On location

I had the privilege of taking portraits of Owen and Staci's family this morning. They are a beautiful family, inside and out. Click here to see more.
Thanks guys for having me over this morning!

You ain't seen nothing yet

This wasn't the only cookie to succumb to the cookie monster Julia
tonight, but because I have to resize each picture and upload into a slide show, it's going to take me a day or two to share any more of tonight's tasty treats.

Just doing our part

to help Santa spread some Christmas cheer. Wanna help too?

When Google fails

I turn to YOU, fellow bloggers. I have been trying to find a quote, poem, verse, or SOMETHING to go with a picture I am giving to Brian's cousin for Christmas. She lost her father to cancer in the spring and when I found a sweet picture of her youngest son snuggled up to Grandpa that I took a year or two ago I knew I wanted to make a gift out of it. I have a frame that has an off-centered 5x7 opening that leaves plenty of mat space for writing. That's where I'm stuck. The things I do find that are grandpa related talk about memories which unfortunately this little guy isn't going to have many of (if at all - he was 2 at the time). If you have any insight on what search word to try other than (remembering grandpa, grandpa quotes, grandpa....) please leave me a comment, or if you have a special Bible verse, poem, or quote you'd be willing to share, I would be eternally grateful. I'll be sure to take a picture and post the final product.

"Branches were dipped in frosting this morn"

and the sun cast a fairyland spell;

Each fragile twig looked feathered and white
and beckoned a heart to swell.

A winter treasure - a sight to behold -

while silence augmented the scene;

I wanted to walk through an open gate
to find the artist, supreme.

No gate could I see, the artist unseen,

awe captured my soul;

The canvas would change, as nature intended,

but I'd witnessed her morning's goal.

Poem by Joan Adams Burchell

It was 8 degrees while I was out there literally freezing my fingers off to get these shots, but oh so worth it! (The final picture is taken directly into the sun through all the frosty branches and left completely unedited.)

Wordless Wednesday

Bah Humbug!

Somewhere I came across the quiz that tests your Christmas knowledge. I guess I don't know much because the blog I found this on scored a 91% compared to my 61%. I don't know the dates classic movies were released and I don't know where Christmas tree decorating came from. If you know these things perhaps you'd fare better, but I'll warn you, you have to go through pages of stupid offers to get your results. Poor schmuck who lives at my childhood address is going to get some very odd junk mail in the near future.


Take the Christmas Quiz - Christmas Triva Quiz at QuizRocket.com!
Make Your Own Quiz

Double Trouble

Like ripping into a Wonka Bar and finding a golden ticket, I discovered Julia has been approved for insurance when I picked up the mail on Saturday. The timing couldn't have been better because it turns out she has a double ear infection. We're off to the pharmacy and the chiropractor this afternoon. Thank you Lord for providing for us! Rachel, probably the best writer I've met in person, talks about God's mercies being new every morning in this post. I couldn't agree more Rachel!

* Treat yourself today and hop over to Good Knight Baby. Rachel's writing and well as her heart for the Lord will warm even the coldest winter day!

Snow much fun!

When snow means Daddy has to leave for big chunks of time it's hard not to dislike the fluffy white stuff. The silver lining is that it makes us appreciate the time we do have.



Temps in the single digits, bad colds, and a two hour cleaning frenzy for a showing didn't put a damper on our family's fun this weekend.












We stumbled upon the perfect sledding hill
(a walking path that apparently in the winter
doubles as a luge) and had a terrific time. The best part is that we were only 30 seconds from home when the kids got too cold. Last year Sam wouldn't stay outside for more than two minutes. This year the ratio of time spent getting on snowsuits/two pair of socks/boots/scarves/mittens/hats to the time spent outdoors is working in my favor.



If you don't count the chunk of snow, Sammy got to go down the hill all by himself today! (Click on the picture to see the huge grin on his face.)

Tonight we're going on our annual Christmas lights "tour". I love this time of year!

In rememberance

Four years ago tomorrow I got that horrible phone call saying that my dad had died during the night. I still have moments where I struggle with the guilt I feel for not reaching out to him more in the years after I moved to Minnesota. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that he wouldn't live to see his 57th birthday. I often think of him watching Sam and Julia from Heaven. It warms my heart and helps lessen the pain of not having him here. Last year my mom gave my sisters and I ornaments that say:
I love you all dearly, Now don't shed a tear, I'm spending my Christmas With Jesus this year.
As we decorated the tree the other day, I hung that ornament nearby this one that I bought in honor of Noah. While I cried my way through a show the other night on who we'd like the chance to spend one more day with and what we would do if we only had one hour to live, I felt a peace come over me that while I won't get another day with my dad in this lifetime, he's already enjoying an eternity with Jesus. I can't help but hope he's gotten a chance to snuggle with little Noah too.

This is a hard day for me, but in little ways I feel my dad's presence - almost like I can feel his flannel shirt rubbing against my cheek as he wraps me in a hug. Two of the ornaments he gave Brian and I for Christmas one year are tucked safely in the tree, a Santa magnet on the fridge that says "Merry Christmas Carrie" makes me feel like he's saying it himself every time I pass it, Brian and I wore my dad's super warm boots when we cut down the Christmas tree and today when we went sledding. Pulling out the toboggan that I used as a child brought back many fond memories of trips to Cam-Rock Park's sledding hill. One trip down the very big hill my dad tumbled out only to have the wooden toboggan run over his head. Ouch!

On the dance floor at my wedding He cupped my face with both of his big, rough, callused hands on my face and said, "I'm proud of you". I hope that hasn't changed Dad.

Maisie

If you know me or my blog at all, you know that I talk a lot about my dear friend Jennifer. With her permission, I was to post on her blog about Maisie being admitted to the hospital tonight because she has a bad case of RSV. I have tried unsuccessfully to break through the wall and access blogger so for now I'll be posting updates on my blog.
Maisie has been suffering from a bad case of the sniffles and Jennifer's mommy instincts told her it was time to have her checked out. Her doctor looked at the x-rays of little Maisie's lungs and they look clear, but her breathing is labored, her oxygen levels are low, and she's running a high fever (not a typical in RSV). As I type this Maisie is hopefully feeling some relief in the care of the great staff at the hospital where she was born. Having spent three days on the pediatric floor myself during my pregnancy with Julia, I can say first hand, that she is in good hands. The plan is to give her IV fluids, do some deep suctioning, also some nebulizer treatment(s), and monitor her through the night.
Please say a prayer for little Maisie and check back here for updates. Thanks!

I can't put my finger on it

It noon and this day has dragged on for an eternity. I'm not sure if it's the fact that I'm fighting a head cold (and every mom knows there's no TLC for us - it's life as usual) or maybe it's the strain of trying to keep three kids quiet so Brian could get a few hours of sleep (he plowed from 8pm until 6 this morning).
It certainly didn't help that I couldn't suck out noses for fear of waking anyone in a five block radius. I hate that snarkly sound and I'm sure it's no fun for them either. Just when I was feeling a little better because Brian was up and the pressure of promoting only quiet kid activities was off, the Realtor called with a request for a showing. Oh my. I had to say no. I have no energy to clean a house that hasn't had a showing for over 2 weeks. Decorations are half up (read: Rubbermaid tubs still sitting in the living room), the laundry pile is poised to be given it's own designation as a mountain, the kids need naps, and the worst thing of all - the vacuum is broken (think pine needles). For fear of sounding whiny and annoying....shoot, re-reading this to myself, I'm way past whining. So before I collapse in exhaustion and frustration I'll smear some icing on the cake - the pileated woodpecker is back. Twice I've had to chase him away and then the monthly storm siren test started - right after I put the kids down for their nap.

updated at 2:30: Kids are sleeping, homemade beef barley soup is soothing my cold, and I'm off to read my Bible - something to sooth my soul.

Wordless Wednesday

...for richer or snowier

Cost of gas to drive to Target (in a snowstorm): pennies
Cost of bagels and coffee at the Target Starbucks: $4
Exercise while walking the aisles for an hour: free!!!
Dinner at Target $10
Two and a half hours of quiet so my hubby could nap before another night of plowing: priceless

"This is so NOT worth a candy cane"

A rose by any other name

Fourteen months ago today we were on a high like no other. The birth of our daughter made our family complete. It took us days to decide on her name and now I couldn't imagine Julia with any other name. The nickname JoJo has stuck and is probably said more often than Julia - even though I love her name. Not too common, not too "out there". It suits her. It means youthful. I like the sound of that. Makes me think of the saying, young at heart. As her mom I'll always think of her as my baby that fit perfectly in my arms. I can't turn back the clock, or even stop it for that matter, but what I can do is savor every moment and that's what I intend to do.


To my baby girl,
I couldn't ask for a more precious daughter. I have been blessed beyond words to be your mom. I love everything about you - even your stubbornness. I pray that I can teach you, comfort you, cheer for you, love you, and support you in a way that is pleasing to God. Each day with you is a gift.
Love, Mommy

P.S. This month you've started sitting for story time and often bringing me your favorite books for me to read. (Goodnight Moon, Babies, and this one)


You have a kind heart. You are generous with your hugs and kisses


You are goofy and smart. (In only two days you learned to point to your head, ears, eyes, tootsies, tongue, and your favorite because you can say it - your belly belly.)


And around here, we'd say this qualifies you as being - talented. :)

Away in a Manger

I read Lots of Scotts religiously. JMom is the mom of triplet three year olds. I am inspired by her writing every single day. Today she posted about how her family is staying focused on the real meaning of Christmas - a difficult thing with young children. I encourage you to hop over and see what she's shared. Even the comments she received are insightful and encouraging. I look forward to hearing what her other readers do to celebrate the birth of our savior. She and I both have child friendly manger scenes that are played with often, but only in my ceramic set does the baby Jesus wait to make his appearance until Christmas Eve. I don't regret letting them have the wooden baby Jesus out - especially when I hear Julia say JeJe for Jesus and then give Him a kiss.



Only 14 months and already she knows to put the angel on top. Uh....but what's the camel doing up there too, my dear sweet baby girl?



We do the Santa Claus thing too and it's amazing how quickly they pick up on that sort of thing. Julia just about runs to the tv when the opening music for Rudolf starts. We hang stockings (handmade by me - a tradition passed down from my Grandma). We visit Santa at the Mall, we read secular Christmas stories, but I'm trying very hard to always talk about the real meaning of Christmas. I am going to incorporate the Jesse Tree devotions into our advent calendar this year. With no energy to be crafty or the time with Brian being gone some much this week, I will simply use the pieces we have to put on what is intended to be a Christmas tree advent calendar and read/talk/pray with Sam.

What are your traditions for Christmas? Do tell! Even if you've never commented before - tis the season after all.

Here are a few photographs of the kids from my never-ending quest for a Christmas card picture. It was fun to sit back and observe them interact. One minute they are playing sweetly and the next Mary is transformed into a battering ram, aimed right at Sam's nose.














Aren't Sam's PJ's the cutest? I love the butt flap!

Bring it on!

We're ready for ya Old Man Winter!
But could you please wrap up this snow sometime soon? We miss Daddy.


I couldn't resist throwing this one in too. :)

Missing: two sets of angel wings

Julia sported the classic Christmas pageant halo today while we helped decorate our church for Christmas. It takes a pretty big crew to assemble the 40 foot tree that stands in the sanctuary and while I don't know that I did much to help other than take photographs, this was a tradition we wanted the kids to participate in this year.

A halo and wings would have looked perfect on Sam today. He was quite the little helper. Even when things slowed down he was asking to get back to work and hand up more branches. Sorry I can't share a picture of the finished product.

Over the hills and through the woods

There was just enough snow to get our Christmas tree this morning. Don't get me wrong, plenty of snow is falling but driving out to the country to cut the tree and getting home in case Brian has to work today meant we had to leave Church early and hustle out the Grandma and Grandpa's for the tree. Grandpa did a wonderful job "planting" the tree for the kids to find.
"That tree looks nice!" said Sam with his as he shielded his face from the driving icey pellets. Hearing those words made all the effort worth it - even the flat tire Brian discovered as he was loading the van to go home.




We let Daddy and Grandpa do all the hard work while we supervised from afar. Poor Sam didn't like the wind one bit. Julia didn't seem to mind. She was busy trying to figure out where her hands went, why she couldn't put her arms down at her side normally, and how one minute she knew how to walk and the next her feet were shoved into boots four sizes to big which made it impossible to move. Thanks for everything Grandma and Grandpa!






You can see in his eyes how miserable he is. He even turned down a second cookie! (That orange pants wearing boy is you, Kieran!)



Can't wait to get it in the house and decorate it...tomorrow. I just got the call that Brian has to plow the rest of the day/night. Poor guy.