Baby it's cold outside...

What a beautiful Sunday! It was snowing before we left for church and stopped around four this afternoon. Our day was filled with hot chocolate by the fireplace, playing in the floor and making snow angels. We also took the opportunity to take a quick mini-session of our favorite 10 month old.

Here are a few pics from Eli's 10 month photo shoot!

(Isn't Chris amazing!?! This should totally be the cover of a magazine!)

Don't worry, we made sure that the streets were clear for this photo!

Burrr, momma! It looks cold outside!

Thankful

First and foremost I am thankful that I am forgiven. God knows that I am far from perfect, no matter how hard I try. I am thankful that I serve a loving God who is quick to forgive.


I am thankful for my beautiful, wonderful family. Chris...there are no words. He is more than I could ever dream for in a husband. There is no one else that I would rather spend my life with. Thank you for choosing me, Chris. Our amazing baby boy, Eli. We made a wish...and you came true. These last 10 months as a mom have deepened the depth and breadth of my ability to love more than I have ever know. What an amazing journey. My parents; thank you for your support through every decision that I have made. Thank you for your love for your grandson. Eli is so blessed to have so many people that love him. My cousins, aunts, uncles and grandparents; I learn so much from each one of you. I draw from your strength and your trials. Thank you for your support and love. My in-laws- thank you for your son! Thank you for making him the man he is today. Thank you also for your love for your grandson and welcoming me into your family.


I am thankful for my health and the health of my family and friends. I am thankful that I am able to have the opportunity to be a stay-at-home mom. I am thankful for my freedom to live the way I choose and worship my God without fear of punishment. I am thankful that I have never known true hunger or poverty.


Today I choose an attitude of gratitude because I truly have so much to be thankful for.

Surprise!

It has been a little hairy here lately...



as reflected by Eli's hair one morning last week.




You see, everything was in the works for my Papaw's big surprise birthday party. Family from near and far were coming to gather to celebrate his 85th birthday...

But the surprise was on us. Just days before the celebration weekend, Papaw had a heart attack. After being rescued by Sassy, the Wonder Dog, the ambulance was called and Papaw was taken to the VA hospital. He was then transferred to BSA; there he stayed through two stent operations and finally a by-pass surgery 5 days later.

HA! He must have been mistaken thinking that he would deter our party plans! We just moved our venue to his hospital room!

We did venture out to eat as a family at Nanny's favorite, Furr's. Here are the Kansas crew...isn't baby Max adorable?!?!


Kaci is reading the Twilight series...

Cort and Stef...

Aren't they sweet? Stef is squatting down to make me look taller. They got all of the good genes...(sigh).

Cort, Big Max and my dad...

Mom and Sue...

Lynda and Emma...

Nanny and the girls. (I think that she thought they were making faces at her.)

Eli loved meeting the Kansas crew!

And his uncle Nicky from Houston!

There is one more picture that I would love to put up here. All of my cousins were in Papaw's hospital room at one point. We all gathered around his bed for a group photo. I just love my big, huge family!
If yall are reading this and have a copy send it to me!

10 Months...

It seems like yesterday I was blogging about Eli turning 9 months and today he is 10.


It seems like everyday he learns something new and fun.



He is pulling up on EVERYTHING and cruising along the walls and anything else that he can get balanced on. He has also figured out how to get down from a standing position, but that hardly happens. He is determined to forgo crawling and wants to walk (while we lead) everywhere. He has discovered how to open and pull everything out of the cabinets around the house, leaving plenty of fun clean-up jobs for mommy. Last week he also took his first steps! It was only four steps before he fell, but it won't be long before he is walking everywhere!

He has also discovered how to steal our hearts with just a smile...

He loves bath time...

He has 5 teeth- 2 on bottom and 3 on top.

He is in size 4 diapers, 12 month sleepers and 9-12 month clothes.


It is so fun to see how he is changing everyday.

This month he has added kiwi, apricots, lentils, black beans, cheese (hard), pasta, chicken, and brown rice to his diet. He is also drinking water from a sippy cup. We are eating 3 solid meals a day with every meal having a few finger foods.

I am still making his baby food. Sometimes, I have to admit, I have been jealous of how easy it seems to be to grab a jar and just feed Eli instead of thinking about what I have made and if I am giving him a balanced meal and hoping that he likes it. But, I try to keep in mind that this really is good for him and helping to pave the way for healthy eating in the future.

Here again is his 9 month scrapbook page...

Catch Up...

I am a little behind so here are some fun pics from the end of October!

Isn't my little niece adorable?!?

Eli and I are suppose to be leaving Wednesday for Florida, but I am a little nervous about the hurricane headed that way, so we will see if we get to go!