My favorites from years past...

I love looking through old pictures at Christmas time. Time flies by so fast, and it seems like only yesterday these picture were being taken...

One month old

Kayden and his cousin Lena, loving picture time.

Could this kid be any fatter?

Anyone else have their tree up?

Sorry it took me so long to scan these. I do not have a scanner at home...Looks like a Bird baby already with the long arms and legs:-)

Confession

We had our small group over yesterday evening. Josh and I were running a bit late, so instead of cleaning as we perhaps should have. I shoved in drawers, cupboards, closets, anywhere that was close by and had space.

I found spice drops in my knife drawer, a sippy cup in my pots and pans, and a medium-sized dump truck in my fake corner plant. I still cannot find thank you cards that need to go out tomorrow.

....lesson learned.

Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you...

This year, I am thankful for:

Finding a wonderful church. Josh and I never really got connected in California to a church (our own doing). Through coffee break and small group, I feel like I am growing and connecting to other believers.

I am so thankful for Josh. No one wants to hear mushies on that front, but he is a great guy and I am blessed to have him.

Someone told me when I had Kayden- "Imagine the most work you have ever done in your life, times ten. Now imagine the most joy you have ever felt and times that by eleven. That is what parenting is." I love being a mom, and now I get to do it all over again.

Extended family- one of the things I missed most when I lived in CA was spending time with my parents and brothers. We have always been really close, and I love hanging out with them.

Good health. The new baby is healthy, as are all of us. Example after example lately of young people I know struggling to survive reminds me of how lucky we are to have good health.

Great friends. All of you. I am so grateful for each person in my life right now, as each brings something different I am thankful for.

Loving my job. So much better than waitressing.




I am going to try to get a few ultrasound pictures up soon. It was fun to see the baby yawning and rubbing it's eyes, lots of kicking...Hard to believe it is only still around 14 ounces!

Speaking of babies- Josh's sister had her baby today. A healthy baby boy- Kyler William Young. He was about the same weight as Kayden was when he was born, yet I never remember Kayden being quite that small!

Hope you all had a great day and much to be thankful for.

Tom and Sharon

"Did you know Tom and Sharon went dancing together the other night?" puffy-blond hair lady worker number one asks worker number two, both standing behind the counter at the drug store tonight. If I squint my eyes, worker 2 almost looks like a short Sandra Bullock with glasses.

"You are kidding me, are they dating?" says worker two, rolling her eyes.

I set down two two-liters of Coke, york peppermint patties (on sale right now- 2 bags for $2), and a ring pop for Kayden, waiting patiently to be tended to.

Worker Number one, pensive, tapping her nails on the counter: "Not that I know. Did you know they worked together last week the entire night, though? I wonder if it started then?"

I clear my throat, still waiting to be acknowledged.

"Where did they go dancing?" says worker two, adjusting her red-rimmed glasses.

"I have no idea. Do you think they make a cute couple? Sharon has liked Tom for a while now" says all knowing lady worker one.

"You are kidding, I did not know that" exclaims worker two as she loads up cases of cigarettes.

I clear my throat again.

Reluctantly, worker number one looks down at my Coke and scans it through the system, not yet wanting to leave her conversation. Still looking at worker 2, she carries on uninterrupted as she scans the second coke.

"Yeah, most people didn't," says worker one. Pausing for a moment, "I wonder how long it will last."

A few more nuggets of banter back and forth followed, never once stopping conversation for a hello.

I admit I felt a little....non-existent.

Filed under annoying.

I did get a great consolation prize, though- York peppermint patties. Yum.

-----------------------------------------------

By the way, free shipping on blurb books through Novmember 20th if you want to go that route for Christmas gifts. I have a code, e-mail me if interested.

Potty Time

For most moms, potty training is a four letter word.

We started one week ago, and I was thinking this morning, "Things are going pretty well. A few accidents here or there, but we have used the restrooms in public a few times, he tells me when he needs to go, he even lasted through nursery this past week. This is a pain, but he is doing great!"

...then he went to grandma's for the day.

Six accidents!!! Sorry, mom!

BTW- Is that kid on a blackberry? Addicted to e-mail. He could be mine....

Halloween fun

On Tuesday, we went to my dad's work to Trick or Treat. Workers put out bowls of candy, and you weave in and out of Aeron chairs picking the delights. Kayden ate so much that he threw up, so I have decided I need to help him get through the jar. Apparently this costume makes him look like a girl, however, as he was called one at least four times.

What my kitchen table is really used for.