Just wanted to share...

Six Years

Today Justin and I are celebrating six wonderful years of marriage.  And while our day didn't go exactly as planned, all in all it has been a decent day.  We had planned on getting up and heading to my school where they were having a craft fair and breakfast with Santa where you could get pictures taken the Jolly St. Nick himself.  Well, those plans changed about 1:30 this morning when Makenna woke up sick.  :(  We had planned on taking the kids to see Santa, dropping them off in Bolivar to spend the day and night, and then heading to Branson to shop and have a nice dinner.  When we all woke up this morning Makenna felt better and since she hadn't have a fever we decided to not go see Santa (which she was very upset about), but to still head to Branson after dropping off the kids.  Well we had just got to Branson when my mom called to say Makenna had started running a fever.  We decided to just "play everything by ear", but by 5 o'clock her temp reached 102.8 so we decided to finish our dinner (we had just ordered our food when we got the call) and head to Bolivar to pick the kids up.  We just got home a while ago and Justin has taken her to the walk-in clinic to get checked out.  And of course, just before they left we took her temperature and it was normal.

But the day was not a total loss.  I did manage to get a few new pairs of shoes that I was needing and we also found a very unexpected gift.   I am now to proud owner of...

Image courtesy of www.kitchenaid.com

A Silver KitchenAid Pro 500 Series Bowl-Lift Stand Mixer

 I have been WANTING a KitchenAid stand mixer for several years, but it wasn't anything I NEEDED so I hadn't really looked at them.  Justin and I had talked about it maybe being a gift at some point, but it really wasn't anything I had pursued because like I said it wasn't a need, just a want.  Well, today we ran across an amazing deal on them and I couldn't pass it up.  It was such an amazing deal that we also bought my Mom one and have already given it to her as an early gift so that she can use it for all of her holiday baking.  I am so excited to start making bread, cookies, and other yummy food with it.

Also, another major event occurred today--Beckham took his first steps.  He has been taking tiny half steps or walking while holding on to something or someone for a while now, but today he took 2 steps unassisted.  We knew it was only a matter of time.  So, watch out world, because it he is as fast of a walker as he is a crawler we have some major trouble on our hands.

Beckham's 1st Birthday Party

Well I guess two weeks later is better than never, but here are some pictures from Beckham's birthday party.  I am trying out some new photo editing software so it has taken me a while to get familiar with it and get the pictures edited.  Now, I just have to decide if I want to "bite the bullet" and purchase the full version of the software. :)  Anyways, enjoy the pictures.

The cake

He cried when everyone sang to him

   

He then cheered up when he tasted the icing

Yummy

The birthday boy with cake all over his face

Opening his first gift

Of course he had unsolicited help from his sister

                                         

Opening more gifts

Getting tired of opening presents

                                        

Playing with his new toys with his cousin, Cooper

Halloween 2011

Here are some pictures of Clifford and Emily Elizabeth on Halloween.  Both kids had fun trick or treating in Bolivar, going to Tailgate and Treat at the church I grew up in, and doing our church's Trunk or Treat on Halloween.  They also got way too much candy.

                                         

                                         

A Festive Weekend

Wow!  What a busy, but wonderful weekend we had.  Friday, I was out of school so I spent the day getting ready for Beckham's 1st birthday party, which was on Saturday.  Between cleaning and baking I had a lot to do, but I figured my little boy only turns 1 once so I better do it right. 

Saturday morning we all got up early to finish cleaning and I began baking all the appetizers and snacks for the party.  I got a lot of new recipies off Pinterest and I am so glad they were a big hit. I will share the recipes in another post.  Guests started arriving in the early afternoon and the party officially began at 2.  We were blessed to have family and friends come to help us celebrate and Beckham got his first taste of cake.  I will definitely post some pictures after I get them edited, but we did eventually have to his smash cake away from him so he wouldn't get sick.  We then opened his presents and he got some new toys that he loves to play with--a riding firetruck, stacking blocks, LeapFrog Transportation Frig Set, PJs, Mizzou bear and blanket, books, etc., etc., etc.  He had a wonderful party and it is still hard to believe our little guy is 1.  Like I said I will definitely post pictures when they are edited--we have just been too busy to have time to do that.

Sunday, we planned on going to church, however, we were almost there and realized we didn't get a pacifier for Beckham so we turned around and went home.  We could have gone to second service, but we needed to be in Bolivar to do our annual Halloween activites there before heading back to Springfield for our small group.  So, Makenna was upset about not getting to go to church, but she soon was happy when she got an abundance of candy.  Makenna (aka Emily Elizabeth) and Beckham (aka Clifford the Big Red Dog) got more than enough candy and we still have to go to our church's trunk or treat festivities tonight.  :)

Happy 1st Birthday, Beckham Glen

Beckham,

One year ago you came into the world and completed our family.  We didn't know then how much more lively you would make our lives, but we definitely wouldn't have it any other way. You were first called "Bubs" by Sissy, then "Buddy" and now you are affectionately called "Bubby" by us all.  You are full of spunk and often put Makenna in her place when you don't like what she is doing.  However, it is very apparent at just 1 year of age that you love you sister very much and she loves you so much, too.  You really enjoy playing with her, especially with her kitchen, and watching her favorite TV shows with her.  You can say Daddy, Mama, Nana, Sissy, hi, bye, what, uh-oh, huh, no, yes, and more and you also imitate many sounds.  You LOVE to eat just about anything, so it is a good thing you have 6 teeth.  You are almost ready to walk, but we think the fact that you are the fastest crawler many have ever seen is holding you back just a bit.  We don't go for your 1 year check-up until Friday, but you weigh somewhere around 22 pounds and you are wearing 12 months clothes.

Beckham, you are the light of our lives and we can't wait to see how God gifts you and blesses you throughout your life.  Thanks for making this past year so special for us and we thank God that he chose us to be your Mommy and Daddy.  Happy Birthday! We love you!

Love,
Mommy and Daddy (and Makenna)

Pictures

Here are some pictures we had taken in August for Beckham's nine month milestone.

                                              

 

All images courtesy of Heather Hoadley Photography

Beautiful Weekend Packed Full of Activities

Whoa! What a great weekend we have had.  Friday evening Justin and the kiddos spend the night at home while I chaperoned a school dance--that was the least exciting part of our weekend.  Saturday morning Makenna had a 8:30 soccer game and then we headed off the Branson for a night away.  We shopped, swam at the hotel, and shopped some more.  Today we headed to Silver Dollar City and just pulled in the driveway about an hour ago.  I will be sure to post pictures when I have them edited, but now we must get ready for small group.

May I...

The circumstances Justin and I have faced or people close to us have faced over the past week have really made me reflect on how much I worry about the small things in life and get a "woe is me" attitude.  So, if nothing else but to remind us to be grateful for what we have I want to get the following list down in writing.

1.  Instead of feeling like a failure as a parent because Makenna got a naughty note sent home for pinching a friend in the face at preschool, may I instead learn to appreciate and acknowledge the developmental, intellectual and spiritual progress and growth I see daily in both of my children.  May I also remember to thank God daily that he chose me to be Makenna and Beckham's mom--what an incredible gift!

2.  Instead of constantly worrying about the balance of our bank accounts, may I instead be thankful that God meets each and every one of our needs.

3.  Instead of complaining about the tons of tasks, etc. that are involved in my job, may I instead be thankful just to have a job that also comes with a high degree of job security.  May I also remind myself that I have a wonderful group of co-workers, several of whom are my closest friends.

4.  Instead of getting annoyed when Justin forgets to do something the is on his "honey-do" list, etc., may I instead be thankful that I have a husband that loves me and our children unconditionally and that we have a stong family that is centered around our Heavenly Father.

5.  Instead of getting annoyed by the seasonal allergies I suffer from, may I instead be reminded that I don't have a life-threatening illness or disability, nor does anyone in my family.  They to shall pass.

6.  Instead of trying to control every single aspect of my life, may I instead surrender everything to Him who deserves my complete devotion, admiration, love, etc. 

7.  Instead of worrying about turning the big 3-0 next week, may I instead use this milestone to reflect on the past three decades of my life, learn from the mistakes I have made, and look forward and make goals for the remaining ones I have left here on this earth.

1st Soccer Game

Here are some pictures from Makenna's first soccer game. Overall, she did pretty good--there were just a few times she was in la-la land and not paying attention.