Dear God, Thank You For.....

I just had to post about Laura Beth's newest routine. Mom, this is for you! :) Thought you get a good laugh. Well, although I am not a "routine" person my hubby and daughter are! We have our little rituals everyday. For example, when we get up in the morning Landon turns on coffee maker (set the night before), fixes Laura Beth's milk and muffins (also laid out night before), and takes her bag and my stuff to the car (yes, coffee included...gotta love him!) --in that exact order (definitely a man of routine) Because it's way to early for normal people I wait and wake Laura Beth up at the last second just to put her right in the car all snuggly in her blanket. Thanks to Nae, Nae (a.k.a. LaNae --babysitter) who dresses her etc. after more snuggly time. O.K.. onto the prayers right! Well, at night Landon does bath and I do bedtime routine. I admit our bedtime routine is a bit lengthy but I just love that special time with my baby girl. As soon as I mention it's bedtime and time to read "Biscuit," Laura Beth kisses Daddy and heads straight for her room. We read way to many Biscuit stories (thanks to Christine for the large book of oh about 10 of them), go over sight words (yes, I am crazy.. but trust me try to skip looking through her flashcards and she cries), say our prayers, and rock for a few minutes (o.k. sometimes I rock her all the way aslee--my guilty pleasure).

The prayer is my recent favorite moment! Each night she comes up with something new. With hands together, she says "Dear God, thank you for... Of course, I came up with the opening trying to think of something simple for a one year old. I laugh inside each night hearing what she is thankful for. Last week it went like this, "Dear God, thank for Mommy, thank you for Daddy, thank you for Sadie (our poodle), thank you for Tech (our lab), thank you for Jack, thank you for Parker, thank you for toys, thank you for Jack's toys, Amen." So cute.. as Jack is her little playgroup friend and we haven't been to his house in weeks but evidently she really likes his toys. :)

Tonight it went..hands together "Dear God, thank you for Laura Beth, thank you for Mommy, thank you for Daddy, thank you for Sadie (Tech was left out), thank you for Parker, thank you for Jack, thank you for buck (o.k. I had to question that one.."buck??"), yeah, thank you for deer, (she assures me) thank you for my hairbows, Amen.

I guess she has watched too many hunting shows with Daddy! And, as for the hairbows.. I assume she had her eyes open and a hairbow on the dresser caught her attention. But, I too am thankful for hairbows :) but most thankful that Mommy knows how to make them so we don't have that crazy expense! Jack and Parker somehow always make her prayers. We met Parker and Natalie and Jack and Lara when we began Gymboree classes. The kids were about 2-3 months old! We would sit and marvel over their drool, being able to lift their heads, roll over, etc. I remember sitting in the circle of new moms clapping for each other as we commented on "what did you do for yourself this week?" The applause was for things like took a hot bath alone, painted my nails, etc. Moms, you understand! The kids are now embarking on their 2nd birthdays and we hold playgroup every other week still. Jack and Parker have always held a special little piece of Laura Beth's heart. She truly loves them.

My prayer tonight... "Dear God, thank you for entrusting me with your beautiful Laura Beth. I am so grateful to have the opportunity to be her mother and to raise her. I promise to do the best of my ability. Thank you for the little moments with her. Thank you for all of my many blessings. Amen!"

A Gymboree Day

Monday I had a nice morning at home with Laura Beth. We were blessed with a quiet weekend at home and then Monday off of school and work. We met up with Aubrey and Erin to play at Gymboree. The girls had fun playing around on all of the equipment. Aubrey especially loves it there. She cracks me up with her free spirited personality just doing her own thing and not afraid of anything or anybody. I made Laura Beth the 2 t-shirt as I thought Erin could capture a cute photo for her birthday invitation. We are having her 2nd birthday at Gymboree with a few friends. I look forward to a small party not at home. :) Laura Beth is not always so camera friendly and it's difficult to get a smile out of her. She is always too busy studying everything and everyone or talking. However, as you can see in the impromptu shot of Aubrey she is always all smiles. So cute!!! Either way Erin always amazes me. Just when I think it's impossible to get a good shot.. she'll capture something. She is truly talented. We always enjoy spending time with Erin and Aubrey.

Random Pics from Nov./Dec.

Christmas Dinner Club with Courtney, Laura, Julie, and Paula. A tradition now for about 6+ years.

Laura Beth waiting to see Santa at Phipps. She was all ready until it was actually time. Then she wouldn't have anything to do with him except to wave bye and give him a quick half hug.

All of the kids in Paula's shower at Christmas. Funny!!

GA vs. Tech game. First win for Tech in about 8 years. Larry and Kristen, Christine and Trey, Tiff and Jeff, and Liv came to watch the game the night after Trey's 40th birthday party. We had a good time and Landon sure enjoyed that win!

Harris and Laura Beth in the bathtub during the game. They had fun playing together.

Laura Beth enjoying a sucker Daddy gave her. She looks grown up here to me. We'll be celebrating the big 2 in two months!

Laura Beth playing with her friends at Mommy's Morning Out. She loves being in the two year old class now. Less drama as she can't pick on people her own size. They moved her back in October. My old soul doesn't slow down. I can hardly keep up.

Fun With Friends!

A day at the jumpin zone with our favorite boys Parker and Jack. Laura Beth went straight for the big slide and went up and down the entire time.

Grateful!!!

For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food, for love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends.
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Each day feel so truly blessed and thank my God for all he bestows upon me.

Today I am thankful for:

1. The pitter patter of "biscuit feet." I call Laura Beth's feet "biscuit feet" because they are so round and cute. She crosses them when she sits and says "mom, mom..." They keep me on my toes and keep my budget at work trying to keep them in shoes that fit.

2. A curious little soul. Lately, it's "mom, what's that?" "Mom, who's that?" "Mom, want one.. you sure (for are you sure?)"

3. Sweet kisses. A loving husband who is offering up more random kisses (as he says his new years resolution is to make me feel more special) Laura Beth's kiss, hug, five, and then rub your hands together. Too funny! In that order too.

4. A good job. I struggle with leaving my baby girl to return to work full time but during a time when I see others being laid off and struggling or those who work lots of hours... I find gratitude for my job as a teacher. I truly love teaching and the hours are so perfect for Laura Beth and family. I was able to enjoy two weeks with her and family at Christmas.

5. Emails and orders for The Whimsical Woods. Although I am so busy and would like days with nothing to do I am grateful for those that keep me on my toes. I have 4 orders in Jan. already and we are only on day 5! I thought everyone would be burnt out from Christmas. Bring it on!! Love it!

6. A dedicated husband. The way he knows and understands without words. He knows when I need him and steps up to the plate when necessary.

7. Amazing friends and family! A day doesn't go by when I don't lean on my friends and family through a phone call, email, text message, blog, or facebook message. Theire are just some spaces that can only be filled by a good friend.. mom, sister, or brother.

8. Grandparents!! Laura Beth is so blessed to have a Nana, Papa, Meme, Poppy, and great-grandmother who would climb mountains for her. They are always there whenever we need them to help with her. Nana, Papa, and Meme would jump in the car and drive here tomorrow if we needed them too. Landon's grandmother even at 80 years old has also been so sweet and good to us.

9. My home. Although I often think about that "dream home" I get to live in my "home." The one God has provided us with. It has a warm bed, plenty of space and things but most of all lots of love!!

10. The Bachelor! Hee, hee... but I am grateful for cheesy, dirty t.v. this Winter. It makes me sit down and relax taking a moment just for me. :)

Happy 2009!!

We rang in the new year in Charleston with great friends!! It was a fun few days and I had a lot of laughs with the girls. The highlight was the annual Polar Bear Swim on Sullivan's Island. No explanation can give this event justice. You just have to see it. Tons of people wake up on New Years Day and head to the streets to celebrate. Yes, I mean wake up and head to the streets. No showers, many in random costumes or pajamas and I mean RANDOM! Vendors are waiting with an abundance of hot dogs, yummy barbecue (low country style!), and spirits overfloweth. No one is left at home.. young, old, and all in between. Dogs, babies, grandma and grandpa .. you name it. At 2 o'clock a group of bagpipes lead a man out to the beach where thousands of people are waiting to jump in the ocean. Did I mention it was about 40 degrees. They run in and quickly ran out this time. I stood in shock... it was a great laugh I must say.

Returning home and having my precious baby girl run up to me yelling "mommy" brought 2009 home! I look forward to another year of wonderful memories and growth.