The "Big C"

So, we made it.  We're officially Coloradoans.  Coloradians?  However you say it, that's what we are.  I spent the whole week unpacking and made our little apartment a cute little home.  There were boxes stacked to the ceiling when I got here, but Lucy and I dug right in when we arrived so that our place would feel like home again.  I am definitely homesick for Boise still, but I am trying to have a good attitude about Colorado, and honestly, in the 7 days I've been here, I have been pleased with it.  The people have been really friendly and the weather is awesome.  Plus, Shawn and Lucy got to reunite after I brought her back to him and he was very happy to see his baby girl again. And, we have spent some good ol' quality time with our family that we have here.  It was FUN going to the pool with Tiff and her kids, and then celebrating KJ's 9th birthday last night, along with a slumber party at Tiffs :) Also, Jason and Coley got to spend a little time with LuLu before they abandon us :( And finally, Lucy turned 2 months old today!  Doesn't it seem like I JUST announced her 1 month "birthday?" It is cray how fast Father Time is ticking away....
Well, hopefully this state will keep me happy as the days roll on...only time will tell.  But I'm optimistic and excited about the road ahead of us.

The Howard's meet baby Lucy

I took a break from unpacking to play with my fun Niece and Nephews! We have a pool! HOORAY!

Cutest Baby Alive!

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Tiff announced Lucy was about to smile and the whole family rushed over to her. Haha!

Happy 9th Birthday Keaton!

 

Hooray for being the best/cutest/sweetest 2 month old ever!



Did I mention how EXCITED Lucy and Shawn were to see each other again after 3 loooong weeks apart?

It was a very, very sweet moment :)

When I lived at Ninny and Papa's...

My looks changed from this....

...To this (in 3 weeks!)

I lived out of a suitcase

I discovered how pretty I am and loved looking in the mirror :)

I met my favorite Uncle Jess :)

I went to the Lake!

I cuddled with Nana Raine

I celebrated 4th of July! My first one!

I watched fireworks with Papa and Ninny

I wore earmuffs because the fireworks were SO loud!

I got to share a bed alone with my Mommy every night.  She LOVES to cuddle with me.

I played with Papa. He is SO much fun!

I said "good-bye" to my very first house I ever lived in.

I went to church and wore my Sunday best :)

Papa and I are buddies and we wore matching plaid shorts!

Ninny has plaid shorts too! We looked  dang good in our matching outfits.

I had some yummy Sunday dinners at Nana Raine's

I met my beautiful Aunt Lori

And my awesome 2nd Cousin, Trevin.  They came all the way from Texas for me!

I fell in LOVE with my Ninny

Papa has scratchy arms, but I still love him lots

And he REALLY loves me too!

I hung out with my best Pal, Papa, a lot!

I threw a couple of fits....

I hung out with my Pops Ralph.  He's a good, sweet Man.

I played with Will.  He loves me so much. We missed each other when he left Heaven 4 months before me, so it was really good to spend time with him when I got here :)

I wore a swimsuit for the first time.  I felt so pretty in my bikini ;)

I spent a lot of time outside in my cool little tent!

I learned to smile when I am happy!

I dressed up in a fancy TuTu for Papa's birthday party :)

Griffin was obsessed with me and stole lots of licks.

I flew in an Airplane for the first time! I was SO good!!

My little heart broke when I had to say goodbye to Ninny and Papa

I had a really good 3 weeks in Boise.  But all good things MUST come to an end...or at least a halt (and hopefully just a temporary halt!).  I traveled all the way to Colorado to live for awhile.  I miss my Ninny and Papa so very much... I hope I can convince them to move here so that I can get lots of songs, hugs and kisses from Ninny and play Bear Trap and make silly faces with Papa soon.  My little heart is really sad and it hurts pretty bad when I think about how I had to leave them behind.  So Ninny and Papa, please come be with me.  I miss you so so so much and I really do love you as big as the beach. Ninny...my arms are waiting for you!

Love,

Lucy

Finally!

I would just like to take a quick break from life to write something about today that has been different from other days.  I know I talk about Lucy allllll the time and it gets old to everyone out there.  But today I am especially thankful for a few things.
I went to church today for the first time since Lucy Lu has been born, and I had a really good experience.  There is something about being in the presence of God (spiritually) while holding my little angel who is so perfect and fresh from Heaven that humbles a mother.  I was thinking about my life and how it has been good and fun and full of blessings.  But there is no other experience, except for motherhood, that I have enjoyed more.  My heart was so full of love today for little Lucy and I just feel the need to express some of it- whether it was bearing my testimony in front of a whole congregation, or blogging about it right now.  I can't seem to contain this feeling today for some strange reason.  So as I sit here and stare at my baby girl, I just want to express my gratitude for this perfect present I have been given.  I really felt my value on this earth today.

My whole life I knew without a shadow of a doubt that all I wanted to be when I grew up was a mom.  I never hesitated with that as my answer when people would say "what do you want to be when you grow up?"  But until that awesome moment arrived, I had NO IDEA how truly wonderful the title of "Mom" was/is.  And I felt my worth today more than any other day.  Like I said, I have talked about loving Lucy many times, but today it hit me that being her mom REALLY is my career in life.  I guess it's a little hard to explain.  I grew up wondering why I didn't excel at tennis, or art, or music, etc.  I was passionate about all of these things, but I never felt like I was the best at them. I waited 24 years to find that one thing that I am the best at.  I realized it today:  I am the best a being a mom.  It brings me more happiness and comfort than any other single thing in this world.  I was sent to earth to be a mother.  And I am so thankful that that is my "calling."  It fills my heart with SO much joy and love.

So I couldn't pass up the opportunity to write about my feelings today.  I didn't want to forget this day, among others, and let this moment pass me by.  Maybe other moms can relate to this "ah ha" moment; I'm not sure.  But for me, it was a wonderful feeling to hold my precious baby and feel her sweet spirit and know, finally, that I was sent here FOR her- to love and protect one of God's children.  How amazing and humbling that is!