Life Abundantly: May 2011

Friday, May 27, 2011

Somebody got a hair cut...

And for the first time... she didn't cry during it! Yay, Harper! As she sat perfectly still, I sort of wanted to cry. She looked like such a big girl! It is a little uneven (of course I noticed it after we left!), but I feel like that's expected when cutting a 2 year olds hair! She was probably just glad to be out of the house. She's had a pesky fever since last Thursday, and yesterday was the first day without it! After 2 different doctor visits, an ear infection was the result. So we've been laying low this week in hopes that she'll get better. So we were both excited to be able to run errands this morning... and a haircut was a must!

Sitting so still!

Check out her little bob!

Monday, May 23, 2011

Remembering my Mee-Maw

This weekend we were in OKC for the funeral and to be with my family. It just didn't seem right the whole time...like someone was missing. And that person was my Mee-Maw. But I'm confident that she wouldn't trade being in Heaven for anything... so since she's right where she wants to be, that makes me happy. I didn't take any pictures over the weekend, but I wanted to write down a few things so that I'll always remember the celebration we had in her memory. Unfortunately, Harper was sick with a fever and cough all weekend long, so that meant our sleep was very limited.

Her funeral was perfect. The pastor had asked each of us for our favorite memory, and it was so fun to listen to him talk about her. After the funeral, we drove to her hometown of Mayfield, it was about a 3 hour drive, for the burial. Harper wasn't too thrilled when we got to the cemetary, stayed about 20 minutes, and then got back in the car again. It was a long day for everyone! On Saturday, we went to her apartment to each get some things that will always make us think of Mee-Maw. She had a huge collection of ceramic birds and snowbabies. We always joked about who would get each collection, but when it came time to look through her apartment, we all had to have 1 of each! I've already displayed a plate and teacup in my kitchen that had been in her kitchen, and I can't wait to use one of her old mixing bowls. Every time I look at it, my mind instantly goes to her old house, helping her cook in that tiny kitchen! Other than her grouchy neighbor telling us to stop opening and closing the door because she had cakes in the oven, our trip to her apartment was just what my heart needed. And don't worry... my cousin let her have it!

On Sunday, as we were sitting in church, the pastor told us to go to John 14. My cousin, Melissa, had one of Mee-Maw's old Bibles with her. So when she turned to John, she saw Mee-Maw's note for chapter 14. It said "when in sorrow, read this chapter". It was perfect. It most definitely helps to know that Mee-Maw is in heaven, but that doesn't take the pain away. I can't help but always think of my aunt, who has been such an amazing caretaker! She took perfect care of Mee-Maw, and I'm so thankful for that. I'm amazed at her strength, because with Mee-Maw...it's not always easy! The void in her heart is greater than anyone else's in my family, and my heart breaks when I think about how much she's going to miss her mom. The Bible clearly states that we are to honor our mother and father, and my aunt did just that until my Mee-Maw breathed her last breath.

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Big girl bed!

Before we head out of town, I want to make sure and document what a big girl we have on our hands! We decided that in order to get our guest room ready for a foster child, we needed to transition Harper to a big bed. So I painted our guest bed and bought some bedding to match the painting we had in her nursery. The room isn't complete, so I don't have any pictures of it.

But Harper has done so well! She falls asleep even better than she did in her crib! She had a moment of confusion the first night, but I put her back in bed and she was out! I'm so proud of her!!!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

My Sweet Mee-Maw

Yesterday, my Mee-Maw finally got to meet Jesus, something she has been ready to do for quite a while. She lived a full 95 years, and I'm so thankful we all got to spend her birthday with her in January. The memories I have of time with her have been flooding my mind all day.

And just so I'll never forget them.... here they are...

-As a little girl, I was terrified of the cap she wore on her head at night (to preserve her hair!), and I refused to sleep in the same room as her

-The week each summer that Lindsey and I would go spend with her... we got to eat cookie crisp cereal and watch Days of our Lives (both we were to keep secret!). Our activities each day revolved around that show! We got to eat popsicles and make up songs about them. And we enjoyed a delicious lunch of fried bologna each day with our cousins. Don't knock it until you've tried it. Delicious!

-She made the best biscuits and gravy! I desperately want to know how she did it!

-She had a million Janet Oakley books... I don't even know what they're about, but they just look boring!

-Her negative comments regarding any gift she ever got! This made Christmas so much fun!

-Sleeping on her sofa bed with Lindsey... there's not a more uncomfortable bed in all of America!

-Waiting in anticipation for the mail to be delivered... the mail slot led to a closet, and for some reason, I LOVED getting to open that closet to get the mail

-She had a tiny house, and the linen closet opened from the hallway and also from the bathroom. So it was quite the funny game for me to open both doors while someone was going to the bathroom, just to embarrass them. There was nothing they could do about it, and I just thought that was hilarious. It wasn't just me... we all did it to each other... up until she moved, which was only a few years ago!

-The time she was buying our Christmas presents and told us the shirt Leah picked out was a "shit green" (her words, not mine!)... we didn't tell Leah until after she got it for Christmas, and it was never worn!

-Laughing with her...she was always so silly, and that never changed!

-Because her house was so small, the smoke detector went off every time anyone cooked! That's where I learned to just use a couch pillow to fan the smoke away!

I'm so thankful that I got to see her so recently, but that will never change how much I'm going to miss her. I'm looking forward to being with my family this weekend... but it definitely won't be the same without her!

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Eating Machine

I don't know what's going on with Harper lately, but I'm loving it...she's actually trying new foods and eating the dinners I cook! This is huge for her!!! Today she even ate broccoli and said it was "so good, momma!" You have no idea how happy this makes me!

And here's proof...

Way to go, Harper!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Monday, May 9, 2011

Mother's Day...a day late!

I didn't get around to blogging for a good reason...

we were pretty busy with the Mother's Day Extravaganza agenda...

I had a lot of fun choosing my options throughout the day! We were all very exhausted by the time we got home. Thank you, Corby, for making yesterday so much fun!!!

Being a mom is so much better (and harder) than I ever thought it would be. Harper makes my days so entertaining and exhausting, all at the same time. I'm loving the little girl she is becoming! I'm also spending a lot of time thinking about what being a foster mom is going to look like. I know it will be different, but not too much. The children in our house will simply need a momma's love, and I know I can give that to them! Oh, I'm so excited for this new chapter of our life to get started... if only I could get through the rest of this paper work!

I know everyone says their mom is the best... but seriously, mine is! She has been the perfect picture of strength, love, hope, and faith all throughout my life. Mom, I wouldn't be anywhere without you! I love you more than words can ever say!!!