Time to Reflect

Finally, I'm sitting down and mostly by myself, there is a super cute baby girl next to me making raspberries and holding her toes, but who can complain about that?  I am now ready for a nice slow winter.  A winter of playing in the snow, watching my breath as I wait outside, and of warm tea and biscotti. This is the exact opposite of the previous weeks, and who can blame the business on anyone? There was just a lot that happened in a small amount of time. 

For starters, there is a lot of new life celebrations this year.  Cora, my neice turned two years old (her birthday falls on December 15), and my Sister-in-law Heather is due to become a new mom by the beginning of February, making a baby shower necessary while family was in town.

Another celebration of life but in a more painful way was when Steve's wonderful Grandmother Jane (whom my baby Jane gets her name) passed a week before Christmas.  The funeral was a testament to her godliness, love, charm, humor, and blessedness.    

If you are keeping track that is three social events, all of which happen within or around a weeks time. 

Now, as is tradition in our family we have the five Christmases, and try as I might I'm just not the kind of person who can be around people all the time (except for my immediate family and even then I need some alone time).  For me the perfect balance is a one to one ratio.  One day out and about to one day in and recharging.  But with  nine events within the window of ten days my ratio is kinda thrown to the wayside.  But I'm finding that it's not a lack of people but more a lack of energy to register everything that is happening around me and plus my house goes to pot (a dirty house actually stresses me more than...well maybe a fender bender.  In fact, if I did have a fender bender, I really hope not to, I would probably be okay if I came home and my house was perfectly clean and the laundry was done.).

So, now in the comfort of our chase, I can finally register my feelings, thoughts, hopes, dreams, and sit down and blog as I look back over the previous weeks.  I am thankful for all the time with friends and family (and COOKIES! I've gained at least 5lbs), and I look forward to the winter, to 2013, and to all the adventures that are bound to make their way onto this blog.   

Life Captured by My Phone

Finger painting

Nolan loves the bird and bug book.  Here he has picked out his favorite bird.

 Nolan is offically 3, as of mid-November.  As a birthday treat we took Amtrak from Lees Summit to Union Station.  He loved it so much he cried leaving, all the way home and ended up taking a long nap.  At least he really liked it...right?

 Christmas at our house.  A little bit not as stylish as normal (Note the presents in the tree) but I have a feeling that I'll miss that messy tree some day.  (The other picture is of our advent calendar that hangs in our front window)

Steve and I at the Nutcracker.

Christmas #1

& Steve's

Col3.2

"Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth." NLT

The Big Kids Wish List

Happy Thanksgiving!!! I hope that everyone had a wonderful meal with lots of fellowship and of course pie! I know that we did. 

Now, for many of you it is time to SHOP! You might be shopping already; so while you are standing in line with your smart phone I hope that the following lists will help you.  Merry Christmas!

 Starting from the top and then clockwise. Steve: Airsoft Electric Gun Full Size LOADED, XBox 360 250GB (or anything over 4GB), Weber Style Grill Gloves, Norpro Stainless Steel Vertical Roaster, GrillPro Cast Iron Smoker Box, Crosman AirSoft Sticky Target, Ammo Box.

Starting at the upper left corner and then going clockwise. Adrienne: Babes in the Woods, Picnic Blanket (doesn't have to be this one), Lotta Jansdotter's Simple Sewing for Baby, Winco Vegetable Mill, REAL SIMPLE easy, delicious home cooking, Reusable Produce Bags, Necklace,  Full Circle Fresh Air Kitchen Compost Collector, Vanilla Beans, Any Size Canning Jars, The Rhythm of a Family.

The Kid's Wish Lists

 So, I've been working on our wish lists for awhile.  Nolan and I have been weaning ourselves from media, making getting this particular post out little harder.  Steve's and My wish lists are coming soon...promise!
Jane: 1. Vulli Sophie the Giraffe Teether 2. Beaba Babycook Baby Food Maker (she wouldn't mind a use on :) ) 3. Haba Whirlygig Clutching toy  4. Sassy Look Photo Book.  5. Flip Cloth Diapers. 6.(not pictured) Little Tikes 2-in-1 Snug 'n Secure Swing Blue.

Nolan: 1.Squiggles: Really Giant Drawing and Painting Book 2.Plan Toys Solid Drum 3. Insect Lore Creature Peeper  4. Frog Hooded Bath Towel 5. Rock 'Em Sock 'Em ROBOTS Game 6. Little Tikes TotSports T-Ball Set 7. Little Doctor Kit 8.Tuffo Muddy Buddy Overalls

Halloween and Well Just Life

So, Halloween was AWESOME! Jane was a burrito so we had to go to Chipotle for lunch and take some pictures of Jane with REAL burritos.  Nolan was Thomas of course.  He wore it all day, and got excited every time he got more candy (and yes I did let him eat a lot of candy on Halloween but only on Halloween). 

Other than Halloween we have just been enjoying the weather and the season.  Found a worm in one of my apples, and while I was editing the picture it made me think of Busy Town.   You know:

Other than long walks at the zoo or park I've been thinking of N's birthday and trying to get prepared not only for Thanksgiving but also Christmas.  Hopefully, soon I'll have our family's Christmas wishes posted.  Oh, and stickers in the hands of toddlers can be very messy, and under appreciated in my opinion. 

1Pet5.7.NLT

"Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you."

Something to always remember...