Chet has surgery

 We set up the tree last weekend, and the girls love it!!  Both are so good and don't even try to get the ornaments off.  Such sweet sisters! Oh what a joy it is to be their mommy.

 Goodness.

 If I could freeze time.

I am a week behind.  OF course.  Today our little princess turned 11 months old, and even had her birthday pictures taken by the fabulous Alexis Hughes (which is good since I couldn't get a single photo of her sitting still)!!  But let's step back a few moments and rewind. :)....

Chet was in Denver this past week until late Wednesday night, made even later due to flights being canceled.  Poor guy had SLAP repair surgery on Thursday morning at 8:00am, meaning his shoulder, arm and entire left side is pretty much out of commission for at least 6 weeks.  I am so grateful for my mother in law coming in Wednesday night to take Chet to the doctor, because Rose caught a NASTY stomach bug and we definitely couldn't have dragged a puking baby to the doctor.  Chet has needed this surgery for a YEAR now.  Seriously.  I am so glad he got it, but that means these past few days have been a serious doozy on our family.  I am worn down both physically and emotionally.  If I am being honest, my mommy and wife patience is in need of major improvement.  I caught the stomach bug yesterday and spent all night pukey myself (sorry).  So after this blog - I am off to BED.

Rose turns 48 weeks tomorrow (and I am blogging 47), turned 11 months old today, and is only one month from one year old.  I just sit here in absolute humility and gratitude to type this out.  We cannot even remember a life without her.  She is just such a gift.  Wow. 

We are planning her birthday, which overwhelms me and covers my heart with a thousand mixed emotions. 

At 11 Months, Rose:
LOVES dancing
Is wearing 12-18 month clothes
Is wearing size 2 shoes
Is wearing size 5 diapers
Is still crawling as her means of transportation
Is almost standing alone
Waves "hi", "bye" and plays "peek a boo"
Is fearless, and always seems to be getting herself into a bump or bruise
Tries to copy everything Grey does (see above)
Loves Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and Frozen
Loves reading books and turning the pages
Gives kisses (oh.my.soul.)
Is having an allergic (eczema) reaction to food of some sort, so we are omitting gluten right now
Still prefers bottles for most food, though LOVES trying almost everything now
Can snuggle all day every day

I don't know if it's just pure exhaustion or the fact that our baby is 11 months today (probably both), but I am weepy typing this blog out.  Being a mom is so crazy.  Each stage seems so intense and then it is gone and it is a memory forever.  Grey is my BIG helper in so many ways.  I stare at her and remember when we were snapping her one year photos.  Oi.  She is the most intuitive person I know.  She picks up on anything and helps more than a personal assistant.  I couldn't imagine life right now without her.  Chet woke up from the chair upstairs (he is sleeping there because of his ice machine, sling, etc.) and she ran to take him his glasses without a hesitation.

These two girls make life the best.  I am signing off and going to bed.

 Blessed are those
    whose transgressions are forgiven,
    whose sins are covered.Blessed is the one
    whose sin the Lord will never count against them

Romans 4:7-8

AMEN

46 weeks & a slowing down November

The weather agreed with me to make us slow down and enjoy family time this month.  We have had to start a fire nearly every day this week, and I am actually loving it!  Thank you Jesus for rest.

 Our sweeties before church on Sunday.  And speaking of church, The Village in Flower Mound has been incredible for us.  We absolutely feel like this will be our church home. 

This was my worst ever weekly photo attempt with either child.  She was JUST NOT HAVING IT.  I was desperate, so I decided to go with it.  Real life, eh?

 I am only including this funny photo because it is so telling of our little Rose and our "real life" (no bows, hair a MESS and full of mischievous laughter). 

I felt like I did need to redeem myself though, so I snapped some photos of Rose today during Grey's nap.  She is such a charmer and people-pleaser.  She is loving to dance now, especially to Mickey Mouse Clubhouse tunes.  She is into EVERYTHING and tastes every single spec of dirt on the floor.  This is the stage I am not a fan of - I get to see just how dirty my floors are each day.  EEK.
We are FINALLY not teething.  We have teethed for a solid month, spending most nights screaming and in pain.  It was brutal.  Rose now has four bottom teeth and 4 top teeth...possibly two more top ones coming soon.

 She has our hearts.  Boy does she ever.

 Grey had her first haircut here today. She did so well I nearly cried.  How are we are the big girl stage already?  Sigh.  I think her little "Bop Bob" is the best. 

 Why not one more of our big girl, since this year's blogging has primarily focused on Rose? :)  Being a toddler is hard work - for both Grey and Mommy - but we are loving the fun stuff this stage has too.  Grey is so intuitive and thoughtful, it's almost humbling.  She has a memory that is unheard of, and loves loves loves to learn and stay busy.

This week has been filled with lots of home-cooked meals, putting Christmas decor out and family games and reading.  I am praying for lots of that to come this month too.

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.  Galatians 6:7-10

Halloween 2014! ... AKA our version of Elsa & Anna

Halloween used to be a holiday I could skip entirely.  I hate scary things and I believe Christians should not celebrate death, darkness, witchcraft and sorcery.  So usually Halloween to me means browse a cute, cuddly costume, wear for pictures and then pass out some candy.  I could skip that.

This year, with Grey's utter obsession with Frozen, and Rose's nearly same level of obsession, we decided to allow them to be Elsa and Anna.  (Just like the other 300,000,000 little girls around the world.  "Elsa - the quintessential costume of Halloween 2014".)

I prepared myself for a day of meltdowns, candy overdoses, crying photos and typical toddler/10 month old behavior on holidays.  I cringed and took several deep breaths when I woke up Friday, if I am being honest.  Chet worked from home most of the day, so he helped me get the girls dressed early so we could at least enjoy a free lunch from one of the many restaurants participating in "wear a costume and kids eat free" deals.  Grey chose McCallister's.  Of course.  She is obsessed with soup. ;)  Low and behold...both girls absolutely ADORED their costumes, the makeup (for Grey), and photo shoots.  It was almost magical for them.  SO FUN!

The day got even better when we decided to go trick-or-treating around our precious little neighborhood.  All the other kids were out and Grey and Rose ate.it.up.  It was such a sweet family evening, and both girls laughed the whole time.  Grey has never opened up with strangers as much as she did, and relished in each opportunity to knock and say, "Trick or Treat Please".  PRECIOUS.

I do happen to believe our Anna and Elsa were the cutest around... Rose's first Halloween was a success!  I also do believe Christians can celebrate kids, neighbors, togetherness and fun without the darkness involved.  Let's be honest here...any Christian willing to celebrate Christmas and bash Halloween needs a history lesson.

Funny story:  Grey's has had two pieces of candy since Friday!  She doesn't even know what to do with all of it, and since most of the candies are types she has never tried, her lack of experience with them makes it a WIN for us. lol.

Sweet girl turned 45 weeks old yesterday.  She is getting a couple more teeth this week (we think), so the past two days have been unusually fussy for her. Darn teething.

 Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you,  for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.  1 Thessalonians 5:1-2