Spelling Tuesday

My blessings, that is. Today I turn 29, and as I look back on this last year, I can't belive all the changes that have happened in our lives! At this time last year, I was hugely pregnant and working at a job that didn't make me happy. Fast forward one year (and it really does seem as though it was fast forwarded!) and we have a beautiful daughter and I own my own business and get to do a job that I really enjoy! Thank you Jesus! So, I am not freaked out to be turning 29 today. That just means I have gotten to experience God's blessings for 29 fantastic years! "When your worried, and you can't sleep, Just count your blessings, instead of sheep! And you'll fall asleep, counting your blessings! When your bank roll is getting small, just think of when you had none at all. And you'll fall asleep, counting your blessings!" ~Mr. Bing Crosby

The Mother's Day brunch went off without a hitch at the Tuscan Ballroom. We had about 175 people there, and I think I heard about 165 people say that the food was awesome, the decorations were beautiful, and they wanted the recipies for everything. But of course, there always has to be SOMEONE unhappy, now doesn't there? I was the hostess for this event, So I checked people in as they arrived (they were supposed to make reservations) and escorted them to their tables. There was a party of ten that had just arrived, and I escorted them to two tables right next to each other. They said that that was unacceptable, that they had to be at the same table. I told them that our tables are only meant to seat 8-9, but if they wanted to squish in, I would be happy to steal some chairs and silverware from another table. They said that was also unacceptable. So with a big smile on my face I said "What would you like me to do?" They wanted me to push the two tables together. Fine. ...

Here's something I have been thinking about lately. When I was a teacher, there were certain kids who really knew how to push your buttons. The more they pushed, the less love you had for them, if you know what I mean. It is so different with your own kid! Even on days (like today) when she is exhastingly cranky I still love her more today than yesterday! And I guess I always thought that people with special needs kids or sick kids or ugly kids probably loved them IN SPITE of their weaknesses, but the truth is, you just love your kids no matter what. I've realized that I wouldn't love Loralie any less if she were any different than she is. I just love her.

I really can't believe it has been more than six months since we brought Loralie home. There have been so many little things that I want to treasure in my heart, so I thought I better write them down before they are erased by the years. I remember the first time I "saw" her was actually a picture that Caleb took of her after the C-section, and he showed me the picture on the screen. I was so drugged up, I looked at it and said "That's not our baby!". But when I finally got to hold her in my arms (hours later!) I remember being so surprised about how cute she was (I guess I was bracing myself for her to be ugly?) I remember thinking she was so very ROUND (huge round eyes, round little face, round little bow mouth, round cheeks). I remember noticing that where a normal human has a knuckle, my baby had perfect little star shaped dimples. When I was nursing her in the middle of the night, she would put her little hand on my chest. I remember thinking her palm co...