31

New Years Day I turned 31. And I can honestly say, every year just keeps getting better. Mike and I spent NYE with Crystal and Andy. In typical girly style, we happily posed for the camera (meaning we trust it at Andy and said 'Take our picture! Take our picture!') but forgot to take pictures with the guys. They came over for drinks and we went out to yummy dinner. It was just what I wanted.

The next day some girlfriends took me out to lunch. No photos for that, but it sure was fun. The best part of my day? When I was getting dropped off from my girl's day, Maxwell and Ella ran out the front door waving something at me. When they got to the car they proudly showed me the special plates and napkins Daddy let them pick out for my birthday cake. They were so excited. It was my favorite moment of the day. Later, Mike barbequed and we had a mellow family dinner. Just my style.

As far as New Year's resolutions...I've never taken them too seriously. I seem to make new ones all year long. But if I really think about it, I'd like to work on these.

- Join the rest of America and eat better (get skinny). But really stay at a weight I'm comfortale at. And eat better so that my kids see my food choices and we regulalry eat well as a family.
- Set time aside for writing. I really enjoy writing, but blogging is the only writing I do. And as much as I share on here...ther's a lot I don't. I've always dreamed about writing a book (like every other girl) but my best writing comes when I'm honest. So I need a private place to write. And I need to intentinally set time aside to do that. Or another will go by.
- Potty train Maxwell. Ella's using the toilet like a champ now. I need to start spending that time with Maxwell.

I'm sure I have more, but as I wrote that I just heard a scream from the other room. Better check that out. Happy New year, a week late, to you and yours :)

Interrupting Winter...

...For a day of sun at the beach. I'll take it any day! My whole body breathed in the salty air and warm sunshine. Gray days can be cozy, but I'm such summer girl. I loved the tease today. And the good company.

Favorite Photos, 2011

So, I'm a little late on the New Year's thing. My birthday was actually January 1st, and I have pictures to post but tonight I'm too lazy to go out to my car to get my camera. So that will come later. But for tonight, I was thinking about 2011 and how much I have to be thankful for. I pulled up 'my photos' on my computer and browsed each month. Here are my favorites. I love each of these pictures because they bring up strong memories. 2011 was so special.

January.

 

February.

 

March.

 

April.

 

May.

 

June.

 

July.

 

August.

 

September.

 

October.

 

Ok, two for October.

November.

 

December.

I'm thankful for these special memories and pictures I have to remind me of them.

Christmas Morning

I don't know what we've been doing, but it feels like we've been really busy. Here's a video of our Christmas morning. Maxwell and Ella were awestruck, excited, and...overwhelmed. Michael, Maegann and Zach were at our house Christmas morning before the kids were even awake (I was so happy they were here early! Thanks Michael and Meg).

We had a really special day of morning presents, lazy naps, and dinner at Grandma Judie's. I loved Christmas 2011.


I had this song playing to my video...but it blocked the video due to copy write laws...which I get...but I love to choose my own music. This song was the best I could come up with in their audio swap. Oh well.

Christmas Eve

Yesterday I finished some last minute shopping and we got to see Santa downtown. This picture was the best of four. At least their not crying.

Tonight we celebrated Christmas Eve at my parents, as we do every year. The kids were all about it. Maxwell was so excited he could hardly talk (seriously, his sentences were just a string of happy words that didn't really make sense). Thanks for a special night Mom and Dad. We missed you David!

The kids watched the Polar Express on the hour drive home. It was soon time for bed and Maxwell cried and cried- he's still not liking his room at night :( I didn't have as much patience as his Daddy did. I knew we still had so much to do but Mike just sat with him and calmed him down- which quickly turned into this.

With both kids tucked in their beds, I did this...

Check out this cool train that was Mike's from when he was a boy! He pulled it out of storage today and got parts to make it work. It goes round and round the tree...

Now Mike's in the cold garage putting together this...the pink one's next...

And I'm about to do this zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...

Merry Christmas to you and your families. For those as blessed as we are to wake up with kids tomorrow, enjoy! This is the most magical December I've ever had. Now, excuse me as I go polish off Santa's cake and milk.

A Prayer

This is a hard post to write because it's being vulnerable and transparent. And because it's late and I'm tired. I'm typing this in a dark room with my little boy asleep in my bed. A few times over the past months Maxwell has told me that he's afraid in his crib. The fact that my baby has lost part of his innocence to fear breaks my heart. He's only two! I'm still supposed  to be able to protect him.

He's woken up hysterical a couple times, but other than that it's a timid fear that we can usually talk through. Each time I'm immediately convicted because the first thing I say to him is 'Let's pray.' And then I do, then he doesn't understand. And I feel like I'm failing. When we talk about God Ella instantly says, 'God made the whole world!,' because that's what she's heard me tell her. They've heard the nativity story. But they don't know Jesus. Well, actually, I bet they do, but I haven't modeled that for them like I wish I had.

Without making this my testimony, I'll share that I was raised in a Christian home. Always. I've known the Lord as long as I can remember. Of course my faith has been challenged and I've known God on different levels through different seasons (see, I know the lingo), but I truly, I have always known that God's been with me. Of course the choice to follow, and not to follow, has always been mine. But the foundation of my faith lies in roots my parents planted in my heart. Yet I have not been part of a church family since...college...ish..really about 10 years.

So when I say that I'm convicted, it's because I haven't been intentional about naming God's goodness in our lives.  Honestly, in my everyday life, I don't speak this out loud in my home. I breathe it over my babies when I hold them in my arms. I whisper prayers as I watch them play together. I blog about God's faithfulness when it overwhelms me. But it's not enough. Because if it was enough, Maxwell would understand what I means when I tell him let's pray. So, there it is. There's my heart. My short comings.

Jesus, teach me to share you with my children in a way that they'll understand. Show me how to model your love in our home, in spite of my flaws and contradictions. Remind me that they are watching me, always; looking at my example. As I stumble to teach my kids, teach me again. Teach me to pray. Help me to know you. And in the name of Jesus I cast fear from Maxwell's mind. Comfort him and cover him with your peace. Assure him completely that his room, his bed, is a safe place. Fill his dreams with goodness and joy. Let him wake up rested and sure. 


Amen.

The Day I Had Things To Do

I woke up this morning with the pressing feeling that I had things to do. Christmas is six days away (yikes!) and I've yet to wrap one present. I still have stocking stuffers to buy and blah, blah, blah. I made a quick list and headed out the door early. Maxwell and Ella are pretty good about running errands. But today, they weren't into it. They were anti-cart riding kleptomaniacs (Maxwell literally found a mini pack of Toy Story stickers and hid it in his beanie. I only found out when I reached for his hat in the check out line because he was looking hot and found a pack of stickers tucked inside. Sneaky/clever little fellow). My main task was simple: wrapping paper. Nerd alert, I love choosing beautiful paper. It doesn't have to be expensive, but I love coordinated ribbons and pretty paper. I was in such a rush that I left with cheesy snowflake and Santa paper. I know, it doesn't matter. But kind of not as fun to wrap.

Next came nap time. 95% of the time Maxwell will sleep for three hours. 10% of the time Ella will sleep at all. Today, 0 and 0. Operation present wrap = a fail.

So instead...we decorated the little Christmas tree I found for $1 at Goodwill.

 

 

 

This Charlie Brown tree had made its home in Ella's room. She finally got her little tree.

 

Later today...I was itching to dust and mop. But that wasn't in the cards. Instead, chalk time. It was actually an unusually nice afternoon so the fesh air felt great.

 

 

And in the middle of the art show...my brother Spencer showed up. Which turned into an afternoon skate sesh. Which was way better than a clean house.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hi five Uncle Spence!

 

Movies By Tree Light

Reason #974 that life is better with toddlers: Christmas movies by tree light.

Tonight Mike and I get an overnight away :) We have a Christmas party for the company he's working for and the kids are staying with my parents. They've been sick with yucky coughs but hopefully they're on the mend. They're excited. We're excited.

This is the first year since we've been married that we've had Christmas lights up. Kids will do that to you...and I LOVE it!

And my own December delight? UPS/Fed Ex trucks. I've only ordered a few things online but the anticipation of waiting for the packages is too much- I love it. I get excited at every truck that drives by, wondering if it's our delivery. It's the best.

Holiday Inspiration

One adorable family's alternative to traditional Christmas cards. Jingle Bells - Christmas Video Greeting 2011 from Jared Foster on Vimeo.

Cute Time Capsule ornaments, would be a fun tradition to create every year.

A Christmas tree meant for the kids to touch.

Not Christmas related, but I want this in our home.

And my favorite! A Party At The North Pole. Such a sweet night.

What It's All About

I watched this on Chelsea's blog this morning. This is one of the sweetest videos I've seen. This is Christmas.

Shit Happens

Ella's on day 6ish of potty training. She's doing great going pee. Well, I am still the one who initiates telling her she needs to come try to 'go potty' on the toilet, but she has not been having any pee accidents. We can even run errands and she hasn't had accidents. But she poops in her underwear. And it's gross. Everything I read stresses the importance of not shaming children when they are learning to use the toilet. Obviously. I'm just not really sure when the light is going to turn on and she's going to at least try to poop on the toilet.  I read this article and the suggestions confimred that I am still entirely too immature. When I read about cutting a hole in the pull up and placing them on the toilet, I lost it. Really? I mean, whatever works...but still, that shit's funny (pun intended).

Ella is REALLY into Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer.  We have been talking about getting a light up Rudolph for our front lawn as a reward if she goes poop in the potty...and she's super excited about it...then she poops in her underware and tells me 'it's ok because i still get chocolate,' refering to her M & M treat for peeing. She's a smart cookie this one. Any suggestions?

P.S. Am I the only one who has to fight the urge to just throw the underwear away because it's super nasty to clean? (Read between the lines: I have thrown a few pairs of underwear away because I'm that lazy. And it's that gross).

Oh, And We Got Our Christmas Tree

Ella kept telling Mike, "Cut this one!" She really wants a little tree in her room. I think I'll get each of them a little fake one for their rooms. But her face was so cute I almost made Mike cut this one down.

2011

 

2010

2009