Fall is here!!!

Fall is here :) And with it has come some really fun projects for Ariah and I to do together. Cornstarch paint, leaf hunts, and making applesauce! At least an hour every morning and every afternoon has been "mommy and me" time. No cleaning (although Ariah did a very good job of cleaning up her paint mess; no joke!) just fun time. She is getting so independent! Still a baby at heart, but she doesn't believe it. I'm excited for what we'll be doing next!

Where has the summer gone?

Well, I was determined to post every day or at least every other day, but, since it is now AUTUMN that has obviously not happened. Oh well. I'll catch you up a little bit :)

Ariah is now walking! She spends very little time on her hands and knees anymore and is trying to bounce:) She said "kitty cat" once (and I have it on video to prove it! lol) but other than that, she talks in her own way. She crawled out of her crib a few weeks ago so it has been transformed into a toddler bed (toddler???? NO!!!!). She's still nurses even though she has ten teeth (she learned early that biting was not an option lol). I can't believe it's been more than a year!!!

We are going to start a little bit of a school of sorts where we will be actively working on body parts and colors as well as some autumn vocab words. I know it sounds like a lot to expect from a one year old, but she loves the one on one time with mommy. I've also started classes up again and there have been many days where I can't think of more than a few minutes where she and I really played together. I HATE that. So, I've decided to come up with a special activities every day for an hour or so where we do a learning activity together that's fun, messy, or active. 

These are some magnets I made out of wallet sized picture frames. Cute huh?

Well, we've had a fun summer. Trips to Kansas City, Virginia, and Salt Lake, but that's A LOT to recap (I'm having a hard enough time doing it for my journal lol). Sufice to say we've had a great summer with our little princess. I'm really looking forward to autumn with her and all the activities we have planned. We've already gone apple picking (which she LOVED) and have so many projects to look forward to! Hopefully I'll be better at blogging, but hey, I'm a busy mommy! (and I love every minute of it!)



My Independent Girl

So, yesterday my little girl decided she was too big for baby food. WHAT?!?!? How is this possible? She's so little! But she says she's ready for adult food so that's what she's getting. You know, it's kind of like being a Christian. We need to realize that we can't grow on the milk we started on forever. There is a point where we realize we need more; we need chunks of the good stuff. I was reminded how little I've been "eating" God's word and the bites of information that have escaped my brain over that time. Well, I'm ready to eat my steak again :) let's hope I don't choke too much! lol

On other news, I just finished reading Pick Another Checkout Lane, Honey. Not only was it a great and easy read, I am now fired up to start saving money with more coupons! I don't expect the big hauls these ladies get, nor do I like the idea of such a big stock pile, but I'm excited to spend pennies and help others in need.

Been awhile....

Well, although it's been awhile since I've posted, there's really not much to say. My baby girl turned 9 months old yesterday :) She's trying so hard to walk and stand. Earlier this week, she started playing a new game with her daddy and I. She would slowly get really close too daddy, then crawl as fast as she could to get into my lap :) Her laugh during this game was so infectious! It was a glimpse at family nights to come.
She is also transitioning into her own crib. I never thought I would let my babies sleep in bed with me, but a night with the furnace blowing out changed my mind. Of course that was last November. So far, it's been going pretty well. Some nights are better than others, but we're all getting the hang of it. Nap time's just about over, but tomorrow I'll have a new devotion to share....Have a great day!

Follow the Leader

Today I was remided by my devotional as well as a friend's story that God is guiding my steps. All I have to do is follow Him. Sounds easy, but it's not always. The road can get dark and unsure, but a prayer can light up that darkness.

A funny little story to go along with this happened earlier this week. I had brought Ariah into the bathroom with me so I could comb my hair and brush our teeth (yes, she has two little teeth now!). Well, Ariah decided to grab onto our VERY furry cat, Teddy, and let him pull her around. She promptly banged her head on the toilet. Be careful who you let lead you or you may end up with a bump.

Adventures in Crawling

My little girl has been crawling for over a month now but this week she has discovered something new: Climbing Up Stairs. The first time she did it, I was upstairs and my hubby hollered at me to come down, quick! I almost cried when I saw her climbing towards me with the biggest grin on her face. Now, a week later, though I'm still impressed, worry has set in. We don't have baby gates up yet, because of our railing, my hubby is having to make our baby gates and they aren't finished yet. This means that I've had to keep a closer eye on our little crawler more than normal.

I was thinking about the fears I've been entertaining about my princess while I was reading my devotional. Today I read about God's protection. Much like I guide Ariah so that she can practice climbing without falling, God guides our steps. We are able to run into a new experience, but it will always work out better if we ask for God's direction. He has an amazing plan for our lives if we only listen for His guidance. Otherwise, we will constantly fall down the stairs. Thankfully, God not only guides us up the stairs, but waits at the bottom to catch us if we fall. 

The Measureless Sea

For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is HIS love for those who fear HIM. Psalm 103:11

In today's devotional, simple children's songs teach and remind us about an uncomprehensible fact: God's love deeper and wider than we could ever imagine.

Wide, wide as the ocean, high as the Heaven above;
Deep, deep as the deepest sea is my Savior’s love.
I, though so unworthy, still am a child of His care;
For His Word teaches me that His love reaches me everywhere.

What an uplifting way to start the day! Thinking about how much God loves us....It's like trying to explain how much I love my baby girl.

I was asked to think about God has shown His unconditional love for me this week. The first thing my mind went to was my baby. I have read several stories lately about moms who have lost their precious babies to SIDS which makes me realize how blessed I am that my angel is in my arms. God shows His love by blessing His children and, although I adore my baby, by reminding me how precious life is God has reminded me how much He loves me. He loves me enough make me a mommy and to give me moments with her that not all moms get. Two days ago, Ariah climbed up four stairs just to get to me. Some moms don't even get to see a smile. I have been blessed. God has blessed me because He loves me.

By the way, I am not saying that those moms whose lost children are any less blessed. By experiencing any aspect of motherhood, they are blessed with a glimpse at how much God loves them as His children. They are then blessed by His constant pressence as they work through their tragedies.

We can see God's unconditional love in everything we do and everywhere we go. God does not want it to be a secret. How has God showed YOU His everlasting love? Deeper and wider than the ocean, higher than the heavens, God's love is amazing!

10-Minute Time Out

Grace Fox has released a new devotional that I'm REALLY excited about entitled 10-Minute Time Outs for Moms. Today is my first day spending breakfast with my nose in the Word and I want to share it with YOU! 

I would also like to ask for prayer. I am working up the courage and out the logistics with starting a bible study. I've never done this before, but, again, really excited about it. I plan on using the 10 minute devotionals to start a Mommy-and-Me bible study (because isn't that one of the excuses not to go to a study group? no childcare?) When the weather gets warmer, we'll meet at parks and let the kids have a play date while the moms get closer to God. And the best thing is that the kids will learn too and have the opportunity to see their mommy's desire for God.

Time to go read my devotional.... Be back soon to share!