The definition of Mother...

Many words describe what it is to be a Mother, I took a minute to document a few that describe my Mom.  These words are also the characteristics I hope to bring to my relationship with my own daughter! What words describe your Mom or describe you? 

Happy Mother's Day

to all the beautiful, strong women celebrating today!

Out and About

Sunday found Mike, Lila and I joining some of our very best friends for the March of Dimes Walk at Rockwell Collins. Yes, the March of Dimes is a great cause, but it holds a special place for those of us that walked as the March of Dimes helped to support our good friends the Holub's when their babies were born! We walked on Team 2 Miracles & 1 Angel...in honor of Dalton, Dylan and Danielle Holub.

It was a bit cold, but the sun was shining and we were ready to go! The kids were all bundled up and so happy to spend some time together -- it is so fun to have little ones around the same age to grow up with each other!

The Holub Family

As we walked along the route it was very neat to see all the tributes that were along the way for the children and families that have benefited from the March of Dimes. Dylan and Danielle are true miracle babies...Dylan was born at 23 weeks gestation and Danielle at 24 weeks gestation and because of resources like the March of Dimes they are both amazing little kids and thriving!

Sunday was also Celia & Ruby's dance recital at the US Cellular Center! I took pictures, but they were crummy due to 'no flash photography,' BOO!!! Both girls did an amazing job, at such a young age they are unbelievably confident and marched right up on that stage like they had been doing it for years! It won't be long before Lila joins them on that big stage too! She is already quite the dancer...tearing up the kitchen floor!

Honey Bunny!

Did the Easter Bunny visit your house?! He made a stop at the Eddins household for one very special little girl who was so excited about all things Easter this year!

Lila participated in an Easter egg hunt at her daycare and brought home an Easter basket chock-full of eggs, trinkets and candy! Saturday found us at the Eddins side with yet another Easter egg hunt and an Easter basket of goodies!

Today Lila woke up with a big smile on her face, ready to see what the Easter bunny brought to our house! We put on our bunny ears and off we went...in search of the basket!

Beautiful Bunny!

Is it in the living room? No!

What about the spare bedroom? Nope!

Here it is!!!!

That Easter Bunny sure knows what little girls like. This basket was brimming over with videos, coloring books, clothes, bracelets, books and more! The Easter Bunny was sure in the giving mood!

After all of that hunting we worked up quite the appetite so Daddy and Lila hopped in the car to pick up breakfast for us! Our new favorite thing is our sunglasses, don't leave home with out them!

We got cleaned up and in our Easter duds and off we headed to Davenport for the Smith family Easter!

My cousin Jamie just had a baby last month so we were excited to finally meet her, Baby Audra! We brought her a gift and Lila didn't mind being the big cousin and helping her by opening it while she looked on!

It was a great day spent with family! My Aunt Mary and Uncle Jeff celebrate 25 years of marriage this week, so we spent a few minutes laughing and reminiscing as Mary opened a gift from my Grandma (all of their old wedding favors, decorations, etc)!

Lila had a hard time leaving as she was having so much fun! A party with a baby and a giant Minnie Mouse, it doesn't get any better than that!

Two Sweet!

Our darling little Lila turned TWO today! How did that happen, you ask?! We don't know! It feels like the past two years have come and gone in the blink of an eye! I remember the anticipation of her arrival, wondering if I would be a good enough Mom? What will she look like? Will our lives really change for the better as everyone claimed it would? Through all of that anticipation and speculation we could have never predicted the pure joy she would bring us! She truly is the light of both of our lives and of those that know her!

Her celebrations, yes plural, started on Friday night with the Eddins side coming for pizza, presents and cake (strawberry shortcake, that is)! Lila thoroughly enjoyed "oooohing and aaaahing" over her presents. She got lots of great summer clothes including a swimsuit that she decided to wear the remainder of the evening over her clothes!

Posing with Aunt Maria

Read the card first!

The next celebration was Saturday, we celebrated with family and friends with a yummy brunch, more cake and ice cream! Oh yes, and more presents! We were hoping for some of that beautiful spring weather we had been enjoying earlier in the week, but much to our dismay we woke up to snow falling, and might I add some of the biggest snowflakes I have ever seen! A little snow wasn't going to dampen the festivities!

Say Cheese!

A treat in my family for longer than I can remember is being a recipient of one of my Grandma Harvey's homemade cakes. She is a wonderful cook and bakes with the best of them and she has always been so creative when it comes to birthday cakes. Lila's new found love in life is Mickey Mouse, so when Grandma asked what kind of a cake Lila wanted I knew we were in for a surprise!

You should have seen the joy on her face when she saw Mickey smiling up at her!

Opening more wonderful gifts!

"Happy Birthday to you..."

Yum!

Once again, our family and friends totally outdid themselves! Lila has so many people that love her and came to celebrate her day with her, we are truly blessed and so thankful for each and every one of them!

Saturday night found us at Jason and Jen's house grilling out and relaxing enjoying each other's company while my Mom was home. You would think after the exciting day Lila had with all of her company that she wouldn't have much energy left, but we were wrong!

Justin Bieber Dance Party, Anyone?!

One of Lila's big presents from Mike & I and my Dad and Laura was a play set for the back yard. The three of us loaded up on Sunday and headed off to Menards to pick up this backyard entertainment system they call a swing set! She was very excited about it and was talking about her swing the better portion of the day! Now it is up to Daddy to get it set up, any bets on how long it will take?!

The big day -- Monday, April 18th Lila and Mommy spent the whole day together. She slept in this morning and awoke to Mommy singing "Happy Birthday" to her as I opened the blinds and we greeted the day! We bummed around in PJ's having breakfast and playing with new toys! We got cleaned up to run a few errands, stopped by Daddy's work to say "hi!" and then met Jen and the girls for a birthday lunch at Granite City! After we got our bellies full we headed back home for a good, long nap. We needed our rest for when Daddy got home, we had more presents and MORE CAKE to enjoy!

Did I tell you it is my birthday?!

Veggin' out!

It was a lot of fun this year with presents. Lila opened all of her presents on her own and was truly excited about it! She had hilarious commentary for each gift she opened. These shoes were a HUGE hit!

We sang Happy Birthday once again tonight as she smiled with her delightful innocence! As I have been preparing for her birthday I have found myself asking for this stage to last a little bit longer, wondering, if I had the chance would I keep her this age forever?! She is so much fun and truly, a really good little girl, that I would love to keep her this way, but I think of all that we would miss out on, all that we are looking forward to...keep growing my dear, sweet girl! We can't wait to see what the next year has in store for us!

Happy Birthday Lila Louise! We celebrate YOU today! We love you and all that you are!

B is for...

BIRTHDAY!

Last week we celebrated Mike's 34th Birthday! Thursday was a beautiful spring day full of sunshine, perfect to celebrate a birthday! We celebrated with a yummy dinner, birthday cake and of course, presents!!!

Daddy's Little Helper!

B is for...BUS TRIPS! A beloved birthday tradition. The Tiny Town Tavern Tour started 5 years ago to celebrate Mike's 30th birthday and Taylor's 25th birthday. We have had so much fun each year that the trip has continued!


With 30 people in tow, the tour took us to Shueyville, Swisher, Walford and Fairfax! It was a whirlwind night with a lot of laughs, a lot of toilet paper, live music and...

Karaoke!

We look forward to what next year will bring when the birthday boy is 35 and the birthday girl is 30...will we be able to top this tradition?!

B is for...BREAKING FREE! We have been SO excited to get outside and enjoy the weather! Lila has been putting all of her outdoor toys to good use. It looks like Daddy will be able to pawn the lawn mowing off sooner than he thought! That is, if the mower produces bubbles!

"Rockin' Out!"

Easy Rider!