Mother's Day Weekend and More

I know, I know, it's been forever since I posted. Part of my excuse is that Annabel has been gone all week at my parent's, so I haven't had any new pictures from this week. Last weekend (Mother's Day weekend) we had a lot of fun! 

On Friday, we headed down to Greenwood to visit our friends Chris and Geneva. Our other friends Wes and Melanie were up from Tennessee for the weekend, so we all met there to hang out. This group of friends are probably our best, best friends from college and we always have sooo much fun together. Mel, Geneva and I were all really good friends in college and on the same wing for three years, and Derek, Chris and Wes were the same way. In fact, Derek and Wes were roommates for two years. Its kind of funny how we all intermarried! We spent the evening eating (of course!) and playing crazy games. We hadn't planned on staying the night, but we were having so much fun we just decided to crashed there. Us girls stayed up till 3 talking and slept together while the boys played video games and crashed in the living room. What fun! The next morning we left the kiddos with the boys and hit the yard sales. I found some good deals on picture frames and a few dresses, but nothing too exciting. 

Then we rushed home to get ready for an evening with our friends Joe and Melissa. Since we hadn't planned on staying in Indy the night before, we weren't as prepared for the dinner as we probably should have been. Derek had planned on making a cheesecake, but there was just no time :( Sorry guys! After grilling babyback ribs and veggies, Derek gave Joe an IOU on the cheesecake and grilled peaches with a raspberry puree for dessert instead. I personally wasn't too upset because I get a little sick of cheesecake (shhh- don't tell anyone!) We played a couple games of euchre and enjoyed their company as well. So much fun in two nights! 

The next day was Mother's Day of course, but poor Derek woke up with the bug Annabel and I have shared. So I got up with sweet Annabel and let Derek sleep until 10:30. Poor guy- he really needed it. We ended up missing church, but that was okay. After Derek got up, he said he felt better, so we went ahead with our plans and met my parents and grandparents in Indy for a picnic lunch. Then we went to the Chateau Thomas Winery and enjoyed an afternoon of wine-tasting and good company. Even though my two babies weren't feeling the best, I think we all ended up enjoying the day. Annabel even learned how to say 'airplane!'. What a smartie! 

After this, Annabel went home with my parents to give us a little break. Actually, I think it was more because they really missed her and wanted to spend some time with her, but the break is nice, too! Since I'm not in class right now and I have a pretty small caseload, I've just been doing stuff around the house and relaxing. It's been nice, but I'm anxious to see my little punkin tomorrow. I bet she'll be all grown up:(

Here are some other random pictures from last week:

 Playing with her glowworm

She put the hat and boots on herself! I think she's trying to change her dolly's diaper :) Hope its not a poopy one!

 

I love Annabel's funny faces in this video! She is getting very creative with her facial expressions! So cute. 

Yesterday Annabel had to get her 18-mo vaccinations. I felt so bad for her- you could tell it really hurt. So we stopped at Sonic on the way home and got an icy treat to cheer her up a little! In the evening she ran a temp and was very cranky, (happens every time!) so she went to bed early and appears to be feeling much better today. 

Her checkup went well. At 19 months she weighs 24lb and is 33" high. She's tall for her age but slightly underweight. The doc wasn't worried though because she is obviously active and healthy and reaching all her milestones. In fact, they said she was such a good patient, and they gave her the "well-adjusted child of the year" award! :)  The nurse said they wished every kid was as easy and good as she was! What a proud moment for mama. 

With Annabel quickly reaching the "terrible twos," we're starting to get into the murky waters of discipline and correction. I just think the whole thing is really interesting. Occasionally I get frustrated, but I try to put myself in her shoes and find out what is causing her to act a certain way. I never assume that it is "bad" behavior, just assertiveness, testing boundaries, and learning self-control. Though it can be challenging, I really enjoy all of it. And most days are really, really good. I'm very proud of her. 

As for me, today I called off work and am staying home sick. I feel really crummy. Derek was such a sweetie and ran to CVS at 11:00 last night to get me NyQuil. So yes, I'm still in bed at 1:00 in the afternoon! Hoping to feel better by tonight because I'm still going to try to see 4 clients this evening. Oh dear. Signing off for now!

Free as a Bird

Back when I worked at the mortgage company in Knoxville, we used to have a saying that went a little something like, "there's no such thing as a free place to live." In reference, we were talking about people who would go months without paying their house payment and expect to be able to stay in their home. But I was reminded of this saying recently when I heard this story.

I was recently talking with a friend, who in a time of need had accepted a gift from another friend. Initially they felt as though this gift were a blessing, exactly what they needed at that time. However, as weeks went by, the comments came, and my friend came to feel indebted to giver. And I thought, "how sad." 

If there's anything I hate, it's feeling indebted- whether financially or emotionally- to another person. And so I pose the question- is there really anything we can expect to be free?  Or is there always an expectation attached to the item? Whether its a government handout, a work benefit, or a gift from a friend, it all seems to come around in the end. Maybe I'm wrong- so let me know what you think! :)

A Wonderful Vacation Weekend

This past weekend Annabel and I travelled down to my folk's because my brother was in town. We stayed from Saturday to Tuesday...a nice long break! Derek wanted to come, but had to work on Sat/Sun and had some other things going on as well.

Saturday night we had a birthday party for my grandpa...68 years old! In traditional fashion, my grandma set out amazing appetizer-style cheeses and other yummies, and my Aunt Paula brought this amazing marinated pulled pork and gave Derek's a run for his money! :) We had a good time, and it was fun to hang out with cousins and just relax. 

Sunday after church, we all headed out to the woods to do a little mushroom hunting. It wasn't too great, I'd say we found about a dozen or so. They were all really good size though. And good eats, too, I must add! There's something wonderful about the taste of morrell mushrooms in the spring. However, Annabel did not enjoy playing in the woods, so I didn't get to do any serious hunting! That same evening, we headed over to my uncle's cabin and played in the water while the boys continued hunting for mushrooms. It was such great weather, I'm glad we got to take advantage of it. I forgot the sunscreen, so Annabel and I both got plenty of sun. 

Monday we played at the park...another beautiful day! That afternoon my mom and I headed to Goodwill. This Goodwill isn't your typical Goodwill (I discovered this in college....Goodwill store's in bigger cities are much dirtier and nastier than the one in my small hometown!) I never fail to find some awesome name brand deals, and this was no exception. I found a Banana Republic skirt, a couple American Eagle tank tops and some Ann Taylor walking shorts...woo hoo! I love a good deal! My brother found a really funny Ghost Busters tee-shirt, too. 

Tuesday was a pretty laid back morning, and I had to take my brother back to the air port that afternoon (sniff, sniff). We had to stop at the Pier 1 store in Terre Haute, because the are going out of business!  Everything is 25-50% off! Had I had a truck and more time, I could have done some serious shopping. As it was, I bought three new pillows for our couch- all reduced to $8-$12 from $30+!! I absolutely loooove Pier 1 and I was so sad to see this store closing. 

Well, I got Gareth safely dropped off and made it home through the rain that finally came upon us. Annabel was very happy to see her daddy. (I was too!;) I was especially happy to see that he got the drywall in the bathroom sanded and ready to paint! That's my man! He also got a lot planted in out vegetable garden, which I know was a huge relief off his mind. So we're settling back into routine and getting things back to normal. It was a much needed break, that's for sure. 

Anyway, I took a ton of pictures over the weekend, and condensed them all into a slideshow. Hopefully it isn't too large of a file to play for you. 

An Answer to Prayer!!

DEREK HAS HEALTH INSURANCE!! Because he has a genetic blood condition (which has never required any treatment or medication) he is ineligible for private healthcare. Now, if either of us had a job that provided insurance benefits, it wouldn't be a problem, because group plans can't turn you down for genetic reasons. I wish I would have known that before I quit my job last year! So anyway, I applied for HIP (the new Healthy Indiana Plan) for him last August...and he just now got approved! What an answer to prayer! So anyway, what I have learned from this is that if you suspect you may have a genetic condition, but it isn't causing you any problems- DON'T GET TESTED FOR IT! It isn't worth being ineligible for insurance for the rest of your life.

Annabel has been sick this week. It started Monday when I was having a friend watch her so I could work on homework. She probably threw up 5-6 times that day- and poor Melissa (such a good sport:) got to watch me dry heave as I tried to clean it up! Derek is staying home with her yesterday and today, and I think she is feeling better today.

My dear brother is flying in from Seattle this week, so I'm planning to go down and spend some time with him. It should be a nice little vacation! My mom and I already have plans to hit Goodwill and the consignment shops! ;)

I'll try to post a few pictures tonight or tomorrow!

The weekend again...finally. Yesterday (Friday) we had a really fun day. First we went to Miss Melissa's so mommy could do yoga. Annabel has fun there because Melissa and Joe have a puppy named Maximus. She also liked to pretend to do yoga too, and climb on mommy when she's in all the fun poses. It adds a little extra challenge:) I'll try to get some pictures of her doing yoga poses next week:) While we were there, Annabel had a stinky diaper, but in the diaper bags were no diapers! Uh-oh! So we improvised...Melissa had some size 1 diapers (awaiting the new baby). It was pretty skimpy but it did the job! Disaster averted.

In the afternoon, we went over to friend Lindsay's to play with Nora. We spent the whole afternoon outside! It has been so nice out the last couple of days. The girls played well together, playing in the sandbox and even in the pool for awhile! 

"Here, let me help you"

Kitties and bubbles, two of her favorite things!

Yes, they are playing in the yard naked! 

By evening, we were both completely exhausted. I was craving spaghetti, and since Derek wasn't going to be home until late it was a good night to make it (he never wants spaghetti). However, I didn't have any hamburger or sausage thawed, so I improvised with chicken nuggets- I know, I know- sounds kiiiiinda white trash- but it was really good! Kind of like chicken parmesan, kid style. 

This morning in her pj's, so cute

I tried to capture a picture of her laying in this chair watching cartoons, but in true Annabel-fashion, she was done watching by the time I got to my camera. Attention span of a gnat, I tell you!

Today we're just hanging out at home. I think this afternoon we will walk to the library and maybe to the park. I'm thinking about making a chocolate cake, too, just for the fun of it! Doesn't that sound good?!

I love this Japanese Magnolia tree in our backyard. It is probably the best part about our property. I told Derek that if we ever sell our house, it will have to be in the spring!

 

Big "Cheeeeese!" 

 

 Mmmm, quesadillas are my go-to food. Annabel will eat just about anything if its on a tortilla covered in cheese! Today's specialty is avocado spread with cheese. Sometimes I add mushrooms, bean spread, tomatoes, or pesto. Another favorite is granny-smith apples with cheddar cheese. Just some ideas! 

Thought this was Interesting

In doing some research for a project, I came across some interesting information regarding graduate students. Ahem...

"67% of graduate students said they had felt hopeless at least once in the last year; 54% felt so depressed they had a hard time functioning. What is more, in the same study, Fogg reports that 10% of graduate students surveyed reported they had considered suicide.   This indicates that for some, the extent of the stress is more than they can handle.  In a study completed by Hyun and colleagues (2006), 40% of graduate students reported feeling exhausted and 46% reported feeling overwhelmed frequently or all the time."  

Yeah, that sounds about right! 

We had a good Easter Sunday. We opted out of the 7:30 am breakfast at church and made pancakes at home. Banana nut pancakes to be exact! Yum, yum! (as Annabel would say:)

Annabel looked so pretty in her Easter dress. We started out with pigtails, but of course they came out by the time we got to church!

After church we went to friends' for a delicious lunch and an Easter egg hunt. It was so much fun to watch Annabel find eggs- she would gasp and shriek a little when she spotted one and run to get it. She became a little evil after she realized there was candy in the eggs and that she likes candy... next year it's raisins and cereal in the eggs! ;) 

 

 

 

 

Hope you all had wonderful Easters!