ZAP!!!

This is by far one of my favorite things to watch if I need a good laugh. I don't know about you, but I've never thought of Jesus as a "mounty" and I've never imagined Him "zapping" me!

A Few Fave Pasttimes

Wagon rides...being silly with her cousin Ava...playing in the sprinkler (yes, in Florida you can do that this time of year)...and, of course, shoe shopping (even if they're Daddy's)!!!

Nannies & Cook-Cooks

Nope, these aren't professions, these are Annsley's newest words! Bananas are "nannies" and cookies are "cook-cooks." Then there's "muck," which is milk, of course. And "peez" is please. I am surprised every day to have at least two new words come spilling out, and I have to say that it so much easier to be able to understand what she's asking for!

She loves to read books, and I love to watch her "read" to herself. It just confirms that she picks up EVERYTHING that I say and stores it away for that special day when she'll decide to blurt it out of nowhere.

She loves to play with other kids and is fascinated by older kids especially. I'm realizing more and more that I have a very independent kid on my hands. In many ways, it makes things easier - like leaving her in the nursery at church or with sitters - she's like "peace out, Mommy." But then there are those times when I just want to snuggle and she's just too "busy." There's always something that she's learning or doing, and she loves to figure out how things work. In those moments, I wish she had a little clinginess in her.

But it's ok, because I'm now officially "Mommy" - she says the word very clearly, she asks for me when I'm gone, and greets me with a smile when I come back. I love it. She's a very happy little girl, and I'm so thankful. She makes me laugh with all of her funny new faces and words. I can't believe that 16 months have flown by this fast!

A Year Gone By

So I've been cleaning up the house and still recovering from Annsley's 1st birthday party on Saturday. Whew! We had a ton of people here and what felt like a million kids!! It was so much fun, but I was definitely wiped out after the front door finally shut for the day.

As I've been putting together new toys, trying to find space for them!, and deflating sinking balloons, I've actually found myself getting a little sad. Maybe it's not sad, just sentimental. I mean, my baby is one. And technically, she's now a toddler, not a baby, but as they say, she'll always be MY baby. But I feel like she was just born yesterday. I can't believe it, but I really do believe I've done everything I could to preserve and enjoy every moment of this first year. I considered her party also a party for me and Bobby, celebrating our first year of parenthood. It's a big job, and I know we've just begun, but I feel very proud of our accomplishment.

I also realized at Annsley's one-year check-up this morning that this next year will probably be even more challenging, as we're heading into no bottles and disciplining. Yikes.

But as I sit here, I feel like this is a bittersweet moment. She's growing up so fast. And I can see already that I have a very independent child on my hands, which in so many ways is such a good thing, except in those moments when I just want to snuggle with her. In some ways I miss her being a brand new baby, and today was especially sentimental because this was the exact day last year that we brought her home from the hospital and experienced our first night at home with our new member of the family. But a bigger part of me really enjoys the age she is now, exploring everything around her, learning new words and finding her sense of humor :0)

I'm very much looking forward to what this next year will hold. I'm really excited to watch Annsley continue to grow, and everyday I love her more. I love watching Bobby fall more and more in love with his little girl, and I love his face when she squeals as he walks through the door. Our baby is one lucky little lady. I love you, Annsley. I'm so thankful for this love-packed year, and I'll never take for granted every day we get to watch you grow.

Drawing the Curtains

Yes, it may seem as though I dropped off the face of the earth lately, but I think maybe I've just been hiding out. Lately I've had this desire to be a little more secretive...not sure why...I guess I haven't liked the idea of my personal stuff floating all over cyber space. I cancelled my MySpace and Facebook accounts, maybe because I've been watching one too many morning talk shows about stolen identities...or maybe because every once in a while I don't want people to "watch" me.

I feel like Bobby is always in the spotlight and, therefore, so am I. Not that I'm trying to sound negative...it's just how our lives are. I have a weird dichotomy to my personality...I really love people, love being around new and different people, love working in customer service and sales, enjoy being out and about. But a lot of times I just like being invisible, lost in my own little world where I'm not a pastor's wife or the "hostess with the mostess" or even an "example" for people to model things after. I like being JUST a normal, everyday wife and a mom, tripping over laundry and flicking wet Cheerios off my feet. I like to be a kid who enjoys smelling pretty flowers outside, and I like sometimes feeling a little naughty while I'm reading cheesy romance novels. I like to play around with new shimmery eye shadow colors and getting excited about the new series of Tim Gunn's Guide to Style.

And yes, I guess I'm just a homebody, and while Bobby likes all the attention that is poured over him constantly, that's not what drives me. I'm the definition of an introvert, even though I never realized that until just a few years ago. I always gave the idea of being an introvert a negative glance, but I've realized that there's nothing wrong with me, just different in the ways that I get "fueled." And a lot of times my thoughts are processed simply in my mind, instead of over the internet. This blog was never meant for people to "look in" on my life and be impressed with how many "hits" I've gotten. No, this was meant for me, to download things in my life and stuff I'd like to remember.

So, if you're keeping up with my little blog for whatever reason, don't be disappointed if you haven't gotten a newsflash in a while or the latest picture. I'm probably somewhere with my baby, or reading, or doing laundry, or playing outside, somewhere that doesn't involve being glued to my laptop, you know, spending time with the things I love most. I like being a little private with myself and my family because so much of our lives are "looked in on." Not that I mind those parts either. I guess I'm just drawing a few curtains these days.

Moments in the Mountains...

So right now I'm looking at my dumb dog who, on our first night up here in the mountains, decides to fall down an entire flight of steep, wooden stairs. Yes, at 3 AM, as I'm trying to console a screaming baby, Rook heads down the steps in the pitch black, and I'll never forget the sound of an 85-pound idiot falling head over heels. So now he's sore all over and yelps every time he gets up, but I'm surprised he didn't break anything. He's like Chevy Chase, always doing the dumbest stuff, yet still surviving to do it all over tomorrow.

Anyway, Bobby and I are trying to relax. It's a rainy day today, the baby's sleeping, and Bobby and his dad are playing yet another riveting game of chess on the porch - look out, brilliant minds at work. When it's quiet up here, it's REALLY quiet...it's a nice change of pace for a little while. I'm trying to finish up my book for book club. I love having the opportunity to read more up here.

After Annsley gets up, we're headed to a winery...and then to the greatest thing since sliced bread - Wal-Mart! :0) It's the big deal around these parts! Ha ha! More to come...

So I finally have time...

Ok. I'm back in the blogging world :0) Between work and an almost 9-month-old, by the end of the day, I'm usually too exhausted to brush my teeth, let alone write a blog entry.

Anyway, I'm in the mountains now, relaxing, eating and walking - I also got a little reading in, which is quite an accomplishment, especially during the day! The trip up here went pretty well, probably better for Bobby because he was driving and in the front, away from poopie diapers and Rook's fish breath. But overall, I can't complain. We all made it.

It was such a treat to sleep in this morning. The grandparents took Annsley when she finally decided she was done sleeping at 5:30! Of course, that was after waking up forgetting where she was and screaming bloody murder. And then there was Rook's falling face first down the steps in the dark with the safety gate (I guess we'll have to change the name of that gate!). But she got to read a few good books with Grandma and take some walks around looking at all the pretty flowers, not to mention squeezing in a nap, all before Bobby and I got up around 9:30. Nice.

Ok, time for a pork roast dinner. Yum! And maybe later, some smores over the fire out back. We're making memories as I write. Looking forward to making more this week :0)