Little Angel

When I picked B up from school today, his teacher gave me this little footprint angel along with a couple Christmas tree ornaments that have B's photo, hand print and finger prints...

Who would have thought that something so simple would make such an incredible gift? I honestly don't think that I could have picked out a sweeter or more special gift at any store. I can't wait to hang the ornaments on our tree each year and be reminded of this special Christmas season with B.

B has and continues to be such a gift to C and I...we marvel at the miracle that his little life is...it is so fun to watch his little world expand, it feels like he is changing by the week. As we anticipate Christmas and Christ's birth...it really does make us wonder what it was like for Mary and for Joseph and even more for God...to experience Christ's birth and to watch him grow up...to coo, to crawl...what a gift!

Merry Christmas!

The Manger

C and I have talked about wanting to create traditions for our family to enjoy...C came up with the idea of having a manger to place Christmas gifts under to help us remember that Christ is our ultimate gift and that all gifts and provision come from Him...

With that said, C set out to build our family manger about a month ago. He came up with an idea to have removable slats that can be changed out each Christmas, so that we could each paint some of our favorite memories/blessings from the past year on the removable slats... After the manger was finished, we got ready to paint...B's painting gear included a diaper, his Bumbo chair and his hands...

B was pretty indifferent about the paint...he wanted to try to eat it more than he wanted to play with it...

Bath time came right after paint time...it was hysterical, B had paint all over his face, ears, hair, tummy... it was everywhere!

Here is the final product...

It really was fun to paint the slats together and talk about some of our favorite memories from this past year...some of C's included B's arrival, a kayaking trip, our Maine trip & golfing in California. Some of mine included getting ready for B, B's arrival, walks & runs around our neighborhood with B and Ella, our trips to see family and friends, the glimpse that we have gotten of our church's children's ministry & B's dedication.

We hope this will be a tradition that we can continue for several years to come!

Merry Christmas!

My Cup is Full...

C and I are creatures of habit...we have a routine and we like to stick to it, we don't know where the routine comes from...but when we fall into one, we are committed!

We typically do our weekly grocery shopping together after church...I like the company and these days C pushes the shopping cart while I push B in the stroller and pick items off the shelves. Before we start tackling our weekly list, we usually get lunch at the little concession/deli stand at the grocery store (not real healthy, I know!) Today, while we were enjoying our DELIcious lunch, I mentioned to Chad that my cup was full...

Let me explain...

We set this weekend aside to enjoy Christmas at home with each other and friends...we really didn't have any firm plans in place...

On Friday, we had the opportunity to visit some dear friends who just had a baby...it was so fun to hold their little one and try to remember B being that small...he looked like he was ready for college in comparison to our friend's little guy. It was so sweet to hold a newborn this time of year, I was flooded with memories of B's birth and found myself wondering what Mary & Joseph must have felt like holding Jesus in the minutes and days after he was born. Later we enjoyed dinner out with B...the people watching was fantastic...in fact, so much that we ordered desert just to stay at our table a little longer...then we went home and cleaned some drawers and cabinets out in effort to utilize as many square inches of our little house as possible...most people would say that this activity may be like pulling teeth...but it really was fun to discover items that had been lost in the abyss of our accumulated clutter...I found my learners permit card with a photo from when I was 15 (we enjoyed some good laughs)!

On Saturday morning, we woke up, bundled up and headed to the bakery for breakfast. While ordering our sweets, we discovered a doughnut shaped ornament and decided to purchase it to commemorate our Saturday breakfast tradition...(we can now say that we have a chocolate frosted doughnut hanging from a branch on our tree). We enjoyed our sweets and coffee and then headed to help C's cousin take their Christmas card photos. After lunch, B and C watched football while I wrapped Christmas gifts. Later we met some friends from our Bible study to go shopping for some precious kids in need and then enjoyed a fantastic meal and finished the evening by enjoying some cider & cocoa while wrapping the gifts we had all purchased.

Then this morning, C woke up early and got B's breakfast ready. He proceeded to get B up, feed, bathe and dress him all on his own (it was a treat)! Then we headed to church. We decided to bring B with us to "Big Church" to enjoy the Christmas concert that our church has each year to kick off the Advent season. We were able to sit in the first row of the balcony so B was able to see what was going on without much distraction...he loved it! He sat still on my lap for almost a half our, wide eyed, impressed and not wiggly. At this point, my cup was overflowing, I can't describe the feeling I had in my heart of being at church, listening to some of my favorite Christmas music, sitting next to C and watching B be completely mesmerized! We later enjoyed a truly thought provoking lesson in Sunday school about Old Testament prophecy & Christ's birth. Since this morning, B has enjoyed a nap, we have taken our Christmas card photos with some dear friends and now C is watching football while I bake some cookies (with Christmas music playing and the Christmas lights on our tree glowing).

I am by no means trying to romanticize our life or paint our family time as perfect...we are far from that! On Friday, we didn't have much planned for the weekend, we just wanted to enjoy being at home and being together and were pleasantly surprised with how the weekend turned out. I am so humbled to sit back and think about our weekend and all the little blessings we were able to enjoy. It makes me wonder how many little blessing fly in and out of each week that I don't see or am not able to enjoy because I let them slip by. As Christmas quickly approaches, and as life flies by...I hope to be able to savor and relish in the little blessings & gifts that the Lord sends our way! My cup is truly full...nothing exceptional or out of the ordinary has happened...but when I really do examine life, my cup is full...I am so thankful for the small things, for the challenges...for everything!

Merry Christmas!

Its Beginning to Look a lot Like...

We decided to avoid the threat of getting caught in any snow storms while chopping down our family Christmas tree this year, we have heard that the forests of Fort Worth can be especially dangerous... So we drove to The Home Depot to pick out a tree that had already been cut...of course we had to capture B picking out his first tree...please notice C's foot attire (only in Texas) and the look of excitement on B's face as he rides in the orange shopping cart.

My mom sent this advent calendar for our family to enjoy each year...since we haven't picked out a stocking for B yet, we decided to hang the calendar from our mantel...it will be fun when B is really able to understand the meaning of Advent. We counted down the days till Christmas when I was growing up...I have some sweet memories of different Advent traditions our family made together...it is so fun to create new traditions for our little family...

This is our humble little tree all decorated...I decorated the tree while C and B cheered me on...really, C wrangled B and prevented him from putting ornaments and lights in his mouth. C made some cider to enjoy as we decorated...the night provided some sweet family time. C is working on a making a manger to place next to the tree. We really want Christ to the focus of our family's Christmas traditions. Our hope is to place all of our gifts under the manger because Christ is our ultimate gift!

(The lone gift is actually C's gift to me...I want to give him props for having the gift purchased and wrapped before December 1st! The anticipation of what is inside will only continue to increase!)

B

I know that most of our photos are of B...but here are some recent photos that we have taken that seem to capture B's most recent smiles, moves, quirks and interests... B's smile continues to be contagious...if you smile at him...he smiles back...though this smile makes you wonder if he is thinking "Dad...another photo?"

B continues to be on the move...he is still crawling with three legs as opposed to four...but he is remarkably quick...he is keeping us on our toes!

The "Ella" gate has recently been re purposed in our front room...with the Christmas tree up...we decided that we may need occasional reinforcement to keep our little explorer safe...I love the stare down happening between B and Ella...

Peek-a-Boo! I see you with your bottle!

B has really gotten quite confident in his ability to pull up on furniture and people...he isn't moving around while standing...but instead totally content just to stand and pound his hands up and down on the surface that he is holding (while smiling of course!)

Thanksgiving

We headed down to Salado with C's family to celebrate Thanksgiving...Chad's grandfather was gracious to provide the time away for our extended family...the guys enjoyed playing some golf while the girls (and B) wondered through the little boutiques on Salado's main street...

Our whole group...minus "Uncle Brian" who had to go home early to work...

We celebrated an early Christmas...B enjoyed the boxes, bags and tissue paper that the gifts were wrapped in...

B and his cousin "Em"...Em is almost one year older than B...there is a lot of playing and fun to be had between these two kiddos in the future!

There is so much to be thankful for!

one more photo

I accidentally forgot to post this photo in my last post...this photo makes me laugh...B finally found someone who takes feeding him as serious as B this eating to be! I think my dad's face and B's face are priceless in this photo!

Quick Trip

C was gracious to let B and I sneak up to Minnesota for a quick trip to celebrate my mom's birthday before Thanksgiving... The flight up was awesome! The flight attendant offered B and I an entire row in the back of the plane that was empty...B played and explored to his heart's content!

We bundled up on my mom's birthday and walked to one of our favorite places to eat breakfast...it was fun to bundle B up in clothes that he doesn't get to wear much in our neck of the woods!

Not quite old enough for birthday cake...but a smashed up banana was the next best thing!

It was another quick trip...but time that we are so grateful for!

Go Frogs!

We should have posted these photos earlier than now...

Last Saturday...C and B woke me up at 7:00am asking if I was ready to head to breakfast so we could get to ESPN game day up at TCU. The night before, C had convinced me, the sports novice that I am, that I would really regret not going and actually have a good time...needless to say, I decided to go.

We donned some TCU gear and headed to our favorite bakery for breakfast like any typical Saturday morning...even the bakery had gone purple!

We enjoyed breakfast and headed over to TCU to "experience" Game Day with some friends...
When we got to the campus...things were hopping and everyone was wearing purple! It was really fun to read all of the signs and finally see our favorite frogs get some recognition!

B wasn't sure what to think of all the people, the band, the signs...there was a lot to take in!

C recorded the show at home, so later we were able to enjoy it and actually hear what was being said...I do have to admit that it was pretty surreal to have ESPN set up shop on our precious stomping ground...

We walked back to our car the long way in effort to take it all in...B liked watching the water at Frog Fountain...

We headed home from Game Day so B could take a nap..all in effort to get ready for the big game. While B was sleeping, I went to run some errands...while gone, I stumbled upon a shark halloween costume on clearance for $2.50. Knowing that B had almost outgrown his TCU shirt...I bought the inexpensive costume and spent the afternoon converting it into a miniature "Super Frog" costume. Since the weather has finally cooled down, B was able to wear his little costume the entire game...I admit, if you know the costume started as a shark...you may think it still looks like one, but if you squint one eye, jump up and down on one foot and hold your breath...it looks a little similar to a Horned Frog...

Some friends were gracious and shared their tickets to the game with us...their seats were fantastic...close enough that B was able to watch the action on the field...B enjoyed the first quarter and then took a little nap before half time on Jennifer's lap...

He slept through the fireworks that lit up the sky after each touchdown... After a quick nap...B woke up, somewhat delusional and cheered the Frogs on to win the game...he even put his "Frogs up!"

Most reasonable parents probably took their kids home around half time...but since C is B's dad...B was in it to win it. After the game was over, we said good bye to our friends and C looked at me and said that he wanted to go down onto the field...

Really?!?

A couple minutes later...all three of us were on the field...B was a trooper considering this was about 3 hours past his typical bedtime...

From the minute that our feet stepped onto the field, C made it his mission to get a photo of B with Jerry Hughes...

Well, we can now say that while most 8 month olds were at home...tucked into their comfortable, warm and quite beds...our son was being held on the football field with Jeffy Hughes! B wasn't real enamored by the whole ordeal...I think he got a little scared by Jerry's football helmet...but, B can now someday say that the season that the Horned Frogs were ranked fourth in the nation...he went to Game Day, dressed up as Super Frog, stayed for the entire game, rushed the field and got a photo with Jerry Hughes holding him...a future Horned Frog in the making...I guess that only time will tell!

Go Frogs & thanks Jerry!

Missing Turkey!

As of this afternoon...we are missing our turkey...he is about 2 feet long, 19 pounds, likes to giggle, crawls around on three legs and answers to the name of "B"!

This is our first official art project that has come home with B from school. B's teachers hung these up in the hallway outside his classroom...when I saw it, I laughed out loud! It still brings joy to my heart and makes me giggle when I see it!

So it is official...we have our first piece of refrigerator art!

Bonk!

B experienced his first big BONK last night. C & B were playing together...B pulled himself up onto C's leg...lost his balance and BOOM! hit the middle of his forehead! He immediately developed a pretty impressive goose egg along with a noticeable bruise. We called the pediatrician and they encouraged us to put ice on it for 20 minutes...just imagine holding an ice pack to his little head...he was less than thrilled (like any 8 month old would probably be)...and then they told us to watch him throughout the night to make sure he didn't have any signs of a concussion. C was a trooper and woke up to check on him in the middle of the night.

We are so grateful that he is back his happy self...safe and sound...it is a testimony to truly how resilient little ones are and God's grace & protection!

A Lesson

At school this week, I am talking about gratitude and thankfulness with the kids...I feel like the Lord has given me an opportunity to practice what I am about to "preach" this weekend...

In my initial panic last night, I posted my "Silly Request"...below is an update from my heart in regard to the post...

This weekend, we were blessed with the opportunity to attend the big TCU game with friends. We had fun, we wore purple, B dressed as a little horned frog and got to tailgate with some friends before the game. After walking to the game, entering the stadium with all the masses of people, and finding our seats, I noticed that my wedding band wasn't on my finger...it had fallen off in all the hysteria of navigating through the purple masses with B in tow. Both C and I hoped that I had forgotten to put the ring on, we hoped that it was simply at home...no such luck! After retracing our steps several times, we have still not been able to locate the ring. I admit, there were tears...but later after I calmed down...I realized there was really a lesson in contentment, patience, thankfulness and gratitude in all of this, let me explain...

After coming to grips with the reality that the ring may never be located, C and I decided to replace the ring with a temporary simple and very humble wedding band. Would I like to immediately replace the lost ring with what I had previously had? Of course! But that isn't realistic right now...hence the lesson in patience and contentment. As I think about this new simple band around my finger and my original wedding band, I am humbly reminded that though symbolic...both pieces of jewelry are simply pieces of metal, both can be replaced (and neither can come to heaven with me someday), but there are other parts of my life that can't be replaced...hence the lesson in thankfulness. This entire ordeal has reminded me of the gratitude that I need to have ultimately for my salvation, and then for my husband, our son, our family, our friends, our health, provision for our immediate and daily needs...remembering Matthew 6:19-21 that reads
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
As Thanksgiving quickly approaches, I felt convicted to share this humble lesson that I am learning...as I have been challenged to take account of all the treasures that the Lord has so graciously provided and blessed me with...and to find joy in the place that He has me right now...for this time...
Am I sad about the ring? No Doubt! But I am thankful for this unanticipated lesson...

Silly Request

I have no idea who reads our blog... but I have a prayer request...

We attended the TCUgame tonight (Go Frogs!) and while at the game, I noticed that my wedding band wasn't on my finger...we searched the area that we were sitting in and didn't see it...and I simply assumed that I had forgotten to put it on before leaving our house...

Well...we got home and the ring wasn't at home...we have searched the car seat, car, house...what seems like everywhere, several times...

I know that it is just a piece of metal...but I am really sad about not having it...yes, maybe someday it can be replaced...but it still will never be the ring that C gave me on our wedding day...

Would you mind praying that someone would stumble upon it, call TCU to turn it in and then that they would contact me?

Thank you so much!

Go Frogs!

Just for the record...

-The new clock tower on campus is purple...

-The Chesapeake Energy building down town is purple...

-The mayor named today as "Wear Purple Day"...and rumor has it that this was on the national news this morning...

-The meteorologist on the morning news, was wearing purple this morning...

-The campus is buzzing with media...visitors and tons of purple and the trees along University are adorned with purple and white (and pink) ribbons...

-Houses around the campus have flags hung, signs hung on windows, streamers in front yards...

-C wore his game day shirt to the office today...

-I wore a purple sweater and purple scarf to school today...

But most noteworthy...

-B wore his game day shirt to school today...along with almost his entire school!

You have to love the fall, football and of course the FROGS!!!!

Here is a video of that little guy that is celebrating Christmas early this year...

www.cnn.com/video/#/video/living/11/13/boy.early.christmas.wdiv

Three Sweet Years

Yesterday, C and I celebrated our third anniversary...at times if feels like the time has flown by, and other times if feels like time has stood still since November 11, 2006! We celebrated by taking a walk with B and Ella. We walked through a park that we walked through countless times while we dated in college and then later got engaged in. It was so sweet to walk through the park together as a family last night, we found our conversation to be flooded with memories...it was pretty surreal to think of the journey that the Lord has and continues to take us on...

Our first date at Bass Hall, walks around the park, the park bench, the bridge, time at the ball park, Reunion Tower, time spent with family, the cabin, skiing, Patagonia, Mesa, being together, being apart, our engagement, planning our wedding, Saint John, our first house, Ella, our precious church, our Bible study, learning about B, meeting B, becoming parents....

I can't wait for whatever is around the corner...it has been and continues to be such an honor to be on this journey together...

Special Request

Below is an email that I received at work today...I thought I might post it in effort to get as many Christmas cards to this sweet little guy as possible...but even more, in effort to rally prayers for this precious little one and his family. It is hard to understand things like this...praise God for being bigger and greater than cancer!

***Special Request***
Diana Harrison Biorkman has a 5 year old son in his last stages of a 2 1/2 year battle with Neuroblastoma cancer. They are celebrating Christmas next weekend and Noah loves Christmas card. Please take a minute to send a card to:
Noah Biorkman
1141 Fountain View Circle
South Lyon, MI 48178
Thank you! Please post on your wall...let's get a truck load!!!

A side note that seems appropriate to share...
Today the kids in my classes sang "My God is so Big" as we have been learning about the story of Abraham...the lyrics go like this...
"My God is so big, so strong and so mighty, there's nothing my God can not do...for you!
My God is so great, so strong and so mighty, there's nothing my God can not do.
The mountains are His, the valleys are His, the stars are His handiwork too...
My God is so big, so strong and so mighty, t"here's nothing my God can not do!"

These lyrics are so true...so simple...yet so hard to grasp...

Father, thank You for being so big, so great and so mighty! Please be big, great and mighty in Noah and his family's life!

Thankful

We have been a little cooped up recently in effort to stay well...so...I have had a little extra time on my hands during B's naps... I saw this idea for center piece in photo in a magazine...I changed it a little and put it on our living room mantle to serve as a reminder for us this month as we anticipate thanksgiving of all of our blessings ...
Below are some of the little blessings that I have been able to capture recently...


B & C love to watch football (well really any kind of ball games) together...B usually sits with C right before bedtime...I love those precious little sleepy eyes...Thankful for rest!

B is hysterical when he eats...he continues to grunt...this particular evening C fed him on the floor and B sat on his own...Thankful for B's milestones!

B's new swing has given all of us a new lease on life...he continues to love to be outside and this provides another avenue for us to enjoy being outside on the porch...Thankful for outside!

It's even fun to swing in the Synchilla fleece when it is "chilly" outside...Thankful for the cool weather!

Another game...Thankful for more rest!

B & C taking a "self take" while I was away at Bible study one evening...Thankful for special C & B time!

B's new face...just imagine him making a grunting type noise through his mouth and nose as he is making this face...it is hysterical...Thankful for giggles!

Exploring with his little hands...he seemed to be enamored by our green pumpkin...Thankful for learning!

And finally...how can you not love the baby Carhart overalls and cowboy boots? Thankful for laughs!