Tuesday, October 28, 2008

On the Go

Brynne constantly keeps us on our toes these days to say the least! She is on the go at all times and never stops unless she passes out. All the moms of mobile toddlers are saying "Amen,"...you just don't understand until you're there. To all the moms before whose toddler acted up in public and I pridefully thought "I'd never let my child get away with that," FORGIVE ME!!! This age is SO fun as they learn more and more each day...but it's exhausting! My sweet neighbor called the other day to say..."I get it now! My child is into everything!"
Brynne has a lot of love in her heart and is constantly giving us hugs and kisses..and constantly ordering us to hug too! She has a lot of compassion for those that are hurting and brightens up everyone's day with her big hugs! She often walks over to us, throws her arm around us and says "I love you mommy (or daddy),"..."you can have whatever you want my child...just stop looking at me with those big blue eyes!"
I never knew I could love so much.


Brynne and her favorite cousin

We're loving the cold weather!

Bubbles anyone?

My big helper

Brynne and her boys, checking out the sheep.


Monday, October 20, 2008

Movies and Registries

First, if you haven't seen the movie "Fireproof," - it's a must see. Don't be detoured by the poor acting in the beginning -the rest of the movie is amazing and an amazing testimony of His grace and purpose for marriage. It was so encouraging to see something holy at the movies for once!!
Next, you must know that our amazing "human copy-cat" has picked up my nickname for Beau ("Bo-Bo"), and runs around now calling him this. It's stinkin hilarious and drives Beau insane. I can't tell you how many times this week he has said, "no, it's daddy!!"

Next - I have too many pregnant friends to count right now and have had SOOO many conversations this week about registering, that I decided to post it. There's a million things you could register for a baby, but very little that you actually use. The marketing scheme to reach mothers makes them fearful their child will be missing out if they don't have all this stuff. It frustrates me, so here's Brynne's top 5 registry list:
1. Car Seat - you have to get them home from the hospital, so an obvious must. Several friends saw my frustrations with having to buy 2 car seats in the first year, so let me recommend to go straight to the multiple age one and save yourself money.
2. Pack n' play that has a bassinet -
if you don't double register, you'll get more items. Instead of registering for a bassinet you won't use after 8 weeks (hopefully), get the pack n' play with one because you'll use that forever.

If you're about to have a baby earlier than expected, (as some of the friends I spoke with), and haven't had time to register yet, 1 & 2 are enough to get by for awhile! Don't worry!!

3. Swing N' Bounce - again, 2 gifts in one. Brynne slept in this often...even at night when she was colicky. This was my saving grace.
4. Stroller - you'll have to buy a double one later if you're planning on more kids...so save yourself a few bucks
5. Bath. WHile in the bath, give them their liquid vitamins b/c it's messy. A friend recommended giving the baby "Poly-Vi-Sol" vitamins after 6 weeks old and the AAP confirmed it this week on the news that if you breastfeed, your baby doesn't get the needed Vitamin D and needs supplement. That's my only recommendation....your kids won't be super sick without it, but believe it helped Brynne fight off a lot of sicknesses her first year...b/c she was around other kids a lot!
Okay, let's make it 6. Diapers and bottles..kinda need those.
The rest is preferrence. Seriously - it cracks me up when people say you have to have this/that...as if babies really used to have these things! One friend swore by the wipes warmer...I've never plugged it in because the cord couldn't reach, and now I'm so thankful! Brynne didn't freak out in public b/c she was spoiled by warm wipes! There are other things we enjoyed - the boppy, the bumbo, pacifier, formula dispenser, etc...,

All in all...sweet mommies to be...please know He is in control. We obsess about eating certain foods, doing things certain ways.. yayayaya. The truth is - inner city, under-nourished KIDS are getting pregnant and having perfectly healthy babies and obsessed moms are doing everything by the book and having kids with difficulties. The final say is we're not in control...I realize it more and more every day Brynne gets older. REST. We need prayer and seeking Him with the path and child He's chosen for us. If you didn't pray before...I hope you begin when you have a child!

1 Samuel 1:27-28 - "I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of Him. So now I give him to the LORD. For his whole life he will be given over to the LORD." And he worshiped the LORD there.

Saturday, October 11, 2008

Happy Fall!

We made our trip out to the pumpkin patch this week with the Arrington twins. It was so fun! This is such a fun age - Brynne is beginning to understand holidays and events..we're enjoying her so much! She wanted to take every pumpkin home...





This is Brynne's "Gig 'Em Aggies!"


Daddy stopped by at the end to watch his baby girl running through the pumpkin patch


Brynne also finished her swim lessons this week! She learned to float, swim, and grab the wall.



Brynne loves to play in her Dora tent at Mimi and Papa's house!

Sunday, October 05, 2008

Women's Retreat

I've been MIA from the blog for awhile because of a little retreat to finish planning. We had a little under 60 women come out for our church women's retreat last weekend. Unfortunately, I can't seem to remember to take pics for anything! God worked in amazing ways, as always, and we had a lot of fun!


The registration girls! Shauna didn't get the pink memo.




Smores and singing by the campfire


Worship on the lake....awesome!


Our theme verse to ponder: "that He might cleanse her, having washed her with the water of the Word" - Ephesians 5:26
God desires to replace the lies that satan and society fill our minds with daily with the Truth of His Word! The retreat gave all of us time to stop and evaluate where we place our focus, to examine areas of our hearts and lives that aren't glorifying God, and to evaluate areas where we haven't been believing God's Truth. My heart's passion is that all women, especially Brynne, will understand their value and worth in Christ, that He is what makes us secure and beautiful, and that our purpose here on earth is to glorify Him!