Rachel Lately

This little girl has been growing so much lately. We are on day 2 of panties. Still working on going #2, but other than that she is doing famously. She has her eye on the prize, literally. I promised her a prize if she poops on the potty. What, I am not above bribery. I want the package of pull-ups & diapers I bought this weekend to be the very last for her. In other news, she declared this morning that she was too big for her nu-nu (aka - pacifier). Jarrett kept telling me that she would come around to ditching the nuk & going potty on her own time. And she has. It seems like April is the month for both for her. And I am very excited!

outside

We were so lucky to have beautiful weather on Saturday & Sunday. Finally, it feels like we have been waiting for the sunshine for years! The girls had such a wonderful time playing right in our frontyard. It was downright hot. Temps in the 80's. Which typically wouldn't be too bad, but to jump from like 50's to 80's definitely made it seem really hot. But the kids didn't mind one bit. And I found a wonderful spot in the shade to sit & watch. I soaked in all of their laughter & the fresh air.

Here are a few pictures from Saturday...

Some Friends Are Forever

Thursday night I was having a bit of a pity party for myself. I have really tried to be strong, honestly I have. I am a self proclaimed wimp. I have an extremely low pain tolerance & I act like a baby when I have to take medicine. I have been letting myself focus on the negative. Yes, it hurts like Hell. It's hard not to think about how much it hurts when it hurts with every single breath I take. But Thursday, oh my word - that was a bad night.

What I should be focusing on are all the good things in my life. #1 - I'm alive & I'm getting better - slowly but surely I will get better. #2 - I have a beautiful family (edited to add - a turbo hot husband - per his request) & wonderful friends who love me & want me to get better.

Most people who ask me how I am get the generic answer - "I'm getting better & stronger every day. Thanks for asking."

But there are some people who get the real deal - "OH EM GEE! This is the worst effing pain I have ever experienced! My medicine gives me cotton mouth like a mo-fo! I cough up blood everytime I laugh. I can't do anything without sweating like a pig. I cry myself to sleep every night. I feel like a crazy person with the looney toons pills I am taking now." And other type of WOE IS ME answers...Luckily these are saved for a select few. The people who know I would be lying if they got the 1st answer. The people who already know all of my secrets anyway.

My BFF Haley is one of the people who get the "real deal" answers. How do I explain Haley? She is my best friend period. She is awesome. I came home from dinner last night to find a present on my doorstep. A "can I get a hot tub" shirt - what what - State Farm in da house! And the most beautiful card I have ever read. It is the perfect explanation of Haley.

Some Friends Are Forever

Sometimes inlife, you find a special friend: someone who chnages your life by being a part of it...

Sometimes in life, you find a special friend: someone who makes you laugh until you can't stop.; someone who makes you believe that there really is good in the world; someone who convinces you that there is an unlocked door just waiting for you to open it. thi sis forever friendship.

When you're down, and the world seems dark and empty, your forever friendlifts you up in spirit and makes that dark and empty world suddenly seem bright and full.

Your froever friend gets you through the hard times, the sad times, andthe cofunsed times. If you turn and walkaway, your forver friend follows you. If you lose your way, your forever friend guides you and cheers you on. Your forever friend holds you hand and tells you that everything is going to be okay. And if you find such a friend, you feel happy and complete because you need not worry. You have a forever friend of life, and forever has no end.

-Laurieann Kelly

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Haley, I couldn't have said it any better myself. You are my forever friend, forever. I love you. Thank you for listening to me complain for the past month. Thank you for always making me smile and laugh - even when it hurts to laugh. I will always be happy to listen to you complain. And I will always make you smile and laugh, too. I am so glad I have you as my forever friend.