Love

Last week we went to a wedding. It was actually the wedding of the bachlorette I went to Nashville with a few weeks ago for her bachlorette party that I talked about here.

I'm going to be honest. I'm Catholic, and although I have a strong faith, I'm not always religious. When I found out it was going to be a full mass, I was a little like ughhh. The full mass at my wedding went on for an hour and half, and the priest's homily was about people in nursing homes, but that's a whole different post...

When we got there though it went by super fast, and I felt as though the priest had written his homily directly for me, or God just knew that it was what I needed to be reminded of. Isn't God so good like that?

Father spoke about C. S. Lewis and The Four Loves: Storge, Phileo, Eros, and Agape.

That you need all four components of this complexity of love to make a good marriage.

Storge is the love of affection, not only physical, but all types of affection. Waking up next to the person you chose to spend  your life with. Calling your significant other in the middle of the day. Being partners and having respect for one another as you go through the sometimes challenging motions of life.

Phileo (Which is where the city of friendship: Philadelphia gets it's name) refers to the love of friendship.  A wise person (Elbert  Hubbard) once said, "A friend is knows all about you, and loves you just the same." I think that quote follows so closely with the vows you take as husband and wife, to love through the good times and the bad. I'm in love with that quote- it was at the top of my wedding invitations.

Eros is the passion and romantic aspect of love. This is the one I often fall short of. I think it's a cultural thing for us to put parenting above all else. That motherly guilt rears its ugly head, and I feel guiltily about going on a date with my husband and getting a baby sitter. But, another wise person once told me that a good marriage is the best gift you can give to your children. I have to often remind myself of this advice, and not necessarily put my husband first as some suggest, but to put everyone equal, because my girls often take the lead.

Agape is the non conditional love. I often think of agape as the love that God has for us. The love that they talk about in the first letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians. I strive, but often fall short, to love Hub like this.

I"m go grateful that father reminded me of these, because marriage truly is a work in progress. I'm so thankful for my loving husband.

A Few Things I love the Most!

My girlies, summertime, sunshine, the pool. 

 Even though the package says not to, I take my Mya Wrap into the pool. Raigan will fall asleep in it anywhere, even while swimming, like she did on this day. haha I should get compensated from the people at May Wrap all the suggesting I do to other mommies haha, but seriously I couldn't love it enough. Or my girls, or summer, or the pool, or relaxing Saturdays with my family. Life doesn't get much better than this.

A Country Wedding

Mamarazzi Monday

It's time for Mamarazzi Monday with Household 6 Diva. I usually feel a little guilty for everything that I buy for myself, especially if it's expensive. I don't feel the least bit guilty though about buying my camera, because I probably use it more than I use deodorant. haha Just kidding... for the most part.  I am constantly taking pictures, at least a handful a day, every single day. So I'd say I've got my money's worth, and then some. Anyway, lets get to this:

You know you are apart of the Mamarazzi when...

your newly 7 month old daughter knows to smile when you put this weird machine in her face.

Or when your toddler is playing hockey by herself with her play mop and broom and her sister's stack toy as the puck and your camera is already sitting on the table within reach for you to snap a photo of it.

Or when your baby uses your lens cap as a teething toy.

Or when your standing in the swimming pool with your camera in hand while holding above mentioned baby all at the same time so you can capture a photo like:

I wouldn't know though... cause we don't do any of those things...

Budgeting

Hub and I have been trying to be better with our money and my first trip to the store with a strict budget in mind didn't go so well... I was halfway through the aisles and realized oh no, this is probably already over my budget. In the past going to the store, I have always been a little conscious about what I was buying. I always used coupons, bought the sale items, and only bought a few of those "I don't need this at all" items. I have never brought a calculator or have worried about not having enough money. I'll bring a calculator next time. I brought $80 tonight to go to the store for this week, I brought cash so that it would be easier to stick to. When I went up to the register I honestly had no idea how much it was going to cost. I went over $33.44 and ended up using my bank card for the rest. I'm such a cheater. haha What I should be doing is meal planning, I think it would save us a lot on time, money, and wasted food. Guess that will be a thing to tackle for next Sunday.

Blue Eyes

Riley had blue eyes till a little after her second birthday, then they turned green. 

I hope Raigan's stay blue cause they are breathtaking.

Here Comes the Bride

My brother and sister in law got married last weekend and she made such a beautiful bride. Riley loves her aunt Charlynn and has been dressing up all week in her princess costumes and tutus imitating her. I give her props for making a veil out of a tutu. What a creative little one I've got.

Five Question Friday

It's time for Five Question Friday with Mama M.

I try to do it every week, but you know, this silly thing called life gets in the way sometimes.

This weeks questions:

What were your school colors? 

Gold and Blue

What is the best compliment you have ever received?

That I am a good mother, because that is my number one goal in life. I live to be a mom. 

Also when people compliment me about my intelligence or tell me that I'm smart. One of the pharmacists I work with once asked me if a person that I gave reference to hire was as intelligent as me, which I think in a round about way was a compliment. haha

Do you buy cheap or expensive toilet paper?

Haha this question cracked me up! I like to buy expensive toilet paper, but I almost never buy toilet paper unless it's on a really good sale and I have coupons. Not that I  care about what we are wiping our butts with haha I just usually can buy name brand for cheaper than the generic.

Have you ever had a surprise party thrown for you? Or have you had one for someone else?

 You could say I'm a bit of a control freak. I have gotten much better since having kids, especially since having Raigan, because with two babies who has time to control everything?! With that being said, I hate surprises! Like seriously, ugh! I do not like to not know what to expect and it honestly gives me a little anxiety. Although I think the thought of doing something like that is sweet, everyone knows me well enough not to haha. I have never had one for anyone else either because I get too excited and can't keep secrets.

What is one material possession that you "cannot live without"?

Well I know it says one but there are a few that are equally important and I probably couldn't wouldn't like to experience life without.

A few months ago It would have been my breast pump for sure, but thank goodness I am not attached to that thing anymore! Whew!

I think my car because I take it for granted. There are so many people that don't have cars.

My cell phone, although sometimes I wish I had left it at home. 

My planner. I wouldn't be able to keep life straight without it.

And finally if I had to choose and give up all others to keep just one... it would for sure be my camera. I'm a bit obsessed with taking photos. 

I would just like to say TGIF! I'm tired of being at work and without my girls. Hub and I are going to a wedding this weekend that I have really really been looking forward to. I'm not too sure if I'm more excited about the wedding or about going on a date with my hub-it's been awhile.

Happy 7th Month Birthday Raiggie!

Since Raiggie is an old lady now she spends her days saying da da over and over and over and only mum mum like a little Brit when she's mad. She now has 2 bottom teeth and likes to bite and drool on everything in sight. She sits up on her own, reaches out (which is my favorite new skill of her's-because I love that she wants me), and tries her darnedest to crawl but can't quite get her belly off the ground yet. She is constantly laughing at her big sister and is the most laid back baby, possibly the most laid back person, I have ever met in my life. She is so go with the flow, although she does give me, "Mom, what are we doing?" looks from time to time. As long as she is fed she doesn't mind being carried around on my hip or in our Mya Wrap or really anything- she is just along for the ride. She is already independent and tries to feed herself by grabbing the spoon... probably because we aren't feeding her fast enough haha.

 She enjoys eating cheerios and frozen blueberries with her pincer grasp and can pass objects from one hand to the next. Eating is her fav past time and she does well at it, as she is in the 90th percentile for height, weight, and head circumference. She raises her arms and giggles (my favorite sound in the world) when you ask her how big the baby is. The past 7 months have blown by! It just seems like yesterday I was threatening my midwife to get you out of my stomach or else I would need a psych consult! haha I love you baby girl!

I am one blessed Mama!

T Ball

Riley: T Ball Player, Gymnist, Swimmer, and Cheerleader

My little sweet first born is named Riley.

She is 3 years old.

I know all mothers are bias, but I really do think my child is gifted. She started talking at 8 months old, and not just mama (she said mom distinctly at 4 months), dada, etc. She would say mom, dad, hello, bye, nana (banana), bob (not too sure where this one came from), and other random words.. I had a list somewhere at one point, but who knows where it is now. Before she was two she could count to 10 in English and in Spanish (with much help from Dora the Explorer) and knew almost all of her ABCs. Here's proof. Don't mind the end of the video when my husband gets her to say what up g. haha





She now can say words such as myocardial infarction and says things like: "Mom, I should have eaten more fiber," when she has diarrhea. Cracks me up still.

She has always acted older than she is, is the point I'm trying to get at here.

Because of her maturity I like to have her involved in a lot of activities. To keep her engaged, around other kids, and to teach her life lessons. She played on a T Ball team(her closing day was Saturday), takes gymnastics, swim lessons, and cheer leading. Gosh, that seems like a ton written out! But really it is only 4 hours out of her week, and now with T Ball being over, it's 2. All other time is free time to play. Well except play dates, or when I make her to workbook pages in her math and ABC book...

Ok, the more I get into this it makes me seem like an overbearing parent. haha but I never make her do any of these things when she asks not to, which is rare, she loves her activities most days. There are days though, when she asks not to go, and I respect her choice, because a 3 year old should not be forced into doing anything (except eating veggies and taking a nap haha). It is all recreational so she does not have an obligation and there is no penalty if we do not go on a given day. I feel as though I'm trying to sell this to someone. Maybe I am, because it has been really great for my Riley. She has learn to cooperate with other kids, wait her turn, learn new skills, is comfortable with being in the water, and it's a little easier for me too when there's a break in the day of being at home.

Tackel It Tuesday

I love the idea of this! I'm always trying to have a To Do List and love the idea of scratching things off that I've completed. This is like a virtual To Do List!

I had all intentions of posting a project to complete, but life happens and I worked till 11 o clock last night and then went to the store... Next week though, it's a date!

Not Me Monday!

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

This week, my older brother Mike, did not finally get married after being together with my sister in law for over 10 years!

While at the party store I did NOT think I lost $200 I was given to buy supplies for the wedding, I am always super organized and put things in a safe spot in my purse so I don't loose them. I did not send my husband running around the store to backtrack our steps because it was cash that I had lost. Then when I did find it in my purse in a safe spot that I had doubted myself putting it in,  I didn't have the ladies page my husband overhead. That would be super embarassing and only something my mother would do to me during my childhood and not me!

I enjoyed the outdoor wedding thoroughly and didn't anticipate there being anything ugly about an outdoor ceremony and reception like bugs... Country weddings are nothing but beauty. (I don't want to sound too sarcastic, because the outdoor wedding truly was beautiful!) Not me! I never complain.

I did not complain about the million bug bites I received and was glad to bring dinner for the mosquitoes. Not me! 

My sweet little Raigan has not gotten so far off schedule withe the whirlwind of wedding stuff for the past week that she now doesn't even recognize her bed for nap time. We always stick strictly to nap time and routines!

At work yesterday morning the girl I was supposed to work with did not call in sick and leave me as the only person at the pharmacy when I was having female issues myself. Life never comes up in real life and people are always at work on time and never sick.

I did not feed my toddler bacon and lemonade for an evening snack when she requested such a thing. I always feed her a well balanced array of foods, and certainly not bacon! Not me!

Sure glad I saved myself the harassment and did none of those things this week!

Mamarazzi Monday

It's time for Mamarazzi Monday with Household 6 Diva.I missed last week, so I have to make it up this week! I have been keeping my camera busy. This is what I have come up with.

The many faces of Raigan:

 It has been rather hot here in Kentucky.

So to get a picture of the girl's outside both together is a challenge to say the least.

 Riley just wanted to jump on the trampoline and not get her picture taken.

 I pleaded for just a few more!

And I'm glad I did, because I got this beautiful shot of sisterly love!

And then I let Ry jump!

Goodbye Cable

I have been on a mission all year I have wanted to be on a mission all year, as it was one of my new years resolutions to live more simply. I have been struggling, as most do, to live this way. I love shopping, I love little girl clothes, clothes for myself, make up, things for our home, and on and on and on.  Yesterday though, I am proud to say that I did NOT let the cable lady talk me into keeping cable when I called to cancel it, as she honestly has three times previously by using their sale skills like magic. I stood my ground. Our conversation went a little something like this.

"Thank you for calling Name of the Cable Company, this is Name of the lady, how can I help you?"

"Hi, I was calling to pay my bill and to also cancel a service."

"Ok, I can help you with that."

......

"And you said you would like to cancel a service?"

"Yes, I would like to cancel the cable service."

"Ok, is there anything wrong with the service."

"No, we just don't need it."

"Ok, will you be going with a different company?"

How coy haha

"Nope."

"Ok, well there are some simpler services that would be much cheaper than what you have now."

We have the HD, million channels that you don't need, service that no one with a job or anything going on in their life would be able to humanly watch to justify the cost.

Be strong Meg, you can tell them no! I told myself.

"No, I would just like to cancel."

"We could give you basic serivces for only $13 a month, would you be interested in that?"

I started to sweat. Just say no, just say no.

Yes, I realize how sad it is that I let the cable company lady talk me into this so many times before... and that saying no to them is such a challenge. It's sad because I have become so dependent on that darn dvr and it's convenient commercial fast forwarding abilities.

"No, I would just like to cancel all together."

"Ok, well we're sorry to see such a long time loyal customer go, if you need our services again we would be glad to have you back."

Victory. Sigh. 

One simple step towards living simpler. And hopefully to many more productive hours, family time, and less hours for my poor toddler to log of commercials. It will be nice too to have that extra money.

Raigan Has a New Trick!

Raigan can now sit up on her own! Without me having to surround her in pillows or worry about her flopping over. She has been practicing for about a week now and I am proud to say she has it mastered! She has another tooth too. Ugh my little babe is growing up so fast.

How We Spent the Morning

We did workbook pages while Raggie played with play food in her highchair. I love mornings like these. :)

Bridal Shower

I was hoping to post about the bridal shower I hosted for my sister in law before the wedding, which is this weekend holy cow! I'm making it just in time then. I am SUPER excited about the wedding, it's going to be an outdoor country wedding and those make the most beautiful ones!

Ok, back to the bridal shower, I had bought these decorations that I mentioned here and didn't know if I was more excited about the shower or the cute decor more.

We played party games, which some people love (I know I do!) and others don't, but that's ok, they ate, talked, and drank wine instead. My personal favorite bridal shower game is the purse game, to see who has the craziest stuff in their purse, like diapers, cameras, toys, etc. (I have all three currently in mine if you were wondering). Here is the winner's purse, even though they cheated a little and had like a team of 5 people.

The games are always fun, but the food is always my favorite part of a party! Brandon's uncle at every party we have always says, "We don't eat before we come to your parties, because you guys always have a nice spread." Aww one of the nicest compliments I've gotten. haha, really though.

I made each of the platters too myself: the fruit, veggies, caprese salad, cheese tray, but I did buy this cheese ball, I can do a lot, but not it all!

We played How Well Do You Know the Bride, and her youngest sister won. I asked Charlynn questions too about how well she knows my brother, and she could have spared some of the answers, especially to the what does Mike say to you before bed each night question. Ugh.

Here is almost everyone at the shower.

Afterwords, the Mother of the Bride told me that it was the nicest shower she had been to! Always such a nice thing to hear when you put so much work into something! I hope she enjoyed it, and I can't wait for the wedding! Now I'm off to write a Maid er Matron whichever it may be of honor speech.

A Week or More Later....

Oh brother. It's been awhile, and sadly enough, I really really missed blogging! It's like therapy and time to sit down and really process what has happened over the week, day, whatever. Since last week or two weeks ago, or whenever it was, I have worked a 50 hour week, threw my sister in law's bridal shower, and have been trying to catch my breath, and breathe in every bit of my sweet little girls that I have missed with life being so crazy. Even though Riley has been testing me more than she ever has in my her sweet short little three year old life! If anyone has any Bible verses on the Fruit of the Spirits (especially patience!) I could really use them right now, or any advice really on how to be patient with a toddler haha.

 But when times get tough, I just look at this picture of my girls and it cracks me up! Look at the mean little face on such a cute little girl! haha I love it!

I have been on a Blogger sabbatical lately, it had been a really hard week. I have been working all week picking up all the hours I could. Hopefully everything will be back to normal tomorrow.

Splash Park

Last week we went to this splash park on the east side at Woodland Mounds. It was really cute.

It had an amazing view of the Ohio river, even though I didn't do a very good job of capturing it, but you can see it peaking in the background there can't you?

Raigan just kind of hung out in my arms the whole time and was kind of like, "Ugh, Mom, where do you have me today." Riley on the other hand played it up! I was trying to convince Raggie to take a nap in her car seat here, but she wasn't having any part of that. This child loves her bed, she literally sighs when you put her in it. If I would have known that she wasn't going to nap, I wouldn't have carried her car seat across the mile long parking lot so she could nap in shade since our stroller was left in our other vehicle at my husband's work. Anyway, back to this cool splash park...

All the water features were really cute themed! They weren't just boring buckets like usual. This one is a swan, I think?