Yesterday I spent my morning cleaning.  Baby decided to take a 20 minute minute morning nap.  Poor thing has a bad cold and could not breathe.  She woke up for a couple hours and went down for her second nap.  I found myself wanting her to wake up from her second nap as the sun was shining and I could not wait to get out and run.  I am delighting in this beautiful weather!

We go on the same run every day.  The best part of the run is a short trail that winds alongside the river.  It makes you feel like you are in the middle of nowhere when in reality the road is just beyond the trees.

The dogwoods are in full bloom.  They might not be the best smelling tree but they are lovely.

When we got home I plunked Cora down in the grass and we continued to enjoy the warm weather.

Who knew grass could be so fun?

My heart could burst with love for her.

My friends always get a kick out of me calling her my buddy.  But she is my sweet little friend….or appendage (as Maryanne calls her Will).  Yes, she may demand a lot of me and cry when she wants something.  She may have kept me awake many many nights but she’s worth it.  I can’t wait to continue getting to know her.  Her ever growing and changing makes life interesting!

Yesterday I was shopping at Aldi, my all time favorite grocery store.  Not a soothing and pretty shopping experience but oh so inexpensive!  It seems I can pile my cart to overflowing and my receipt is never over $60.00.  They have all the healthy options, great produce and even fun stuff for the holidays.  Check out these adorable ladybug chocolates I found:

Aren’t they fun?  We never have this much sweet food in our house.  The most fatal thing for me?  The mini Snickers…makes you feel like eating 20 is equivalent to one.  After I have consumed all the Snicker and Twix bars my gluttony will hopefully subside.

Cora also loves the chocolate.  She found the whole bowl a perfect teething supplement.

Poor Sophie lay neglected as a million chocolates were so much more fun to play with.  When I picked Cora up from her Bumbo chair I found a twix bar warmed and flattened. It had somehow made it’s way under Cora’s tush.

Here’s the chubby fist going in for the kill.

Anyone want to come over and sample our chocolates?  Each one has been individually slobbered on, just for you.

Another favorite of Cora’s right now is her Melissa and Doug blocks.  Of course they too are left covered in a sticky layer of drool.

I am a fan of beautiful toys and books.  I hope to acquire more Melissa and Doug toys over time.  I scored these blocks for $1.60 at my sister’s thrift store.

Poor kid, everything she owns will be second hand until she reaches teenagerhood and starts begging me for a more normal life.  Until then ignorance is bliss!

Friday night Justin, Andrew, Cora and I headed to Atlanta to hear Anna sing at her talent show.  She was the first performance after the intermission.  The curtain rose and their she was.  So sweet and shy.  She did a wonderful job singing as did my sister who accompanied her on the piano.  It’s amazing watching Cora’s cousins growing up.  Makes me feel old!

Saturday morning Cora woke me up early.  I went downstairs to find Anna and Emma awake.  They spent some time entertaining Cora and Will.  Do you think they have enough toys?

We then spent most of the morning outside as the weather was warm and sunny.  The men picked weeds while I enjoyed watching the babies fight over toys.

See those tiny feet in the air?  Poor Will took a spill right when I snapped the picture.

While Cora would have begun dramatically screaming and crying I sat will Will up and he was fine…the youngest of four as opposed to an only child.

Will also liked to pull on Cora’s sun hat.  Which led to shrieks of anger from my girl.  Oh dear, we have a diva on our hands.

They then proceeded to fight over the blue plate.  Will being stronger usually won the tug-of-war.  Cora’s response was to cry in frustration.

Cora and Will then began to read Beba’s gardening magazine.

And ripped it to shreds.

Sorry Beba.  It was too much fun.

Other than spending time at the Helm’s house I was also able to get these two Waverly pannels for $6 at a local consignment.

I don’t know where they will go but I will find a place!

This post is going to be total randomness.  First of all, I have been thinking a lot about summer rolling around.  Last summer I was so miserable as I looked like this.

Don’t I look like I want my picture taken?  This picture makes me laugh!  Not only am I a scowling and large pregnant woman but I also have a stain on my dress.  The “I can’t get my fork over my belly and to my mouth in time” stain.  One of the many glories of the third trimester.

The reason I was looking at pregnancy pictures is because I happened to stumble across them.  Then I got to thinking.  I was not happy having a tummy that large.  I am ashamed to admit that I could be so silly.  I seriously hope next baby I will have a better attitude.  After all, what is more beautiful than the gift of a baby growing inside me?  To any pregnant woman out there…you are beautiful.  Oh, and might I add I actually miss being pregnant?  The grass is always greener on the other side, right?

Now something totally unrelated.  Over a year ago our church decided to purge of the old books in the library.  Our church was remodelling and needed the library for a classroom. My pastor told the congregation to take any books they might like.  Justin and I found some treasures!

I adore children’s books.  You may not believe me but I will read these to Cora.  My future little nerd.

My Book House is a series of 12 books but unfortunately I could never find book #1.  I need to search for it on Ebay.

My favorite is Cranberry Thanksgiving.  It has lovely illustrations.

And of course a post could never be complete without baby yum yum.   Oh my goodness her daddy and I love her.  All day long I find myself calling her the strangest things such as “Midge” (for midget…she used to be in the 10th percentile for height), “Little Love,” “Baby Girlie,” “Cora Dora” (I know. Weird.), “Fatso baby” (Daddy’s term of endearment) and many more.  I did not know I would love this little thing so much.

Have a good weekend!

Since having Cora I have had to make a conscious effort to pursue that which helps me grow.  Growth not only of my mind but more importantly my soul.  Obviously I have less time then I used to and am always distracted.  My brain has become a mommy brain…total mush.  I swear I have early alzheimers.

Every morning I drink 2-3 cups of coffee (yes, all caffeinated) and I play with Cora.  After about an hour she is ready for her first nap.  I then take the time to read my bible and then read a chapter of my favorite devotional Disciplines of a Godly Woman by Barbara Hughes.

This book has been soul-changing for me.  I cannot recommend it enough.  It is written by a woman for women.  She writes of the different disciplines a believing woman should practice in her life…the discipline of Godliness, to prayer, to worship, to propriety…all the way to the discipline of giving.  Every chapter conviciting.  One of my favorite quotes is from John Wesley in her chapter on the discipline of submission.  He writes,

“Take Thou the full possession of my heart.  Raise there Thy throne, and command there at Thou dost in heaven.  Being created by Thee, let me live to Thee.  Being created for Thee, let me ever act for Thy glory.  Being redeemed by Thee, let me render unto Thee what is Thine, and let my spirit ever cleave to Thee alone.”

I love “let my spirit ever cleave to Thee alone.”  Hmmm…not something I do readily.  And if I was ever “cleaving to him alone” I might find more contentment.  In her chapter on the discipline of contentment Hughes reminds women that longing is fine as long as we are longing for God and what he promises.  How often to I long for what temporal?  Every day.  She writes “the discipline of contentment demands that we submit both our anxiety and our greed to the Lord….We were made to know God!  The knowledge of God is where satisfaction and pleasure are found…the rare jewel of Christian contentment will be yours when all that God is and all that He has done in Christ Jesus fill your heart.” Amen.

Anyhoo…now on to the brain.  The brain of mush.  The brain that used to be a brain but now only thinks pacifiers, baby clothes, baby food, baby nap, baby bed…baby, baby, baby.  I decided it was high time I read something.  Something outside of the Christian realm.  Something I would find interesting.  I found that book at my mom’s house and am addicated.  I actually sacrifice precious sleep to read Marie Therese: Child of Terror.  I’m sure you are all dying to read a book with such a cheerful title.  If you like history and are intrigued by the infamous Marie Antoinette then you will love this book about her daughter Marie Therese.  The book is a tad dark (as you might have guessed by the title) and sad but so interesting.  I cannot wait to finish it.

So there you have a little glimpse of how I attempt to feed my brain and my soul.  Sadly there are many days when I would rather read about the child of terror than God’s word.  Guess it’s all part of my human nature!

Now a little “hello” from my dolly.  Yesterday we went for a run.  She loves the jogger.  The entire run I hear coos of approval.  I love time outside with my little running buddy.

We have had some beautiful spring weather in the South.  Every time I look out the window I am reminded that spring has finally sprung.  Our lawn is scattered with sweet daffodils.  I love daffodils.  They are a happy flower, perfect for welcoming spring.

Look how cheerful they make everything look!

Our Hyacinth is also blooming.

Isn’t it lovely?

Welcome Spring, you make my heart happy.

For my birthday I asked Justin if I could buy some new summer clothes.  I have not bought new summer clothes since our honeymoon.  Our first summer I could not justify new clothes as I had plenty, last summer I did not care to buy anything as I was pregnant…this summer?  In February I was organizing my clothes and setting aside items to consign.  After consigning these clothes I realized that I did not have much left and most of what was left are things I would never wear now.  I am 25 as opposed to 22 (the last time I really went summer shopping) and I have a child.  I have to think differently now….as in “can I bend over in this?” “Will Cora be able to pull this down and expose my everything to the world?” “Can I walk and run in this,” “Can I push a stroller in this?” You know how it goes…

A couple of weeks ago Justin and I drove to Atlanta.  My sister, a friend and I went shopping…here’s a few of the items I bought:

Now I have to do a little blurb on the Anne Klein iflex shoes I bought.  They are amazing.  They might rival my Northface fleece.  Not only are they cute…but they are the most comfortable shoes you will ever wear.  The first day I wore them I walked in the mall for hours and my feet did not get one blister!  Now that’s what I’m talking about!

Wow, this weekend was something else!  I am talking absolute chaos.  Our house looked like a landfill…and still kinda does.  However, my husband, his dad, our brother-in-law and the tile guy accomplished a lot this weekend!  Our house looks amazing.  Here are some before and after pictures of what has been redone.

The porch before:

And After:

Our side room went from this concrete floor:

To this lovely tile:

Now I get the pleasure of spending my day cleaning the house and putting everything back where it belongs!  If only I had a maid.

My house is in shambles.  Everything that was in the side room is now in the living room or kitchen.  I can’t wait for the floor to be tiled and the rooms back in order.  Have a good weekend!

This week has been busy and is only going to get busier.  I have to organize a bunch of clothes for a consignment sale.  The clothes are washed but all need to be ironed, pinned, labelled and properly hung.  Justin is going to start tiling our side room.  Not only is he going to tile our side room but he is also going to finish painting our porch and he and his dad are putting up a new fence.  All of this he hopes to have finished by Monday.  Needless to say we are going to have a very busy weekend.

Here is was the side room floor looks like now minus the strange shadow/light thing going on in this picture.  Soon this crack will be hidden.

The back deck is painted and soon the screened in porch will be the same color.

After the porch is painted I am going to have to clean all the cushions, pillows and the wicker.  Everything is so dingy after winter. I can’t wait to take pictures of the finished product!