Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Twelve Days of Christmas- Day 9: The Note

Do you remember what you got for Christmas from your husband last year?
Think about it...
I remember... he got me a pair of beautiful pearl earrings.  I was so surprised.  I had really wanted a pair of real pearl earrings for awhile, but hated to ask for them.  There is something so timeless about a pair of pearls.  Every Southern Belle needs a pair.  (We actually plan on getting Aubrey Lane a tiny set of pearl earrings for her first birthday.)  The sad part of this-  I wear these pearl earrings almost everyday, and I still had to stop and really think about what Lane had given me for Christmas last year.
Well this Christmas, money is way tight. It was just an expensive year for us.  Private preschool, a new baby with new baby needs, a ridiculous gas bill (can I get an Amen)- all for a family spoiled by overtime pay.  And with the economy being so shaky, Lane is not even getting 40 hours a week. Don’t get me wrong; we are by no means starving or doing without, we have just had to buy needed, not wanted, gifts for Christmas. But truly we don’t NEED anything. ;-)
(I debated even talking about this, but if I make this blog out like I’m some perfect person with this perfect life, I’d be down right lying!  I want my blog to be “real”, ya know.)
Yesterday, I got a sweet reminder that loving each other and simple acts of kindness throughout the year is the greatest gift we can give one another.
When I got home yesterday, I found a note from my husband in the door.

"I got a surprise for you! Check the sewing room!"

"Keep looking! Try the junk food cabinet!"

"Not here! Turn around & check the ice box!"

"Happy I Love You Day!  Here's a gift from me to you!
I love you!"

He bought me a fountain drink.  (I’m quite addicted to carbonated beverages.)
This year we may not have a lot of money to buy a lot of Christmas presents we don’t need.  But I guarantee you that 10 years from now I will still remember this very sweet sentiment.  I’m currently brainstorming ideas to return this sweet gesture.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Twelve Days of Christmas- Day 6, 7, & 8: A Christmas Collage

Okay..  I apologize for slacking on my blog series.  I have been unbelievably busy the past few days.

Honestly, I feel a little guilty for actually sitting down with my laptop to write a blog post.

Since I missed a few days, I'm just going to do a little "Christmas Collage" to catch up and actually finish on Christmas Eve now.

Day Six: Christmas Card

So I love sending Christmas cards.  And I LOVE receiving Christmas cards in the mail.  To look over and see my Christmas tree full of Christmas cards sent to me from my next door neighbor, an old friend in Tennessee, a beloved family member, or even a bloggy friend in Maryland just makes my heart happy.

(Rabbit trail: I don't think that we send actual mail, snail mail- you know the stamped kind, enough anymore.  It's such a sweet surprise to see a note in the mail from a friend and not just a bill or sale paper.  I'm going to try to send more mail this year.)

I usually plan the Christmas card in advance, but this year, I still have some to mail out.  Maybe they'll reach the recipient by New Year.

It's not fancy, but these were the pictures on our Christmas Greeting.



Getting a decent looking picture of all of us was a total nightmare.  I had several family photo sessions and finally got the pictures by editing, editing, and more editing.



Day 7: Candlelight Worship Service

If you remember my post on traditions, you'll know what this is about.

Every year, the last Sunday night before Christmas, our church hosts a Candlelight Worship Service.  We worship outside, no matter how cold, with our candles; and we usually have some some special "treat".  We've had a snow machine in the past and the last couple of years, we've had fireworks.  We have gone for the past four Christmases.  

Well this Christmas was no exception.  It wasn't too cold so I decided to keep the kids with us.



These pictures were taken with my hubby's iPhone.  I have a really nice camera that never has a memory card in it :-(

Regardless, the night was special as we had two testimonies given.  One from a lady I am so honored to call "friend".  I recorded it, but it won't fit on Vimeo.


Day 8: "Joseph's Lullaby"

I sing make a joyful noise in our church's choir.  I have enjoyed being in the choir so much.  I love all the members.  My church is a family, but the choir is my immediate family.  My husband as well as my mother in law, father in law, two of my brother in laws, and one of my sister in laws also sing in the choir.  It's a family affair ;-)

Did you know that my hubby is also a terrific singer?  He actually had a solo in our Christmas musical this year.  I've got that recorded as well, but it's also too large for Vimeo.  I'd love to share it  if I could.

Anyway, this year, one of the songs in our Christmas musical was "Joseph's Lullaby".  It was a beautiful song sang by the tenors and basses in four part harmony.  It really sets in the reality of our Savior coming as a human baby and from His earthly parents' perspective.  I can't hardly listen to it without crying.  I actually had to pull over the first time I listened to it.  

Go to sleep my son
This manger for Your bed
You have a long road before You
Rest Your little head.

Can You feel the weight of Your glory?
Do You understand the price?
Or does the Father guard Your heart for now
so You can sleep tonight.

Go to sleep my son.
Go and chase Your dreams.
This world can wait for one more moment.
Go and sleep in peace.

I believe the glory of heaven
is lying in my arms tonight.
But Lord, I ask that He for just this moment
simply be my Child.

Go to sleep my son.
And baby close Your eyes.
Soon enough You'll save the day,
but for now, dear Child of mine,

Oh my Jesus,
sleep tight.

Friday, December 16, 2011

Twelve Days of Christmas- Day 5: Early Christmas Presents

I have been on the hunt for a white wooden highchair, or at least a wooden highchair that I could paint right.  And I know that beggars can't be choosers, but I really wanted one with a sliding tray.  I really didn't care- old, new, used, whatever.  No luck anywhere.

Then, a friend of my husband's from high school (she also happens to be one of my Facebook buddies), Autumn, who refinishes furniture making it shabby chic posted a picture of a high chair she had just refinished.

It. Was. Perfect.

It was wooden. It was white.  It was distressed.  It had a sliding tray.  Did I mention it was perfect?

Guess who went and bought it from her the next day?  

I was excited to get and visit her and her sweet babies and I left with a treasure!  



Isn't it pretty?  I can just see my little rosy, blue eyed beauty sitting in it this spring.  And pink balloons tied to it for her birthday!

We also got another early Christmas present yesterday and it was very, very special.

Yesterday we saw Jude's cardiologist.  You know that guy we used to have to see every week.  
Well he said all the measurement readings from Jude's scan yesterday looked NORMAL! 
No concerns.  No worries.  

We are going to continue seeing him once a year unless a problem arises.  And we are going to continue on the plan of letting Jude grow out of his heart med dosage. 

The cardiologist was also very happy to meet Miss Aubrey Lane.  He did a scan on her before she was born this spring, in case you forgot.  He was also the doctor who was very encouraging in our desire to grow our family.  

He told us that Jude looked awesome.  And that we were doing an great job taking care of him.

I remember feeling like I was going to hyperventilate every time I walked into that office. However, yesterday we floated out of there on cloud nine.

Praises to our Father who has touched and healed Jude's heart!!

Have you gotten or given any early Christmas presents?




Thursday, December 15, 2011

Twelve Days of Christmas- Day 4: Christmas Cuties









Some posts don't need any words at all!
:-)

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Twelve Days of Christmas-Day 3: Traditions

Before I get started, am I the only nerd that sang "Tradition" in my head from "The Fiddler on the Roof" when you read the post title?  Probably so, lol. 

Who doesn't love a tradition?  Especially a Christmas tradition.

I am such a creature of habit, though.  I like doing the same things on the same time and same day every year.  


I. Love. It.

In a world that is so unstable and full of heartache, I want to provide my children with as much stability and security as possible.

Of course the best way to provide that is to raise them in a Christ centered home.  
But you can also provide lots of traditions for your family to depend on every year.

The point of these traditions is to make memories.  When I am old and gray and my children are busy raising their own children, those memories will be completely priceless to me.

Well we have one solid Christmas tradition that Lane and started on our first Christmas when we were dating.

Every year we decorate the Christmas tree and order pizza.  Then we watch a Christmas movie- usually "Elf"; however, this year we watched the SEC Championship game.

See?  It's so simple, but something just makes my heart smile when the tree goes up and Lane automatically asks me if I want him to go ahead and order the pizza.


(It's a little bare, I changed our whole Christmas colors scheme this year)
This year, we started putting our Christmas cards we receive on the Christmas tree.  I think it looks very sweet.  And Lane likes it too.

We have another little tradition that we do every Christmas Eve before we head to Lane's family's house.  While we are all dressed in our (coordinating) Christmas best, we take pictures in front of the Christmas tree.  I love to see how we've changed over the years and how my babies have grown.  
  
We also participate in our church's candlelight Christmas service every year the Sunday night before Christmas.  It's such a special time to share with our church family.

And as you read yesterday, we also introduced Wilbur, our scout elf on the shelf, this year.  I can't wait to have so much fun with him.  I have already decided that sometime right around Thanksgiving every year, we will have a special breakfast to welcome Wilbur back every season.

These are just a start.  I know that the best traditions and memories happen on their own.

What are your family's traditions?

A Reply for Santa..

After posting Day 2 of my Twelve Days of Christmas series, I got only two responses.
However, two responses were all I really needed.

If you missed the post last night you can just click here to read it.

Back to the responses- I'm posting the second comment first. It was written by a friend from my hometown, Whitney, doing her best to raise two little girls in a Godly manner.  

I wanted to share her comment because it offers a practical way to combine true Christmas meaning and Santa- plus the gift giving tip!  EXCELLENT! 

“Angel,

this month- after our girls say their prayers each night we follow up on the true meaning of Christmas and how we should focus more on Jesus and why he was born more than Santa, elves, snowmen, etc. 
I have also tried to incorporate the ''Baby Jesus'' rule...3 gifts were given to Jesus, so 3 is good enough for them. That makes it a little easier for me not to go overboard and go to crazy with gifts. 
Hope that helps!!
*Plus, they think Santa works for Jesus, lol.”

The first response I'm posting next, was from a very sweet sister in Christ, Melanie, who has raised four children in a Christian home.  I admire her faith greatly.  When she shared her comment, I thought that it was so elegantly put that it needed to be shared, because maybe, just maybe I am not the only Christian mom on the fence about Santa.

“Loved your post. I understand both ways also. With my sons I was a little more anti Santa. I was a rather new Christian and still caught in a lot of legalism. I did take them to see Santa and took pictures with them but never told them he was real. They always knew where their presents came from. Years later and a little more balanced. I did things a little different with my twin girls. They took pictures and I left presents unwrapped for them say Santa doesn't wrap. After that they knew the unwrapped gifts were from Santa. Not sure when they finally realized Santa wasn't real but it was fun to pretend. God gave us an imagination and pretending is part of childhood. Which ever way each family chooses to handle it is a personal choice. There is no condemnation to those in Christ Jesus. As long as we teach them more about Jesus and His birth than Santa I think we are ok.”


Did you get the most important part of that comment?  

"There is no condemnation to those in Christ Jesus."

Powerful!

I think, even as steadfast Christians, we need to be reminded the simple truth.  I know I did.

Do you have an opinion you would like to share?


Tuesday, December 13, 2011

12 Days of Christmas-Day 2: Do You Believe?

To Santa or Not To Santa?


Okay... Today's post is a little late.  (I didn't promise they would all be posted in timely fashion) Anyway- today's topic is more of a thought provoking question and maybe a little advice for a mama on the fence about a big subject..
SANTA!

I grew up in a home where we believed in Santa.  And, well, my husband grew up in a home that didn't talk about Santa.  So therefore, we are not both on board for either route. 

 I don't know what kind of relationship you have with your spouse, but I have a hard time doing anything with my family if my husband and I aren't 100% on the same page.

In case I haven't been obvious enough about it in my former posts, let me just boldly state:

WE ARE CHRISTIANS RAISING CHILDREN TO BECOME CHRISTIANS!

and well I've noticed a trend that a lot of Christians don't teach there children to believe in Santa Claus because it can distract them from the true reason for Christmas.  Or about lying to their children then later having to traumatize them when they reveal that Santa never brought them toys.  

While all that is understandable, I still have a lot of Christian friends that do play the role of St. Nick in their homes.  And I think I want to have a Santa believing home as well.  I mean, I figured out that there was no Santa on my own and I was not traumatized by it at all.

So here are my questions to my Christian families:

Does your family believe in Santa, and your reasons behind your decision?
and
If you do teach Santa, how do you make sure that Jesus is still the main attraction?



And of course if you do believe in Santa, you have these cute little guys to add to your tradition now.

His name is Wilbur.  You all know why :)

I jumped on the bandwagon.  I couldn't resist.  I love, love, love traditions.  And having a cute one to do with my children is going to make so many good memories to share with them when they aren't so little anymore.  Maybe do with their own families.  I would love to someday see my grandchildren doing something I did with my own babies.

Which brings me to tomorrow's post...
Traditions!

I love 'em.  I want 'em.

I'm going to be sharing one that Lane and I have started on our own.  And rather it's been done for generations or started with you, I want to hear yours too!

Hoping your Christmas is being very merry!
Angel


Monday, December 12, 2011

Twelve Days of Christmas-Day 1

I have decided to do a twelve day blog series for Christmas.  Traditionally, the twelve days of Christmas start on Christmas day.  While I just love tradition, in modern days Christmas season ends with the passing of Christmas day.  So I'm starting now and will finish up the day before Christmas Eve.  Isn't that funny- that we have completely swapped the celebration times of the Christmas season.  


Anyway, everyday will have a different Christmas topic: sentimental Christmas memories, a Christmas recipe, a craft, or maybe an inspirational message God put on my heart.  I don't have a schedule- I'm just going to wing it! So here we go.



Favorite Christmas Memory
a sentimental post

As a child, I'm sure I had plenty of happy Christmas times.  However, all of that has dimmed greatly in the presence of an event that would change my life forever; the birth of my first child and my first Christmas as a mommy.

Jude's arrival in mid October of 2007 changed our lives completely.  The birth of any child changes lives, but the birth of a special needs baby goes beyond that.  Life is harder, but moments are sweeter.  

It's very hard to describe but I'll try.  

You see, when you face the tough reality that God has chosen a much different path than you had planned for yourself, a path that seems much more difficult, you have to surrender and truly put your joy in the Lord.  You can't just pretend to have your joy in the Lord when things are going good.  It has to REALLY be there.

When this happens- really happens, memories are made differently.  At least they are in my experiences.  

During the moment a memory is in the making, you have to stop and push all the negative to the back and highlight the sweet moments.  In this process, the ordinary moments become extraordinary and everyday events become precious memories. For example, instead of enjoying certain moments of an occasion, you are thrilled that the occasion occurred at all.

All this leads me up to my favorite Christmas memory.

The day we brought Jude home from the NICU the first time.  He was almost eight weeks old.  And in the world's standards, it wouldn't have been that great of a homecoming.  He came home with a feeding tube, scars fresh from surgery, and a daily visit from a home health nurse.  

But MAN, were we so excited to finally bring our baby boy home!!

To bring him into any room we wanted without the hassle of tubes and wires.  To be able to bring him places with us like church or his grandparents home.  To be able to hold him whenever we wanted without the permission of a nurse or doctor. It was so exciting!

On our way home from the hospital, we decided to get our very first Christmas tree as a family. We stopped at Home Depot and picked out a pretty little tree.  Then we came home and put nothing but white lights on it.  Then we sat Jude in his boppy in front of the tree and he was just amazed by all the lights.  It was wonderful.

There was nothing exciting about the day, nothing fancy about the tree, but it is one of my favorite Christmas memories.

Christmas 2007
This is not a photo from that day, but a picture from our first Christmas as a family.

What is your favorite Christmas memory?


Another wonderful Christmas memory can be read about by clicking here.



Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Four Months


Aubrey Lane, you are FOUR MONTHS OLD!!!

The stats are on the picture, but you weigh 14 pounds and are 24 inches long.  You are just below the 50th percentile in height and just below the 75th percentile in weight.  You wear 3-6 months or 6 months clothes, and you just started wearing a size 2 diaper.  You have your very first cold right now, but other than that you have been pretty healthy.

Your milestones are about the same.  You pick your upper body up when on your tummy, and you are trying so hard to roll over unto your tummy from your back.  You also like to stand anytime I hold you.  Lately, you have started pulling your knees under you when you're on your tummy. 

About a month ago at 3 months, you decided that you no longer wanted a pacifier or a bottle.  So it's just me and you baby girl.  Your pediatrician normally doesn't suggest cereal or solids until closer to 6 months for thriving breastfed babies.  However, since you no longer take a bottle, she has given the okay to start you on rice cereal so that Mommy can have a date with Papa every now and then and not worry about you starving.

You still really enjoy your swing.  We have started putting you in your jumperoo and you really enjoy that too!  You have started watching TV which absolutely blows my mind.  We have your Praise Baby DVD in the car and it helps with road trips because you still don't like to ride that much.  It's not the ride that bothers you; it's the car seat.  You scream every time we buckle in it, but are quieted by Papa giving it a couple swings.

Aubrey Lane, you are such a beautiful baby.  Your eyes are still blue and your complexion is still so rosey.  People are constantly stopping me to oooh and awe over you.  They often ask me if I put make up on you because you're so pretty, but I don't.  You are just naturally so beautiful.

You are a pretty laid back baby, never too fussy (only in church, haha, which you will start going to the nursery this week).  You laugh and coo for us; however you are tough crowd.  We have to work hard for those rewards.  But we gladly do so.

I hope you get to read this blog one day kiddo.  It tells the story of our family.  The stories behind the legacy we are working hard to leave you and your brother.  I love you very much!

Happy Four Months, a little late,
Mommy
Monday, November 21, 2011

I hear you!

Today I am taking my sweet Aubrey Lane and little Jude Dude to Woman's Center for Wellness. Aubrey Lane is having her hearing rechecked. Because Jude is hearing impaired, Aubrey will
have to get her hearing checked regularly. I think...

Nothing is telling me Aubrey's hearing is impaired as well, but prayers are appreciated!

As for Jude, he is picking therapy back up at Woman's. He finished preschool at LSU until next semester, and we are resuming speech, occupational, and physical therapy. I am a little excited about this because all of these therapist are like family to us. Plus I'm not sure how much private therapy Jude's school schedule will allow for next year so I want to get as much as we can now.

I'm going to make a stronger attempt at blogging updates on Jude and Aubrey Lane. I feel very revived in my outlook on Jude's development. I believe- scratch that- I know that the Lord spoke to my heart through our Pastor's sermon yesterday morning!

Don't worry- I will divulge all that wonderful stuff later. For now I've gotta run!
Friday, November 4, 2011

HI!

To say it is National Blog Posting Month, I'm not doing so well :-(


I have good excuses...  Two of them! Jude and Aubrey Lane ;-)


We've had lots of school and therapy, several doctors appointments, an ear infection, a stomach virus, and tons of hugs and kisses.  


We've been a busy family.


Well I actually have three good excuses.  The Mustard Seed Boutique is actually growing and I'm getting some steady business.  I delivered a couple of orders this week!


I'm working on my Etsy store right now and getting it up soon!  


I'm thankful for the little extra income to help out!  


Other than that, Fall is officially here- calendar wise and weather wise.  And we are really enjoying it.  I'll have to post some pictures soon!  Maybe tonight or tomorrow.


I hope everyone is well!
Angel
Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Three Sweet Months

I can't believe that my sweet Aubrey Lane is already three months old!!!


Aubrey, at three months your little personality is starting to come through.  You are very sweet for everyone but you prefer your Mommy over anyone.


You love to smile and laugh and coo all the time, especially after you have just been fed.


You are usually a good sleeper and you sleep about 9 straight hours a night!  However, you hate to be out after dark.  If we are in the car after dark, you cry until we get home :-(


You have discovered your hand and your big brother.  You watch him constantly and think he is very funny.


You're a spitter... anyone who holds you for more than five minutes knows this.


Your looks have started to change some.  Once you looked just like your Papa, but since you've started rounding out the consensus is that you now look more like me.  Your hair is starting to lighten up, your eyes are still a grey blue, and you have such a rosy complexion.  You are really beautiful!


You have only had 3 bottles so far and you don't care for them much.  You have only stayed in the nursery a couple of times.  And you go everywhere with Mommy.  


You are such a sweetie!

  
Can't wait to see what the next month holds!
Monday, October 17, 2011

Dedicated and Celebrated

This weekend was a super busy weekend for our family, and all the exciting stuff happened on Sunday.

First we got up early and dressed the Jude dude and Aubrey Lane in their matching outfits and headed off to church to meet the rest of the family for Aubrey Lane's baby dedication.


 This was the only family picture I could get with the kids kinda looking at the camera.

I bought Aubrey Lane's dress at a sweet little boutique in Zachary and I made Jude's jonjon to match.  I was so proud of them; however, Aubrey Lane's dress upstaged Jude's outfit.  Everyone kept asking me if I made Aubrey's dress because it was so beautiful.  And let me clarify: I DON'T SMOCK!  And honestly, I'm not sure if I want learn how to smock.  I would love to be able to put my name as maker on a sweet little smocked outfit for Aubrey Lane, but I really don't have the time or resources to do such right now.

Regardless, I have learned my lesson.  If I make a sweet outfit for one of my babies, I need to dress the other baby down or make sure they are both in homemade outfits, lol

She's such a sweet girl.


After baby dedication, we headed to the park for Jude's birthday party.
Jude LOVES anything Eric Carl so we did "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" themed birthday party.



 Jude had a blast playing in the park, and I think the rest of the children did too!
Maybe Jude had a little too much fun?  He slept through 30 minutes of the party.

My mom and other sweet friends held Aubrey Lane so we could play with Jude!





The park was too cool.  It is a handicapped accessible park with wide play areas and wheel chair ramps on the toys.  It also has a splash park which I should have told guests to bring swimsuits but I had no idea the temp would be near the 90's during mid October.

We had a great but exhausting day.  I feel so blessed that I got to dedicate my daughter to raise to love Jesus and celebrate another year with my sweet son, Jude!

Later that evening, I came home and told Aubrey that this week she will be 3 months old so it was time for her to roll over now.  I put her on her mat on her tummy and she rolled right over like all I had to do was ask her :-)  We were so excited!  

Despite the busyness, it was truly a great day.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Happy Birthday Jude!!

Today is my sweet redhead's FOURTH birthday!!  

Happy Birthday Jude!!!

I can't believe it's been four years already, but at the same time I can't remember life without him.


Just a few hours old.


 ONE year old!

TWO years old!

THREE years old!

FOUR YEARS OLD!!!
(well actually last day as a three year old)

This was a really big year for Jude.  He started walking in his gait trainer, sitting up on his own, crawling, pulling up, learning to eat crackers, starting preschool, moving to a "big boy" bed, and becoming a big brother.

We are so blessed to have another year with our sweet boy.  Every minute is a gift.  
  
Thank you, God, for loaning one of your most precious creations to us to love so much!

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Park Weather

Have I mentioned to you before that I just love this time of year?  I think I have a time or two.

I have been on a mission to clean my house super good the past couple of days. (Hasn't had a super good cleaning since Aubrey Lane arrived) But today when I stepped outside, the weather reminded me that I have two bigger priorities than a mopped floor.  So when the mister came home for lunch, I announced that when he got home from work we were taking the kids to the park; I don't care how dirty the house is.

So this afternoon rolled around and we headed to the park.



Jude had a blast sliding, swinging, and teeter tottering...



Aubrey Lane was there to enjoy the park too.


She just enjoyed it in her own little way :-)

We had a great playtime and plan to do it way more often.

Sweet Pea

My little sweet pea, Aubrey Lane, is TWELVE weeks old today!


It's going by way too quickly.