Merry Christmas from our family to yours....

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Your baby blues
So full of wonder

Your curly cues

Your contagious smile And as I watch

You start to grow up All I can do is hold you tight Knowing clouds will raise up
Storms will race in
But you will be safe in my arms
Rains will pour down
Waves will crash all around
But you will be safe in my arms

Story books full of fairy tales
Kings and queens and the bluest skies
My heart is torn just in knowing
You'll someday see the truth from lies

Knowing clouds will raise up
Storms will race in
But you will be safe in my arms
Rains will pour down
Waves will crash all around
But you will be safe in my arms

Castles they might crumble
Dreams may not come true But you are never all alone
Because I will always
Always love you Happy 3rd Birthday, Brooklyn Marie,
Mommy will ALWAYS love you!

Huh!?

Mommy, what is THAT!?

Don't just do it for the holidays

I've heard it twice just tonight and I have to say I completely agree with it. What have I heard? That people (i.e. homeless, less fortunate people, orphans, etc.) need help all year and not just during the holiday season (starting at Thanksgiving and continuing until Christmas). This makes perfect sense to me and it makes perfect sense that if you're going to help these people out during the holiday season, why not take on the task of helping them out all during the year?

Tonight at our Advent church service, our pastor reminded all of us that it is so much better to give than to receive, which is so true. And, then he pointed to the Angel Heart gift tags hanging from the Christmas tree in the narthex. He made the comment that he didn't understand why we were giving gifts to these people now. Why not give them gifts in July when they are not getting anything? After all, don't people have needs all year long and not just during the holidays? Good point, and yes.

Then, as I'm watching the 9 o'clock news, there's a segment about people volunteering at the Denver Rescue Mission and how the volunteer coordinators would much rather people sign up to help in January or February because they will need people then too. Good point.

It's a great thing - helping people out that need it - but I think people too often tend to only worry about it during the holiday season because they feel guilty for what they have or feel sorry for those that don't have what they have, or simply want to help others. Part of my family has been asked to not give gifts this Christmas but instead do something for another family and a child in the name of Jesus. I get it. It's a good idea. But I certainly don't want to just give to these people this December and then come March, or heck August, forget they exist until November or December when the holidays roll around again and I'm feeling extra giving.

And, then, I think about Salvation Army volunteers that stand outside various stores ringing their bell in hopes of getting people to put money in their kettles. Shouldn't these volunteers be out there 365 days a year and not just in December?

I guess what I'm saying is, if you're going to give to people this year, challenge yourself to give to them all year long, not just during the holiday season because people have needs year round.

Happy Thanksgiving

I have a lot to be thankful for this year and every year. I have a beautiful family, an amazing husband, two beautiful precious little girls, a loving mom and dad, loving in-laws, a loving sister, two caring grandmas, wonderful girlfriends and friends, a brother-in-law protecting my right as an American by serving in Iraq, a sweet dog and a roof over my head .. I could go on forever.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL!

I keep smiling...

About four months ago, my boss pulled me in her office to finalize my maternity leave plans. Since I work part time and in a department of two people, including myself, we discussed the need to hire someone to "replace" me while on leave. This person would work the same days that I did, sit at my desk, assume my responsibilities and because the nature of my business is advertising sales, take care of my accounts and my clients. We set out to find someone, and it really didn't take too long before a lady was hired. She started a good month before I left, giving her plenty of time to learn the ropes and for me to notify my clients who would be able to assist them while I was out on leave. Perfect scenario.

A little after she was hired, my boss pulled me in her office again to talk about a big annual project that our company does and that I did quite a lot for last year. She wanted to strategize and figure out if this is something that I could do while on maternity leave, but at home. It seemed very feasible. We mapped it all out and even after Tierney was born, kept in constant contact via email and phone about the progress.

During one of our phone conversations, my boss told me that she wanted to discuss something else with me. She had been talking with our owner and they wanted to offer me a chance to stay at home with my girls, therefore, they offered me a job as an independent contractor for the company. She told me to think about it and then when I was coming into the office for a meeting with her about the big annual project, we'd discuss it more. After I got off the phone, I felt so good. Naturally, I called Kevin and he thought it sounded great, but we needed more info. So, in the girls and I went to my office to show off Tierney and have the meeting with my boss. She explained their thoughts, expectations and what the job would be, and I accepted.

As I was driving home, I was quite giddy because 1) it's my true heart's desire to be home with my girls, raising them, being there for everything with them; 2) this was an answer to prayers; 3) my desire to be home was never anything I had mentioned, discussed or talked about at work to my boss or even to co-workers and 4) I was basically given a promotion as I won't be working in the same department or doing the same kind of selling. As I made calls telling family and friends about this incredible gift I was given by my boss, I kept smiling. And, I keep smiling, even weeks later.

35 months & 6 weeks

Brooklyn is exactly 35 months old today and it's also Tierney's six week birthday. These milestones, if you will, are leaving me with the distinct feeling that my girls are growing up way too fast. I look at Brooklyn and I no longer see a toddler, she's totally a little girl, having lost all of her baby look. She can carry a conversation like she's an adult. And, Tierney is growing like a weed. At her one month appointment last week, she weighed 9 pounds, 5 ounces and was 22.5 inches tall (that's almost 2 more pounds and 2 inches taller that when she was born). She's smiling and cooing. It's so incredible. Both of my girls will always be my babies, no matter how big or old they are, and I feel so blessed to be their Mommy. I love them more than they will ever know.

Here's a few fun current photos of them...

Brooklyn in Daddy's wig

demonstrating how old she's about to be

An attempt at catching Tierney's beautiful smile

Sisters before their baths, just talking away

A trip to the grocery store

Brooklyn has found a new catch phrase that she throws in from time to time when she's surprised by something, and even though we don't really want her saying it, I am going to borrow her phrase: "Holy Crap!" I'm saying this in response to the amount of money that we saved at the grocery store this afternoon.

Our neighborhood King Soopers had a grand reopening today. They sent out a 10% off coupon to either everyone with a King Soopers card who shopped at the store, or most likely to the residents within a certain mile vicinity of the store. We got that coupon in the mail last Thursday, and I called Kevin and work all excited and told him our weekly grocery shopping trip would wait until today. So, Kevin worked a half day today because he covered the election last night at work, and when he came home we ran a few errands with the last one being to the grocery store. As we drove up, we knew that we were not the only ones with this wonderful idea. The parking lot was so full it quickly reminded me of the mall parking lot around Christmas time. Cars were going up and down aisles, circling around trying to find a spot. We found our spot and joined the other hundreds of shoppers eager to explore the new store, sample the food and drinks that the staff was providing and to get a deal on their groceries, just like us.

It really was a mob scene at the free sample stands. I couldn't help but notice these two girls, who I assumed were sisters jumping from one sample stand to the next one. I also noticed or rather bumped into who I think was their grandmother at the sushi sample stand. There was two pieces of sushi left to sample and there was her and I, so you'd rationally think that there was one for me and one for her. Nope. She looked at me and then at the samples which the two girls had just almost cleared out and said I suppose you want one too. I said yes, but if she was wanting both, it was fine. She grabbed her one very quickly and told me to have the other, which I did and gave it to Brooklyn to try as she didn't miss a beat with interest in having the free samples. As we wandered further into the store, I noticed the two girls were moving very fastly from stand to stand several times devouring all the free samples. So, my thought was the grandmother figure that brought them there clearly was using this grocery shopping experience as the girls after school snack. I just felt sorry for the other people that the girls were running over in their pursuit of a free snack.

Then just a few minutes later, over the intercom, we hear that everyone needs to check their grocery carts to make sure that the cart they're pushing has their groceries in it and not someone else's. I just kind of chuckled to myself and looked at Kevin. He said that there was a man who lost his cart, and was looking for it. After the announcement, Kevin said he saw the man going up and down aisles and when he came down the one we were in, he looked in our cart to make sure the food in there was not his. Okay, first off, how sad and lazy that someone took another person's cart, but then you start to wonder why doesn't the guy just start his shopping over. I realize that yes it would be frustrating and probably a pain in the butt to have to start your shopping again, but I guess as long as you didn't pay for anything, have a kid or your wallet in the cart, it can be done and it will all be okay. The guy did end up having to grab a new cart and start all over, but he didn't look too happy about it. I guess the lesson here is hold on to your cart, you never know who you're grocery shopping with.

When we finally made our way to the checkout lanes, I got to say hi to the very friendly cashier that I always try to go to when I go to the grocery store. She was on the 15 items and under lane, so that didn't work but I did get to say hi and show Tierney to her. We talked a lot when I was pregnant and she asked about my baby before I even had a chance to show Tierney to her. As the checkout lady was scanning our groceries with Brooklyn's help of handing groceries to her, she asked if I had my King Soopers card. I said I did but wanted to wait until the end to put the number in. After the final item was entered, I put in the phone number for the Soopers card, and watched as the amount that was due dropped further and further down. And, then I handed my coupons to her (the 10% off coupon amongst them), and watched the amount drop even more. Kevin got to see it too, and let me tell you that yes, I may be a dork, but watching the amount drop so fast and at the end of the order before you have to pay just makes my day. And, how much did we save you might be asking? Well, we saved 38% of our entire order which came out to $64. That made my day, and it made this grocery shopping experience so memorable that I had to share it here!!

Tierney's Baptism

This day marks a very special day for our family, and a very special day in particular for Tierney as she was baptized. As our pastor told us before the baptism, there are three times a child is born. The first upon conception, the second upon birth and the third on the day of their baptism. The pastor encouraged us and Tierney's godparents to remember this day for Tierney each year and celebrate it as her spiritual birthday. We've done this with Brooklyn's baptismal birthday and we plan to do the same with Tierney. We praise the Lord for our baby girl and promise to raise her in His word and by the example we set.

"Teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the

Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." -Matthew 28:19

A photo to commemorate the day with our family
and Tierney's godparents (Todd & Jessica) and their kids.

There's only one October

Our family just loves this time of year with the leaves changing and the temperatures dropping from the hot summer heat to the cool crisp fall air. The cooler weather means that it's time for our annual trip to the pumpkin patch which can only mean Halloween is right around the corner, followed closely by Thanksgiving, Brooklyn's birthday and Christmas. The last three months of the year are just the best.

Here's a few shots of our annual pumpkin patch trip.

And, our pumpkins with their pumpkins... Brooklyn and Daddy all dressed in their Halloween best...

(Tierney went as a baby and Mommy went as well a Mommy of two!)

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Next up for our family: Tierney's baptism on Sunday.

A beagle, a table and a leash

Here's what happens to one 7-year-old beagle who invests all of his time after our dinners tripping those cleaning up, jumping up on the chairs and table in hopes of gaining another scrap of food, licking the trash can and recycling bin, and pretty much, just being a big dork! Yes, Kevin grabbed his leash and collar and tied him up to our kitchen table, the one that he cannot seem to leave alone after meals. I was nursing Tierney in another room and when I heard and saw what was going on, I started laughing so hard. I paused the nursing for a few moments because I was laughing so hard and I ran and grabbed the camera to take this photo. He only stayed there for about 10 minutes, and did it teach him a lesson? Heck no. To learn more about our dog, check out Kevin's column about how smart our lovable beagle is.

Happy Birthday Daddy & Tierney!

Today is a special day in our household. It's Kevin's 29th birthday and Tierney's 1 week old birthday ... both October babies! We've had a great day. Kevin got to indulge in some of his favorite foods for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and well Tierney, she's a breastfeeding champion. Not only do Daddy and Tierney share October as their birth month, they also share the same hairline and the same fingers and toes. It's always fun to see who your children look like, or better yet, which features they have of each parent or in our case of our other child. She definitely has Brooklyn's little nose! We're ending the night with some great family time, and we're really enjoying being a family of four - it's just the best!! And, as per my sister-in-law's request, here are some more photos of Tierney enjoying her first week of life.

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Tierney - 6 days old

Sisters & Best Friends

Mommy & her girls
Flying baby
Our dancing baby

At home

We got home Thursday night from the hospital, and we're loving being a family of four. It definitely has its challenges, or rather things that we're learning, but overall, we are all having a wonderful time being together and enjoying our precious little baby Tierney. Brooklyn is as we thought she would be, a terrific big sister. She loves holding, loving and playing with her baby sister. She loves her sister so much that we've had to remind her that babies are very tender and very fragile and that being careful is so important. Kevin and I are enjoying our two precious daughters and are amazed that God entrusted us with their care. Enjoy the new photos.

One day old

Sisterly love

Welcome

Tierney Marie born at 3:54 p.m., Oct. 8.

She weighed 7 pounds and 8 1/2 ounces and measured 20 3/4 inches. Both Mommy and baby are doing well.

October 8??

I had a doctor's appointment yesterday where we learned that my body is still working on getting into the ripe labor shape it needs to be in. With this, my doctor looked at us and suggested we set an induction date just in case. She's a very sweet doctor, very kind, doesn't seem to think of you as just another patient, but a human being and recognizes that having a baby is a life changing event. And, she always gets two thumbs up from both Kevin and I when she acknowledges Brooklyn the first thing she comes in the room. It makes us feel good that she is including our little girl in the process. Normally you have to wait a week before they schedule your induction date, meaning that October 10 would be mine since I am due on October 3. She said she'd cheat a little and would try for Monday, October 6. That day was full and she doesn't work on Tuesdays, and she wanted to set it up with her and not another doctor, so she scheduled me on October 8. So, if I don't go into labor on my own, October 8 is the day. I would, of course, love to go into labor on my own. I've been having some pretty painful contractions, but they don't stick around long enough to constitute actual labor. I'm uncomfortable, sore and tired, all the normal end of pregnancy symptoms.

While I'm very anxious to meet my new baby girl, I am soaking in all the time I have left just Brooklyn and I, because our world is about to change very soon and there's no going back. Getting this close to our baby girl's birth just makes Kevin and I reminisce about the time right before Brooklyn was born. We couldn't imagine how much our lives would change and how rich they could truly become. It's amazing how much a baby changes your life. It's something I wouldn't change for the world though. I absolutely love being a mom, nothing in life is more satisfying and rewarding. Just gazing at Brooklyn from across the room, watching her deep in play and realizing that she's all mine and something that Kevin and I created is just the most incredible feeling. Before I got pregnant this time and even for the first few months, I wondered how I could possibly love this new life inside me the same way I love my first born, but I really believe that your heart grows bigger with each child and I am already head-over-heels in love with my baby girl. I just am extremely eager to meet her, to hold her in my arms, to see what her precious face looks like, to kiss and cuddle her, to look into her eyes, to comfort her, to protect her and to introduce her to the world.

So, October 8 may be the day. The Lord only knows the answer to that question. But, I'd like to throw a question out there to all the moms that are reading this. What did you do to induce labor? I've heard lots of suggestions from eat lots of baked beans to run up and down your stairs in your house 10 times take a break and then repeat for seven times. What worked for you? I'm ready to give a few things a try to see if my baby girl will decide to arrive on her own without an induction.

A toddler and a 9-month pregnant woman?

Brooklyn's favorite band, Maroon 5, was in concert last night. As soon as I heard that this band was going to have a concert in our town, I thought (seriously) that this would be the perfect mother-daughter date to take Brooklyn on. She just absolutely LOVES their music. She sings along with all their songs (knowing a lot of the words) and loves to dance and jump around to the beat. But, when I mentioned this terrific, fantastic, inspired idea to Kevin, he said probably not a good idea. A toddler and a 9-month pregnant woman at a rock concert...yeah, probably not the best combo or idea. And, besides I couldn't have rewound or replayed a couple of her favorite songs for her once they were done with playing it and that could have bummed her out. Brooklyn's real big on repeating the songs over and over. Kevin and I have become very tired of hearing some songs (not just from this band) that we've played per her request over and over and over again. Maybe when she's a bit older and I'm not pregnant, we'll embark on an adventure like this. It sounds like so much fun to this mama!

Maybe, Sometime...

Maybe, sometime soon I'll have this baby. For a person who was not gifted with an incredible amount of patience, the wait is killing me. I know I have a week and two days left until my due date, but I am so ready to go into labor at any moment. My body is telling me something could potentially be happening, but that doesn't mean it will happen right away. I remember being like two centimeters dilated with Brooklyn for a long time and she wasn't born until after her due date. This time around, I have gotten myself so ready that I am already acting like I am passed my actual due date. I am just that ready to welcome my new bundle of girlie joy into my world. Will she come tomorrow? Saturday? Or two weeks from now? I have no clue. It will all be according to God's plan and while that should keep my mind and heart at peace, it's not. I'm trying to be patient, but it's not working so well. I just really want to hold my little baby girl and introduce her to her big sister and begin the next stage of my life as a mommy of two precious little girls. I'm just so ready...please, oh, please, let labor begin soon!

If I only had a brain...

Pregnancy brain has recently hit HARD!!

I can't seem to complete simple tasks like coming up with a list of things for the junior youth kids to draw for a pictionary-like game. This morning I thought I lost my keys so I took a back-up one and within five minutes of being gone from home, discovered the key IN my purse. It was there the whole time. Imagine that! I can't count how many times I walk to the front of my office with an intent to do something, and by the time I have walked the 50 yards, I can't remember what I was going to do. My boss has given me some awkward looks and questions like "are you coming to see me?" I say no and head back to my desk. And, the list goes on.

So, let's bring on my 37th week... where will my brain be this time next week?