Bear's Dedication 1-24-08

This past Saturday was a very special day. We dedicated and commited to the Christian nurture of our dear Bear at church. It was neat to have Pastor Steve read a special verse to our son as I looked at his precious little face on the screen above us. It is just awe-inspiring to think that God has a special plan for his life and that He is working through us now, to begin His work. Afterwards, we went to dinner to celebrate. It was special to share the day with our family, since they will also contribute to his Christian growth throughout his life. Unfortunately my dad wasn't able to make it (he had just gotten home from some foreign country), but I know my mom was smiling down from heaven as it was also her birthday - Happy Birthday Mom! Here are a few pictures from the night. The pictures of the screen are a little dark, sorry :-).

She Broke It! 1-21-08

The inevitable finally happened. After a couple of close calls, Sweet Pea broke a bone, or two actually. When she was 4 or 5 months old she rolled off of our really tall bed (it was probably 3 1/2 feet tall). N and I thought we would never get over it. We knew right away that she was okay, but we were traumatized by the thud and then sudden scream we heard. It literally took a week for the pits in our stomachs to disappear (and we still carry the guilt). Then when she was 18 months old I was giving her a piggyback ride through the hall and she leaned back and started to fall. I did have a hold of her pants, but she fell head first, backwards, so her pants slipped right off as she fell to the ground. I thought for sure I had just broken her head. Again, miraculously she was okay. Well last week, just after N got home from work, she was running around the house with excitement. All of a sudden, out of the corner of my eye, I see something flying off of the back of the couch. As soon as I heard the thud, I knew something was broken. I was completely distraught, I couldn't even pick her up. So N came and picked her up and you could tell by the way her arm was bending between her wrist and elbow, that something wasn't right. Even though she kept saying "my boo-boo is okay", we had x-rays taken the next day and they showed otherwise. So, now she has a beautiful purple cast to wear for a few weeks. She is doing great! Here are a few pictures to prove it:

My Little Cinderella 1-18-08

So, Sweet Pea's new thing is Cinderella. She watched it (on VHS, no less) for the first time the other night and has watched it all the way through at least five times since then. Anyways, it has renewed her love of her halloween costume that just happened to be a Cinderella dress! She wouldn't take it off all weekend and has already donned the gown this morning. But, to my point - she has been asking her daddy to dance with her a lot lately, especially since she has been wearing her dress (I think N likes it better now that he is Cinderella's prince rather than the Beast :-)). I can't even explain the love I feel for my sweet daughter and my wonderful husband as I watch them waltzing around the living room. I don't think I'll ever forget that feeling! Here are some pictures of Cinderella and her prince.



And here is a video of Steven Curtis Chapman singing "Cinderella". It's about him taking time to dance with his daughter because he knows she'll only be his for a while. I cry every time I hear it.

Sweet Pea's class had Crazy Socks and Hat day earlier this week. I called my sister-in-law the night before for some ideas (she always knows what to do since she has 3 boys - all older than SP). We decided to use her suggestion of painting some long white socks ~ Thanks Aunt G! Sweet Pea had a blast painting and she was so proud to wear them. Here are some pictures:

Painting with Daddy

Crazy Socks... And Hat

Crazy Socks and Hat Day 1-10-08

Sweet Pea's class had Crazy Socks and Hat day earlier this week. I called my sister-in-law the night before for some ideas (she always knows what to do since she has 3 boys - all older than SP). We decided to use her suggestion of painting some long white socks ~ Thanks Aunt G! Sweet Pea had a blast painting and she was so proud to wear them. Here are some pictures:

Painting with Daddy


Crazy Socks... And Hat

Is It Really Over? 1-08-08

January 08
Is It Really Over?

ETA: I forgot about Sweet Pea's School Christmas party. Here are a couple of pictures:

Walking back to class:


Having lunch with Daddy and her friends:



Well, I guess the Christmas season is officially over. I have to admit, I am a bit sad. This was a special year (as I am sure every Christmas will be from now on) - it was Bear's first Christmas, the first time Sweet Pea understood that Christmas was a special time to celebrate Jesus' birthday and to spend time with family (and she could actually open presents and really cared about what was inside), our fifth and probably last Christmas in this house and my fifth Christmas without my mom (I always heard the first year was the toughest, but I would beg to differ). We had a great time visiting family and celebrating our Savior's birth. Our Christmas always starts on Christmas Eve Eve, also known as N's birthday. This year we went to our chruch service on the 23rd and then celebrated N's birthday at Nana and Poppy's house with E and K's family and J and J's family. The only picture I have is of N and the kids in their matching clothes. I know it may sound a little dorky, but I thought it was so sweet that N was proud to match his son and daughter. I am sure it won't be long before they won't allow it! (N had a little allergy thing going on, so his eye is a little red)



On Christmas Eve we drove to FW and celebrated Christmas with Nana, Poppy, JJ&L and EKM&A. It was very fun and rambunctious as always. After lunch and presents, we went to E&K's church service where E plays the drums! It was awesome. Here are some pics:




When we got home we opened presents with Pappy and MeMe. Here are some pics (I don't have many, I think MeMe took some, though):




On Christmas morning Bear was very excited about all of the wrapped presents from Santa. He thought they were very fun to chew on. Then, Sweet Pea came downstairs and saw the presents Santa "left" - Pappy met him on the porch and brought the presents inside (Sweet Pea is very afraid of Santa and cried every time we told her Santa was coming in our house, so we had to figure out a way to get the presents in the house without him coming in). It was a fun morning!



Later that day we had lunch at Oma and Opa's. They gave Sweet Pea new baby dolls that are so cute. She loves to take care of them!




Then, on Friday we drove out to Hughes Springs to see most of N's cousins and their kids. Sweet Pea had fun and was worn out by the end of the day. And of course it wouldn't be a trip to Hughes Springs without a new experience for one of the kids - Bear had his first taste of donut and Diet Pepsi. I am sure he's ready to go back.
Here are a few pictures from our trip:



It was a wonderful Christmas and I hope Christmas will always be about spending time with loved ones and celebrating our Savior's birth. I have to get to work, now. I think I have covered most of the Christmas celebration's with family. My Auntie and Uncle just left today, so I'll have to post pics from their visit soon. I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and you are enjoying the new year. I feel so blessed to have such a wonderful family (immediate and extended) and friends.