Random Photographs

There is always room for some random photos...so here are a few. Happy Spring Break!

 Someone is a little too comfortable with nudity.

 



 So, how cute are they!? Ninja turtles on my girl and a pink blanket on daddy.

 

Ohhhhhh the hilarious-ness! Mean muggers!

 She is trying to walk! Sweetness!

 

Sister showing off her face-painting

Mom and Dad ran into our friend, Marty Ray, when we went to a concert. He is known as "The Beard". Y'all look out, he is well on his way to fame. :)

 

An old Buddy Walk pic of Lila with some of her friends.

 

Sisters at their photo shoot with Uncle Mike and Aunt Kathy

 

 Ohh, it is awful when she is sad, but it is so cute.

 

 

 

 



Reflecting..

We are nearly to the one year anniversary of Lila's open heart surgery. One year ago we were anxiously awaiting Spring Break. Not for the thrill of a trip or sleeping in....no. We were extremely close to a scary time and we weren't too excited about it.

Having said that, all went well. She was a warrior princess. She sailed right through surgery and went home after five nights in the hospital. LeBonheur Children's Hospital was wonderful. We are forever grateful for their care. They took excellent care of our baby and us. They also had lots of fun activities for big sister.

But, I reflect on the fear and apprehension I felt. I remember holding that sweet baby all night before her surgery. I just rocked and sang. And prayed. Oh, did I pray. Isn't it ironic how we dutifully pray in those times of weakness? If I only prayed that way every day.

The scariest feeling I have ever had was handing my baby to the nurse as she walked away with her for surgery. I hope I never have to experience that again. I am so very thankful for the beautiful healthy heart she now has.

The following photos and videos may be difficult to watch/see. Viewer discretion is advised.

 Sweet baby...

 

 Lila right after surgery...

This is just to show all of the machines and hook-ups..

 A healthy heart!

 

The warrior princess is such a trooper!

 

Big Sister Layla got to spend the night with her cousins when Lila had surgery. She enjoyed a bonfire, four wheeler riding and some playtime at the park with them. Special thanks to Jessica, James, Bo, Brody, Jamie and Bryx for keeping her occupied and happy while we were at LeBonheur.

Disney World 2013

In January we went to Disney World. It was a birthday celebration for Layla. We spent a week there and took with us my grandma, mom, Chase's mom (Nanny Pat), and his sister (Kelli). 

We had a fantastic time! It was warm and beautiful and great!

I am going to post some photos of the trip. There are so many, I'll just post a few. :-)

By the way, when we got there, we were upgraded (free!) to the new Cars Suites. They were great rooms. I almost cried when they upgraded us. I just love Disney World. They always make our trips magical. Lila enjoyed her first visit. The rest of us are ready to go again!

Thank you WDW for impressing us yet again!

Even Disney World gets the mean mug!

 Fun photo collage

 Both of my girls on their first trips to Disney

 

 Our suites :-)

 A picture with Grandma and Aunt Kelli

A princess makeover at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Botique

 

(A picture of the picture of her seeing herself for the first time post makeover)

 

Goofballs!

Turtle Talk with Crush 

 

(I'll add more pictures later that include Nanny Pat and everyone else. I have these photos on my phone, not my good camera.)

Sweet Daisy

We lost our sweet old dog last month. On February 8, 2013 we made the choice to have her put down. She had lost a total of 18 pounds in three-four months. She had cancer and was getting worse by the day. She was suffering. After talking to the vet, we decided it was selfish to keep her here any longer. But, oh, the heart break.

Daisy was a gift for my seventeenth birthday. She was such a cute puppy. She would have been 13 this August. She was so good to my girls. She was so good to me. She was a pet worthy of praise and she loved us so very much.

I will miss her for so many reasons. I will miss her soft touch, her easy-going personality, her stinky toot followed by a sigh, her look that said "I didn't do it, I'm gorgeous and innocent," her sneaky way of stealing your food, her sweet tail wag, her white paws, her "I'm sorry" look..the list goes on.

I will miss the way she watched the kids. The loving licks she bestowed upon them. The chaos she caused by peeing on my sister. The times she came in muddy from the field. The dead possum she laid on my porch. The craziness that is having a dog.

I will miss the way Lila looked at her. I will miss her unconditional love.
We are thankful we had Daisy for 12 and 1/2 years. We shall see our sweet girl again at Rainbow Bridge!

 Layla playing doctor with Daisy

 A collage of Daisy photos

Daisy and Lila

The last picture of our Daisy before we said goodbye. :(

Videos, photos, fun!

Some fun videos and photos:

 Please excuse my crappy whistling, but Miss Lila is dancing in the tub!

 Walking with the new walker!

 Poor baby, who likes to organize a closet?

 Playing house..

 Ohhhh, I'm sure y'all want to turn me in to CPS for this one. Sneaky booger.

Hanging out with our buddy Wilson at the Lebonheur heart reunion.

Oh my stars, where is spring!? Or better yet, spring break!

Well, we have had enough of sickness and cold. Layla is finally starting to feel better. She has had strep. Lila is finally feeling good and so am I (after a round of antibiotics for each of us).

We are so ready to enjoy some warm weather and some outside. Big sister has gotten a lot of attention lately. She has felt like poo and we have all been doting on her. But, the little stinker will not be out done! She pulls up to where ever we are and mean mugs, claps, waves, says "hi-dy"... whatever gets her some attention.

And of course, we all pay attention. :)

Layla is playing baseball (first practice is today, so we will see if she can hang). Wish us luck!

Sister when she was sick. She just couldn't get enough rest.

I love spaghetti and my little toothie!

Oh cuteness!

 Bathtime fun! "Let's give Lila a princess skirt mom!" She looks a bit Scottish, but good fun!

 Ohhhh momma! I love bubbles!

Mean Muggin' Machine

I realize it is time to catch up on the blog posts! I'm sorry dear readers, motherhood and work keep me busy. Have I mentioned that I teach high school English? I am currently teaching To Kill a Mockingbird. It is a lovely read, it never gets old. The kids are actuallly enjoying it. (What? Are you serious?) Yes, I am!

Anywho, Lila has a new "thing". She started it while we were in Disney World (I'll post about that too!) in January. She "mean mugs" people. It is hilarious!

When she gives the "mean mug" (which I will illustrate below), it always gets her an applause. ALWAYS. Be there one person in the room or ten, EVERYONE claps when she mean mugs. It is quite a scene.

But, now, the mean mug is displayed to unknowing folks in public. An applause is expected, and people are confused. Lila will mean mug a nurse (last week), she will mean mug innocent folks at the restaurant, the list goes on. And then she will smile and clap expecting them to do the same. People are like, "Why is this baby giving me dirty looks and applauding?"

We explain what's up and what do people do? You better believe it, they GET TO CLAPPING! It is irresistible.

The child is amazing.