First Steps!

Our baby took his first steps on Thanksgiving day *tear*! After having an amazing Thanksgiving lunch with the Crowley's, we headed to Table Rock to be with my family. We arrived on Thanksgiving evening at my parent's lakehouse just in time for another Thanksgiving meal (we were stuffed). After dinner, we helped clean up the kitchen and then Caleb was playing on the laminate floor. I held up his hands and my mom stood a couple feet away with her hands extended. Caleb stood by himself, took 2 steps, stood, then stepped forward and fell down! Needless to say, he hasn't done it again and I know he is still a ways away from actually "walking", but it is a momentous event nonetheless.

It doesn't really seem possible...where has the time gone? Just yesterday I was holding my bundled newborn and rocking him with tears in my eyes as we listened to "The Rocking Song". I just want to treasure every moment of Caleb's life. What a blessing he is to Kevin and me!

These are two pics from our wonderful weekend (I have the rest on Facebook...it is more difficult to upload them on blogger). We had a great time "giving thanks" for both of our amazing families. God has surely blessed us with each of you! We love you!

Give Thanks

"I will praise God's name in song and glorify him with Thanksgiving." -Psalm 69: 29-31.

On the eve of Thanksgiving, I want to take time out to thank God for all of the blessings he has given me. My amazing husband, my sweet precious baby, my home, my family, my country, food, and so many more! Not only that, but I would like to thank him for the struggles that I have gone through as well because I believe they have made me a better person. I sadly do not take time to do this as often as I should. The tradition of the "Blessing" jar was started by my mom and my brother Brian. Throughout the year, we put blessings in the blessing jar and then at the end of the year, we read through them. I have started typing them out and putting them in our Christmas scrapbook so that I can be reminded of them for years to come. It is a very special family tradition and one that I look forward on passing down to my children!

For some reason it seems like our society as a whole seems to think that we deserve the good things in life. But when something not so good happens, we always wonder "why me?" Maybe we should be asking the question of why God blesses us. I ran across this verse and it somewhat answers this question...

"From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked." -Luke 12:48

I definitely feel like I have been given much, so I better get busy living up to what God demands of me! I am so thankful for all of the blessings in my life, but I need to put that thankfulness into action. I can't help but think of the people of Zimbabwe, suffering and starving all because of the decisions of a terrible dictator. Please keep them in your prayers this holiday season! Also, if you are interested in learning more about Nhowe Mission in Zimbabwe, go to www.nhowemission.org.

I hope each of you has a wonderful Thanksgiving! As you spend special moments with family...remember to cherish every second!

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with Thanksgiving, present your requests to God." Philippians 4:6

If You're Happy and You Know It...

Smile...

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com
'>http://

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

<

Clap, wave, give high fives, and say dog (or almost dog--whenever Caleb hears or sees a dog he says "daw", he knows what it means he just can't say the /g/ sound yet). He just learned how to clap YESTERDAY on my birthday! Yay!!! :)

Squeaky Shoes

Thanks to E-Bay, Caleb is now the proud new owner of some shoes that squeak whenever he takes a step! Some of Caleb's "girlfriends" at church (uh-hum London) have squeaky shoes and I thought they would be really fun! :) So far, they have been a big hit. I think it is going to spur on this walking thing even faster (which I don't know that I am emotionally ready for) because Caleb LOVES hearing the squeaks so he is more motivated to take steps. We have had such a great week! Caleb has been such a happy boy and so easy-going. This is his natural demeanor, but he hasn’t totally been himself for the last month because he got 6 new teeth in the period of a month!!! I just love being a mom so much, it makes my heart so happy to see my precious little guy grow, learn, and change. I am so thankful to God for blessing me with an amazing husband and a precious child…

Family Pictures

Peek-A-Boo

This video is from this morning. I hurt my back badly yesterday and as I have been laying on the couch, Caleb has entertained me with peek-a-boo. It is so sweet! I hope you enjoy the video. Thanks Kevin and Mom for all your help with Caleb!!!

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Friends, Fun & Frights

Okay, not really any frights but it seemed fitting for a Halloween post. We have had lots of fun this Halloween. Back before Caleb, Kevin and I used to enjoy a quiet evening at home with homemade potato soup and passing out candy to trick-or-treaters. That was going to be our tradition, but now that Caleb is here we have places to go and people to see! On Thursday (the day before Halloween) we went up to the Fountains with the playgroup from church for some trick-or-treating. On Halloween night, our first stop was to Grandma and Grandpa's to see all of Caleb's cousins. Next, we went to Trunk-or-Treat at church, then to see LoLo, Uncle Brad & Aunt Kellie. Our final stop was to see Mimi. Kevin and I were pooped by the end but Caleb had all the energy in the world (even without the candy that will plague every other Halloween). :)

Goldilocks & the Three Bears

Uncle Brad dressed up as Obama...Raises the "politicians kissing babies" thing to a whole new level involving tongue! :) This picture, of course, definitely does not indicate who I will be voting for on Tuesday!

Candace, Blake & Luke

Caleb and his cousins Evan, Emma, Ethan, & Luke

At the Fountains

Such a happy bear!

Caleb and his friend Carter

Papa Bear and Baby Bear