Bundle Up... It Snowed!

We are home today. School is closed. The girls woke surprised to find a white blanket of freshly fallen snow covering our backyard… the trees looking like skinny stick people. They ran to Isabelle’s room yelling, “Isabelle it snowed!” She was content to wiggle, kicking up her feet and cooing at being greeted. Amelia told me, “Santa must be happy”. Leave it to Amelia to be the only one thinking of Santa Claus in January. The girls begged to go outside after breakfast. I was reluctant knowing how cold it would be, but how could I refuse? Isn’t that the point of staying home with your children when it snows? I bundled the two of them up in mixed-matched hats, scarves, and mittens with sand buckets & shovels.



I proceeded to drag out our highchair – one Ellie had when she was a baby. I decided today would be a good day to introduce rice cereal to Isabelle. It’s amazing to watch your little ones when you share a “first” with them. Ellie, her usual quizzive-self, asked is that stuff good? “Of course not,” I said, “but it’s good for her.” Amelia thought it was ice cream.

Baking Brownies

Tonight for our “Ellie & Mommy” time together, we decided to make brownies for her class at school. Ellie is becoming quite the cook.


I had to share this picture of Amelia. It cracked me up when I saw it. Bill recently bought me a new Canon camera to replace our other dying one. I found several surprise photos on the camera taken by the girls --- pictures of Isabelle on her play mat, a picture of the closet door, a picture of the house rules, the ceiling, and many other strange shots. I think from now on the camera will be put away out of site – this could be scary.

Here’s a picture of Ellie & Amelia “taking care” of Isabelle. Sweet.

Isabelle had her 4 month checkup today. I was a little late in making this appointment – with shots in store who can blame me? She weighed in at 15 lbs. and 25 inches long. She is really starting to interact more with the girls. It's fun to watch the three of them play together.

First Grade

Today was Sneak-A-Peek into 1st grade at Harding Academy. This was Ellie’s big day! I went with her along with other first time parents “up the hill” (as it is referred too) to visit the new school building – 1st through 6th grade. This actually is a brilliant idea by the Harding Elementary staff to expose the younger grades to the next school year. Needless to say, I was impressed. We had the opportunity to visit each classroom & other parts of the building including their music, library, and computer lab. The 1st graders had several learning exercises for the Senior Kindergarteners – graphing with hearts, sentence structure with nouns, verbs, & adjectives, and then a theater reading! Next fall is going to be amazing.

Life's Journeys

This past Saturday Bill and I spent our day devoted to a Planning Retreat for our church’s Married Committee. This is an annual event designated for vision casting and a time of renewal. This year’s 2009 theme for the church is “Redeeming the Time”. How appropriate since time is forever moving forward and what seems at a faster pace now. We need to make the very most of it. Lord, help us redeem the time we have lost or wasted foolishly.

During our Planning Retreat, we had the opportunity to share one of our own life journeys with the Lord. How it has affected our lives and what we have learned from it. I shared my own and Bill his. It was moving to listen to those sitting around the room --- each of us has a story to tell. These different life journeys make us into the person we are and are becoming.

I read something today in the life of David and these words leaped out at me. I wanted to share.

“You’ll never know that Jesus is all you need

until Jesus is all you have.”

Happy 4 Months

After a long day at work, I come home to three beautiful healthy girls. Two of which come running to embrace me as I walk through the garage door, the other one smiling as I scoop her up in my arms – my littlest. Without exception dinner is in the works as my fabulous husband prepares yet another home cooked meal (what woman doesn’t love a man who can cook?) Shortly we sit down at the dinner table together and swap stories of our day. Then it’s off to homework, baths, and another bottle.

Today Isabelle is 4 months old. Aunt Becky actually witnessed Isabelle rolling over. What an accomplishment in her development.

Here is a recent picture Ellie took of Isabelle while playing.

Gators BCS Champs

The Gators took home the BCS National title for 2008. Tim Tebow again worked the team like FedEx...shipping by ground and air. Luckily our friends Chuck & Jennifer came by to share a victorious evening. Even Isabelle knows when it comes to orange & blue who to root for!

I had to include a pic of my baby girl. Go Gators!

Quick News Bulletin.....Tim Tebow is returning for his Senior year at UF! BCS 2009 LOOK OUT! Click link.

Happy Birthday Janet

In our family we love celebrating birthdays! Yesterday we had the honor of celebrating Aunt Janet's January birthday. We had lots of laughs during dinner. Afterwards we reminisced through one of Janet's many photo albums while she opened birthday gifts.

Make one wish!

Bicycles

We got outside today with the weather strangely warmer & let the girls ride their new bikes. Afterwards we took Isabelle out for a stroll around the cove and back.

Gator Bear!

Isabelle received her very own Build-a-Bear from Uncle Bobby, Aunt Shirley, Matt & Micayla. This isn't just any bear, it's a Gator bear all the way from Gainesville, FL. Our household will be gearing up for the big game on January 8th.

3 1/2 months old

Happy New Year 2009

Last night we attended our church service and shared in communion. Afterwards we rang in the new year at our house with family & friends. The girls even managed to stay awake. We attempted to sleep in this morning --- no such luck!