To the Attic it Goes

Today was a pretty sad day for me...I finally put all the baby stuff away in the attic.  I know it doesn't really seem drastic but I have kept the baby stuff up in Olivia's room since she was done with it.  Since I was pregnant three times in the first 18 months of her life I thought I would be needing it again very soon.  But, most of you know the story of our precious angels.

For me, now was the time to let go and just wait patiently for what the Lord has for us.  It was time to stop holding on to the idea that "next month will be the month."  It was time to stop tripping over the swing, carseat, stroller, and boxes of clothes and blankets. It's time to live in the "now" and focus on the three blessings I have living under my roof.

If I learned anything from a year and a half of infertility (before Olivia) it's that the Lord will bless in His timing and in His way.  Quite possibly the blessing will not come when or how I expect.  BUT....He is faithful to comfort, and fill my life with Him.

In pastures green?  Not always; sometimes He who knowest best, in kindness leadeth me in weary ways, where heavy shadows be.  So, whether on the hilltops high and fair I dwell, or in the sunless valleys, where the shadows lie, what matter?  He is there.

Barry

When nothing on which to lean remains,

When strongholds crumble to dust;

When nothing is sure but that God still reigns,

That is just the time to trust.

Cowman

Christmas Past

 I thought it would be fun to look through our family photos from Christmas past and share them with you!  It's always fun to get a good laugh (2002 shows that short hair is not for me!!) and to see how the kids have grown.  There are no pics prior to 2001 because I didn't have a digital camera then and really I don't feel like messing with the scanner!  Ha  You're not missing much.  Ryan and I were married in 1999, and Isaiah was born in 2001, so we'll start with Isaiah's first Christmas.  Hope you enjoy; I know I did!!

2001 (Isaiah is almost 4 months old;our nephew is also in this pic)

2002

2003 (Emma was SO tiny at only 20 days old)

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009 (Olivia was 1 month old)

2010

2011  Merry Christmas!!

Girly Birthdays!!!

Both my baby girls have recently celebrated their birthdays.  Miss Olivia turned two on November 23rd, and Miss Emma will be eight tomorrow!!
We always stay busy this time of year with all of the Christmas stuff and birthdays.  In fact this year I totally dropped the ball on Olivia's birthday (see earlier post for reasons why).  Well, thanks to my mil, Olivia had a cake, balloons, and presents to open!!

I think her favorite part was a Minnie Mouse card that played music!!  She carried it around the house until it was broken!!

On Friday night Emma had a sleep-over with 6 of her girlfriends.  They had a great time and really were well-behaved, polite young ladies!!  We painted nails, played games, did karaoke, and put on make-up!

Now that the birthdays are over at our house for the year, we can focus on Christmas and celebrating the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ!!

Scout is Here!!!!

Well Ryan and I made the 6.5 hour trip to eastern Tennessee late last night (never thought we'd be those people that drive far away to pick up a dog).  We got up this morning, met the breeder to get the dog, and drove 6.5 hours home.  When the breeder met us she told us that Scout had pooped and thrown up in the car on the way over.  I was not too happy about that.  The only thing I could think was that we have a very long trip home with a messy puppy. 
I was wrong!!  He sat on my lap and slept the entire way home with no messes.  Being home has been great.  The kids were of course excited, but Scout is very, very scared and shy.  He is just sitting with the kids and resting.  I'll just keep praying it stays this easy!!

1st Haircut

I had my yearly physical this morning so while we were out I decided it was time to get Olivia's haircut for the first time!  The kids usually get their haircut on the west-side but since it was her first I thought we would go to the fun kids place on the east-side.  In the car when I asked her if she wanted  her haircut she shouted, "NO!!", so I wasn't so sure how it would go!  My worry was in vain....she sat perfectly still and watched the movie and played with a Barbie phone while the lady cut her hair.  The hairdresser even commented how well she was doing for her first time!  Olivia may be almost two, but she acts as though she is about four!!! She is generally well-behaved and totally understands when you explain something to her.  My girl is getting so big!!  Of course it didn't hurt that I promised her a sucker when she was all finished!!

All ready for her first haircut

Sitting like such a big girl

All done!!!