Not ME!!

It's that time again. I'm starting to feel a little self conscious though....we'll see how long these"not me" Mondays last!!

Okay, I didn't skip going to Grandma's house on Mother's Day because I wanted to hang out with my husband and daughter...I DID go today though.

I didn't knock Ayla down two cement steps with a grocery bag and not even know until she started to scream!! Bad mommy.

I didn't "forget" to cancel my original cleaning ladies so that my house gets cleaned twice this week(((((((SHhhhhhh))))))) They are cancelled now though...and we had a showing today, good thing they came ;)

I didn't hide 5-6 pair of shoes in a cooler in the basement before our house was shown today

I'm just going to stop here, that's all I can fess up to at one time......I bet you can't wait for next week!!

Mother's Day....

It's funny how Mother's Day changes. When I was young, it meant being really well behaved and making my mom breakfast. Later...maybe in my early 20's, it meant more. I started to realize that some of those awful rules and punishments may really have been for my own good ;)

On my first Mother's Day as a mommy, it was kind of fun but still seemed to be about my own mom. Now, it is such a mix of emotions. I have such a respect and love for my own mother - I have always respected and loved my mother but this is different. A new found understanding of what life is really all about. It really is hard to put into words. It's crazy to finally "get" just how much my own mom loves me and all of the sacrifices she's made for me. All I can think is "WOW, what an amazing woman she is!" Our lives have not been easy, our family has bounced up and down with personal and health issues through the years but there has never been a question of love. Never.

I want to be more like my own mom. I want Ayla to remember going to the movies on a random Wednesday night and having popcorn for dinner. I want her to laugh when she sees pictures from "back in the day" when I pushed her and her sibling up a huge hill in a wheelbarrow(we were NOT small kids). I want her to remember family vacations. When she gets older, I want her to realize what a labor of love being a mother is. No doubt, this is the hardest job I've ever had in my life but nothing could be better.

Today has been an amazing day. We met my parents at church and then had brunch reservations at the Prestige(YUM). Ayla got to give my mom {insert gift here, but later Grandma Carol hasn't gotten hers yet} she was very excited about it. Darren, Ayla and I hung out at home. Ayla and I napped together and I loved having her snuggle right in, she fits me perfectly. I'm certain that God does that on purpose. I got great presents and gorgeous flowers from Darren and Ayla, but really, they don't even matter. I just love being a mom and having a fantastic husband. I am blessed.

Darren snapped a couple of shots of Ayla and I before naptime. The sun was in our eyes and Ayla was being silly but I love them anyway....me and my little miracle.

My little girly-girl

Ayla loves dress-up, earrings, bows, purses, SHOES, tutus - all of it really. I find it a bit funny because as a little girl I was the complete opposite. I climbed trees, caught snakes, played in the dirt and wore overalls or corduroy pants. My mom tried her darndest to put me in dresses but I would have none of it. I'm glad that Ayla is so girly because she's kind of like having a real life doll. She's fun to shop for and dress. She's my hobby! :)

Anyway, I went to get a pedicure the other day and Ayla wanted to go too...okay fine. When we got there she ran right up to the wall of polishes to pick her color...I have no idea how she knew what to do...it's like she was born to be a princess. We picked our colors and I got started on my pedi. I look over and Ayla is sitting at the little table with her hands up on the counter. She had her fingernails and toenails polished, they even put flowers on her big nails. She was in love. I hope she doesn't get to used to this.....hahaha!!

The lady was so sweet to her!

Very proud of her big-girl self

Baby toes!

Does this match Mommy?

"Yes Ayla...it matches. Other foot please, we're going to be late for school."

"I think I need brown socks"

"Uh, we're going to wear white socks today...with your white shoes. Maybe you can wear brown socks tomorrow(when you're at home rather than school)"

"I need a necklace. I have to wear a necklace with my monkey shirt"

"Push you arms through....Okay, lets pick out a necklace"

"Do these bows match Mommy?"

"Head still, one more piggy tail left. Yep, the bows came with the outfit...Gymbo always matches"

"I love Gymbo Mommy!"

Is she not perfectly gorgeous?

Funny face!!

Monkey hoodie

Okay....now off to school you little monkey!

Not me Monday.....

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week. I decided to join in because it's kind of fun and a little like going to confession!

Hmmm, what have I not been doing for the last week?

I haven't dumped, I mean lovingly left my child with my mom on three separate occasions this week so that I could get things done at home for my house to be put on the market.

I haven't shown up at the dog park(with my 2 dogs of course) in pajama pants(okay, pajama shorts)with no underwear so my house could be shown. And I certainly wasn't running out the back door with my dogs as the realtor was opening the front door. Nope, not me.

And lastly, I haven't been secretly excited all day long knowing that tonight Darren and Ayla will go to gymnastics and I'll be home...ALONE!

EDITED TO ADD - - - -

I can't believe I forgot this one! I definitely didn't convince my husband that the reason I now need a cleaning lady weekly rather then bi-weekly is because our house is on the market!

Dear Gigi and Papa.....

Okay, so you two are great parents...we turned out okay, right?? Well, decent anyway! You're loving, playful, kind and fun - I get that. But seriously, why is it that our daughter ranks you at a cool 10 and Darren and I are a 7 or so? I'm only half kidding.

***Ayla LOVES going to Gigi and Papa's house. She was there 3 times this week and even spent the night on Saturday. She was there from 1pm Saturday until 2pm Sunday. Do you think she wanted to come home? Nope. She actually ran to the neighbors yard trying to escape being strapped into the van. Luckily I had her Yo Gabba Gabba guys to bribe her with. She talks about them many times a day and is always sad to leave them(especially since it's just us she gets to go home with)***

So Mom and Dad, what do you do?? Is it the sweet treats? Is it trips to the toy store? I have a feeling that it has something to do with the fact that when she enters your presence, your world stops and becomes about her. She knows without even having to hear it that you love her. Whatever it is...thank you. This little girl of ours adores you and it melts my heart to see the relationship she has with you. As they say, it takes a village and you two are are very intricate part of her village. Love you!!