MRS, MSW & MOM

I wanted to write an update about something I have been going through recently.  As many of you know I am currently finishing up my degree in social work (as in I get hooded May 4th!).  I already had a BSW and now I will have an MSW.  Of course, the most important titles I have right now are MRS & MOM but I am currently seeking opportunities to use my MSW.  I have had several people ask me, of course because I'm graduating, what is next or if I have a job lined up or what i WANT to do.  These questions seems so plain and simple but in actuality they are complex and unanswerable at this time.  The process of getting my masters degree, actually being accepted into the program, was quick and definitely NOT what I wanted.  As a matter of fact, when I would sit in my senior sw classes at Columbia College we would receive information about continuing onto the MSW program at USC.  I would literally give all the materials handed out back because I did NOT want to do it.  I was at the point where I didn't even want to do social work.  However, in June 2009 as I was sitting in my office at the time an urge came over me to contact the people at USC and see about the program. After that contact, I was starting the program less than 2 months later. My point in sharing that was to say- after years of pushing it away I am now graduating with that degree and it is for a reason.  I believe I needed that degree to pursue whatever it is God has planned for my life. SO I have really been practicing my patience, something I struggle with in every aspect of my life, and I've just been praying that God would direct my path.  I am incredibly blessed that our livelihood does not depend on my income so I do have the opportunity to wait patiently and rely on God.  I am learning so much, personally, about dependence on God to reveal His plan in His perfect timing. Today, my pastor called me after I sent him a text about ways to get more involved at church and we are praying about some things.  After our conversation, Miss O blessed me with a short nap so I could crack open my bible and read:

Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.  Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways...  (Psalm 37:5-7)

So if you are a prayin' person, feel free to pray for this plan I'm waiting for to be revealed to me and that I'd have my eyes open to see it clearly.  If you're not a prayin' person- you should start... and not for my sake but for your own.  So with all that said... here are some pictures of my sweetness, Miss O. We have been going through a growth spurt again- lots of eating and sleeping.  I'll take it (the sleep that is)! :)

she loves the music

ALMOST reaches the ground

new things to entertain this sweet girl

More tummy time

I have to say that our tummy time pictures are my new favorites.  It is possible that I love them because it's new that she can lift her head and look around.  I love watching her look around. When we went to visit my Wuelita & Wuelito (my maternal grandparents), my Wuelita said that Miss O was nosey... and I believe it.  She gets so involved in what is going on around her. She even fights sleep so she can be involved in whatever is going on.  I just love watching the progression of her tummy time.  I am not taking these days and moments for granted.  I just love this baby!!! :)

Tummy time is fun time!

Miss O is not a huge fan of tummy time.  I am trying to make her feel good about it- actually trying to get in the habit of making negative things into positives.  I know this will prove beneficial when she gets older and has to do things like homework or write papers and we have to encourage her. :) But she is getting very good at lifting her head and her legs because you can tell she just wants to roll over on her back.  When she is on her back she tries SO hard to lift up her head and sit up on her own. I haven't been able to capture it on video but it is quite fun to watch.  She makes a face of determination (very similar to her poo poo face), clenches her arms at her side and lifts as hard as she can... which is not very far right now.  She is also doing it in her carseat... even though she is buckled in she tries hard to lift up. I have a feeling that when she starts crawling and walking she will take off... literally. She just seems like she is trying to get somewhere constantly.  I am so thankful & blessed that I have the chance to stay home with her, for now, and watch her change, grow & learn! I am definitely enjoying it while I can!

just some tummy time

she would rather be on her back.

Big lift!

More tummy time.

How it normally ends up...

Happy on her back, playing with her animal friends.

Some Bling for Her Ears.

Yesterday was our minor celebration of Olivia being 10 weeks old! For her little celebration, I took her to get her ears pierced. She did not know what she was getting into, of course. My mom & I took her to Claires. When I was in college I worked at Claires. I am familiar with their training and their technique (not that it is different from other places) but I felt more comfortable going there. We got her some 3mm 14k gold CZ's (her diamonds will come later in life... per her daddy). In my opinion, it is SO much better to get babies ears pierced. When I pierced ears at Claires, I had toddlers jump out of their parent's arms and run out of the store after one ear was pierced. When they are baby-babies they don't know what exactly that pain was so they cry and then get over it. Miss O has not really discovered her ears, per se, so she hasn't been touching the earrings or irritating her ears. She did not cry as much as she did when she got her shots. The Mr. did not go with us because he does not want her to associate him with pain (he does not like to see his baby girl cry at all!) Here are some photos taken of the process.

Letting Joi (the manager of Claires) prep the station for the piercing

Joi (the manager) getting ready. Miss O has no clue.

Up in the chair.

Joi was fabulous & entertaining.

They mark the ears first- then you examine them to make sure they are even.
(hence the purple pen in Joi's hand)

She knows something is going on... just look at that face.

Ear piercing gun up to her ear....

Click! It's in!! End product looks great but Miss O was not a fan of the process.
(The face daddy wanted to avoid seeing.)

Happy 10 Weeks to my sweet girl!

Happy Easter!

Olivia's first Easter was very special but not too special at the same time.  It was probably more special for us, seeing as she has no idea what a holiday is or days of the week, etc.  She is 9 weeks old and really has no concept of any special event.  She did get a visit from the Easter Bunny & was even awake for the first time during church! We are so thankful to have a risen Savior and can't wait to teach Olivia all about Jesus and His love for us! We hope everyone had a lovely Easter holiday. Here are some photos we took of Olivia's first Easter. XO

Olivia and her Easter basket filled with goodies!

Her new favorite toy (or substitue pacifier)

just nibbling her new bunny

Happy Easter from the Hites!

talking to her daddy

pretty much done with family photos.

Daddy & his girl

just the girls.