love love love

i love these girls. do you know why? because all of them woke up early on a cold and cloudy saturday morning that was perfect for sleeping in...put on makeup...drove to a nail salon and set up a table with delicious breakfast, flowers and gifts...and waited for me to arrive, in order to surprise me with a little shower for the baby boy that will join our family in a few short weeks. they are so sneaky! i thought i was meeting lindsay for a pedicure with a christmas giftcard from her mom...and what do you know? some of my nearest and dearest friends were in on the whole thing. and yes, i cried a little. and i don't blame it on the hormones.
i love these girls.

Sick!

Okay, honestly. Since about 2 weeks before Christmas until now I feel like there is something going on health-wise in my house. It started with Justin who had some sort of virus...like a bad cold...meanwhile Lily had a bad ear infection 2 days before Christmas (when I discovered Walgreens ready clinic - I'm a fan!)...then Lily and I both had milder versions of Justin's virus over Christmas...then Justin started new medication that made him sick to his stomach for about a week solid...and for the past couple of weeks Lily hasn't been sleeping so well at night, which I attributed to teething...but then on the way home from Memorial Park yesterday (while I was in galleria/610 traffic) the poor baby says "mommy, tummy hurt" and then proceeds to start throwing up EVERYWHERE...this continues about every hour until 1:15ish last night...I'm tired. She seems better, thankfully...

Can I get a little prayer for healthy bodies in my house?

Happy Birthday tomorrow, Lily Grace

Two Years Old. You have been the greatest addition to our lives - far beyond what we could have asked or imagined. You make us laugh, stir our hearts with a crazy mix of affection, responsibility and protectiveness, you bring joy to darker moments, and you definitely keep us busy!

In the last year you have gone from walking, to running, to "hopping" and "hopscotch." You have become incredibly talkative - some of my favorite things you're saying right now are:

"I yyyike it!" or "I yyyyove it!" (I like it, I love it)
"Deeeeyicious!" (Delicious)
"I love you too."
"I ha some gapes" (your dad's personal favorite...I have some grapes)
"dear jesus, food, amen" (your version of saying our thanks for our food...i love it!)
"mommy, stop talking" (not a personal fave but hilarious when you said it for the 1st time)

You still refuse to keep clips or bows in your hair, but you are incredibly girly and nurturing with your dolls, minnie, giraffe, friends....you got bitten at school (AGAIN!) and I asked your teacher if you bite too and she said "No, Lily hugs a lot." You like to make things "all better" and even kissed the table the other day after cleaning up some applesauce you had spilled.

You are quick to stop crying when something doesn't go your way, quick to forgive and get back to playing, and very flexible to go with the flow. You are energized by being around others - like your mama - and at the same time you are fine with playing at home all day (especially if that includes watching Horton Hears a Who or the Disney Channel!)

You love to run to the door yelling "Daddy home!" when you hear Daddy's car pull up in the driveway, and it cracks me up to hear your laughing from the other room as "daddy get you" and tickles you all over...and he recently taught you how to give a big "SMOOCH" which is a new joy to us as well.

Happy birthday baby girl. I can't imagine going through a single day without you.

love,
Mommy

An Answer...

At the end of my mini-update post yesterday I mentioned wanting to find something to focus on in personal study - I confess that this is an area that has been painfully lacking in the last few months...a time when I really need it to be consistent! Anyway, this morning I had a few minutes to sit and eat a waffle while Lily watched Little Einsteins before the morning rush of getting us both ready and out the door was to commence. I opened my Bible to James and began reading...and these passages jumped out at me (this is from the Message):

" 22-24Don't fool yourself into thinking that you are a listener when you are anything but, letting the Word go in one ear and out the other. Act on what you hear! Those who hear and don't act are like those who glance in the mirror, walk away, and two minutes later have no idea who they are, what they look like.

25But whoever catches a glimpse of the revealed counsel of God—the free life!—even out of the corner of his eye, and sticks with it, is no distracted scatterbrain but a man or woman of action. That person will find delight and affirmation in the action.

26-27Anyone who sets himself up as "religious" by talking a good game is self-deceived. This kind of religion is hot air and only hot air. Real religion, the kind that passes muster before God the Father, is this: Reach out to the homeless and loveless in their plight, and guard against corruption from the godless world."

I felt a sense of the Lord saying, "this is the way, walk in it." Regardless of what topic or book of the Bible or whatever He leads me to, it will be pointless if I hear it and don't act on it. So I'm starting with this. Asking Him for an obedient heart...and that I won't be full of hot air just because I am familiar with scripture having been exposed to it my whole life. May I be quick to listen, thoughtful, and active in DOING what the Word says.

BFFs

They just don't know it yet...

Mini-Update

Haven't felt much like writing lately...with the busy-ness of the holidays and the big events around the corner, everything has felt either trivial or would require too much writing for it to make sense!!

So, here's the short version of an update, in no particular order:

1. According to my countdown, I'm due in 59 days. Whoa. And no, we don't have a name yet.

2. We are planning on moving to Brenham. That's what you get for saying, "I could never live in a small town!" (Although, admittedly, Brenham is not TERRIBLY small.) Joining a small church-plant called Christ Church, where Justin will be leading worship and we love it...lots and lots of details need to be worked out first (you know, place to live, day job for Justin, all the logistics of actually MOVING...and hopefully before March!) Praying about raising some monthly support...we'll see.

3. Next year I want to "do Christmas" differently. Maybe one big gift and 2 little gifts for Lily from us. More emphasis on Advent in our home. More intentional stillness and reflection. Less drama.

4. Lily is turning 2 this week!!!!! Unbelieveable...I will write about her on Thursday.

5. My little brother got married this past weekend - so now we're all officially married off! We love our new sister Kristie and are really excited for them - even if they are moving far off to Miami!

6. Asking the Lord what to focus on in personal study...lots of things in my life I'd like to address...not sure which to tackle first...suggestions?

That's all for now...