Thanksgiving Weekend

What a full weekend we had!!!


Thanksgiving Day was awesome! We celebrated here again this year, with Ty's side of the family and my parents joining us for a yummy dinner! It was a perfect day! For the first time in several years, the weather was cool and cozy, which made the preparations for the day all the more enjoyable! It actually felt like Thanksgiving this year! :) Can I just tell you that I LOVE Thanksgiving?! The food...the family...the memories. Mmmmm.....just warms my heart! I told Ty that I think my favorite part of Thanksgiving is the memories it stirs. Whether I am baking a favorite family recipe or ironing Grandma's beautiful, white linen table cloth... fond, long forgotten memories begin to steep in my mind and for the briefest of moments, I can relish in time gone by. I love moments like that!


Our gathering this year was a little smaller than last, with 13 of us here together. It was a perfect size! Just enough to fill our home but not too many that it became overwhelming. We were all able to sit together between two tables set up in our dining room and family room, and how nice it was to linger there after a delicious meal and all share in conversation together. Family. That is how it should be! I hope there are many more years to come that are as cozy as this one and I pray that Luke and Ellie will begin to build wonderful memories like I have!


For whatever reason (uh...can you say b-u-s-y?!) I have few pictures of our day. :( Luke managed to evade my camera completely that afternoon, and the only decent shots I seemed to get were of the tables before all our guests arrived! LOL! Here are a few of those though....






How'd you like my little napkin rings?! I have to admit, I was kinda proud of those...made 'em myself! :) Yeah...just call me Martha Stewart! :) LOL!!!!!

Anyway....here was Ty working on deep-fryin' that huge turkey of ours! He always does such a good job with the turkey! It turned out fabulous!!!!




And the final pictures of the day were of a sweet moment between Ty and Ellie as I caught them dancing again to Carrie Underwood's "All American Girl" in the family room! He even dipped her at the end when the song was done! I love them!!!!





How I managed to not even think of taking a group shot at dinner, I don't know. I'll blame it on the wine! :)

Friday was another day to celebrate for me! It was my last official photo shoot of the season! Whooohooooooo! AND....it was for my dear friend Heidi, so spending some time with her was a treat in itself! The rest of the day was spent putting away the fall decorations in preparation for Christmas, relaxing just a smidge and then after the kid's naps, we ventured out of tag our Christmas tree!

On Saturday, we went with Krystal, Will and the kids to Knott's Berry Farm. It was our first time there in many years, and of-course our first time with kids. I received several free tickets from a friend that had to be used before the 30th, so we ventured down for a little 'free' family fun! :) We had a nice time! The park wasn't too crowded, the weather was amazing and the kids were super well behaved! Ellie made us giggle every time a roller coaster would pass overhead because she would invariably holler out "Woooooowwww" at each one. Cute girl! And Luke had a blast riding all the kiddie rides with either Ty or me. By 3 o'clock, the lack of naps had taken its toll on the munchkins and we decided to head for home. Luke was so worn out that he nearly fell asleep on Ty's shoulder as we walked to the car and was out before we left the parking lot! But overall, both kids were a pleasure to be around all day! We had a lot of fun!

Sunday, our anniversary...was mostly just spent around home. We went to church in the morning and headed home to hang Christmas lights and decorate inside a bit. Since we were away last weekend and celebrated then, it almost didn't feel like it should be our anniversary. But we prepared a nice dinner together as a family and just enjoyed being together!

That's what its all about anyway, right? Family and being together! Nothing is better than that!

Us

Six years ago, at 4:42 in the afternoon, as God and our closest loved ones looked on, my life became forever intertwined with the most wonderful man I know! He is my dearest friend, my team mate, my hero and my love! A man I respect with every ounce of my being and whose life is a living testimony to the strength of his spirit and the depth of his heart. There are few words today that echo what abides in my heart. Instead, a quiet, peaceful sense of absolute comfort resides there. For few things in life make me happier than when I am with my love! Happy Anniversary, sweetheart! I love you so.....

Thankful....

I awoke this morning to rain falling gently outside our window and as I snuggled deep under the covers, thinking of all that today means to me, thankfulness welled in my heart for all that I enjoy! We are often reminded on this day to count our blessings, and this morning as I do, I realize just how long that list is! We are so blessed! Home...health...friends...family.....God has given us so much! I am abundantly grateful! And at this precise moment, I sit on the couch with my firstborn beside me. The rain still falls, the house is cozy and quiet. Together...side by side, we are sharing a blanket and a good, ol' fashion episode of Tom & Jerry! :) What could be better? Life is good! May today be a string of such simple pleasures and blessings for you as well! Happy Thanksgiving, friends!

Where we've been....

This weekend took my husband and I on a journey....one we never could have imagined and one we will certainly never forget! To say that we have been forever changed is an understatement! I cannot, in words, summarize the depth to which our marriage was enriched this weekend! We have been abundantly blessed!

So you are probably asking where we have been? Like I mentioned on Thursday, we spent from Friday afternoon until late Sunday afternoon in La Jolla at a christian marriage retreat called "A Weekend to Remember". (you can google it if you want to know more.) And let me just tell you that it was, in fact, a weekend to remember! It was probably the single, most profound gift either one of us could ever give to one another! We both agreed...it was enriching...and worth every single penny spent to attend!!!!

On the home front side of things, the kids stayed at my mom & dad's house for the weekend (thank you sooooo much, you guys!!!) and did great! Ellie had a rough start on Friday when I was getting ready to leave though. I had taken them over before lunch to feed them and put them down for a nap there, but Ellie (who must've just known that I was leaving) refused to lay down and cried (sobbed!) for nearly an hour! It wasn't until my mom returned home and took Ellie from my arms (I was beyond frustration at that point!) that Ellie made the mental transition that I was leaving and calmed down to sleep. But phew!!! It was NOT the relaxing start to the weekend I had hoped for!

However, each time we called the kids over the weekend, Luke sounded happy and peaceful as he re-told the adventures of the day and my mom reported that both kiddos were doing well, eating well and sleeping well! Thankfully! :) To know that they were happy was such a relief to us, and made our two nights (TWO NIGHTS!!!!!!!!!!) away all the more enjoyable!

We had our first session at the conference on Friday night after we checked into the hotel and got settled. They upgraded our room to the Regency Club floor where we had access to hor'derves (sp?) and wine each evening, and breakfast each morning! So on Friday, we enjoyed a glass of wine before session and then made our way downstairs for the conference to begin.

Saturday was spent in and out of sessions, with a few couples 'projects' mixed in to hone in on what we were learning. There were, I would guess, 300 couples there this weekend, and to watch us all, in our different stages and places in marriage, growing and changing as couples was incredible! It was so encouraging to see all these men and women there...to be surrounded by them.... all there with the single purpose of loving their spouses better. Wow! You don't get to experience that often in the world today!

Saturday night was 'date night', so Ty and I enjoyed a fantastic dinner at Flemings (which happened to be right across from our hotel!) as our 6th anniversary dinner. Our actual anniversary isn't, of-course, until this Sunday, but celebrating early, especially on a weekend like this, was awesome! We had mentioned that it was our anniversary, and all the staff who took care of us acknowledged us as they came by. AND....we got a yummy box of chocolate covered strawberries to share as well! So sweet!

Sunday morning was spent in session again, with the weekend closing with a renewal of our wedding vows. *sniff, sniff*. It was emotional! And wonderful! And something I will not soon forget!!!! Thank you, my love, for sharing in such an incredible weekend with me! You are amazing!

We headed for home a little after 1pm yesterday, making a stop in Ontario to fill the gas tank (can I just tell you that gas was a mere $1.84!!!! Holy cow!!! Awesome!!!!) , to fill our bellies and to quickly do a little wrap-up Christmas shopping at Toys R Us for the kids! :) We made it back to my parents house just as the kids were waking from their naps! It was so, so, SO good to hold them after being away! We had missed them! Did I tell you that Ellie began walking well over the weekend while we were gone?! How sad it was to me to hear over the phone that she was actively walking!!!! *Sigh* You leave for two days and she walks! What's up with that?!

Anyway....you can't have it all, right?! :) You know what though? I DO have it all! I am blessed beyond comprehension! I have everything I would want and WAY more than I could possibly need! Today, I am utterly grateful!

Getaway time.....

So this is where we are headed this weekend to celebrate our anniversary! :) Not too shabby! Actually, truth be known, this is a picture of Torrey Pines, and we're actually going to La Jolla, but hey....close enough...and you get the picture! :)

How lucky are we that we get to enjoy two weekends away in the same month?! I tease that we are getting a weekend for each year it's been since we got away last. :) We feel blessed!!

We will spend the majority of our time this weekend pouring love into our marriage by way of the couples retreat we are attending. It is something we have not done thus far (a couples retreat, I mean) and we are both feeling excited and also a little unsure of what to expect. I'm sure it will be wonderful though! How could two and a half days alone with my very best friend be anything less??!

So....off we go! More on Monday.....

Fifteen Months

My sweet Belle turned 15 months old on Sunday! Every day I see her looking less and less like a baby and more like a toddler. It astounds me to watch her grow! It also entices those bittersweet moments to wash over me from time to time as I vacillate between sadness that her infancy is over and joy in watching each new stage unfold. I just pray that the moments...the details...the sound of her giggle and twinkle in her eye as she smiles, the sound of her tiny feet pattering across the floor, or the way she tucks her head into the crook of my neck when I rock her before bed...that all those things etch themselves into my mind and that I will not forget. It saddens me to think that one day, I will likely forget those details. I have with Luke. :( Things I swore I would for sure remember have now been washed away over time. **sigh** So I guess this is why I blog, no? To keep a written account of our days and moments.

Thinking of all this spawned the thought that I should check Luke's baby book to see how my kids compare to one another over time. They are such different kids that I'd venture to guess that there are more discrepancies among them at this age than similarities, but let's see.....

At 15 months, Luke had been walking for over a month and a half, and could, in fact walk backwards. :) Ellie...well...she's on that road but the going is much slower! :) LOL!

At 15 months, Ellie has several words......duck( dukkkk), shoes (shoosh), choochoo, uh-oh, mom, dad, milk, dog(sounds more like duck than dog, but it's dog for sure!) , good girl (she tells Tess this all the time!), cracker (cacker), banana (nana) and probably a few more that I can't remember. Luke had about the same. :)

At 15 months, Luke weighed 21 lbs 9 oz , was 30 inches tall (25th %tile) and had 8 teeth. Ellie weighs 21 lbs 12 ozs, is 31.5 inches tall , and has 6 teeth. Ironically, they are very close in size, with Ellie just being a tad taller (75th %tile) than her big bro!

At 15 months, I remember Luke being so physically adept while rarely showing interest in the quieter activities like looking at books or watching a baby video. Ellie, on the other hand, is not so physical, but LOVES to flip through books and will sit for brief periods of time to check out what big brother is watching on TV.

At 15 months, Luke was not really a cuddler. He would let me snuggle him before bed, but that was it. Ellie LOVES to be near me...preferably IN my arms, tugging on my pant legs or on my lap at all times. She smiles in the car if I reach back to hold her hand (yes...I can feasibly and relatively safely do this while driving) and gently strokes my hand! She's a cuddle-bug! And I LOVE every second of it! :)

Both have always been excellent sleepers! (Praise God!) Ellie still naps twice a day for me! Yay!!!

When it comes to food, Ellie is a chow hound, often out eating her brother (seriously!) and adventurous in the food she is willing to try. She still really hasn't met a food she hasn't liked!! Luke, on the other hand, has been a picky, bird-eater since birth. It's a wonder sometimes how he grows!

Luke had a lot less hair at the same age as his sister does....

Apparently, they both loved hats around this time too, because in looking back for a picture of Luke at 15 months, I came across this one....

And just yesterday, before I ever thought of writing this post, I took these of Ellie...

She's such a cutie! Just like her hat from Grandma says! :) Here are a few last photos of her that I took a couple of days ago, just for fun!

She loves to peek at her 'button' and is showing it to me here....

Just a couple of final details, lest I forget them! Ellie has a MAJOR shoe fetish! Since the time she became mobile and could get herself to shoes that may have been around, she has gravitated towards them. At first, she munched on them (eeww!), but now, she will find her shoes and hold & snuggle them to her chest. She will also try to put them on her feet! Because she is constantly wanting them, at times I try to sneak them away so I don't end up loosing one of the pair. As soon as she realizes they are missing, she will start to whine and if she sees them resting on the stairs behind the baby gate out of her reach, she will fuss and cry until I either completely remove them from sight or give in and let her have them! AND...her shoes are the first thing she asks for when I get her up in the morning! Before I even scoop her up out of her crib, she is usually pointing at her closet and saying "shoosh! shoosh!!" Silly girl!

She also has an affinity for airplanes. She takes after her grandpa in this area! She LOVES airplanes and will somehow manage to see the smallest, quietest airplanes in the sky well before any of us do! If she sees one, or even just hears one from inside or outside, she will point to the sky and whine a little (in a 'hey, mom...look' kind of way.). It's a little crazy to us how persistent and perceptive she is in finding them! But I like that she not only shares grandpa's looks, but also one of his loves!

I love you, my sweet Ellie Belly! You are one of my deepest joys in life!

Perfection

Today was made up of a bunch of little moments of perfection! It began at lunch time, when Luke, Ellie and I were sitting together at the dining table eating. While we ate, we listened to Fernando Ortega's Prayer for Home (those of you who were there those six years ago might remember it as the song that played as our family & bridal party encircled us for our ring ceremony at our wedding). As it played, I was singing along, changing all the 'their's in the song to 'our's; more or less praying along with it as I sang. The song lyrics are so beautiful... in one part it says "may their table be blessed with laughter and with grace, and by the comfort of kinship be surprised." At that exact moment, I kid you not, Ellie broke into giggles and a split second later Luke reach over, grabbed by hand and, out of the blue said, "I love you, Mom!" It was just one of those moments that bring a lump to your throat and deep joy to your heart. My kids. Oh how I love them!!!!!

Perfection.

Just as dinner finished up, another favorite song began playing from Ty's Ipod (Hotel California by the Eagles! LOVE the Eagles!) and shortly we found ourselves dancing in circles...ALL FOUR of us...in the family room. Ellie giggled and grinned from ear to ear as Ty spun her slowly round and round on our make believe dance floor, and I swayed back and forth with Luke resting on my hip. I imagined a moment much like this some 25 years from now as one of our children marries, and silently prayed for the moment to etch itself in my mind.

Perfection.

And THEN....the grand finale of the evening happened just a few short moments later as I sat Ellie down on the floor near the couch to play. By this time, Carrie Underwood's 'All American Girl' was playing (see the sidebar montage of Ellie from not too long ago and this song is playing there!) As if she had been contemplating it ALL day, she stood, turned to me and suddenly lurched my direction, TAKING HER VERY FIRST INDEPENDENT STEPS!! Laughing wildly, I scooped her up, set her back in place and she did it again! FINALLY! :) LOL! She is, after all, 15 months old as of yesterday! LOL!

So I guess we (finally) have another walker in our midst! And we're off................................! :)

Home

Today...119 days after they left home, unsure of what lay ahead of them, Sarah, Nick, Angel, Hudson and Haven returned home! Even as I type, I shake my head at ALL this family has endured and overcome! Today was a powerful and unmistakable testimony of God's faithfulness, grace, provision, and love! It was an emotional homecoming for all of us who were there to share in it, but what a blessing to watch this little boy...so strong and courageous....so undeniably changed yet every bit the same boy he has always been! How wonderful it was to see them come home! Welcome back, my friends!

Peace

This morning has been so peaceful!

I awoke much later than normal...just as the sun was rising and with the realization that my son had not yet risen yet. This is quite unusual in our home. So I relished the moments of snuggling under the warm covers in prayer while the sleep fell away from my mind and until I was ready to rise.

Peace.

I journeyed down the stairs, poured myself a fresh, warm cup of coffee and curled up on the couch as warm light began filtering in through the windows. It was well after seven o'clock when I closed the cover of my bible, and sat listening only to the tic-toc of grandma's clock on the mantel as I gazed out the window to watch the breeze blow clouds across the rising rays of light. Sunrise. A beautiful, new, fresh start! Thankfulness welled in my heart, just as it did yesterday, for all the blessings I enjoy! Even just the simple pleasure of watching the sunrise as my children sleep unusually late. Life is truly measured in moments like these, and it is these moments that I cling to and rest upon when life is hectic.

May peace surround you as well today!

Thank you!

Just stopping by quickly tonight to say something that has been on my heart much of the day....

THANK YOU to each and every man and woman who has served our country and helped to protect the many, MANY freedoms that we share! May God bless you!

And Dad....(*tears*) thank you for serving as you did in Vietnam and all those years in the Air Force! I am so very proud of you! You have always been my hero! I look up to you today just as I did as a little girl! I love you!

Fireworks in the kitchen

Sounds kinda dangerous, eh?

It wasn't....I promise! We are all safe! LOL!

After naps today, I decided it would be fun to do a little baking project together! I had purchased all the ingredients I would need for a favorite carmel corn recipe (thanks, Kathy!) with the hopes that I would have made it for our little Halloween get together. But the to-do list grew too long that day and the carmel corn......well....it got bumped. :) But this afternoon seemed like a perfect day and Luke is always happy to help in the kitchen! :) He helped measure and pour the corn kernels into the huge pan and we covered it up with a glass lid as we anxiously awaited the popping to begin! It was like a mini science project! LOL!! :)

Now I'll be honest and tell you that today was the first time I've popped popcorn the 'old fashioned' way over the stove since I **think** I was about 8!!! It has been a LONG, LONG time! I found myself reading and re-reading the directions on the popcorn bottle several times because of it. I think I was a tad bit nervous! LOL! But as the popcorn began popping away and I saw the look of sheer delight both on Luke AND Ellie's faces, I wondered why we haven't done this more often?! "It sounds like fireworks, Mommy!" Yes....that's a good description of it! Fireworks! Right there in our kitchen! :)

So with our popcorn popped and sampled :) we got to preparing the carmel. Mmmm....my favorite part! I made sure to busy Ellie in her highchair with several 'safe' kitchen utensils while Luke played 'chef' on the counter beside me. As I stirred and simmered, wonderful, warm, happy memories of playing at Heidi's house and her mom making us popcorn balls flooded my memory! I pray that these little moments with Luke will be etched in his mind just the same and that someday, he will look back with fondness just as I do. I hope!

With the carmel done and everything all mixed together, it was onto the cookie sheets and into the oven for a little baking! But I learned one valuable lesson today, after....yes AFTER phoning a friend to check.....(I probably should have used a second life line though! :) LOL!!! My lesson??? Wax paper and the oven don't mix very well! :) LOL! You'd think I'd know that by now! Hahaha! Lesson learned! It didn't ruin the carmel corn though! Thank goodness! It was actually quite yummy!

Blissfully rejuvinated!

What a wonderful, fun-filled weekend!!! But I cannot believe that Halloween has come and gone and that we are now into November! My how time is flying!

The rest of our Halloween was fantastic! After naps on Friday, we dressed Luke and Ellie up in there costumes for some pictures before our guests arrived. I'm glad that I took a few minutes then to snap a few shots, because the rest of the night went on without so much as one snap of my camera! (Well...I take that back, I did get one of the kids together, which I show you in a minute!) Anyway...Ellie (aka Tinker Bell) wasn't much into posing for my pictures. (Is this becoming a trend???) But she sat still long enough, after shedding a few tears, for me to get these....



Aren't those little pig tails just to die for?!!!!






Here are Buzz and Tink together.......



Not long after their pictures, Grandma and Grandpa stopped by to fill the kids Halloween pumpkins with a few treats and to see the dynamic duo all dressed up! Then, before we knew it, our house was filled with Batman, Robin, a princess, a lion, Minnie Mouse, a witch and Joe Dirt. :) We all scarfed down some yummy chili that my neighbor Kristin made, but with the kids so amped up for trick or treating, there was little in the way of eating for them! We had hoped that Ellie would make it to a few houses for some Halloween treats, but Tinker Bell tuckered out before we even left the house and we ended up putting her to bed instead. :( Poor Maddie, who was so stinkin' cute in her Minnie Mouse costume!) was the only little one who made it out after dark! :) Maybe next year!
Here are the 'big kids' before we left...



While the men stayed back to hand out candy, we gals took the our munchkins around the neighborhood for treats! It was so much fun to watch them together! Emily and Eagan were just a tad bit too short to reach the doorbells, so Luke, being all of an inch taller (not much of a height difference for the whole year he was on them!) was the designated doorbell ringer! :) I LOVED hearing their little voices calling out "Trick or Treat" at each stop! Soooo much fun! When we got back home, it was still quite early (despite being so dark!) so we let the kids run and play in the front yard and driveway while we adults sat around chatting! It was great! When the kids began to melt down, the party wrapped up and it was off to bed for Luke. As I tucked him in bed though, I noticed his head was quite warm! Remembering that he had refused both lunch AND dinner, I decided to take his temperature, and sure enough, he was running a low-grade fever. :( Strange. He awoke the next morning, after sleeping much later than normal, still feeling warm. :( We hoped that it wasn't anything serious, and considered forgoing our plans to leave, but after we got ready, he seemed well 'enough' to stay with Meemaw. I guess he laid low much of the day, saying he was tired, but the fever was gone by the end of the day. Phew!

Our trip to San Diego was everything I hoped it would be! We left home around 9am and arrived in sunny, warm Coronado by 11. We were able to check in early to hotel, which was SO nice! Our room overlooked the bay and was beautiful! And the best part of all??? IT WAS QUIET!!! LOL! I just kept looking at Ty and saying "Listen.....do you hear that? The sound of silence!" LOL! Its amazing how much I appreciated all the little things! Quietness...eating a warm meal...sitting and not having to talk/get up/respond to anyone if I didn't want to. Ahhhhhh....it was great!

Being that it was lunchtime when we arrived, we were itching for a good meal and some sunshine, so we met up with Ty's buddy Fred and his wife Suzanne poolside for some yummy lunch and wine. :) When our bellies were blissfully full and our bodies relaxed from the wine, we changed into our suits and found ourselves some lounge chairs near the pool! I napped in the sun, with a cool breeze caressing my face while the boys chatted! Let me just tell you, I was in heaven!!! I can't remember the last time I felt so relaxed! It was fantastic!

Before we knew it, it was time to head back to our rooms to get ready for the wedding and the rest of the afternoon and evening was just as awesome as the beginning! We had cocktails before the ceremony, and when Ty asked me what I wanted, a rasberry martini seemed a fitting accessory to my new dress! :) LOL! See???



And here Fred, Suzanne and I are as we awaited the start of the wedding!


This was the final picture we took for the night! Isn't my hubby so handsome?!!!


The reception (like the wedding itself) was beautiful! And we had SUCH a BLAST!! The food was AMAZING.....fillet Mignon and shrimp (!!!!)....and the night was just so much fun! I was thrilled when Ty, who normally doesn't enjoy dancing, escorted me out to the dance floor early on in the evening, and I honestly don't think we sat down for more than a few minutes at a time after that! We danced and danced and danced some more!! It was JUST what I needed! I felt like an adult again!!! I really could not have asked for a better night away!!! It was blissful!

We slept in this morning (well...sleeping in for us, which meant we were awake by 8:15!). I had to giggle when my eyes popped open earlier and I glanced at the clock to find that it was 6:15...the precise time Luke wakes up every morning! Guess I'm programmed! I wasn't sure that I would be able to go back to sleep, but somehow I managed. LOL! We eventually ventured down to the cafe for some breakfast and enjoyed several cups of coffee out on the patio, all the while relishing the ability to linger there together! It was so nice to not have to rush or to have little ones vying for our attention! After breakfast, we took a stroll around the resort, checked out of our room around noon and made it home just around the kids nap time. :)

They did great with Meemaw, and from the sounds of it, it was a normal kind of day for them both! Meemaw said they were both well-behaved and fun! I'm glad to know that our first time away from Ellie wasn't traumatic for her! I was a tad bit worried, given how clingy she has been lately! She was the first one to stir from their naps, and when I went scoop her up out of her crib, she just kept looking at me and smiling a smile that said "I'm so glad you're here, Mama! " It warmed my heart! And much to my surprise, she had a great rest of the afternoon! She was actually MORE affectionate and sweet than normal! I had kind of been anticipating that she might 'punish' me a little with some stinky behavior! But she didn't! Yay!!!

So...all in all, I can wrap up this post saying that our 30 hours away was all that I hoped it to be and more! I feel refreshed and rejuvenated! I have reconnected with my dear hubby and spend some much needed couple-time together! I heart has been filled up again, so that I can again pour out myself to my family. How thankful I am tonight for all these things......