Happy New Year!!

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I will be posting on this blog still, but have been having fun posting on this new blog as I play around with my new camera I got for Christmas. Happy New Year!

 

ceiling fan friend

 

All of our children looked at the ceiling fan with 'wonder' when they were infants, but Elizabeth talks, coos, smiles, and laughs at the ceiling fan! So, we call it her ceiling fan friend. We've discussed putting a smiley face on the glass housing of the fan for her. We'll see!

Happy Birthday Jesus!

 

We have a tradition each Christmas morning. We have cinnamon rolls instead of a birthday cake to celebrate Jesus' birth! This year mom opted for the store bought canned variety. no complaints! Merry Christmas everyone!

 

 

Service with a Smile

 

One of my big helpers

 

Good Morning!

 

 

My girls with their cousins.

Generations

 

This is Rhea's 86 year old great aunt Sis holding the baby. Sis' daughter, Betty, is behind her on the far right. Rhea's mother is next to Betty. We had a wonderful visit with them on Sunday after church.

 

Sunrise on a 30 degree Morning

 

Still Missing...

My little Canon is still missing : (
My baby is growing (11# 3 oz. at my midwife check-up yesterday)
My other children are doing adorable things.
We have a family gathering this weekend.
I want to take pictures for this week's theme!

Camera, oh camera, WHERE are you??

Rhea...I have not purposely hidden it to get the Nikon D80, I promise! : )

Oh Where is My Camera?

Praying friends, pray that my camera turns up! With all the busy-ness of last week, my camera went into hiding. I looked for it several times last week and yesterday, but someone/something always pulled me away. I want to be a good steward of my time, but would also like to see my camera again. Maybe my little Canon heard that I was ready to upgrade to the Nikon D80 digital SLR? : )

 

more of our yard

 

Did I mention Rhea popped a breaker this year?

 

Snoozin' to Randy Travis' Christmas CD this Mornin'

 

You Leave Elizabeth with Dustin, Levi's Glasses, & a Camera and You Get:

 

Looking at Dustin

 

We're still battling thrush (I have it too) and you can still see the purple lips, but when she is not feeling well and unhappy, there is always a sibling around to cheer her up!

Partied Out

 

Elizabeth was pooped after her big day at church and the baby shower yesterday!

Did she eat blueberries?

 

Did the dye rub off of our sheets?
Did she eat a purple popsicle?
Did we forget to turn the heat on last night?

No, our sweet baby has the beginnings of thrush and her purple is from the treatment she is on.
We can thank Gentian Violet for the purple stains on her, on me, and on anything that the dye touches! However, after one application of this natural remedy, she is so happy and I was even able to capture her first smile (she had her 1st 'real' smile on Wed.) with the camera when taking pics for the 'purple' blog post today.

Also, this past week, I have allowed piles of stuff to stay where they are in every room in the house. (for those who know me well, know this is a big step for me-ha!) I have not made my bed since before Elizabeth was born. I am pleased as punch if I get a shower and make dinner all in one 24 hour period. I am happy if we get just one school subject accomplished on any given day. I share all this to say, that I am truly savoring this precious time with our newborn. I have spent more time making silly faces, holding, and talking to Elizabeth than I have most anything else. I am even typing this with one hand as I hold her. The other children have been right behind me in this department. They even hold her as she falls asleep and nap with her-and yes they will even change diapers!

Elizabeth was such an incredible blessing that God brought to our family. We, as a family, have grown stronger in our faith and closer together as a family during this journey. Our family prayer time is sweeter than ever before. Yes, it is difficult for us all to stay awake during evening family prayer time, but we all giggle because we know that we've all had some very late nights these past few weeks.

Now, as I begin to prepare for Thanksgiving at our house and company that will be traveling here, my prayer is I will be diligent to keep things at the pace they are going...s-l-o-w-l-y....
Am I ready to get back to teaching school full time, keeping the house clutter free, and get to Rhea's bookkeeping? Sure I am, but it can wait. I'm treasuring the litle moments.

For those leaving town, Happy Thanksgiving!

Margot's turn

 

The Smiths Came to Visit

 

As you can see, Elizabeth was tired and fussy by the time it was Cameron's turn to hold her. However, Cameron stayed relaxed and soon Elizabeth relaxed and all was well!

Happy 10th Levi!