2012 will be a year of big changes for us. We are going from a family of three to a family of four. We are growing from one precious girl to two and I pray every night that God will give me the wisdom to teach them how important family is. There is no bond quite like sisters, and I feel so blessed that God is entrusting me to raise these two together. I know there will be difficulties along the way, but I am entering this new chapter with the open mind that God will show us the way.
Part of my new year's resolution last year was to be more "present". To pay attention to the every day moments and not take them for granted. Some of my old habits snuck in from time to time, and there were days when I was down on myself and life in general, but I can honestly say that overall I did much better about letting some of my control go, and really taking the time each day to think and observe. I used "The Book of Awakening" by Mark Nepo to help me reflect, and some of his thoughts served me well. I hope that 2012 will be a year of happy memories, a healthy family, and that we will feel the gift of love by being present in each others lives. Please pray for our family as we embark on this new year.
From Awakening: "The further I wake into this life, the more I realize that God is everywhere and the extraordinary is waiting quietly beneath the skin of all that is ordinary. Light is in both the broken bottle and the diamond, and music is in both the flowing violin and the water dripping from the drainage pipe. Yes, God is under the porch as well as on top of the mountain, and joy is in both the front row and the bleachers, if we are willing to be where we are".
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Christmas Crafts
We made a "Gingerbread bakery" this year. Charlotte picked it out at the store and could not wait to put it together. Seriously. She probably asked about 20 times when we could do it!
She did very well at putting all the stickers on.
So proud!
We also made Reindeer out of her hands and feet. This girl loves glue, but LOVES scissors! While I cut out her hands and feet, she cut out "decorations" for our table. That was fun to clean up!
Showing off her Reindeer.
Grandma Deb could not believe Charlotte's feet were that big, so Charlotte had to show her. Smart girl!
She did very well at putting all the stickers on.
So proud!
We also made Reindeer out of her hands and feet. This girl loves glue, but LOVES scissors! While I cut out her hands and feet, she cut out "decorations" for our table. That was fun to clean up!
Showing off her Reindeer.
Grandma Deb could not believe Charlotte's feet were that big, so Charlotte had to show her. Smart girl!
Friday, December 30, 2011
Christmas Day
After a breakfast of smiley face pancakes and bacon, we got dressed and headed over to the Fulcher's for Christmas Morning Part II:
Grandma Monk hands out presents and helps Charlotte open hers.
Daddy gets down on the floor too
Everyone loves Charlotte!
Grandma Monk is making a quilt for the new baby. Amazing!
Charlotte crawling under the tree to make sure there are no more presents!
Uncle Charlie stole the show:
We're still working on steering, but she loves her new jeep!
Christmas Part III: on to Great Grandma and Great Grandpa's house for MORE presents!
Merry Christmas Everyone!
Grandma Monk hands out presents and helps Charlotte open hers.
Daddy gets down on the floor too
Everyone loves Charlotte!
Grandma Monk is making a quilt for the new baby. Amazing!
Charlotte crawling under the tree to make sure there are no more presents!
Uncle Charlie stole the show:
We're still working on steering, but she loves her new jeep!
Christmas Part III: on to Great Grandma and Great Grandpa's house for MORE presents!
Merry Christmas Everyone!
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Christmas Morning
This was our best Christmas Morning as a family so far. Charlotte was so "into" Santa and the excitement of Christmas morning, it was such a joy to watch. She seriously made my heart swell with love. With a full day of Christmas festivities ahead of us, we had to wake Charlotte up early so she would have time to open and play with some of her toys at the house before we had to leave. She probably could have spent the entire day opening a gift and then playing with it for the next hour before she moved on to the next one!
When Charlotte sat on Santa's lap this year, she told him she wanted a new slinky for Christmas. Super sneaky Santa snuck into Charlotte's room and left her first present on her bed!
It was a slinky!
That definitely got the juices flowing and set the tone for a fun Christmas morning!
Her face lit up when she saw her new car ramp. She almost didn't want to touch it!
Checking out the tree some more. I love this stance. I can tell she's a little overwhelmed, but super excited. She just realized Santa left a Hula Hoop IN OUR TREE!
This little girl has wanted a hula hoop for a long time!
And what is this?!
She seriously could have played with that marble racer all morning and been happy!
Being a sweet daddy's girl
My very first Barbie!!
She had to use Barbie's hands to help open the rest of her presents
Holding her stocking. She got a Pooh Bear to sleep with. She loves that bear.
My gift from my sweet husband. Our family tree.
When Charlotte sat on Santa's lap this year, she told him she wanted a new slinky for Christmas. Super sneaky Santa snuck into Charlotte's room and left her first present on her bed!
It was a slinky!
That definitely got the juices flowing and set the tone for a fun Christmas morning!
Her face lit up when she saw her new car ramp. She almost didn't want to touch it!
Checking out the tree some more. I love this stance. I can tell she's a little overwhelmed, but super excited. She just realized Santa left a Hula Hoop IN OUR TREE!
This little girl has wanted a hula hoop for a long time!
And what is this?!
She seriously could have played with that marble racer all morning and been happy!
Being a sweet daddy's girl
My very first Barbie!!
She had to use Barbie's hands to help open the rest of her presents
Holding her stocking. She got a Pooh Bear to sleep with. She loves that bear.
My gift from my sweet husband. Our family tree.
Christmas Eve
We spent Christmas Eve with my family this year. It was a little hard to coordinate everyone's schedule, but I guess that's just what happens when the kids grow up. We played a rousing rendition of "Apples to Apples" (that game is so much fun!) and then had dinner and present time. Charlotte was SO good and SO patient. She had been waiting ALL day to open some presents, so I was really impressed with how well she could control herself!
The tree at my parents house:
We can always count on Aunt Jenna to get down on the floor!
One of Charlotte's favorite gifts.....a harmonica from Aunt Jenna!
Grandma and Grandpa got Charlotte a V-Reader. She said "Look, mommy! I got my own Nook!"
Pillow fight!
After we got home and put Charlotte to bed, we were able to get some pictures of Santa's gifts under the tree:
A marble racer! Santa's elves sure worked hard on putting this one together!
Stand and play car ramp. Another favorite.
That Santa sure is creative! He put a HULA HOOP IN OUR TREE!
Can't wait to see an excited little girl in the morning!
The tree at my parents house:
We can always count on Aunt Jenna to get down on the floor!
One of Charlotte's favorite gifts.....a harmonica from Aunt Jenna!
Grandma and Grandpa got Charlotte a V-Reader. She said "Look, mommy! I got my own Nook!"
Pillow fight!
After we got home and put Charlotte to bed, we were able to get some pictures of Santa's gifts under the tree:
A marble racer! Santa's elves sure worked hard on putting this one together!
Stand and play car ramp. Another favorite.
That Santa sure is creative! He put a HULA HOOP IN OUR TREE!
Can't wait to see an excited little girl in the morning!
Friday, December 23, 2011
Christmas Preparations
Whew, we've had a busy week. Who am I kidding, it's been a busy month! A busy year! We spent almost a whole weekend decorating for Christmas, and I didn't even put everything out this year. I just didn't have it in me to bend over one more time. Bryce ended up doing all of the sorting and lifting and pulling, so he was all too happy when I said "Ok, that's enough!".
And of course, with our little helper around there is never a dull moment.
Charlotte assumed responsibility for a lot of the ornaments. And it has taken everything in me not to go back and move them so they are spaced out! (She notices when I've moved things now!)
Same spot!
She also got to decorate her own "little tree". I wonder how well she's going to share it next year.....
Of course we had to decorate the front door with window stickers.
We spent the whole next weekend baking. Oh my goodness, I was so glad to be done!
Decorating cookies to take to her friends at Mrs. Nise's.
Lots of sprinkles!
And of course, with our little helper around there is never a dull moment.
Charlotte assumed responsibility for a lot of the ornaments. And it has taken everything in me not to go back and move them so they are spaced out! (She notices when I've moved things now!)
Same spot!
She also got to decorate her own "little tree". I wonder how well she's going to share it next year.....
Of course we had to decorate the front door with window stickers.
We spent the whole next weekend baking. Oh my goodness, I was so glad to be done!
Decorating cookies to take to her friends at Mrs. Nise's.
Lots of sprinkles!
Magical Nights of Lights
I think one of my favorite traditions will be driving through Lake Lanier to look at the lights. I just love it!
We had a wide eyed girl for most of the ride. Once we got in, she got to sit up front to get a little closer to the action.
Charlotte's "favorite" were the polar bears. I have no idea why.
My favorite!
God, I love that girl. Could she be any more gorgeous?!
We had a wide eyed girl for most of the ride. Once we got in, she got to sit up front to get a little closer to the action.
Charlotte's "favorite" were the polar bears. I have no idea why.
My favorite!
God, I love that girl. Could she be any more gorgeous?!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
