My wish for Millie Janalee as she grows up is to have the same experience with her grandparents as I did with mine.  Going to our grandparents' houses was always the highlight for me and my brother and sister.  My grandparents always had such fun things going on.  Like wheelbarrow rides, sponge rollers, bubble baths, shopping for new dresses, shelling peas, camping in the RV, making hairbows and earrings out of the most unusual things, and more.

Watching my grandparents with my child has been very special to me.  I only have pictures of me with my great-grandparents.  They passed away when I was very young.  I don't remember how they were with me, but I will always remember how my grandparents are with Millie Janalee.

Millie Janalee is surely the highlight of any day for Maw Maw.  She prayed for this baby girl as much or more than any of us.  Through all her health problems and scares, she kept saying that she had to stay alive to see that great-grandbaby.  Now, she's gotta hold out to keep playing with her.  Ha!  Millie Janalee is mesmerized by Maw Maw.  They just sit and talk to each other.  Maw Maw talks and talks and talks.  And occasionally breaks out in song.  It is such a sweet image.

Pops loves Millie Janalee too.  He always talks about how pretty she is.  He says, "She's a good one."  We've only been to see Pops a couple of times since Millie Janalee was born, but I can tell he loves her.  He reaches over to touch her hands, feet, and anything else that he can reach.  I'm not sure if he knows exactly who she belongs to.  Maybe he thinks she belongs to my mom, since she's always holding her when we are around.  Ha!  But, he loves her all the same.

I do wish my Nonnie were here to see Millie Janalee, but I know she is looking down with the biggest smile making sure Susu does all the "Nonnie" things she should.  Like jacuzzi baths and sponge rollers and back scratches.  I love that Nonnie's handwriting is on the bottom of Millie Janalee's bassinet listing all the babies who have used it...dating back to my mom and uncle.  Such a treasured heirloom.

Millie Janalee has some pretty terrific grandparents herself.  It has been such a delight to watch Russ's parents and my parents love on our daughter.  And for her to be ours.  It is surreal at times.  Most of all, it has been so special to watch my parents become grandparents for the first time!  I love seeing how much they want to hold her, love on her, and take care of her.  Actually, it has almost been as if Russ's parents are becoming grandparents for the first time again too.  They are so in love with this girl!

I think God gives us grandparents for such a special reason.  I am thankful for my relationships with my grandparents growing up and for the influence they had on my life.  I am thankful for Millie Janalee's grandparents and the immensity of their love for her!

Thankful for College Football

How does she look so grown here?!

Today, I'm thankful for college football.  Yes.  Even after yesterday's game.  There's really no explanation needed after my last post about Mississippi State football.  We love this time of year!  Things get busy and in full swing starting with football season!  It has been such fun introducing Millie Janalee to the excitement of Mississippi State game days!

Yesterday, we traveled to Starkville for an early 11:00 game against Texas A&M.  I've been one of those obnoxious SEC fans who thinks A&M and Missouri need to be initiated into the SEC.  I wanted every SEC opponent to show up and show them what it means to be a part of the SEC.  I haven't kept up with their games or records.  I just knew we were hoping for a good game after that Alabama debacle. 

I packed for a cool game...seeing as how the temperature has been in the 40's nearly all week.  Except as the week progressed, I noticed the forecast predicting warmer and warmer highs.  Until it stopped at 82!  So, Millie Janalee had this cute long sleeve onesie with her little denim skirt from Auntie Kristin that I packed for her to wear.  I decided to forgo the leggings, and I decided the long sleeves would protect her arms from the sun.  I took her into the game after a short stroll to the bookstore in her new big girl stroller Susu bought.  I waited to put her headphones on since it was so warm.  Mistake.  I wasn't anticipating the flyover, and the best I could do was squeeze my hands against both ears while her eyes looked as big as I've seen them.  Ha!  Bless her!  We quickly decided it was time for the headphones and Paw Paw's baseball cap to keep the sun out of her eyes.  It was at that point, she drifted off to sleep.

Sleepy Bulldog baby!

Thankfully Paw Paw bought two extra tickets this year for Millie Janalee, because she used them both!  Russ wasn't able to join us for this game, so we still had a little extra room to move around.  The game was anything but exciting.  It was quite depressing to be honest.  Millie Janalee was unimpressed and just couldn't take it anymore after halftime...

This pretty much sums up how we all felt at that point.

Susu took her strolling around campus while the rest of us stayed to torture ourselves with the leftover plays.  Since we didn't tailgate, [I know.  Everyone can let out a collective gasp at this time.] we all decided to eat in Starkville before heading home.  It was a delightful day in Starkvegas even if it did end with a pretty bad loss.

The positives?  I liked the new uniforms.  I enjoyed getting some much needed sun on these snow white arms.  Millie Janalee looked extra cute.  And Bulldog fans are still Bulldog fans when we lose.  We are no fairweather fans.  We really haven't had a chance to be.  Ha!  Bulldog fans are loyal to the end.  We cheer through the wins, and we cheer through the losses.  We may be disappointed, but once the loss wears off, #webelieve again just in time for the next game.  Which just so happens to be LSU.  At LSU.

See?  How is that not loyalty?  Thankful for the fun and excitement college football brings!

Thankful for Fun Family Gatherings

Our little family on Millie Janalee's first Halloween

If there's anything you have learned from reading our blog, I'm sure you know by now how important family is to Russ and me.  We are so blessed to be a part of such loving, close, and FUN families.  I am very thankful to be part of a family who likes to have FUN!  I love that we will be able to raise Millie Janalee to learn to have fun, not take life too seriously, and enjoy each memory! 

Our family really made Millie Janalee's first Halloween extra special! We knew we wouldn't be trick or treating with Millie Janalee for two reasons. First, her costume wouldn't fit in a car seat.  And secondly, let's get real.  The baby is too little for candy.  Although that certainly didn't stop a few parents from bringing their bitty babies trick or treating WITH a bag for candy.  Hmmm. Actually, I'm thinking that was kinda smart.  They will enjoy that candy for weeks to come while I sit here without. 

Will, Elle, and Millie Janalee

Since we weren't trick or treating, my sister and her husband offered to host everyone for Halloween.  Their neighborhood is known for van loads of children being let out to trick or treat.  I'm guessing we had over $120 worth of candy...and very little left.  Does that tell you anything?

Uncie Sock Monkey and Auntie Peacock with Millie Janalee

Lee really got into the Halloween spirit and decided to decorate the front of their house with spider webs, black lights, strobe lights, and a little fog machine.  Russ supplied the Halloween Pandora music on his iPhone, and we were set!  By far the most exciting trick or treating spot on the street!  The whole family came over for a fun Halloween gathering.

Showing Maw Maw our purrrrfect baby girl!

I remember last Halloween so well.  I watched Facebook all night to see all the little ones in their cute costumes.  I wished so badly for my own little one to dress up.  And now it was here!  Millie Janalee, my little answered prayer, was ready to dress up for her very first Halloween!  Can this be real?  It certainly is!  I know there are parents who sigh and dread trick or treating with their rowdy bunch of kids.  And maybe one day I'll be one of those parents.  But, this year...I was ecstatic.  I was enjoying every second.  I was thankful.

Everyone took turns manning the front door and candy bowl while Mama slaved away in the kitchen cooking taco soup for this crazy crew.  Don't worry about her.  She needs no company or entertainment to have a good time.  After all, she's the one who taught us how to have fun.

Most of the time, the guys manned the front porch.  Lee stayed in his spot all night.  He had an important job that may or may not have included terrifying young children until one little Super Mario Brother faceplanted in the ditch trying to run away.  Ha!  Who knew a sock monkey could be so scary?

Daddy joined us after a while ready to join the party.  This sumo costume has no expiration date and may be a signature piece in our family.  The best part about this year's appearance was certainly his dress socks and dress shoes.  Oh my!  Did I say my mom was the one who taught us how to have fun?  Maybe it was both!  In addition to his look, I have lots of video footage of Daddy's "performances."  To every Halloween song or melody there was an appropriate sumo dance.  No audience was necessary.  He was also very much instigating the scare of young children.  Ha!  I only heard one little boy begin to cry...at which point sumo wrestler man tried to hug him to calm his nerves.  The boy was steadily standing with his bag waiting for candy.  No scary monkey or tears were gonna cost him his "treats."  Ha!

We all enjoyed seeing all the excited children with a sugar high running through the streets and laughing and screaming as they walked up to this "haunted house."  We especially liked our favorite surprise trick or treaters...

Grace and her friend

Millie Janalee was such a sweet kitty all night.  Her eyelids became heavier and heavier.  To be honest, the girl never moved a muscle once her costume was on.  She sat in my arms until she drifted off to sleep.  Sweet dreams little kitty cat...

Bless it!

She woke up a little fussy and probably totally over the whole big belly cat costume.  We stripped away all the puffiness, and gave her some air.  We had lots of helpful hands calming her and helping our sweet girl remember how much fun Halloween can be...

"She She" and Millie Janalee

Uncie Bucket has the magic touch.

Millie Janalee loves her "Aunt Nana!"

Millie Janalee is mesmerized by Maw Maw!  Maw Maw talks and talks to her, and Millie Janalee listens intently.

Yes, it was a family affair.  Come to think of it, everything we do is a family affair.  This family is always looking for a reason to celebrate and have a party!  We all love a good fun family gathering, and this was the perfect occasion!

The crazy Smith crew

The Tulls

 What about my little family?  The "Party of THREE?"  Oh, we had a ball making special memories with our purrrrrfect baby girl!  A dream come true celebrated perfectly!  We love making Halloween a fun day with costumes and candy.  Nothing more.  Just fun.  We laughed, smiled, and thanked God for such a fun day with our new family.

Millie Janalee riding the ostrich with Daddy

Mama and her growing 15 week old baby girl!

We may be crazy.  We may be dysfunctional sometimes.  We may even get on your nerves.  But we are family.  And we are fun!  And we sure love a good gathering.  Today I am so grateful for fun family gatherings!

Thankful for Motherhood

 Becoming a mother is by far one of the greatest joys of my life!  All little girls dream of this day from the time they pick up their first baby doll and cradle it.  In school, I doodled the names of my future children...along with my name combined with the last name of whoever was my boyfriend at the time.  Don't laugh.  You know you did it too!  So when my dream of becoming a mother was unknown, I was crushed.  Little did I know that God was teaching me and showing me the joys of trusting Him with my family.  I'm so thankful He didn't give up on me.  I'm so thankful for motherhood!

There are a few things I've learned since becoming a mother in July.  There is so much left to learn, and I"m pretty sure I will never get it all right, but I'm sure loving learning along the way!  I've learned about myself.  I've learned about this little being who depends on me for every need.  And I've learned about others too.

One thing I've learned about others is that people are not shy about giving their opinions when they learn Millie Janalee's name.  I was prepared for people mistakenly calling her Millie.  I just knew I would have to stand my ground when she started school and remind her teachers that her name is Millie Janalee.  Just like Sarah Elizabeth or Mary Elizabeth may be the girl's name sitting right beside Millie Janalee.  I was not prepared for perfect strangers or acquaintances saying, "That's a mouthful isn't it?" or "That's long."  But, people do.  Instead of saying, "Oh, I love that name.  Where did it come from?" they begin letting us know how they feel.  I also was not prepared for people to say, "Well, I'm gonna call her..."  Hmmmm.  Really?  Well, I suppose you can call her that...but that's not her name.  Her name is Millie Janalee.  Not MJ.  Not Millie (although I can tolerate that much better than MJ).  Not Janalee.  Sometimes I'm tempted to say, "Ok.  Well I'm gonna call you [insert random name]" just to see their reaction.  Ha!  But we LOVE Millie Janalee's name!  Not just because it is beautiful, but because it is special.  Both parts are special.  And we have no plans to take either name away.  

Another thing I've learned about others is how deeply they can love.  Russ and I are constantly overwhelmed with the love shown to us and our sweet girl.  Everyone wants to know her.  Everyone wants to see her.  Everyone wants to pray for her.  It has been such an amazing experience to share this miracle baby with our friends, family, and so many we have never met.  We are so thankful for each person who lifted Millie Janalee's sweet name to our Father or wears a "Praying for More" t-shirt around town sharing her story or sent a precious card or gave Millie Janalee a special gift.  We are so thankful that everyone has shown us how to love better and been such an example of God's love to our little family.  I have learned from others, and I know I will continue to learn throughout this journey of motherhood.

I've learned about Millie Janalee.  I've learned what she enjoys, what makes her sad, what makes her mad, what rocks her schedule.  I've learned how she likes to burp.  I've learned how to apply lotion without tears.  I've learned when she likes to eat and sleep.  I've learned that my baby girl loves bath time and bright colors on the television.  I've learned that she's a wonderful Bully Baby.  I've learned that when she's hot, she doesn't want to be held.  I've learned that when she's crying, she likes to sit on my arm facing outward and bounce.  I've learned a fussy cry vs. a hungry cry.  I've also learned that just about the time I learn something new, it changes.  Ha!  I've also learned that Millie Janalee is growing way to fast for my comfort!  I put her in her car seat last night, and I was slapped in the face by the fact that she looked more like a little girl than a baby.  I have learned from Millie Janalee the importance of EVERY SECOND.  I don't want to miss one.  I don't want to waste one.  Chances pass too quickly, and we need to soak in every moment in life and find JOY in that moment.  JOY in the tears.  JOY in the anger.  JOY in the laughter.  Find JOY in it all, because it won't last forever.

Motherhood has been known to teach mothers a lot about themselves too.  Yep.  I've learned things about myself that only motherhood can teach me.  I've learned that no matter how long you wait, it seems insignificant now.  I may have used the wrong word, but it's true.  When I was waiting, I couldn't imagine anything making that pain, sorrow, longing, and frustration disappear.  I would roll my eyes on the inside when people said, "It will be worth the wait."  I even said it.  I thought if I said it enough, I'd start to believe it.  God worked on my heart through the six years of waiting to become a mother.  Now I know.  I know that it was SO worth the wait.  If I had to wait another year for Millie Janalee, I would have gladly.  It certainly wouldn't be my first choice, but I'd do it.  Ha! 

I've learned that I am stronger than I realize.  My heart has been through so much.  Obviously God knew we could handle it, so he allowed His story to be told through our family.  I'm humbled. 

I've learned that there is no right way to parent.  Babywise, Secrets of the Baby Whisperer, mother's intuition, etc.  Every child is different.  Every mother is different.  I've learned that I'm okay with parenting the way I want to and the way Millie Janalee responds best.  I've learned that I'm okay with not having a strict nap schedule.  I'm okay with feeding her early if she's hungry.  I've learned that I'm okay with a three month old still sleeping next to me in her bassinet.  In fact, I'm okay with never moving her.  Ha! Unfortunately, one day she will outgrow the bassinet.  I've learned that I can smile when mothers give their advice...knowing that every other mother has told me something completely different.  I can smile because I learned that every mother is different and every child is different.  I can smile because I know that if I do it differently...it's not wrong.  It's okay.  Because I am me.  And Millie Janalee is Millie Janalee.  And it's okay.

I've learned that I can be a morning person.  Especially when those big blue eyes are looking up at me with a big gummy grin.  I can be a middle of the night person too if need be.  Granted I'd much rather be the morning person than the middle of the night person.  Thankfully, I don't have to worry about that very often right now. 

I've learned that I can love a stranger deeper than I ever knew I could.  I have a love for my daughter that I never knew existed.  No, she didn't grow in my belly.  But she grew in my heart.  We longed for her, prayed for her, dreamed about her, and trusted our Father with her.  There are days I forget I didn't birth her.  In fact, most days.  Ha!  She's every bit OUR DAUGHTER as your child is yours.  I'm so incredibly thankful for the blessing of adoption and all the joy it brings.  I have a love for her birthparents that I definitely didn't expect.  We may have only met them twice.  We may only get occasional updates.  But we have a bond with them that goes beyond anything you could imagine.  I truly hate that everyone can't experience everything we have gone through.  It is beyond amazing!  I never knew I could love like this through this experience.  I've learned I can.  Wow!

As I type this and look over to Millie Janalee taking her morning nap completely sprawled out at my feet, I am overjoyed with thanksgiving.  The Lord has done great things for me, and I am filled with JOY!  I am so thankful for motherhood...and the lessons it has taught me and continues to teach me.

Thankful for Auntie Love

It's November.  We are instructed to give thanks always...in all circumstances.  But this month, especially, we are all reminded to reflect on giving thanks.  Russ and I have SO many reasons to be thankful.  We always have, but Millie Janalee brings such overwhelming thanksgiving in our hearts each day.  What did we ever do to deserve such a privilege.  The answer is nothing.  We feel so unworthy of God's blessings.  We are so thankful for His plan, His mercy, His blessings...including the trials, and His love.  Things may not have always gone our way, but now we know that He was working on something way better.  There are times when we may never know His plan, but we know His plan is not only good.  It is better.  Thankful this year for the incredible lesson He is teaching us about trusting Him.  'Tis SO sweet to trust in Jesus!

Today, I am thankful for this sweet girl's "Auntie love."  Millie Janalee has three amazing aunts who probably have carpet burns on their knees from kneeling to pray for her over the last few years.  Aunts who still lift her sweet name to our Father.  Aunts who love to spoil, baby talk, and want pictures of every new trick or outfit. 

Being an aunt has been one of the greatest joys for me.  I have been an aunt for the last seven years, and I enjoy being "Aunt Megan" to many more...like their friends.  Ha!  You can look back at how much fun I have being Aunt Megan.  It has been such fun watching my sister become an aunt for the first time!

Auntie Kristin loves Millie Janalee to pieces and surely enjoys spoiling her sweet.  I never have to worry about Millie Janalee's wardrobe or lack of cute outfits.  Auntie Kristin has it under control.  I have visions of future years when these two will most definitely get into some big trouble at the mall.  I'm thinking Auntie Kristin may show Millie Janalee how to make and ice the yummy teacake cookies she makes.  I'm pretty sure she'll paint her fingernails all sorts of funky colors.  And I'm willing to bet Millie Janalee will know what's "in" with each coming season of fashion.

Yep.  These two girls are little divas, and it is sure to only get worse.  Or maybe the word is better.  Auntie Kristin has already begun her "Little Diva Training," and it is a joy to watch.

Now, the goal is to raise this 'Lil Diva to be a sweet and polite little girl with a genuine heart for her Father and for others.  I'm praying that the love shown to her from her three aunts...and from everyone else...will lead her to love others deeply and well.  She has some pretty great role models!

So today, I'm thankful for auntie love!