That is my heart. Full to overflowing.
I walked down the hall, heading to the bathroom, when I had the most overwhelming urge to scoop up my daughter and cradle her in my arms. After a quick visit to the bathroom, I walked into my daughter's dark, sleepy bedroom and felt my way to where she was sleeping deeply. I love to here her even breathing while she dreams.
First, I fixed her blankets. Then I kissed her head and stood up to leave.
It wasn't enough.
I bent back down and kissed her little head a few more times. Then her cheeks. Then that little soft spot just below her chin. I have loved to kiss that spot since the moment she was put in my arms.
Still not enough.
I gently held her hand. The involuntary clenching of her hand in mine made me smile. I remember when she would wrap her long, newborn fingers around my fingers. Then I counted each long finger, caressed them in my hand and kissed each one.
It had to be enough. I didn't want to wake her.
As I walked down the hall to my room, I tearfully thought of another sweet little daughter (not mine), whom I love. May the spirit of her sweet mother comfort and keep her as the days of decision and change lay ahead. May all that is good and right be hers.
It's still not enough, but my overflowing heart will have to wait until tomorrow.
Friday, July 30, 2010
Full to Overflowing
Friday, July 2, 2010
4th Birthday Party Recap: The mostly Photo Version
Mattie's party with her friends was on a Saturday. In order to prepare for this day, I spent the week prior making lists, crossing things of said lists and going a bit crazy.
One day I made the "thank you" gift bags for her friends to take home. Another day (or several) I went shopping for food, decor, etc. The day before the party I had my friend Nikelle come help me with the treats we would be serving. Mattie's chosen treats were Hello Kitty cake pops and rainbow chip (thank you Betty Crocker) cupcakes with hot pink frosting. Both were a huge hit! Especially the marshmallow fondant (who knew there was such a thing?) flowers on the cupcakes.
Before we served the treats, the kids made cereal necklaces, opened presents, jumped in the bounce house and slid down the huge slide. I skipped Pin the Bow on Hello Kitty (GREAT idea guys!) because the kids just wanted to go outside. Lunch, after all the playing, was pigs in a blanket, veggie sticks with ranch dip, chips and strawberry lemonade. It was so easy and the kids loved it!
Do you remember me talking about how I felt about my daughter turning 4 or about my first stages of planning? Those links will provide a refresher. Also, do you remember Leslie Malone winning my Bake Life Sweeter giveaway provided by Betty Crocker through MyBlogSpark? Click around and interact with some great sites.
Now, onto the SHOW...
The product (cake mix and frosting), AMAZING prize pack (Flip camera and $100 Amex gift card), information, and giveaway (congrats to Leslie!) have all been provided by Betty Crocker through MyBlogSpark.
Monday, June 28, 2010
For My Mattie on Her birthday
June 28th will always be,
Monday, June 14, 2010
Just Keep Walking
Not long ago, my daughter and I went on a little road trip.
She had gone to bed pretty late the night before, so she was asleep about 15 minutes into the drive. I was jamming to Africa by Toto and really enjoying myself. By the way, the song Africa reminds of one of my dear friends, Sarah. I can't hear it without remembering her singing it out at the top of her lungs as we drove down the highway to Palm Springs, California. A great memory.
Back to my road trip.
At some point we came to a rest stop/gas station/Subway and decided we needed a potty break, a treat and fresh drinks. I unbuckled her from her car seat (note: I only undo the bottom buckle because SHE can undo the top buckle), grabbed my stuff and we headed across the busy parking lot. Because my hands were full, I made Mattie hang on to the pocket of my pants. Half-way across the parking lot, the poor thing tripped on her flip flops and down she went. So did my pants. Clear to my knees. That's right folks. My pants were all the way to my knees as I stood in the middle of oncoming, parking lot traffic.
It was awesome.
What could i do?
I did the only I could do. I just kept walking. Then, gracefully, I dropped everything in my hands on the curb and reached down to pull my pants up.
Did I mention how awesome this was?!
I was laughing so hard that I had tears streaming down my cheeks. Mattie didn't know whether to laugh or hide for fear of my wrath. Even a 3 year old knows that pulling your pants down in the middle of a busy parking lot isn't good.
We proceeded into the rest stop/gas station/Subway and got our refreshments and had our potty break. On our way back to the car, I held Mattie's hand. I couldn't chance another pants-ing.
As we drove off in the car, I let Africa blare while I sang at the top of my lungs, wishing I could share this story with my friend Sarah (I love and miss you where ever you are).
I love a good memory!
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Still Laughing...
Today I took my little Mattie with me, and off we went to Wal-mart. I needed to return something and pick-up some shoe inserts (I want to wear these darling shoes at CBC, but they needed a smidge more cushion).
Once I returned my item and found the inserts I wanted, I decided to look at the children's clearance section. You never know when you might find shorts for $1.50 (perfect for days at the beach). Much to my excitement, I found some pretty cute capri pants for $3.00! I leaned down to try the little capris on Mattie, when low and behold SHE HAD ON NO UNDERWEAR.
None.
Naked.
To make matters even better, she was (is) wearing her very ruffly, twirly skirt today.
Who knows how many people knew she was without underwear before I did.
I have been laughing about it ever since...
Thursday, March 11, 2010
I wouldn't want to miss this...
It's laundry day. My daughter and I look scrubbie and have no intention of leaving the house. Dinner will be grilled cheese and apple sauce. A perfect day.
While I was changing the wet stuff to the dryer and loading the dirty clothes into the washer, my daughter was laying splayed out on the floor in the doorway of the laundry room. Her arms and legs were "fluttering" like when she swims, and the movie Jungle Book was balancing on her belly.
When I asked her what she was doing, she very matter-of-factly said, "I am floating on my back like Baloo and pretending Mowgli is on sitting on my tummy (the movie)".
OOOHHHHH!! Of course. HOW could I have missed that?
I love being home with Mattie (a huge blessing). Oh how I would hate missing a moment like that.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Where do you like to sing?
Coming from the bathroom this evening...
"Mr. Bluebird on my shoulder.
It's the truth! It's actual!
Everything is...
Everything is..
Everything is fdgvnlkan-ual.
Zippity-do-dah, Zippity-ay,
Wonderful feeling,
Wonderful daaaaaayyyyyyy!"
I love my little music loving, loudly singing,
"I don't care who is listening" child.
She makes every day feel like we are in our
own Disney movie.
