(After I chased Liv from the living room back into the bathroom with the TP still in her hand)
Doesn't look like she was too distraught about her punishment though, huh?I found an old picture
Thought "Who do I see?"
I have seen her before...
But who could she be?
Her eyes look so peaceful,
Her smile so serene
And she looks oh-so-young
Perhaps just a teen?
I feel like I've known her
For years upon years
Known all of her joys
And all of her tears.
But where does she come from
And who does she know?
What will she go through,
And how will she grow?
Will she crumble in trials
Or give in to pain?
Or is she someone
Who'll try, try again?
Will success be her friend
Or will it elude?
Will so very much
Depend just on her mood?
For some reason I'm sure
She will be just fine
That she'll laugh and learn
And grow over time
I know that someday
That she'll turn out just great
And one day - through God
Find a perfect mate.
She'll live life so happy
So full and complete
She'll love all though Christ
A love you can't beat
How could I possibly
Know all of this?
How could I foretell
Her perpetual bliss?
It then came to my mind
Like a brightened light
How I knew the girl
In this pic, black & white
How I knew of her life
Of what she would be
I knew of it all
Because she is me.
Last week, I started writing little notes and such to my husband. I think about him all the time, but I realized that there's no possible way he could know that unless I did something to show him. One night I even baked him a 'just because' cake (my own creation!) and wrote him a poem to match. Why just because? Well, that is exactly why. Just because.
Just Because
Just Because I love you
Just Because you're mine
Just Because you're everything
I've ever hoped to find
Just Because you're wonderful
Just Because you're neat
Just Because without you
My life is incomplete
Just Because you hold me
Just Because you care
Just Because I truly know
You'll always be right there
Just Because you're handsome
Just Because you're great
Just Because I've always known
You are my perfect mate.
Love you so much, and thank God for you every day, Perry. You're such an amazing husband and father!
All my love,
Your Babydoll
Dear Livia,
One year ago, you came into this world. I found out a lot of things after you were born - things I just had no clue of before! I've learned something new nearly every day; I've also felt emotions I didn't know existed until you came along. Livia Rachelle, my life was completely incomplete before you!
Over the last year, you have taught me so much... To appreciate, to see, to live, and to love as I never have before. I never knew that someone so small would SO VERY QUICKLY become my all! It has been so wonderful to love and care for you. I never dreamed how much I would love to have this tiny little person depend on me in every single way, every awesome day. Livie, I have gotten more joy from one of your sweet little smiles than from any and all things materialistic. I see myself, the world, and even God differently. If there were ever times I perhaps questioned God's way or even His existence in the past, YOU - my sweet child - have completely quelled those thoughts! You have been God's ultimate present to us; and because of you, I will forever feel His presence.
Because of you, I became so many things. I became a better wife and companion; I became a better friend. I became more compassionate and loving; I've gotten more mature and considerate. Unfortunately, I'm still not that great at being on time... Though that, Baby-Boo, is certainly not because of you!
Most importantly, I became a Mommy. Livia, because of you I now know how much my parents love me. Not that I EVER doubted their love! But when you were born, Livia Rachelle, I felt a love that I had never felt before. I see the looks in their eyes, and KNOW those are the looks of pure and perfect love. I now also know why they protected me so - just as I will do everything I can to protect you.
Your grandparents are the most amazing people on this whole earth! Both sets of your grandparents have been married for 30 + years - and completely in love every single one of these years. My parents raised me in a way that I become more thankful for every day. They inspire me to be a better person, and a better parent. They are everything I strive to be.
Livia, you may not know this yet, but you are SO blessed with family and friends who LOVE you so much. You have 3 wonderful cousins on both sides of the family - both 2 little guys and 1 little girl. You make things just perfect :o) You have 2 amazing Auntie's who love you almost as their own; because of you, sweet Liv, I have formed such wonderful bonds with them that may have never came to be if it weren't for you! So many family and friends care deeply for you. Over the last year, these dear people have become my best friends.
You have already learned SO MUCH - gosh, you are such a smart baby! Your Daddy and I tell you this all the time, but I want to put it in print so I can look back someday and say, "Wow - she really WAS a smartie-pants!" So what can Livie already do...?
She can "patty-cake" and "clap", and responds to either word.
She walks and runs all by herself, but still lets us hold her whenever she gets hurt.
She can raise her hands high over her head to show us all, "So Big!"
She loves her little tongue pocket (she sticks it in her lower lip!)
She puts her hands right up to her cheeks when "Oh my goodness!"
She goes on baby-rampages and makes us one huge mess
She takes and pulls the bows right out, that I put in her hair.
She can put her hands together to say a little prayer.
There are so many wonderful things that you do for us - I cherish every single one of them! If I've forgotten one of your latest feats, I promise I'll note it when I do remember.
Finally, Livia, I never want to forget the songs your Daddy and I love to sing to you. Perhaps this seems silly, especially since your Daddy and I do sing & say these things to you all the time... But what if someday we get new songs, and these get thrown to the wayside? I want you to always know the way you make us sing with joy! And for your first year of life, these were by far the most sung:
Here we go Livie-Loo
Here we go Livie-Ligh
Here we go Livie-Loo
All on a Saturday night!
You put your right hand in,
You take your right hand out!
You give your right hand a shake-shake-shake!
And turn yourself about!
Here we go Livie-Loo
Here we go Livie-Ligh
Here we go Livie-Loo
All on a Saturday night!
Munckinator she's my very, very very-best friend
She's the sweetest baby that there's ever, ever been
She's my Baby-Boo! And I love her too! She's my Livie-Loo!
You are my sunshine
My little sunshine
You make me happy
When skies are gray
You'll never know dear
How much I love you
Please don't take
My sunshine away
Apple-red happiness, popcorn cheerfulness, cinnamon singing inside!
Peppermint energy, gumdrop holidays, when you give Christ your life!
The benefits, of God's great love are super-satisfying!
Throw away your sins, let the sunshine in!
Try it and you'll see how you'll... get...
Apple-red happiness, popcorn cheerfulness, cinnamon singing inside!
Peppermint energy, gumdrop holidays, when you give Christ your life!
A-B-C-D-E-F-G, Jesus died for you and me!
H-I-J-K-L-M-N, Jesus died for sinful men - AMEN!
O-P-Q-R-S-T-U, I believe God's word is true!
U-V-W, God has promised you -
X-Y-Z, a home eternally!
Skid-a-ma-rink-a-dink-a-dink, skid-a-ma-rink-a-do! I love you!
Skid-a-ma-rink-a-dink-a-dink, skid-a-ma-rink-a-do! I LOVE you!
I love you in the morning, and in the afternoon!
I love you in the evening, and underneath the moo-oon!
Skid-a-ma-rink-a-dink-a-dink, skid-a-ma-rink-a-do! I love you!
Skid-a-ma-rink-a-dink-a-dink, skid-a-ma-rink-a-do! I LOVE you!
Here we go munchkin girl, all in a munchkin world
Here we go munchkin girl, all in a munchkin world!*
We represent the lolly pop guild
The lolly pop guild, the lolly pop guild!
We represent the lolly pop guild...
And we're here to welcome you TO munchkin land!*
Little Livie, little Livie,
You're so pretty, you're so pretty!
Little, little Livie! Little, little Livie,
Daddy loves you! Daddy loves you!*
[*your daddy's special songs]
Finally, there are SO many firsts I will NEVER forget with you, sweet little girl... And each 'first' seemed more magical and awesome than the last. I would like to document just a few of your 'firsts' that were SO great.
The first time I saw you ~ For completely obvious reasons, of coarse! You were so beautiful - and I loved you from the moment I first saw your beautiful face.
Your first smile ~ Your Auntie Laura Belle actually got it! She had you laying on a bed out at my parents, and she was just a'talkin to you, and you just loved it - and then you smiled. I mean REALLY smiled! There were many times before where you just had the sweetest, most content little baby grin... (like laying on Mr. Michael and taking a nap with him, and the sound of your Daddy's voice) but that SMILE just made my heart skip a beat.
Your first laugh ~ Can you believe that your Auntie Laura Belle also got your first laugh! We were in the dining room, and she kinda put you up in the air and let you fall (completely holding on to you the whole time of coarse) - you LOVED it! You let out the first little baby laugh, and I thought it was the happiest sound I've ever heard in my life.
Your first word ~ Da! OK, some people say that to really count as a first word, there must be association. But I don't care! You SAID da... then da-DA... then a very short time later, you began to say Ma! Now you say Mama and Dada all the time; and you know who of us each name goes with. We're so proud of you, Livia.
The first time we gave you solid food ~ Oh the look on your face was priceless! I think you were a little confused... Milk never tasted like that before, had it?
The first time you patty-caked on your own ~ I was gone taking pictures and your Daddy was here watching you. I came back home and he told me all about how he taught you to patty-cake all by yourself! As soon as you woke up the next day, you showed me too.
Your first Halloween ~ You were a little pumpkin baby! And we got the most amazing pictures of you with Henry, the black Halloween cat. We had SO much fun the day of Halloween; we traveled all around to our relatives - your grandparents, aunties, and uncles - and we even got to see the triplets out at you Mommy's parents! It was SO fun getting you out and showing you off.
Your first Christmas ~ You had THE sweetest little red Christmas-y dressy jumper; I had you wear it a lot! There was also a 'Santa Baby' outfit that we put you in - your Daddy LOVED it! I think he would have been happy if I would have never taken you out of it.
The first time you crawled ~ You were just a little over 9 months old. It was so cute to see this little bitty body going somewhere all by by yourself! I can't believe I was lucky enough to get a video of the first time you crawled!
The first time you walked ~ Your grandpa took you 'walkie-walking' from the time you were very little. We all wondered whether you'd crawl at all since he walked with you so much. The first time you really walked all by yourself, you were just a little before 11 months old. It was so cool! And even from the get-go, you walked SO fast. It was only a couple of short weeks until you were running. You don't run all the time (thankfully!) but you do especially when you're excited or tired.
Your first tooth ~ Just over a month ago! You were 11 months old when you got your first tooth... and now you have 4 going on 5 or 6 - I can hardly believe it!
And last but certainly not least... Your First Birthday ~ Has it seriously already been a year?! It feels like only yesterday that I was holding a teeny tiny 6-and-a-half pond baby in my arms! And now you're 3 times that amount. Where does the time go...
And finally, here are just a few other things I'll never forget about your first year of life:
~Your tiny little baby squeaks
~Your sweet, contented baby sounds
~Pick it up, throw it down! (Your favorite game)
~How you've always liked to try & eat everything
~Your wonderful baby-babble
Livia, thank you for coming in to our lives. I thank God every day for entrusting US with your care. My undying love to you always, sweet little girl.
Love Momma
*Note: This entry was obviously written a few weeks ago, but it totally exemplifies what it means to be a Mommy to me. I unfortunately really can't pick just one favorite Mommy-hood moment... Though my daughter's only one, she has filled my life with SO many wonderful memories already! I don't know what I'd do without her :o)
You may also notice that there's a link to this post at the top of my blog (if you didn't click the direct link from 5 Minutes for Mom) They are hosing a super-neat contest to "post one of your favorite motherhood moments - it could be a funny story, an essay, a photo or whatever else captures your memory best" So, click here to enter too! Seriously! They're going to choose their top 10 favorites, so get memory-making! Much love to you all, take care and God Bless!
Today is almost yesterday in the land of Australia, but all day a very special lady will be in my thoughts and prayers. She has taken tragedy and taught us all the importance & frailty of life. She makes me thankful for each and every day that I have with my little Livia...
One year ago today on February the 5th, her sweet little girl, Ava, went to Heaven. Ava was only 3 years old, but was already a Super-Princess. Like all little princesses, she loved pink, dressing up, her 'spotty' shoes, her father, brothers & sister...but most of all, she loved her Mummy (the loving name by which she knew her Mother, Sheye.)
http://sheyerosemeyer.blogspot.com/
By no stretch of the mind could this day possibly be easy for Sheye... I know that no matter the amount of prayers, sweet Ava is and forever will be Heaven's Angel. But I truly believe in the power of prayer. I pray for many, and I'm sure many also pray for me. Sheye shall be in my thoughts & prayers now more than ever. Please take a moment today to send a prayer, warm wishes, or even a note to Sheye. No, I don't "know" her either. But I am completely touched and amazed by her courage and strength. And I know she has changed the way I live my life, and the way I see my daughter.
I wrote this for Sheye, this among many poems and beautiful words sent her way...
When the little things
pile up in the way...
When I feel the monotony
of everyday...
When the crying and whining
just won't ever end...
When it seems that insanity's
my only friend...
I think of another
who's far, far away...
A beautiful mother
who lives day by day...
Through tragedy she's given
so much to us all...
She's shown us to even give
thanks for the small...
Little Miss Ava,
SuperPrincess indeed...
Has taught us so much
in the lives that we lead...
She lit up your life,
and through you she still glows...
You share your stories & life
so that everyone knows...
One little candle
can light so many more...
Hundreds of thousands
where just one was before...
Though I never did meet her,
I'll never forget...
The lives that she's touched
and the light that she lit.
Please take a moment today to send love Sheye's way, and to look around in your life and see all that you have to be thankful for. Love to all and God Bless
I know that I need to be better about getting pictures of my daughter & myself, but it's rather difficult when you're always behind the camera! I wanted to share just a few that I do have though. Livia, I hope you know how much I love you. Even though I'm not often in pictures with you, I'll always be here for you in every way I can. I thank God for every day He has blessed me with you in my life. I only hope that I will be as good of a mother to you as my Mom was and still is to me.
A very recent picture of us at Shyler's BBQ. Livie, Perry & I met up with my Mom, Dad, Laura Belle, Michael, & our Aunt Bonnie to celebrate Laura's 21st birthday. What do you think about that hair-do? It's been standing up like that a lot lately unless I slick it down. Is it too early to be using hair product on my child? KIDDING!
Just after bath-time. I love the hooded towel!
Me & my pretty purple princess back in November
The day I brought Livia home from the hospital
Outside on my parents swing in late August - I love her little smirk
A lot of the pictures I have of me & Livie were captured when she was asleep. There's nothing better than holding a sleeping baby :o)
I hope I look as happy as I felt in this picture - my husband was doing a rare photo session for me. I was so tickled to finally get some really good close-up pictures of me & Livia.
Within the first few days of bringing Livia home from the hospital. Doesn't she just look like a little bitty peanut?
More from the photo session. I'm not actually asleep. My eyes just happened to be closed in this pic, but I loved it anyway.
The best place in the world:
Nose to nose, heart to heart
With my sweet little girl
Who I've loved from the start
You're nearly nine months
And I just cannot see
How I lived life before
God brought you to me
I'll cherish you always
Our time here together
My sweet little baby
I'll love you forever
A poem my Mom has said before fits much better... I just hope I don't botch it too badly!
Cleaning and scrubbing can wait til tomorrow
For babies grow up we've learned to our sorrow.
So settle down cobwebs and dust go to sleep
I'm rocking my baby...and babies don't keep.
Love to all & God Bless!
I feel like a little kid on Christmas! I don't really have any pics to put up here yet, but I just wanted to exclaim how absolutely excited I am! It's my little daughter's 1st Christmas - and on this Christmas day, through my excitement, joy, and cheer...I must not forget what this day is really about. Please God help me to remember You and Your Son in all that I do today. May I be reminded that it was because of what You did for us that we have the wonderful life we live.
On this joyous Christmas Day
There's just one thing I'd like to say
Today please let us not forget
The prayers & blessings God has met
Merry Christmas peace to thee,
No matter what the 'morrow be
We know not more than just today
But God sees more in every way
For God knew when He sent His Son
That though He'd be His only One
No one else could take His place
Christ alone, our saving grace
Remember He has blessed us right
Each and every day & night
Over at Rocks in My Dryer - one of my favorite faithful reads - she has a wonderful, thought-provoking post: Some Simple Things I Find Very Satisfying. She has a sweet little list of things she loves, and then she simply said: What about you?
Well, this is my little poetic list of some of my favorite things. I should note that I didn't include ALL my favorite things - for one, people may not particularly care to know everything that I love - there are probably too many to even mention! Oh yeah - and I ran out of creativity and rhyming... And before I forget, What about all of you as well? I'd love to know more about you and your favorite simplicities in life :o)
My Simple Satisfactions
Family time and prayer together
Keeping close with friends forever
Photographs and memories
Livia - my lil sweet pea
Hot chocolate when the weather's cool
And summertimes spent by the pool
My Momma's favorite Yankee candles
A walk upon the beach in sandals
Pictures hung upon the walls
Unexpected fun phone calls
The freshness after summer rains
Secluded, shady one-car lanes
Homemade ice cream, sweet iced tea
Vacations spent out by the sea
Grins & giggles, baby's chatter
Fresh baked cakes and cookie batter
Hugs and cuddles, lots of love
Having strength through God above
My parents' garden and their flowers
Spending time with them for hours
Sports and chocolate, classic rock
Collectables, grandfather clocks
Cows and kittens, farmyard fun
Outside in the summer sun
Stories passed down through the years
Smiles and laughter, joy and tears
Photography and editing pics -
My favorite ways to my kicks!