[x] I really need to get better at updating. I also really need to stop saying that. ;)

[x] Life with our newest addition is going beautifully. She is such a blessing, and has brought so much love and light to our lives. I can't remember a time without her. I really feel confident in my ability to care for her now, especially where the MIC-KEY is concerned. I am so blessed to have such amazing kids, such an amazing husband, and such an amazing life.

[x] We had a nice Fourth of July yesterday. The fireworks were lovely and I was overcome with happiness. The Fourth of July, for a very, very long time, held a lot of hard memories for me. In 1997, it was probably one of the worst days of my life. I was so overwhelmed by life and heartbreak (ahhh, puppy love) and depression...and yeah, it was a bad, bad scene (to say the least). K. and I concluded our dating life on the Fourth of July in 2005. The years between 1997-2005 were usually filled with some sort of Fourth of July negativity. I distinctly remember my ex-boyfriend chastising me for being "too dressed up" one year and that was just the tip of the iceberg of drama. Ah, memories. But since 2006, my Fourth of July celebrations have been so incredible. Every year I feel more blessed than the last--and I am.

[x] Our luck has really started to improve. Both K. and I subscribe to the theory of "putting it out there"--if you put it out to the universe, you will receive; if you give freely, you will get it back. It seems as though Sunshine's arrival brought us so much luck. (Did I ever mention that we first met her on St. Patrick's Day? :) So many doors have opened and just recently, we've been in contact with an angel on this earth who is working to help us out in an incredibly big way. Sometimes the good of humanity just bowls you over. We've been feeling very much like that as of late.

[x] Sunshine had her first appointment with an amazing braid artist and wow! I was blown away. She looks absolutely adorable (as always)! I'm sure she's not-so-secretly elated that I'm not trying my hand at her hair myself. I'm already looking forward to her next appointment. We're hoping to meet up with her step-grandma soon as well, and I know the visit will be so good for both of them (and us, too!).

[x] Speaking of first family, we were blessed to spend some time with LF's first grandmother during the back half of June. She is just fantastic; it was great to see her and so obvious Little Flower is crazy about her. I love it so!  Both LF's first mom and first grandma are artists. I so hope LF follows the trend in her family. And speaking of LF, she turns 21 months tomorrow. WHAT? Her second birthday will be here before I know it. We're thinking of having her second birthday party late in October and making it a costume bash. K. and Bear are going as Woody and Buzz (respectively) for Halloween. The girls? Well, we're going as Disney princesses. Beauty is going to be Belle, Sunshine is going to be Princess Tiana, I am going as Snow White, and the littlest princess is going as the quintessential princess of all princesses: Cinderella. SO excited for Halloween already--and LF's birthday especially! How I love the month of October for so many different reasons. :)

[x] Alright, I'm gonna wrap this up, clean up a bit, and then get to lunch making and perhaps a little baking. Laundry is calling my name, too. Gonna love up on my four babies a whole bunch today as well, but that's absolutely nothing new. <3