOD is doing?

  Every week, we get the privilege to take our students to this apartment complex called Quail Run. There we tell a story from the bible, sing songs, play games and have a snack. And every week, kids ranging from diapers to junior high show up to hear about Jesus. This past week was our last of the year and we wanted to do something special-We decided to bring a birthday cake for Jesus to have after we told the Christmas story and then we opened presents. (yes, presents! -each student in our youth group made one, two or some even three shoe boxes filled with toys, crayons, coloring books, pencils, stickers, etc) That seriously could have been my Christmas present right there-seeing those precious babies open what may be the only gift they get this season. The excitement in the room could not be matched. To see them get excited over candy,soap, and all the other things we packed in those boxes really is a testament to how unappreciative we all can be at times-always wanting BIGGER, BETTER...MORE! They were so satisfied and so excited over SIMPLE things! Things that we have everyday and take for granted. We didn't have to go overseas to find them-they live in our community.  We all know people who we can reach, but the question is will we? When I get down and out about not having the life I WANT, I have to remember, that God has called each of us to live OUTSIDE of our comfort. This life ISN'T ABOUT ME! IT'S ALL ABOUT HIM!

(Marsha Odom made the cake-you are just too good girl!)

I miss my family (more than they know) but THANK YOU JESUS for using us here.

"I have not been called to the wisdom of this world..
But to a God who's calling out to me..
And even though the world may think 
I'm losing touch with reality
It would be crazy 
To choose this world over eternity"
-Mercy Me


Sidenote: 
To my best friend who is a missionary in Africa
Lindsey, bare with my post. You and Nathan have sacrificed more than anyone I know. I know you don't judge me when I get sad about missing home, but I cannot help but think of you each and every time and the impact you are making for the kingdom. You miss holidays, you miss birthdays, you miss a lot more than I do. Thank you for what you do. I love you so!

5 Months

I am a little behind on my updates and blogging in general. A lot has been going on and we have been extra busy!

Last week, Lyla turned 5 months old. We actually went to her 4 month appointment ( a little late) last week. Lyla weighs 11 lbs. We have been a little concerned about her weight, but the doctor assured us that even though she is in the 5th percentile on her weight and height (her head was in like the 50th perentile-ha!) she is completely healthy! However, she advised us to up the dosage on her feeding, so we have added Gerber Gentle Ease to her diet along with me still nursing her. No solids yet except for the oatmeal cereal we add to her bottle occasionally. I was NOT happy about having to supplement, but if it means she will be more satisfied, then so be it:)

(Right after her 4 month shots)

Lyla is definitely showing her personality more everyday. One of the biggest changes this month is her need to put everything in her mouth. She can hold things now and thinks that if it's in her hand, it should be in her mouth. She has also gotten into a habit of grabbing and pulling. (people's hair, earrings, plants, Diggs' hair! You name it, if it is in her reach, she will grab and pull!

We still havent seen any teeth yet, but she still chomps on her little hands as if one will break through any day now.

Another big change this month is the adjustment from her newborn napper (basinet type bed) into her BIG GIRL crib! Some nights look like this:

Other nights look like this...

We are still adjusting. :)

She is definitely paying more attention to certain things...like the television. -She loves Full House :)

Since Christmas is quickly approaching, she will actually sit in my lap and watch Christmas shows with me:) I love that!

Our little girl is such a blessing and couldn't be more perfect to us! 

Happy 5 months Lyla Rae! 

I am a stay at home mom

For my 10th day of thankfulness, I expressed how thankful I am to stay at home with our little one. Just in case people are wondering what I do all day, I thought I would give you a glimpse into a day in the life of this stay at home mom.

Woke up to Lyla's sweet cry
Changed her
Fed her
Put her on her tummy mat while I "made" a bottle and then played with her for a little while
Read her the alphabet book-focused on the letter C
Made myself some breakfast
Held and rocked a crying baby
Changed her again (clothes and diaper)
Fed her again
Lay her down for her nap
took a quick shower
Washed and steamed all her bottles
Washed dishes (note: we do not have a dishwasher, so I have to do them by hand)
Did a little bit of work for Biomass SyEnergy (I do work for them from home thanks to Jeff's dad)
Washed a load of her clothes and a few of mine that she has managed to get poop on
started lunch/Jeff got home

And it's only 12 o'clock!!!

I love staying at home and I admire and respect the women who do this everyday!
I found this poem that is so absolutely true! Enjoy!

What Did You Do Today?

Today I left some dishes dirty,
The bed got made around 3:30.
The diapers soaked a little longer,
The odor grew a little stronger.
The crumbs I spilled the day before,
Are staring at me from the floor.
The fingerprints there on the wall,
Will likely be there still next fall.
The dirty streaks on those window panes,
Will still be there next time it rains.
Shame on you, you sit and say,
Just what did you do today?

I nursed a baby till he slept,
I held a toddler while he wept,
I played a game of hide and seek,
I squeezed a toy so it would squeak.
I pulled a wagon, sang a song,
Taught a child right from wrong.
What did I do this whole day through?
Not much that shows, I guess it’s true.
Unless you think that what I’ve done,
Might be important to someone,
With bright brown eyes and soft blond hair,
If that is true … I’ve done my share.

Author Unknown

FOUR

 Lyla is four months old today! A lot has been going on, but here are some things Lyla has been up to this month.

The day after her three month birthday, she rolled over (one way) for the first time. Jeff swears that she rolled over after she was only a few weeks old, but I never saw it. Tummy time has become harder because everytime we put her on her belly she rolls right over. :) Now, we just have to work on rolling over from her back to her tummy:)

She still hates tummy time (if you can't already tell that by the pictures!)

My brother in law came to visit us for a few days and brought a special friend for Lyla to play with. We named him Gappy because he's from The Gap. Lyla LOVES playing with Gappy! 

They are already sharing secrets!

Along with "Gappy", Lyla has taken an interest in a few of her other toys as well this month!

This may be due to her beginning the teething process, which makes her a little fussy sometimes. She does like to put things in her mouth to soothe that awful pain and most of the time, she is chewing away on those little fingers. 

She has just started taking a NUK paci, but only sometimes. She has never really liked the whole paci thing- I guess that's good because we won't have to ween her off of it one day.

At 4 months old Lyla....

Likes: Cooing and squealing. Listening to a book. Going for rides. Meal time. Being held. Being outside. Being tickled on her tummy. Silky blankets. Veggie Tales Worship CD. Diggs. 

Dislikes: Laying on her tummy. Being burped. Being changed. Afraid of the washing machine and my fuzzy hat (these are her only known fears at this point)