"I Can Dress Myself, Mom"...

That was the thought running through Lydia's mind this morning. I got the child's pants (navy blue cotton) on, but she did not want me anywhere near her with the shirt. I guess I picked out the right shirt for her today because it said "Trouble Maker" on it. I finally got it on, but she refused to wear her tennis shoes. Opting instead for her black and brown cowboy boots which go so well with navy blue knit pants. She was proud of herself. I guess she's getting to the point where she wants a say in what she wears. I couldn't resist taking a few pictures of her. Enjoy...

So proud of her outfit.

Don't the colors go nicely together.

She's usually good about getting her shoes on the right feet, but this morning they were wrong.

Here are some other pictures to enjoy...

This is what lives across the road from my house sometimes.

This is Lydia they day we decided to stay in our jammies all day.

I love her little pink piggy house slippers. She likes them too because she can get them on and off by herself.

I knew she didn't feel well this day when she crawled up in our bed and took a 2 hour nap.

Charlie (brown dog) and Annie (black dog) took a nap with her.

Until next time...

Our Party was ...

...fun! My living room was full of people and we had several orders before the party actually started. I've ordered items before at previous parties. I have the Prestige Plate Stands (love them), the Welcome Home Bean Pot, and the Pomegranate candle (best scent). Last night at the party Darla and I both were able to pick out 2 items at half price, a free candle, and $140 in free items!! I felt like Christmas to me. I chose the pomegranate candle because it is just wonderful. My half price items were the Prestige Triple Server and the Simply Summer Serving Dish. My free items are the Camden Candle Centerpiece, Oval Bean Pot Basket for my bean pot, Berry Pasta Serving Bowl, Simply Summer Tray, and the Deer Valley Pillar Holder. Surprisingly, I really liked the deer candle holder in person. Gail asked me to get it for him so I couldn't say no. I'm really excited to get the stuff and thankful to those of you who ordered something. I know that times are hard for everyone, but I truly appreciate your kindness. It touched my heart.

Until next time...

One Crazy Week...

You know those weeks you have when everyday seems like the next. My Monday felt like Monday, Tuesday felt like Wednesday, Wednesday felt like Thursday, Thursday felt like Friday, and here it is Friday any my body is telling me that I should be at home.

To start my week off Lydia had been getting a cold for a few weeks that kept getting worse and worse. My theory is to try to help them get over it on their own before going to the doctor. I also don't want the doctors thinking I run to them every time she has something. However, my theory ended Lydia up with a 100.6 fever on Sunday and 101.7 on Monday so I took half of Tuesday off to go to the doctor. She ended up having a sinus infection and a LOT of drainage. The 2 hour trip to the pharmacy was a disaster. I knew the pharmacy took awhile to fill prescriptions so we went to visit my mom at school first to kill some time. When I got there it still wasn't ready. Lydia kept taking things off the shelf and shaking them to see if they made noise, kept touching EVERYTHING, and I had to use the restroom. I was told the restroom was private - CRAP!! About 10 minutes later Lydia vomited all over herself and I go to use that "private" bathroom anyway - Thanks kiddo!!

I have also been getting my house "ready" for a party Darla and I are having tonight. I'm the type of person to not put something off until the last minute, but cleaning has to be last minute or it becomes a redo minute. Which one am I? The redo minute. I've cleaned all week just to turn around and clean all over again. What a vicious cycle! All the while I feel that I'm wasting my time because no one will come anyway. I always talk myself out of having parties because no one ever come, but Darla talked me into this one. I guess it isn't that bad after all because I'll have a really clean house before the weekend starts and Gail even helped by putting on our new front screen door. The last one got damaged in a wind storm earlier this year. The new screen door is the most amazing thing ever. Like a magic trick. If you come to the party I'll show you.

Until next time...

Lydia's "New" Room

My sister made new bedding and curtains for Lydia's room. I wanted her to have a girlie room so I picked up this adorable pink and brown polka dots. It turned out wonderful. I also redid some of the decorations on her walls and bought some of those white paper lanterns to hang above her bed. I totally love the way it turned out. Enjoy...

Lydia started using the fleece blanket before I could even get it to her room.

Pictures from Easter Weekend...

All ready for the Easter Party.

Easter Egg Hunt at Ann Dixon's house.

Hunting eggs at Mime's house (Grandma Mary).


Mime's House

Running up and down the hill at home. Too much candy!!

Going for a walk with daddy.

First tractor ride with daddy.

In Easter dress. Notice the carpet burn by here eye. It happened at Deedee's (Aunt Darla) house.

This in the only picture I could get of her standing in her dress.

Gifts from the Easter Bunny.

Easter Egg hunt at home.

Just starting.

Almost done.

Full basket.



After all of that work it is time to relax in her recliner with a snack.

Until next time...

Easter Weekend...

Our family had a wonderful Easter weekend. On Thursday night I did all of the house cleaning so it would be out of the way. Then Friday morning Lydia, Hayden, Claudia, Darla, and I went to Ottumwa grocery shopping. That afternoon Lydia spent at Darla's house with kids and I went over to Memphis to help my mom with some things. On Saturday we were invited to an Easter party at Ann Dixon's house. Lydia got to have a special lunch, hunt for eggs, and make some Easter ornaments. Then we had to rush back to Lancaster for a double birthday party. On the way there I stopped by home to get the birthday gifts and the new bull that we bought was delivered. Then over to the party. Colin turned 10 and Ashley turned 18. Cheryl and Lindsay came up from Columbia along with Lindsay's nurse, Sunday. We had a yummy lunch, cake, ice cream, and another egg hunt. By this time Lydia was a pro egg huntress. We stayed for supper and then went home. On Sunday we got up early to see what the Easter Bunny had left for Lydia. She got a basket full of candy, new flip flops, necklaces, and a little kids card table with chairs. Then we got around and went to the Lancaster Christian Church. It was only the second or third service I'd been to there, but I really enjoyed it. Lydia LOVED the music. She was head banging at one point. After church we went home for our Easter egg hunt. I'd hidden eggs and candy all over the living room. In my mind I had pictured Lydia getting all excited about the candy and eggs everywhere, but no. She got excited about the candy and picked up one piece to eat. That was it. She just wanted to eat the ONE piece of candy. We had to really work with her to pick up everyone else. Eventually we just picked it up ourselves. Afterwards, we ate our Easter dinner (Casey's pizza) and all played and took naps. Monday I watched Hayden and Claudia for a while, cleaned out Lydia's closet of winter clothing, and washed all the summer clothing. She can wear 2 or 3 different outfits a day from now until September and probably never repeat any. I also had to put away her 18 months jeans that were getting too short. :( She is officially in 2T jeans, but still wearing 12-18 months in everything else. She just TOO tall. I wonder where she gets that from?? I'll post pics of our Easter weekend later.

Until next time...

25 Minutes and Counting...

In exactly 25 minutes I will be done with work and we have a FOUR DAY WEEKEND!! WOO HOO!!!!!