Grateful

This morning I just have a joyful and thankful heart. What a great night last night of fellowship, reminding us to be content and without complaint. I love that it was a small intimate group where we could all open up and feel comfortable to discuss, admit weaknesses, pray for each other, encourage others, remind others of God's power and acknowledge and appreciate simple blessings.

What's on my mind this moment that I'm thankful for...in no particular order
~waking up in the early morning to my baby boy moving all around-he's up now rolling all around :)
~being home
~a husband who's diligent about leading prayer in the mornings
~my relationship with God
~knowing that prayer relieves worry and stress
~family
~health
~my sweet, happy Savi
~friends
~knowing that my sis always gives me that extra boost when I need it
~knowing that it's out of my control, and it is what it is when difficult situations arise and that His will will be done
~Savi being a good sleeper
~a safe and happy home
~joy
~happiness

Christmas Fun

Let's just say Savannah wasn't one of Santa's biggest fans this year...

What an enjoyable Christmas! Seeing the excitement on Savannah's face, watching her observe all the people, laughter, and fun that we had with family the past few days...a few pictures to somewhat wrap up our weekend. We are so grateful for our wonderful family and our faith.  

Her new big girl backpack. She calls it her 'backback'

Christmas Eve at the Diersing's is always so much fun!

Practicing for her little brother...

Family Day

The day was full of family fun!
Our annual baking day with the sis in laws and nana, so much fun.
Savi got to play with her cousins.
Church with granddaddy
A visit to nana and granddaddy's
Dinner with Lyndsie and granddaddy
Fun night!
Savi was such a trooper, definitely pooped and ready for bed.
Santa comes tonight...she asked for a goldfish so we'll see if he brings it.
HO, HO, HO, or O, O, O as Savannah would say.

Oh, and Mikey and I went on a date last night, it was so nice and refreshing. He truly is the love of my life! I love him for so many reasons, too many to list.

Baking Time...

Miss Savi had so much fun helping me bake sugar cookies last week. I didn't realize how many cookies one batch would make, so we made what felt like 100 cookies! My students decorated them as their 'holiday' activity while sipping on hot cocoa. They loved knowing that Savannah had helped me-what a sweet group. I think she might be quite the baker.

Yaaaa!

That was her own little cookie she made.

When she was over the cookies she tore apart the craft she made and daddy taught her how
to put the stickers all over, she thought if was hilarious!

FuN dAy

Yesterday was such an enjoyable day! 

*It started off with a morning spent eating gingerbread shaped pancakes with my loves-Savannah bit the head off first, she cracks me up.

 *Then I visited with my sis and finally got to catch up.

*Then Savi showed us how confident she really is by walking all around without hesitation! She's a late bloomer, so we were so excited to see her finally walking on her own-it's so cute.

*After dinner our baby boy started moving all around and Mike got to feel him roll around in my stomach for the first time!

*The night ended with Savi giggling in her room with daddy, and me starting a new women's group. What a blessing and true joy to fellowship with all the girls who came. I feel so blessed to have the opportunity to lead this new group. God is great! 

Home Sweet Home

What a great weekend spent at home. We really have been good about not over booking ourselves, and just staying at home more. I remember reading in one of my books (the chapter was about time management for the woman of the house) that in order to feel caught up at home and to create a 'home' you have to actually be there! What a true statement. It felt so nice to drive nowhere but church today. The day consisted of giving thanks to God, playing, singing, pooping on the potty (Savannah that is) :), walking, cleaning, organizing, learning and just coziness. Another thing the author said was to always do your most dreaded task first and oh how I'm glad I took her advice. Changing the sheets and doing the laundry was mine this weekend-that way the rest of the day I didn't have to think about it. It felt like a load off my shoulders to just get it done first. Savi is being such a good helper lately. The best part is when she gets into the laundry basket and I carry it into the garage, she thinks it's hilarious. She likes to push the buttons and slam the lid on the washer and dryer down.

Yes, she ate an entire ear of corn!!!

 Her other new thing is when I'm singing she stands up and bounces up and down, then sways side to side while clapping her hands really far out to the side. She had such a blast this weekend! To see her happiness while being at home was a good reminder of how much I would rather not be out and about and doing things for me. It's such a joy seeing her have a fun time playing with Rock, helping me, reading her books, playing with her toys, watching the boys play basketball next door, looking at the lights, and discovering something new each day.

Miss Fancy

Oh, and putting on her play shoes that Betsy got for her. I don't know how many pictures we have of me playing with 'play shoes' when I was little. Betsy said I always had them on when I'd come clicking up the porch steps to her house when I was little. Had to capture the moment of her first encounter with them...too funny. She loved them! Thanks Bets.

Words that Hurt, Words that Heal

We try to serve the Lord and follow his Word diligently, so reading inspirational books (of course along with the bible) that coincide with the bible has become a passion and learning tool for me over the past few years. The book I'm reading now has expanded on and dug deeper into much of Proverbs.

Here are just a few of the many great points the author's made...
"We may have many areas of life under the control of the Holy Spirit, but do we have control over what comes out of our mouths?" She says, "It is amazing to me how careless and unconcerned we are about what we say." It is quite an eye opener and helping me to be aware of the words that I speak, helping me use discernment and think before I speak. "Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing." Proverbs 12:18

Visiting Mr. Santa

It's such a neat day that Mike's department tailors especially for the kids. It's called the "Kids Christmas Party." What an exciting event just for the kids!!! There are crafts, a balloon guy, jump houses, story time with Mr. and Mrs. Claus, food, visiting and kids running around all over having a blast. The girls who put this on work hard with planning and the kids just love it. It's such a close department and 'fire family' that we belong to. I've really gained close relationships with a handful of the wives since we have much in common with our husbands working in the same field and often on the exact same schedule.

Savi's eyes lit up when she saw Mr. and Mrs. Claus arrive on the old fashion fire truck, but as I expected was much more pleased just looking and admiring the couple rather than visiting with them, as you can see in the picture :) So to solve the problem, we both got to sit on Mr. Claus' lap...

Oh my love, she is so precious. She clung to mommy like a little baby koala when she sensed that I was going to attempt to put her on Santa's lap for a picture. I love that she feels so safe with me, and that I can comfort her and make her feel protected. I know it's a simple thing, but I just love that aspect of motherhood. She is my baby and I am her protector. I always want her to know that mommy will be safe grounds for her.

We ended the night  by watching our nieces walk in the HB parade down main street. They so adorably marched by us and my hands were full of Savi and candy canes, so I didn't snap a picture in time. They were so cute (as always) and excited!

Have a blessed day. I'm reading a great book right now and will post some of my favorite quotes from it as the week goes on...

Highlights from Mazatlan

We had such great family time while we were in Mazatlan. It was so nice having great grandma get to know Savannah even better. Our days were filled with building sand castles, playing in the pool, runs on the beach (for Mike anyway :)), catching up with family, hearing old stories of when I was younger, looking at old pictures, playing cards, conversing with grandma's friends and family, cooking, eating, reading and just good old time with Savi. 

My Love

Savi was the hit on the dance floor

Daddy and Savannah building drip sand castles

Five generations

Savi and Mommy, she was touching her little brother :) I didn't even know Mike was capturing this moment.

Oh how she loved looking out at everything in sight.  She was such a good girl on the plane. I love her love to explore.



Mike and I just try to soak up every minute loving and teaching our little girl. She is so interested in everything. She also added a word to her vocabulary-'bird,' which we saw a lot of! Glad we made it home safely...home sweet home.

Weekend

Reasons we had a great weekend...
~Mike and I think we finally found a church that we are ready to call home and get more involved in.
~The Lord continues to reveal things to us as we draw near to him.
~We had lots of family time.
~Beautiful crisp morning walks. We enjoyed soaking in and describing each detail to Savannah about the beauties of nature...the snow covered mountain tops, hawks soaring, the moon in the sky, she is so interested in looking and hearing.
~Great, meaningful, uplifting conversations with great friends.
~Christmas decorations and lights are up! 

Happy Thanksgiving!

 Savannah loves grandma, she's always showing her something new and intriguing.

Great day with our amazing family (I didn't have my camera when we visited grandadddy and nana, that's why they're not in the pics). Savannah had a fun-filled day with her all of her grandparents, aunts & uncles, & cousins. They all show her so much love!

                                                            Cousins

 She must have stacked the cookies on papa's hand about 5 times~what fun.

                                     Yum, spoonfuls coolwhip out of the container.

 Helping mommy make treats for Thanksgiving. She already learned how to lick the spoon and scrape the bowl once we were done, good girl.

Just one more taste mommy...

Priorities

My life's priorities have shifted over the years as I've become a believer, wife, and mommy.

                                      My Daily Priorities

1.     Making time first thing in the morning before the sun comes up (with my coffee, blanket & candle)for my devotional time. I love knowing that He will be there waiting for me each morning.


2. Creating a warm and cozy home for Mikey to come home to in the morning. Savi loves popping up over the dutch doors to surprise daddy! If he's home and heading work then I love getting up and seeing him off with his coffee and a kiss knowing I'll see him the next morning. 


3. Loving my baby and getting on the floor with her to play and learn. I love being silly with her, singing Sesame Street, ABCs, making up songs and dancing with her, or should I say for her. She cracks up at me, I'm sure it's quite a sight if any of the neighbors hear or see us. I love seeing what is fun and entertaining to her, she's such an explorer.


4. Don't sweat the small stuff. 


I have such good role models of mommies to learn from, and have gained so much wisdom from books I've read in the last few years. I try to make the most of each day and opportunity. I know the time will go by fast with my baby, and that I only have so long to cherish these moments. I love being here for her when she is upset, needs a hug, needs a partner to play with, wants me to take her somewhere, to look at the moon, to explore with, and so much more. 


I guess I just love being a mom and wife, and don't want to waste time being upset about little meaningless things that come up. My sis and sis in law have taught me so much, and I love being able to now put all that knowledge and years of quietly observing into place. 


God has truly blessed our marriage and home!

Our Special Blessing

Today was such an exciting day for us! Mike and I had our 18 week ultrasound and the doctor officially announced that it's a BOY! All of his measurements are looking perfect, thank the Lord. 

He was burying his head down really low so she couldn't get a good image and measurement of his head. So after trying to wiggle and put me on an incline on the table we had to take a break and come back to see if he would get into a better position. We went out for a 'walk' and when we went back in he had cooperated. I guess my two handstands in the hallway worked :) ...


The two pictures are a little hard to see, but the first is of his little feet, and the other is his profile. What a blessing!

Starting a Blog

Hopefully I get the hang of 'blogging' real soon...I really want to be able to share and keep our family and friends updated on what's going on in our lives. We'll see how it goes. 


Of course I have to start off with a picture of my little love, Savannah Lyn. My sis in law, Teri, took this pic when we went to Lake Arrowhead last weekend. Savi had such a blast picking apple after apple with her cousins.