The Best Birthday Gift

My friend Amy got me some of these for my birthday. How cool to know a child in Ethiopia has a pair of shoes like me! Not only that - they go on "shoe missions" where they fit each kid specifically!

Birthday Bash

My sweet hubby's' b-day is the 7th of January and mine is the 19th, so this month has a lot of excuses for cake eating! Our last year in our 20's...we better make the best of it!





I leave you with a lesson. Never leave a box of opened teddybears on a table then tell your 2 year old "I'll be right back," even if you're only going to be gone long enough to grab a bowl and walk back.

Peace

We really appreciate the calls, cards, texts, emails, etc....so much. Thank you for surrounding our family with prayer and support. Although I have my moments, please know God has granted me a peace through this that I just can't explain. There is a blessed assurance that He is in control, He can get us through anything, He has the sovereign right to give and take away, that His plan is bigger than we an understand, that grace is here (we see pieces, but how much more can't we see?), and that we will one day mend to where we can just rejoice over mom's life and not feel such deep sorrow. The 11 days that mom was in ICU, she was in a vegetative state that we knew she would never want to live in. We were at a point of devastation in facing that mom may be in a hospital bed and unresponsive the rest of her life...which changed our prayer towards begging God to take her because we knew she wouldn't want to live that way. Mom is joyful and dancing with Jesus...that grants a peace I can't explain.
Philippians 4:7 - And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
This peace is needed to guard...satan is constantly whispering lies and seeking depression in our lives...and I'm constantly reminded to seek His truths and peace to guard my heart. It's hard. Life is hard. It's supposed to be..it's not heaven. I'm looking forward to the days I get to be with her again. I miss her so much. I want to mourn in a healthy way, but I refuse to let satan rob me of the unknown days I have left. His plan wasn't ours...but who am I?
He is my rock, fortress, strength. He is my purpose, peace, and daddy. In all things, to Him be the glory.
Psalm 139:16 - All the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be.
Job 1:20 - At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised."
Psalm 23:4 - Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me
I'm not sure how people face this without the Lord...I praise you Jesus for the comfort and peace you bring. Please cover Dad with it!

NEMO 6/24/47-12/22/08

My mother, or Nemo to Brynne, suffered a brain aneurysm on December 11th. She was in ICU for 11 days and went to be with Jesus on December 22nd. She lived 61 great years...a woman of gentleness and compassion. Our hearts are broken in so many ways, yet we have found comfort and grace throughout it all. Christ is with us and comforting us as we mourn, and giving us the strength to take a step forward. She has left a legacy and will never be forgotten.

Brynne's Turns 2!

It has been a rough month, but before getting into that, we have to mention Brynne's birthday! December 15th Brynne turned 2! My sister-in-law did a great job putting a quick family birthday party together the one night we were in town. Brynne was greeted at the door with a princess outfit and fabulous Tinkerbell decorations. Mimi made a Tinkerbell cake and Brynne was in presents up to her ears!! We were all so blessed.

Family Pics

We had some family pictures made by our friend Mallory at church. She did an amazing job!

Brynne's First...

OREO


DATE


True love - over candlelight, sonic ice water, mac n' cheese...what could be more romantic?

Halloween '08

Just now getting around to posting our Halloween pics! Brynne wanted nothing to do with getting her picture taken this year! Our church sponsored neighborhood halloween parties to build community with our neighbors. They gave us a bounce house for Halloween..and it was quite a hit with the kiddos!
Brynne originally was going to be a butterfly princess, but became very opinionated about what she wanted....she wanted Tinkerbell pj's and wanted to wear her tutu. She loved telling our neighbors "I Tinkerbell!"

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.

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.

Cute in Pigtails

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!