11.30.2010

Storming Heaven


Alright faithful Warriors.

Today is the day.

Court is at 9AM.

I'm strapping on My Armour.

I'm calling all my angels.

I'm praying as if his life depends on it.

Because quite frankly, it does.

Will you storm Heaven with me today on behalf of my little boy?

My sweet, sweet little boy.

Who has no idea that his entire World could be turned upside down today.

Pray for peace.  Pray for strength.  Pray for discernment.

Pray for wisdom.

Pray for him.

11.29.2010

Witching Hour Savior

If you have a child under the age of 3 I'm sure you're well aware of what the Witching Hour is.

Usually as soon as I start to get dinner ready my children lose it at the same time.

Craziness pursues.

So I came up with a plan.  


Not only did my solution make dinner prep SO much better, it also got rid of the nasty kick marks and spilled food that ended up on that wall.

Chalkboard Paint to the rescue!


I was a little concerned the dust would drive my OCD self straight up the wall, but the quiet is well worth the extra dusting.

Seriously, she didn't even notice me taking her picture.





Now if I could just find something to entertain Big Fat Baby...

11.27.2010

Merry & Bright


Today we got to go to the Annual Sister's Brunch that Darlene's amazing cousin Deborah puts together every year.

I love the Sister's Brunch so much and look forward to it all year long.

This year's theme was Merry & Bright! 


You know how I love a theme!  And when it's carried out as well as it always is at Deborah's, I'm in Heaven!

Everyone even dressed up with the theme!


Thank you Deborah for another amazing bruch and for reminding me how important Sisters are!

And just because I can't get over how much changes in a year:

                                              2009                                                           2010

11.26.2010

Nutcracker Date!

I'm a sucker for traditions. 

And now that Josie is old enough to participate and get excited about them, I'm adding a ton this year.

A couple months ago I saw an ad at Josie's ballet class for The Nutcracker.  It was playing Thanksgiving Weekend and I decided that would be a perfect way to kick off the Holiday Season.

So we decided to make it an Annual Grandmother-Mother-Daughter Tradition!

My Mom wasn't able to make it down this year, but I talked Amber and her Mother In Law into joining us.  Olivia wasn't quite ready to sit through a ballet.  Hopefully next year.

We got all fancy and Josie got to wear her newest Purple Twirly Dress.


Andrew had a Boys Night with Gabe. 

Gabe is praying because the last time Andrew babysat he forgot to feed the baby!


She was SO excited!  I let her pick where we would eat, so of course we ended up at Chickfila!

Then we headed to the theatre.


Can you tell she was excited?!?!


The ballerinas did an amazing job. 

Even if Josie was slightly put off by the male ballerinas.  She was not a fan of them since they did not have on "Ballet Tards" (leotards). 

They in fact did not have on much of anything.

Yikes!

It ended a couple hours past bedtime.  Josie was tired but she hung in there.


I won't lie, we came home and both practiced twirling on our very tippee toes.

We may need to keep working on it!

I love spending special time with just the two of us.  Andrew takes her on dates all the time, but I rarely get to take her off with the sole purpose of making memories with her.

It was an awesome night and I am already excited to go back next year!

11.25.2010

Entering His Courts


Just like everyone else, I'm counting the things I have to be thankful for.

And it's a lot.

Like these two Turkeys:


My Sweet Josie Kathryn.


Who has spent this past year turning her baby self into a full fledged little girl.  She keeps me on my toes and makes me laugh everyday with the funny things she comes up with.  She has a huge personality and is everything I ever hoped she would be.

And just for fun, here's a little 2009 - 2010 side by side:

 

Spunky, sassy, and obviously still picking out her own clothes.

And protesting the comb.

And loaded to the gills with gear for Old Baby.

And then there's my newest love, Gabriel.


Unexpected but more then welcome.  He has for sure added to the list of reasons I wouldn't change lives with anyone ever.

I have a husband that I'm crazy about who can't get enough of me.  Parents that think way too highly of me.  In-Laws that are seriously the best ever.  And friends that I can't live without.

I am a very lucky girl.

And just because Ashley outdid herself again:


Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

"Come into His Gates with Thanksgiving.  Enter His Courts with praise."  Psalm 100:4

11.24.2010

Gabriel - 10 Months

My Big Fat Baby is almost ONE!

(Pretty sure this is a poop face)

I'm not sure where my brain has been but it just hit me that we need to throw a little shindig for him soon! 

You all know how I love a good birthday party!

He is still the happiest baby I know.  He plays with whatever is in front of him and loves to watch Josie.


His hair is coming in fast.  I have a feeling I will have two friz heads very shortly.  His curls are just too cute to cut off!

He is now mobile and getting faster everyday!  His favorite mode of transportation?

Army Crawl!


He looks like a wounded soilder.

And boy oh boy, is he ever mischevious already! 

Poor Darlene's potted plants don't stand a chance and I'm a little more then nervous about putting our tree up on Sunday!


Can't you just hear him thinking about how to knock over Amber's tree??

He can say Mama and Dada but not too us yet.  And he babbles nonstop. 

Which does not surprise me since he spends his days with Josie and me!

On the DFACS side of things not much has changed since my last rant.

Baby Mama still doesn't have a job and is now living with a bunch of friends.  Baby Daddy is still in jail and will be facing drug charges in December.  His probabtion will be revoked and he will be headed back to prison for 2 - 3 years.

We go to court next Tuesday and while we pretty much know exactly what is going to happen, we covet your prayers.  I desperately want her to sign her rights over by the end of the year.

It's not very likely, but I figure if I'm going to ask God for a miricle I might as well make it a big one!

If all goes as planned, they will be extending the exact same case plan another 6 months and at the same time begin a TPR plan (Termination of Parental Rights).  Which basically means if she can't get it together within a few months, the case worker won't have to repetition the court to begin TPR.  She will already have permission to do so.

The case worker does not see much hope for Gabe going back, but as we all know, it's not over until it's over. 

What I Wore Wednesday

I got my new boots and I love them!  I wore them almost all week.  

I'm ashamed to say I am 28 years old and have never owned adult boots.  I feel like I'm playing dress up everytime I put them on, but I'm getting used to it!

And apparently I have midget legs so they are a little big around my calves.  


Wednesday - Breakfast With The Fam & Church

Black Shirt - Old Navy
Jean Jacket - Gap
Flowered Skirt - Old Navy
Leggings - Target
Boots - Herbergers

So be honest, a little Pirate-esqe or are they OK?



Thursday - MOPS Mom's Night Out

Dress - Urban Outfitters
Sweater - Target
Tights - Target
Boots - Herbergers

And these ones make me feel a little like Peter Pan, no?

Friday - Grocery Store & Dinner W/ Friends 

White Shirt - H&M
Sweater - Target
Jeans - Target

Saturday - Mommy Time w/ Amber & Andrew's Birthday Dinner

Brown Tank - Gap
White Sweater - Old Navy
Jeans - Gap

Sunday - Church & Small Group

Button Up - Ann Taylor Loft
White Tank - Target
Jeans - Target
Boots - Herbergers

Monday - Catering for The Grand Gourmet

(I'm sure you're dying to know where this hot outfit came from!)

White Button Up - Walmart
Tank - Target
Black Pants - Target

Tuesday - Shopping, Physical Therapy, Amber's, Tree Lighting

Black Turtle Neck - Target
Grey Tank - Target
New Skinny Jeans - Target

Like Amber's fancy mirror surrounded tub???