Snapshots from Texas

Here are some random pictures from our week with Memaw and Papaw. Isaac really took off on the bicycle.


Isaac loved playing the piano and here is Uncle Boyd showing him how.



I think Isabella loved spending time with her Papaw as much as he did with her!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from Texas! We've had a great time here in Lubbock with Memaw, Papaw, and Uncle Boyd! It was 70 today and sunny. Isaac had a ton of fun opening gifts. And Isabella had more fun eating the paper and ribbons than playing with her new gifts. Isaac opened a few gifts and then helped pass some gifts out. Christmas really is more fun with kids. It is a magical feeling to see Isaac open up a gift and get so excited about it, to see his eyes and mouth grow wide, and exclaim, "Oh, I love it!" To give really is better than to receive.

Here are some pictures of our Christmas morning! Enjoy!

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow!

We have some snow here in New England! And for once, I enjoyed it. It was actually quite calming for us. Rick and I did not have to work so we were able to stay home (and out of the traffic). We played with both Isaac and Isabella, made a fire in the fireplace, worked on Christmas cards, and caught up on laundry. We watched a Mickey Mouse movie with Isaac and then had a lesuirely breakfast this morning. So wonderful!

This is a view from our front porch this morning when we got up.

This is our backyard, which is how we first saw it before we bought it. It makes the slope not seem so steep.

And here is Isaac helping Rick clear off the car. We also bought him a kid sized snow snovel. He thinks it's fun to shovel and we have no plans to tell him differently.

This was Isabella's first time in the snow. She did pretty good and looked so cute in her pink snow suit.

Here are my two snow babies!


And finally, here are some short video clips of Isaac enjoying the winter weather.

Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree

We asked Isaac the other day what kind of Christmas tree he wanted. He told us he wanted the kind with the pink ribbon. It took us awhile to figure out what he meant, but then we realized all the trees have some sort of ribbon tied around a branch to mark them. That kid has a mind like a steal trap. Isaac went with Rick to pick it out and then he HAD to open the door for Rick to bring it inside.

Here is Rick putting it in the stand.

Isaac loved the tree. He told us so.

This picture was taken by Isaac. I think he did a pretty good job. It took us a few boxes to find the right lights. Isaac had to open and somewhat empty each box to double check. Our "ligging room" was a mess, but what was more important was that we were together as a family, enjoying our evening.

Gimme S'more, Man!

Isaac was so excited because last Sunday night we were finally able to make s'mores. The previous week's attempt ending up with him eating blue and green paint. I'm sure these s'mores were much more tasty. One of the many things I love about Isaac is that he gets so excited about things. He had his typical huge, open mouthed smile and jumped up and down when we were getting them ready.

Thanksgiving Blessings

Rick, Isaac, and I have so much to be thankful for this year. God has blessed us more than we could've imagined this year. And it was this time last year we found out that I was pregnant with Isabella Jean- our miracle child! I still tear up thinking about her and her precious life. Our church offered the Financial Peace University course from Dave Ramsey and we were able to pay off all of debt, except the house. What a great feeling that was! We really feel that we have changed our family tree. We also were able to purchase a mini-van with cash and bless the school that Isaac goes to at the same time. Rick, along with family and friends, was able to put in a second bathroom this summer. We welcomed Isabella Jean in June, and she has been a constant source of smiles and laughter ever since. Isaac and Isabella are healthy and happy. I hope that you have had a chance to reflect on the past year and see how God has guided you this year.
Here are Isabella and her cousin, Hannah in their matching Thanksgiving shirts. So cute!

Isaac the Iron Chef

Isaac and I had some fun making some pies for Thanksgiving. We made a pecan (peCAHN) pie and a cranberry pie. I decided to make the crusts as well, which may or may not have been a great idea. You decide for yourself as you look at the pictures below. Isaac loves to cook and someday he'll be able to cook something for me!






I think there was more flour outside of the flour canister than outside. Seriously, the pink chair cushions were white.

Ice Cream, Cheese, and Snow

Two weekends ago, we took a family road trip to Stowe, Vermont. It was Isaac, Isabella, and my first time to Vermont. I've been in New England for over 11 years and thought it was high time to check out Vermont. We stayed at a great New England inn called the Green Mountain Inn. It was just perfect and the room even had a gas fireplace. We are able to tour the Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream factory. It was interesting and we got a sample of Mint Chocolate Chip that would've been perfect for Uncle Boyd. We also took a tour of Cabot Creamery Cooperative where they were making some cheese. It was really interesting and we got lots of samples of abouty 20 different cheeses. It is all-owned by local farmers and it was good to see a company that is true to it's original mission- making the best cheese around.
Rick and Isaac were able to swim in a heated outdoor pool, which was Isaac's favorite part of the trip. I even got a massage. It was gently snowing almost the entire time. It was like a movie. We went right before the Stowe Mountain ski area opened so it wasn't crowded at all. We did some shopping and ate lunch at the Trapp Famlily Lodge (of the Von Trapp, Sound of Music fame).
We had a terrific time and plan to return next year.

Let's Talk Turkey- Part 1

Isaac had his Thanksgiving program today. He was the cutest little turkey I ever saw. And Isaac did so well this time around- no crying, no tears, no dripping noses... It was really a great time and we all shared snacks afterwards.

A Messy First

Isabella tried her first food, beside rice cereal. I fed her sweet potatoes and she loved it. She nearly ate the whole container. It seems if I fill up her belly at night, she sleeps right thru the night. Who knew?? Seriously, I seem to have forgotten so much baby knowledge since Isaac was that age. Then she was more interested in eating her bib than the food. It was so cute. And each time I try to take a video of her screeches and babbles, she sees the camera and stops!

Isaac has a new saying now. It's "Howdy Doody ToDaLoo!" It's really quite funny and God knew we would need that as we know now the real meaning of "Boys Will Be Boys." And all the moms of young boys said, "Amen."

On Finding Balance

So now that we have two kids and I’m back to work full-time, I’ve really had troubling finding balance in my life. It always feels like someone or something gets neglected. I want to do so much and in my mind, I can. But, in all reality, I can’t do everything. This weekend, when I was putting Isaac to bed, he wanted me to lay down with him. We both fell asleep and he was using me as his pillow. It was great. And this morning, after I fed Bella, we were just snuggling and when Isaac woke up, he joined us. It was really quite a special way to begin the day.

In my devotions last week, I learned about balancing the physical, mental, and spiritual parts of my life. I’ve read the “Margins” book. I could read more books about balance (if I had time), but what it all boils down to is that this season of my life is going to be chaotic. I want so much for kids to play by themselves, but mourn already that they are growing up so fast. Why is life so bittersweet?

I don’t remember life being so fast paced when I was kid. Was my family as busy as we are? I’ve always respected my mom (and dad), but now that I have two kids of my own, I have a whole new level of admiration for her.

All Treats and No Tricks

We celebrated Rick's mom's birthday at our house this past Friday on Halloween. We decided at the last minute to get some cute costumes for the kids since they are so cute. Isabella was a pea pod and Isaac called her his "snap pea." Isaac was a candy corn.



Lauren cooked a turkey and we all contributed something for the delicious meal we shared.


Last night Isaac asked me where God lived. So I told him God lives in your heart. He then proceeded to tell me, "No, God lives in his house. Jesus lives in my heart. I want to kiss Jesus." He then looked down his pj shirt and gave a kiss to his heart. "Unless we become like children..."