Going Deeper Still...

I just got back from the Deeper Still (Beth Moore) conference in Atlanta! It was AWESOME!!!!! I went with a group from Reidland. I have to say that I enjoyed every moment with those ladies. God really gave me a chance to get to know them better, & I feel so incredibly blessed!! 

The conference was much more than I could have ever imagined. The speakers were amazing. The praise and worship time was...well, I can't find another word besides awesome. At times, I was singing so loud & couldn't even hear myself sing. It was so neat to hear 19,000 other women praising God at the same time! 

I am NOT the type of person that enjoys being around people I'm not really close to...mostly because I have to put myself out there. I'm not good at that. These women made it so easy to be myself. Thank you, ladies, for making me feel so comfortable around you! You are such precious women and I was privileged to be in your presence.

Just What the Doctor Ordered

I hadn't realized until I was driving down that I had never left both Sydney & Ryan. Typically when I leave Sydney with someone, it is because I am spending some quality time with my hubby. This time, it was just for me. I have to say that I felt very selfish while driving to Nashville. I told myself that I really needed the time away with some friends to recharge, but I didn't really realize how true that was.

Summer and I stayed up talking until 3:15 AM!! If that doesn't tell you that friends are happy to see each other, I don't know what does! We finally got so tired we couldn't figure out what we were saying. So, we decided it was time to go to sleep.

The next day, we all went to Cracker Barrell for brunch...ok, it was lunch time, but it felt like brunch to us! :o) After brunch, we went to Opry Mills. Shopping with 3 other girls = fun! We had a blast! We would all try on clothes if one person was going to try something on even though we knew we weren't going to buy anything. A lady even asked us if we were sisters or just really good friends. Isn't that awesome?! We haven't all been together since Ryan and I left TX over a year ago & we are still close enough that someone could mistake us for sisters.

Friday night, Summer left. That was hard because we had only been with her for 24 hours. It was great having her for that small amount of time, but it had us all craving for more time. Crysty, Tricia, and I went to Olive Garden to treat ourselves since we were feeling sad. For me, it was a great treat! Ryan and I never go there because it is a quiet restaurant & my daughter doesn't really know how to be quiet.

After dinner, we went back to Tricia's sister's apartment (Thanks, Jennifer, for letting us crash there while you were away!!!!). We stayed up & talked, but crashed a little earlier. It was great spending quiet time with the gals.

Saturday we ate more, shopped more, and laughed more. Tricia and I dropped Crysty off to ride home with Summer. After that, we shopped a little until I had to head to Paducah.

It was such a refreshing time with people who know and love me. I had never really experienced what a true friend was until I went to TX. Thank you girls for being such an amazing support to me. I can't wait until the next time we are all able to get together!! LY!

Friends

Leaving Texas was a very hard thing for me to do. One would think that moving closer to family would be a piece of cake for me since I am such a family gal. But no, it was terribly difficult. I was thrilled to be getting closer to family for me and for my daughter. The difficulty came because I left the best friends that I have ever had. I had never been able to be myself around other girls before TX. I feel like most won't open up & be themselves, which to me typically equals fake. I had 3 friends with me in an prayer group that really allowed themselves to be vulnerable & open up about their wants, desires, fears, struggles, etc. They allowed me to be me. I never once had to act like someone that I'm not. You just don't find that very often. So, when we moved there was the mommy in me that was thankful that my daughter would know her grandparents. Then there was me...Lesli...the one who wanted to selfishly say, "We're staying!!" 

As you all know, the mommy won over & we moved. I have now been living in KY for a year & 3 months. I am thankful for my decision because my daughter LOVES her grandparents, aunts, & uncles (and soon to be cousin!). We made the right decision, but that doesn't mean that I don't miss my friends terribly. 

Me with Tricia

Today is a special day. All four of us are meeting in Nashville for a girl's weekend!!!!! We will all get there about bedtime tonight...which means we will be terribly exhausted tomorrow since it is a given that we won't go straight to bed. :o)  We won't get long all together, but at least I'll be able to be in their company for a few days.

Summer, skinny me, & Crysty

Thank you Summer, Tricia, & Crysty for being such amazing friends. Even though we've been apart for over a year, you still are as close to me as you were the day we left. I can't wait to be with you this weekend & will cherish every moment! 

Now, I don't want you to mistake me to say that these were my only good friends in TX. That is SO not the truth. I had another friend that was like a sister to me. I also miss her terribly. She also, has girls that are really close to Sydney's age. I wish so much that Sydney could have grown up with them. That is a playdate that you don't have to worry about! She is a great mom & they are great girls! I miss you, too, Brit!! One of these days we'll have to meet in the middle with the girls. :o)

I will post again after the weekend. Hope you all have a great weekend, too!!! 

My Blue-Eyed Loves

Happy Father's Day, Dads!

I tried and tried to find a recent picture of Ryan and Sydney, but the picture above describes it best. My husband absolutely adores his little girl! He is the most amazing man & father. I know you've heard me say before, but he works full-time, goes to school full-time, is in the Navy Reserves (which occupies 1 weekend a month & 2 weeks a year), and is a wonderful husband and father. How he balances it all so well, I'll never know. He's never too busy for me, and he's never too busy for Sydney. There are times when she ONLY wants her daddy. It's quite sweet, if you ask me. When those times arise, he stops what he's doing & gets in the floor to play with her. After she's satisfied, he goes back to what he was doing. He's nothing short of amazing.

"I love you, Ryan. I love you for the way you love me. I love you for the way you love her. You are more than I could have ever asked or imagined for the father of my child. Thank you! Happy Father's Day!!!"

There is another man that completely adores Sydney. That would be my daddy. It is so cool to see him with her. His face lights up & his whole personality changes. If he's having a bad day or tired and she walks in the room, you see that fade & happiness replace it. It's really neat.  

Besides adoring my little girl, my daddy has been an great dad. He has always been there when we needed him. Matter of fact, he comes running. It is nice to know that no matter what the world throws at you, you have someone in your corner. For us, that has always been my daddy. It didn't matter if it was an ear just to listen or advice to help us out of a sticky situation. In any way we have needed him, he's been there...including 5 moves. He must really love us!! :o)

"Thank you, Daddy, for always being what we need & never hesitating to help. You are a great inspiration of what a godly man should be. I am thankful that you are in our life & our daughter's life. She can learn a lot from you. Happy Father's Day!!!"

The last daddy that I need to mention is our "daddy Pops", as Sydney has been referring to him. I read something the other day that fit him perfectly, it said "Strong faith, gentle spirit, quiet advice, wonderful father". I read that and said, "Ryan, that's your dad!!" It fits him to a T. He has such a strong faith & has raised his boys to love God. His spirit is calm and gentle. His advice is always given in a tone that is easy to accept. And to say that he's a wonderful father & grandfather, is almost putting it mildly.

"Thanks, Pops, for raising such an amazing man. Ryan is who he is because of the example you set. I could not ask for a better husband or father to my child, and that is thanks to you. I am thrilled that Sydney has you for her 'daddy Pops'. She is one lucky gal! Happy Father's Day!!"

That covers the fathers in my life. Thank you for being men of character & men we ladies can be proud of! There really aren't many men out there like that & to say that I have 3 in my life makes me feel very blessed. Love you all!

Being Sydney's Mom

I have never underestimated my job as a mom. To tell you the truth, at times, I am so overwhelmed by it that it scares me. I've heard the saying that "a child can eventually overcome having a bad dad, but never a bad mom". I can't remember where I heard that, but it stuck with me. Now, I know that I'm not a horrible mom. Don't hear me saying that. I just feel the importance that I have on my daughter's life & I don't take it lightly.

Last night, my mom and I went shopping for a dress for her for Nathan and Kacey's wedding. We had a great time. I really love spending time with her! On the way home, we got to talking about her wedding to my dad. I asked her if it was a hard day for my grandfather (her mother passed away a year or so before). She said that it was one of the hardest on him...right up there with my birth.

We then began talking about her mom. I mentioned that I wish that I could have known her. I honestly can't tell you how much I wish I could have known her...not just met her but really known her. She said that just the other day at church she was talking to a lady that knew her mom when my mom was little. My mom told her that she really wishes that she would have known her mother adult to adult. There really is something different about having an adult relationship with your mom. I wish she could have had that relationship, too.

While I was laying in bed waiting for my daughter to go to sleep in her bed last night, I began thinking about what my mother said. Her mother passed away when she was 17. Even at the age she is, years later, she still longs for her mother. As much as I have felt my importance in Sydney's life, I had never felt it as strongly as I had in that moment. I pray that I can be a mother that Sydney needs in the moment. Not a mean mother, nor a walk-over-me-easily mother, but what she needs in the moment she needs it. I pray that God will give me the wisdom to know what each moment calls for.

Thanks, Mom, for being such a wonderful mother. Thanks for handling your heartaches with grace & dignity. Thanks for helping show me what a mother should be. I'm sorry that life hasn't always given you what you wanted. I am happy to know that one day I will be able to know your mother. Love you!

Pool Party

Yesterday afternoon, we got out the little pool at my parents' & put water in it. It was very cold at first, but warmed up quickly. Sydney and I played in it this morning. We had a blast!! It was a good way to keep her cool outside & to get me some much needed sun! Sydney LOVES to play outside, but since it's been so hot I haven't let her play out there much. This turned out to be such a good way to get to play with my little girl! I'll have to take some pictures & post them. She's a cutie in her little bathing suit!

Ryan is out-of-town again this week, so as long as the weather cooperates, it looks like we'll have some more time this week to enjoy the outdoors...we do miss him though! She would probably love playing in the pool with him much more than me. Daddy is much more fun...and that's ok by me!

Rambling...mostly

Sydney is finally feeling better! Yay! She is still coughing some & her nose is still runny, but we are on the mend. She LOVES being outside & it has been so hard to keep her indoors. I'm hoping by Sunday or Monday she'll be feeling 100%.

Ryan called last night & said that his schedule for next week has him in Henderson, KY & St. Louis, MO. So, it looks like we're going to stay in Paducah until next Friday. That's much better than us being home alone for the week. :o) Although, I'm sure my parents are beginning to wonder whether or not we're ever going to go home!!! I promise, Mom & Dad, we will leave...eventually. :o)

My dad use to have this saying that once we were out of the house & off to college, he was going to put his "No Vacancy" sign out. Well, I moved back in & Nathan moved back in...he welcomed it. We've had several long visits like this & he has welcomed it. So, I think the no vacancy thing was all talk. ;-)

My sister-in-law finds out soon whether she's having a boy or girl...assuming the baby cooperates. I am so excited to hear! In my experience, seeing other people pregnant & having babies is much more touching after you've had your own. I can't wait to find out whether I'm getting a niece or nephew. Either way, I'll be thrilled! They're going to make great parents! I can't wait to see them transform & I can't wait to meet this little one!!

Ryan is coming back to Paducah tonight. I am very ready for him to be back with us. Although he's going to be away all next week, it will be nice for us to all be together for the weekend!

I hope you all have a happy Friday!!

Update

The AC is fixed! Yea!! :o) I talked to Ryan, who is home, to find out that it had been fixed & the house is cool! I'm happy he doesn't have to sleep another night in a hot house. That will make for much better sleep than I'm sure he got last night.

On another note, Sydney is still not feeling well. I took her to Redicare today for her cough & congestion as well as a bug bite on her finger. The doctor said her finger is fine, but gave her some medicine for her congestion. I hope that it helps her start to feel better soon!!

That's about all for the updates. We're still hanging out in Paducah & will be here through the weekend. By Friday we'll all be back together. That, I'm looking forward to! :o)

Moving Nathan, No AC, & Sick Baby

Saturday, my parents, Ryan, and I helped Nathan move into what will be his & Kacey's apartment. It was very cool to be apart of that experience. My mom & I spent the better part of the day cleaning the old apartment while the guys moved his stuff to the new apartment. I think by the end of the day, we were all exhausted!

Since Sydney was sick, Ryan's mom kept her that day & night. It was great to know that she was playing & having fun instead of getting in trouble for getting into things while we were moving! She had a blast there. So, it was a win-win situation. Thanks, Mama Rita, for keeping her!

Yesterday, Ryan stayed home with Sydney while I went to church. After church, he worked on a paper for school while Sydney and I took a nap. After our nap, Ryan and I headed out on the town while my parents kept the little one. We went to dinner at TGI Fridays. After dinner, we saw the new Indiana Jones movie. We both thought it was pretty good. Even if it would have been horrible, it would have been worth it to have a date with my hubby!

After returning to my parents, my mom & noticed some spots on my parents' ceiling. Turns out, the AC was leaking on the ceiling! That meant it had to be turned off for the night & people called this morning. I began wondering if we were jinxing them by being here! (Our AC is still not fixed.) At 8:30am this morning, people were ringing the door bell. By 9:30 or so, they were gone & the AC was fixed. Yea!

That brings me to now. My baby is still sick. She is much better than she was last week, but she is still not feeling 100%. I think I have figured out that keeping the windows open at the house instead of turning on the AC is what did it to her. When she is inside, she is so much better. It seems her allergies caused the ear problems & sore throat. :o(

Since the AC at the house doesn't work, we are staying with my parents until it is fixed. I'm hoping it's going to be fixed quickly because we were planning on having a yard sale on Saturday! We have it all pulled out, but nothing is priced. We'll see. That yard sale may have to happen another weekend...I'm just not sure we have any other weekends this summer free!

So, that's our weekend in a nutshell. :o)