Spring Afternoon

It was 80 degrees this afternoon so we got out and went to a little park. I thought I would let Harper swing for the first time. (Could you not eat up those little legs in those little sandals?)
She was watching a little boy next to her swing. She did not love it. I think it scared her a little so we didn't last long.

Then she got out and wanted to play on the slide with the big kids but that scared me. ha!

So we walked down to the middle of our town's square. She loved this fountain.

And then she was off.............
Yes - we are committing a cardinal fashion sin - we are wearing white shoes 4 days before Easter. But somehow I don't think it counts for one year olds. (Any one older than 5 probably shouldn't wear white shoes anyway in my opinion).

Harper loves her little rocker and all the sudden yesterday she sat in it by herself and figured out how to rock. We've never shown her how to do that. Thought I would share a little video of her. Ignore the big stain from her chocolate cheerios snack on her dress. ha!

Fluff Post

So today is a day where we are just hanging at home and I'm cleaning bathrooms and pulling weeds and playing with toys!
No pictures of Harper today - I promise there will be LOTS tomorrow - but in the mean time - how about a completely fluff post.

THREE QUESTIONS:

1. Are you watching DWTS and who do you like?
My favorite is Erin Andrews - maybe because she has my dream job in real life and I think she is so pretty.

2. Who do you like on American Idol?
I have a 3 way tie with Lee, Crystal and Casey James

3. And did you hear the Pioneer Woman is having her story turned into a movie??? I'm so excited! And Reese Witherspoon is going to play her. I love Reese! Here's a fun question - if they made a movie about your life - who would play you?
I think I would pick Ashley Judd or Reese? I would want someone with a real southern accent. ha! Or Angie Harmon? These people do not look like me but I like them! :-)

Our Day

Harper and I have had a busy but very fun day. First of all the weather has been beautiful. A little windy - but almost 80 degrees and sunny. So wonderful! I had to show you Harper's bunny shirts. The one from yesterday was a hand me down from another Harper and the one today was made my friend at www.ifyousaysew.com. We are getting our Easter wear in this week! :-)
I took these pictures this morning before we headed to Bible Study. We had a great morning at church and Harper did "wonderful" or so they told me. Every few weeks our women's Bible study breaks up and if you want to - we go visit shut ins or widows. There is one widower on the list and Laurie and I decided to go visit him today. He was SO nice and we had a great visit with him. He was married for 50 years and he said he could just now say her name without crying. He really made me think because he said he had just bought a suburban once he retired and the two of them were going to travel the country when she got sick and they never got to go. I was thinking of how so many people wait until their kids are gone or they are retired to try and travel and enjoy life and I know it's hard to find time or money to do it otherwise.......but so many of those people who wait .....never get to do it because one of them dies or becomes sick. I guess it just made me want to seize the day! Maybe it's hearing about so many young people lately with terminal cancer. Please just don't take your love ones for granted.
When I picked Harper up from church she was so tired but of course she did not want to nap. (We have not taken a nap in a week. The night sleep is great - but I think I would rather get up twice at night than have no naps during the day.) So we ran a few errands this afternoon instead.
Tonight our Sunday School class had a shower for my friend Kacy. She has a little boy Wells and is expecting their second son, Davis, in a month. Kacy is one of my favorite people in the world.
We had it at a local restaurant that is really good. They have salads and soups and sandwiches and good desserts and they support global orphanages as well as local soup kitchens. And they also play Christian music. I need to eat there more often. World Garden if you are local - go eat there!

Robin made her famous cookies for us and Davis got several monogrammed goodies!

Some of the girls.............

The rest........we had 2 newborns and 2 pregnant girls there also.

I know I say it ALL the time but I am SOOOOOO incredibly blessed to have the church family that I have and for the sweet friends in my life. I love all of my friends SO very much. I've heard this term a lot lately (and I love it) but it's just so fun to "do life" with these people!

Book Advice

So I have a favor......................

I get a ton of e-mails asking me for advice on devotion books or books to read to help your Christian walk. The problem is - I'm not a reader. AT ALL. I love to read - I really do but these days I just don't have time. Or I don't make time. And for my quiet time - I pretty much stick to the Bible or whatever Bible Study I'm currently doing.

So I need help - could you leave in the comments any devotion book you have done and loved. I've had requests for a lot of couple devotion books so if you know of any - let me know. Or good ones for college students. Or just a book that really helped you in your faith.

And if you are looking for something like this - take time and read the comments - I hope you find something that will encourage you!



P.S. The pics are for my parents because they always say they don't really care what I write about - they just want to see pictures of Harper every day. ha!

Zac Smith

A sweet girl named Mandy Smith e-mailed me this weekend. She wanted to share the story of her husband with me. Her husband Zac is 33 and has been diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer. He is currently on hospice. They have 3 children and work for a church in SC. Their hope is that God would be glorified through Zac's life - no matter what the outcome and wanted to share a video he made.

I know that bad things happen every day to wonderful people and so many of you question why? I question why? I don't think we can always fully understand why this side of heaven. But God is God and God is GOOD - no matter what.

May you be blessed by this video by Zac and pray for his family!
You can follow Zac's blog here: http://www.hellorighton.com/

The Story of Zac Smith from NewSpring Media on Vimeo.

Southern Living

We've been out of town the last few days. Wednesday afternoon we headed down to Scott's parents. Scott has been working from home for a company in south AR. So he worked down there Thursday and Friday and then we spent the rest of the weekend with his family. (By the way - Scott working at home is going better than I expected. He stays in his office all day and it's so nice that at 5 or 5:30 when he comes out - he's HOME! I love that!)

Thursday was Scott's birthday so when he got home from work - we had a little mini party for him. This is our family - Scott is holding the card Harper gave him.
She even drew on the envelope for him. I told him I was pretty sure that says "I love you daddy - happy birthday!" ha!

Scott's dad worked all day smoking brisket and ribs for dinner and it was seriously some of the best barbecue I've EVER had. Let me just stop right now and tell you - I had lost 7 lbs before I headed to Magnolia and I found every one of those pounds down there. We had all of my favorites and I lost my mind. (but starting tomorrow it's back on!) We also had the best potato casserole and Sister Schubert Rolls. Can I get an amen on how good those are?

Scott's aunt, uncle, cousin and his wife and daughter came over and ate with us and we had ice cream cake from Dairy Queen. Hello sweet goodness!

I love this picture I took of Harper and her Gigi under the budding Red buds. Everything was bloomed out down there and it was SO pretty! I just love the dogwoods and red buds in the spring!

I think this is sweet of them walking together. Scott's mom surprised me Friday morning and told me I had an appointment that afternoon. She had booked a facial and manicure for me at a local spa and she kept Harper while I had a little relaxation and pampering. That was such a sweet surprise and I would be lying if I said I didn't love every last second of it!!!! Thanks again Judy!!!

Harper got very spoiled being at her grandparents. I'm afraid she is going to expect to be held every second this week. ha!

I love the picture above but I love this wrinkled up smile the best! Friday night we had Fried Chicken for dinner (chick-a-dilly for all of you south Arkansans) and it was so good! Then we watched the Blind Side. I had already seen it but Scott and his parents liked it too!

Harper's mom plays the organ and Harper got her first lessons while we were down there. She also played the piano a bunch. I just know she is going to be a musical girl!
Saturday Scott and his dad went and shot guns at their deer camp and us girls went shopping and ate lunch. That night we had my absolute favorite - fried catfish. And Harper got to have her first bite of what I know will be a lifelong love affair - HUSH PUPPIES! She went crazy and ate more than I could count. Actually it was probably a tie between me and her over who ate the most. I love hush puppies. (I already had someone ask me on twitter so let me tell all of you who don't know - hush puppies are fried cornbread. They can come in a log form or a ball form. I prefer the balls. Harper preferred the logs. And if you have never had hush puppies - I am SO sorry and you need to find a way to go to a catfish restaurant and get some before you die!) ha!

(These are what hushpuppies look like on the outside.)

We left this morning and headed home. It was a wonderful few days but we are glad to be home! Hope you had a great weekend too!

Show Us Your LIfe - Cleaning Tips

I LOVE cleaning products! I am always walking down the Target or Wal-Mart cleaning aisles and just browsing for anything new that will make my life easier or our house more clean.
I'm looking forward to reading your tips - I really hope someone has good tips on keeping your glass shower streak free and clean and the best method for mopping floors. With a BUSY toddler - I feel like I can never get our kitchen floor clean enough anymore. She is constantly dropping food or her sippy cup or some kind of mess.

My tips are mostly:
1. My house may not always be completely dust free or mopped to perfection - but it is "picked up" and "neat". I try to go just keep the rooms clutter free so they have the appearance of being clean. Harper mostly plays in our family room and during the day it can be a disaster and I have learned to let it go......but every night after she is in bed - I pick up all the toys so at least for a few hours it looks clean.
2. I make our bed every single day - rain or shine, sick or well, late or on-time - the bed is made. Harper's bed will be the same way one day. I just think one of the best ways to make you feel organized or that your house is clean is to have beds that are made.
3. I never leave dishes in the sink. I run the dishwasher every night and in the morning while Harper eats breakfast - I unload it and so I can load it up again during the day.
4. I also clean while I cook. If I use something - I clean it up right then instead of making a big pile for later.
5. I try to designate either one room or one major task a day. As in Mondays I clean the kitchen, Tuesday the family room and on and on OR Mondays I dust, Tuesdays I mop, etc. I hate saving all the cleaning for one day. I'd rather just clean a little every day.

WHAT are your cleaning tips???

Happy Birthday Scott!

Happy Birthday Daddy!

The first time I saw you and the first time you held me -
I wasn't too sure about you!

But it didn't take long for me to know that you love me a whole lot!

You always play with me and feed me!

You call me all kinds of funny names like "goosey, baby monkey, sweet thing........"

Mom says she has never seen you smile like you do when you talk about me or see me!

I'm always so excited when you come home (but I've noticed you're home all the time now - and I love it!)

I think you are just about the best daddy in the world! I love you so much! I hope you have a great birthday!!!! I'll give you EXTRA kisses today!

P.S. Momma says she loves you too!

Easter

update: I don't know if y'all did a mass rush on The Limited or what but that sweater is now out of stock! Sorry!
I finally have us all ready for Easter! This is Harper's Easter Dress.
Her Gigi gave it to her for her birthday and I just love it!

This is the detail - it has little pearls. It's just so precious. And she has a little pearl bracelet to go with it. And the cutest little bunny purse to carry from my aunt!

I wanted us to all match. Scott has a pale pink dress shirt to wear. I love men in Pink!!! And Scott always looks good in pink (thank goodness!)

It's almost impossible for a grown woman to find a pale pink dress but I was looking on thelimited.com the other night and this sweater was on sale for $30 and I had a 30% coupon!! So I got it for $20. Pretty cheap Easter dress! I'm just going to put it over a black dress or with a black skirt and there you go. It's ALWAYS rainy and cold on Easter so I will either wear boots or sandals depending if we get a miraculously warm day!
And I wanted to get a special Easter basket made for Harper. I found someone on etsy to make this! I picked 2 different fabrics before this one but each time she was out and so was the store. I like the bright colors of this! I would link to her but she is finished selling baskets. This was inexpensive and "the Easter bunny" can fill it every year. We just have to figure out what he's bringing. No candy because Harper doesn't need candy yet and the rest of this household is dieting. Maybe some bubbles, books and a stuffed toy?

I love Easter! Last Easter was the very first time we took Harper to church. It was also the very first time we took her out in public EVER! So it was a special day! Although - how much more special a day could it be - it's the day Jesus AROSE FROM THE GRAVE!!!!!

Sing to the LORD, you saints of his;
praise his holy name. For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. Psalm 30:4-5

HE IS RISEN!!! Mark 16:6

Skunks, Sleep, Styling, Shopping, Sonic, Sunshine and robbie Seay!

I love "alliteration" - maybe it's the preacher's daughter coming out in me but today's post is all about the letter S!

First something Scary! Harper and I went for a walk yesterday afternoon and she was in her little wagon and I felt something moving next to us so I started to yell out "Harper - look at that cat" (because you know she loves cats) and before I did - I realized it was a SKUNK! I slowly backed up and thank goodness it never saw us. I hightailed it home and was shaking the whole way. I'm SO thankful we didn't get sprayed. Phew!!! Can you imagine?
I went in to check on Harper last night and I giggled when I saw she had just passed out. I love that she was just hanging over her bumper. We always lay her down and cover her with her blanket and she holds her baby doll but apparently she played for a while last night and then just fell asleep. I couldn't miss sneaking a picture of her Sleeping!
This morning I was trying to fix her crazy mullet hair and I had some tiny rubberbands and decided to Style it into dog ears. I put bows on each one. You can barely tell - but I thought it looked hilarious. It will have to grow out a little more before we wear it that way.
It was such a beautiful, warm, sunny day that we went to our local outdoor mall and just walked around. We weren't there to Shop but we enjoyed looking and Harper was so good that I told her I would get her a little treat when we got home. Yep - she had her first taste of Sonic. And she loved her diet coke as much as I do. JUST KIDDING! I got her an apple juice Slush and she was CRAZY about it! :-)

She couldn't work the Straw so I put it in her Sippy cup and she went to town on it!

Then we headed out in the wagon for another walk. Seriously - could she look any more relaxed. And aren't those little legs and feet yummy? :-) She threw her Shoes out the wagon and enjoyed being barefoot. And I don't blame her.

and finally........................

I'm pretty excited about this! I got asked if I would like to let all of you listen to Robbie Seay Bands's new CD "Miracle" that releases today! I jumped at the chance for two reasons:
1. I LOVE Robbie Seay Band
2. I know that SO MANY of you don't listen to Christian music or don't know much about Christian music and I very much want to open that up for you a little. I pretty much solely listen to Christian/worship music and there are so many great artists and I just want to share them with you. It just uplifts me and puts my heart in the right place to listen to this music.

So go below and listen and if you like what you hear you can buy it on itunes. AND if you go HERE - sign up and I'm giving away a free CD and t-shirt! What! What!

Monday Happies!

These are just a few things that make me happy on this Monday!

1. Dawson had to have his annual appointment filled with shots and exams today. Bless his heart - he looks so happy, doesn't he? This was the first time I had to somehow take him and Harper.
This is H and I waiting in the exam room while Dawson got his stuff done. We managed to make it through and I rewarded myself with a Panera bagel afterwards! ha! (His appt was 8:30 and we were there early! I put my makeup on in the driveway! ) :-)

2. The next two happies are ones I should probably not post about yet because I'm sure to jinx myself by daring to utter them out loud. ha! I decided on Friday that I was going to try and let Harper cry it out that night. I'm not a fan of crying it out personally and I would have never been able to do it when she was a little baby but at 14 months - I decided she was just waking up due to habit and shouldn't be getting up 2-3 times a night (or more). We did it Fri night and Sat night and last night she slept 12 hours and didn't cry or wake up once. I can't tell you how happy that makes me. I'm pretty sure just by writing this she will be up 12 times tonight.

3. Last Monday I decided I was desperate and I became a woman on a mission. I still have 20 pounds of fertility gain that I want to lose by summer. And it wasn't going to happen when I sat around eating fried pickles and raw cookie dough and never moved off the couch at night. So I started weight watchers and working out. I did WW a few years ago and went to meetings but I know the system so this time I'm just following the plan strictly and trying to exercise each night plus walk when the weather is nice (and not snowing)! I'll tell you right now I did P90X with Scott last night and I decided if I was ever on Biggest Loser - I would be that contestant who cries and wants to quit and Jillian would be constantly yelling at me. That's how much I hate working out. BUT I've lost FIVE pounds since last Monday! I'm so encouraged by that.
I just ordered two dance workout DVD's. I think I will actually enjoy them (one is Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders and the other is Hip Hop! How fun does that sound?) So maybe I'll dance off the next 15 pounds. WW really does work for me if I can just stick with it!

4. I'm so excited to be going to Atlanta in less than 5 weeks to see Beth Moore that I can hardly stand it. I'm going to get to meet SOOOOO many of you that I may not be able to smile or talk for a week because my face will be worn out from smiling and talking and hugging so much! :-)

So, what are your Monday Happies?