Randoms...

Who needs a vacuum?


Lovin' her granola bar. This girl just loves to eat!


I finally caught her during one of her most favorite acts...standing on the kitchen table.

She looked all over for those Cherrios!


I really hate the mess she makes when she feeds herself, but how can you resist that smile?


We went up Mueller Park Canyon for mutual last week. Here's a picture of all my darling young women. Unfortunately, only 2 of them are actually my Laurels.


Trav took Addi up the hill on his motorcycle..she loved it, and always wants to ride it now. It scares me a bit!

Putt - Putt

Over Labor Day, we went mini golfing at Cherry Hill. I thought Addison would like it more than she did. Grandma even brought Addi her very own club, but all she wanted to do was hold the balls!

Troy and Trav were tough to compete against.


Trav even got a hole-in-one!


Nice attempt at a family photo..Ha!


Addison liked all of the obstacles!


Her very favorite thing was the yellow golf ball...good thing it was free for her!

Prayers

I was talking to a dear friend the other day about prayer. This person mentioned that they really don't like prayer because it seems to them to be, "just a bunch of greedy children asking for more". That comment caused me to think... Although prayer is something I draw strength from, and find hope in, it sometimes can be just that, a chance for me to ask for more. There is so much tragedy around me, and it seems that we have somehow come out unscathed. People are losing babies, husbands, jobs, and I still ask for more blessings. I know that my prayers are being answered because I am blessed beyond words, but am I showing gratitude for my blessings, big and small??

The past few days I have given myself the challenge to just say, "I'm thankful for..." prayers. It has really put life into proper perspective for me. I am still being blessed with the "Heavenly Father, please bless me..." things, even without asking, but it's much more fulfilling for me to show gratitude for the myriad of blessing that are mine.

Sickie at 17...

Addison is 17 months old today, and she's been sick...
Below is an email that I sent to Travis this morning about how our morning began..if you don't like gross details, skip the italicized part!!

You should feel lucky that you are at work today!!! Addison woke up screaming, just as you were leaving at 5:30. I went into her room just planning to give her the binkie and go back to bed. As I walked into the room a horrible smell hit me, and almost knocked me over. I thought, "Darn, I'll have to change her diaper before I put her back to bed." I went to the closet and got the wipes and a diaper, and felt for Addison, to lay her down, and start changing. I always keep the lights off because I am an expert diaper changer, and the light from her monitor gives just enough to be able to make sure the bum is clean before a new diaper goes on..plus it keeps us both asleep better than when they're on. As I touched Addison, her cheek felt wet, and then I realized that her shirt was wet, and her blanket was wet, and the mattress was wet. At this point, I turned on the light, and to my horror, discovered Costa Vida throw up..EVERYWHERE. It was disgusting...beans, rice, and meat chunks, and the smell, oh my, the smell!!!! She was crying, bless her heart..and I was gagging! I stripped her down, and turned on the tub, and threw the linens in a laundry basket. I got her clean, and settled in our bed, with a throw up bowl by her side, hoping if it happened again, she would know how to use the bowl...fat chance, huh! Then I continued to clean up the mess. I scraped the chunks into the kitchen sink, and sprayed the stains, and threw them into the wash.

When I went back upstairs, Addison was whimpering, and the smell hit me again. SERIOUSLY?!? I turned the lights on, and to my delight, didn't see any throw up. This time the smell was coming from her diaper. After I got the supplies, I laid her down on the floor, and started to change her bum. She started wiggling, and screaming, and somehow managed to get out of my death grip, and scatter the diaper material ALL OVER the floor. Once I got her wrestled to the ground, and cleaned up, and settled back into bed, I tackled the mess on the floor.

…AND that is why you should be glad you are at work TODAY!
Have a great day, I’m not so sure we will! I love you, Trav!

Here's a few pictures, and a list of facts about my darlin' babe, when she's feeling her best...

Addison is a total DIYer (do it yourself)..she has to do everything. I finally gave in, and started letting her feed herself...sigh, the mess is horrible, but she's so proud of herself



Age: 17 months
Eye Color: hazel, greenish like her mom’s
Hair Color: blondish brown
Favorite Movie: Leap Frog’s Letter Factory..she watches it at least everyday, if not twice or three times a day
Favorite Book: Engine, Engine Number 9 – I have all 15ish pages memorized
Place to go: Ethan’s house, Grandpa’s is a close second
Restaurant: We shouldn’t go to restaurants..she’s not a fan – Mommy and Daddy are though
Favorite Food: mac and cheese, bananas, goldfish crackers, corn on the cob, green beans
Favorite Candy: She doesn’t like anything gummy..other than that, she’ll eat it, and ask for more
Favorite Color: I’m not sure…
Favorite Toy: Does a blankie count? It’s her favorite, followed by balls, trucks, and cars
Favorite Song: Itsy Bitsy Spider, Teach Me to Walk in The Light, Wheels on the Bus
Favorite Game: Hmm..besides "Boopball" (Football), She loves to turn on the CD player, and dance
Favorite Cereal: Honey Nut Cherrios

My sister...Madi!

I am lucky to have three AWESOME sisters! Madi is my oldest sister. We are six years apart, but thankfully, we are so close! Madi is my best friend! I don't know what I would do without her!

Growing up, Madi was sort of like my Mom. My parents were divorced when I was 8, and Madi was 14. My Mom was working two jobs, and going to school full time to try to support us, and so by default, Madi had to act as a mom would. She cooked, cleaned, shopped, and once she had her driver's license, was the chauffeur. I never realized just how much she did for us. She was great and it, and never complained. She kept us in line, and somehow, things all worked out! Madi was a great Mom to me then, and even now, I look to her for advice, and help.

A few years ago, due to some health problems, Madi had to have a full hysterectomy. Thankfully, Madi is a mom to her darling son Ethan, who is five, but she has so much more love to give. Madi and her husband, Troy, were just recently approved for adoption! Please spread the word, and keep them in mind if you know anyone who is looking to place a baby. I can't imagine a better place for that sweet baby to go!

The link to their adoption profile is on my sidebar. Let me know if you want to add it to your blog, too! I'll send you the link. Thanks for your help, love, and support!