What to say..

The last couple of days have been very difficult and the coming weeks will be as well. Eric and I struggled for the first year of our marriage with friendships. It isn't that we didn't HAVE friends, but that after we graduated, all of our friends also graduated..and they left..but we didn't. We finally joined our Sunday School class at FBC Bryan, and felt that we'd found a group we clicked with. Here we began to build friendships that we knew would last..and it was then that I realized that these friends would be leaving us too. Well, that time has come. The Bynums and The Lancasters are leaving us. These couples have probably made much more of an impact on our lives than they realize. They've been with us through some very tough stuff, and through Lili's birth and hospital stay..they've prayed with us, cried with us, laughed with us. For that we are forever grateful. We'll certainly keep in touch, and maybe some day, God will put us back in the same place, but no matter where we are I know our friendship will stay strong. I thank God every day, not just for these friends, but for all of the other couples in our bible study as well. I know that each of you is in our lives for a reason, and I am so thankful for your friendship.

On a related note, I thank you all for your prayers. We had a big breakthrough as Eric finally said: "I think I'm ready to get serious about finding a job." This is the answer to one of my biggest prayers as of late. Thank you all for sending up the prayers right along side me.

Giggles..

I've so been dreading the day that I knew would come. I knew that working would make me miss some important moment in my little girl's life..some "first" that only happens once, and no matter how hard I try, can never be recaptured. Well, today was that day.

I pulled into the driveway this afternoon like normal. This is always the best part of my day because I can almost always guarantee that when I walk in the door, Lili will either be in her swing or Eric's arms waiting for me. Today was no different. I walked in the door to find her swinging happily..then came Eric's words: "She laughed today!" I felt my heart smile, but on the outside I kind of wanted to cry. I missed it. I've heard cooing, and oohs and ahs..but nothing that was unmistakably a laugh. I missed it..It's ridiculous, but I'm crying as I sit beside her typing this. At least her Daddy was there to hear it..a fact which I can't help but resent a little bit. I want more than anything to be at home with this little girl..to watch her grow and teach her. Instead, Eric gets to be with her. I am thankful that one of us is with her instead of sending her to daycare to be watched by strangers..I thank God that things worked out this way, and I have to keep reminding myself when things get frustrating that this must all be part of His plan. I don't completely understand this plan, but I guess I'm not really supposed to..I'm just supposed to trust it. (Lord, I'm trying.)

On a related note, Easter was great. We went to church, Lili met her Uncle Albert for the first time, we had a mini "egg hunt", and ate lunch with wonderful family and friends..followed by great times with Phil and Sarah and the Wii.

I know this has been a very scattered blog..but that's kind of how I feel right now. I'm very scattered, emotional, and trying very hard to stay positive. I'd appreciate any prayers you could offer.

Catching up..

Well, it's been a couple of days since you last heard from the Browns. Not too much excitement has happened. Yesterday, we had a new first for Lili. It was our first time going to Sunday School AND big church. She was an angel! She slept through Sunday School, and cooed all the way through the service. Now some might have found the cooing distracting, but we were lucky enough to be sitting behind Mrs. Cora Etta and her family. Mrs. Cora Etta was one of the very first nurses to care for our Lilibug in the hospital, so she understood. After church, we came home so Eric could get some rest..he was exhausted! I also got to go out for some "Mommy time" at Barnes & Noble with the gift card that my sweet husband bought me. I got three books that I'm really excited about..and I'm hoping they'll really help me to get some perspective on my life right now, and God's role in and plan for it. Sunday night we went out to dinner with Lili's "big sister" Emily. Emily is our adopted college student, and we love her. She's a wonderful Godly young woman who is so much fun! We can't wait to go see the buffalo ranch with her..and we'd love to meet her beefalo! After dinner, we came home and went through the second night of Lili's new and improved bed time routine. She finally seems to be enjoying bath time!

Then came MONDAY (cue the music of dread)..it was super hard for me to go back to work this morning after Spring Break..I'm so READY FOR SUMMER!! Lili stayed home with Dad, and ran some errands today, including stopping by the church to schedule her dedication..we'll keep you updated on when that will be. For now, I'm off to cuddle with my little girl!

Hippity Hoppity..

Wow! Today was such a fun-filled day! First thing this morning we woke up and headed to Lili's first Easter Egg Hunt at the George Bush Library. Lili was a little too small to hunt this year, but we still got her commemorative wooden egg. We hope to get one for every year..and this was a GREAT excuse for her to wear her new overalls! She also rode in her big girl stroller, and was awake most of the time. We met up with the Strietzels, and got to watch Zac hunt for eggs. It was lots of fun!


After the Egg hunt, we went to Thomas park for a picnic with the Strietzels. Lili was getting a little tired by this time, but she was a trooper and loved her first ride on the slide!

Adventures in Mommyhood..

Today was a new adventure for Lili and I. We decided to give Daddy some time to nap at home, and go to Mainly Music at church. Mainly Music is a music class designed for preschoolers, so I knew Lili would probably be the youngest kiddo there, but off we went anyway. We met Jenny and Sam there, and sang and danced with the other little ones. I had a lot of fun, and I think Lili did too..or maybe the smile was just gas. =) All in all, I would call it a successful outing..though we did get home minus a blanket and a pacifier.

Here's Lili afterward..she was worn out!

Here Goes Nothing..

I must say that I've inspired to enter into the blogging world by my friends Jenny and Katie. Since Lili came into our lives, I feel the urge to talk to people constantly about what we're doing and how we're doing. What a great way to do it! I also have alot of things on my heart lately that just need to be said. It's the best of both worlds! *cue Hannah Montana*

By the way, Lili would like to say:

Happy Birthday Daddy!! (That's from Mommy too..she helped me type it.)