random recent pics

 Lily is wearing her big bro's shoes... they are enjoying each other lately & like playing together.  Every morning as we are getting back in the van after dropping Peter off at preschool, she asks "ere's Pete?!"  (She knows the answer by now, she's just in the habit of asking.... so sweet!) 

 my 2 fav men

playing in the last patch of snow they found at the river

 i still like (LOVE) to hold her like a baby!!

the before pink and the to-be after "bleeker beige"... still in progress

today

It was a crazy morning (in real life and in my head)... 
went walking with Blair (that was the good part),
but Lily woke up with a red, inflamed, raw looking chin (ugh, it just hurts my spirit!),
then while I am showering, Peter decided to sneak a muffin (that we made yesterday) and leave a trail of crumbs thruout the entire house!  UGH.  No time to clean it up.
We leave late for Peter's audiology appt after rushing, rushing to all get ready, make 2 wrong turns near the school (into a park next door and into the school bus driveway) so arrive late too.
When I go into the "booth" to sit with Peter, Lily cries like crazy.  I leave the booth and Lily continues to cry b/c she doesn't understand why Peter is still in there (which IS sweet that she cares, but its just so frustrating for "us" to not be able to "behave" as the professionals who are helping us would like for us to... i.e., crying child that I have to help instead of being in the booth with Peter like they'd like me to be & we are not being quiet like we are supposed to be)... not loving 18-24 mos.  GOOD NEWS is that Peter's hearing is PERFECT!  I am thankful... had been praying, praying on the way over for God to allow me to submit to whatever His will is for Peter's life, despite my craziness. I am sure He would do that but I thank Him for perfect hearing.  (I'd assumed it was normal but you know that you never really know.)  Thankfully, the lady who tested was patient with us.  I can never thank others enough for that!  I promptly call Mike and leave him a message that Peter's hearing is great and I am getting a babysitter (for Lily)!  Hopefully, my last eval/therapy appt with both of them.  Its just not do-able.  Then outside, its like 20 degrees and the stroller won't close (there's stickiness in the lever-thingy from juice a while ago)... I almost decide to leave it in the parking lot.  I just felt so worked up.  Emily had to bear the brunt of it as she happened to call after we got home.  I wish I was more patient.  God help me.  
Thankfully, this afternoon has been better.  I've spent about 2 hours painting (the dining room, yay!)... now that I'm a little in, I can see progress, its not the frustrating initial feeling of thisisgoingtotakeforever!  Painting is nice b/c its just so mindless & the time to myself has given me the chance to regain my composure.  Thank you Lord!  

Admiration

My hat goes off to working moms!  My house has been in upheaval all week b/c I have used naptime to do this course.  My body just feels like its been racing all week to get this extra something done (the mental burden is as bad as the physical).  The grass is greener this week on my non-working side of the fence.  Sometimes I do wonder what it would be like to work part time but after this week, I'm reminded that I have it pretty darn good!

trying to press on

I am pushing thru my chemo certification renewal course.  I'd rather be re-doing my dining room.  I found curtains at a consignment shop at the river... so am scheming my dining room re-do.  Here's the fabric...

Rose Tree St Croix

This picture isn't a great representation.  Its way too busy looking & matchy-matchy.  But I found the long window panels (no valance, like in the picture) and so am using them as my starting point.  I am dreaming of non-pink walls, too.  How hard is it to be doing an online course when there are blogs and website galore full of ideas....  press on, press on... off to more lessons....

and it is nice to be learning!!

i heart these pants

I wanted to get a picture of Lily in the outfit she wore today so I followed her around this eve (when I was supposed to be getting her in bed) to take pics of her.  I'm not sure who the pants came from but I found them in a box of handmedowns I went thru yesterday and I just love them...  so she had to wear them today... with her little white bubble shirt, new black cardigan from Gram, and black shoes.  Yes, the love attacks for her continue...  it's the cheeks too!!  Really, every inch of her.

 Playing with Pete's tools (she now calls him Pete, sounds like "Bete", most of the time)

Note the play doh on her shoes... I like to think I've relaxed a little ;)

 "Cheese"... I think she inherited the "blink for the camera" gene...

 she's carrying her dog around in the purse she got from Maw for Cmas

 (Mike was being the more responsible parent and getting Peter ready for bed)

 She likes to carry a bag around and say "BYE!"

Adoring this girl just never gets old...

Cinny

This is the sweet queen kitty of the Dennis house, Cinnamon.  

She's been our girl since 1990 so was 21+ years old.

Tho I am not a huge animal person now, I've always been attached to Mom and Dad's animals (the ones we grew up with, that is)... so my eyes are a little teary b/c she is no longer with us.

She was quiet and gentle, very feminine and graceful so by her sweetness, she earned the position of Queen C.  

We loved you and will miss you, Cin-Cin!

peter's quote of the day

(we are in the van and peter is talking about growing up to be mommies and daddies.  i explain that boys grow up to be daddys and girls grow up to be mommys...)

he says "When I grow up to be a Daddy, I want to rock Lily"... oh, my sweet boy