Summer is here (almost)

Well school is out and I only have to work a few extra days. So here I am at work not working and instead wishing it was still the weekend. We had a great weekend! Alyssa's family came to town. My nieces are so precious! They were awesome. Camryn is the best baby I have been around. She has such a sweet nature and is super laid back. She rarely fusses at all. She is so sweet and cuddly and I just LOVED holding her. Lauren is hilarious! She told us she wanted to be called "Loey" instead of Lolo as a nick name. She introduced to people at my own church like she owned the place. She was so loving and said such sweet things. It was so cute.

On Saturday Carley turned 5 months old. I cannot believe it. Here she is chilling in her bouncer. She loves to sit and hang out right now. She loves for us to read her books and to play with her bunny and lion. Her favorite toy is her feet. I can't believe how big she is getting. The downfall right now is she loves to roll over in the middle of the night and then gets stuck on her back or her side and doesn't want to flip back. So she calls us in there to put in her paci and flip her back over. Obviously, we have things to work on. Here is her new hairstyle ( a pony tail on the top of her head which is usually accompanied with a large bow)

Yesterday, Carley went swimming for the first time with Kristin, Danae, and me. We had such a good time. Carley LOVED the water. I figured she would be scared. She had one of those yellow rings where your legs hang down. She just chilled in it for 50 minutes! Then I took her out to reapply sunscreen (much to her dismay) and she fell asleep in my arms for 45 minutes. Then we got back in the water. Some of you know how much I love to swim and I love the pool. It is the greatest place on earth! I am so glad I have a baby who loves the water. ( right now at least) Here are her swimsuit shots. I am sure Sports Illustrated will be calling us soon. Who wouldn't want a centerfold with thighs like this?

Finally, here is our Mother's Day picture. It has been so long since I have taken the time to post pictures. Time goes by so fast. I am so glad summer is here (except for a few more days of work) so I can hang with my little buddy and her little thighs!

A Good Week

Here are some good things about this week:

- Some girls from our class went to go see "Stick It", the gymnastics movie. Other than the fact their bodies made me sick, it was so fun to go to a chick flick with my favorite chicks.

- Carley has a new hair style . I think it is precious. I will post pictures soon. This is not a big deal to most of the world, but I love playing with Carley's hair.

- Some girls from our class are signed up for Mommy and Me swim classes this summer. It should be hilarious.

- THIS IS THE LAST WEEK OF SCHOOL!

- My replacement credit card came this week.

- Some of my family will be together this weekend. I cannot wait! I will post pictures later. I'll just say that I get to be "Aunt Cee" again and I am PUMPED!

- I found 5 dollars in some shorts.

What good happened for you this week?

Valor

Webster defines Valor as "strength of mind or spirit that enables a person to encounter danger with firmness : personal bravery". Yesterday Cody, his truck company, and two other truck companies received medals of Valor from the City for their bravery at the propane fire a couple of months ago. (see blog history for the story).

I have been thinking a lot about the word "valor". In my mind it has a place with antiquated words like chivalry, gentleness, purity, and other words that seem to belong in medieval times that we do not see carried out that often. Why have things changed? Have they?

Sometimes I think we are too busy to look for subtle good deeds. The quiet small acts of people just doing their jobs do not grab our attention like the loud attention seekers (like me) who love praise and find ways to demand it with all of our actions.

Yes. Cody fighting a fire and risking his life to save and help others, is WAY more than a subtle good deed. I love Cody because in his mind, he was not showing valor or bravery, he was just doing his job to the best of his ability. After the ceremony, I asked him what he was thinking and his comment was this, "You know, sometimes, it is nice to get praise for just doing your job well." In this busy world, we do not always recognize a job well done and if we do, we rarely comment on it.

So this week, say something nice to someone who is just doing their job to the best of their ability. Look for acts of bravery, valor, gentleness, and chivalry and recognize them.

And finally...WAY TO GO CODY! I am so proud of you! :)

Literally losing my mind

This week, I have lost

• a roll of 100 stamps after using one
• Cody's Yankee Hat
• an important receipt for work
• my CREDIT CARD! (which I have already cancelled)

What is up with that? I NEVER lose stuff. I am the one who makes fun of others when they do that. I NEVER do this. What is up with this week? Where is the island of lost stuff? Have you seen any of it?

Man, am I getting old or is it motherhood or what???

Well...

What did you think of Gray's Anatomy last night?
Favorite parts?
Least favorite parts?
Predictions?

I am dying to talk about it!

We gave in...

The Nelson's are now the proud owners of DVR. We can record, pause, and play back live television. So far....it is the greatest technology ever. We are addicted. I knew we would be if we ever got it, so we waited until the time was right. Now we have caught up with the rest of the world!

I would like to hear your thoughts on the best part of DVR/TEVO.

Back to the couch....

Carley at 4 months and my Mother's Day Present

Here is one of Carley's 4 month pictures. That girl is so fun right now. She loves to flip over and then flip back. She loves to play with her feet and kick them in the air. She is just a joy right now. Her thighs are hilarious! They have at least 3 rolls in them! She is just at a really fun age.

For Mother's Day I wanted a picture of Cody in his fire stuff with Carley. For the first pictures he had on his helmet and she wouldn't smile. He took his helmet off and she started cooing and talking to him. It was precious. Here is my favorite picture of all time! Aren't I am lucky wife and mom? I feel so blessed.

A Case For Blogs and other random thoughts

The debate on whether or not blogs are good for you has been a topic of discussion and posts around me lately. Well, I have the answer today. Last week I posted about Blue Bell Peanut Butter and Jelly ice cream. I would still be wondering if it was good or disgusting if it weren't for blogs. Jenn K. bought some, tried it, and posted her thoughts on her blog. I didn't have to buy it, I could just get an answer from a trusted source. That right there is my justification for blogs.

Onto other updates, my laryngitis is gone. Cody is well too. The retreat was great this weekend. It is always a joy to spend time with my friends and other ladies in the church. It reminds me of why we need the body of Christ. I was blessed to spend time with women older than me and younger ( I guess only Sara and Kristin are younger :) ). Good times.

Now, I am ready to discuss and hear your thoughts on TV again.
Grey's Anatomy: I am glad Meredith and George are speaking. That made the episode for me. I did not like the fight between Meredith and Derek in the stair way. I think they do better in elevators. She is right to say what she did. Where do you think the show is going to go with these characters. I am a huge fan of McVet. He looks like he might be a good character. I think that Meredith will move on with McVet and be very happy. I also think Derek and Addison will fall a part and then it will be Derek's turn to be sad and Meredith's turn to be unavailable. I don't know though. Any thoughts on last night's episode?

Desperate Housewives: Andrew Van De Camp may be the most ruthless character on TV. I thought Edie was totally out of line as well. It was a weird night. What do you think is going on with Lynette and Tom?

One last thing: I rented Brokeback Mountain and watched it on Saturday. I need to process it more before I can blog about it. Right now, all I can say is that I didn't enjoy it for a lot of reasons. It was maybe the most depressing movie, on several levels, that I have seen in a long time. Did anyone else feel that way?

Okay, the bell just rang, I am back to work.

Silent for Once

Well, I have laryngitis, so for once in my life I am silent. I know. You might think the world is going to come to a stop, but my voice is getting better and I will be chattering before you know it. Carley keeps looking at me like, "You are that loud lady that is always talking to me. Why are you quiet?" It is cute.

Here are the pros and cons of laryngitis:

-PROS-
- my cell phone battery has not gone to "low" since this started
- I got on a nifty t antibiotic that is helping a ton
- My AWESOME mom came over last night and packed Carley and I up and we went to her house for the night. She took the monitor! Last night was my first night since Carley's birth not to have the baby monitor next to my head. I went to sleep at 9:30 and woke up well rested at 6:30. AWESOME! I love my mom!
- People at work are leaving me alone because I can't talk. Only those that really need me or my friends that care are popping in. I like it.
- I am wearing my "Drama Queen" t - shirt today to emphasize my sickness. If my voice can't be loud, then at least my shirt can be loud!

- CONS-
- I feel like someone came in and scraped my throat up with a fork.
- I cough up gunk
- I can't return important phone calls.
- I can't sing to Carley.
- (This one will freak most of you out) Amy B. and I are speaking at the Women's Retreat this weekend. I know, "What were they thinking, asking those two to do two 40 minute sessions?" I am so afraid that my voice will be back and strong by then. Amy has offered to let me sit on her lap like a puppet and speak for me. If you knew that Amy was barely over 5 feet, this would make you laugh harder.

Any way, silence is golden my friends. Make sure you are taking your vitamin C!

2 random thoughts.

Random Thought #1:

We went to the grocery store on Saturday and I saw the new flavor of Blue Bell: Peanut Butter and Jelly. That does not sound good to be at all. I LOVE ice cream and I love Peanut Butter & Jelly, but I am sure those should become one. Has anyone out there tried it? Are you planning on trying it? What other combinations in this world are weird to you?

Random Thought #2:

Why is the "bearded other" on Lost on Desperate Housewives as that guy's SA sponsor? That is so weird to me. Lost is mind boggling enough. I don't need to see these characters elsewhere.

Follow up to last post:
Carley was AWESOME at the schools. She was so cute and smiled and laughed the whole time. Jennifer did a great job of being my assistant/nanny. Cody and I had all day Saturday together. It was so good, except Carley has used up all of her good mood on Friday and was a little fussy. Tonight we are going to dinner together. It is our first meal alone since 3/13 for breakfast. We are so excited. My mom, who is feeling much better, is going to keep Carley so we can eat. I can't wait. I loved all of your stories about what was bothering you today and thanks for your sweet words.

Hope you are having a great beginning of the week.