Blue-Eyed Banana Boy

Here is our blue-eyed banana boy! On this particular day he ate like three whole bananas. I think he just thought it was pretty neat that it had a handle and everything. Hope he continues to love good foods like this! Just thought this was funny!

Well, happy day after Thanksgiving! I hope that you all enjoyed your turkey dinners. I know we sure did around here. As usual we ate WAY too much, but I'm sure we'll work it off today!!! This last day of my week of thank, I'd like to say that I'm thankful for my Lord. I know it's last, but definitley not least. God has given me so much and continues to do so day after day. He gives me good health, He gives me the breath I breathe, He provides everything for me to even exist. He is such a loving God who deserves all the thanks in the world. I'm so thankful that He chose me to be one of His children.

"Thank you God for all you have given to me, all you have done for me, and all that you will do for me. I love you."

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

What a wonderful day of thanks. Since we have to be away from our families today I would like to say that I am thankful for them. My family has always been people who I definitely look up to and try to mirror my life after. I'm thankful that the Lord gave me a family that I'm proud to be a part of. It's a little bitter-sweet being away from them today, but we're all together in spirit anyway. Hope you all have a wonderful thanksgiving, whether you're with your families or not!

"Thank you God for the wonderful family taht you have so graciously given to me!"

Today, I want to say that I am thankful for my wonderful husband. It's hard to know where to begin on thanking him for all the things he does for me. He is such a faithful, hard-working provider and never complains about having to go to work day after day.

He always challenges me to "think outside the box". I'll tell him what I'm thinking about a certain issue and he'll come back with a question or comment that makes me think things in a totally different way. He tells me he always tries to look at things from every angle.

He also does little things for me that mean so much. I know that has become a cliche, but it's so true that "it's the little things that matter the most." For our anniversary he bought me a twelve pack of A&W Root Beer because he knows how much I like it but don't get it very often. The guys at his work asked him if he was crazy to bring something like that home for our anniversary. They said, "Do you WANT to be sent to the dog house?" He just laughed and said, "No, I just know my wife." That's another thing, he makes it a point to KNOW me, likes and dislikes.

"Thank you God for giving me such a wonderful man who truly is my other half, who loves me and encourages me."

On this second day of my week of thanks I would like to say that I am thankful for my son. He has truly taught me more than I EVER expected and I'm sure this is just the beginning in that department. He is such a joy to me and a rebuke at the same time. His child-like faith makes me ashamed sometimes. He trusts that mom and dad are going to take care of him and doesn't worry about it whatsoever. I need to trust God that way because he has told me over and over that He WILL take care of me no matter what, yet I continue to doubt when times get tough.

Aaron has also taught me to not be so selfish. I can't count how many times I want to just sit down and read a book or work on a craft or just drink a cup of tea, but Aaron thinks that it's play time and that I NEED to play with him. I've learned that it is better for me to put my wants and desires aside so that my son knows that I love him and am willing to put other things aside for him. "Thank you God for my dear, sweet son who daily reminds me of YOUR love for me!"

I call this the week of Thanks. I realize that we should remember to have a thankful attitude ever day of the year, but we naturally tend to be more thankful during this time of the year. Now see, I personally am a Christmas lover and always have been. Usually I kinda skip over Thanksgiving because I'm so excited about Christmas, but for some reason this year is different. I don't know if it's because I have MORE to be thankful for or what, but Thanksgiving has a whole different meaning this year. So, I'm trying my hardest to squelch my excitement about Christmas and just meditate on the many blessings God has bestowed on me and enjoy this Thanksgiving season.

So on this first day of this week of thanks, I am thankful for God's mercy and grace that he showers me with each and every day of my life. He graciously doesn't give me what I DO deserve, and mercifully gives me what I DON'T deserve. "Thank you God for your goodness to me!"

Thinking about Christmas already!

It's kind of hard not to think about Christmas already, especially for anyone who shops pretty much anywhere. There are trees up, lights, and all sorts of decorations. Hopefully we can remember Thanksgiving comes BEFORE Christmas and enjoy our Turkey and trimmings and reminisce about our God's abundant grace and mercy he abundantly bestows upon us! Happy Early Thanksgiving!!!

On Saturday coming home from Panama City Beach we stopped in Destin for a little ColdStone ice cream (if you've never heard of it, you are missing a REAL treat for sure)! It was a beautiful and even quite warm day. They have this fountain in the middle of the courtyard there and we thought we'd let Aaron run off a little energy. He wasn't quite sure at first, but really enjoyed it once he figured it out. It was great fun just watching him!!! We have to constantly remind ourselves that it's November. I'm so sorry for those of you who are bundled up with sweaters, coats, and hats. I honestly don't mean to rub it in. I'm from Wyoming where it is freezing by now too, so I'm just trying to get used to it because it's so unbelievable for me. Anyway, hope you enjoy the pictures!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARINES!!!!

November 10, 2006

We went to Panama City Beach on Friday night for the annual Marine Corp. Birthday Ball. It was very nice and good to get away for a little change of pace. Just wanted to say Happy 231 st Birthday to the Marines out there!

I saw eggnog in the store while we were grocery shopping and couldn't resist it. We thought we'd let Aaron try it, and of course he loved it! Enjoy the clip!
Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos

Potty Training?

This picture was taken two months ago. We thought we should at least start getting Aaron used to the idea of sitting on a potty. It's all I can do to keep him occupied while he's on there long enough for anything to happen. He's actually gone on the big potty once, but I don't think he realized what he did - he was too busy playing. We decided that maybe he would use a potty chair a little more and that he would think it was pretty neat since it would be just his size. Well, as you can see by the following pictures, he thinks it's more of a toy. He really doesn't like sitting on the little potty chair to actually try to go. However, he does like to sit on it fully clothed. He thinks it's a fun little game. The following picture, I found that he had gone into the bathroom and pushed the potty chair into the living room and proceeded to sit on it, or should I say "in" it and watch Sesame Street. I had to grab the camera and get a picture.

Then he saw me with the camera so he started showing off and really just playing on it.

The other pictures are of him playing with his potty chair on another day. Notice the little potty seat is also there on the floor. Don't worry, it's completely clean! Since this day we've kept that bathroom door shut until we need to go in and use them, IN THE BATHROOM!

But about this potty training thing - I don't really know what I'm doing. I've heard a lot of advice already, but I know there has to be someone out there who has the magic secret. I would love to hear more advice if you have any. By the way, Aaron is 19 months old right now, do you think I'm crazy to start potty training this early? I will keep you updated on the progress, if and when that ever is!!!

Family Fun Night

We had a Family Fun Night at our church last weekend, which is lovingly called by the members - "Trunk or Treat"! It's something the church does to replace Halloween for the kids. Well, it was wet and rainy outside so the usual "trunk or treat" had to be moved inside. Normally everyone decorates their trunks or backs of vans or trucks and the kids go around and get candy from the vehicle's owners. It's great fun for the kids! This year Aaron went as a little Marine and I just thought he was so adorable in his little cammies! Ron and I were going to wear cammies too, but ran out of time. We did have a military themed decorated trunk though, which we just moved inside. We had a sign that wasn't visible in any of the pictures that said, "Some died for many, One died for all". Everyone seemed to like it. After the candy passing out for the kids they had chili and all sorts of food for everyone to eat. Now, I love chili, so I had been looking forward to this night for quite some time!!!! It all was very good and it was a great time of fellowship for everyone!