Christmas 2010

Christmas has always been one of my favorite times of the year. Of course when I was smaller it was because of the anticipation of what Santa was going to bring me and hopes of getting all my wishes (unrealistic as they might have been). This year Christmas had a totally different feel and experience. I loved Christmas this year because Conrad and I became Santa. Although we couldn't see the excitement in Hannahs face when she saw her gifts, it was the process of picking out the presents, putting them together and setting them out for her. I look forward to the Christmas' to come when she understands the reason for Christmas and that we were given the best gift of all when Jesus was born to save us all :)

For me, the happiness of Christmas is nothing that can be found in a box or a bag, or anything money can buy. Its spending time with my family, christmas eve at my grandparents house along with our aunt, uncle, and cousins. It's making Christmas cookies with my sister and meticuously placing the icing and decorations to make the best cookie of all. It's Christmas dinner with my whole family usually at Texas, Land, and cattle. It's my moms chocolate pecan pie and aunts chocolate fudge. It's watching others open the gifts that I have given them and seeing their reaction. It's candlelight christmas eve church service, and now I can add being santa to the list of my christmas happiness. I have truely been blessed this year with so many things and have God to thank for everything.

Sounds of the Mall

While most people at the mall are hearing people discuss Christmas presents, prices, the best deals, etc. this is what I got to enjoy today which distracted from the craziness around me....
"your daughter is precious"
"she looks like she came out of a magazine"
"that is the most beautiful baby I've ever seen, and I've seen a lot"
"look at that bow"
"how cute is she?"
"I could squeeze her"
"she has the most beautiful eyes"
"she's such a happy baby"
"what a beautiful smile"
"her outfit is precious"
"adorable"
Am I a proud mom?....YES!
Am I bragging?....possibly
Am I sorry?....NOPE!
I hope your mall trips are just as eventful and blessed as mine was today :)

Date Night

Well Conrad and I finally had our first official date night since Hannah was born. We went to a wedding of one of the guys Conrad coaches with. It was a beautiful wedding and fun reception. We went downtown to the Cox Convention Center for the reception. We sat with some other people that Conrad works with and don't think that I have laughed as hard as I did in a very long time. On top of laughing there was great food (which included the best ceasar salad I've ever had!), dancing, and cake!...I forgot to mention there were 10 different kinds of cake :) It made me VERY happy..and only tried 4 :) We had a really good time and just enjoyed being together. While we missed Hannah, it helps to have great people to take care of her and also helps to have a good baby that will stay with other people. We are excited for our next date night which will hopefully be to see Harry Potter before it comes out on DVD..haha! I love me little family. Here's a picture of our first night out without Hannah....

Hopefully not a new trend...

Ever since Hannah was born, she's always been a pretty good sleeper; giving me 4-5 good hours of sleep. Well for the last week, she has decided that sleeping in her own bed is no longer relaxing. She will sleep about 2 good hours and then will wake up every hour after that. I've been told that around 3-4 months is when their sleeping takes a little change, but I thought it would be for the better. There are only 2 ways that I can get her to really fall asleep to get the rest she needs. The first way is to hold her. While I love every second of holding her, I don't get much sleep at all because I am sitting up and am just uncomfortable. The other way is to lay her in bed with us. I really don't want to start that habit, but if its the only way that we can both get some sleep, then I'm all for it at this point. I just don't want to start bad habits that will be hard to break. I am still starting her out in her crib and hopefully there will be a night where she gets back into the swing of things. Im sure Conrad will read this for the first time and wonder what I am talking about because he tends to sleep and snore through it all.

Get Well Soon Grandpa!

Wishing her Grandpa gets to feeling better soon....

Lots of Love,

Hannah

Happy Thanksgiving

Today Hannah celebrated her first Thanksgiving. :) Unfortunately it was not spent as a complete family. Conrads dad has been having some health problems with his lungs and ended up being in the hospital this week and is due surgery early tomorrow morning. Our plan was to spend Thanksgiving in Missouri this year, but Conrad ended up going to Missouri to be with his dad and I went to Texas with my parents. We didn't think it would be much fun spending Thanksgiving in the hospital with Hannah. So, although I have enjoyed speding this time with my family, I have missed seeing everyone in Missouri and most importantly spending Hannah's first Thanksgiving as a family. I am glad Conrad can be with his dad during this time, but we miss him! We have so much to be thankful for this year. We were blessed with a beautiful baby girl, I have been given the chance to stay home with her, our health, our families, our friends, jobs, house, chruch,...the list goes on. We are truely blessed. Here's a picture of Hannah sitting at the table with us enjoying lunch. Happy Thanksgiving!

Leap of Faith

I've heard it a million times and read it in the bible a million and one that "God will provide" and "God will never give you more than you can handle". But, I have never put that into action where I have had to truely believe that. Conrad and I recently made a decision where we have had to fully trust God will provide. I always knew that once we had kids I would have to work, but as soon as Hannah was born, I began praying for something else to work out. I just could not imagine being away from her more than I would be seeing her. As I began praying harder, I saw God begin to work in crazy ways. And, as of last week, I was able to resign from my teaching job to be able to stay home with Hannah. God is a great God who answers prayers and provides for his children. While this is going to be a huge change for our family and budget, I am so blessed and excited for the opportunity to spend more time with my baby.