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!

day 17: technology

I'm skipping day 16 cause I simply don't know how to take long exposure with my camera :(.  I'm not too tech-savvy with it. 

That said, I do depend on technology A LOT.  So, here is my "technology" pic for day 17:

My desk on this rainy afternoon.  Pretty typical.  And pretty crazy that I almost need my computer, ipad, phone, and baby monitor to get through a normal day at home!

day 15: silhouette

Yeah, I'm a little late again (this may start to be a trend on this challenge!).

This pic is from our honeymoon in Kauai...3 and a half years ago.  It's not a complete silhouette, but it works for me.

If I remember right, we were hiking (can you see our camelbacks on?).  And it was starting to get dark.  I  also remember trying to self-time all our pictures that trip.  We'd find a place to put the camera (on a rock or in a tree) and try to get the best picture possible.  Some turned out and some definitely did not!

Our trip to Kauai was one of my favorite yet.  We were still getting to know each other, experiencing our first week as a married couple.  We did have our first "moment of tension" on that trip.  Yeah, it was basically a fight :).  But I liked to just call it tension...I mean, there were not harsh words or loud voices...just some hurt feelings and pride coming to the surface.  And I can now say, I'm thankful for that tension and all the other tension (or fights) we've had in the last 3 and half years.  We've definitely learned a lot from them and grown closer to God and each other as well.  To God be the glory.  

Okay...onto some fun pics from this afternoon after church.  Pay close attention to the progression here:

Chad taking care of the girls and watching some football...so cute.

Livie mothering Emma, as she does SO well...

Emma putting her mark on the whole situation...whoa!

And about the house.  I'll get some new pics up soon.   A LOT has gotten done lately, which is awesome.  We now have all windows and doors in, the exterior beams are up and half are stained, the fireplaces are in, inside framing is happening...it's coming along!

days 13 & 14

I had a problem with my camera yesterday...so day 13 is a little late.  But here it is, better late than never.

Day 13 - yourself with 13 things:

After thinking about this one for awhile, I decided to do a little experiment.

I currently have two little ones in diapers.  And most days it feels like I'm constantly changing diapers around here.  But it is part of my job.  As a mom, I am called to be diaper changer.  And honestly, I've learned to not mind it at all.  I would rather my girls be living life in clean diapers than dirty ones - and I think that's what God would prefer too, right?  So...I change diapers!

Anyway, my experiment was to see actually how long in a day it would take to change 13 diapers.  Answer?  12 hours!

And here's my proof:

While I'm on the topic of diapers and motherhood, I just have to again recommend the book, Loving the Little Years, by Rachel Jankovic.  This little 100 page book has encouraged me and challenged me more than ever before in my attitude and role as a mom of little ones.  It is SO good and such a fun read.  Addresses the realities of motherhood as well as the hidden sins in the everyday that we don't always think about.  REAL HEART ISSUES.  Also, check out her blog, www.feminagirls.com...some awesome stuff there as well.

Onto Day 14 - Eyes:

Emma.  My brown eyed girl :).  Or so we think...do eyes change after 3 months?

I seriously cannot get enough of her lately.  She continues to be so sweet and so cuddly.  And hardly ever cries.  Sometimes I think, is she for real?  Love you little one...

catching up

Today, both girls took good naps.  I just had to take pictures of them cause they looked so sweet.  Livie's is zoomed in from the doorway, and both their rooms were pretty dark...so please pardon the quality of these pics!

So, during naptime, I found myself catching up on phone calls, emails, bills, budgets, and of course, Tami's 30 day challenge.  To be perfectly honest, I'm taking this challenge one day at a time.  In the morning, I check to see what that day's challenge is and then try to figure something out for it.  Most days, it is most definitely a challenge for me!  But this blog was started to capture a little of our day-to-day...so these pics are just going along with that :).  

Day 11 - Something Blue:

It's a blue mason jar that I got at a garage sale this summer with my mom.  Kinda fun. 

As I was sitting at the dining table working on "stuff", I was admiring the quietness of the afternoon and the $1, green flowers I had just purchased at the grocery store this morning.  It's amazing they made it home actually.  Livie was insistent in holding them during our time at the store (along with the apples, apple juice, taco seasoning, hair clips, parmesan cheese...all in her seat in the front of the cart).  And then on the way home, they were squished between the milk and cherry Coke in the back of my jeep.  But they did make it home...and made it into this fun blue jar...just to brighten my afternoon...and give me a picture for "something blue"!  

Day 12 - Sunset:  I don't have a picture one :(.  But I do have what we were doing at sunset yesterday.  Does that count?

We're not the biggest fans of Halloween.  Would definitely rather celebrate that it's also Reformation Day!  But this year we thought it'd be fun for Livie to carve a pumpkin, get dressed up, and go get a little candy.  At first she was a little unsure about it all...but as soon as she figured out the houses on our street all were giving her candy, she kept saying, "Next house, mom, next house." She's a quick one :). 

Oh, and her costume...she's a cupcake.  Perfect for her because she probably sings "happy birthday" at least 10 times a day right now.  She's just like her dad...always singing!  All day long it's either Happy Birthday, the Lord's Army, the B-I-B-L-E, or Jesus Loves Me.  LOVE IT!