"stingy out gets stingy in"

I just read this blog post on feminagirls.com today and was pretty challenged by it.  Just what I needed this monday :).  A Godly perspective and big picture on enjoying and being enjoyed by the people around me.  Check it out!

I know I have a lot of growing to do as a mom.  But I have to honestly say that I am enjoying these two A LOT lately...

a blur

Just figured out how to post Instagram photos to my blog :).  

I don't use Instagram as much as I would like to (or remember to)...but I love the photo effects and catching up with a few friends' photos too!  

I'm sitting here trying to remember what happened in our lives this week, and I'm at a blank.  Ok, that's a lie.  I do remember what happened Thursday and Friday...but Monday through Wednesday is a blur.  I think there was some grocery shopping, going to the bank and house...laundry?...cooking...and lots of playing with the girls :).  

They both are at ages where they just want a lot of attention.  Livie's been saying, "Mommy...play me, pleeease?".  How can I resist that?  And Emma just wants to be in on all the action all the time.  Livie's the best at getting belly laughs out of her.  Pretty cute :).  

Thursday morning, we had Bible study.  I can't remember if I've wrote about this study before or not.  But it's with 7 of my friends and we all bring our kids.  Right now, there's 11 of them under the age of 3.  And the kids seem to keep multiplying.  Last year, it got to be just a little chaotic!  Sometimes it's hard to even talk about the Bible study...but it's so worth it to get together, get into the Word, and challenge each other in our relationships with God.  

This year, we're doing an inductive study on Titus - Sound doctrine, Sound Living.  I'm pretty excited about it.  Here's our 4 oldest girls...Adalai, Livie, Finley, and Harper...so cute.

Chad has been swamped again at work.  Crazy, right?  But by the grace of God, he's getting everything done, working on the house, and taking time with us too. 

So, the outside is almost done!  Well, for the winter.  Stone, staining, and painting will have to get finished this spring.

 Forgive my finger on this one...

And these two pictures sum up how we all seem to feel at the end of this week...

a new year

Now that it is behind us, I have to say that Christmas was a blur this year.  Being sick, and having sick kids at Christmas was no fun :(.  

We were supposed to have 5 Christmases in 5 days.  After we went to the first (a couple's Christmas party), we were home for the next 2 (the Meister's and my small family).  We did make it to the small and large Herman's - to which we felt pretty lousy - but at least we made it :).  

Livie had a lot of fun with the presents.  Opening them at least :).  All that paper and the surprise of what's inside was pretty exciting for her.  

But there's nothing like enjoying the presents and treats later :).

Right Emma?

Speaking of Emma...she's been eating cereal for a couple of weeks now.  And filling out her high chair quite nicely :).

It seems like she's grown so much in the past month.  She's flown through 3-6 month clothes and now is in mostly 6-12.  She's outgrown the sink for baths too.  So, we're trying some other options for bathing as well..

The girls have even had a few baths together now.  So fun.  As it may appear, it takes MUCH supervision...but they both enjoy it.  Actually, Emma loves the water.  And never cries when it gets in her eyes.  Little water baby.

It's crazy to think where we've come in one year.  Actually, I started this blog last January 1st :) in case you're all wondering how our life was back then.  God has grown us a lot this year.  And we gladly welcome 2012!

Here's a few pics of our house from a week ago (a lot has gotten done again this week, so it already looks different again).  But, here she was:

And the lake...

Loving the neck warmer :)...ha!

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!