A Girl's Other Best Friend

Lily is hilarious. I'm glad she had her footie pajamas on with her sassy high heels!

Bitter

(These two little ones and their smiles and laughter are sure blessings!)

If I'm completely honest, lately it is so tempting to want to be bitter about life. I'll admit, I've given into that temptation more than I have resisted. I'm not proud of that. There are so many things/trials piling on top of each other. Sometimes I feel like I'm at the bottom of my rope and then something else happens. Why? Because apparently we haven't been dumped on enough this past year. -See what I mean about the bitterness?
This is why I don't really call people too much. So, I'm sorry if I have neglected you pretty much since we've moved out here. I know there are a few people who feel that way. Life has just been hard and I haven't wanted to talk about it. And selfishly, I haven't really wanted to hear about all the things people have that I don't, either.
I've been trying extremely hard these past few weeks to not feel buried in self pity. That's not going to get me out of anything and it sure doesn't help matters. I've been trying to focus on the blessings that I DO have. Big and little.
That's one point of trials anyway, isn't it?
By trying to remember and realize what I do have, I realize the things that I have that others don't. That I take for granted daily.
Instead of wanting out and wanting to take the easy road, I'm learning that when we have trials, it's best to see them through. Do what's right by me and my family, even if it's hard. And this past year has been difficult. And there's more to come, I'm sure.
But, as sure as I know that, I know that I'm not alone. I'm not going through this alone. There are reasons why we're going through this and I have faith that there will be a time when we've learned our lessons and we can move on.
That's comforting.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day!
From: The Townsends

Our cool apartment door decorated by Lily and me.

Valentine made by Lily

Valentine made by Will

And I Love Him

Me and Matthew
February 2005

February (and Valentine's Day) holds a special place in my heart. This year, today in fact, Matthew and I met five years ago. I can't believe it. For some reason, it feels like it's such a long amount of time, but when I look at the life that Matthew and I have together, I can't believe we've only known each other five years. We've had so much happen to us in such a short time frame! We've definitely had some highs and some pretty low lows. Even though a lot of our life together has been trial-ific, I wouldn't change it.

I'm glad that Matthew and I met. We've been best friends since day one. I've learned from him. I've grown with him. I've experienced things with him. And I love him.

Monumental

AND

I "cut" Lily's hair for the first time last night!

The Return of Golf

William has started to get the golf fever. He's been playing in our tiny apartment practically everyday. Which, hasn't been too great on our walls and furniture. So, last week, when we were having nicer weather, we decided to go outside and play golf. Of course, Lily had a go at it too. Since she's a TOTAL lefty, it was difficult for her to use the right handed club, but William helped her position the ball just right on the tee and I helped her swing the club. She looked like she was going to swing that club right into William's skull. It's been great to have the nicer weather and being able to go outside without freezing our booties off. (That is one of Lily's new favorite words. Booty. She laughs every time she says it.)
I think William is just gearing up for spring and for Grandma and Grandpa from Tennessee coming to visit. He loves golfing with my dad and talks about it often.
In fact, he loves it SO much, William has decided to have a "golf" themed birthday party. I'm excited. It will be fun to plan and come up with things. Carrie already brought up that Will is going to be "FORE!"

As you can see, Lily soon had other interests after her turn of golfing, but William stuck to his guns. He's a golfer, through and through.

Someday Her Prince Will Come

Yesterday, my sister in law Brittany, Lily, and I all had a girls day! Brittany was recently asked to Prom, which is a big deal in any girls world and so we went prom dress shopping! Of course!! We went to a place called The Perfect Dress. The title of the place was deceiving. We found nothing. Nada. Zilch. Then we went downtown to a place called Latter Day Bride. Right away, we picked out seven dresses for Britts to try on.

While she was in the dressing room, me and Lily had some fun of our own. Since this was a bridal store, there were places for Brides to try on dresses and stand on a pedestal and see the dress from all angles. Lily thought this looked fun, so she ran over and stood on the pedestal. I was taking advantage of the cute photo opportunity and then it really hit me.

One day, I'll be sitting there, watching her try on wedding dress after dress after dress until she finds the perfect one. She'll be in love and getting ready to bind herself for eternity to the man of her dreams.

I realized that I won't have her forever. She won't always be two years old and wanting to cuddle or play with me. I need to take advantage of the little moments that I have with Lily and with Will. Take advantage of every hug and kiss. Every song we sing together. Every time they want to help me make my bed in the morning. Before I know it, I'll blink and they will be gone. In the same place that I am now.

We over all had a pretty successful day at the Bridal store. I had my inspiration and Brittany did find a dress. Now, we'll move on to looking at jewelry, shoes, and hairstyles. I wonder what kind of life lessons will hit me in the face then...