Adoration

There is nothing that prepares you for the adoration of a baby.

In all my adult life, I’ve been praised for things I’ve done, accomplishments, achievements. I’ve never, however, been awarded simply for being alive.

That’s what a baby does for you. When I’m nursing Brielle or changing her diaper, smoothing back her crazy curls or rubbing lotion into her soft, chubby arms, she looks up at me with complete amazement.

And then she smiles that sweet, sweet little grin … well, that’s love, pure and simple. It doesn’t matter to her what I look like (or smell like), if I make enough money or keep an immaculate home. All that matters is that I’m her mommy and I’m with her.

To be present is enough to gain my daughter’s complete devotion.

{Photo courtesy of K Giese Photography. Be sure to check out Krista's beautiful photos – I'm sure you'll see some familiar faces!}

Just right quick

Does anybody else say that? "I'll be there, just right quick?" No? Am I the only ungrammatical one in the bunch?

Hmmm.

Anyway, I just had to post this just right quick: I won a $100 Amazon gift card from Ashley at Money Saving Mom by participating in her Pin-A-Thon!

Seriously, I'm so excited! (And thank you, Ashley!)

I recently started entering blog giveaways after being inspired by reading about other moms' success with them. And though I don't believe in "luck", I am not usually the person who wins things.

Then I discovered blogs that list low-entry giveaways, like Tight Wad in Utah and Oh So Savvy Mom (usually under 200 entries). Most nights, once Evangeline is asleep and I'm cuddling with Brielle, I spend about 30 minutes to an hour entering these giveaways. Our budget is tight, as I'm sure many households are with young children, so to satisfy my shopping cravings, I get my retail therapy by entering contests.

Even without winning today, I'd probably keep on entering, but now that I've had a taste of success, I'm sure my efforts will be renewed.

I had to share, just right quick. And may the odds be ever in your favor.

Denim + colorblocked

I think working in downtown Lincoln has made me a little more adventurous in my wardrobe choices. 

Granted, I rarely see anyone who doesn't work with me, but I'd like to think I'd fit in with the trendy Haymarket crowd. Or at least not stick out like a complete out-of-towner ... 

Colorblocked jersey dress - Delia's - thrifted

Denim blazer - LOFT - thrifted

Gray booties - Sam and Libby - 6pm.com

Evangeline's PJs were a big sister gift, and speaking of being a big girl, when did her legs get so long? 

She's a total mushpot these days, giving hugs and kisses out like she invented them.

You won't hear me complaining ...

Lime + zebra

On a dreary Monday, this graphic print cardigan and lime green long-sleeved T-shirt helped brighten my day. Also, the cute baby helped just a little bit ...

Zebra print cardigan - Eyeshadow - thrifted

Lime green long-sleeved T-shirt - Mossimo - thrifted

Black pants - Express - thrifted

Boots - Sam & Libby via 6pm.com

Brielle's dress - Gymboree - gift 

Human stories

"There are only two or three human stories, 

and they go on repeating themselves as fiercely 

as if they had never happened before."

O Pioneers!

We're born. We grow up. We have disappointments and triumphs. We fall in love and out of love. We struggle and cry, flourish and laugh. We grow older, fatter, wiser. We age. We die.

When I consider my life, I am reconciled to the fact that it is a brief hiccup in the human symphony, a quarter note of song quickly over. Death is unwelcome, certainly, but it is no stranger.

That is, for myself.

But when I consider the lives of my daughters, I refuse to accept that their existence is anything but ordinary.

How can it be, when their arrivals into the world changed my life forever?

It's true, their lives will follow a similar path to mine, to every other human person who draws breath. Their stories, though the details may vary somewhat, will be in essence sequels of mine. And my story is merely a sequel to those of who came before me.

It doesn't mean, however, that a familiar story is not worth hearing again.

My life has been full of tremendous joy. I do not know how much of it I have left, but if my 27 years are all I'm allotted ... I can't say I've wasted them.

If my daughters' stories, their lives, have purpose and are full of love, then those are human stories worth repeating.

"You remember what you once said ... 

the old story writing itself over? 

Only it is we who write it, with the best we have."

O Pioneers!