Sadness....

fills my heart today because of this...

Yes, I knew this day would come but it has snuck up on me....and I don't like it at all! My sweet girl has outgrown her 0-3 month clothes. I have been putting this off for as long as I can but this morning I cleaned out her closet. Here sits a pile of clothes that will be boxed away....but the memories I will forever keep in my heart.

"Making the decison to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body". Elizabeth Stone

Made with Love

Okay...so this year Christmas is gonna be a little different gift-wise. Tanner has been asking me to re-do his room. What's on tap you may ask? Camo! That's right! So I am making him a comforter, curtains, bulletin board and a pair of pj's all in camoflauge. Am guessing it all stems from his first deer hunting adventure....but who really knows what them boys are thinking! Ha!

Here is a recent picture of a pair of pj's a made for him. See, I really can do this!

I'll post pictures as I make progress on my projects! Better get to it! Christmas is in 18 days!! Yikes!!!

Glorious Friday

What a wonderful day! It never ceases to amaze me when I see God's miracles unfold before my eyes. Today we had two.

This sweet girl fell asleep all by herself. I laid her down on a blanket and went about trying to do the daily (and non-ending I might add) piles of laundry and dirty dishes. I had no clue that she had fallen asleep. Have you ever heard of a 3 month old that will do that? She is amazing! We may have waited 6 years for our miracle but she has made the wait oh so worth it!!

How often do you see this Texas?

Or this?? Yes, that white stuff falling from the sky is SNOW! It wasn't cold enough for it to stick to the ground but Tanner (and me too!) had a blast!

What a year we have had. Thank you Lord for all the ways you show your love for us.
I hope that we always see how God reveals himself to us....even in the smallest of ways.

Advent

So, I've been trying to figure out new ways for us to celebrate the Christmas season. We've been trying to teach Tanner that Christmas isn't just about the presents....but the presence. It's about Jesus. It's a time to slow down, spend time together as a family, and give back to others. I came across an Advent calendar and thought we'd add this to our traditions. I go into this knowing that it won't be easy....but know that it will bring togetherness and memories that will last a lifetime.

Here is some of the things I've got planned for us this year. Some we've been doing over the years and some are new.

1. decorate the tree together (we did this Monday)

2. watch Christmas show together (we did this yesterday)

3. make cookies (Tanner's choice)

4. go out for dessert

5. go out to a movie

6. make cookies and deliver to a friend

7. learn about St. Nicholas

8. go look at Christmas lights

9. game night

10. camp out in living room together

11. shop for Angel Tree gift together

12. decorate a gingerbread house. I've made ours in the past but you can get them at Michael's.

13. Read the Christmas story. Matthew 1:18-25; Matthew 2:1-12; Luke 1:26-38; Luke 2:1-20.


What family traditions do you have?

3 Months

I'm 3 months already! I am a very happy baby. I am sleeping all night, usually from 10p-6a. I know Mommy is happy about that! : ) I have discovered that I have toes and a tongue. Oh, and I am drooling constantly. I like to "talk" and can carry on a good conversation. I love to smile....you should see the audience I get! ; ) I am oh so close to rolling over. I can entertain myself have been known to fall asleep on my own.

It's beginning to look like Christmas!!

Fireplace going. The fire is crackling. Christmas songs playing in the background. Time to decorate the tree. We all decorate it together. It's a tradition. I believe it's important for our children to have those memories of family togetherness. They grow up SO stinkin' fast and I wanna make sure I capture every bit of it.

This is the ornament that I got for Ainsley this year. I started this tradition with Tanner's first Christmas. Each year he gets a new ornament (his choice).

He's putting on his "First Christmas" ornament.

Our "First Christmas Together" ornament. 9 years....wow!

Gotta have our sweet angel.