(I won't even risk the detriment of your vision by showing you my dorky beach self. Just trust me on this one...while sand-covered side-wedgies are charming on toddlers....definitely not so cute on the momma.)
I have been bus, busy, busy getting my house all ready for....my parent's visit!!! That's right, that's my big news, (told ya, exciting for me...not so much for anyone else, except my parents, that is) To put this into more perspective for you....I haven't had the pleasure of playing hostess for my parents in over two years! And the fact that they are coming all the way to Hawaii is huge, because due to the fact that my mom suffers from chronic and severe claustrophobia she has NEVER flown in an airplane....she is in her fifties (sorry mom for throwing your age out there hee-hee!) My mom has always been one to go for the big guns...no small trainer flight for her, no siree! She's starting off with the bug guns. A nice, long 15 hour ordeal to baptize her into the world of air travel.
Say a little prayer for her...and my dad. Not sure who will need them more ;-)
When I first moved to Hawaii, I never thought this ole Southern girl would notice the changing "seasons" of a tropical island...but after living here for two years I can definitely detect the difference! With the perpetually rainy winter season behind us, the Hawaii sun is bearing down full throttle...and we're loving it.
Isabella and I have been lolling about, going back and forth between pool and sunshine...soaking it up. If we're not going to the beach, we spend our afternoons in the back yard splashing about in her pool or running through the sprinklers. We always top things off with a popsicle and then we sleep. I noticed today that I have developed a fresh batch of freckles dusting every part of my body that has been exposed to the sun...I'm kind of digging this look.
I love these pictures. Isn't this what summer is all about? Playing in the yard in your bathing suit, popsicle stains on your mouth, and mosquito bites in every nook and cranny...man, I love summer.
I have some exciting news to share with you...well, exciting for me at least...
Today I am absolutely filled with it...for no particular reason except that Heavenly Father has blessed me and life is good.
Before I smother you in photos and wax poetic about how wonderful toddlers with popsicles are...Sweet Tamerie over at ALittleofThisThatandtheOther Was kind enough to award me with this! Definitely give her sweet page a visit. Thankyou Tamerie, you're such a peach! :)
Below is Isabella's favorite playmate...together they enjoy making up silly songs and running amuck. I took them out on the front porch for popsicles this afternoon and kicked back in my lawn chair to enjoy one myself...as I was watching those two rejoicing over their popsicles I couldn't help but feel my soul begin to smile.
All of this week's stress and anxiety just sort of melted away, like the treats in their sticky little hands.
My sweet little Bella trusts me to take care of her, she knows without a doubt that every morning she will be dressed, fed, and changed. For her, it's just a part of everyday life...and in an ah-ha moment I realized that my Heavenly Father will always do the same for me if I put my trust in Him. I prayed silently while I watched them and peace engulfed me like a warm blanket. I began to giggle and smile with them and grabbed my camera to capture the moments of their sweet excitement. Seeing their smiles and listening to their gleeful squeals of delight...it just thrilled me...toddler happiness is such a genuine and uninhibited thing, much too sweet to let pass you by.
How sweet life can be when you just give your problems to Him! I'm filled with joy...absolutely immersed by it. I took the time to soak up what I had been missing all around me while I was so deeply preoccupied by my funkish week...While walking through the neighborhood the sprinklers kicked on, I saw the immediate longing flash in Isabella's eyes...Oh, why not? We charged them alright! We went running through those sprinklers, giggling, flailing our arms and making spectacles of ourselves, the neighbors now think I'm a complete screwball, but I don't care because one mommy saw us having such a blast that she let her little girl out and they joined us...and I made an amazing new friend! I guess the point of my ramblings are, trust in Him...leave your worries and cares to Him, and He will bless you. (Is this too preachy? I'm sorry...I just had to share this...it's the best thing that has happened to me all week)
And now, after much lamenting, I have come to the conclusion that I am a sporadic blogger at best, no matter how hard I try to be otherwise. I'm just going to have to accept me for who me is...so, thanks for staying with me :)
Like mother, like daughter.
