SSMT & my crazy week

Oh oh, I'm a little late but I have had a busy week. So first off here's my verse...
Proverbs 31:21-22 (NKJV)
She is not afraid of snow for her household, For all her household is clothed with scarlet.
 She makes tapestry for herself; Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
I'm still working though Proverbs 31. I am halfway through my year of memorization. It is definitely getting more challenging to keep on top of! Now that we're halfway through the year have you been able to keep on top of your New Year's resolutions?

So my last week has been crazy!!
First off O had surgery to repair her umbilical hernia on Wednesday. We were up at 4:30am to be at the hospital at 5:30 and surgery was at 7:30am. I'm telling you that was way to much hanging around. O was awake and didn't exactly just want to lay in bed waiting for her turn. Once she was in surgery, the waiting was the hardest part for me. It was so hard to watch her walk away with the nurse. She cried and reached over her shoulder to me. :( Thankfully we had friends join J and I in the waiting room. A long hour and half later, she was done. New belly button!! I cannot believe how fast she recovered. Kids are amazing! After 1 day, she was off Tylenol and by 2 days, she didn't even seem to remember or care she'd had surgery. I'm so glad to have this behind us.
Second I coordinated a wedding on Friday. And not just any wedding but the pastor's granddaughter. So I felt a little pressure to do well. I worried about the weather all week as I prepped all my notes. But it was beautiful! A beautiful evening for an outdoor wedding and everything went off without a hitch! Congrats to the Newlyweds!!
I hope you're having a busy and fun summer!

Father of the Year

There are now 2 daddy's in my life - my Dad and my Husband, the father of our baby girl - that I love dearly. This spring the local radio station hosted a Father of the Year contest. I sent in a submission for my Dad...

I think of my Dad as Father of the Year every year!
When I was a child, he taught me life lessons. Whenever he was working outside, he always made me feel welcome. I knew he would encourage my help and teach me something new. I never felt in the way or shut out of his work space. I could watch him work on his motorcycles or latest carpentry project for hours, and he’d usually open a Dr. Pepper or homemade Root Beer for us to share. He always disciplined with a firm but loving hand. I constantly look back at his example as I parent my own daughter.
As I grew into a young women, he made me feel special. He made me feel beautiful. My Dad took time out of his busy schedule to take me on dates. We would go to Chances R and order mushrooms and dessert. It was our special thing! He often would compliment me before school or church, reminding me that I was beautiful in his eyes. During this time in my life, I quickly realized that his love towards me brought me confidence and security. This was the type of man I wanted to marry someday. When I didn’t get into the college I applied to, he sent me flowers though I was 13 hours away. I still look back fondly on those flowers. They meant a lot be me because, he understood how disappointed I was without me saying a word.
As an adult, my Dad encouraged me to independence and responsibility. He would spend time on the phone or late into the evening talking by the fire about my struggles. He always points me back the God’s Word as the place of truth and comfort. His most consistent word of advice for me was about Job. As a girl, I struggled with emotional moments of crisis and he would always turn me to the book of Job and remind me to look at what was true above what I felt. Just because Job didn’t feel like God was there, doesn’t mean He wasn’t. My Dad still greets me with a hug and a kiss every time I see him, though sometimes my baby girl gets the first one. And he still has a listening ear for me when I need advice.
The one thing that has meant the most to me is that he tells me how proud he is of me. He praises my godly choices and desire to continue on that path. It means everything to me, that my Dad is still pleased with me as I make decisions with my husband and regarding my family that I don’t discuss with him. I miss that season of closeness but I treasure our adult friendship and will never take for granted our close father-daughter relationship. Every girl needs a father like mine to point her to our Heavenly Father.

I wish I would've had the words to send in for my husband. But this being only the second year of him being a daddy to my sweet baby girl, I wasn't sure how to say how I feel. J is a wonderful dad! I know she adores him. I love seeing that beautiful relationship develop. I know someday I'll understand how to tell my husband what a wonderful father he is to our family in the same way it's so easy to tell my Dad. I look forward to a lifetime of sweet moments!

Waterfall braid

I am still attempting new hair styles. This is another from My Yellow Sandbox called the Waterfall Braid. It's so easy and pretty! I think I'll have to keep trying this one.

I'm enjoying playing around with new looks. Actually part of the reason I'm messing around so much is because I'm trying to wash my hair less. I've heard a million times that it's better to not wash your hair every day. And yes it'll be a little greasy but then your hair will catch on and stop producing so much oil. So I'm trying to shampoo it every other day. But I'm still waiting for it not to be so gross the 2nd day. I may have to give up on this one. I so cannot pull off the greased monster look!

Find the original look with tutorial at My Yellow Sandbox.

Ten

 Well my plan was to attempt the 10 on 10 project. The goal is to take 10 pictures on every hour on the 10th day of the month. Realistically I knew I would forget and my pictures wouldn't turn out good. So I'll share what I have. And along with my pictures, I'll share 10 highlights from the day!

1. Step class at the YMCA. Since we joined the Y in December, I've been trying all the classes out. I wasn't sure I had the coordination for Step but ended up loving it. I look forward to my Friday Step class. The teacher is so energetic and I look forward to seeing the 'regulars'. 

2. Honey Bunches of Oats with Blueberries. Breakfast!! I was so hungry after my workout that I went a bit overboard. It was good! I'm not much of a cereal person. In fact, I prefer the kid's cereals like Cinnamon Toast Crunch. :) But J introduced me to my new favorite.

3. One of Millie's favorite things is reading books! Today she unloaded my diaper bag to find one.

 4. When I was doing dishes today somebody was laying on my foot. :) I sure love my little helper! Sure she's a little under foot sometimes but over all I don't mind her sitting on my feet and trying to get her little hands into everything.

 5. I just liked this picture. I was feeling artsy.

 6. For some reason Millie has decided that naptime needs to be a solitary time. All of the stuff animals and blankets in her crib make a trip to the floor while she naps. Here they all are waiting to be welcomed back.

 7. Oh man this was funny! Millie loves to unload our laundry baskets. Daddy only had a few things in his basket today so she tossed in her nuk. But when she reached down in to get it, her feet left the ground. She was stuck!! Oh I laughed! She was a little upset but I couldn't help laughing. :)

8. Date Night!! This was definitely the highlight of the day. The week even! I haven't enjoyed an evening out with my hubby for months.

9. Sorry for the unappetizing post dinner shot. But we went to Brix & Stones for supper and it was awesome. I always get the Guinness Braised Short Ribs. I feel bad always getting the same thing but they're so good. I just dug right in and didn't remember to take a picture until afterwards. 

10. Super 8. We saw this movie and I was surprised. From the previews I had seen, I was sure it was just going to be another scary movie. And I do NOT do scary movies. AT ALL. It was intense in a good way and I enjoyed it. My hubby chooses movies I don't think I'll like way too often. But I usually change my mind. He has good taste.

So I enjoyed focusing on the highlights of the day and trying to capture some of those moments. I'm not a photographer so my pictures are nothing to write home about, but I hope this inspires you to remember the little blessings in your day!

ps. This post is dated on the 10th to reflect the date of the pictures and events.

New Duds!

This month I went on a long overdue shopping trip. The Loft just opened in town and that was my first stop. Really it was the only place I needed to go. I love their stuff!! First off, they have that perfect blend of clothes for the young casual woman who doesn't want to look like a teenager or too matronly. And second, I am an x-small at the Loft. Seriously - an XS!!! That will sure make a girl feel good about trying on clothes. And the Loft always has great sales. So I ended up getting a few casual tops and some capris and a few days later this dress went on my bday list. My birthday's in August so I think it's soon enough to make a list!

How cute, right!? Well surprise! My mom got it for me the other day! Mom's are the best. And of course she said I can wear it now. :) I'm loving my new summer clothes!

Have you been shopping this summer? What's your fav place to shop?

Like?

Hi my faithful readers!

So I've been blogging on and off for almost 3 years (since June 23rd, 2008). Wow 3 years. That's crazy! At that point in my life, we were just buying our first house and sweet O was still just a twinkle in my eye. My posts have ranged from fun exciting news to opinions about life to mundane mommy ramblings. 

I just want to say thank you to all my friends and family who continue to read my blog, even through the slow spots. If you've been enjoying my musing on life and motherhood, please FOLLOW me!! I love to know you're still reading. I'd also to hear from you. I realize that I don't always post a lot to comment on... so I'll work on that if you promise to comment once in a while. :)

So today my question for you is... What do you like reading about on my blog? And what do you think I need to share more about?

Outdoor Living

When the weather started to get warm this spring, we headed outside! On this particular day we had a snack outdoors on the deck.

Millie is beginning to learn how to hold still and smile for the camera. So I get some of these adorable little grins captured!