I just don't get it.

   I'm having a very difficult time today not second guessing what God is doing.  Typically, I do the very best I can to remember than He will not give us more than we can handle and that He puts us through situations for reasons.  However, when it touches a dear sweet child, I just lose every ounce of understanding I have. 

  Thankfully, Madelyn is absolutely healthy and happy as ever.  BUT, a friend of mine (one of the mom's in my group) has a daughter who is three months younger than Madelyn who is not.  THREE MONTHS DIFFERENCE.  Her daughter, Shelby, has been running a fever and had a rash for over a week now and they finally admitted her into the hospital for more observations.  I have tried my best to give her the space I feel I'd like if it were me and have gotten my information from a mutual friend.  As of last night, they have begun to call in other specialists including a rheumatologist and an oncologist.  If either turns out to be the correct diagnosis, my heart just breaks for Shelby.  Since I don't know much about Rheumatoid Arthritis, I am more concerned about the chances of cancer.  I just don't understand WHY this would happen to such a small and innocent child.  I really do struggle with this more than anything everytime I hear of a child going through something like this.   

   I can completely hold on the the idea that we will not be given more than we can handle when it is something job or typical life related.  It is typically the only thing I have left to hang on to from keeping me from going absolutely nuts.  I get that part.  I pray and pray and pray about Shelby all day long--every time I get the thought in my head.  I put her above and way beyond any of my usual conversation pieces with God.  I also ask God to help me not question him--but it's a difficult thing to do.  Again, I am definately the person who worries about the worst.  I just can't help but worrying about what that is in this situation. 

  Anyway,  I mostly came on this morning to ask for prayers and thoughts.  Once again, I just simply couldn't and wouldn't want to put myself in their situation.  All the pain and misunderstanding and even a little anger I have now... I honestly don't know how I would handle it if it were me.  Please keep Shelby in mind as you go through your day. ( I won't post a pic of her as I'm unsure if her mother would want that.  However, she is a precious little girl with the cutest little face ever.)  I know a couple of you who read my blog regularly have (or will have) children of your own.  I swear it hits home a lot more when you know it could very well be your family. It also makes you so very grateful for your own healthy family and feel so very ridiculous for worrying about material things. 

   We'll be celebrating Madelyn's birthday on Saturday and the idea that Shelby will have one in three months and who knows what she'll be going through makes me sick.  I will be watching Madelyn run around at the beach laughing and smiling on Saturday while poor Shelby is sitting in a hospital room.    It just doesn't seem right.  I promise to keep you all posted as soon as I hear the outcome.   Again, please Please PLEASE keep Shelby and her family in your thoughts and prayers until we know what is going on. 

It has been decided...

We finally have a plan for Madelyn's birthday.  We're laying low this year and doing just a simple family celebration at the beach.  I did invite a friend and her family along, but aside from that, just our close family.  We'll pick up subs or pizza and I will be making a Dora (Madelyn's choice) cake!  Of course, we'll have her pinata--although she very well may be the only one hitting at it--and a few decorations and presents.  I actually feel guilty about not doing a "real" birthday party for her, especially since she does have friends this year.  I know she won't know any better and that she will appreciate whatever it is we do for her, but I just feel an obligation to her to have that big birthday party complete with kids and chaos....Anyway, it is decided and set in stone and there's absolutely NO going back now.  Especially since we'll be doing this on Saturday and there would be absolutely no way to get something else together.

I cannot believe that my baby girl is growing up so fast. 

First day

Today was the first day of my couch to 5k program!  The first week (3 days) is a brisk 5 minute walk and then alternate one minute of running and a minute and a half walking for a total of 20 minutes.  It went well.  We finished the program BUT I will say that it did begin to get difficult toward the last half of the time.  I'm very excited and think this is actually something we can conquer!  So, help keep me motivated and hopefully I can make it to my 5K I have planned to attend  near the end of October!  I do have a friend running with me so that should help keep me motivated as well :) I am so proud of myself and hope to stick to it and really make it a lifestyle change.  I will check in every once in a while and keep you all updated!

Madelyn's Play House

Yep!  I made that!  ALL BY MYSELF :)

My parents purchased a larger playset for Madelyn earlier this week.  What did I do with one of the boxes the playset came in?  Made her this awesome playhouse.  How cool is it that she has something brand new to play with (and a really awesome playset) that was absolutely FREE!  Paint was left over from our kitchen and Madelyn's bedroom, the door knob was a plastic golf ball, and although I should have been paid for all my physical work....that was free too!  You guys really don't understand how incredibly proud of myself I am.  I think I am going to continue when I have the time and maybe add some curtains for the windows (there's another on the side closest to the door), and I'd love for her to have maybe a small table and chair in there.  How cute will she and her friend be in this?? TOO CUTE!  I absolutely promise there will be more and better pictures to come within the next few days.  I took this picture tonight.  It looks WAY better in person too.   Madelyn LOVES her new playhouse and her playset.  She's a very lucky little girl-- grandparents buy one gift--and she gets two!  Honest....more pics to come!!!

Ugh, well.... I accidentally erased my background.  Then, I couldn't find a good header.  I'm tired... long day.  I drove an hour away to get Madelyn's new jogging stroller AND put together her new playset that my parents got her for her birthday. I'll try again tomorrow.  Goodnight!

It's been a while

Well, as I stated in the last post, I've kinda been slacking on the posts.  I've just been SO busy lately.  This weekend was no different.  We drove into New Orleans for some friends' bachelor/bachelorette party on Friday and got in LATE last night.  It was a great trip and we all had a great time too!  So, just to update a little on what's going on in life, I'll make a few bullet points. 

*  Madelyn's birthday is quickly approaching and I've decided to do just a small family party at the beach.  I am making her cake and will have a ocean/tiffany's blue fondant with seashells bordering the cake and a large starfish on top!  I see it in my mind, hopefully I can create it :)   Of course, on her actual birthday, we will definately continue with her Cinco De Mayo birthday and eat Mexican!  We MAY go to Nickelodeon Studios with some friends of ours the following weekend but that's still up in the air.  Simple, laid back, and cozy.  That's what I'm going for this year!
*  I'm sure you've all figured out that I haven't been running.. naughty naughty.  BUT, a friend of mine is in the market for a jogging stroller and we are supposed to get with the program (couch to 5k Lindsey!)  So, we'll see if we actually do it!  It's always better to have someone there to push you and motivate you to get off your ass though haha!
*  I just finished reading a series of books--another reason I've been MIA lately.  I am a bit ashamed to admit that, YES, I did really enjoy the Twilight saga, but I enjoy the mindless reading it provides.  Therefore, I continued to think like a teenager and read the Mortal Instruments books. I read all three in probably a week---does that tell you anything?  And I have yet another hottie to add to my list of imaginary guys with some serious sex appeal.
*  Woohoo!  I made it to my $100 goal for March of Dimes.  Thanks to those who donated!  The walk is this weekend and I look forward to doing it.  I feel like I doing something that's bigger than myself. 
*  Lastly, I was informed yesterday that I will NOT be getting my camera I so desperately wanted.  You know, the Canon that takes way better pictures than the one from my crappy little everyday camera.  Very upset about this and I seriously hope Jeremy's just messing with me.  However, I saw no trace of laughter in his face when he was telling me all of this... boo

A few pics.....

My two besties!! Plus Russell :)

<3 <3 <3

A few of the girls!

It's back! Finally!!!

   Don't you just LOVE spring time?  Well, if not, I personally think something may very well be wrong with you. The whole reason we moved to Florida is because the warmer months last longer... until this year, of course.  I think the weather is here to stay and I am already exhausted from constantly going going going.  We're never home now.  During the day, we're either at the park, or outside doing something.  When Jeremy gets home, we eat dinner, and out we go again.  It is non stop until maybe a very rare rainy day.
   I absolutely love the warmth on my skin and the brightness of the sun.  Everyone's out exercising (except me--which is a shame because I'm supposed to be running--oops) and living in the moment.  Families seem happier as they trample along the sidewalks with dogs on leashes.  Little kids are running around with their baseball uniforms on, which brings back so many childhood (all the way to high school) memories.  Ahhh.... I'm such a happier person this time of year!
  Sundresses.  Another favorite.  I'm not really loving shorts this year.  I feel like I'm in between lengths.  The shorter ones make me feel like a kid, and the longer ones make me feel frumpy.  Therefore, I will probably be sporting the sundresses and skirts a little more this year.  Anyway, back to the love of sundresses.  They can be so simple and still make me feel so pretty and girly. 
 Oh and flowers.  Who can overlook those beautiful little blooms??  They add just the right splash of color to my day!  You know the daisies that are so vibrant with color (that they use dye to get that way) at the grocery stores?  Jeremy has brought my first bouquet home for the season!  Well, it was maybe a week or so ago, but I just forgot to state that important event.  I used to always tell him not to waste money on flowers, they just die.  BUT, I think he has begun to notice that I really like that little bit of life in the house! I still think maybe it's a waste of money,  but I have to admit that I do love it when he brings them home as a treat for me :)
 And remember those cute little sandals I photographed a while back? (these) Yep!  Just another reminder that the weather I love so much is here :) My little angel girl hasn't looked back for tennis shoes and socks since.  Flip flops, beach shoes, and precious little sandals.  That's my baby's footwear for the next few months! 
  I LOVE this time of year.  I've also sworn that I will not complain about it being too hot when the time comes.  Not after the unsettling cold we experienced this year.  We'll see how that goes.  Anyway, go outside and enjoy this beautiful day!  (This may also be the reason for the lack of new posts on my end.)  I'll "see" you soon!!xoxo

My fur babies

While Madelyn was napping (a very short nap at that), I looked down from the couch at my sweet baby boys.  They were practically begging me to love on them.  After I got on the floor and hung out with them, I realized that I haven't said much about my boys on here.  I know I always post pictures of Madelyn with them or of the things she does to them, but I never just talk about them.  That being said, here goes...
Bruce, our Great Dane, is such a wonderful big baby.  He weighs way more than me, but is honestly the "baby" of the house.  He has such a kind heart.   We got Bruce in college when he was 2 from a Great Dane rescue.  His entire family was starved to death and he was the only one left.  My poor baby :( The lady who took him in got him back into shape and worked with him on "manners".  For the first six months or so, he wouldn't let anyone near me and slept on my side of bed.  He would only cooperate with me.  (He and Harley never had any problems.) When we finally felt that he'd be okay around others, we began our quest to get him "comfortable".  It took many trips to the football games, ball fields and fraternity house but he eventually came around.  Many years have passed and he is perfectly fine. All he ever asks for is love... and some table scraps.  Every once in a while something will trigger his nerves and we'll have to soothe him. He HATES bad weather and will literally curl himself around the toilet.   As you've seen, Madelyn jumps all over him. She's just like that taunting little sister. She bugs him all the time, but he never lets it get to him. He just lets her do whatever it is she wants.  He's such a big (no pun intended) part of our family...
Harley, my pug, is my sweet baby boy.  He joined me when I was a junior in high school and has been with me ever since.  We took a brief vacation from each other about a month in college, but I quickly came back for him.  He's been through a lot with me and has always been there.  Before we banned them from the bed and couch, he would always curl up with me and cuddle.  He knew when I needed him.  He's extremely hard headed and stubborn and typically only listens to me (definately takes after his owner).  He will mark his spot on every blade of grass in sight and makes it impossible to enjoy a walk around the block.  He's pretty easy going and almost no trouble.  He is, however, the one who, every once in a while, I have to clean up after...His favorite thing in the entire world is to curl up underneath some blankets.  Although he rarely gets to do this anymore, he still savors it occasionally. Jeremy used to say I loved Harley more than him.  I'd joke with him all the time about who I'd save first if they were both drowning.  I did have a pretty good answer though..."Harley can't swim very well and he'd have a hard time holding on the the lifesaver. So, I'd throw Jeremy the lifesaver and jump in after Harley."   Harley definately just tolerates Madelyn.  She plays dress up with him, hugs him, kisses him, feeds him, chases him and sings with him.  I'm sure he misses the days when he was the baby, but he handles Madelyn pretty well. 
Jeremy and I really lucked out to have such mild tempered boys around Madelyn.  I would have been SO devistated if they hadn't gotten along with her. They've been so great with her and adjusting to all the changes we've had to make.  Bruce is her best buddy and I truly think if given the opportunity, he'd protect her.  They are my boys and I am so glad they are a part of our family.  (Watching Madelyn and Harley snuggle under a blanket at this very moment.) Just wanted to share a little about the other part of our family :)

PS- I'll do an Easter post later....