Lizzy {1}

Well, today I'm the parent of a one-year-old and a two-and-a-half-year-old.

Sweet Lizzy.

She is an all-around joy these days. Waking around 7, sometimes napping around 930 or 10, sometimes not. She always naps from about 3-5, if she's skipped the morning nap afternoon nap is more like 2-4.Bedtime is 8 she goes down awake and gets herself to sleep. Most days without any issue--but there are times when it takes a few tries.

Most nights she wakes at some point, I'd say about half the time its just jabbering and she goes back to sleep  and the other half she is up for 45 minutes or so of rocking, singing, etc. until we both fall asleep in the chair. I usually wake up with my arm asleep, Lizzy snoring away in my arms and put her back in her crib for the remainder of the night.

Her new favorite breakfast is a blueberry doughnut. I can't blame her. She will still eat oatmeal or a biscuit, but would always opt for the doughnut.

Other items on her approved menu:
Applesauce- only the kind in the pouch and she wants to feed herself
Macaroni and Cheese
Chicken Salad Sandwiches
Grilled Cheese
Graham Crackers
Teddy Grahams
Cheerios/Goldfish-these are sometimes okay and other times are immediately thrown from the highchair
Spaghetti- another hit-and-miss
Yogurt Covered Raisins

That's really about all she will eat. Which is totally the opposite of Jay.

She's a confident cruiser these days, maybe walking in a month or so?

7 teeth.

Size 18 Months, 5 shoes, 4 diapers.

She waves bye-bye, says Mama, Dada, "Day" (jay) "Guhh" (Gus). She mimics "I Love You". When she has a phone (or anything she can pretend is a phone) she says "Heh-Doh". She says "whassat" and "Whassis" constantly. Everything she sees, hears, touches she asks me "whassat" or "whassis" and looks me in the eye for an answer.

She's a dancer. Anytime, anywhere to the slightest little tune.

She's bashful as can be, but i think the stranger/separation anxiety issues are getting better--sometimes.

Smiley and happy most all of the time, she's quiet most of the time when Jay's up and around, but when he's gone or asleep she soaks up all of the attention she can and jabbers and performs and keeps the house from being silent for a moment.

She loves to be outside, adores Jay and thinks he HILARIOUS, likes to cuddle with Daddio, likes to hand you things so you'll say thank you and she is mimicking those words.

Still not a fan of the car, I'm guessing she'll grow out of this by the time she's 16.

We just love her so much and can't believe it's been a year since we became a foursome. I can't wait to see how she grows and changes into her own little person over this next year.

Bringing Faith to Life

Normally, I just post pics of my kids, the occasional project and update family, friends and a few blog buds on the everyday life of our little fam. Today I'm blogging on a topic because I love the concept behind Build 'Em Up and am looking forward to sharing in encouragement among the blog-bubble. 

Welcome. 

The timing of this little story goes like this. Our children are 19 months apart (2.5 and a 1 year old on Saturday). I am a stay-at-home mom to my very busy kids and have a very busy husband who is successful in his career and a go-to guy for virtually everyone we know. We truly wouldn't want it any other way.

I try to maintain friendships, worry over family issues, stay connected to other adults and help foster young friendships for my children. 

I pray daily for BIG things-homeless, sick, broken-hearted, those who feel alone, our leaders and armed forces. 

I pray daily for anything anyone asks me to lift up to God. 

I pray daily for my children's future. 

I pray little "pistol prayers" all day long--when I drop Jay at school "Lord, keep him safe, help him to show kindness."--when Lizzy cries out while I've stepped out of the room, "Lord, don't let her be hurt." --when Jay locks the car with the keys AND the baby sister inside, "Jesus, let the spare key be in the drawer I think it is..."

All of these things I prayed for, yet there were mornings when I felt pulled too many directions, was stressed, emotional, frustrated and frayed before the coffee had time to get cold. I realized I had a zillion thoughts running simultaneously and was feeling overwhelmed. 

One recent morning, when life felt hectic (and sleep deprived), I just decided to end the hectic cycle before it got out of control. I picked a cartoon and snacks for the kids, cracked open my Bible and just asked God to give me something to meditate on to ease the feelings of frustration, anxiety, senseless stress and more. Somehow I got to Psalm 121 v 1-2

Thanks, Lord. 

So, I started some new ways to pray--

Lord, thank you for your abiding grace and being the only help I'll ever need. 

Lord, thank you for this day with my family and the life you've given us. 

Lord, thank you for trusting us to be parents. Help us to seek your will and listen to your voice as we    teach them, guide them and love them. 

Father God, I give this day to you. Allow me to serve you through my thoughts, my actions and my service to my family and anyone I meet. 

Lord, I know each day is a gift and a chance to both teach and learn. Thank you for being my teacher and help me teach my children by example and service. 

Lord, I'm probably going to mess up today, help me to ask for forgiveness, forgive myself and get back on track. 

The overall "mood" in our house changed INSTANTLY. I'm not saying we're all rah-rah hunkie-dorie all of the time, but the change is tangible. 

I feel better.

Things are easier.

There is more joy.

The kids are generally happier.

Things are running much more smoothly. 

I am able to focus on the good, right things and let the rest go. 

I truly feel like this IS the way it should be. Yes, we are in the throws of the "terrible twos". Yes, I have a sweet (perhaps too rotten) teething "infant". But I can find the joy, the peace and move past the yuck and stress. The joy is eternal, the yuck is quite temporary. 

I brought my faith to life through prayer. I'll pray the same prayer for all of you. 

I brought my faith to life by printing these two verses and framing them in places I see them 20 times a day. 

I brought my faith to life and am carrying it with me throughout my day. It is making all the difference in our daily lives. 

Thanks Be to God. 

I'm linking up with Build 'Em Up through these blogs. Please visit and share in the encouragement!
Lil' Light O' Mine
Kelly's Korner
Blue Eyed Bride
Life at the Green House


I'll try to continue to post about teaching Jay and Lizzy about faith and the things we're doing to learn and grow as we travel God's path. But just so we're clear this is a tad out of my comfort zone, but I'm sharing it anyway. 

Cluelessness

Both kids fell asleep in the car today at 12:15. Nap time usually begins after 2. I have no idea what time they will wake up or what the afternoon will bring. But, its a rainy day after a fun weekend so although I am clueless, I am okay with this. 

We celebrated our cousin Davis' birthday this weekend. So fun! No naps! It was a great day for jumping and having a ball!

Handy Helper

Well, this is a first.

I'm busy getting ready for a party next week and for the first time I have a helper!

Jay"s been at my side all week and is eager to help me do anything and everything around the house. In fact, if he doesn't have a job to do it often makes more clean up work for me so I've been trying to let him assist me when I can or give him things to do while I do chores, cook, or other to-dos.

In other news the weather is turning pleasant and I took both kids for a Chick-fil-a picnic at the park today that turned into a three hour visit. The weather {and this girl} were beautiful!

Monday {March} Madness

Just some more what I feel like are hectic days for us this weekend and Monday--I feel like I'm always saying how "crazy" or "busy" or "hectic" things are lately. I think it is just the reality of having a NEARLY 1 year old and a 2.5 year old. Some days we're rocking and rolling--others we're coping and dealing. Ha!

Exhibit A: Kimber and I took both kids to Cottontails yesterday. Yeah, I know what you're probably thinking but overall the kids were pretty darn good. Enter the Easter Bunny pic. I paid Santa (literally the Santa who is at Christmas Village for the photo op) the required $20 for my kids to sit with the Easter Bunny and have their photo made and get the small package of prints.

Somehow, whilst I was putting my kids on Mrs. Claus' the Easter Bunny's lap, the somewhat-sketchy photographer recruited Kimber to come stand behind his camera and snap the pictures, I overheard him giving her some direction, but was so puzzled I just sort of went with it (as did she). So, the photographer stands way off to the right and distracts the kids, Kimber clicks the button a few times and wham-bam here's your picture.

Kimber and I were shocked, got the creepy picture with a creepy Easter Bunny and laughed lots. Jay was just pleased as punch that he got to see the Easter Bunny, Lizzy just smiled her sweet smile and went about her merry way. I have a feeling the kids will question my judgement about this creepy bunny when they are older and see this pic. Oy.

I tried to get a quick pic of the kids before church yesterday. Ha!

 Lizzy's been playing more and more like a big girl these days. I guess it is time-she's about to be a "toddler".

I finally took Jay for a much needed haircut on Friday.
Before-

After--I wanted to keep it long this time.

Today, Jay packed a bag and insisted on going to Lowe's.

I wasn't sure why he wanted to go--but why not? SO then we got there and he did this....

...for an hour and a half. It was free (mostly), safe (mostly) entertainment and Lizzy had a ball too.

Oh and we tried one of these today--

..all went well until it turned into a cage match over the container of Cheerios. They actually got into a fight and both cried the whole way through the store. We were only there for about 5 minutes, but 2 different grandmas offered to help me due to the volume of the fits being thrown in my cart. :) Just dandy.

Crazy days, notes-to-self, February's gone!

We're baaccck. (from Nashville, actually we've been back since Saturday and now its Thursday.)

We had fun, just mainly did some hanging out at Mimi's. Quick visit to see Nanny, and that's about it. 

I did this to the door of the pantry today. (The hubs thinks it would be a great spot to do some chalkboard paint, I couldn't agree more but until then- we'll go with Allstate sticky notes. Gotta support the company!)

Mainly, I did this so I will know what I have and maybe be able to remember what I've planned to cook. Also because I found myself at the store today typing notes into my phone so i would remember what I planned to cook while I was buying groceries--then I realized the chances of me remembering I did that were about the same as me winning the lottery. 

Well, mainly I did this because life is crazy and my pantry looks like this some mornings after one or both kids have decided to play in it...

and mainly because my freezer looks like this...

venison anyone?? Yes, there are a zillion pounds of deer in the freezer and more where this came from. I am trying some new recipes this week. Cross your fingers!

I would LOVE to make a cute little menu display board in my free time. However, I am having a hard time finding my free time these days so, for now I'm going with the notes. 

Speaking of "free time" this was once found during the kids naptime in the afternoons when I am supposed to be cooking dinner, cleaning up, re-charging for round two with the kiddos--however, i fear that "naptime" as we know it is ending. Jay has skipped/protested/fought-tooth-hair-and-nail his nap the last few days. I am afraid this is the beginning of the end and I simply am not ready. I at least wish he'd keep his nap until the weather is better and he can play outside, not in the dryer. 

This happened in 5 seconds while I went to answer the phone today. He thought it was so awesome. I am certain it gave me more wrinkles in my forehead. I am also certain this is the first of many, many times he does this. 

(that warning sticker says nothing about letting your kids climb in the dryer by the way...so I guess its cool with the dryer folks if you let this happen at your house, too. )

Sweet Lizzy is all over the place as well. I think she was in the high chair during the dryer incident. I hope....when she isn't contained she is everywhere, everywhere, everywhere. 

Why aren't there more cute pics of Lizzy these days? Here's your answer. This happens every single time. 

Life is CRAZY here with us this week. Either we'll get use to it and it will seem normal this time next week or we will continue to adjust...stay tuned. 

Tomorrow starts March!! Lizzy turns 1 in March!! How can it be?? Full-on party mode begins in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.....

A Few quick finds

Jay and Lizzy have a new favorite restaurant-- FIREHOUSE SUBS!

They both ate great and got cool hats. (4 cool hats to be exact)

**If you ask Jay, his "fravrorite" restaurant is Cracker Barrel--this is due to the fact that he got a toy there on Saturday. He also compliments their chicken and sprite though. I promised him we'd go this week, so it looks like we're taking Mimi there tomorrow.

Unrelated--I bought one of these bunnies at an Antique store for $25 last week (it's vintage!!) the other at Dollar General today for $1.50.

Both will be making an appearance at our house this spring, because I'm eccentric like that. I hope they can be friends.

We're off to Nashville to visit Mimi in an hour and I have 6,000 things to do! Ta-ta!!