Rachel LOVES for me to sing to her. She goes from her request of "Jzsz Uvs Me" to "B I B I" pretty much in the same breath. In this picture, she was sitting with 'Sissy', who she loves dearly, and they were singing "Jzsz Uvs Me". Rachel has her 'bankie' and 'doose' (aka - juice) with her as well. If Minnie were in the chair as well, she would have been in absolute ecstasy! And around her left eye........yeah......... that was the result of her getting a little to excited to play Ring Around The Rosey by herself and then meeting the coffee table in an unpleasant moment of truth.

A Busy But Fullfilling Time

Man, have I ever been busy since my last post! Holy cow!! I went to my 11 year class reunion.... yes, I said 11 year.... a week ago Saturday. My high school buddies in charge of coordinating the reunion didn't get on the ball enough around our 10 year anniversary of graduation, so we postponed it until this year. Selfishly, I really was wishing that everyone would have gained more weight than me since graduation and for the most part, they had!! Isn't that terrible that I was thinking that? And even worse that I'm glad everyone was a little more pudgy? Anyway, it was a good time visiting with those who I hadn't seen in YEARS! The plan is to do a reunion again in another 4 years to get us back on the 10-15-20 reunions and so on. We shall see.

Last week, I was in Dallas for the Mary Kay Seminar. There are 5 groups all together that each have their own seminar. I am in the Sapphire seminar and then there is the Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, and Emerald seminars. Each group gets together in Dallas at different times to have their annual meetings. I definitely got pumped up and ready to hit some new goals this year! The picture I've posted is one with my director (on the left), our National director Rena Tarbet, me, and April. We had an awards dinner that night and had a fantastic dinner with filet minon and then for dessert, some decedant chocolate feast! It was so wonderful and such a treat! The entertainment during the seminar was outstanding - I felt like I was at a Broadway production! And hearing so many women give such glory to the Lord so unashamedly was beyond anything I'd imagined. One lady put it so well "It gives me such joy to be affiliated with a company in which I've not ever been pulled into the HR office and reprimanded for sharing my faith". Now that is wonderful! It really helped me to see what a Christlike woman Mary Kay was and how blessed I am to be a part of a company that encourages everyone that is a part to put their priorities in order: God first, family second, career third..... and that is the essence of Mary Kay.

Big Shoes To Fill

I've got some things around my house that I'm gathering for a yard sale this weekend and a few pairs of shoes are in the mix. Rachel decided she wanted to try this particular pair on for size. A little big for her now, but maybe one day she'll grow into them.

It was such a sentimental moment watching her walk in my shoes. I totally remember the time when I used to do such things with anyone's shoes I could get my feet into. I always have thought shoes are cool. And now to see my daughter walking in grown up shoes really gave my heart a tug.

Then, yesterday, we were singing the little Barney tune "I love you. You love me" and she would sing every word with Mommie. When we said "and a great big hug and a kiss from me to you" she would give me a hug and a kiss! SOOO cute! Then we would sing, " and won't you say you love me too?" and without any prompting, she says "I yuv u!" Oh my gosh. Can I just say that I couldn't squeeze her tight enough after that! Talk about having your heart right there on your lap! Wow.

My Genius Child

Just thought I'd share another picture of my genius child. I find in this particular picture, she totally looks like her daddy!! Notice the drool on her shirt..... that, too, is like her daddy! :)

No Rest For The Weary

Yes, it's after midnight and I'm up writing on this dang blog. What is my problem?! I was laying in bed, staring in the darkness at what I'm assuming was the ceiling, letting 40 bigillion things run through my head......that's right, women can multi-task like that. So, instead of trying in vain to get to sleep, I decided to get a few of my thoughts out on 'paper' so that maybe, just maybe, I can go to sleep.

First, I had a Mary Kay meeting tonight (pep rallys/training for consultants and their guests) and those always give me ideas and fuel for the next week. So with that, I've got lots of ideas roaming around in my head and I'm trying to figure out how I'm going to advance to the next step in my carrer by the end of this month. The great thing about MK is that no one else determines my speed of advancement besides ME!! If I wanna drive a free car, I just have to get out there and get it. So, my dear, sweet hubby and I retire for the evening and proceed to have that final 'pillow talk' of the night before drifting into our unconscious bliss. I tell him "I need to get more team members...." and then go on to say exactly what the qualifications are to get to the level I want to be at by this time next year. He listens quietly then all the sudden says, "A girl broke her arm yesterday." HUH?! I'm talking about details in advancing in my career and he breaks in with "A girl broke her arm yesterday."????????????????????? AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! He redeemed himself a moment later (after telling me a few details about Broken-Arm Girl and being sure to interject the 'correct' way to fall as not to break a limb) by saying, "Maybe you'll find someone from your party this week" and a few other comments pertaining to the conversation I THOUGHT we were having. And they say women have spaghetti thoughts.

Next, there is some shopping I've been wanting to do since Saturday and I was hoping to possibly have a chance to get out in the morning and do some perusing, but alas, my venture will be postponed yet again. Tomorrow, I will have yet another child in my care for the morning and the refrigerator repair man will be here supposedly between 11am-12pm (right as 'additional child' is set to leave). I'm really glad someone will be coming to fix the fridge because it's got some sort of massive leak into the refrigerator part that is soaking all my food! For the things in the containers it's not so bad. Things like the veggies in the bottom drawers or the berries in store containers......yeah, not so good. So, praise Jesus, this problem will be no longer after tomorrow. However, Mr. Repair Man and Additional Child have altered my plans of shopping yet again. I'm stressing that the sales I want to hit will pass me right by!

Finally, ending on a more positive note, when I came in tonight from my meeting, Rachel was 'running' over to the door to meet me and squeeling to the top of her lungs "Mommie! Mommie! Mommie!!" Now that is a precious sight and sound if ever there was one! She was ultra excited to see Mommie and that just melted me! Then, shortly after that, we were ready for night night time. I sat her on my lap and asked her if she was ready to go to bed. She said "Sleepy" and began rubbing her eyes. Let me remind you......17 months old!! Genius child. Anyway, to continue on in proving my fore-said point, I asked if she wanted to sing a song and she began with "B I B I B I" for that song, "The B I B L E. Yes that's the book for me.....". She loves that song and loves to shout "BIBLE!!" when we've finished singing. The last few days when I've asked her if she wants Mommie to sing to her, she's been saying "Jzszs Uvs Me".... translation "Jesus Loves Me". We began singing that song together and can I just tell you that my genius child sang EVERY WORD OF THAT SONG WITH ME!!! Of course, it was in broken baby English, but she was singing it all the same. Then I said "Tell Daddy I love you" and she began saying "I wuv oooo!" Oh my gosh! I wish sometimes that I could freeze time for just a few moments longer when things like that happen. Thank God for video cameras so that moments as precious as those can be relived for years to come.

Ok, I feel much better now and - as soon as I pee...... again - I should be able to fall asleep. Good night, blessed world.

Genius Child

This week, my dear child began counting all by herself. We have done the whole swinging thing where we'll swing her a little and count "One, Two..." and then on "THREE!!" we'll throw her up a little and catch her. So, by that, she's learned to count to three. The other night, I was counting to three while I was washing her hair..... "One, two...." was the preparation for the big splash and then by "three!" the water came out of our cup on onto Rachel's soapy head. She began counting to three with me and then all the sudden - I discovered my child is a genius!! She continued past three and went to 6!!!! Yes, that's right. My child, just 17 months old, counted to six ALL BY HERSELF!!! Of course, I was immediately on the phone with Mamaw having her listen to her blessed grandchild. Obviously, Mamaw thought that was the smartest thing she'd ever heard! If I ever figure out how to get audio clips on to this thing, I'll post something of Rachel actually saying her numbers. It's really a wonder to hear! :)

I'm pretty sure that my child is the most beautiful thing ever!

I just figured out how to use this picture uploader deal (nice lingo, huh?) and so I thought I would show off my fantastic photography on my little angel.

Being a mommy has got to be one of the greatest things this side of heaven. There is absolutely NOTHING like having your child get so excited to see you and then hug you like they never want you to let them go. That, my friends, is bliss.

Do you ever wish you could be the chick in Bewitched and just twinkle your nose and everyone around you would just SHUT UP?!!!!!!!!!! I mean, seriously, is there something in the fireworks that send kids into a freak out mode? I really think I should investigate that. For anyone who reads this and doesn't know, I have a 17 month old daughter named Rachel and I babysit Jack and Katie. Jack is almost 13 months and Katie is 2. So far, Katie is ok today, but Jack is unusually cranky. Rachel is just coming off of the fireworks-induced crankiness from yesterday and is somewhat better today. But Jack - I've never had to count to 10 so many times in one morning to keep from doing something that the DHS would frown on. :) Is it wrong to want to use a little duct tape?

Here Am I

I've just created my blog. Wow. This is new stuff for me, but I've been inspired. So, we'll see how it goes. Hello world of technology!! :)