Just Life

If you were judging my life by my blog, it would appear as though nothing is happening since I haven't been updating. That couldn't be farther from the truth.....life has just been happening. David got me a new camera for Christmas and I'm very excited to use it but quite frankly, I'm intimidated by it. I'm dreading reading the users manual! So, when I get it figured out I will post some new pics of David and Grant.
Let's see....what's new? Little David is getting geared up for a round of winter swim lessons and is mostly so excited to play t-ball this spring! He is doing so great in school and still loves it. He amazes us with the things he says, we often remark that we never talked that way at 5 years old! One of these days I'm going to record one of his prayers- they are unbelievable and overwhelm me with love and joy. I feel so lucky to get to witness his little relationship with God, and listen in on their "talks". He is already so grounded spiritually- I pray that he will always be. This is what I want for my children above all else!
Grant is just an absolute stinker! She is so precious and knows it! She will often flash us her toothy smile after being reprimanded for getting in to something or doing something she's not supposed to do. Her Daddy will turn into a puddle instantly and it breaks his heart to raise his voice to her. She rules the roost around here. Little David gets very upset with her for getting in to his things and I have to call him down all day long and remind him that she is a baby who does not know better and just wants to play. She will let him have it if he takes something from her- she is quite the "swatter". My biggest hurdle with Grant is her squealing. Now I realize that even the term squealing sounds cute and that she will not do this forever. However, Grant will scream blood piercing screams that come out of nowhere. She is quite good at achieving the shock factor for her screams. I have become relatively immune to them but most anyone in my presence at the grocery store, etc will jump 3 ft in the air when hearing Grant's scream. I have told many a stranger in the grocery store (after being given looks) that I am open to suggestion. I can't make it stop, I'd give anything if I could and I know that one day I will miss her screams. She certainly keeps things interesting. I can't imagine life without her.
So, life is good and we are still making the best of our life and community here in Texas. I have made lots of friends and really enjoy it here. It will never hold the same place in my heart as SC but like my Mom always says, "You make the best of where you are because you are there." I intend to keep doing just that. We are happy and healthy and loving life!

My how you've grown....14 months

I realize that I am quite past due on keeping up with Grant's "My how you've grown" pics so, I decided it was time to get with it again. It is hilarious how she loves to carry on full conversations in "babynese". Grant is so full of personality! She is spunky and has much attitude- her newest thing is swatting- she likes to hit at everyone in the family and has often knocked us silly. She babbles up a storm, loves to eat salmon, bananas and gluten free oat bars- just to name a few. She is so smart and when asked if she needs a diaper change, will bring me a diaper and wipes. She amazes me at how smart and yet how full of personality/attitude she is. She weighs 23 lbs and we just crack up at her protruding belly- she is a little, sweet chunk of love! It is hard to believe our baby girl is already 14 months! We love seeing the world through her eyes and David's!

Merry Christmas 2008

We spent such a wonderful Christmas together- just the four of us. Truthfully, it is always difficult to be without family but this was our second Christmas without travel or family, and we did really enjoy ourselves. It really makes our family unit feel stronger! We made sure to thank God for all of our blessings- most importantly, we thank God for Jesus. We read the Christmas story together and witnessed such a beautiful little prayer from little David. We woke up early and opened gifts- then Daddy and David went to play golf at Escondido, we watched a little bit of Christmas programming on TV and then went out to eat at the Marriott in Horseshoe Bay. It was a perfect Christmas for us and although we miss spending it with our extended family, we are so grateful for this time together. Merry CHRISTmas!

Another David musing

"Mommy, how can something with stickers for eyes be alive?"
This is what David asked me in reference to "Charlie" his "Elf on the Shelf". "Well, David....it's magic." This is my new answer for everything. "How can Santa get from the walkway at Marble Falls to the North Pole so fast?" "Why does that Santa in Marble Falls look different than the santa in Austin?" It's just magic Son! What will I do when that answer doesn't work anymore?! :)
I am always amazed at the sweet, poignant things David says- I love seeing the world through his eyes!

A Christmas Smattering of Things

My next post is a collection of our latest events. The first of which is David's Christmas musical. The Pre-K classes at First Baptist Christian School held the musical and it was soooo sweet. Unfortunately, as you may have noticed from some of my previous posts, my camera has been acting up. The pics I got are terrible but I was able to catch a few quick video snipits. I have enjoyed hearing David practice these songs at home, in the car, in the grocery store check out line, in the post office.....you name it- my boy loves music!!!!

The second event is our Mother/Son date night to the Nutcracker. David and I got all dressed up and headed out to the show while Daddy volunteered to stay home with Grant. We had a very nice time and we snapped one quick (way to close) pic for memory sake.

The third event was our day with the Corry girls. We wanted to soak them up a little before they head to SC so we had a nice trip to the mall in Austin. Santa was very much the popular guy today and we weren't able to stand in line for eons so we settled for letting David and Rynn ride the train and a visit to the chocolate store. Hey- as long as there is chocolate- who needs Santa?!!!

Walkway of Lights 2008

We visited the walkway of lights in Marble Falls again this year, but this time we had another set of Corry's with us. We had a great night of exchanging gifts and pizza followed by hot cocoa from Starbucks, a stroll through the walkway and a visit with Santa. It was another great night spent sharing memories with family. David and Rynn had fun "bracing" in front of the soldiers and always keep us laughing with their love/dislike relationship. One minute they are hugging and the next they are bickering like brother and sister- it's terribly cute- and their love always wins out in the end! Grant was a little less than thrilled with Santa and it was getting cold but she and Raegan hung in there. Even big girl Reese (who is almost as tall as Santa) had a seat on the "big Man's" lap. It was a fabulous Texas Christmas Festivus! :)

Thanksgiving 2008

I'm quite behind on my postings so I'm trying to play a little catch up. We had a very nice Thanksgiving dinner (lunch) at our house with Donald, Kelsey, Reese, Rynn and Raegan. Kelsey and I prepared the food and we had a great little feast! The kids had a fun time playing in the back yard, riding bikes, building a gingerbread house and many more activities. We were so thankful to have a Thanksgiving dinner with family. It was a wonderful day- however, I only have 1 pic from the day and it was in front of our puny little loved Christmas tree. P.S. Not sure why David feels the need to pose this way but it has become his new "thing".