Happy Valentines Day, folks!

And I? Am convinced that I have the greatest husband ever. (And in-laws.) Why?  Well, my husband took me a short trip uptown to eat last night (I know, a day early) at an extremely yummy restaurant by our selves. And then? Surprised me with a night’s stay at a swanky uptown hotel. Corner suit, no less.  He also attempted to pack me a night bag, complete with my make up in little baggies, my toothbrush, jammies, etc. Even a DVD player and movie! (By the way Leatherheads is kind boring). He did forget my brush though and facewash, but I survived and I’m just so thankful at all the little things he thought of to do for me!  It was absolutely wonderful to sleep in a giant bed with no sleep distractions but my sickly throat and nose. Oh, it was good to just rest and not have to be up all night with sickly Savannah!

Hope you are having a wonderful weekend, too!  Do something sweet for your sweety :-)

You know what my husband told me this past weekend?

I’m glad that you can be at home with Savannah. You know why she behaves so well? It’s because of you, you taught her that.

I hadn’t really thought of it that way before, but it’s true. For the most part (ya know, aside for the typical toddler temper tantrums), Savannah is a wonderful child who is sweet, smart, and funny. The girl isn’t even 18 months old yet and says, “peas” and “tank oo!” Someone had to teach her that, right?

So hi folks, I’m a great Mom! It’s nice to be recognized for it by some one else. Especially by a man who works so hard to provide for us. Thanks for all you do too, Daddy O.

I mentioned earlier that I’ve read 3 books so far and I had to share what I’ve learned. It’s amazes how stories help reveal things in your own life.

The best so far was “A Time to Dance” by Karen Kingsbury (Any book by her you can’t go wrong, she’s amazing). It’s about a married couple on the brink of divorce and how God brought them back together when they thought it was too late. I have to admit, at times it made me angry to read and watch how silly they were being. Not speaking to each other or when they did it was rudely, or didn’t listen to what the other was trying to say, one character was practically cheating on the other, ignoring God, etc. And yet they both obviously still loved one another. It made me realize that often that is me (not cheating or anything serious!). Whether it’s being too busy sitting here blogging or reading other’s blogs to spend time with Mark some nights, or saying something without thinking, it can put a wedge between us that eventually could build up to be worse if not addressed. Thankfully, Mark is pretty good about being honest and up front about issues like that. It made me see how truly painful divorce can be and that I never, ever want to experience that first hand. It’s made me very thankful for the man I married and work harder to be the best wife I can be.

It also reflected my relationship with God at times (more often that I’d like), where clearly He knows the right path for my life and yet I keep ignoring Him and His commands. As I was reading it was like seeing life through God’s eyes almost…knowing what could be if they would just accept it and not letting pride get in the way. I also felt like God does sometimes when looking down at his people making the wrong choices. Angry, sad, and hurt. Thankfully, they did accept God’s truth and ways in the end and things turned out with lessons learned and blessings just as God promises for our lives.

I’m looking forward to reading the sequel, “A Time to Embrace” as soon as it arrives at my library.

Yes, we’re one of those couples. We’re corny. We like to match.

This picture was taken on our first wedding anniversary last Monday the 19th. We were headed out to eat at Firebirds, where I was so excited to finally get me a Filet Mignon and shrimp only for it come out burnt. Twice. And so, we got our entire $50 meal for free. Free! God certainly has a sense of humor, but I’m not complaining! The night didn’t turn out exactly as we planned, but it was still wonderful to spend some time with Mark and we were thrilled about our free meal.

And, we were thrilled to show our lovey-dovey-ness by matching. It actually kind of happened by accident on this day, since I knew I wanted to wear this new outfit because I don’t have a job to wear it to, and Mark just happened to wear red and black to work that day. I even got to wear my beautiful red shoes that about killed my feet!

Matching was something I grew up with in my family, especially on holidays like Christmas, but Mark and I match often regardless of the event. This Sunday to church we both wore brown. Some times Savannah gets lucky and matches us, too.

Told you, we’re corny. I can just see us when we’re 80 wearing matching sweatshirts, can’t you?

Let’s back track, shall we? In Savannah’s 15 months of life, there has always been issues with sleep. When she was an infant, it was being up every 2 hours for months to nurse. Sure, the length between night awakenings got longer as the months went on, but it was pretty exhausting up until about 10 months old. Then, something seemed to click and she only wakes up one time now. But now when there isn’t excessive waking up times, there is always something else. She fights naps, she fights going to bed, she gets up way too early, or she insists that you stay in the room with her in order to sleep. Occasionally she cuts us a break to catch up on her sleep, therefore letting us catch up, and she’ll sleep heavenly for a week or two.

Like last week? Heavenly sleep, mostly. There were many nights she slept from 8pm to 8am (or even 9 am! Never had she done that before). If she woke up, it was only once and though it might have taken a while to put her back to sleep (insisting you stay in there with her), she did go back to sleep until at least 7. It was nice.

This week? We’re in hell again. The past few days she has decided that 5am is the perfect time to get up for the day, when clearly it’s not by her tired eyes and laying around (me, too). And last night? She was up at 4am. FOUR! When I went in there to give her more pain medication (she is teething, after all) she looked exhausted and laid back down, but the instant I left the room it jump started her fighting battle that has lasted well into day light. I tried everything to get her back to sleep. Rocking, swaying, walking, talking, praying, rubbing, laying down with her, etc. By an hour I was so frustrated and tense, that I put her down in her crib, walked to my room and punched a pillow. I haven’t done that since I was a kid. As much as I prayed and prayed for answers and patience, nothing came.

Finally an hour and half later Mark emailed work to say he wasn’t coming in today, and took over for me. Thank God for awesome an husband. He then did the only thing we hadn’t tried: the car.  Which, at this point, he has a minor accident backing out of our drive way into our neighbor’s parked car. See. This sleep issue is not good! All the way around!

I just don’t get why my child hates sleep? I hear that separation anxiety becomes a bigger issue around this time, so maybe that’s part of it? Plus teething? Lord, help me.

Last time we had this issue of WAY too early wake up calls, I read to move her bed earlier. And it worked, strange as it sounds. So, I think I’ll try that again, and bust out “The No-Cry Sleep Solution” book while I’m at it for other measures to take.

But, do you have any advice? Is your child (or children) as weird sleeping wise as mine? Have any stories that make me feel better and that I’m not alone?!

My whole weekend was the best Mother’s Day weekend yet. It started out with the bonding time with Birth Mom Buds (and my Mom!) and then I came home to a super clean room (thanks to my husband!) and these beauties:

I had fun snapping pictures of them and came up with a beautiful natural light photo and then enhanced their beauty even more in photo shop. I think I’ll frame it. I haven’t received tulips before and I’ve fallen in love with them! On Sunday I woke up to a cheerful little girl who enjoyed snuggling with me. She was clingy and lovey all day, she must have known it was Mother’s Day. And of course, I’m left in awe at how fast she is growing. Look how long her hair is getting! We went to church where we watched a picture slide slow of all the Mother’s and children within our church. I proudly/bravely included not just me and Savannah, but me with Kaylee as well. Not many people know that I am a birth mother there (or many people in person, really), not because I’m ashamed but simply because where during a conversation does, “Hey! I’m a birthmom!” fit in, ya know? In a way, I hope people ask, “Who was that other girl in the picture?” so that I can gladly share my story. Anyway, that was my way of sending more love to Kaylee from a distance, that I love her and always thinking of her and that she’ll always be my first daughter who made me a mom.

The four of us, my Mom included, went to eat at the best hamburger and fries place we’ve ever eaten at. Five Guys, anyone? Then it was time to say goodbye to mi madre, but Mark and I had fun heading to the craft store for a project we’re working on. What project, you ask? Well, my sweet and thoughtful husband had the great idea to make me/us a scrapbook of our story for our 1st wedding anniversary that is coming up in one week (can you believe it?!). He originally was going to do it all him self, but the task got overwhelming and time was running out, so he told me about the surprise. Which, honestly, I’m glad he did because 1) How sweet is it to work on a project about love with your love? 2) Scrap booking is just fun.

And, for the cherry on top of my weekend? I’ve made straight A’s again (well, still waiting on one grade but it’s English and I’m positive it’s an A). A whole year of college, 9 classes in a row…I’ve made straight A’s. This little momma with a 15 month old, stress galore, little sleep and laundry mountains to climb has kept a 4.0 gpa. That feels pretty good, ya know? And all I can say is, glory be to God because I don’t know how I did it.

I hope your Mother’s Day weekend was as great and blessings filled as mine!

I came home from a long day of classes and the drama of losing a car key (thank goodness for my Father in Law!) to this:

I have the sweetest husband. He always has the best ideas for holidays or just because he loves me. I’ve got one of those hopeless romantic kind of guys. Yes, I know how lucky I am.

On this romantic bed included the bear from our first Valentines Day way back in 2006, our freshman year of college. The bear is holding a bottle of sparkling grape juice (our favorite). Beside the bear is a “Tonight” pillow (you know what that means). On the other side is the movie “Suburban Girl” he rented for us to watch (about to go watch it after this) along with a wonderful home made card from Mark and Savannah.

I also came home to a drive way and side walk declaring how much they love me in bright side walk chalk. Yes, I am one well loved girl.

The card has the cutest picture, it’s my favorite part of all this stuff!

I hope your Valentines Day was as well loved and wonderful as mine has been (minus the losing the key part…).