Busy busy busy

Been quite busy lately.  Lots of stuff going on.  Here's a rundown:

*My great-uncle got very sick suddenly and was in the hospital unable to talk.  Mom had this urgency to go see him, so we drove up that night.  We talked to him, and he knew who we were and understood what we were saying.  I told him that I loved him and to get back home so we could come visit again.  Within the week, he passed away.  As sad as I am, I'm so thankful that I got to see him one last time.  I'm glad he met Delilah, and I'm glad I got to tell him I loved him.  They're still trying to find out what caused him to pass. 

*I've been going to trivia night with a group of friends once a week.  I'd love to put where, because it's really a fun place, but I have some actual crazy people that read my blog, and I honestly don't want them to know where I go.  

*I've got 2 friends getting married within a year (October and March).  Ben and I are in both weddings!  Delilah is the flower girl in one of them.  I'm so excited and happy for all of them, and I can't wait to celebrate.  

*Working on getting our passports...it's such a darn process.  It's all coming together though.

*I got baptized and joined the church that I've been attending!  It was an awesome experience and I'm so glad that I did it.  I've really been growing and learning a lot in the church and I feel really at home there.  

*Delilah is saying more and more words every single day.  She can say more words than what's typical for her age, and can sign most of them as well as some that she can't say.  She communicates so well, and I'm just so proud of how smart she is.

*My computer died on me.  I was going to just wait around, use my phone, not worry about it...but Ben had me go out and get myself a new one today.  A brand new one.  A Mac.  He really takes care of me.  Delilah and I are so lucky to have him.  

*I ran a 5K!  I did it!  I am so incredibly proud of myself.  Ran the entire time and had a blast doing it.  It was the color run on the 1st of this month.  What a freaking fantastic time.  I'm looking to do some more!

*I'm getting a Bountiful Baskets started for Harrisonville. If you don't know what it is, you should.  http://www.bountifulbaskets.org

Picture updates:

painted this for a Disney redditgifts exchange

Pre-race. We were ready.

The three team runners!

Victory beers!

Part of my anniversary present.  The other part was a Keurig!

For my sister-in-law's birthday.

Sidewalk chalk paint. Easy to make.

She's such a cuddler!

Started a series of paintings pink+gray for Delilah's future room

Day at the park!

This dog loves her.

These two...they are just so adorable. He loves her so much, and she loves him!

Part of the wall of paintings for D's future room in Germany.

She got into my BRAND NEW lipstick.  When I caught her with it, she smiled and then signed "pretty" to me.  She was right, so I couldn't be mad!

Outside on her play set

Facetime with Daddy!

Completely unintentional-my footprint and she happened to step right next to it.

Trash bag couture.

Got baptized and joined my church!

Delilah and Mom were there to see me baptized!

Another beautiful day in my life.  I'm so blessed.

My beautiful, wonderful, smart, awesome daughter.

Friendzoning.

I can't tell you guys how sick and tired I am of hearing people complain about being "friendzoned".  It's absolute crap.  

Basically, people complaining that this exists don't understand friendship, nor do they understand how the real world works.  

There is no such thing as friendzoning.  Dudes that say that has happened to them have treated a woman nicely in hopes for sex later on.  That's not real friendship, that's not the kind of person a woman wants to be with.  You can't put X amount of niceness in and expect X amount of sex in return.  That's not the real world.  That's called being a giant douchy dick.  

Women can be friends with men and vice versa.  Shouldn't it be able to be that way?  I have plenty of guy friends, and even before I was married, none of them disrespected me or any of my other gal friends like this.  

Think you've been friendzoned?  Take a look in the mirror and tell yourself to grow up and be a man.  If a girl doesn't want to be with you, maybe you need to reevaluate the relationship, or keep being her friend, or both and find someone else to be interested in.  Not every girl wants you, even if you're nice to her.  

That's life.

/endrant

Visiting family

Well, the family reunion went wonderfully.  Got along famously with my cousins and my great uncle and great aunt.  The kids were some of the nicest, most well-behaved kids I've ever seen.  They didn't have their faces glued to any electronics, they all were playing outside and talking to the family.  Delilah loved all of them, and the feeling was mutual.  They'd run up and high five her or talk to her and she just soaked it all in.  Me, Mom, and Delilah got invited to the big 4th of July bash that they throw.  I think we're going to go. It's going to be a lot of fun.  I love that we are connecting with family again.

Aside from all the fun, I was really thankful that a couple of the estranged family members didn't show up.  We had a day without any family drama or issues, which is something that couldn't have happened if they had shown up.  It's kind of like they bring the Jerry Springer type vibe, and it's unpleasant.  There was someone there that hadn't met Delilah yet, and we didn't speak.  My choice. I don't enjoy her company due to her behavior stemming from her treatment of my grandma while she was sick with cancer. (Among other things).

Delilah, Mom, and I also went to go visit my other great uncle in the hospital tonight.  He is such a wonderful man, and is at a point now where he is coherent, but unable to speak.  No stroke, he just can't get the signals from the brain to the mouth.  I sat and talked with him, shared some yogurt covered pretzels with him.  He knew who I was, and knew who Mom was.  I told him about what was going on in my life, and Mom did the same.  Delilah perched near his bed and rubbed his knee.  He tried to smile.  I'm so lucky to have such a tender-hearted sweet baby.  She also gave him a fist bump and he seemed to like that.  

It is such a terrible thought to be completely lucid, but unable to speak.  He has a big family that loves him and will take good care of him though.  

Upcoming stuff:

I'm running in a 5K on Saturday!

Yes, I'm excited.

Yes, I'm nervous.

Yes, I think I'm ready. 

It's the color run, the happiest 5K on the planet.  I only wish Ben would be here at the finish line to see me run across it.  

Thanks.

Today, I'm thankful for:

1. A husband that I've known and loved for more than 10 years (Married almost 5) who works hard in the USAF to support us and make a great life for his family.

2. The most beautiful, intelligent, wonderful daughter in the world. My sweet Delilah brings me joy every single day.

3. A fantastic Mom who has my Grandma shining through her more and more every day.  

4. A great dad who gives and gives and doesn't ask for anything in return.

5. A super group of friends who I can count on for support anytime.  

6. 3 amazing furbabies that give me cuddles and love.

7. A warm house, nice things, and all the comforts that I need.

8. The ability to cook a healthy and delicious meal and share that with my family.

9. A church that I'm really feeling comfortable in.

10. Last, but not least, a true relationship with God.  Without Him, nothing I mentioned above would be possible.

In light of the recent tornadoes and devastation, let's all take a minute to be thankful for what we have.  

I need to be better about updating.

Phew. 

Life is a bit crazy with Ben gone and taking care of a toddler 24/7!  My mom and Jack are amazingly helpful.  Had a long week last week...first time Delilah had a hard time teething.  Once she was feeling better, I definitely needed a break, so I went out and saw friends a couple nights and Mom, Jack, and Lilah hung out.  It's amazing how close they are.  How excited Lilah gets when they get home.  It so reminds me of me and my Grandma and Granddad.  I absolutely love it.  She's so happy here.  The only thing that would make it better is if Ben was here.  

I made this dress. She's the perfect little model.

Started doing the RedditGifts exchanges and got this shirt!

On our way to Wichita to visit Uncle Eli!

Just like she did with Daddy.

Went to my friend's baby shower.  She's such a beautiful person, inside and out.

On our way back.  She's such a good travel buddy.

Made this dress too!  May the Fourth be with you!

Another dress I made.  Getting creative with the ribbon!

Walking the dogs on the beautiful sunny Missouri days.

Walking through the woods and came out into a clearing to find a hidden pond!

Made this dress too.  Anchors ahoy!

Been having playdates with a couple friends.  Total of 7 kids running around and it's actually not hectic at all.

She loves lipstick.

This beautiful work of art is hanging up in my living room.

Playing with Grandma in the playset box.

Made this dress too. I just can't help it.  She's so adorable.

Playing cards with Grandpa and the boys.

Enjoying her new playset. 

She loves to pick me flowers.

A good picture of her new play set.  Amazing.

I've been doing a lot of artsy stuff lately too.  Having a lot of fun with it and selling a lot as well.  I have one customer who has made at least 5-6 orders through me and is planning on more next month.  I love doing it. 

Sent this to Ben.

Cheshire Cat for my redditgifts person

So baby, friends, art, family makes up my life right now.  It's a good life.  

(Oh, and hello to the people who come here to get information about me.  Hope you found what you needed!)