...And To All A Good Night!

Merry Christmas To All!

Baby, It's Cold Inside

It's been 1.5 weeks since I last posted and this is the best I could come up with. Life has been running at the speed of sound the last couple weeks in preparation for the holidays and our trip to Utah.

Lately Sophie has taken to wearing her hat at all times. I will go open her door after her nap and she's standing there in her hat. This actually has proven quite handy as we've been working on "h" and "ts" in speech. Whether she's saying it single or plural, we've got a great speech prop!





Guess I need to turn the heat up a bit.

What Do You Get When You Cross a Quirky Gift From a Great-Aunt and a Daddy Who's Childhood Obsession Was Star Wars?

Need I say more?

Granny-Great Went To See Jesus

That's what I told Sophie today. Is there really a good way to tell a 2-year-old that her Great-Grandma has passed away? When I told her Granny-Great had gone to see Jesus, she said, "Is she happy?" *Tears* "Yes she is, sweetheart. She's very happy!"

My granny was done fighting her cancer. She'd tried many times, and she was ready to go home - ready to see Jesus; ready to see my sweet Granddad.

I came across this picture from my college graduation today while sorting through a box of old pictures. It is priceless and will evermore be close to my heart.



More than their love, they passed a legacy of faith to my mom, and to me. As I watch my children grow in HIM, I'll forever be thankful for that legacy.

Rest in Jesus' arms, Granny.

Just When You Think Your Heart Cannot Expand Any More...

...there you find her: clad in pajamas; hair disheveled from playing too hard; one hand holding her prized balloon from dinner last night; the other hand clutching her craft from yesterday's Bible class.

And the tune that escapes her sweet lips nearly brings you to your knees in humility as you listen to her sing: "Oh God, you are my God, and I will ever praise you.... and step by step you lead me, and I will follow you all of my days."

Praise you, Jesus.

"From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise..." Psalm 8:2a

The Moment I've Been Waiting For

If I'm in the other room, I know it's time to clean up yet another puddle of spit-up when I hear Sophie saying, "Oooo, yuckie Will!"

Today I was filled with prodigious joy as I heard Sophie follow the above sentence with, "I got the burp rag, Mommy!"

Be still my heart.

A Truth and A Little Blue Lie

My sweet boy is nine months old as of Thanksgiving Day. Really? He's going to be ONE in just three short months?

Blogger poll: Is it okay to doctor pictures before using them, or is it dishonest? In the case of the below pictures, I just altered the hue and saturation of Will's eyes, basically using the color already present to enhance the blue in his eyes (I never added any coloring). Professional photographers do this stuff all the time, right? An enhancement here, shave off a curve there.

I am curious what Blogger world thinks - if Christ calls us to live in truth, does posting a doctored picture blur the lines between truth and deception?

These Are The Moments

Hope you're enjoying your Thanksgiving as much as we are! God is good!

Tippie Toes

Silly boy has no idea this isn't his toy. Don'tcha wanna squeeze those scrumptious legs?!

Better Than My Birthday

This is what greeted me yesterday morning when I opened Sophie's door. It was not my birthday. It could've been, though, for how much I loved my early morning "gift."

If You Want Something Bad Enough...

...you quickly learn to use the sign for "more" that your 8-month-old brother is becoming quite proficient with. After all, he not only gets an enthusiastic shower of praise when he uses it, he also gets whatever his little heart desires.


And that, my friends, to her 2-year-old mind, is quite ingenious.

I'm Just Helpful Like That

Then the LORD said to Moses, "Tell Aaron, 'Stretch out your staff and strike the dust of the ground,' and throughout the land of Egypt the dust will become gnats." Exodus 8:16

Does anyone else feel like their house has been under attack by one of the plagues lately? Those things are everywhere! And before you think I just have a nasty house, which may not be far from the truth, I have talked to many friends with the same problem.

Because I love my readers so much, I wanted to share a tip that I learned last week, and it has worked wonders! Put some fruit juice in a bowl and mix with a little bit of dish soap. The juice attracts the little boogers, and the soap creates a seal, so once they're in they can't get out!

In two days I caught TWENTY of them. Yes, that's really gross, I know. Yet, we're still counting. No wonder I felt like they'd never leave. Brings a whole new meaning to the plagues.

Pure Motivation

Quality time with Mommy...


OR

The pre-dinner goodness...

You be the judge.

My Love-Hate Relationship With My Son's Mobility

Oh, hi there, sweet boy. I always love to see that precious face!



Wait a minute. Your smile is fading and your eyes have that slighty tortured look to them. No, please don't start crying.



Awww, crud, here it comes. I thought when you followed me around performing this same ritual about ten times in the last hour you might have been satisfied by now. What do I know?

Ever Feel Like You're Just Blowing Hot Air?

I have this recurring nightmare that I sound exactly like Charlie Brown's teacher.

Will: What'd you say, Mommy? I can't really hear you because I'm too focused on trying to figure out what those cool blue things are on the floor!

Me: Oh, thanks for the clarification, son. That's why you can't hear me.

Claymation

Being sad:


Being happy:


Destroying our new friends:

Off the Top

Will got his first haircut about a week ago. We couldn't let it get too long, or it would've appeared he was copying his cousin, Nolan.

Before:


After:


He officially beat his big sister to his first haircut.

Sorry for going so short, buddy. The next time we do this maybe we'll try a professional.

Speech Improvement Is A Good Thing, Right?

Autumn Nuggets

Once You Have A Little Girl...

You learn that a man dressed in drag can be quite sexy.

Costume Close-ups

Happy Halloween!

From Tinkerbell, Peter Pan, the Crocodile and Captain Hook

Falling In Love All Over Again

The baby's pretty great, too...

8 Months Old

Yesterday was Will's 8-month birthday. He decided it was time he prove what a big boy he is, and I found in him in all sorts of new places.


Under the table:


Under the Exersaucer:


On the computer chair:


Okay, that last one just might have been his Daddy's doing. Don't tell him I told you.