The Tornado My Daughter Can Be

Seriously, you get me if you have kids in your home.
One of a lot of things are around my living room and house this evening.
My DH is currently searching for the match to his favorite pair of shoes that the "tornado" was trying to walk in      
    earlier today.
She is obsessed with our shoes.
Anything on our bathroom counter.
The magic toilet paper spinner.
Our silverware.
ANYTHING.
It is cute.
Most of the time.
Not when either of us big people are in a rush and need the pair of something that she has moved one of
     them to truly only our God in Heaven knows where. Oh vey.

Snuggle time has been abundant lately. She is in a total "lovey" stage - kissing, hugging, snuggling just about anything. Yes, even daddy's smelly shoes. She loves on us too. It is beyond sweet. Her teeth continue to come in like popcorn. Two side ones on the top level are busting through. Low grade fever and crankiness prove it. So do the extra snuggles and attention she wants. I am soaking it up. There have been a few times already in her growing independence that she chooses not to be snuggly or lovey-dovey and I know those will only increase in amount as the years come quickly. So, I'm soaking up what I can for today and I LOVE it. I love her. Some days still can't believe how she came to be but then again the heart of God is a mystery in my faith and that is where I believe she came straight from.

My dog STINKS! whew. Just came by to see what crumbs might lay beneath my feet, of which he found none but he generously left his scent. PEW. Even had a bath yesterday. Spends 98.2% of his time outside, sunbathing and his sweat(?) reeks after that!

So - with life happening, business growing, marriage growing, motherhood transforming me, home-making transforming me . . . I am quite happy about some things.

• I will be doing a charity Haircutting event for Paz de Cristo in July to help with their hydration for the homeless drive. I felt the nudge to be open to such an event and the details are falling into place without much effort on my part. Thank you God - it'll be whatever You desire it to be.
• I am really enjoying my meal planning. Stop laughing. I do tend to be a bit type-A personality but I also feel gifted with organization, planning and leadership roles. The last few years have not lent themselves to much of this for me, various reasons why, too boring to get into. It feels super good to be utilizing these parts of me once again. I am trying recipes I wouldn't have tried before and I am enjoying the art of cooking which I haven't much enjoyed in the past. I am no Giada de Laurentiis by any means, but I'm feeling good 'bout what's happenin in my kitchen.

These yummies were our kabobs for dinner tonight. I want to research possible marinades for veggies on the kabobs so they don't end up burnt like some may or may not have tonight.

• My creative-ness is coming back. Haven't felt it for a w.h.i.l.e. It feels good. Dad mentioned that he hung a prayer board for my sister K while they are in Omaha visiting. Instantly my mind went berserk (in a good way) and there O and I were at Hobby Lobby. I searched a little for items and came home to put her down for a nap. Cleared off the kitchen table and prayed. Came up with this - have't done a bulletin board in years since teaching.

• I feel hungry. Not literally at all - "stuffed" if you catch my drift. Still working on that. No, not constipated! Hungry for learning, growth. In my parenting, in my spiritual life and in a combination of both. Have found a few great resources lately and look forward to movement in these areas. My knees look a little to clean and smooth these days, they need to be used in prayer more. Starting a committed prayer for DH, for O and for myself. I am convicted in all 3 relationships of the great need/sacrifice of prayer and perspective. Oh good Lord, assist me. I am lazy. But. I want my daughter to know YOU, I want to know YOU more deeply. I want my marriage to deepen in YOU.
• I took a step toward something I have been talking about for about a year now. Gardening. Not sure why excuses have kept coming up. I bought a starter kit. Literally a starter. Cilantro. I love it. Is there a patron saint of gardening? I remember someone giving me a houseplant when I was pregnant and being so stinkin worried about it and the fact that I have never been able to keep a living plant alive in my house, how was I going to keep a tiny human alive? It has all worked out. Perhaps now I have a leg to stand on and look that fear of plants right in the face. Cilantro - here I come. 

Ending on a few funny notes . . . 

Driving on Gilbert Road and noticed a new restaurant, 

"Boombozz" Taphouse. 

I almost burst out laughing and with disgust at the same time. 

I think I heard that term used in a derogatory way when I was younger 

when someone was referring to a woman's . . . set of . . . you know whats.  

I don't like the name.

O has been practicing eating with toothpicks. 

Thanks Neighbor Jess! 

She works hard to "stab" her food items 

and is oh so proud when they end up in her mouth on the toothpick. 

O and I share a love of jewelry. 

Apparently a love of Starbucks as well. 

This is from the coffee I got for free today. 

As I was heading toward the drive through, 

a red Toyota Camry came around the corner 

and went right in front of me. 

I didn't feel cut off necessarily.

I noticed a child in the carseat on the rear seat 

and figured she needed a pick-me-up as much as I did. 

When I got to the window to pay, the employee told me 

that the woman felt terrible for cutting me off 

and so paid for my drink. 

Sooo sweet. 

The coffee tasted even better due to her generosity.