Creepy crawlie mood lifters

I woke up in a bad mood. I'm not really sure why, but it was there and I just didn't know how to get rid of it. Elliana woke up bright and early begging to play. Coercion and promises did not get her to fall asleep again, and so I was awake and well before 8:00. But, I can't blame her, as my mood was set before I even heard "Mooooommmmmyyyy.....MOOOMMMMMMYYYYY!" over and over again through the monitor beginning at 7:15.

Against my desires, I got up and began the day. I snuggled and read to a two-year old who simply didn't want to use the toilet, even though her enthusiasm for it was so strong just a week ago. I cleaned up spilt Fruity Pebble cereal and fulfilled the multiple requests for more "nilk" along with denying multiple requests to watch cartoons. I realized that I am officially horrible at word games on my computer as confirmed by not one but two friends who have now beat me in multiple games in a row. And, I admitted to myself that I am internally conflicted about my current thoughts and feelings, and that I was mad at myself for it. All of this and it was barely 8:30.

The morning continued on. We made a plan for the day, finagled a clingy toddler to be entertained so I could jump in the shower and we got ready for our plans. I packed lunches so we could all eat a "healthy" lunch on the go rather than fast food, and we were ready to leave.

Until...I grabbed my diaper bag. It was then we realized the infestation of ants who had invited themselves into our home. We began frantically cleaning, wiping, spraying and vaccuming up the creepy crawlies while Elliana eagerly pointed out "Hi bug!" They had formed a nice formation along the wall and somehow seemed to multiply with each one that we removed.

Ironically, this was the turning point of my day. At some point among the frantic cleaning, I began to laugh. T.J. began to laugh. Amidst the cleaners, and creepy crawlers...we laughed at the irony of the day. And, just like that...my day improved.

Elliana and I met friends at the mall where we laughed and played. I spent way too much money on my munchkin and just enjoyed the life that we have been blessed with.

27- month update

The first year of Elliana's life, I was diligent to update and document the rapid growth she had. New achievements, even small ones were captured with multiple pictures and vibrant details, allowing this Mommy to relive that stage at any desired moment.

As Elliana grew, documenting each new milestone became more and more difficult as her budding language skills and social development, not to mention her non-stop energy level, kept my blogs and updates further and further apart. And so, with Frosty the Snowman (yes, I do know it is April and near 70 today) keeping Elliana busy for about 20 minutes, I am going to quickly post just a few new stages of this amazing little girls life.

* Vocabulary. Geez, she comes up with words and phrases all on her own and keeps me laughing daily. While at a red traffic light recently, Elliana observed that our car had been waiting a long time and loudly announced "It's our turn now. Look Mommy, green means go. Let's go!" with the voice influctions and excitement about a green traffic light that only a two year old can add.

Yesterday while wearing a pretty dress, Elliana knocked on the bathroom door and said "Daddy, open door. I want to look in mirror to see how beautiful I am." Oh, the confidence oozes out of her.

* Potty training. I am thrilled to announce that we began last week and Elliana has taken to it beautifully. The past several days have even had dry diapers throughout the night, and while running errands Elliana politely announces to the store she has to go potty and then holds it until we can find the appropriate location. Diapers remain dry during the day too (for the most part) and Elliana LOVES wearing her big girl underwear over top of her diaper during this initial training phase. Pretty soon, off with the diaper all together!

* Memory. Elliana continues to amaze me at her vivid, long term memory. A recent trip to a chinese restaurant had Elliana describing her previous experience (more than a month before) including what she ate, where she sat, who was there and what we did during dinner. Talk about pressure to build good memories for this kid! :)

* LOVES dresses, bows and playing dress up. First request each morning, "Wear pretty dress please!" And shortly after her dress is on, she piles on a princess dress up on top of it, and then ALWAYS asks for a flower to help accessorize.

* Sense of humor. Elliana's personality is perhaps best in her sense of humor. Last week, I said "Elliana, I going to drop off Daddy, then take you to your friends, then come and pick up Daddy then get you." Elliana started laughing and said "Mommy, you can't pick up Daddy, he is too big! Silly Mommy!" Just one of the many reasons I love this kid.

* Still a picky eater. But, given a year ago today she had like 2 teeth and ate only baby food, I am grateful for each solid she consumes.

*Smart! Loves to sing the alphabet, count, name colors, letters, do puzzles, the list goes on and on. Never in my dreams did I imagine a two year old could do those things!

And so, I could go on and on. I am a gushing mother after all. And regardless of how many months pass, that will never change. :)

Peace from within

Philippians 4:6-7 (New Living Translation)

⁶ Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. ⁷ Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand.

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I've been reading and studying the bible for most of my life. It was only recently that this verse truly struck me and became abundantly powerful. For after all, worry can steal our joy. And amidst chaos and confusion, I will choice to rejoice in the abundance of joys surrounding me, and recognize the peace that is beginning to flourish from within.

* The joy of watching my daughter learn how to use the restroom. At her pace. Exceeding my expectations along the way.

* The peace of trusting in God, knowing that His plan is better than my own. Even when it doesn't make sense to me.

* The joy of friends and family who are supporting and encouraging us.

* The peace of knowing what happiness feels like, and cherishing each moment of uninhibited laughter as it comes.

* The joy of sharing my passions with my daughter, and watching her discover her own passions in life.

* The peace of finding the right scripture, at the right time.

* The joy of playing hide and seek with a 2-year old, especially when I know that she will hide in the same spot every time. And the laughter she tries to conceal as she watches me "look" for her.

And so, on this late Monday night, I will wrap up. For I know I cannot document all of the joys I am currently learning. Or the peace that I am experiencing amidst confusion. All I know is that we are going through a journey. A journey with ups, downs and crazy curves along the way. And I am not worried about it, for I have peace.

Three Decades of Learning

I think it is funny how things change as we age. Our goals, tastes, even our life dreams are all shaped by our faith, family, friends and life experiences.

Last week, I was reminded of such changes as my thirtieth birthday came and went. I thought over my three decades here on earth and reflected at the many amazing experiences I've already had. Opportunities to live abroad in a foreign country for a year, at the young age of 16. To graduate from an Australia high school, learn the culture and find a part of myself. The growth and love that I experienced in Australia continues to touch me to this day, as do the friendships and family that I made during that year.

My home away from home, Terrigal, NSW Australia

14 years after my year abroad, I continue to think of my "second hometown" as a wonderful, nostalgic place in which I long to be again someday. I am grateful to have already returned to the land Down Under two additional times since leaving my host family in 1998, once with the husband that I used to dream about and pray for while roaming the sandy white beaches of the Central Coast. I know that one day, we will return again with our children and I am already looking forward to that day.

My college roommate and I touring France, 2003

I reflected on my travels, friends, family and adventures in the past 3 Each bringing a unique experience, of which I wouldn't change a thing. The countries I visited prior to marriage, made me into an independent, worldly person, all before the age of 23. After marriage, I slightly regretted having gone so many places by myself, as I now longed to share those experiences with my husband. And so, together T.J. and I began to travel together, touring places I had never before been and a handful of places which I had been prior. Tahiti, Hawaii, Caribbean, Australia and various places within our own country. And now, with a two year old in tow, we continue to travel and learn and grow, as a family.

Our Happy Family on vacation, September 2010

As a young child, I dreamed of being a marine biologist or zookeeper when I grew up. That dream remained until junior high when I took my first biology class and realized sadly that my career choices were not in my future. I developed a love for writing and began pursing journalism. Until I learned of my love for psychology. Until I learned of my love and desire to be a wife and mom. And now, I am happily and joyfully living with a job I never knew I wanted, but feel like I was designed to do. Be a mom and a wife. I am so very glad that with age, my dreams have changed and brought me exactly to where I want to be.

Along with happy and grateful thoughts surrounding my thirty years thus far, I was also reminded of a recent loss of which I feel my heart will never fully recover from. A miraculous blessing bestowed upon us and taken away too quickly. A little life that we will never hold or watch grow. As hard as it is, I know that I am learning and growing from our difficult experiences, just as we do from our joyful experiences. And my faith reminds me that someday, we will be reunited with our child.

And so, I have now completed three official decades of life and learning. I am grateful for each and every moment of that time. The good and the bad. The sad and the glad. And I am looking forward to a lifetime of learning ahead of me and the beautiful family I have been blessed with.

The Big Day at the Big Top

We've been looking forward to it since January. We read books to prepare for it. We set out a calendar and counted down the days until it's arrival. Yes, we were this excited for the circus!

Finally, the day had come. We woke up a tired toddler early from her nap in order to get to the big top for the pre-show party. But, she didn't seem to mind once she realized it was circus time.

We posed as clowns, got a temporary tattoo (which 2 days later she is still bragging about), tried on some clothes and posed for a few pictures of our family down on the floor where the action was about to take place.

Our seats were great. 14 rows from the front and amidst the action, yet not right in it either. Elliana continued to point and explain her excitement, and T.J. and I were elated just watching her joy. We both found ourselves wrapped up in the awe and excitement of the festivities.

Elliana didn't want to get any closer to the clowns than this animated drawing at the souveneir shop, but I took advantage of the photo opportunity.

As we were leaving, we asked Elliana her favorite part of the circus. "Going to the circus!!" she eagerly replied. Elliana then went on to talk about the elephants, tigers, clowns ("not so scary" she kept saying) and the many other wonders of the day. And what a great day it was.