I don't see many pedicures in her future

This weekend, as a chance to spend some time with Zoe, I decided to paint our toenails. She loved the idea of paint. She's been really getting into painting, so the thought of putting some paint on her feet was totally awesome in her mind. She ran circles, saying "paint paint paint paint." She was beyond excited.

Until I actually put the paint on her toes.

The look on her face was as though I was actually swabbing swine flu on her. That is, if she actually knew what swine flu is. That's beyond the point.

She sat very still while I finished painting her toes. She got up slowly, stared at her feet and then began kicking.

Big kicks. Little kicks. Anything to shake that horrid, pink disease off her feet.

With all the kicking, her toes actually dried. She was less than thrilled.

For the last three days, every time she looks at her feet she lets out this little whiney moan.

I guess we won't be bonding over pedicures anytime soon.

Eight fourty-five

I have a favorite time of the day. It's 8:45 in the evening. It's when Zoe and I start her bedtime routine. It usually involves some tiger growls while I'm changing her diaper. Then the ever fun game of "smell my feet mommy." It's a tradition that I recommend for every family.

After all the growling and smelling, we head to the bathroom for some teeth tickling. If I call it brushing, she tends to HATE it. We make a game of tickling her teeth. Usually she'll take her second toothbrush and tickle my teeth.

Then we make a bottle and get ready to head into her room.

It's the part of my day that I will get some quiet time with my daughter. I sing to her, pray with her and tell her just how blessed I am by her. It's the same song, similar prayer and same loving bestowed on her every night.

It's also the time when I do a little praying myself and just relaxing after a busy day. Usually Zoe falls asleep rather easily and I hang out for an extra 10-45 minutes, depending on if I fall asleep too.

Last night Zoe had finished her bottle. Her eyes were shut, she was very still and then this happened:

Zoe: Think, think, think
Me: Do you have ideas?
Z: Chips!
M: You want chips?
Z: 'kay!
M: No sweetie, it's bedtime. Here's your binky. Mommy will play with your hair, you just close your eyes and think about all the things you love.
Z: POOH!
M: You love Pooh?
Z: 'kay!

I guess for her the moment is filled more with junk food and a bear stuffed with fluff.

I love being a mother

Honestly, it was like Mother's Weekend at my house. I was spoiled beyond anything I deserve.

I got some flowers and a cord that hooks my iPod into my car stereo. That's right, I was jammin' out to a little Newsboys this morning. I was secretly praying I had a job that needed me to drive all over town today just to listen to my iPod.

If that wasn't enough, N gave me some time just for me and he mowed the yard. Then he helped me haul bark out of the flowerbed. He speaks all kinds of my love language.

Zoe loved on me all weekend. I think she knew it was Mother's Day because she was all about her mamma this weekend. I got more cuddles and kisses.

N even BBQ'd some steak for my mom and I. If you've never had N's BBQ, you are missing out.

To say it was a great weekend is an under statement. I still had to work in the yard, clean the house and change diapers, but it was the best. While Mother's Day is a great way to honor your mom, it was a day for me to know just how blessed I am to be a mommy and a wife.

I am so grateful to have the family I do. They love on me, support, encourage and challenge me. I am a better mommy because of them.

I'm baaaaack!

I've spent much time in prayer and thought. I realized I'm not very good at being dependent. God always has a plan. I, however, don't always know that plan. So that tends to make me a bit like the Tazmanian Devil in the hormone department.

Never fear, God's plan is in place and He even gave me a little glimpse at it. I can't tell you how much I appreciated that. The little devil inside me stopped making all those tornadoes and let my mind rest.

Plus I got to go to the gym on Monday and run out some stress. I'm positive that's also part of God's plan for my life.

I thought I would share some of the good news. In April the state budget came out and colleges in Washington were taking a BIG hit to their funding. It put N's program in jeopardy for the summer. That caused all sorts of unknown. Because I'm not good at being dependent, that unknown meant mass hysteria in my mind. What would we do? How would N do with getting a summer off, only to go back in the fall? That would extend his schooling even longer! He would go back to graveyards at work and that isn't my favorite schedule.

For about a month it felt like our life was on hold.

The dean of his school said that if they had the students, the program would run through the summer. Every person in his class said they would go through the summer. We don't feel on hold. We know what His plan is...for now.

It was just in time too. Part of His plan was to slow me down and to have me focus on other things. Namely Zoe.

She came down with a little stomach bug yesterday. Poor thing spent most of the morning puking. Absolultely broke my heart. Especially since she has no earthly idea what was going on. I got to spend lots of time cuddling, loving and napping with my sweet girl. Even though she was feeling yucky, her company was exactly what I needed this week.

They are blogging

Recently some things in my life and my attitude have been brought to my attention. The words that this person used made me uncomfortable.

I think that source of discomfort is because someone spoke truth to me.

I need to ponder that truth. Spend time praying for God to help me see Him. Help me experience the joy He wants me to have. Help me to live the life He wants me to live.

So I'm going to be a bit quiet on this blog for a bit. Give me some time to ponder.

If you want to read some amazing blogs in the meantime, go here. Compassion has just sent a team to India. Their blogs are worth reading. God's love and hope come pouring off their pages.

He is working in India and it's totally worth reading about. You won't regret it.

Tough as enamel

Last night Zoe and I were playing. I had her pinned on the floor and the tickle bugs were getting her.

As she was laughing and snorting, I noticed she had a new molar. This is the first tooth that has followed remotely close to the actual schedule.

About a week ago I noticed she was eating her binkies, but did not want to suck on them. She had done that before when she was teething. No other signs indicated that she was in pain.

Yet, she has a whole, new tooth back there. I'm constantly amazed at how easy she is. She rarely cries, whines or complains. She's a go-with-the-flow girl. I feel so blessed because I honestly don't know how I'd do with any other kid.

After I noticed the tooth, we had a chat:

Me: Did you know you had a new tooth?
Zoe: No
M: Are you planning on getting any more?
Z: No
M: Did it hurt?
Z: No
M: Is that because you are one, tough cookie?
Z: 'kay!

I love that we can have conversations now.

It's a bird, it's a plane

This weekend was not just full of some purse cake action. N took the honey-please-do-list to heart. After a mere 2.5 hours, he had this up in the garage.

He put Zoe on it to see if it would hold 30 pounds. It totally did, although she was less than thrilled about the height.

We got a good portion of our garage cleared off the floor. Because we have a little fear about ceiling mounted things staying up, N and I checked on it no less than 612 times the rest of Sunday afternoon.

Each time we were totally impressed that it was still up.

Of course I have faith in N's handy work. Which is why I can't wait to see what he can do this weekend!