Wedding Photos

Remember back in May, when I said my cousin Sarah was getting married? Well, she tied the knot on July 14th. As we were exchanging emails yesterday, she emailed me the link to all of her wedding photos. They turned out beautifully! Didn't she make a beautiful bride!?! I can't wait to see the album her and her husband, Dave put together. Here's a sneak peek...

The Newlyweds

My dad's family...well, most of us.

Brooklyn and Erin (my youngest cousin, in the red) dancing, dancing!

A shot of our table
(from left to right: Kevin, me, Jenn, Jon,
my sister Samantha, Jenn's sister Allison)

My hubby getting his groove on!

The happy couple headed for their honeymoon...
aren't they such a cute couple!?!

Rejected Commercial

This video is of a rejected TV commercial. I can't stop laughing.

Ewww...worms!

Since last weekend came and went without us really getting to do anything fun, or getting to venture outdoors, we decided last night to head to the mall to walk around. Before the mall, we grabbed a bite to eat at Mimi's Cafe. The food was really good, the atmosphere was cozy and our waiter was amazing. Brooklyn enjoyed her meal of Pepperoni Pizzadillas, fresh fruit and veggies, along with all the extra goodies such as fresh, warm bread and part of Mommy's blueberry muffin. As per usual, the waiter cleared our plates and then asked if we were thinking of dessert. We declined, but he asked if it were alright if Brooklyn had her dessert. After finding out what the dessert was, I said that would be fine.

Now, you have to know that Brooklyn does not have a sweet tooth at all. In fact, she would much rather have green beans over chocolate any day. And, she completely despises fruit beyond blueberries and raspberries. I am okay with this, too.

When the waiter brought her dessert, chocolate pudding with gummi worms mixed in and topped with Oreo cookie crumbs, she gave me this weird look, like what am I do to with this!?! I grabbed a spoon and showed her that it was okay. She tasted the pudding, and seemed to like it. But, then, she stuck her fingers in the pudding, and grabbed ahold of a red, wide gummy worm. She pulled it out with a horrified look on her face. I encouraged her to try a bite. The minute that she did, she gave us a disgusted look. Daddy ate the red worm. She went back to eating at the chocolate pudding, and hit another worm, this time it was green. You could tell by the look on her face that she was absolutely confused, and a little disgusted. She handed the green worm to Daddy, and he ate it. She didn't really want to have anymore to do with this so-called dessert, but really didn't want anyone else touching it either.

I hope she doesn't think we were trying to get her to enjoy actual worms, because she has seen those in the garden, and is incredibly disgusted by them. The poor girl...

Three Peas in a Pod

The saying "three peas in a pod" describes our weekend. I couldn't fight off my impending illnesses with mind tricks, Kevin caught the ugly bug and poor lil' Miss Brooklyn, she was so hoarse on Saturday, she couldn't even cry or laugh.

We went through a couple boxes of tissues, watched several movies, sat in about a dozen steamy showers, took warm baths, read a lot of books, napped and cuddled.

Finally today, we are all seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. Brooklyn's voice has returned along with her cries, her laughs are on the way soon. She is no longer filled with chest congestion, and is breathing much, much easier, and is really a ball of energy. Kevin and I finally shook our sinus headaches and sore throats, and are now just stuck with tissue in hand.

Some might say that being sick all weekend must have sucked, well, it did, kinda. But, to be honest, it was really nice to have a really low-key, at-home weekend with my husband and my daughter. Just the three of us, like three peas in a pod.

Under the Weather...

There's nothing that sucks more than getting sick just when the weather outside is so perfect...not too hot and not too cold...especially if you enjoy the outdoors as much as my family does. You don't want to be stuck inside feeling under the weather, you want to be outside enjoying the weather.

Brooklyn came down with a cold Wednesday. This morning she woke up at 5 a.m. with really bad chest congestion, a hoarse voice and just the sound of her breathing sounded like snoring. Awful, just awful! After complying with her request to "urse" we sat in the dark bathroom with the hot shower running filtering the air with warm, steamy, damp air. You get so warm and sweaty in there, but it does feel really good to breathe in that moisture in the air. It really helped to loosen the mucus that has decided to reside in her chest too. She finally got settled back down for another 30 minutes before she decided it was time for "bilk." I wasn't too crazy about the idea, simply because dairy creates more mucus, thus more chest congestion, but when you aren't feeling well, you should get a little of what you want. So, she drank some "bilk" and was quite content. Today, she is resting at home with daddy, reading books, cuddling and watching parts of a movie, and I am at work.

At lunch, I picked up a new filter for her humidifier and a get-better-soon-sweetie toy. She's really into fire trucks...very intrigued by the siren and by the flashing lights...so know she has a Little People Fire Truck to play with complete with a firefighter and a dalmatian. I can't wait to get home to show her and simply just scoop her up and give her tons of TLC tonight.

As a mom, it really makes you feel terrible when your child gets sick. I want to be able to take the cruddy feeling, the cough, runny nose, chest congestion, etc. away from her, but (un)lucky for me this time, I already have the sore throat. Yuck. I've been drinking a lot and taking some Tylenol as well as giving my body and mind the usual talk of "you feel fine, it's just a little scratchy throat." It seems to be working so far. I had a moment about an hour ago that I felt sick complete with burning eyes and achy body, but my pep-talk to myself seems to be working. Who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks!?!

Now, my goal for the rest of the night and for this weekend is to get my little girl feeling better and get her back to --- strewing every toy around the house, emptying every shelf that contains books (like we do at the library! We checked out 33 library books last time we went), running around wearing any shoes she can find, spraying Mommy and Daddy with the hose in the backyard, chasing the dog around the houses with the threat of her dancing with him, dumping a cup of ice on the floor...anything for Brooklyn to be back to her usual spunky, independent self. I will admit, I love being all cuddly with her though when she doesn't feel well or is tired, but I would rather be chasing her around than having her feeling under the weather.

Incredible Photo

Isn't this photo just absolutely amazing? I just had to share it.

I need to tell you something.

"I need to tell you something. Before I do, it's not my fault. I didn't encourage it."

Any conversation that starts out like that isn't going to end good. My grandma, who watches Brooklyn twice a week, as my husband and I go to work, called me after they returned from their morning walk. She said they had fun, got to see the little dog across the street, and Brooklyn got to munch on GoldFish crackers. Then, she said the above statement. My heart immediately started pounding... what happened?

My grandma tells me that before they went on their walk, she had her back to Brooklyn. Brooklyn started pulling on her pant's pocket looking for her pacifier, and she said "MaMa." My first reaction was, oh, yeah, she does that with me all the time. Not a big deal. She recently (within the past few days) has learned to say "gramma," but it's not a word that she is very confident in saying yet, so she only does so ever so often.

But, when my grandma repeated that it wasn't her fault, that she wasn't encouraging it and asked me if she should correct her, my heart got a little heavy. I immediately said that I know she didn't encourage it and yes that she should correct her should it happen again. My grandma said that maybe Brooklyn called her MaMa because she's there with her today. I told her that she probably got confused, and that she just wanted her pacifier.

We ended the conversation with my grandma saying "I hope you're not mad, I just had to tell you."

I'm not mad. I know that my grandma isn't encouraging it, or that it isn't her fault. Brooklyn knows who her MaMa is, there's no doubt about it. But, I tell you what, there is nothing that makes you miss your lil' girl more than hearing this. I just want to drive home and give her a snuggle...

Miracles from God

I just found this video on another blog. I had to post it on mine. It's a very true reminder that EVERY child is simply a miracle from God. It reminded me what a blessing Brooklyn is in my life. Life simply would not be the same without her. And, I am so glad that God has bestowed upon Kevin and I the honor of raising her and being her parents. Nothing in this world is sweeter!

Brooklyn Goes to the Fair

MetroWest Newspapers (where Kevin works) sent a covert operative to cover the Adams County Fair Kids Day Aug. 3. 20-month-old Brooklyn, in her first real reporting gig, did it all and even dodged up some Carnie haggling, to give this first person report, with the help of her mom and dad, on all the happenings.

9:55 a.m.

Waiting, waiting, waiting in a long line of cars. Mommy and Daddy say we’re going to the fair. They have repeatedly told me this will be fun. That’s reassuring. If it’s something like shots or getting my face washed, they always promise the fun will come afterwards.

10:05 a.m.

In my stroller, ready to go. Wait, I hear a cow. Cows again. My parents took me to a dairy farm last week and now I’m really beginning to think they like cows.

10:10 a.m.

We’re in a big building now and it’s very loud. I hear chickens clucking and geese. Oooh, are those bunnies. I want to pet a bunny.

15 seconds later

Mom, you must be crazy, there’s no way I’m touching that bunny. No, no, no, okay, not so bad. It’s kind of like petting my doggy.

10:15 a.m.

These are certainly funny animals. They keeping going “bah, bah, bah.” Daddy says they are lambs. Mommy says, “they smell bad.” We don’t stay long.

10:20 a.m.

This seems to be a regular occurrence. Anytime we go somewhere, my parents end up at this machine where they stick a card in and green paper comes out. Then Daddy stuffs the green paper in his wallet really quick like somebody might take it. Then, for the next two hours, he gives it away to everyone we meet.

10:25 a.m.

I’m getting a tiara. I’m getting a tiara. Mommy is a total sucker for anything pink and purple. Funny thing about these two, if I point and coo, I can pretty much get anything I want.

10:35 a.m.

OK, I’m going on a camel. Mommy says this will be fun and she rides with me. What’s a camel? Whoa, that’s a camel. We’re way high up in the air. Daddy is snapping pictures of us on the ground.

When we’re all done, Daddy asks if I had fun? I nod yes. Mommy said she had fun too. In fact, she said for $5 bucks a person, she wishes the ride would have been a lot longer. Whatever that means. Maybe it has to do with the green paper.

10:50 a.m.

I’m really not sure about this. This is usually what happens right before I get a shot. Mommy puts me on her lap, lifts up my sleeve and BAM! Oh, wait, this girl is drawing a monkey on my arm. Well, that is kind of cool. Daddy says it’s my first tattoo and my last.

10:55 a.m.

I just got my own Cowgirl hat from the Adams County Fair Queen. I got a signed picture of her, too. Maybe, some day, I’ll be fair queen. Why not? I already have the tiara.

11:15 a.m.

I love fire trucks and now I get to sit in one. This is too cool. The firefighter even offers that I can get all dressed up in fire gear like my Daddy did. But, I’m happy touching all the different knobs and gizmos. Now, how do I make that siren go?

11:25 a.m.

For some reason, those people don’t like my Dad. They’re yelling at him to come over and win a prize. My Dad looks a little worried and mumbles something about “carnies.” The stroller is going a lot faster.

11:30 a.m.

My first carnival ride. This is a boat that spins around and around. Obviously, I’m no sailor but where are you going to get on four inches of water and spinning in a circle. I don’t even have a periscope. This is a joke. Oh, wow, my parents seem really excited. I’ll give them a smile next time around and they’ll buy me more stuff.

11:40 a.m.

Another ride, this is so cool. Seriously, I had my doubts after Daddy said “he wouldn’t be caught dead on a carnival ride” but they’re letting me go. I’m sitting in a purple dinosaur that looks a lot like that one from the Flintstones. Ok, a little fast for me. Where are Mommy and Daddy? Alright, they still look super excited so it must be alright.

11:55 a.m.

I’m getting to play my first carnival game and all I have to do is pick a duck. I pick and, wait, all I get is this inflatable dolphin? I want the life-size Shrek? I better talk to Daddy about sharing more green paper.

12:05 p.m.

All right, Mommy and Daddy look like they are going to melt so this is the final stop. What better way to end my day at the fair than a carousel ride? Again, my preference would be a real horse or even that camel but this will work.

12:15 p.m.

Back in the car and I think it’s time for a nap. This was so much fun. I’ve got to come back to the fair next year.

Missy needs...

This fun little game has been circulating around the internet, so I thought I’d hop on board. Type your first name, followed by the word needs, into the Google search engine (make sure to put ” ” around the two words), and see what the universe reveals about you! Since my first name is uniquely spelled (Malisa), I used my nickname Missy. Keep in mind though as you read my list, that a lot of people name their pets Missy.

Without further ado...behold all MY inner secrets:

Missy needs...HELP!
Missy needs...a new home in Ohio urgently.
Missy needs...some fresh blood.
Missy needs...a paddle on the bottom.
Missy needs...her medicine.
Missy needs...her lover back.
Missy needs...a forever home with the retired.
Missy needs...an X-Ray.
Missy needs...2 STOP. (I think my sister started this one!!)
Missy needs...to go back to keeping it funky and futuristic.
Missy needs..."her hair did."
Missy needs...her diaper changed.
Missy needs...a huge cellular message release. (that doesn't sound fun!)
Missy needs...sheep to make her rich.
Missy needs...a positive obedience class.
Missy needs...a Port-A-John
AND, lastly, Missy needs... a patient, caring home with someone willing to put some time in to training her and building her confidence.

WOW! That was fun and funny... You should definitely try it out sometime.

Meet my family...Simpsonized!

THE DADDYTHE MOMMYTHE DAUGHTER

My Dancing Princess

There's a video stream on the right side of my blog, toward the bottom.. I caught Brooklyn in the dancing act last night after we got back from family night at our community's swimming pool. She's grooving to her absolute favorite song "Sweet Escape" by Gwen Stefani. This song has been played over and over and over again in my car ever since our South Dakota trip where we first introduced her to it because of it's upbeat melody thinking she would start dancing. Boy, were we right! And, now, I am trying desparately to hook her to a new group of songs from Curious George. Mommy and Daddy know it's time to change songs when we can sing the song word for word, even the backup singer parts and the melody. The video is a bit grainy simply because I caught all the action on my cell phone, but it's still really cute and worth a watch!! ENJOY!

I am being tested

For a birthday present, my grandma gave me "The Purpose Driven Life" by Rick Warren. I have really and truly wanted to do this 40-day in-depth study about God's purpose for my life for a long time now. My grandma had no knowledge of this, it's just something I talked with Kevin about. But, nonetheless, my grandma chose this book for me to read because she has really enjoyed Rick Warren's writing and thought I might too.

So, after some consideration on Kevin's part, we started this 40-day journey together as a couple. We're about 8 days in, and we're already in awe, and ready for what God has to teach us. After each chapter, there's a section for points to ponder, scripture and a question to answer. Right now, we are really at the beginning, an introduction to what lies ahead if you will. But, even so, one of the points to consider has really hit home with me - "Life is a test." Hmm.. As I read on a dear friend's blog, if you pray to God for Him to give you patience, you won't simply be rewarded with patience, but yet given times to practice patience. It makes sense, doesn't it? We can't immediately get everything we ask for without a struggle. If we did, then what would we learn? Nothing.

For the past couple days, I keep repeating to myself that "Life is a test." How I handle things makes a big difference. So, with this in mind, I feel that God decided it was time for Him to test me.

Monday, I was working on catching up with some laundry since I hadn't done much the week before. I had a completely full load, but I grabbed Brooklyn's clothes hamper and added almost all her dirty clothes to the load. It was beyond full. I'm such a stickler for how my laundry is done, which is why I am the only one that does our laundry. I have items that dry all the way, some that fluff for a little while and then are hung up and some that aren't dried at all. So, when the washer completely the rinse and spin cycle, I opened up the lid and started filling my dryer with all the wet clothes. Suffice it to say, my dryer was packed. As I started the fluffing process, by drying and then stopping the dryer to remove a few things and then start the dryer again, my dryer just stopped. I thought something was stuck in the door. Nope. Hmm.. maybe I didn't have the dial on the correct thing. Nope. Maybe if I unplugged and replugged. Nope. Nothing seemed to work. At the same time, Kevin was still at work, Brooklyn was wanting me to play with her by covering her up with a new blanket over and over again, and Shiloh, our beagle, was howling because he wanted upstairs and the gate was up. I had really wanted to get this load completely finished before Kevin came home, but now I realized that wasn't going to happen.

But, then, something in my attitude changed. I was starting to get a little frustrated, but then I looked upward and said, "you're testing me, aren't you?" I spent the next almost half hour, hanging all the wet clothes up on hangers and on a clothes line, covering Brooklyn with her blanket over and over, letting the dog upstairs to roam around and greeting Kevin when he came home - all with a smile on my face. When I told Kevin about the possible broken dryer, and after all the wet clothes were tended to, I tried to turn the dyer on again, and viola...it worked. Was this indeed a test from God? I truly believe it was.

This is just one small example of how God is currently working in my life, and I am so excited to see what more is in store for me as I work my way through "The Purpose Driven Life."