Craigslist

I love craigslist.
I love buying other people's treasures that they are getting rid of.
I love selling our stuff that we're done with.
My man and I have a deal going (at least, I think we do). Whatever you sell, meaning, anything that you take a picture of, create an ad for, post on c-list, and get rid of, you get to keep the money. (we've already agreed on the things we can sell so you can't just start selling your spouses items that you may or may not hate).

I just sold a rocking horse that has taken up more space on our porch that any other piece of furniture. It was given to us by one of Dan's co-workers as a hand me down and although Greta loved it, we needed to be done with it. We need space on the porch for the furniture we're hoping to get before the Spring comes.



So, my question is, what do I do with the money I just made ($45!)?

Put it in the "porch furniture" fund?
Put it in the "finally update the master bedroom" fund?
Go out for a nice dinner with it?
Finally get my hair cut at a nice salon?

Decisions, decisions. Mind helping? What would you do if you were me?

January

What a month!
We are having a great start to 2012 as I hope you are too!
Last year we met some interesting challenges and I'll be honest, we were quite ready to say goodbye to 2011. There's just something so lovely about a fresh start. Do over. Another chance.
So as we were leaving Kansas after our last trip down there, over New Years, we made some "resolutions". I say that is quotes because they aren't really anything new. Just the stuff we had hoped would have happened last year and didn't for one reason or another.
I love driving in the car with my man. The girls were sleeping and we were just chatting. About our hopes and dreams for 2012.

The first one that came to both of our minds was that we really wanted to be present to this year. We wanted to feel like time wasn't slipping away too quickly because we were forcing it. We wanted to enjoy the small moments and make sure that we appreciate all that we have to be grateful for. One of those opportunities came just yesterday morning.

Our ladies are pretty good sleepers. Audrey is usually up first, to nurse, and then she goes back down for another hour or so. Greta sleeps until about 7:00 most mornings. We appreciate it. So yesterday both Daniel and I woke up before the girls (gasp!!) around 7:30. We just sat in bed, smiled at each other, and soaked in the beauty of waking up on our own. Then, slowly but surely, the girls woke up. First Audrey, then Greta. And we just left them in their cribs and eavesdropped on them. Greta proceeded to tell Audrey about our day the day before and Audrey just babbled back to her with the occasional, "no" or "mama". It was precious. And instead of rushing in there to get them we just enjoyed the moment. So as a treat (not sure how much they got that we were treating them for sleeping in and then being really cute but we wanted it none the less) we went out for breakfast and coffee. Such a treat for our family!

Another thing we talked about on our car ride home was about how we wanted to spend our time. Last year felt so consumed with "us" and to be honest, I don't know if there was any other way it could have been. When your kids are sick you have to stay in and take care of them. When you go in for surgery to have a kidney stone blasted you have to accept the meals that friends and family are willing to bring. When your husband is laid up for 12 days with a wicked flu you have to take care of him. And so this year, to the best of our ability, we want to be "others" focused.

So far we've been able to bring a meal to a family who just had a new little girl and this weekend we are hosting an event for our church that will allow all the families in our church to drop off their kids at our place for 5 hours of uninterrupted parent time. We were also able to take my niece in the other day when her childcare fell through. (Now this one wasn't too difficult as we treasure any time we can have with her but it was Dan's day off and we were planning some fun family stuff). We want to stretch ourselves in new ways by lending a hand when we can. It feels good to think about who we know that is in need and how we can help.

So- here's to 2012- a new year to grow!

All's quiet on the Northern Front

Both babes are resting.
Both.
At the same time.
It's something I've come to look forward to about my day.
Don't get me wrong. I love when they are both up and we can play together. And I love when they are up individually (usually Greta in the early morning and Audrey when she's up from her afternoon nap).
But I love when they both sleep.
I love catching up on my email and blogs. I love getting little things done. I love crafting. And I love reheating a cup of coffee that I still have in the pot (I purposely make more each morning to leave one there).
So here's to your 1:30- where ever you are.
Enjoy.

Christmas, Round 2

We are gearing up for Christmas with our Kansas family now and I couldn't be more excited! Usually we drive down there either Christmas day or the following day but this year my man had to work. So we decided to leave after he's done working tomorrow, and it's given me just the time that I needed. Christmas with my family is always wonderful but oh so busy. It starts on the 23rd and ends on the afternoon of the 25th with not much of a break in between. I'm not complaining. I love it all, each and every minute of it, but it's busy.

So having a break this year has been really nice. A couple of days to settle into our regular routine again. A couple days of eating normal again instead of overeating. A couple of days of quiet time in our own space.

And then Kansas. We'll get to celebrate all over again with Dan's family and we are so excited! Plus, we'll be down there for the annual New Year's Eve Party we love to attend.

The theme this year is "Come as your favorite SNL character". Dan and I have something really great in the works. Let's just say if you're at the party you'll be sick of hearing us "cheer" all night long!

Jesus is in my heart

Merry Christmas!

It's officially the middle of the night and I can't sleep. This happens every year. I seriously get so excited about all the activities we have going on that I can't sleep. Even though I need to. So, I get up, and blog now!

Two really sweet things have happened in the past few days as we are gearing up for Christmas. We talk an awful lot about Jesus in this house. He really is the reason we celebrate during this time of year and He gets so lost in the midst of all the gift giving and holiday gatherings. So, Greta (and Audrey of course) and I have been talking about why Christmas is so special.

The other day, while crafting with a great friend, Greta was asked if she was going to see Santa this year. To which I quickly replied, "oh- she thinks Santa is Noah. Like from Noah's Ark". You see, my darling Greta thinks they are the same person and both her father and I don't have the heart to tell her that they are not. And really, what does it matter? I kind of love it anyway!

So then, out of nowhere, Greta stops both of us and says, "Jesus is in my heart". To which I quickly said, "what, Greta?" Thinking that I had heard her correctly but wanting to be sure that she did, just in fact, declare that Jesus Christ dwells in her little 2 year old soul. And again, she pointed to her chest, well, kind of her neck but we're working on anatomy, and said, "Jesus, He is in my heart".

Tears welled up for both me and my friend. It was beautiful. My precious lamb loves The Precious Lamb.

Then last night, as we were reading before bed, I decided to pull Greta's Bible off the nighstand and read the story of Jesus' birth, just to bring it all home. She's heard it before but somehow last night meant more. So as I was reading from the Jesus Storybook Bible (a truly great Bible with beautiful illustrations for little ones) we got to the page where it shows Jesus in the manger with Mary and Joseph around him. Greta just placed her sweet little hand on the picture of Jesus and held it there. I was ready to turn the page and continue reading but she wasn't. She just held her hand there and said, "baby Jesus" over and over again.



There is absolutely nothing like watching your little one light up at the sound of His name.

"For a child has been born- for Us!
the gift of a son- for us!
He'll take over the running of the world.
His names will be:
Amazing Counselor,
Strong God,
Eternal Father,
Prince of Wholeness."
Isaiah 9:6, The Message

Audrey Lou

Well, it's official. My baby is one! You heard right, 1! Exactly one year ago today, almost to the minute, I gave birth to my second daughter, Audrey Louise, right in this very house. It was such a beautiful morning. Cold like today but I'm pretty sure there was about a foot or so more of snow on the ground. We were so excited for her arrival!

I don't think words can truly express how I feel about this little one.

First of all- she's the chubby baby I've dreamed of all my life.
Second of all- she was completely unexpected. Completely. And yet, she couldn't fit more perfectly with the rest of us.

Third- she has a smile that will melt your heart. Seriously. Melt it.

Fourth- Growing up without a sister I always dreamed of what it would be like. I LOVE that I'm getting to witness the relationship between sisters first hand. Audrey adores Greta. They are like playmates. It's a precious relationship I hope to foster well.

The list could go on and on but the moral is this-
our family has been blessed by Audrey Lou and we thank God for her constantly!

Happy, happy birthday my little Lou-
Mama

has anyone seen....

The month of October?
I think I saw her but now she's quickly leaving us and I am so not ready for her sister, November to come.
Seriously?
Anyone?
October?

Happy Halloween-

(Greta with her Godmother on her first Halloween Oct- 2009)

I'm hoping to wrap up some last minute costumes for the girls so that we can go trick or treating tonight for Greta's first time!

(Gretasaurousrex- Halloween 2010)

I'm also hoping to carve our pumpkin today. Yup, that's how far behind we are on this month!

(Greta from October 2010)

Maybe I'll be able to post in November about the stuff we've been doing and the cute projects I've been completing? I made a yarn wrapped Fall wreath, a freezer paper t-shirt for my brother in law, multiple tulle tutus, and some other random stuff.