In a nut shell...

I know I’ve mentioned it before, but my child is nuts. That’s nuts in a hilarious, rolling on the floor laughing, kind of way. The kid makes me smile constantly and there’s not a day that goes by, that I don’t thank the Lord for such a little character.

Last night, I was chatting with Shelley,  the wonderful lady who watches Monroe, and she filled me in on the goings-on of RoRo this week.  On Tuesday, Dani, Shelley’s daughter, went upstairs to check on Monroe who was supposed to be sleeping.  Dani put her ear to the door to see if she heard anything.  This is what she SWEARS she heard, “Help, Help…It’s Rosie!”  When Dani opened the door Monroe was standing up in the play yard with a huge smile on her face and her arms up, ready to be gotten.  Monroe seemed to be quite pleased that her little ploy worked.  What a little nutJ 

Winter Snow

     One of the blogs I read that truly inspires me is Lindsay Letters.  She does calligraphy and is just plain talented.  I have always dreamed of having her abilities and if I had been born with them, I would definitely be a calligraphist(is that a word?) right now.  She posted this on her blog the other day and it made my day.  It's the words of my all time favorite Christmas Song.  I listen to it all of the time though, because the lyrics are so....I guess, perfect.  I just think of all the ways Jesus could have come to us that night in Bethlehem.  Instead of choosing the most grand, he choose the most humble.  I still feel that's how God communicates with me now and it makes me feel such comfort.  I hope you enjoy them!  Go buy the song on itunes if you haven't already! 

In other news, we are supposed to get 8 to 10 inches of snow this weekend!  Wowzer! 

It's beginning to look a lot like...

...CHRISTMAS!  And I am pretty darn happy about it.  If you know me, you know I love Christmas and I LOVE decorating for it.  On Friday evening, we finally were able to "do it up" and for the past few days I have been basking in its beauty.  Is it me or does everything seem just a little more peaceful when decorated for Christmas?  It's just so magical.  Our whole house makes me want to curl up with a cup of hot cocoa.  It's just plain amazing. I have totally forgotten about the three hours it took to rearrange the living room to make the tree fit.  It's like it never happened.

I finished wrapping all of the gifts tonight.  I know, I am being super on top of things this year!  This is so unlike me and if I'm not careful I might start to get a big head about everything.  Oh wait, too late!  I am just so proud of myself.  I have pretty much ALL of my Christmas shopping done, house decorated, gifts wrapped, and my Christmas Cards addressed and ready to go.  Last year, I started calling them Holiday Cards, because they were sooo late.  

Here are a few pics I took this evening of all of my hard work:) 

All the pretty presents...

I wrapped a few presents in these little jewelry/accessory boxes.  I thought they were so fun and the receiver will enjoy having a useful box to use after.  I hope they like them:) 

The Christmas Cards all ready to be sent out. 

Tonight, I also worked on the belts I was telling you about.  I think they are just so lovely. 

I also wanted to show you my new Toms that Mark got me for my birthday.  They are pretty dazzly, aren't they?!  I think they will be perfect for the holidays.  

I hope your Monday was phenomenal.  Please be praying for Ezra...he is a sick little guy!   

 

Kiss & Tell

You gotta love a girl who knows what she wants:)  I love this video of Rosie and Ezra.  It makes me smile every time I watch it.  Hopefully, it will do the same for you:)

Almost forgot...

The other day I posted about my Chicago Birthday Party and mentioned that everyone was there but the Nudd's and Kelsey...then it hit me this afternoon...our friends the Meharry's weren't there!!!

The Murrill's, The Meharry's, & the Meharry's (Senior) 

Nicole and Zeb were some of my closest friends in college and you don't even know how happy we have been that they moved to our area!  It was literally an answer to prayer.  Since they have a little guy, Ezra, a few weeks older than Monroe, it is even more perfect.

So anyway, we are headed over to their homestead for dinner tonight and I can't help but be thankful to have such amazing people in our lives.

I remember feeling so isolated and lonely when we first moved here.  I worried all the time that this place would never feel like home, but it truly is starting to feel like it!  We have the nicest friends and we LOVE Monroe's child care provider.  Now, if only I could convince our parents to move here it would be great!

This morning Monroe and I went over to Kelsey's for a little tea/coffee cake/chat time.  It was so nice.  She is the sweetest and they have the cutest place.   She also is an incredible healthy baker.  The vegan raspberry coffee cake was to die for!  Can't wait to hang out more.

So anyway, hope everyone is having a wonderful Friday!  I can hear the laughter of my hubby and little lady and nothing warms my heart more.  I better run so I can play with them!  Love you all.

By the way, I really need to post more about our fabulous Thanksgiving!  Will do that soon!

Defeated

I'm really sad.  Some news I was hoping wasn't true, was confirmed this morning and it is really breaking my heart.   One of little girls from my very first class is pregnant.  To me she will always be the little 4th grader with dreams of stardom.  The little drama queen with lots of personality and a huge heart.  Of course she is the same person, but the sweet little girl innocence is gone.

I had always worried this would happen.  Her mother had her young and her sister got pregnant really young as well.  I just hoped that I could make a difference.

As she grew up I would always talk to her pretty bluntly about things.  We were very open with each other and she shared with me her secrets and struggles.  I would always tell her that I would be there for her, but more importantly, so would God.

She would promise me that she wouldn't get pregnant young and tell me about her plans for college.  But after we moved and I started seeing some of the pictures she was posting on myspace/FB, I became worried that something like this would happen.

Do I think she will make a good mommy?  Of course!  Do I think she will make it through?  Definitely!  I just know that the next few years are going to be harder than she ever thought imaginable.  Being a parent is tough at any age, but when you haven't even figured life out for yourself yet...so much harder.

So anyway, please pray for this little lady.  Pray that she has strength and wisdom.  Pray that her family is there with support and love.  Pray that the baby's daddy is super involved--with his time and his money.  Just pray...I know I will be.