Christmas!

I know, I know...I'm late getting this post up...but it overwhelmed me to even think about weeding through all of my Christmas photos to put up on the blog...until today. :) We had such an amazing holiday. Bradley had 4 days off of work and we just got to hang out as a family. On Christmas Eve afternoon, my family in TX were opening up their presents and so we decided to open our presents from them during that same time. Then that night we went to the Wilkie's to open presents there. Then on Christmas Day Bradley, Claire and I opened presents (and stockings) for our family. Beforehand though we read Claire the "Christmas Story" in Luke. Years ago, I gave Bradley a family Bible and had our name engraved on the front of it, with the intentions of it being used for moments like this. We opened that Bible and read the story of Jesus' birth as a family. Our heart's desire is for Claire to grow up knowing that the reason why we give and receive presents at Christmas is because Jesus gave us the ultimate present in Himself. And we celebrate his birth at this time of year.

Bradley's giving me "the look" when I said, "Look at the camera, honey!" with such cheer. :) He he he...He's putting together the wagon that Nana and Grandpa gave to Claire.

Claire LOVED the wagon!

Our beautiful stockings.

Santa Mom passing out presents!

"All of these are for ME?!?"

The wrapping and ribbons were more fun at times.

"Thank you, Nana, for wrapping my presents in this super fun ribbon!"

"A ball popper?? That makes LOTS of noise? And will have Mommy and Daddy chasing balls all over the living room when they fly out of the top of the toy? THANKS Aunt Angy and Uncle John!!!!"

Claire LOVED the blocks that Uncle Jr sent to her!!

She's about to open up her stocking from Mom and Dad.

Helping Daddy open up her gift from us.

"It's a riding/walking toy! I'm super excited!!"

A yoga mat for the Wii! (I must be fair and put embarassing photos of me on the blog too)

Christmas morning Belgium waffles. Cooked on my NEW waffle iron that Uncle Jr sent to me. THANKS Uncle Jr!

Reflections on a Decade

As headlines on the Internet light up with the media's take on the highlights of the decade...I thought about the highlights in my life over the last 10 years. For one thing...I'm a little sad that I can now view my life in "decades". But at the same time...age brings a lot of experiences that are not forgotten. The past 10 years have been momentous for me. It's hard to imagine another decade in my life that could have as much activity as this past one...but I know there will be many (Lord willing). All that being said...I thought that I'd share some of the highlights of the last 10 years of my life:

2000~Graduated from college and began my first job. I was officially "on my own" and loved the excitement of the unknown of the future. I imagine that never again will I be as eager for the unknown as I was 10 years ago. :)

2001~My family welcomed 2 new family members...my brother-in-law, John, and my nephew, Jake. When Jake was born my life was completely changed. I instantly became infatuated with this precious child and LOVED him more than I thought I could love a child (little did I know that 8 years later I'd experience an even deeper love with my own child).

2002~I traveled overseas for the first time and simultaneously met my future husband on the same trip.

2003~I grew up a lot in this year and learned things about myself that were difficult but necessary to learn in order for me to become a better person, most notably a better wife to Bradley. This year I left the job that I started when I graduated college (this was VERY emotional and difficult) and also became engaged to Bradley.

2004~I married my best friend and instantly had 2 additional parents, 2 brothers and another grandmother. The Wilkie's have treated me as their own since Day 1!! We also purchased our first home and I started a new job...at an employer that I'd be with for over 4 years!

2005~We welcomed yet another person into our family...our sister-in-law, Tara. Little did I know at that time that I'd grow to truly love and value her as much as I do today!

2006~The birth of our 2nd nephew, Charlie and the passing of my precious Papa, both within 6 weeks of each other. Both of these people have filled my life with laughter...my Papa during my childhood and Charlie, well, the last 4 years. :)

2007~Bradley and I moved away from everything that I had ever known. One of the most difficult, yet rewarding things I've done. We sold that first house that year. I think I will always love that house. During this year we also went to visit family in East Asia and welcomed a niece to the family! Precious Adaya.

2008~We purchased our second home (where we live today) and became pregnant with our precious baby girl. I was also laid off from my job...a surprisingly emotional experience...and Bradley had a motorcycle accident that made us both realize that the Lord can take us home at any moment He chooses...

2009~The birth of our Claire. No other words need apply. :) We also welcomed another nephew to the family, adorable Elliot and said goodbye to Bradley's beloved grandmother, MaMa.

What an amazing decade. What does the next one have in store for our family??

So happy on our wedding day!

Claire Marie born March 29, 2009.

Christmas, 2009.

Nephews Jake and Charlie.

Niece and nephew, Adaya and Elliot.

9 Months!

Our happy girl on her 9 month birthday. Seriously, she's always smiling.


This is her new favorite face...wrinkling up her nose...sometimes it comes with a snort.


The favorite face again.


Riding in her new wagon.

I just cannot believe it...our baby girl is 9 months old!! Here are a few things that we took note of this month:

• This morning she weighed 18 lbs 2.5 oz. She's gained some weight this month but has considerably slowed since she was 6 mos old.
• She's still sleeping 11-12 hours at night and takes 2 naps a day (usually 2+ hours)
• She is standing and walking with support. Also, last week she started standing without support for short spurts of time.
• She is eating more food. She's still a picky eater, but we've managed to add a few things. Some new foods are prunes, pears, crackers and toast.
• She can eat a whole banana and some yogurt for breakfast...that's more than I eat for breakfast!!
• At every meal she typically eats 6 to 7 oz of pureed food in addition to nursing.
• She LOVES animals. I've said this before but this month it has magnified!! Any time she sees a pet she YELLS with excitement, smiles, laughs and snorts.
• She loves the wind in her face.
• She has learned the sign for "all done".
• She waved at someone yesterday (which is similar to the sign for "all done").
• She loves bath time.
• She is a TALKER!! She is constantly talking. Sometimes it's syllables and sometimes it's just yelling or baby talk.
• She loves to rough house. She has gotten to the point now that she'll crawl over to you if you're sitting on the floor with her and she'll stand up and jump into your arms. We really have to pay attention because she'll jump if you're ready or not!
• She loves strangers. If we are in a restaurant or out shopping, she LOVES to people watch!!
• She adores other children!

What a blessing it has been these last 9 months. Isn't it amazing that you can so easily forget the sleepless nights, the blow out diapers, the constant need for washing clothes? The joy of raising a child has completely overtaken us. Thank you, Lord, for giving us this precious child.

Happy Birthday, Nana!

My mom's birthday was yesterday and so we decided to try to send a special birthday photo to her. Crazy thing though...an 8 1/2 month old isn't quite as cooperative as she was when she was 6 months old. Ha ha ha...we had a blast though. I was laughing so hard I couldn't catch my breath. She just had so much fun with that sign! Here are just a few of our shots from our photo shoot.

Grassmick Fun

In November, Claire and I went to visit my friends from college, Melissa and Jonathan Grassmick. Bradley goes fishing every Fall and I usually try to go somewhere too when he's gone. I hadn't visited them at their home since February of 2006...they now have 2 more kids and I have 1. This was my first time to meet their youngest, Anderson and their first time to meet Claire. Claire and I had a wonderful time (except when she would wake up for the day at 4:30 am...yes, gotta love that time difference) and I'm scoping out tickets for when Bradley can go back with us sometime.


Melissa made this super cute sweater and hat for Claire. I love the little pom-pom on the top of the hat.


Melissa put Claire's hair in a pony tail. Gosh it was so cute.


Sweet Annie Grassmick.


Claire just loves to play with the Grassmick kiddos.


Jonathan manages a 7000 acre ranch in Middle of Nowhere, NM. :) When Bradley and I first went to visit in 2006, there was nothing there. Even Melissa and Jonathan lived down the highway from the ranch. But, now, Melissa and Jonathan live in a home just adjacent to the ranch and the company has built a ton of stuff there. There is a home (for the ranch owners) an office building, a bridge, a stable and much, much more. This is a picture of Claire and I at the river.






Claire and I on the bridge. It totally wasn't there in 2006! To get to the other side of the river, they used to have to just drive across a low spot.


We went to visit Jonathan in the office while we were there and there was a super fun Gator-like vehicle there. All the kids wanted to play on it.

Claire absolutely loved Jonathan.

Johnny and I are thowing the football in the shop.

Claire and Melissa.

When we were driving around on the ranch, we let the kids ride unbuckled. On the way back to the house, Melissa held Claire in her lap. Claire had so, so much fun "driving". But got distracted easily...she started to lick the steering wheel...nice.

Can I get a Grassmick to smile?? Thank you, Emma.

Can't figure out how to rotate these pics...
Melissa and Jonathan and family built a chicken coop. They go out and get fresh eggs every day.

Johnny's about to check for some eggs...

"There are TWO!!"

Johnny was so sweet with Claire. Well, all of the Grassmicks were. I was amazed at how at just 4 years old, he knew how to keep her safe from harm while she crawled around on the floor. I guess that's what you can expect from a child with 2 younger siblings.

While we were there Melissa and the kids made a Thanksgiving Tree and we all took turns each night sharing something that we were thankful for. One night, Jonathan got out his guitar and we sang praise and worship songs.

Melissa with Anderson and Claire.

Thanksgiving Tree!! (Sorry, can't rotate it)

Just 2 short weeks after we were in NM, we were ALL in TX visiting family for Thanksgiving. The Grassmick family came to Ft. Worth to play and visit one day. We took my parents Gator out for a drive in the cow pasture. I've never seen so many smiles from kids before. We all had a blast. Oh, and thank you Melissa for getting a pic where my hair looks like I just got out of a wind tunnel. :)

Jonathan loving some time with Claire.

My parents have a swing set/jungle gym and the Grassmicks had no problem knowing what to do with that! Bradley's helping Annie get across the rings.

My parents have lots of fun outdoor toys. Anderson "drove" this car.

We may not get to see each other very often. Since college we've all moved out of TX. But, when we DO get together, we easily pick up where we left off. I have NO other friendship like it. One thing that I realized while I was with them was how amazing it is that you can love your friend's kids, even when you hardly know them, just because they are your friend's kids. One day I heard Melissa tell Claire that she loved her and I teared up as I came to that realization. I truly, truly love her kids and I know she loves mine...and that's because we love each other. We go weeks, sometimes months without corresponding with each other, but I know that no matter what, I'll always have her in my life. I have no one else in my life that can compare. Melissa, I love you and am so thankful for your friendship. Can't wait to see you again.

Just Wakin' Up

Need I say more?? I love that my child has hair...I can put a bow in it, a headband or just let her bangs hang in her eyes. But the thing that I love most is going in to get her from her naps and seeing this look. Priceless.