wrong side of the recliner

I look at these two pictures and think, "No way did I take those yesterday! That was not my incredibly grumpy child smiling and happy, was it?"Yesterday morning Madelyn woke up in a Terrible (yes, with a capital T) mood. It was the first time in her little life that she has woken up grumpy. I was pretty much in shock because she is normally happy and smiling when she wakes up. Then something even more strange happened...she stayed that way ALL DAY LONG. She was pretty much a fussy girl for the majority of the day!

She did not want to be put down.

She did not want to play.

She definitely did not want to nap.

It was pretty rough. I was in my PJ's until after 2pm.

I would guess she just woke up on the wrong side of the bed recliner, but I think we have some pearly whites that are trying to push their way through to thank for a miserable little girl.

She did manage to smile for a little while yesterday afternoon, but seriously that was it!

Last night I was praying for a better day today. I was praying that either a tooth would come through or just leave her alone for one day.

This morning when she woke up she looked up at me and flashed her precious smile and I knew right then that today was going to be a good day!

Today's going to be busy. This morning we are going to a program for the Crisis Pregnancy Center with some ladies from church and then heading to lunch with the volunteer committee for the Children's Miracle Network. After that we are heading home to get some things made for this weekend (hopefully).

God has really been working in my heart this past week. I feel like he is leading me to do something and I have an idea of what that is but at the same time I have no clue. Does that make any sense? I know that at just the right moment I will know what it is.

I am looking forward to an eventful day with Maddie Kate by my side. I love having a buddy to take with me everywhere.

Yesterday morning Madelyn fell asleep about 2 minutes before we pulled in to the church parking lot. I felt so bad waking her up (so much so that I almost just rolled down the windows and let her sleep). She did pretty well during all of the music. She just stared at her daddy playing the guitar for the most part and grinned at the people behind us. Once the music was over, she got all wiggly and ready to play so I took her in to the nursery. I am working my way up to leaving her in there...maybe some day soon.After church my mom, Rachel, Luke, Madelyn and I were just hanging out at the house. My friend Katie and her little boy Nathan stopped by for a little while to look at scrapbook stuff. At one point Madelyn and Nathan were "talking" back and forth to each other. It was so precious.

Nathan is so handsome. He has the longest eye lashes I have ever seen.

It's so fun to watch him play because I am used to watching girls. He is all boy. He walks like a little man, picks everything up (even the toys that are bigger than he is), and has this adorable serious face when he is trying really hard to do something. Hopefully he and Madelyn will be good friends some day!

Marlo and Allison came over a little later. Allison is just a little bit older than Nathan so it was really fun to watch them interact.

Katie told Nathan to give Allison a kiss and before Nathan could react, Allison was bent over the table ready for her kiss!

The rest of the afternoon Marlo and I spent being crafty while Allison and Madelyn hung out in the living room with Grandma.

I am not sure there is much that is cuter than a baby playing in a diaper (unless you are in Wal-Mart...then it's not cute). Madelyn had fun playing with her Grandma and cousin. I know these two have many years of playing together ahead of them.

Now that we are back on schedule after our trip to OKC, Madelyn has been falling asleep around 7:30pm every night. I love it because it means she wakes up between 7-8am every morning! That is so much better than her waking up between 9-11am. I feel like we actually have a morning now!

59 years

Dear Madelyn Kate,
Today we took a drive out to the country to Martin's Mill. That is where Daddy and I lived when we got married. It's a beautiful area. Fresh air. Green grass. Children playing outside. Friendly neighbors pumping gas at "the store". It's pretty far removed from red lights, Wal-Mart, and the feel of the fast pace of life in town. It always brings back lots of memories once we take the cut off in Ben Wheeler towards Martin's Mill. Daddy and I drove those roads SO many times before we were married. We have been wanting to take you out there to visit with friends, enjoy the scenery and just relax. Today we went for other reasons.

The husband of a sweet lady that your Daddy especially had grown close to both of them during our time in Martin's Mill passed away last week. On Friday Daddy performed the graveside service in Arlington (his first funeral to do). He said it was tough, even more than usual because Bert was his friend. Today was the memorial service at the church.

During the service, you and I stayed in the nursery and you played in the walker (which you scooted ALL around the room in and I may look in to getting you one).

I was thankful that I was able to hear the service from in there.

There was one thing that I kept hearing over and over throughout the service, "Bert loved...". It was such a testimony to the way he lived his life.

After the service, I went to give his sweet wife a hug and tell her that we love her. She gave me a kiss on the cheek and whispered in my ear that she hopes Daddy and I are blessed with 59 years like they were.

59 years.

Wow.

I am not sure what I would do if I lost your Daddy. He is my best friend. He completes my sentences. Knows everything about me and yet he loves me still.

I too hope for 59 years.

I am thankful for the two and a half married years so far.

I love you sweet girl. I love Daddy too. I look forward to the future with both of you...

Love,

Mommy

and on Thursday...

We took it easy around the house in the morning.

I am not sure how tall my Uncle Mike is, but considering the average door frame is six feet eight inches, I am guessing that he is somewhere near there. I hope Madelyn gets a little of the "height" gene from my mom's side of the family, but considering my mom did not get it and I did not either (obviously), I don't think she has much of a chance! It's amazing how small Madelyn looks in his arms!

She loved playing with him. He sang to her, made silly faces and took precious pictures. Hopefully some day we will be able to make a trip out to Oregon to visit!

After a relaxing morning, we went to the mall for a little shopping and lunch at the food court. Just about every time I step foot in a mall I realize how sad ours is at home. Oh well. I guess it makes out of town shopping trips that much more fun! I was somewhat on a mission for a little dress for Madelyn's baby dedication that is coming up in a few weeks but did not really see anything that I just loved (that was not over $100-gasp). I know she has plenty of dresses, but I really want a simple, white, smocked dress! The hunt is on.

After a little more shopping we went over to my Aunt Nancy's house for a yummy dinner (as always). Madelyn was pretty worn out by then and took a little nap on the floor when we first arrived.

I think this is a great picture of my mom with her brother, sisters and mother.

And this one is even better of just the girls. Some things never get old I guess :)

Even though Madelyn was really sleepy and uncooperative, we tried to get a picture of the four generations together.

All of my life I have dreamed of having a "four generations picture" of my own. I know that may sound silly, but I think it is so special. I vividly remember a newspaper article from when I was a small child that had a picture of a local family. It was four generations together at the hospital. Seeing that at such a young age, long before even thinking about marriage much less babies, I remember wondering if I would get the chance to experience that. It's somewhat rare these days and 100% priceless to me.

Children’s children are a crown to the aged. -Proverbs 17:6

pictures from Wednesday

You would think that we do not feed this child considering how often I catch her eating her feet, shoes and all. It's cute now, but I am thinking it won't be cute when she turns 7 and is still pulling her foot to her mouth in class. Sounds kind of out there, but I went to elementary school with a girl that would bite her toe nails off when she "got bored". I am praying that my pay back for laughing at her is not going to be having a child that enjoys the taste of salty, dirty toes.Madelyn has loved eating her bananas all week long! She eats so well for Grandma.

I often wonder why people choose to post unattractive pictures of themselves or their children for everyone to see and sworn that I would not do that (for Madelyn's sake of course)...but today...well this picture of my precious princess looking like a grumpy old man is too priceless not to share!

Gosh, she is cute.

I am hoping that Madelyn keeps up the good eating habits once we get home. My mom has been feeding her in the morning whereas I was trying for lunch time. Maybe that is what has made the difference?

Or the fact that she is spoiled rotten already by Grandma (not that she isn't by me also...but she is just playing her chips right)?

I am so glad that we have been able to make it to OKC three times so far. It's her fourth time to spend a week with MeeMaw Fee and she loves her!

We ate lunch at Panera Bread and I used her high chair cover (which I love) to save her from all the nasty germs :)

She was quite the cutie and kept smiling at everyone around us.

After lunch we went by Wal-Mart to grab a few things for dinner. It's so fun having her sitting in the shopping cart instead of in her carrier. She is so much happier sitting up in the seat!

After a long afternoon, she tuckered out in the car. We opened the doors and rolled down the windows and she and I took a little nap in the car.

My Aunt Sharon has the most amazing back yard. We all sat outside before dinner, enjoying the beautiful weather and eating appetizers.

I love this picture of Madelyn and Beth. It's absolutely precious!

She loved looking at the birds and flowers and the people too!

She loves being in MeeMaw's lap.

This picture means so much to me yet it is hard for me to put it in to words. 86 years. Young and old. Generations.

I love it.

hitched a ride

My mom was heading to OKC to see family this week and Madelyn and I decided that we would hitch a ride. She slept nearly the whole way in her new car seat and what little time she was awake she was happy and playful!

My Uncle Mike from Oregon flew in to town today too.

With Uncle Mike, the first stop is usually Johnnies. It was only fitting that Madelyn's first trip there was with him!She sat in the high chair for the first time at a restaurant and really seemed to enjoy it! She played with her duck most of the time, but I caught her staring at a couple behind us for a long time. It wasn't a playful smiley stare...it was a jaw dropped, eyes glued kind of stare. It was a little embarrassing but I guess she can get away with it for a little while longer? At least that is what I kept telling myself...

We are here for a few days and so far Madelyn is enjoying the company!

I think this picture is so sweet. She loves to play with Luke's facial hair and was doing the same this to her Great Uncle Mike.

what we've been up to...

Saturday night, while Luke and I went to a concert (more on that another day), Madelyn hung out at the house with Grandma. I love how happy she looks when she is in the tub. I am telling you, when I take my kid to the zoo we are going to have to stay away from the fish tank because she just might jump in. She loves the water.

Grandma gave her a pretty rockin' mohawk!

She was asleep by 7:45pm that night which was a good thing considering we had a big day planned for Sunday. Over the course of the last 7 months our church has been building a new student building and yesterday they held the ribbon cutting and dedication.

The students have already been in the building for almost a month, but this gave the rest of the church the opportunity to walk through and see the inside. I am so proud of all the hard work that Luke has put in getting this building ready for the students.

There are so many talented men that put in lots of time and energy to make this building happen so it was pretty awesome to show off the finished product.

So many people stuck around after church to show their support.

After a the ribbon cutting and a celebration lunch, Madelyn and I headed home for a girl's afternoon at the house. Marlo, Emily, Rachel, Madelyn and I hung out all afternoon being crafty. I did not get a whole lot done, but it sure was fun!

This morning Madelyn looked so cute sitting in our bed while I got ready.

We ran errands, including a quick stop by Hobby Lobby for some more ribbon. I cannot believe that my baby girl is big enough to sit up in the basket now. She loves it though and is constantly looking around and grabbing at everything!

Luke installed Madelyn's new big girl car seat tonight and we took it for a test drive. She was asleep withing 2 minutes. I will assume that means that she likes it!

I have a lot of things on my mind tonight and have all weekend, but have had the hardest time putting them in to words. Maybe tomorrow.