Get ready

for loads of photos! 

Here we go:

I helped my friend Jessica with this diaper cake. Turned out pretty cute. We threw a shower for one of the girls in our playgroup. She's having a boy very very soon!

And here's the train cake :) A gluten-free one too!

Decorations.

Orien enjoyed vaccuming more than anything during the party. If only they made real mini vaccums right? I'd buy one in a heart beat!

My mom and David took me to lunch in town last Friday for my birthday. Weird things often happen when Maqui is around... ;)

Like Orien wearing a napkin like a bandit and drinking sweet tea for 30 minutes of out his pacifier...

Orien, Eric and Eric's very large arm muscle. Eric has been working out NON. STOP. for months now. He's preparing to try out for the OU football team this fall - that's right. He's a stud, no matter what the outcome will be. He's put his mind to something and has stuck with it 110%. AWESOME.

My purrrty doggie. He's so photogenic (I think). 

So is my super adorable son :)

Feather head.

Yes! I caught an actual smile. I had to say "Orien show me your teeth."

Sweet picture.

This is Bear - and I would like to think I'm his "second momma" but I know that's not true. I think he probably has about 25 "second moms". But we're best buddies. He is my friend Shanna's dog and seriously needs to be on the cover of a magazine he's so darn handsome. Shanna's mom, Michelle, actually takes his to Children's Memorial Hospital to visit sick children. I just think that is the COOLEST thing ever. I'd love to do that some day.

And here is the lady of the hour!!!! Shanna! This is at her graduation party. We love her. She's my brother's best friend (or best girl friend, but not a real "girl friend", ya know?). She is super close with our family and we love her like she's one of our own. I look forward to see what God has in store for this lovely girl. She is mature beyond her years and has such a humble, honest, and selfless heart. It's so refreshing to meet people like her. I actually look up to her! We are totally blessed to know Shanna and her fam!

So our Home Team met at a couple's house out in the country so we could see their new baby boy. And WOW was he small and so precious. I forget how tiny newborns are!!! I can't believe Orien was ever that small, but he was born smaller than this little boy so I know he was that teeny at one time.

Little sweetie.

Their land and neighborhood (if you can call it that - just lots of open space and farm land!!) was breath-taking. I felt as if I could breathe deep breaths of clean, fresh air. It's nice to live near the country and feel the openness around you sometimes. 

He had SO much fun during our Home Team meeting. Can ya tell?

So today I had a lot of "Mom, boring" things to do, but I promised O we could feed the ducks at some point. And looooook...babies!!! I love ducklings, probably too much. They were adorable and weren't scared of us at all. Probably because we came with fruit loops in hand. I'm guessing that's not the healthiest food for ducks but they loved it so who cares, right?

And Orien LOVED it, as always.

He is an animal-lover, like ME :)

Orien has it made in life in general, but he really had it going on this afternoon. I gave him popcorn, put on "Cars", set up a little bed and handed him a tootsie roll sucker. He was SET. 

"Cars" is becoming popular around here.

He was pretty happy and entertained, but OF COURSE it didn't last long. One day he'll sit through an entire movie right? This momma needs some time to be productive :)

Okay, was that enough photos?? This week will be on and off fairly busy so I may not post for a while. Leave a comment if you read this - so I know SOMEONE is reading it! Lol. Because this post just took way too long for no one to read it, ha. 

Sometimes

"Sometimes"

Sometimes we snuggle together sweetly

Sometimes you try to be a big boy and push me away 

But always will we be Mommy & son

Forever, it will stay that way

Sometimes I scream out in frustration

Sometimes you think that is just too funny

But always I will calm down my anger

Forever, I will be your loving Mommy

Sometimes you are very quiet and sneaky

Sometimes I later find a big sloppy disaster!

But always will I laugh and clean it up

For I know, forever, when you're grown they'll be no more messes to clean up after 

Sometimes you are so stinking silly

Sometimes we think we have the goofiest son on Earth

But always, we will support and love you

Forever, you have captured our hearts

Sometimes we walk and chat about the trees

Sometimes you ask one thousand questions ...and then one more

But always, I will answer

Forever, Orien, I'm yours

Why, God?

I heard some news today. Not good news. 

No, it was not about any of family or close friends, but it just stopped me in my tracks and broke my heart. I cannot stop thinking about it and the people involved. 

The first thing I want to send up to God is WHY? Why let this happen God? Why them, why now? What good will come of this? I just don't understand. It makes me feel hopeless and angry and confused all at the same time. I just want to cry and scream with sadness.

Then I remember that we are not supposed to know all the answers. That's what having faith and trust in Him is all about. Trust blindly and willingly. What is important to focus on is God will absolutely not abandon them during this time. He will move even closer to them and hold and even carry them! The Bible says over and over that He is with the weak and weary. I've experienced it first-hand and can say that is 100% true. When I have been through difficult times that have rocked me to my core, I feel Him. When I have been on the floor crying out desperately to God, He surrounded me and calmed me down. When I ask - I feel His warmth, His arms, His love - literally! 

"Love is here, love is now, 

love is pouring from His hands, 

from His brow, love is near"

(Tenth Avenue North)

Although I'm not perfect and get angry and question God, I know He can handle it. God can take it. And you know what's amazing? Is He never judges or moves away from us because of it. He simply loves his children unconditionally. And that's something I can understand and don't need to ever question. 

Amen!

Mother's Day 2011, PERFECT!

Yes, this Mother's Day was absolute PERFECTION!

Why? 

Let's see...

My morning started out with GF pancakes made by Brett! My fav. I was also given the chance to shower and get ready for church all alone. Heaven.

Then we headed to church and boy was it PACKED. The energy at church was just aweome - so many moms and visitors were there. It was great! We actually brought a new friend yesterday too! I can't express how much JOY it brings me to introduce our church to newcomers. Even if they never come again, I just love that they see something that is such a huge, positive part of my life.

And bonus:  RPC gives FREE Mother's Day pics by the lake out back after each service. They have a well-oiled machine going with that! There were tons of people in line, but they had about 8 photography booths set up so there was NO wait. Awesome. I'll be sure to post the photo when I receive it.

Okay, y'all may or may not know but I'm a pretty lucky girl. My man just looooves to spoil me on my special days (and randomly!). He got me some GREAT work out gear, which is awesome since I'm working out a lot more now. Orien gave me some sweet new Nike tennis shoes, which was much-needed :) They're gray and hot pink - super cute!!! I usually gravitate toward blues and greens but I'm LOVING the pink.

Around lunchtime we headed to my Grandma's to have some food and good company. My fam was there, along with my aunt and cousins. It was a good time as always. I'm blessed to have a family that is SO FUN and so loving. (Parrain, we really missed you.)

The one thing I asked of Brett on this day was to help with laundry. And that he did!!!! Awesome babe. Love ya! Even if you left the whites in the dryer for me to fold and put away ;) Jk. You did great. While O napped, I read, napped and just had peace and quiet. A mother's dream!

It doesn't end there! Brett surprised me with a massage, which I always welcome warmly. The lady was great - she worked on my upper back (my usual bad spot) and even rubbed my jaw to help with my TMJ pain! Um, totally unexpected and amazing. I wanted to hug her. But of course didn't - just tipped her well :)

Then the three of us hopped in the hot tub and just laughed and laughed. Orien is always so so funny when we're in the hot tub, who knows why! Lol. Those are the best memories, just relaxing with my boys, not a worry in the world!

Man, these are the days, right?

So, like I said, my Mother's Day this year was absolute PERFECTION!

Thanks Brett and Orien! Y'all rock.

Momma, O and my Nan

Eric and his Aunt Glenda (notice how everyone matches?)

This kid has some great facial expressions.

My Mom and sister. Ah! They're so sweet, I just love them.

***************

Mom - like I've told you before many times. THANK YOU for being such an amazing example for me as a mom and person. It's helped me develop into who I am today - as a mother, wife, friend and daughter to you. We are blessed to have the relationship we have. I mean you are my BEST FRIEND and will probably always be! I think it's pretty cool that I have my mom as my bff ;) Thank you for always doing your best for us. And Lord knows it wasn't easy! You did a pretty dang good job. 

(Look how AWESOME I am now!!) 

:)

Funk

So clarification: I'm simply in a blog funk, not real life funk :)

Life has been SO wonderful, in fact, that I just have not been able to keep up with my blog. And once you get behind, them it's hard to get motivated to post evvvverything you've missed. Does that make sense?

Anyway, A LOT has been going on in our lives. 

Here's just a glimpse...

We've been getting more involved with my playgroup. The other day we joined some mommas and their tots for a trip to Gymboree's free play time! Pretty much a toddler's HEAVEN. Notice O in this pic? Wonder what he was doing...

First golf lesson from Daddy.

He realized you can just throw it in the hole - LOTS easier.

"G" joined :)

Curling his lashes, of course.

My Mother's Day gift he made me at school!!

Park pic.

I threw a FIESTA for my birthday yesterday. BIG SUCCESS. More pics to come.

I just love his expression in this. 

Jam session in Town Square...

Mother's Day Brunch @ preschool

Framer.

Mother's Day photo @ RPC - hopefully a first of many to come. 

Stronger

I'm totally in love with this song and this singer, Mandisa. She tried out for American Idol a while ago and didn't make it. Well look at her now! She has a heavenly voice!! Check out her video here below. It's just her and a guitar and she sounds amazing. That takes talent! I typed out my favorite part of the song. I'm so glad she's had great success and been able to touch so many people!

Hold on and let Him hold your hand 

And go on and fall into the arms of Jesus 

Oh, lift your head it's gonna end 

God's right there 

Even when you just can't feel Him 

I promise you that He still cares 

When the waves are taking you under

Hold on just a little bit longer

He knows that this is gonna make you stronger, stronger

The pain ain't gonna last forever

And things can only get better

Believe me

This is gonna make you stronger

Gonne make you stronger, stronger, stronger

Believe me, this is gonna make you stronger