Counting My Blessings

Top at my list these days is a blessing I've not been able to share until now that is.....

Growing our family has been a prayer in my heart for many years now & I am overwhelmed by God's love that he has blessed us in this way.

little bean at 10 weeks

little bean at 12 weeks

This little bean is already changing our lives. I have slowed down considerably due to the blessings of the first trimester which have no signs of slowing down just yet. I'm used to going 100 mph so this slow down, while comforting that all is well, has been a smidge frustrating. I see this stage of pregnancy as training for when little bean joins us.

Right now we are soaking in every single minute we have with Garrett one on one more than ever. We talk as a family about little bean and everytime I walk away with more insight into Garrett. He can't wait for summertime to come. While I also can't wait I realize our lives will never be the same and I am treasuring everyday we are a family of three.

So my friends this explains the lack of crafty goodness & blogging in general you may have noticed the last few months. I have no intention of stopping either of these hobbies but I am certainly in a slow down right now.

I'll be back later with an Ella giveaway and a way for everyone to win. Also, we have Christmas in full swing right now will share how we are decking our halls this year.

Have a wonderful Monday everyone!!

lovemon

Living In Gratitude

is something I strive to do everyday but I'll be honest somedays its not always easy. So today, on this day of Thanksgiving I've started a project to help me live in gratitude everyday of the year.

It's actually going to be my birthday present to myself this weekend & will continue throughout the year. I'm creating a very simple but intentional gratitude journal that will take me from December 2009 through November 2010. As soon as I finish I'll be sure to post pictures.

Most of my day was spent in my pajamas relaxing & soaking in my little family. This year it was just the three of us & the pace of the day was exactly the slow down I needed.

This little guy is the sunshine in my life. Before I became his mother I had no idea I had such a capacity to love. Motherhood is by far the greatest blessing in my life. I am so thankful to the Lord that he has blessed me in this way.

I also give thanks to the Lord for bringing this man into my life. He knows me like no one else & by some miracle still loves me like crazy. He is my partner in life & has given me my greatest gifts. I don't tell him enough but I wouldn't be me without him.

I'm off to finalize my list for tomorrow's crazy day of shopping. I'm guessing I'm only going to last a few hours so I must be focused!

Whether you celebrate Thanksgiving today or not I invite you take a few minutes to count your blessings.

lovemon

Right Now

Taking some time to capture this little guy right now.


Right now he is preoccupied by the sequence of holiday events.

G: So what's after Thanksgiving?
M: My birthday.
G: And after your birthday?
M: Your birthday.
G: And after my birthday?
M: Christmas.
G: And after Christmas?
M: The New Year.
G: What's that?
M: 2009 is finished & 2010 begins.
G: Oh. After that?
M: Valentines.

And the cycle continues.

Right now he is afraid of the dark and is scared of being alone.

Right now he refuses to give & receive kisses and demands to be called big boy. No other term of endearment including but not limited to baby, sugar, sweetie, and my love is acceptable.

Right now he tells me he is a smart guy. He tells me he is curious. He does not lack in self confidence.

Right now we have the most interesting, random conversations.

G: When does the world end?
M: Ummmm. Well,....why do you ask that question?
G: Well, the world is round so where does it end.
M: Oh! Yes, the world is round. So really there isn't an end but there is a North Pole & a South Pole so a top and a bottom.
G: OK.

Right now his favorite snack is Pirate's Booty. I think he likes it as much as for the taste as the name.

Right now is favorite show is Lilo & Stitch and everytime time Lilo says "Big Dummy" he tells me that was not very nice.

Right now he is mastering his negotiation skills. He does not outright disagree with your decisions but he quietly & masterfully continues to approach from a different angle.

Right now he adores playing with his Daddy. He is finally showing an interest in soccer and can hit the ball with his head. He begs Daddy to wrestle and is actually very strong.

Right now he jumps off everything he can and sticks every landing.

Right now his favorite station on the radio is 102.1 The Edge. He likes songs with a strong fast beat and always asks for it to be louder. He practices his moves in his seat and when he catches me watching in the mirror gets embarrassed. He seriously has some moves.

Right now he is reading simple words, simple books and adding two digit numbers. He is attempting to read everything around him while we are out and loves to play school at home.

Right now we end everynight with a book and snuggles and start each morning with him running down the hallway to climb into our bed and snuggle.

Right now we love him more & more everyday.

lovemon

The End

of the Halloween pictures. I do apologize that you are having to sit through the last round of pictures this late into November but this is really for the grandparents.

The actual night of Halloween Garrett attended his very first Halloween Party. The hosts were generous & the kids had a blast. This is a shot of Garrett gazing in wonder at the magician who was really a hoot. He still talks about the tricks played on him & his buddy.

He had to just make sure that these were just decorations & not actual children. Mitch loved this kickback to Charlie Brown.

I was in love with the decorations. They were preparing to tear down the house to build a new one so they were able to go crazy with the decorations. Very, very cool.

Just as we were leaving to start our Trick or Treating the fire came out. Of course we had to stay to watch!

We did make it back to the neighborhood & the boys made it longer than I thought they would after the excitement of the party.

Garrett was so excited about all the candy which due to rationing we still have in the house!!

My focus is now turning to Thanksgiving & we've been talking alot about what we are thankful for. For weeks Garrett has told me he just doesn't know. Well, finally he has his list, 1)His animals 2)Mommy & Daddy 3)His things. Glad to see that we come before his things but have to laugh that we are after the animals!

lovemon

A First

Last night we took Garrett to his first live Aggie experience, a basketball game.

As usual he was completely overwhelmed with the new experience.

I am learning that it takes him awhile to process the unfamiliar. I am learning that this apprehension is not indicative of his enjoyment of the new experience. I am learning that this is just another one of the little things that makes him uniquely him.

By the time the second half came around all apprehension was gone & there was only joy. His favorite was the cheering. My favorite was the glee we shared both yelling Aaaaaaaaaaaaaa while the opposing team was shooting free throws. I will forever remember the twinkle in his eye and the crinkle of his mouth. That moment will forever become part of my heart.


It also made my heart sing seeing Garrett in his father's arms giving a round of high five's with a good friend of ours. I know that this is one of the most imperfect pictures but it so magically captured the energy of last night that I'm in love.

Moments like these have me praising the Lord for blessing me with such a beautiful family.

lovemon