Strep

I have a horrible sore throat this week, and feel just terrible... headache, no energy, glands in my neck are swollen... did I mention the horrible sore throat? So, I went to the Dr. today. It's official. I have strep throat. :( boohoo.

The Dr. prescribed antibiotics, and I started taking them about 1pm. Apparently, I will be contagious until tomorrow (at least). Great. Oh well, it could always be worse!! LOL

My friend MK brought me some dinner, Lil M some dinner and brought Lil M home from daycare for me!! She's so nice. :) Apparently, I have a tough time asking for help, but she always seems to know when I need it!! I was hoping she and MK2 could come in for a bit, but since I'm contagious it isn't such a good idea I guess. Oh well. There will be other days!!

Anyway, hopefully I'm the only one with the sickies this week!!

Peace.

Birthday and Memorial Day

Sis, Mia, Me and Chase at dinner for our birthday. :)

Leaving on a jet plane.... but we're back now! :) We were tired, 'cause it was early in the morning and we hadn't slept much the night before... but we still had fun!


Had a great birthday... lots of friends came and we all had dinner on Thursday. Then we went to meet Scott's family on Friday. Had a great time.

Today we're just hanging out at home, recuperating. :) lol I hope everyone has a blessed Memorial Day. God bless our service men and women...those still with us, and those who aren't.

Peace.

Birthday thoughts

Today is my birthday. Actually, it's Sis' birthday, too! :D There's a group of us going to dinner tonight, and that's going to be awesome. Scott's going to come pick Lil M and I up at the house and then we're going to meet everyone else. Then, after dinner, we're going to drive up to Sis' house and spend the night with Sis and Nephew! Tomorrow morning, we fly to Atlanta to hang out with Scott's family for the weekend. I've not met them yet, and am a bit nervous. But, I think it'll be OK. :)

I guess my main thought today is that I'm truly THANKFUL for my life and for being able to live another day. No, there isn't anything wrong with me... I've just been wanting to make sure I remember to be more appreciative for every moment of every day, because life is short. Even, when some days I feel old! But I don't ever want to "be old"... you know, in spirit! I will, however, be thankful to be as old as God sees fit! :)

I've been kind of blah lately... so, I'm hoping the new birthday brings renewed happiness and life! And, oh, here's to thanking God I'm not quite hitting the next decade yet!!! LOL (ok, it'll happen, but not for awhile yet) The past recent months have been pretty darn good. But I had about a year there where life just kind of sucked (and in no way because of my daughter). So, here's to a new (birth) year for me...

Oh, and HAPPY BIRTHDAY SIS!!!! :) Love you!!

Peace.

Live Intentionally

Do you live intentionally? I mean, do you really live moment by moment by moment? I know I don't always do that. But when I do, I feel more alive and more satisfied. But I have gotten bogged down by fears of this so called thing called life... and I find I have to re-commit to myself to live intentionally.

What does this mean? Well, for me, it means that I enjoy these few moments of quiet. Turn off the TV. Sit and watch the dogs play. The baby play (or as of right now, napping in her bed). Listen to the birds. Look at the flowers. Take a walk. Enjoy the actual moment I'm living in right now. :) What a concept, eh?

Think about it though... we Moms, Adults, Women, Working People... ALL People... don't we just go, go, go most of the time? How often do you just enjoy this moment right now?

That's my prayer for you and me both today. Enjoy this moment. Whatever it is. It is fleeting.

Peace.

Decisions

I'm still in the prayer phase of a 2nd adoption. I've been going through a foster/adoption agency that works with mostly older children. And, today, I realized that I am still not 100% sure about that. I would like to adopt another baby. So, now I've got to figure out next steps. Still praying for SAFY and that I might be able to help there. I'm not saying I'm not going to foster or adopt from there. I just still think I want a younger child. :) So, let's see...

crockpot tater tot recipe

I want to try this:

Green Bean Tator Tot Crockpot Casserole $5.87
1 lb. ground turkey 1.99
1/2 t. salt .01
1/4 t. pepper .01
1 onion chopped .15
1 lb. bag frozen string beans 1.49
1 can cream of mushroom soup .49
1 c. shredded cheese .43
1 -21 oz. bag tator tots or equivalent in raw shredded potatoes 1.79

1. Crumble raw ground turkey in bottom of slow cooker. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

2. Layer remaining ingredients on turkey in order they appear in ingredient list.

3.Cover and cook on high for 1 hour. Reduce heat to low and cook for 3 hours.

Sounds yummy, doesn't it? :)

Peace

Flower Garden

Wow, today was busy! I bought 4 rose bushes, buy one get one free today at Lowes!! :) Got them planted, close to the Japanese Maple tree. Then, Scott came and brought mulch!! WOOHOO! I really wanted to get some mulch laid, and we got it done. I know they all look small, but here are a couple pics. Oh, and planted 3 boxwoods... a fennel bulb plant and a small green ground cover plant. Whew! It doesn't seem like a lot, but it is looking great, I think!

Happy Mother's Day to ALL the Moms out there!

Peace.

Three thoughts in one day

I'm sitting here thinking just how lucky and blessed to have Lil M as my daughter. My friend MK said that Lil M didn't want to sleep at her house, and when she told her Mommy was there her little lip started to quiver and she wanted her Mommy!!

Color me loved. I love that baby more than words can say.

Happy Mother's Day weekend (to me, hahaha)!!!

God Bless the Mothers.

Peace.

Loss part of Adoption

Each and every day I'm reminded that there is a part of Lil M's life that she lost when she came to be my daughter. It is not insignificant. It is not unimportant. Do I wish I knew more about what her first parents circumstances were? Yes. I do wish I knew more. I know someday Lil M will ask about it, and it saddens me that I don't really have any answers for her.

I'm so glad she's my daughter. And the cool thing is, that I don't really feel like I need anyone else's recognition of our Mother/Daughter relationship this weekend. Just knowing she does love me makes all the difference in the world! :)

So, for this Mother's Day weekend, I will pause and remember with great respect the woman who gave birth to my daughter. May she be blessed in her days, no matter what her circumstances are, were, or may be.

Happy Mother's Day weekend to all the Mom's out there!!!

Peace.

Huggies commercial is awful

I hate the new Huggies commercial for Mother's Day. And I mean HATE.

It goes something like this: It is the one where they are giving away free Huggies for a year to qualify must: Unite male chromosones with a female egg. Once fertilized, retain a radiant glow for about 9 months, after morning sickness. Frequent emotional mood swings, letting people touch your belly and then spit out a baby... eww.

And, WHAT ABOUT THE ADOPTIVE or IF/IVF parents????? OMG.

I realize we're in the minority, but still. Could the companies think outside the box on occasion? This totally just set me wrong. Mother's Day things should, IMO, celebrate ALL mothers... and people have babies who need diapers... and those babies don't necessarily come from this way. They should have at least mentioned that in the disclaimer or something, that ALL moms with babies are welcome to participate. Not just the pregnant ones.

Peace.