Crazy Mommy!

I entered Afton in a photo contest.
I had no idea the craze that would overtake me.
I have spammed my friends inboxes.
I have blown up my family's phones.
I have mentioned it to every single person that has commented on how pretty her eyes are.
Vote for Afton!
Oh goodness.
I have a problem.
Fortunately for all of you voting ends on February 9th.
So you will only have to deal for 15 more days. :-)

I must say that the brisket I made last night was quite excellent. Todd even took the leftovers to work today.
It was SUPER easy.
I combined:
1 1/2 cups of head country BBQ
1/8 cup worcestershire sauce
1/8 cup steak sauce
3 tbsp brown sugar
2 tbsp brewed coffee
1 tbsp sweet hot mustard
garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and pepper to taste
Then I marinated it in the refrigerator overnight.
The next morning I popped it in the crockpot wrapped in foil and cooked it on low for 7 hours.
YUM!

Group Effort

This little chair belonged to Todd's Papa Brutus. It's quite cute in it's almost original state. However, I felt the need to update it for Afton's full benefit.

 

I can not take full credit for the cuteness of this.
Liz did the hard part of sewing the adorable cushions. Even though I picked out the material. :-)
I did do the painting though, and that was not exactly easy.

I think I will avoid painting rocking chairs as much as possible in the future.

I am pretty excited about a purchase that we made tonight.
I was ever so casually browsing craigslist on our tiny loveseat in the den when I came across a bargain.
Leather sectional for $250.
Say what?!
That's right. It was a bargain.
Finally, two months after moving in we have furniture in every room. :-)
My dear Todd is quite excellent. He is so strong and moved furniture back and forth all through our house tonight until I was satisfied. I guess I probably owe him a back rub.

It has been a long day. Todd was home from work and we definitely seized the day.
Tackling all kinds of projects and such.
He will be home again tomorrow and I think we will seize the day by actually relaxing and lazing around the house.
Oh wait, I already invited my dad over for dinner.
Brisket and baked potatoes.
YUM!

I guess I will have to seize another day...

Silver Lining

Days like today I search for the silver lining. 

In the last couple of weeks Afton has been up through the night.

A LOT.

Two nights ago she was up every hour.

I don't know about you, but after a night like that I'm not all rested and refreshed in the morning. ;-)

It caught up with us today. 

Mommy and daddy are tired.

Pooped.

Groggy.

Tuckered out. 

Sleepy.

Completely and utterly exhausted.

Not only are we exhausted, Afton is also very tired and very cranky. 

Where is the silver lining in all of this?

For starters, her sweet smile. 

Through our blood shot, burning eyes we still get to behold sheer preciousness.

She smiles and it lights up the whole room.

Her adorable little giggle.

We kiss her belly and out come the belly laughs. 

It brings such joy to my heart. 

The silver lining is so bright amongst the dark and gloomy storm clouds.

I remind myself that this too shall pass.

I think that God would be spoiling us if He allowed us to have perfect children.

Everyone loves babies. They're cute and cuddly and oh so tasty. 

However, no one loves getting up all night and changing poopy diapers.

We must take the good with the bad.

If it was all daffodils and lilies we would become spoiled. 

We would not understand as well God's love for us. 

He loves us so deeply and profoundly.

We would not understand as well that depth if raising children was easy. 

If it was all happy and cheery and a walk in the park. 

Lord knows WE are not a walk in the park.