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!

Prairie Lights 2007

Since the first year I wouldn't be with my birth family on Christmas morning, we've tried to have a special day to celebrate this special time together. We've done a myriad of things over the years, and it keeps changing as we add kids and their interests change. This year we gathered the weekend before Christmas and split our day together into a Friday night/Saturday morning. Friday night we visited Prairie Lights - an amazing display of over 3 million lights with a holiday village in the middle. We had to take 2 cars, but that didn't stop us from interacting while we drove through. All windows were down and we could hear the cousins echoing through the woods. The girl slept for most of it. The boy enjoyed the train, but had the most fun hollering for Dylan.
We stopped at the holiday village and enjoyed the fastest carousel any of us have ever seen. As soon as the boy's hiney hit the horse on the carousel, he started saying, "All done." You can see the look of terror on his face! I decided it might be best to sit on a bench. He tolerated it, but didn't enjoy it like we thought he might.
Then Clay decided he would take him on this bear ride resembling the teacups at DisneyWorld. Clay said the boy clung to him for life as they went round and round.
Mother wanted to make the most of this opportunity so we got a picture of all 10 of us with Santa. It was a wonderful way to kick off celebrating Christmas with family.

2007 reflection

I've been in quite a reflective mood since the beginning of this year so I found this "quiz" on a friend's blog enlightening. I know some of you would rather I take time to upload pictures, but this requires much less work so bear with me! I'd love to know your answers so feel free to email me or post it yourself and let me know...

Top Questions of 2007:

What was the hardest thing you had to do this year?
Learn how to balance being a wife and mother of two - especially of one who dealt with reflux and colic and is just naturally high-maintenance - and keep my sanity. I'm still working on this...

What was the most fun?
A day at the park with the family.
Going to the B&B for a night to celebrate my birthday and our anniversary - and get uninterrupted sleep!

What were the milestones?
Welcoming our daughter into our family.
Turning 30.
Celebrating 8 years of marriage.
The boy starting preschool.

What was your biggest accomplishment?
Relaxing some of my AR tendencies...it's a must with two small kids!

Something you wanted to do, but didn't?
Visit Starkville.
Sleep.

What was something you worried about, but don't anymore?
How the boy would react to the addition of his sister.
How my sister would make it raising her two kids alone - praise God for restoration - Kristi and Eric will get remarried January 18!!!

What made you proud?
Unprovoked kindness from my son - especially toward his sister.
The boy going tee-tee in the potty.
Finally sticking to our budget.
Clay getting a new job.
The girl crossing normal milestones for her first year.

What is something you want to remember?
The night at the B&B with Clay.
The boy singing praise songs.
The girl cuddling.
Basically, the small moments that make each day special.

Hello - it's January!

Apparently someone forgot to tell the bird singing outside the window and the weather that it's only January 7th...they are both a bit confused and acting like it's spring.

There is much to catch up on, but it will have to wait for another time...settling back in to life after being gone almost 2 weeks as well as tackling a project here at the house are top priority right now. I've got a bit of spring fever myself...

Gotta love Hermie

The boy loves his Hermie CD, and so do I. It has been a huge help when trying to teach him about sharing or such. I can simply stop and sing the song/say the scripture and talk about how God wants us to act - it doesn't always work at the moment, but I'm hoping seeds are being planted. Anyway, his favorite song right now is Hebrews 13:16, "And do not forget to do good to others and share with them what you have, these are the sacrifices that please God." Obviously this comes in handy a lot! The best part is that when he sings it comes out more like this...

Do not forget to do good to mothers ...

Friday morning I was at my mother's helping her prepare for a party she was hosting that evening. Taking a break, I got on the computer to show her the video we took the night before of the kids' first bath together (due to content, it won't be posted, sorry). We had been talking about the ways God had been encouraging her during this trying time (Dad lost his job in early October and the paychecks stop at the end of January). I pulled up the blog to share with her the scripture I posted several days ago (Psalm 139) that has become such a safe place for me over the last few years. God decided to stop us and commune with us right then as "Your Grace Still Amazes Me" started playing. We simply listened, and shed a few tears. Then "Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone)" followed. We continued singing, worshipping our amazing Father and giver of all good things. It was an amazing moment to share with my mother - a woman who taught me about faith and, while not perfect, lives a life that trusts God even when it seems insane to do so. That was the best "church" experience I've had in a while - it was pure, simple, and solely about Him. It was a wonderful moment during this busy season that so often pushes Christ to the shadows.

This morning as we looked at several players in the Christmas story, I was most struck by Luke 1:45 when Elizabeth says to Mary, "Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!" What amazing faith Mary had not only to believe what the Lord had said, but to simply accept it and even welcome it ("I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Luke 1:38). Stop and think about it - she was just a common girl asked to do something amazing - hard, but so amazing. And she believed. So often I fail to believe what God tells me or fail to let go of my plan and accept what He wants for me. This is where my folks are right now - not their plan, but His. I'm sure this wasn't quite in Mary's plan, but she believed God knew best. If only I lived every moment of my life with that same conviction.

His first Christmas "program"

The boy's preschool had a Christmas "program" this morning. Unfortunately, we didn't know it was going to be a performance of sorts (they billed it as a sing along). So the boy isn't in Christmas wear, Clay didn't come, and I only had the digital camera. As much as the boy loves to sing, I was surprised when he didn't join the others. I'm guessing he wants to be a solo artist!

He did enjoy waving to me...

and shaking his bells - although it took him a few minutes to remember that is what he was supposed to do...
and watching the others. He was excited to see Grannylou too (this is just before he caught sight of her off to the side with his sister).

They sang three songs - Away in a Manger (during which the boy looked like he was about to lose it - watch the first video), Jingle Bells (which he sings of his own accord at home), and We Wish You a Merry Christmas (the second video - you can see when he notices Grannylou because he starts waving). It was quite adorable, and we look forward to more of these! (Make sure to pause the player at the bottom to hear the singing!)

Tender words

"O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord. You hem me in - behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.

Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, 'Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,' even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with you.

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."

Psalm 139: 1-18, 23-24

Promised pictures

Our visit to Santa...Santa was very kind to help try to calm the boy down, but to no avail. The girl was just intrigued with his beard and furry coat. She didn't quite know what to make of it all. The boy has since shown interest in Santa when he's on TV, but there's something about the real thing that still gives him pause. We were at the mall last night watching Kadyn perform; and when we strolled past Santa (who was kind enough to wave to the kids), the boy got quiet and shy all over again - and we were separated by a fence and about 30+ feet!








The boy's first school picture. He takes a good picture - and the directors of his preschool said he had a great time. We were impressed they got him to sit still. He looks older than 2 to us...before we know it, he'll be in cap and gown.

On the potty front - he's doing well at telling me (most of the time) that he needs to poop. Problem is that he won't go on the potty. We haven't really been working on potty training since the holidays are coming and we are traveling. I plan to hit it hard when we get home because he seems to be getting it. What a way to celebrate the new year!

Predicaments

Our little girl is getting quite adventurous. She's into stuff her brother never even considered bothering and she's much braver than he dared to be at her age (mind you, he wasn't mobile at this stage). Yesterday she got herself into two predicaments that I deemed camera worthy.


She enjoys crawling past the coffee table to the computer cords, sub woofer, and my previous storage place for other electronics. This time she decided to go through the middle instead of around the end, but she couldn't quite figure it all out. Poor thing kept hitting her head as she tried to turn around.

I'm not exactly sure how this happened, but I must say her distressed face and cries were too adorable. She definitely keeps me on my toes - this morning she unplugged the Christmas tree! My efforts to hide the plug behind some pillows were obviously not good enough. And the dog's bowls are always a great temptation...Jasmine has done really well when her space is invaded. I definitely have to keep my eye on our girl a lot more than I did her brother even once he got mobile. So posting may decrease or come in bulk like today as I am limited to the times she is asleep - which isn't a whole lot these days!

2005 to 2007

Here's the boy in December 2005 (almost 6 months) - and the girl in December 2007 (almost 10 months)...it's amazing to see the size difference next to each other!