Its been awhile...

...since I've posted. Some of it due to not having the time (or taking it), some of it due to not knowing what to post and here lately, some of it due to just not feeling up to sharing. But last night, playing with my daughter, I learned something that I feel I should or maybe even need to post. So here goes.

My little girl, there are so many things i could say about her.... how smart she is - she's two and converses in three languages. She's so funny and witty. She cares with her whole heart. And the latter is what intrigues me the most. She loves. Simply put. She loves her mama and of course her Meme and Poppie. She loves her Tommy and Dora toothbrush. She loves her baby dolls. She loves Noah (our horse - i mean dog) and her kitties. She loves Wubbzy and watching Widget fix things - which she must then imitate. She loves it when Rintu makes Kilan's heart feel super happy. She loves it when its time to eat and water the garden - especially when she can pick the ripe fruit too. She loves bubbles and gets super excited about Popsicles. She loves to play in her room and loves it when you sit down to have tea parties with her. She loves going - anywhere. Our conversations are generally full of "i love ____" or "_____ is my favorite" statements. I guess most people that read this might say that she's 2 and that's typical. And it may very well be. She's a happy child and that I'm grateful for, on so many levels. But it hit me last night that maybe that's why she's such a happy child, she loves. Even the simplest of things.

So today i thought I'd try it too. While sitting here, wishing i was a million miles away on a beach somewhere, I've made up my mind to just love. So here goes: I love my Dr grip pen. I love that our office is made up of a realm of people from the drinker, to the crazy lady, to the lazy one, the messy one, the pinhead, the funny one, and the peppy one. I love that on any given day those labels could apply to any one of us in here. I love that our office has a grapevine that doesn't exclude anyone! I love that i get to deal with people all over the country and on a good day the world. I love that sometimes there are things about my job that i just don't get, and other times I move mountains. I love that while its not my dream car, it runs and is dependable and safe. I love my facebook, myspace and blogger friends who allow me the opportunity to be nosey and look into their worlds everyday. I love to be nosey. I love that right now my boyfriend is welding and drilling and shaping metal and putting together rotors for a Christmas present that he's making Sarah. I love that he cares enough about us both to make it. I love that at the end of my day I get to go home to my family. And God willing, I love that I'll get to do it all again tomorrow.

And do you know, that while its not solving any financial crisis that i or others around me may have and its not creating world peace, it is making me feel lighter today.....

Now if I could only be as cute or cool as Sarah... ;o)

I know....

I'm a bad mom. It's been ages since I've posted and so many milestones have passed, and......I have not one picture to show for it (well to post anyways).

Sarah's 2nd birthday was on the 22nd of June. We had so much fun this year! We (I) decided to have her birthday party at the new park in Duncan that she absolutely loves. (and for those who don't know it - she considers it her park - LOL it must be the name!) After having to reschedule it the Wednesday before the original date, the day finally came for her birthday party! She was so excited! She had a ladybug cake and cupcakes, ice cream, all her family and favorite friends there to celebrate. Then after the party, we all headed into the water park! What a day. Where are my pictures? hmmm well while I was passing out the cupcakes, pizza, ice cream, party favors and opening presents, i forgot to get out the camera! And my idiot self didn't think to have someone do it for me.... Don't worry - there were some pictures taken, and I'll get copies of those, but somehow its not the same is it?

Next was Fourth of July! Happy Birthday America! That was celebrated with some friends - who are pretty much family - and the boyfriend. Manwhiches, craft time, playing baby dolls with the girls, Popsicles and fireworks - which surprisingly, Sarah absolutely loved! What a great night! But still no pictures....

I know i have to do better, and so for my fourth of July resolution (doesn't everyone make one of those?) I have decided that for the next year, I will use my camera so much that my daughter will think my name is Kodak or Cannon (which ever one doesn't have dead batteries). Oh and no saturn missiles next year... but that's a story for a different post...

;o)

How it all just melts away.

So today i'm driving home, thinking about how my next blog should be about the road rage that all but consumes me because it seems like 90% of the drivers that I encounter on my adventures home do NOT know how to drive. (And I'm talking about the simple things such as: left turns must always yeild unless otherwise posted or directed by a traffic signal!) Did I mention that this rage "all BUT consumes me?" Yeah, ok, I lied. Hello, my name is Mandy and I have a road rage problem......

Anyway back to the point of my blog, I pull into the driveway and I see my punkin' walking to the mailbox with her Meme and Poppie. I stop and ask her if she'd like a ride, and from there it all just melts away. We play outside for awhile, swing, check on the strawberries, blow out the dandilions and love on ole' noah (he's our horse of a dog.) Funny how she's able to take to me to a completely different world every afternoon. Its nice to come home to that, no matter where home is.

On a different note, I think I have my boyfriend talked into going to my grandparents for Easter! Yes this is a big deal. Why? Because after 2 years of dating and loving this man, I can count on one hand (without using my thumb) how many times my boyfriend has interacted with my family. I guess I better explain that one. In his previous longterm relationship, his inlaws....well he likens them to satan's spawn.... LOL needless to say his dealings with him have left him skittish and shy of the inlaws - even when they're not technically inlaws (such as our case). But alas 2 years later and well, the only family he's met of mine are my parents, and I'm beginning to think the rest of my family is starting to question my sanity and his reality :o) Keep your fingers crossed for me!

She's growing up.....

Way too fast!!! It was just yesterday that I was only finding out about my little miss Sarah.... now she's almost two and hamming it up for the camera. Where o where did my little baby go????

As promised, below are some of her easter pictures - there are more on facebook (or will be). We took her to my favorite place: Portrait Innovations. Where even if you go in with a budget in mind, you will still break the bank. This piggy bank is shattered - but well worth it! And after several bribes, we got some great pictures. Enjoy ;o)

Coming soon! - I promise

Wow, its been forever since I've posted! I dont even have our snow pictures up! But the good news there is that the camera and the cord have actually made it to my car, now I just have to bring them in and upload them.....

Also we got the Easter pictures taken, finally! Thats a feat when your almost two year old isn't in the mood. But we got them done, now I just have to remember to scan them so that I can post them. We have the cd of them but they're never as pretty because they don't have all the "special effects" on them, so be patient. I promise they're all coming to this blog soon ;o)

Ok, go ahead and say it - I'm slacker. I know. But for those that are interested I do have a few posted on facebook - that should count for something right?

MD needs a vacation...

We're going to the Beach!!!!!! ......... At the end of April!!!! Why am I sharing this now? Because I need a vacation. If I could, I'd pack my daughter and self up and take off - no "goodbyes" or "c-ya laters" there would be no time for that! We would be beach-bound and THAT is what I would be focused on.

Apparently I'm not the only one in need of this "time away from this reality." A friend of mine blogged today about needing a self disclaimer of "keep away, wearer needs alone time." I think at this moment mine would be: "Shut up and get out of my way..." Or maybe I just need a few days away from the "office annoyance." Right now, even a day trip to the cheesecake factory in charlotte would be great... but weight watchers says "no" and since I want to be thin and beautiful I have to listen to them. Oh well I guess things could be worse and I know right now i should be appreciative of our "office annoyance" because it means I have an office to work at, but daydreams are nice too.

She likes to ride her bicycle and take self pics.....

Why does my little girl have to grow up so fast?

She's learning to ride her "by cikle" (its really a tricycle but shhhhh!) I could just eat her up! - oh wait is that ww brownies i see in that bag? Hmmm maybe i'll just have 1 or 2 of those!

How does chocolate milk always end up on the corner of her shirt?

My babys' first self portrait...

Look at this face and tell me how you couldn't not love her....