a glimpse into the life of a 19 month old

Grey is...
Full of spirit
Full of opinions
Full of giggles
Full of fight (we started our assertive 2s a bit early)
Learning to say more words each week (praise the Lord)
Always excited to try new things
Loving to read to herself and to us
Loving to interact with other children
Loving her new school

I took these photos on the 23rd, because Grey had her first ever round of hand, foot & mouth disease (YUCK!), so she was extremely grumpy on the 22nd.  They all turned out blurry with bad lighting, but at least I captured her personality (and her pumpkin shirt from Crafty Momma Amanda - check her work out on Facebook).  We have started to use essential oils in our home, and I believe the combination of coconut oil/lavender oil baths with frankincense and thieves in our diffuser reduced the duration and severity of HFM by a lot.  Within three days her nasty blisters were GONE.  Thank you Jesus for an "easy" time with HFM.

Saying goodbye before I left on Friday

Grey spent this weekend with her Daddy while I met my sister and friend Blair in Dallas for Jen Hatmaker's Reckless conference.  Jen can bring it!  Whew...the truth she spoke was life-changing - as I knew it would be.  Meeting Jen was on my bucket list...and guess what?  She is even more real (if that's possible), in person.  Let's just say Mark 2:22 had me thinking the whole drive home today.

I, of course, gave her an awkward hug and forgot everything I wanted to say.  You also probably knew that would happen.

I have loved soaking in Grey's little toddler self this fall.   It has been very challenging at times, but watching her master a new skill or giggle until she's crying makes every moment worth it.  She is SO full of life.  Our Savior has used my daughter to teach me a lot about patience, but even more about joy.

And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13

Season of changes

releasing balloons.  looking up.  remembering our hold and all of our hope baby friends.

October 15th

National Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness Day

We certainly don't need a special day to remember our son in heaven, though we love that there IS a day for the world to remember and learn more.  Holden and all of his friends in heaven are so very loved.  Three years ago yesterday, we joined the Midland Memorial Walk for Babies.  What a God we serve to change so much for His glory since then.

Green chili chicken chili is in the crock pot, my little love is couch napping, I'm ignoring the laundry in the dryer and the endless emails that need my attention... and acting like I have a few minutes to blog.  Let's see how long this lasts ;).  

This month has been probably the craziest season of change in our entire marriage (moreso than moving this summer).  We pulled Grey from the school she was at, due to several things, but mostly it just wasn't the fit we had hoped it would be.  That made me very sad, but we knew we had to be her parents before any loyalties to any place.  (Because of that, I am no longer teaching the Jumpstart Reading program there either.)  We trusted God knew what was best, and the very next day a spot at an AMAZING Christian Children's Day Out came open for her.  This is the best fit for our daughter, and Grey is so much happier.  She even cried when I tried to get her to leave the other day.  Is there anything better to a Mommy's heart?! :) The CDO just so happens to be at the church we are likely to become members at too.  God is good.

Nerium has been such a huge financial blessing to our family, that I certainly do not need to be teaching right now.  The hour or so I commit to Nerium each day has almost equaled the full-time salary I made at the college before staying home with Grey.  It's crazy to think I've only done this for three months.  Chet and I are so glad I started this fun journey.  I love that I can be a Mommy while contributing to our family in this way.

  

Yesterday, Chet accepted a position with a different wireline company.  He was offered quite a few positions this past week (he's pretty awesome like that!), so we had big decisions to make.  He chose the one that would allow us to stay here in Lubbock, which of course makes me very happy.  He will also get most weekends off...umm...we may not even know what to do with Daddy around that much.  PRAISING GOD!!  

I love how our needs are known by the Lord before we ever even know that we need them.  Grey is taken care of in the best atmosphere, and Chet's hard work and dedication have paid off hugely.  We are blessed more than we deserve.

So much to thank God for as we settle into our lives here.  

This fall and winter have wonderful things in store.

PS  I keep getting asked if I am pregnant.  The answer: no.  The top in the above photo is blousy and it was super windy yesterday.  Thanks for asking though. lol 

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus.  

Philippians 4:19

18 month well-check and going ons

This photo makes me laugh, because it describes one of our favorite past-times perfectly: snacking!! :)

Grey had her 18 month well-check yesterday, which THANKFULLY means her last shots until she's 4.  Wow!  So grateful for that!  I take them much worse than she does. ;)  They told us they must've measured her length incorrectly at her 15 month appointment.  So...man!  We had a fun little bit of time thinking we were on the tall side for once haha! ;) (We had a feeling they messed them up, but we couldn't help but enjoy it!)
Stats:
Height: 30 1/2" - 25%
Weight: 23 lbs. - 30%
Head Circumference: 18.2" - 50%

I feel like a growth spurt is around the corner, because Grey has started eating a ton again!  She can out-eat me sometimes!

We are LOVING our speech therapists and Grey's using sign language and attempting more sounds than she ever has.  She really does have the two best therapists, who clearly love her...and the feeling is mutual.  It makes my mommy heart so happy to know she is taken care of so well.

We have decided to put Grey in a smaller preschool, or CDO, as her class size was a bit large for her personality, so we made the decision to pull her out.  We are on a few waiting lists, so Grey will have sitters on Tuesdays while I teach until a spot opens up for her.

I love the fall and everything about it.  It is my favorite Texas month, and I am really trying to savor this season of our lives.  I feel like summer was a whirlwind (when isn't it around here!?), so I am doing my very best to enjoy each day.  Grey is such a fun little person, who never ceases to amaze me in countless ways.  She loves nature, which means we are outside for a majority of the day since the cooler temps have arrived.

We have slowly acquired furniture and started decorating more.  Autumn decor has made me excited to tune my "homemaker" skills - finally!  Chet is still working lots of hours and I am teaching and staying very busy with Nerium, but we have loved family time here in Wolfforth.

Looking forward to lots of wonderful things this season...

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.  Psalm 19:1b