Joy

This is what pure joy looks like to me!  She melts my heart every single day!

This weekend we are looking forward to a fun celebration - Devin and Grant's wedding!  This couple means so much to Cody and me.  They are some of our best friends and we love them dearly!

Happy Friday peeps! 

A first of my own

My very first Mother's Day!  It was truly special and an emotional day for me.  M is by far the best gift I could ever receive!  But she and Daddy picked me out a new purse and wallet, my grandmother made a scrapbook for M (she's so crafty), my mother in law is working on me a scrapbook, the church ladies worked hard to get M's footprints on a precious plaque and a beautiful deco mesh wreath!  I'd say I racked up!  :)  Here's a picture of our family of 3...I hope you both know how much I love you!

Happy Mother's Day to my precious Mom!  I hope you know how much I appreciate everything you've always done (and still do) for me!  I hope that I am half the mother that you have always been to me!  I love you!

 Monday, M went for her 4 month shots.  She cried for about 30 seconds and was fine before we even checked out. 
4 month stats: 12.9 lbs, 23 3/4 inches long.  Growing like a weed!  We can start adding baby food to her menu.  She's rolled over several times.  All tummy to back.  She loves her hands.  Drools a lot.  Laughs at the dogs.  Loves to sit beside Mommy and Daddy on the sofa.  Starting to like the Exersaucer although her feet do not touch.  Likes the Bumbo and mirrors.  Her eyes are still a deep dark blue.  Most people still say she looks like Daddy but on occassion I hear looks like me.  :)  Sleeps through the night MOST nights.  Loves to cuddle.  Sweet as pie!

Here's M after shots at my work.  She was very happy to see everyone...for a few minutes anyways.

I snapped this picture this morning.  She was sleeping so soundly.  When her hands are up, she's usually down for the count.  :)

I'm attempting to make M's baby food.  For a while anyways.  I say attempting because finding time to tackle another project is hard these days.  On Saturday, I made my first batch of sweet potato baby food.  It was pretty easy and tasted delicious.  My next will be applesauce.  I feel if I fall behind I have a few grandmothers who would be glad to chip in.  :)

The Lord is so so so good to me.  He blesses me far more than I deserve.  I hope that everything I do is done to glorify and praise him and that I am the mother to McKenna and wife to Cody that I need to be.

Much love,

Leah

One year

One year ago today, our great state was hit by the terrible tornadoes!  I'll never forget the devastation I saw and the outpouring of love and support from the neighboring communities.  I hope all the families affected on this day have found the peace and comfort in God that they need to rebuild their lives.  May God bless each of you.

Second, tomorrow would have been my Dad's 60th birthday.  The heart ache of never seeing my Dad again on this earth never ever goes away but I rejoice in knowing I will see him again in my heavenly home.  Happy Birthday Daddy and happy retirement!!  You retired a year early to be with the good Lord.  I love you and miss you like crazy! 

Third and lastly, I came into the living room last night to find Cody and McKenna doing some training exercises...She never ceases to amaze me.

Poor girl probably won't recogize her given name.  I hardly ever call her McKenna.  Here are the names she's most used to:
Precious
Baby girl
Snoozie
Sweet girl
Pretty
Tootie

Until the day he died, my dad called me knothead so I think it's only fitting that she has a fun name...but I must find something better.  I'd hate for her to go to kindergarten and demand her teacher to call her any of the above names.  :)

Happy weekend peeps! 
Much love and many blessings,
Leah

Working Mother

So I've been back at work since mid-March.  McKenna is such a lucky girl because she gets to stay with her Granna (Cody's Mom) during the day.  Such a blessing for M to stay with family!  Anna, we appreciate you keeping her more than you'll ever know.  Thank you!

And Anna sends me pics like these throughout the days...this is how I get by!!

The Easter bunny brought M a Jenny jump up.  She hasn't figured it out quite yet but it won't be long.  Disregard the dirty clothes and the hub's boot collection in the background and the creepy breathing by me...I was laughing...really!

Much love and Many blessings,

Leah

Happy 3 month!

M turned 3 months old today!  Time sure does fly.

Here she is smiling for Mawmaw Nana yesterday...

Mawmaw Nana is my grandmother, Irene.  I call her Mawmaw.  Before M was born, Mawmaw decided she wanted M to call her Nana.  So on her Valentine's Day card (I think), Mawmaw signed it Love, Mawmaw Nana and hence the name I now call her.  So cute.

Big prayers today for little Eli Kent...diagnosed with SMARD for which there is no cure.  Sweet boy and sweet family. 

Much love and Many blessings!
Leah

The Big 31...WHAT??!

Yesterday, I celebrated my 31st birthday!  What?!  Am I really 31?  Not that 31 is old, but I do not feel old at all!  I had a wonderful day!  I received lots of well wishes from friends and family!  So far I've racked up pretty nicely...money from family and my first pair of Tony Lama boots from "Daddy and Kenna."  My grandmother cooked my most favorite soup and lemon cake for dinner!  My mom will cook a joint birthday lunch for my cousin Jeff and I when we can all get together!  I actually said "ah, I'm 31 this year.  I don't have to have a party."  But the truth is, I love it and still like being made a fuss over every now and then.  :)

So thank you all for making my birthday special!  I am a blessed girl!

M's serious face:

Easter 2012: not the best shot but the best I got on my phone.  CW and M, I hope the two of you know that you have my whole heart!  I love you to heaven and back.

Much love and many blessings,
Leah

Working on her fitness

Miss McKenna joined me Saturday to run/walk. She was decked out in her sunglasses and I even had to put sunscreen on her! She's 12 weeks as of Monday and will be 3 months old early next week! CRAZY how time flies!
I cropped myself out because I was looking less than stellar...

A friend of mine's sister took this on Saturday also.  She's got a way with the lens!

Please remember the Robert Lawter Jr family in your prayers.  Robert, 52, passed away suddenly Sunday.  He was a partner in the SALT practice when I started at KPMG.  Such a kind man and always smiling.  He leaves behind his wife, Magda, and 2 precious young daughters.  Rest in Peace.