Love

When I met Lily for the first time, I learned a new kind of love. This overwhelming, sacrificial love that comes with having a child. She was the most beautiful thing that had ever happened to Grant and I.

How the Father must love me. I love hard. And all the love that I am capable of having does not even compare to His. He is the definition of love. He teaches us how to love. I don't, I can't love without him. It's easy to love the easy, but what good is that alone? He teaches me how to love the difficult...wow, what a love!

I have so much love for Lily. It grows more and more everyday. It screams inside of me dying to come out! I talk myself out of crawling into her crib just to hold her at night. It's hard to be away from her, even in the next room.

What love. We are all so loved.

I Heart You

Here's to buttermilk cornbread. I salute you. For you are the light of my life. The peas to my carrots. The milk in my cereal. You make my tummy satisfied and my mouth slobber. I love you. I will share you with others and will always stay true to what makes you so yummy--not that low fat crap. Your deserve only the best.

Burp.

Here's a shout out to my girl Candice who lovingly shared her Chicken Tortilla Soup recipe with me. It was a hit in the Collins house on this cold, dreary day. Those fire roasted tomatoes and fresh peppers had everyone singing praise to me. But, you deserve all the credit my friend. I cherish you greatly.

I will now top everything off with a slice of Turtle Pie. It's delicious chocolaty crust and moist whipped topping will have me dancing the robot and freestyling like a natural born rapper...for you make my life better.

Hit me up if you want the recipes.

Sayonara and Konnichiwa

I woke up this morning to a beautiful, bright eyed, bushy tailed, baby girl. She was happy and full of joy, which usually lasts for about 2 minutes...then she realizes she slept 7 hours straight and is famished! I can't help but be grateful for her. She brings laughs and new perspectives. She teaches us about sacrifice and complete, unconditional love.

Sweet.

I also got to wake up to Grant, lying beside me. He is still on vacation. I would like to kidnap him everyday. He would never go into work. So, we sipped on extra bold coffee, filled ourselves with buttermilk pancakes, and danced to Modest Mouse.

Double Sweet.

I miss Christmas already. I love the smells, the excitement, the celebration of our Father. This was our first year with Louie. I think she knew something was different, she felt all the love being thrown at her from family and close loved ones. She saw the sparkling lights and heard the music playing around her. I think Grant and I would do just about anything to see those beautiful butterfly eyes light up and that huge toothless grin gleam with excitement. We might just have to leave the tree up all year.

I always grow a bit sad when Christmas ends...like a vacation that finally arrives, flies by, then you have to wait an entire year for it to return. I will miss Grant being around all day, sitting on the love seat beside me, staying up late watching movies. Asking him to pause the movie as we laugh because we both know what's coming...me asking at least 8 questions about what we've seen for the last 10 minutes...my poor husband. We have fun, though. I always tell him I keep him young and grounded. *smiles*

...but tomorrow

Another brand new day, with much to be thankful for and a new year quickly approaching. So, cheers to 2010 and to looking ahead.

Oh, and pictures soon to come.