Sassy gal

She's just too cute for words, right? One benefit to being smaller than all her friends is that we get to borrow adorable things like this (thanks, Chelsea!). If only her hair would hold a bow...but it's now long enough that the headbands look silly...oh well.

















I almost don't want to say it for fear of jinxing it, but she has been sleeping 12+ hours a night for a week now! I AM LOVING IT! She is also handling the weaning process well which has surprised me. Again, I am loving that I am now no longer required at feeding time...it's been a long 11+ months! The dad and I hope to get out on a date soon, and we have many babysitting offers to choose from - hooray!! It's like once the gal got her own room she decided independence was a great thing - and she's gotten fast at getting around. She still likes to cuddle, but she's much more content doing her own thing. She learns new things every day and is so proud of herself grinning with her whole body while she claps.

Anyway, I'm not hatin' the boy by all the pictures recently of the girl - he just doesn't stay still long at all these days, and it's hard to truly capture his funny moments in still photos. Most of his funnies are verbal right now anyway. He is very encouraging to himself and others often letting me (or whomever did something) know they did a great job. He's discovered Diego so a few Spanish words are creeping into his vocabulary which is interesting to interpret. He's learning to share with his sister and is becoming more helpful to me too (which he kindly tells you that he is helping).

I could go on and on like all mamas, but I won't. I need to try to capture Ring Around the Rosy on video - the girl figured out yesterday you are supposed to fall down, but she has trouble waiting until the right time...she just stands up then sits down, laughs, and repeats (unless she gets distracted clapping for herself)...of course her brother thinks this is fun! I'll stop - I promise!

Paci lovin' crib cruisin'

I finally caught a picture of the gal standing in her crib. She hasn't repeated this action often which surprises me because she's so proud when she does. She's a charmer, isn't she? She's also grown an increased attachment to her pacifiers. Trying to avoid nighttime wake up calls when she lost her paci, I began placing several around the crib. Much like one of her little friends who I won't name, I often find her with one in her mouth and one or two in each hand!!!

The forecast

Gotta love TX weather...we just laughed last night when we saw the forecast...our low this morning was in the 20s so we had the 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, and 70s all represented within 5 days. No wonder everyone is sick around here!

Final Cupdate

This is Clay and I'm posting for the final time about the beloved Eskimo Joe's cup. My wife probably doesn't even realize this, but the cup is now gone. As I was cleaning the kitchen on Monday night, I saw our old friend sitting on the counter looking forlorn and pitiful. I pondered what to do. Should the cup be enshrined as a constant memory of his goodness? Should I have him bronzed as a tribute? However, as I stood there gazing upon his broken frame, I knew that such tributes would be in our best interest and not his. He deserved to be in a place of rest far from the strenuous existence he had known for so many years. With a broken heart and yet with a smile, I gently placed him in a white plastic bag lined vessel for transportation to the next phase of his journey. Au revoir mon ami. You are gone but not forgotten.

A Saturday at home

There isn't much special about today - just a normal day at home - but there were a few things that deserved a snapshot!



It is a bit chilly here today so the girl had to don her new coat and hat when she and Daddy went to Wal-Mart this morning to pick up a few items needed for dinner (deer meat spaghetti we'll enjoy with friends). Too cute - and a great buy on clearance at Old Navy, complete with matching mittens she quickly flings off her hands!



Dylan, my nephew, joined us for a few hours this morning. The boys quickly pulled every toy out of the toy box, but had a blast playing together. Here's proof they even took turns!












The girl is growing more and more curious now that she can get just about anywhere she wants (she's very adept at walking along walls!). She discovered our front door today - more importantly the window. She was tickled watching the leaves blow about. Don't you just love hair with static cling?

My sister's special day

Today is my sister's special day - it's her wedding day! God, in His grace and mercy, has restored her marriage. I won't have any pictures because they are headed to a small B&B run by a minister and his wife where they will have a small, private ceremony. They want this to be about them, not a ceremony. I admire that.

And I admire my sister for the way she handled herself throughout the last several years. It hasn't been an easy road, but she took God at His word and never lost hope that He (and only He) could restore what had been destroyed. Sure, there were times she was emotional or angry or lost, but her strengthening faith always held her up.

Watching Eric's conversion is the biggest God-induced transformation I've seen before my very eyes. I remember the first time he came over after sharing he'd accepted Christ. I was obviously tentative about his sincerity until he walked through our door. It was all over him...God was ALL OVER HIM! It was the coolest thing, and all questions were erased.

Then God worked another miracle and gave the rest of us the ability to forgive him and welcome him back into our family. I feel things are more comfortable now than they were the first time they were married. I really wondered if we would be able to allow God's love to cover all things and move past the past. I can tell you that WE'VE done nothing...God has done it all! Praise the Lord!

Now we celebrate, although a bit differently, the restoration of a life and a marriage. God continues to teach me that even when something seems absolutely hopeless, He is still in control. God is bigger than me. God is bigger than any desperate situation. And God is always God regardless of our situation. He does not change.

So, praise the Lord along with us today as Eric and Kristi join their lives. And pray for them, as we know the evil one IS NOT happy about any of this!

Standing!

I failed to capture it on film due to her violent tears, but the girl stood in her crib for the first time today!!! She's been adept at pulling up for a while now, but never figured it out in the crib...now she has. Glad the men lowered it when they moved it across the hall!

The big boy bed

I thought I would let you see how the boy spent his first nap on his big boy bed last week. It didn't take him long, however, to begin sleeping like a normal human being with a pillow and covers. We still often find him scooted down off his pillow or twisted in his covers, but he's doing great for less than a week.

He is really enjoying having the room to himself and often plays in there alone. His favorite thing to do (surprise) is dance and sing along with his BOZ cd (yeah for bonus buys!). It's been fun to watch him quickly make this transition.

FYI - BOZ is his current favorite thing. One sampler DVD from a friend, and he was hooked. I am thankful it is faith-based and educational all in one. If you have no idea what I'm talking about (as I didn't before the sampler DVD), click here.

Ode to the cup

On behalf of my sweet husband who gets a little attached to cups, we must take a moment to pause and remember the good life of this unique cup. Passed on to us by friends leaving the country, this cup became special to Clay. Not only it is a great size, it has an exciting color-changing feature (as evidenced by the picture). We have many other Eskimo Joe's cups, but only two change color...and this one is apparently "cooler" than the other. It became a favorite of visitors of our home, especially Meghan, and has often been requested. It has served many a drink quite well.

Sadly, the cup now bears a crack produced by all the use. It is time to retire it, but I think it will still take up space in our cabinet. I'm not sure Clay is ready to part with it.

Silence for a moment, please.

Thank you.

In response to this post, Clay wrote his own eulogy:

Thank you for finally doing your duty and paying proper respects to this wonderful cup. It has served proudly and faithfully to family and friends alike with out regard to its own personal safety and well being. It has endured countless cycles in the dishwasher. It has survived several days of repeated use of storing my tea as the cup I would use for days in a row. It proudly served frigid beverages to numerous friends on countless occasions. It never failed to amaze all who saw it as it changed from a light almost fluorescent yellow into a deep rich blue. Never in my life have I seen a certain cup requested so often. Despite all of its years of harsh usage, it served proudly and without complaint. It was a loyal companion, a faithful friend; it was family. So, to you oh color shifting Eskimo Joe’s Cup, we salute you for your selfless and sacrificial duty. You have served with immense bravery and dedication. We will be forever indebted to you for delivering cold, tasty, and refreshing beverages. Go and rest in peace good buddy; Rest In Peace.

The fire station

Our playgroup visited the fire station today. I thought the boy would love it after his fireman themed Christmas with Grannylou and Pop. He was all excited this morning as we talked about it, but once we got there he was "all done." The firemen did a great job showing off all the equipment and letting the kids explore the truck, but the boy was not interested in it one bit (as seen in the first picture of him by himself). His sister was a bit more intrigued and had fun playing with a couple of the other girls. The boy got fine once he got his fireman hat - which proceeded to accompany us into Wal-Mart.

Changes, changes

Changes are happening around here. What are we working on?

- Potty training. We've decided to get serious around here. We are taking small steps, but he's already got down what he's supposed to do when he sits on the potty. He won't ask to go, but he does tell me he needs to poop. Which he did for the first time in the potty yesterday!!! He does already know where the Skittles are and asks for them whenever we are in the bathroom. Smart kid - we just introduced Skittles Tuesday.

- Separating the kids. It will be official this weekend after beds are moved, but the girl has been in the pack 'n play in her new room since Monday. We (mainly me) finally admitted the kids sharing a room isn't what's best for our family. We are already seeing the benefits - and this will mean more toys out of the living room! I've gotten more sleep this week than I have in months - and that makes for a happier family all around.

- Squelching temper tantrums from both kids. Traveling for almost 2 weeks set us back in this area so we are trying new approaches while begging God for patience and creativity. Fortunately they mostly happen at home with just us - the kids are close to angelic when in public! Praise the Lord!

I've finally taken time to update the blog with our holiday fun. So, grab a Coke or a cup of coffee, sit back and stay a while. If you like chronological order, simply scroll down and read the posts in reverse order. Enjoy...I just thought I would share...

One last stop

After a week in Memphis (almost), we headed southeast to Hayden, AL to visit our best friends. We got to meet their new daughter, see their new stomping grounds, hear Jeremy preach, and let the boy play with his dear pal Emma. It was a refreshing visit for us although visiting them made us realize how much we miss them being around the corner. I didn't take as many pictures as I wanted, but it was a bit busy with two 2-year-olds (although Emma will let you know she'll be 3 in "Febrewary"), a 10-month-old, and an 8-week-old. The boy and Emma spent most of their time running back and forth pushing strollers between her room and the back living room. I think Clay is glad I didn't capture that memory. It was a joy to experience their church and be fed by one of the best preachers I know - twice in one day! We enjoyed visiting with Jodi's dad and brother who have gladly adopted us into the Anderson family. We also enjoyed spending time with others from Hayden who are loving on the Powells in our absence. Nothing rings in the New Year like football, food, Wii, rolling, and a paintball war. It was hard to say goodbye, but we know they are exactly where God wants them to be!

Here's our girl on New Year's cheering on the Tigers. While we normally root against the orange and blue, we're die hard SEC come bowl time. I must say she looks much better in maroon!






Being so close to Birmingham, we took one morning to head south to visit my extended family. My grandmother kindly opened her home and her kitchen to all of us. It was the best brunch I've had in a long time (thanks Mom and Kim!). It was so good to see everyone and meet the newest addition born November 16. Again, it was insanity so I only took two pictures - both of my cousin holding this new addition. It was quite insane - at one point there were 17 adults (I'm including my 13 year old cousin in this number) and 5 kids ages 3 and under!!! There was lots of laughter, and we were so glad everyone came to say hello.

A Memphis Christmas

We decided to spend Christmas morning in Memphis for one last year. We want our kids to experience Christmas morning at home, but we felt like we should give Clay's family one last Christmas morning at their home. It was a cold, wet week, but we had wonderful time. The kids did great during the Christmas Eve service - with the boy entertaining those around us. Every time someone would leave the stage he would say, "Bye, bye." He also clapped after almost every song. We were thankful those around us found joy in him. The normal hour long Christmas Eve/Christmas day photo shoots didn't happen as the kids weren't too keen on posing, but we got a picture or two. (Mimi, don't hate me for posting what I got!) We spent Christmas afternoon at Robert and Virginia's house catching up, eating fabulous food, and napping. It was great to celebrate one last Christmas with them in their home (along with Katy and Jack) - we'll miss them being in Memphis when we visit. It was good to see family and various friends and simply relax away from home. I don't have many pictures of the week because I leave most of the picture taking to Claire - and I don't have my copies yet (hint, hint)!

Kline Christmas part 2

After having Christmas morning at our house, we loaded up and headed to my sister's to enjoy some more family time and let the kids exchange gifts. They are at such fun ages and they play so well together. I think the best part was watching my parents become kids again as they played with (and sometimes without) the kids! The two boys are finally really playing together - especially enjoying going up and down the stairs. And our girl so wants to be big like her cousin - you can see it in her eyes! The best joy was having Eric with us as our brother in Christ.

"Christmas morning"

Santa came the Saturday before Christmas to our home since we were going to be in TN on the official holiday. Pop and Grannylou came to share in the fun and see the excitement on the kids' faces. They obviously don't really get it yet, but they did enjoy getting new toys.

Before opening gifts, Clay told the Christmas story with help from the Little People. I totally understood the verse that talks about Mary treasuring all these things in her heart. Hearing the boy sing "Away in a Manger" after listening to his dad tell the story of Jesus' birth was the best present. I know this year was just a small taste of what is to come in the years ahead.

Here are random pictures from the morning - I couldn't get the ones my mother took to upload so you don't get to see the great fireman's jacket she made the boy. I tried to get a good sampling instead of bombarding you with every adorable picture taken!