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....

The joys of being 1 3/4 yrs old.....

Oh how I miss the age of not worrying about what you're wearing - just how comfortable you are......


















Yup, that's my incredibly stinkin' cute daughter in her pj's, stocking cap (no its not cold in my house) and her wardrobe staple: Poppie's socks......

I LOVE every inch of her!!!!!!

On a side note - weight watchers is working. I won't divulge just how well its working yet - fat people do have their pride, but it IS working. And it might would work even better if I didn't cheat so much now and then, but one does the best they can....
:o)

At last...

Ok, so I finally got the Christmas pics off the camera. I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and New Year - we did!

We tried to do the classic "in front of the Christmas tree home portrait" for a card.... it never really worked out, maybe we'll try again this year, but you have to admit the "cheese" picture is cute.

Getting ready to go to Granny's and Papa's. Don't misunderstand, she loves going there, I was just trying to get a picture of her in her cute outfit which requires asking her to "be still" - my mistake... what was I thinking.... ;o)

Austin and Sarah playing with Austin's new tools at Nanna Jane's. I should take her there every night before going to bed - she slept like a champ that night while Santa was not being quiet in the kitchen putting some of her stuff together....

Admiring her Idol while she is showing off her new Christmas PJ's. At 18mnths are they old enough to have an idol??? Either way she absolutely ADORES Halie!!!

Miss Hanah wanted to be like the big girls and put her new PJ's on too - such a cutie!

Does a child ever need this much???? Don't worry half of it went up for rainy days. And hopefully one of the Santas learned to stop when the Mama says stop next time......

Santa could have just left her a baby and this - and she would have been in Heaven!

Mama and her most favorite princess ever!!!!

I can never remember to bring a camera with me when we meet up with our extended family The Rogers/Urquharts at our annual meeting place: The Beacon!!!!!! Sarah had so much fun chasing Elijah around the room (we were so noisey that we ended up with a sun room to ourselves!) and eating ice cream, reading her new books and playing with Lil' Noah!!! Too bad they live hours away or it could be more than an annual event.... on second thought, looking at my waist line.... annual events filled with emails, pics and mini trips here and there in between are good too ;o)

Such a Slacker....

What can I say - those that know me, know that "eventually, it will get done." (insert what ever you like in place of the "it") I will get all of the holiday pics up and I will update on all of the holiday events, I promise - just let me catch my breath and catch up...

09' was a lil' sneaky booger wasn't it. Am I the only one that is having a hard time beliveing that it's already the start of another year? Am I the only one that just didnt see it as a big deal? Maybe I'm just getting old? I went to sleep and 1/1/09 was there the next day just as another day. Oh well. Maybe it will get more exciting as the year passes?

Either way, we're moving along and moving ahead and my little girl is getting smarter everyday. (*Disclaimer - this is about the only place I get to brag about my beautiful baby girl, so: brace yourself or come back later....) Just last night I promise you that I had a 5min. long conversation with her about being hungry and that i missed her all day and who she went to see that day. Ok so maybe that doesnt sound like such a big deal, but then I should remind you that she's only 18mnths old! Can I also remind you that she can count to 5 in english and spanish? And I've learned that its not just repeativness, she can count her baby dolls, eggs, apples.... and will tell you how many there are in front of her. You should probably conclude that I'm a proud Mama - and pretty proud of that too ;o)

BTW - I've started weight watchers - How did I get SO FAT?!?! I blame my "friends" - why didn't they tell me I was so disgusting?!?!? So be prepared to have some "POINTS" topics thrown in every now and then and "friends" stay on top of me this year!!!

Christmas Photos....Finally

As promised, here are the christmas pictures of my little girl. She's growing up way too fast and last night proved to me just how smart she is becoming but I'll save that for another post. Someday.

Enjoy!!!






Which one is your favorite? I just can't decide.....

Our mini Charleston trip

This past weekend we took an over night trip to charleston. Mom had a check up appt. and we decided to make a mini trip out of it. For a 1 1/2 yr old, I'd say I'm blessed with an angel. for the 3+ hour trip down she amused herself with dvd's, naps, baby dolls and "pee-pie" with her Meme and her Mama. For an overnite stay in a strange place, in a strange bed - she slept, well, like a baby. For our shopping adventures in the downtown market, she and her Poppie entertained themselves like champs. And for our lunch in Chick-fi-la - Well see the pictures below for her first time on a big slide:

"they'd be awesome pictures if they weren't so dark...." - Well Meme, I think they're awesome pictures from a cell phone inside a YELLOW TUBE... ;o)

And below is my absolute Favorite! Her expression says it all.....

See back later this week for our christmas pics!!!!

Christmas Pictures

This year it took us by surprise. All of a sudden we were scrambling to get christmas pictures made. See, our routine has been that I would take her in the spring to Portrait Inovations - I absolutely love this place! - and have her/our pictures made. And I always go overboard with the amount that we bring home.
Then, for her Easter and Christmas pictures, she would have them made at her "school" as she called it. This year Buck-A-Roo shut down (it was a sad sad moment that you can ask me about later). So, here it is Dec. 8th and we're getting ready to send out christmas cards, and we discovered we have no pictures......

We ended up at Wal-mart, due to our lack of planning, PI had no appts. available. We'll have them next week, so your cards may be late, BUT, trust me when I say - Wally World didn't disappoint. Don't misunderstand me - we'll still be at PI in the spring, nothing can compare to what they offer, but her christmas pics are still beyond cute. Below is a preview - notice the face on the first picture - she was showing her Poppie her beautiful dress and doing her shy "aren't I pretty" face. She loves dressing up and this dress she loved because she liked to twirl in it.....

Here, she is just becoming impatient with me.... but a trip to chick-fi-la and one stuffed cow later, she was fine....

I will post the pictures when we get them next week.

With thanks and giving....

Yup.... We're well on our way to Christmas. WHERE DID THE YEAR GO?!? So, now I guess since thanksgiving is offically over, I can't scowl at the radio for playing christmas music huh? Don't misunderstand me, I LOVE christmas, I just believe in killing the turkey first....

Oh well. We had a great Thanksgiving. Lots of family and friends to visit, lots of DRESSING and most definitely some over eating involved. While Sarah doesnt understand the holiday, she had a blast playing with Tommy's neices and nephews.
She loves playing with Madison on the trampoline.

And when the adults got hungry, Dorian and Madison kept her busy with books and babydolls and lots of noise ;o)

Then we were off to Granny's and Papa's for more! All in all, it was a great day filled with family and friends. What more could you ask for.....

Fancy that - Fancy Feast.....

So I finally got to watch Grey's Anatomy yesterday.... Thank God for most of the networks playing our favorite shows on the internet! Otherwise I would have a major investment in DVD box sets that probably still wouldn't be watched! Yeah, so anyways, after grey's I always feel... hmmm what's the word.... "reflective?" - It'll work. I guess that would have something to do with Meredith's monologue throughout the whole show? But, alas, on with my monologue err I mean blog...

It's the little things in life that make it so good. I've heard this more times than I care to think about, but until having a child, I never really thought much of it. But it IS those little things isn't it? Watching her laugh at something before we do because - well because she got it. When she comes up and wraps herself around my legs, just because she thought to. Coming home to find her in her poppie's socks ;o) And then there's the nightly ritual of "feeding the kitties."

This is a routine that never gets tiring, well, except for maybe the participants. But when its time to feed the kitties Meme calls for Sarah (if she's not already there) and Sarah "helps" her carry the food to the kitchen to open and fix for the kitties. 1can, 2can, 3can is a catch me if you can, can....

Yep. That's my incredibly stinkin' cute daughter running from room to room with a can of fancy feast held high in the air, and Meme chasing her.


Ah there is no rest for the weary - she might let Meme sit for a minute and then she's pulling her up and running again...... Is it just me or does my daughter find the silliest of games to play?????

When you wish upon a star....

Dreams come true - at least for 2' tall princesses ;o) My little girl was a fairy princess for Halloween this year. The only thing different this day than any other day of the year is that she had the outfit for it LOL! For a 16mnth old, she seem to catch on pretty well. It didnt take her long to realize that each house that we went to she was going to get candy and she LOVES candy. So we started out the night getting dressed, which she loved b/c she loves playing dress up. She refused to wear the earrings or the crown but she was still a cutie!

Once we were settled on what "we" would and wouldn't wear - we headed to Nanna Jane's where we were greeted by one of the Cheetah Girls and Spider Man himself!!!

And we couldn't leave without getting some lovin' from Nanna Jane herself and our Fairy Godmother Jamie!

From there we headed to a few other places (great grand's and a few friends) that I wasn't able to capture pictures from and then headed to our uncle Charlie and aunt Bobbie's house, where i was finally able to get your Highness to wear her crown but only with the help of a much needed "PappyGo"........

A night with NKOTB

In the words of Oswald: "Oh my gosh!" What a night! What a birthday present/get-away! WoW!! Yes, I went old school - if you know me, you've known since May that I would. There really are no words to describe the concert these guys give. The energy, the love for the fans, the appreciation that they show, it truly makes you believe that having you there in that arena is important to them. That without YOU being in that crowd, the concert just wouldn't have been the same. Ok so maybe that last part is a stretch, seeing as it was a sold-out concert and I'm sure another abled body would have glady occupied my seat and NKOTB wouldn't have known the difference.....

The pics I have arent that great. I didn't take my camera because, well, it was printed on the ticket not to - long story short - I realize that every arena isnt as picky as the Bilo Center and I'll take it everytime from now on....

No, our seats werent THAT close - they came out to a little "turn-style" table in the middle and it happened to be RIGHT in front of us! So awesome! These two particular pictures were taken during their song Dirty Dancing (one of the new ones). They sang A LOT of their old songs and it was great to see that I was not the only one left in this world who could sing right along with them word for word :o) There is one thing I feel the need to mention and ladies please dont take this the wrong way, but: I have never seen sooooooooo many middle-aged women in one place in my life!!!!! And on top of that, there was not a single cat fight or scratch during the entire event! There were about maybe 10 men there and I think its a testament to our gender. Try having a night like that with that many men and beer and 5 hot ladies in one place! LOL !

It reallly was a great get-away! and I got to do it with my Bestfriend who, by the way, is not a NKOTB fan! At least not like I am ;o) But she loved me enough to make my 30th birthday special and I gotta tell ya it was, especially since our hotel room had a 4ft deep tub in it!!!! LOL I'll blog about our "upgrade luck" later.... Also a BIG thank you to my boyfriend! While my bestfriend bit the bullet and went with me - he did buy my ticket and give me money for the trip. He really is the greatest guy and after being there, I really can't blame him for not accompanying me - besides it was definitely "Ladies night out!!!"

To top it off we stopped in Commerce on the way home yesterday and at Longhorns for a birthday lunch. Don't really remember what I had for lunch but this was our desert..... Not really sure what they called it on the menu, but I like to refer to it as a"Heavenly Sinful Delight." Once again -in the words of my favorite blue octopus: "Oh My Gosh!"

A weekend with us...

This weekend was absolutely great! It wasnt filled with the normal rushes, errands and shopping that normally gets jammed into my saturdays and sundays. This weekend, Sarah and I opted to let "Meme" do all the running around and grocery shopping and we spent saturday in our Pj's roaming the house and yard. My little girl is a hoot and she's growing absolutely too fast!


She has discovered and adopted her mothers' fondness for turtles and her mothers' turtle bedroom slippers....



The toy baskets in Mama's room are the perfect Sarah size:




On Sunday, we went to spend the day with Tommy or "ommy" depending on which one of us you ask ;o) Thank goodness this was already planned. When Sarah woke she wanted to watch "mamoo" (that would be mickey mouse) in my bed. Of course a 16mnth old doesnt really watch anything in its entirety but she has a good time being tickled by me, playing with my camera, palm pilot and anything else she can drag off my nightstand. This morning it was my phone. And she wanted me to call Tommy all morning long. How do I know this for certain? Well when someone puts a phone up to your ear and says "call 'ommy" what does it mean to you? LOL!

Spending the day with him is always so much fun, for the both of us. She absolutely loves her "ommy" and proved it to us this weekend. I wasn't allowed to touch, hug and for a time or two, speak to him. She would shove me away and lay her little head on his chest and sigh "ommy"

Can you say: W R A P P E D? LOL the only other person that seems to have this effect on him is his own daughter! All I can do is shake my head and smile from ear to ear. How blessed am I to have this wonderful little girl in my life and a man that Loves us both.....