Happy Birthday Papa!

Holly and I returned Monday from a long weekend in Memphis with Nana, Papa, and Aunt Leigh. I think Holly's favorite part of the trip, though, was Bud, my parents' golden retriever. She climbed on him, played the drums on him, pulled his hair, poked his eye, and nearly choked him trying to play with his "necklaces." Oh, she definitely loved being spoiled rotten by her grandparents, aunt, and family friends. But show her a dog and she's in heaven. And good ol' Bud, he was fine to let her amuse herself at his expense. Meanwhile, I got to spend great time with my sweet sister and 3 of my oldest (meaning longest!) and best friends - Rachael, Dori, and Carrie. We went to Memphis to surprise my Dad for his birthday, but in the end I feel the biggest blessing was mine. Great friends, wonderful family - I couldn't ask for more!

Sleeping Beauty

We've known if for 11 months - Holly Michelle Rife is a sleeper. Sleeping through the night at 8 weeks (moms out there, don't kill me!), Matt and I have been quite spoiled. Don't get me wrong - we have had those nights. Nights when one or both of us are up for hours, comforting a sick little girl. But for the most part, she puts in a good 12 hours every night. This does come with a downside...she's addicted to her crib. Doesn't sleep all that well away from home, and the Pack N' Play is for just that - playing. There is no place Holly would rather be than her crib.

Or so we thought.

I was trying to get some work done for Passion this morning, and Holly kept getting into things. Pulling CDs off the shelves, messing with electronics in the TV armoire, basically ransacking the house. I decided to put her in the kitchen in her Pack N' Play for a few minutes so I could get some work done. She seemed happy... I heard some talking and playing as she entertained herself with her blanket and stuffed moose. But then it was quiet. I walked in and -lo and behold - she was asleep. The girl who needs her crib and total silence to sleep had put herself down for a nap, right there in the middle of the kitchen, lights glaring (sorry Matt) and clothes dryer whirring.

What a sweet mom moment to see her curled up in a little ball (I never get to watch her sleep!), corner of the blanket in her mouth. And what a luxury to sneak in a shower while she slept...

Happy Birthday Pappy and Uncle Kelly!

This weekend we were in Greenville, celebrating and mourning. We celebrated the birthdays of Matt's dad and brother, which included a delicious, way-off-South-Beach brunch and ice cream cake a la Grammy. We mourned the losses of Virginia Tech and Auburn. Matt was actually pleased that his prediction (a 112 point LSU victory over VT) didn't come true. I was pleased that I had fallen asleep when Auburn lost in overtime. To South Florida.

Holly had a blast - I think time with Grammy, Pappy, Uncle Kelly and Aunt Megan did her well and helped her move past her cold. Playing with Kelly and Megan's dog Haley might have had something to do with her bright spirits... It was a wonderful time, and I'm reminded how blessed we are to have such great families. Thank you God!

Beginning

My first blog... I never thought I'd be a blogger! In my mind, bloggers are in the same category as computer game geeks and political hotheads (my apologies to all the people I just offended. Don't click on the "x" just yet!). Through this blog, I'm hoping to 1) keep you informed about what's going on in our family, 2) have a creative outlet in an otherwise pretty monotonous day, and 3) force myself to soak in the little blessings of the day that I tend to gloss over.

Thank you to my dear friend Candace Chaney who has inspired me to give this a shot. And to her husband, Jack, who says a good blogger MUST post frequently - I'll do my best to make you proud.