In the Army

David's brother John graduated and commissioned in (to?) the Army this weekend.  Four out of five of David's siblings were there, and it was fun for to have the family together.  I can't believe it's time for John to go serve our country; time for a new phase of life I guess.  I'm grateful for him and for others fight to protect our country.  And I think Lily is especially proud.  Can you tell?

Playing Bejeweld with Mimi and Grandpa

She loves her aunts :)

She's just one of the girls

My first Mother's Day

I've been looking forward to being a mom on Mother's Day.  My whole life actually.  I've always wanted to grow up and have children.  Last year I was pregnant with Lily, and I couldn't wait for this year's Mother's Day when I could hold my sweet baby girl and enjoy all things motherhood.

And David made my day oh so wonderful.  We moved our Mother's Day back to Saturday, and we spent the entire day together as a family.  David let me sleep in that morning while he took Lily to Walmart for groceries.  I woke up to this:

[a handmade Mother's Day card made by David and Lily.  He even stamped her baby footprint on it and brought her in to me like this]

And then I went out to the kitchen to see this:

Warm cinnamon rolls, orange juice, blueberry Greek yogurt, and fresh fruit

a beautiful summery bouquet; this is one of my favorite bouquets I've ever had

After breakfast, we met up with our new landlord and signed our contract.  We have a house!  We're moving in June, and we are both ecstatic about it.  After checking craigslist probably 5 times a day for weeks, and driving all around town, we finally found our new home.  And that was just an extra bonus on Mother's Day.

And then off to a picnic.  David packed lunches of ham sandwiches, oranges, and Goldfish crackers (my guilty pleasure).  We spent the next little while laying in the shade at the park, still in shock that we actually found a house.  That we actually love it.  And that it's actually official.

Then it was back home for naps before dinner at Zorba's Greek restaurant.  Mediterranean pizza and pita bread.  And it wouldn't be my special day without chocolate.  So off to Freddy's we went for a chocolate brownie sundae.  We spent the rest of the evening putting together bouquets for my mother-in-law and sisters-in-law because I think all women should get flowers on Mother's Day: aren't we all mothers in some way or another?  I'm grateful for all the women in my life who mothered, nurtured, taught, and loved me.

So yes, I WAS COMPLETELY SPOILED.  I totally agree.  I've always, always looked forward to Mother's Day when I first had a child.  So a few weeks ago, I prepped David.  I told him that I've always looked forward to this day, and I would be disappointed if it wasn't exciting/romantic.  And so David made it an incredible day for me.

He and I have completely different love languages, so frequently, we've had to tell each other how we need to be loved.  I feel loved when I'm surprised, when I'm given desserts, flowers, or if David does something romantic.  And so that's how I try to love David...with food, gifts, romance, or surprises.  But he'd much rather be appreciated and thanked for his hard work.  Who knew we could be so different?  Sometimes I think we love others how we need to be loved, not how they need to be loved.  What we've learned lately is the need to communicate our needs.  So although, it may not feel natural for David to surprise me with breakfast, to take me on a picnic, or buy me flowers, he's learned that's how I feel loved.  And I've tried to be more appreciative of all he does for me: less complaining, more gratitude [something I can definitely work on].  And that made for a wonderful first Mother's Day.

Family Pictures

I've been dying to post these pictures for a few weeks, but I couldn't.  I wanted to surprise my mom by sending her one of these for mother's day, and it wouldn't really be a surprise if I put them up on my blog.  So here they are.  Our latest family photos.  I just love them.  We took these pictures a couple weeks ago in Duncan.  Or should I say, my father-in-law took these pictures (except the last two).  Aren't they great?