The Bright Spot

It's been a long rough few weeks for me and the near future isn't looking a whole heck of a lot better. Work is trying its darndest to consume me, and I'm fighting hard not to let it. Ever feel like you are juggling 15 balls all at once and know that at any given moment they could all come crashing down? Yep. That's me right now. In addition, we still haven't sold the Camero, and not one person has come to look at our house. We finally found the house we've been looking for for the past 7 months, but can't do a thing about it until we sell ours.
Double darn.
So, with all that being said, I am trying to focus on the bright spots in my life.
Exhibit A:



My gift to each of my associates is making the dessert of their choice. I've had 3 birthdays this month, so I have been keeping busy. Natalie has been a great helper, and has her reward, I let her lick the spatula. :) It's been a great ego boost for me, because everyone at work thinks I Martha Stewart and raves over my creations. I have a much tougher audience at home since my mother-in-law is much closer to Martha Stewart than I am, so I am taking the compliments when I can get them. :)
One of our friends from college who is now living in Chicago came down to visit us for a couple of days. She brought Natalie a little Chicago momento. Isn't she cute?


She still isn't good about leaving things in her hair, but she is getting a little better.
Here is one morning before church.


Most of the time, however, we are fighting this look:

So, despite all the poopie things that are spinning around me, I've got to focus on the blessings in my life, and know that all the crud is temporary. Christ is my true hope and Rock, and will carry me through all the storms of life.
Natalie has been "talking" up a storm, and her vocabulary is rapidly expanding. Some of her new words include:
towel, poop, toes, chin ("chim"), knee, flip flop, foot, hand, home, and the cutest of all, Amen
We also got her a potty and have been "learning" about the potty. We had some beginners luck, as she actually went poop on it the FIRST time she sat on it. Unfortunately, she's only gone one other time. We talked to the peditrician at her 18 month check up - 24lbs 33 1/2 inches, and perfectly healthy - and he reccomended a few months of learning, and then a concentrated period of training. For the training, I need to have a whole week to devote all day all week to it. We'll see when that happens.
Other than that, she has just been doing cute 18 month things like playing with her baby and Raggedy Ann doll and growing out of her shoes and socks. She is now in size 6 shoes and 18-24 month clothing.
This is also the last week at Ms. Edie's house. Next week she starts "big girl school" at St. Paul's Early Childhood Enrichment Center. We are excited for this new opportunity for her. The staff is wonderful, and she will be on the same campus as daddy.
I try to cherish all the moments I have with her and Nick.
I love them both so much!
When is vacation? :)