Life in a Picture

I asked my Dad to take a picture of the three of us. This is what I got. Yep that pretty much sums up life these days - loosely controlled chaos.

Royally Obsessed

(here)

I have a confession. I'm a little obsessed with the royal wedding. I've been watching all some of the specials this week. I just can't help it. As a little girl, I was so intrigued with Princess Diana. So anyone else  planning to watch the wedding? Thank goodness for DVR so that I don't have to get my silly butt out of bed at 4am. 

A Weekend

Caitlyn and I spent the weekend with my parents, brothers and Mommom. Since my Grandmother passed away on Easter morning last year, we kept the festivities low key. A few highlights: 

~ Dad and I baking our first torte. Chocolate raspberry to be specific. It has become tradition that Dad and I do most of the cooking/baking for all holidays. Love it!  

~ Sharing secrets with my Mommom

~ Watching Caitlyn with her uncles

~ Bonding over salads with my father-in-law

~ Caitlyn's first kiss from a boy. (Her Daddy was not as amused as I was. )

~ Sushi, sushi, and more sushi! 

What were the highlights of your weekend?

Four Generations

Hope you had a Happy Easter. 

Thankful Thursday

Recently, I have noticed a lot of people doing "Thankful Thursday" posts. Given that I'm having one of THOSE weeks, ya know the opposite of everything is going great kind of week. I thought making myself concentrate on some things I'm THANKFUL for would help.

~ Sushi with a great friend! SERIOUSLY need some adult time. No offense, Caitlyn.
~ My husband who always makes me LAUGH.
~ A ROOF over my head. I drove past some of the areas that were damaged by Saturdays storms. Again counting my blessings, we were scary close to that tornado.
~ My daughter's SMILE which makes my world instantly brighter.
~My family - they are NUTS, but they are mine!

Counting Our Blessings

On Saturday, central North Carolina was pummeled with 60 tornadoes. Yes, 60! I am so thankful to have escaped with just a few hours of power and cable loss. There were many people in our area that were not so lucky. Caitlyn and Bailey were non-the-wiser as to what was going on. Perhaps it's all the artillery fire, but not even the thunder phased them. All the while, my aunt was keeping me updated by text message.

Sunday morning the sun came out, the grass was greenest green, and the sky was Carolina blue! I am always amazed at how incredibly beautiful the day of huge storm can be.

While we were incredibly lucky, there are so many people whose homes have been destroyed or damaged. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers as the cleanup starts, it is going to be a long process.

Joining Forces

Remember this post? Joining Forces is the initiative that Mrs. Obama and Dr. Biden have been working on. Take a look and see if there is a way that you can reach out.

Wish List

Dear Easter Bunny,

As I am a broke SAHM, I thought I would pass along a few ideas for my first Mother's Day and the big 3-0.

Brompton Hobo from J.Crew

Sunny Soiree Dress from Anthropologie

Thanks, 

Jess

Trying Times

I have to admit that the last several days have been rather trying. From the potential government shutdown (umm not getting paid, what?) to baby issues, the last several days have been exhausting. I've learned several things in the last couple days:
~ It's time to get better educated about politics. My voice may be small, but it's not silent.
~ A proactive doctor is a blessing.  Caitlyn has a cough that doesn't have to do with any sinus or chest congestion. The Dr. is taking a proactive stance to make sure that it isn't anything serious.
~ Baby Tylenol is the shizs! Caitlyn had her shots today and has been pretty sleepy/grumpy since then. I can't imagine how she bad she would be feeling if we didn't have the Tylenol.
~ A long walk with Caitlyn and Bailey on a beautiful day does wonders for my attitude.
~ A woman is never too old to need her parents.
~ Pictures of Maui still take me back to the island. If I close my eyes, I can still smell the pineapple, feel the warm sun on my face, and hear the waves rolling in.
So with that said, I leave you with an image of my happy place.

Neglected

Dear Mom,

Remember me? Your first child. I've been trying to get your attention by reminding you that:
~ we eat together (sitting by me whining)
~ we enjoy walks (peeing on the guest bathroom rug)
~ playing (stealing a baby rattle and storing it under the bed)
~ staying out of your way (curling up on the other side of the couch pouting)

I just want you to know that I still love you despite that darn baby!

Love,
Bailey

Bittersweet

Dear Caitlyn, 

Today you are two months old. I can't believe how fast the last two months have gone. They have been filled with so much joy. As I reflect today on all that you have brought to our lives, I can no longer imagine life without you. 

One day when you are old enough to understand, I will explain to you how bittersweet today is. Last year, my Grandma passed away on this day. She is the one that named me Snick and would have called you Baby Snick. She would have been so in love with you. Last year this day was Easter Sunday. Easter will forever be a hard day for our family no matter what date it falls on. 

I woke up this morning wanting to put you in a bubble so that you would always be protected from pain. I quickly realized this was impossible. I cannot protect you from loss anymore than I can turn the tide. While this will be hard to understand for a long time, the hardships in life are what make each day beautiful. Every hard thing that I have been through has made me a stronger person who appreciates each day that I am given. What I can do is promise is that I will be there for you as long as I can. When life gets hard, Daddy and I will be there for you. We will never be able to make it all better, but we will do all that we can to be there for you. 

(pic taken a couple days before Adam went back overseas)

While you will not understand for a long time, I want you to know that even when your Daddy is overseas he is still here for you. You are his world. When he has to go, it is never anything we have done. His job is takes him away from us, but you need to know that he does this job to make the world a safer place for us. You are the most important thing in his life. He constantly asks about you, wants pictures of you and talks about what all you guys will do when he gets home. 

I'm not sure that we will ever be able to explain what you have done to our lives. I can tell you that life has never been better than it is now. Each day is new and exciting. Our lives have never been more filled  with joy than they are now. 

We love you, little girl! 

Mommy and Daddy

Happy Thought

She is my happy thought!