merry christmas!

I wish I could say that we're out celebrating with family and friends today (Christmas eve).  But instead, we're all home with colds and coughs (all of us), and fevers and some puking (Livie) :(.  We're trying to get a little sleep.  Sometimes it ends up looking like this...

Christmas may not always be what we expect (right, Guingrich's?).  But God is faithful and good.  So...Happy Birthday Jesus!  We are so grateful that you came, lived, and died to save us!

happy 2nd birthday liv!

Livie turns 2 today!

It's really hard to believe that she's already 2.  But then, everyday she amazes me by what she knows, what she's saying, and how she's interpreting this world. 

We love her soo much and are so thankful for her little life!

Last Tuesday we celebrated at the barn with our families...  My mom made her a Winnie the Pooh cake - since she LOVES to watch "pooh movies".

And she jumped right in with all the craziness of singing, presents, and family...

So bummed that all those pictures were so blurry...I think I must have messed up the settings on my camera :(.  Oh well...they captured her night.

Happy Birthday Liver Bugs!

christmas begins...

Christmas busyness has officially started for us.  I feel so behind on this blog (among other things)!  But I'm learning to embrace it (being behind that is).

It's amazing how a few extra gatherings, getting gifts, sending cards, some baking, and end of the year stuff can make the days so hectic!  But then again, it's probably taking care of 2 little ones, building a house, and being a part of a company that is booming in business...on top of the Christmas things...that makes our lives feel so crazy.  

That said, we are enjoying the season.  And taking time to remember the birth of Jesus...our saviour and king.

Tonight at bedtime, Liv and I were praying and I asked what she wanted to thank God for today.  She said, "Ummm...Jesus!".  Something is sinking in :).  May not be too deep...but she could have said MANY other things (especially since she spent the day playing with several new toys from her birthday party last night).

So, with Christmas upon us...here's a little peak into our lives earlier this week.

Emma is constantly rolling onto her tummy these days.  And then crying because she wants some attention!  Smart girl.  She's going to be 5 months soon.  5 months!  Where did that time go?  I think I say it every week...but she is just growing way too fast.    

The girls and I spent the morning at my mom's on Monday making Christmas cookies.  Well, actually, mom made the cookies...we just provided distraction and helped frost a few :). 

Yes, Livie wore that outfit Sunday too (I was conserving on laundry) :).  But she's really into dresses right now.  And dancing.  And saying "Oh bother!" (like Winnie the pooh) when she drops anything, falls down, or messes up something.  It's pretty funny.

Adalai and Livie wanted to help so bad with the cookies.  Especially when they realized how good the frosting was.

House.  Our roof is supposed to get shingles Friday and Saturday!  Chad is super excited about that...no more leaky roof. 

house update

I really wanted to post some new pictures of the house today.  But when I turned my camera on, I quickly realized I needed new batteries.  

I was able to capture this one picture though (from inside my car) :)...not the best, but it'll have to do for today. 

A lot more is going on inside the house than outside (it seems to be raining every saturday...slowing us up a bit on the siding and shakes).  So, what's going on inside?  Electrical, plumbing, HVAC, basement walls...fun stuff that we'll depend on EVERYDAY soon.  This week we also worked on our kitchen plans.  Time to think about where to put what, etc.  Fun...but a little overwhelming too!

As far as the girls...

Emma's been giving us cheesy grins day after day...and waking us up night after night.  She must just be growing.  She did sleep all night again last night - yay :).  At her 4 month appointment this week, she was 16% for height and 63% for weight.  This explains those cheeks!

Livie...oh Livie.  She's turned a new leaf this week and wants to do everything herself.  "Mysef mommy...no!  Mysef!".  This is her response to getting into her booster seat, carseat, going potty, putting on her clothes, bathing...oh, the list could go on :).  And she's been loving Christmas things too.  The lights, songs, trees, presents.  It's gonna be fun for her this year!

finishing up

First of all, happy birthday to Chad...he's 33 today!

We just wrapped up a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend.  Lots of good food and great family time.  We have SO much to be thankful for.

Today has been one just catching up in lots of things.  Including sleep (Emma has been napping most of the day), potty training (Liv regressed a little with all the Thanksgiving hoopla), and well...I've been Christmas shopping - enjoying Cyber Monday :).

Today I'm also finishing up Tami's 30 day challenge.  Here's the last 5 days.  

26 - Close up:

Emma's cheeks.  They're so chubby and so kissable!

27 - Distance:

Okay, so this isn't really a distance shot, but it's a little farther away than the last one.  Still Emma's cheeks.  Just to prove that they're still chubby and kissable from a "distance" :).

28 - Flowers:

I LOVE flowers from a farmer's market.  This picture was taken when we were in Seattle, WA in 2008.  Gorgeous, right?  And if I remember right, they were super cheap too.   

29 - Black and White:

This is another picture I didn't take, but it holds a special spot on my fridge.  It's one of my favorites from our wedding.  Probably because I love the girls in it.  And this pic captures their personalities so well.  I don't get to see many of them much anymore :(, but I have very fond memories with each of them.

30 - Self portrait:
I'm ending on this picture because I think it captures a special moment.  But it's also a picture that could describe MANY moments of my life right now.

It was taken the day Emma was born.  She's crying...I'm trying to console her and just take her all in. 

Life right now is not predictable.  At all.  It's full of moments that are new, crazy, and out of control...putting me completely out of my comfort zone.  And yet somehow God stills my heart with His grace and reminds me He is doing a good work in us...for His glory.

In our little family of 4, we're trying to figure each other out daily.  (And I'm not just talking about with the girls...it's Chad and I too).  May our goal be for the glory and honor of God.  For He is the one that is growing us!  Yes, there are tears, tantrums, sin, and selfishness.  But He is bringing us to restoration, renewal, and growth in Him.  Thank you Father.

23, 24, & 25

It feels amazing to actually have some time to blog right now.  

This week has been a whirlwind.  The days have been loooonng.  But the week has gone incredibly fast.  How is it Saturday already??

Chad's been hunting...which means - alarm clock going off at 4am, lots of talk about deer, and by 9pm his eyes are rolling in the back of his head.  From his perspective though, it is a break and one of the most exciting times of the year.  I just have to take his word for it :).

Livie's been potty training...or, should I say, I'm the one potty training??  It's really more me remembering to take her often.  Just decided to crack down and do it.  And honestly, this time it has not been too bad!  We're on day 4.  The first 2 days she wore pull-ups, and the past 2 days she's worn underwear.  Since we started, she's only had 3 accidents besides at naptime and at night!  Woohoo!  We're all pretty proud around here about this.  Accidents and all ;).

And Emma...this week she decided to wake up from her newborn slumber and join the rest of us during the day :).  She's no longer content in her bouncer (I had to put it away).  So, time to break out the baby toys (she's grabbing), play-gym, swing, and give her lots more attention!  She's still a happy baby (and is sleeping around 11 hours at night)...just wants some action when she's awake.

So, this week has been one filled with changing, growing, and adapting to each other.  Seems like weeks like these are pretty frequent right now.  It's good for us though.

Onto Tami's photography challenge.

23 - Sunflare:

Went to McDonald's for lunch yesterday.  Tried to get a cute pic of Livie and Adalai playing in the play-place, but both of them were too excited to pose for a picture together.  It's amazing how a few slides foam walls can get kids so hyper!  The above one of Livie was the best I could do.  And here's little Emma taking it all in :).

 

24 - Animal:

So, I'm not the biggest fan of animals.  But during our days at home, we DO talk A LOT about animals, make animal noises, play with animals (plastic or stuffed!), and watch them (either outside or on tv).  Anyway, here's Emma playing with her gym this week.  It's got a BIG monkey on it.  Welcome to the world of animals little one.

25 - Something Pink:

This was an easy one.  We're pretty girly around here :).

days 21 & 22

Day 21 - Faceless Self-Portrait:

Got a haircut yesterday.  Said goodbye to 4 inches!  Chad, who loves long hair, says it still looks good :).  

And guess who else got a little trim?

Only in the back...it was getting so long around her neck.  She had over an inch trimmed off!  It was a little hard to part with, but I'm convinced now that it looks much better.

Yesterday was a big day for little Emma.  She also rolled over for the first time!  She hasn't done it again though.  Wasn't a big fan of the end result...on her tummy.  

Day 22 - Hands:

Hands are wonderful for sooo many things.  Today, we used them to make some cookies for Chad's Bible study tonight.  Hopefully the guys won't miss a few M&M's :).

Cause what's the fun of baking cookies if you can't enjoy the process??

day 20: bokeh

If you're like me, you're thinking, "what is bokeh?".  I did google it and attempt to take some bokeh shots with my camera.  But they didn't turn out.  Sooo...instead of bokeh today, I have some recent house pics.  

Here she is:

The inside framing is mostly done:

Yesterday I got to help out for a couple of hours while Brook watched the girls.  Got to clean up the garages and the floors :)...

One of the piles of shakes that are waiting to be put up and stained...there are soo many!

And the lake is filling up...

days 18 & 19

Day 18 - your shoes:

I know this pic looks a little funny (like my two shoes are coming out of one pant leg or something...oh well!).

This is not at all what I had originally imagined for this post.  I was thinking more on the lines of a really cute pair, or LOTS of shoes, or at least the shoes the line the stairs at our back door.  I've always been a sucker for buying shoes :(.  

When Chad and I were just engaged, I remember him counting my shoes - it was close to 100 then!  I got a lot of teasing about that.  But please remember that included new and old - running shoes, work shoes, flip flops, hiking boots, dressy shoes (in black, brown, heels, flats, boots), casual shoes, etc, etc.  Yeah, excuses, excuses :).  

Anyway, today I know I don't have near 100 (I've given a lot of those away).  I now have my "go to" shoes that get worn over and over (and that is what shoes are meant for anyway, right?).  Which is why I chose to take a picture of these bronze flats I bought at Target about 2 years ago.  They are soo comfy and one of the pairs I go to day after day.  Yeah, I had them on this morning.  Not the cutest shoes in the world, but oh so practical and very worn.

Day 19 - something orange:

Some people call it red, but I've always thought of if it as more orange.  Livie's hair and my hair are practically the same color.  

Growing up, I would have changed it in a heartbeat.  It always brought too much attention my way and LOTS of questions like, "where in the world did you get your hair color??" (as both mom and dad were naturally dark brown).  But today, I've grown to like it, and somedays love it.  

When I was pregnant with Livie, I seriously prayed she would not have red hair.  For all the reasons I disliked having red hair growing up.  But I know others were praying just the opposite (thank you Grandma Beth!).  

So, here she is in all her glory.  Our Livie Grace.  (By the way, I didn't take this picture...it is one of her "2 year" pics from Rachel...I'm cheating a little on this one).

By her nature, she is spunky, spicy, and a little bossy too.  Is it because she's a redhead?  I don't know.  But God gave her red hair for a reason (just as he did me)...and I think she looks pretty cute with it right now :).   I pray she grows up to love it.  Not because it's beautiful or unique.  But because her creator gave it to her...and He knows what He's doing!

One quick story about Liverbugs at nap-time today.  I had just tucked her in bed and she asked me if she could sleep with her baby doll.  So, I said "sure" and got it and gave it to her.  Upon leaving her room and shutting her door, I peeked through the crack in the doorway just to make sure she was going to stay in bed.  She quickly noticed me peeking and said "She's fine mom...she's fine."  Referring to her baby doll :).  She is growing up way too fast!