Liver Life Walk

Hi friends! Liver health is a topic that has just recently become near and dear to my heart. I never understood how important of an organ the liver was until I saw the damage it could do when it didn't function properly. In honor of those suffering from liver disease and other liver issues, I have decided to participate with my family in the Liver Life Walk next Saturday. I ask you as friends and family to support me in reaching my goal of $150 in fundraising dollars. Because I only have 9 days, I set my goal at an amount I thought was reachable. I (of course) would love to beat my goal, so please, any donations you would like to make would be greatly appreciated. Thank you so much for your love and support! :)

Donating is easy! Follow this link:

http://go.liverfoundation.org/site/TR/LiverLifeWalk2011/LiverLifeWalk?px=1716268&pg=personal&fr_id=2470

and just click the blue "Click Here to Sponsor Me" button to get started. You can also click the blue "Click Here to Walk With Me" button to join the Liver Life Walk too.

Hey Dude!

Last Thursday, May 19th, marked 4 years of wedded craziness bliss to my wonderful hubby. :) There's a part of me that feels like we've always been married and a part of me that feels like it was just yesterday that I was looking down that aisle at his happy waiting face. Here's a picture from that wonderful day (sorry it's blurry-it's a picture of a picture):

I talked about this here, but for those who don't feel like going back to read, a short backstory:

Before we ever got married, we decided that each year on or near our anniversary, we would take a trip somewhere. The rules are simple:

1) It has to be just me and him.
2) It has to be to a place neither one of us have ever been.

It doesn't matter how many days we can do or how far we can go, just that we go and have that time for each other. I look forward to this all year long. This is our gift to each other: time away from life to just get back to where it all started-us!

I found our trip destination a couple of months ago on a site called LivingSocial. If you aren't a member, you MUST check it out!

https://livingsocial.com/redeem_invite/19691001-meredi?ref=lnk

Think Groupon but without the "group" part. :) They also have escapes (trips) which is where this was.

So, if you've been following my blog, or if you've talked to me in the last couple of weeks, you know that the trip this year was to a dude ranch in East Tennessee. I'll be honest...I thought this was going to be one of those trips that was more suited for Jeffrey, but I would enjoy just because we were together. I love to ride horses, but I just wasn't sure about the rest of it. Let me tell you though...I LOVED it! We had such an amazing time! If you know me at all, you know I am a planner. I usually have our vacations planned out day by day just because I don't want us to miss something. With this one, there was nothing to plan! It was all there for us, and they just gave us the options at every meal. It was great! There were no tvs and hardly any cell phone service. The food was delicious. The scenery was beautiful. The company wasn't so bad either. ;) It was so nice to just relax, be outdoors and spend time with each other. We rode horses, did a cattle drive, played bingo and air hockey, and passed many many levels on Angry Birds (if you don't know what this is, I suggest NOT looking it up-it's very addictive). :) I even got to nap! This trip was exactly what we both needed. He's been working so much lately that we just haven't gotten to spend a lot of quality time together. I definitely came back more relaxed and more in love than ever! Our exact goal for the trip! :)

The lodge

Going to dinner on our anniversary night

B-I-N-G-O!

The Saloon

Oh yes, a John Wayne themed room-Jeffrey loved it!

Jeffrey and Doname

Me and Denali

Cattle drive

Loved seeing him so happy

The Mint (AKA: The Greatest Invention EVER)

Alright, so a lot of my blogging friends do "What I'm Loving Wednesday". I think it's great, but since I can't commit to "Thankful Thursdays", I'm not going to attempt to commit to WILW. :) However, I do have to share one thing that I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE...

Introducing, the MINT AUTOMATIC FLOOR CLEANER!



Yes, it's like the Roomba. Yes, it's probably lazy. No, I don't care! :)

We have a ton of floor space at our house, and most of it is hardwood or linoleum. I can't seem to keep it clean enough, and quite honestly, I would much rather be spending time with my little boy and husband. :) So, we just did it-we bought it! We've been talking about a Roomba for a while, but there were several things I didn't like about it (one major one: it's round...corners are not). So, I saw this one yesterday, did some research, and before I could talk myself out of it, I went and bought it. We ran it last night on sweep mode in our hallway (it sweeps and mops), and let me tell you, that was money well spent! This little guy is AMAZING! It didn't miss a spot! I can't wait to try it on the rest of the house. :)

So, think what you will, but I adore this invention. It was so nice to know that while I was getting ready for bed and packing for my trip (Dude Ranch here we come!), this little guy was cleaning for me. Man I really love technology! :)

Back in Commission!

Yay! I got my stiches out yesterday, and my hand no longer looks mummified! See:

Not only can I finally wash all that crap off my hand and finally put some lotion on, but I can also now type without pecking at the keys (which takes FOREVER by the way)! I know you were all going through my blogging withdrawals, and I apologize deeply! If I can't blog at another time, of if you just want to be highly amused, feel free to check out my sister's blog at http://cowboycookies.blogspot.com/. I might be a little biased, but I think she's histerical. :)

There's so much I feel like I need to tell you...Fresh on my mind is my baby BIG boy toddler! He turned 15 months last Wednesday, so it's time for a Levi update! :)

At 15 months, Levi is:

• 27.5lbs and 32 3/4 in. long (I feel like I need to double-check that...maybe the dr. was wrong!)
• One tough little boy! This child has bumps, bruises and scratches all the time, but hardly ever cries about any of them!

• 

  This is my tough face after bumping my head.

• Brushing his hair with EVERYTHING: comb, toothbrush, actual brush, q-tip, etc.
• Obsessed with a lawn mower. He wants to ride any time Jeffrey mows. He'll even go to a garage door (any garage door) and bang on it while looking expectantly at whoever is around as if they're supposed to get a mower out and give him a ride. :)

• 

  Watching the guy mow Grammy's yard.

• Blowing kisses and giving kisses a LOT, especially on the shoulder and nose (these sometimes turn into love bites, but we're working on that!).
• Giving high fives and even a fist shake at his Uncle Randall.
• Patting his carseat and legs along with the music in the car.
• Loves books! He brings them to us to read, and often will bring a dvd thinking it's a book.
• 

• Walking up and sliding down a slide.
• Trying to unplug things and plug them back into the wall (yeah, that's fun...).
• Going to the fridge when he wants food or drink.
• Still love balls and trains, and have now added coloring to your loves.

• Picking out a shirt when I give him options (he really concentrates then gets excited when he decides).
• Eating a lot of soup! Broccoli and cheddar and tomato basil seems to be his favorites.
• Turning into a true blonde-headed boy. It's almost white at the crown.
• Saying a lot more things (somewhat understandable by others) but still mostly babbling very intently.
• Loving the outdoors! He wants to be outside as much as possible! And if there's mud or some other way to get dirty, that's even better!
• 

• Getting very excited about things-stamping feet (like dancing) screeching, cackling, rubbing belly, pulling up shirt-all indicators he is overjoyed with something! :)
• Loving being the center of attention. He soaks it up and puts on quite a show! :)
• Becoming more and more entertaining every day!

Levi:

You are such a blessing and a joy to your Daddy and me. Your megawatt smile can make any bad thing instantly go away. You are so loving and happy, and I could not be more overjoyed with being your Mom.

We had some family pictures done Sunday, and Julia took me, Jeffrey and Levi off to the side to snap a few. Here are the ones I've seen so far, and I am SO incredibly in love with these! In fact, you'll now be able to enjoy them every time you read my blog since I'm putting them in the layout. :)





Beautiful Thought

I'm so upset...I managed to type out a blog post yesterday, and it's gone! :( Here's the main idea...

Last week, we were eating at 4 Winds (man I hope you all know what that is!), and a man came over to talk to me Levi. As he was leaving, he said:

"If God made anything more precious than children, He kept it for Himself in Heaven."

How beautiful is that?! So simplistic and profound at the same time. It really made me think about not only the pure beautiful innocence of children, but also the pure beautiful wonderful Heaven! I know the joy I felt when I held Levi for the first time, and the joy I continue to feel with every minute I spend with him. Think of the most amazing moment in your life? Can you imagine something greater than that? Our human brains might not be able to process it, but God has something beyond belief waiting for His children. Revelation put its into words so that we can have a taste of what it will be like, but even that will pale in comparison to what's waiting for us. I've always heard it said when a young baby or child passes away that "God needed another angel in Heaven". Well, I can't wait to get to Heaven to see all His angels, both young and old, rejoicing in Him for eternity. Can you imagine what that will be like? "How beautiful Heaven must be..." :)

We read of a place that's called heaven,
It's made for the pure and the free;
These truths in God's word He has given,
How beautiful heaven must be.

Chorus:
How beautiful heaven must be
Sweet home of the happy and free;
Fair haven of rest for the weary,
How beautiful heaven must be.

In heaven no drooping nor pining,
No wishing for elsewhere to be;
God's light is forever, there shining,
How beautiful heaven must be.

 

Chorus:
How beautiful heaven must be
Sweet home of the happy and free;
Fair haven of rest for the weary,
How beautiful heaven must be.

The angels so sweetly are singing,
Up there by the beautiful sea;
Sweet chords from their gold harps are ringing,
How beautiful heaven must be.

Chorus:
How beautiful heaven must be
Sweet home of the happy and free;
Fair haven of rest for the weary,
How beautiful heaven must be...

Out of Commission

I would love to tell you all about my Mother's Day and wonderful weekend, but since it has taken me 10 minutes to type the title and this first sentence, it'll have to wait. :)

Here's why it took me so long:

I had a cyst removed (again) on Friday. Fun stuff! So, I'll be back when I can type! :)

Thankful Thursday

I would love to pretend that it is still Thursday, but alas, it's Friday, and I (once again) missed Thankful Thursdays. :( Fear not, I shall still post my thankfullness today!

Today I am thankful for/that:

1) Oil prices went down (stolen from sis, but it's so good I can't help but be thankful) :)

2) My new phone!!! I can now text again, and I do not sound like I'm talking out of a deep dark hole.

3) Levi made it through toddler Bible class Wednesday! He was no longer loving the baby table/was too big for it, so we decided to move him up a little early. He LOVED it!

First day in Bible class at 6 months old :)

4) My friend Doralyn graduates from nursing school this weekend. I am so darn proud of her! :)

5) I get to celebrate my second Mother's Day with my precious little boy this weekend. Can't believe it's been a year already! Love being a mom!

6) And I get to celebrate Mother's Day with my Mom and Mother-in-law! I am one blessed woman! :)

So much to be thankful for on this Thursday Friday! :)



Hunt...What?

I have been so excited for Easter for many reasons, but one was to see my little man hunt Easter eggs! As you know from my previous blog, the first hunt didn't go exactly as I had planned. But...I had high hopes that it had taught him what to do, and that he was going to be a hunting machine on Easter day. Yeah...not so much...

Let me just tell you about the whole wonderful day! :)

Jeffrey was off work, so that just immediatly made my day to wake up to his smiling (ok, snoring) face. It's just so rare that we get whole days off together, and I just love every minute of it! So, we got up and got Levi's Easter basket ready. We even hid some egg around the living room for him to find. I was so excited for him to see his basket! I just knew he'd love his new Chuggington case!

Unfortunately, he woke up a little stuffy, so he wasn't his usual ball of energy. But, he was still pretty happy!! :)



Really trying to figure out how it works...

  

Levi and the "Easter Bunny"

Thanks Mom! :)

Oh wow, there are animal crackers in this one!

His bunny pancake :)

All of this excitement, and it was only 9am. :) We all got ready for church and headed out. We went to Laguardo since it started later, and they were having their annual egg hunt (which I just KNEW Levi was going to be great at)...

Started off good...

Yep, that's a good boy...

Look at all those kiddos hunting...



 Does anybody see anything wrong with the above picture? What? Did you say "Meredith's standing by herself in the middle of the hunt"? Yeah, that's right, I am. Here's why:

He was much more interested in the motorcycle than the eggs. :) I did manage to get him off for a "brief" photo shoot...

This one has money in it...see ya!

Hey, I told you it was brief!

Next up on our schedule-lunch! Aunt Ruth went to church with us that morning, so we all went back to Mom's house for our "homemade" Easter lunch. ;) Ok, so it wasn't all homemade, but it was still delicious! :) Before Levi crashed, we I just had to take some pictures...(and yes, I'm 27, and my mom still gets me an Easter basket-don't judge me!)

My Easter "basket"

Take 1...haha!

Sorry this is so long, but I took a LOT of pictures...

After a (much too short) nap, we headed to Jeffrey's parents to celebrate with the family. Another egg hunt...I'd like to say he was more interested, but again, it only lasted until he saw something else he'd rather do...

All smiles with Aunt Julie

Jeffrey was really excited about this bunny present. Haha. :)

Checking out his trains from Uncle Hook and Aunt Jen





Love this!

Yes, I have tired eyes...

The day didn't stop there! We still had dinner at Mama's, and it was oh so very yummy! It was such a busy day, but it truly was the best Easter ever! I never felt rushed or stressed out. Our schedules worked out perfectly, and best of all, I got to spend the whole day with my family! Thank you Lord for such an amazing day!