A love story

This is a tale about a girl and her love.

A deep love.

A love that is unwaivering, steadfast, and true.

This is a love story about a little girl and her pacifier.

Don't underestimate the power of BPA free silicone.

As you may remember, this is my darling daughter.

This is my darling daughter when she is desperately searching for her pacifier and realizes that her mother is keeping her from her one true love.

The tragedy. Two star crossed lovers forced apart. That girl would be one with the pacifier 24/7 if we allowed it. We have scaled back and she only gets it at bedtime or naptime and it resides in her bed as not to tempt her. However, when she is sick, we have caved and let her have her "boyfriend."

Mini #2 has had a lot of ear infections recently, so that means a lot of time with the pacifier. At the last doctor's appointment last week about the most recent ear issue and cold/virus thing, he commented on the need to "86" the pacifier as excessive sucking on things such as the bottle or pacifier are ear infection culprits.

What did you just say Doc????

You mean, we need to drag these two apart? Are you willing to come and facilitate that? Mr., Mini #1, and I will just check in at the Hilton for a few weeks while this breakup occurs.

The pediatrician wasn't down for that as he has three little ones at home. So, I kept the news from the sweet girl while I worked on a plan. I thought of the cute little things some friends did with their children, but it won't work with Mini #2. She is younger than some of the examples I know, so won't really get the "let's box up your most prized possession and send to baby _________. You don't need it anymore since you are a big girl. Let's share with this baby." She wouldn't really get it, but would also be one highly ticked off little girl that her mother boxed up her favorite thing right in front of her.

Option A: quit cold turkey. Pacifier? What pacifier? There isn't a pacifier nor have you ever had one...you must have dreamed that. We don't have any pacifiers for a 50 mile radius.

Option B: slowly work back down and even stop at nap, just at bedtime and gently wean ourselves from this obsessive relationship?

We have two more days of the antibiotic and I think we have decided that Option A is the best way to go. You know, best to just rip the bandaid right off.

Any suggestions, thoughts, we are taking them. Also, any prayers you can send our way as I'm sure we will need them.

___________

Happy Tuesday!!!

A.A.P.P.S.S.

I am not stuttering about new iphone apps, I am talking about something way cooler.

What is A.A.P.P.S.S.??

The All-American, Patriotic and Preppy Summer Swap!!

Wow...I know you're thrilled.

Summer is getting in to full swing and what is something that will get us in to the mood for it all and make us oh so happy...a swap!

I love giving gifts, finding that perfect little something and shopping for someone else doesn't count as spending money, right?

Just say yes.
You know that funk I have been in and that post yesterday? Thanks for your kind words, I really wasn't trying to have myself a pity party, I was really trying to just say that we all do things in life that might not be fun, but we do them and move on.

Well, A.A.P.P.S.S. is sure to turn any frown upside down! Hope you'll join the fun and tell your friends in Blogland too.

Summer offers so many options and that is the only theme for this swap, so get creative!

Here's the deal:

1-Sign up for the swap between today and next Friday, June 11. Just leave a comment with your email address, so we can find you. I will randomly pair partners and post the partners and contact information on Monday, June 14.

2-You chat it up with your partner and find likes/dislikes and summer favorites! Spend the next few weeks shopping for your partner, spending no more than $30 (excluding shipping).

3-All packages should be mailed by Friday, June 25.

4-When you receive your package, take some pictures and be sure to post about it so we all can ooh and ahh.

Let Summer OFFICIALLY begin!

Happy weekend!

{All images via here.}

I don't know how you do it...

You look so tired...

I don't envy you...

I just don't think I could do it...

How long will this go on?

Oh Bless your heart...

These are some of the phrases that I hear most often when people find out about the Molly Lou family situation. You know, the husband that lives 2.5 hours away for work and the two minis bit at home bit.

I know that I am not the only one that does this or has heard one or more of the above phrases.

And the last one is the kicker...if you are from the South then you know what "bless your heart" really means.

Some of you are military wives and do it day in and day out for months. Some of you don't have a spouse and do it all alone every single day. Some of you don't have children, but work two jobs, go to school, have a hobby turned business, and still find time to be a wife, friend, etc. Some of you have my situation, but work full-time outside of the home too. Some of you are in school and mix in various elements of the above scenarios. Some of you are doctors, working the equivalent of three full time jobs, have children, and still manage to be an amazing mother. Some of you take care of loved ones and your broad of minis in addition to cleaning, cooking, chauffering, gardening, volunteering, and trying to stay sane.

You get my point. I am so sick of hearing "you look so tired. I just don't know how you do it" and I also do realize that most of the time it is said to be comforting or supportive.

You know what. I am tired. Really tired. I am stressed. I am thin (not physically, but emotionally)...some days I am not sure how much farther I can stretch before that great big hole stretches so far that I can't hang on any longer and I fall in.

I do it because I have to.

You deal with the cards you have been dealt. My husband has a career and unfortunately for us, his current project is 2.5 hours away from where we live. My husband's job that pays our bills and allows me to stay home with our children. That job that we are thankful he has as so many people aren't lucky as we are.

We made decisions that were best for us. For our children. For our family. Do I wish that my husband was here and home every night for dinner? Do I wish I had his help for so many things?

Absolutely, but this is the decision we made and we are doing what we feel is best for our family at this point.

I have two smart, amazing, unique, and excited children that depend on me for all of their needs and wishes.

I have a home that needs to be cleaned. I have a lawn that must be mowed and someone has to clean it. I have learned that the clothes don't magically clean themselves, so someone has to do the family's laundry. We are so blessed to have family and friends in our lives and someone has to send the birthday cards and wishes. I have a business that often has to take the backseat, but one that I desperately hopes will succeed and one that has work to be done. I have children that need to eat, so someone has to go to the grocery store.

I have this need to show thanks for how blessed we are and to teach my children to be humble, productive members of society and ones that give back to their community. I volunteer for those less fortunate and help at church...it takes a village to raise a child. I also have the plague of not saying "no," so some of the stress is totally my own fault.

I do it because I don't have a choice. We all have different obstacles in our life that we deal with because that is our life.

If someone out there doesn't, then I need to take a peek in to your magic ball or you should hand over that unlimited money supply so I can hire someone to do 99% of these things.

***

Rant over...sorry about that. Mini #2 is sick and that compounds some of LIFE. I think I need a mental health day to check out of life, so perhaps I can escape here and have one of these.



Jump over the the amazing Trish's blog and join in on her Pink and Green Thursday fun. Be sure to see her post from yesterday...guaranteed to give you a mental break. :)

Wordless Wednesday~Summer Lovin'

With Monday marking the unofficial start of summer, I am craving all things related to summer and that patriotic pride we tend to exude during these hot months! I need summer!

Happy Wednesday!

{images via here, here, here, here}

Sick kids

House full of people

Inches of rain

More thunderstorms rolling in

No sleep from sick children

These sure are the ingredients to a rockin' holiday weekend party in the Molly Lou house!

Happy Memorial Day!

Thank you to the those brave men and women that have given their lives and for those who are currently fighting and serving this country. I am honored to be an American!

Hope you all have a great day!

Snapshot Saturday~What a Difference A Year Makes

First day of school-August 2009



Last dy of school-May 2010


What a difference a year makes!

Have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend! Happy Saturday!

Before I was Born...Pink & Green Thursday

Lately, Mini #1 has been obsessed with older pictures of Mr. and I (there are no new pictures of us...we only take pictures of the children.) There is one in particular from our rehearsal dinner that he likes to move around the house...it drives me nuts. Yesterday, I was explaining when that was taken and talking about our wedding.

He was asking why he wasn't there and I was explaining the timeline and that we were married "a long time ago before you were born."

I pulled out the BIG photo album from our wedding and he studied it. He was pointing out various family members and friends.

We got to a picture of Mr. and I on that glorious day almost 6 years ago and he looked at me and said "Mom, you were more pretty before I was born."

I just laughed. (You know the saying, if you don't laugh, you'll cry.)

Yes, yes my sweet boy, I was more pretty all those years ago when I was young, thinner, and only had myself to worry about.

****

Wish I could be sipping one of these with my best girlfriends tonight while LOVING the new Sex and the City movie! Enjoy girls!

Also, head over to the sweet and lovely Trish who I just adore from Pink Preppy Lilly Lover who started Pink and Green Thursdays and is one that I totally wish I was seeing Carrie, Charlotte, Samantha, and Miranda with tonight. She is hosting a Lilly giveaway that you must check it out! Go on over now!
Happy Thursday! Have a great day!