oh, you make me smile...

This is a short post, but I had to share one of my favorite videos of Phelan thus far.  Her little cackle laugh is the BEST. 

i'm strong just like you prayed i'd be

We had a great visit from my mom in January.  We haven't decided on what her non-grandma name will be, but that's okay!  It was so nice to have my mom around.  She and I got to spend some much needed mother-daughter time together.  We watched Phelan play for hours, took a drive to look at the mansions in Paradise Valley, bought a new pack and went for a hike at Pinnacle Peak, played with Dylan, had an impromptu Valentine's Day photo shoot, and made lasagna.  My favorite memory from the week is discovering a new fabric store.  They have awesome deals and beautiful fabrics!  However, the best part about the fabric store was the layout.  It was perfect for playing hide-and-seek.  Phelan loved hiding behind the big bolts and surprising Gigi/Memaw/Mamaw.  She would just crack up!

My mom's visit makes me think of one of my favorite Miranda Lambert songs, which provided this post's title.  Below are the lyrics.  We love you, mom/gigi/memaw/mamaw/whatever your name is!  Thank you so much for visiting!!!

"Mama, I'm Alright"

Well the sun just got through going down on a sleepy little Texas town
Population plus one minus one
A new grandma rocks my sister's kid just like twenty years ago she did
The same thing in that same chair
She said "this one's born to run"

Every day at noon like a chapel bell find her Jesus keep her well
Help her do more right than wrong at the end of the day
I got 5 good years and a tank of gas, fifty watts and Johnny Cash
A guitar and a broken heart just full of things to say
You taught me how to stand those tests and trials
But you can't see a desert sunrise in the bible

She loves me more that anything
And she wants the world for me
Her west dropped off in El Paso,
And her north in Abilene
Mama I'm OK out here
I've seen how hard the world can be
My step is sure and I know my name
I'm strong just like you prayed I'd be
I'm strong just like you prayed I'd be

If I'd have done what you and daddy done, would have never lost and never won
Or gotten myself kicked when I was down
I would not know how to travel well, A hundred bucks and cheap motels
I would not know how to fight for my own heart next time around

Now don't you cry another night about me
In this city I've got angels all around me

She loves me more than anything
And she wants the world for me
Her west dropped of in El Paso
And her north in Abilene
Hey Mama I'm OK out here
I've seen how hard the world can be
My step is sure and I know my name
I'm strong just like you prayed I'd be
I'm strong just like you prayed I'd be

I felt it every time you prayed for me
I'm strong just like you prayed I'd be

a quiet christmas morning...

in the colorado snow...

 

phelan's first christmas!!!  it's amazing how much fun the holidays are with a little one!  somehow the tasks that can seem stressful are fun and enjoyable!  phelan was a FUN age for christmas.  she had just started crawling -- therefore getting into the presents, the boxes, and the christmas tree... when she would crawl over to me with glitter on her face, i knew she had found an ornament to play with. she also liked helping us wrap.

 

our first celebration was actually the week before christmas in colorado.  it was SO nice to be in the snow!  it really felt like christmas!  over a few days at the condo we got to spend time with koko, gigi, pops, ang (and baby joey in her belly), gabi, roy, amy, mike and jen.  parker, pops, roy, and amy skiied at winter park one day.

after our condo stay we attended the annual young christmas party.  this year the party was at kathy and phil's cabin in winter park.  quite a few people had to miss the party, but it was beautiful anyway.  we had an extra special visit by santa, and phelan didn't even cry!

it was a fabulous, wintery christmas in colorado!