Celebrating ME!

I just turned two years old. That makes me officially a toddler. There are so many things that I can do, now. I can brush my teeth, go "yellow-yellow" in the toilet, buckle my own car seat, throw things away in the garbage & climb in and out of my crib...lets just say.... I can do just about anything my family lets me try. And I want to 'try' just about everything! Let's take a look at all I have been up to this past year.

The Smile-

I don't go anywhere without, unless I am on a mission to 'try' something new. Life is boring if you can't take your smile with you. Caution! Mine's charming and it will melt your heart.

"I try... I TRY!"-

I may be the baby, but I can do everything that anyone else can. I'll show you.

The favorite people in my life-

My sister, Hailey and I share our birthdays. She is my pal.

My dad is my best bud!

We laugh a lot!

My mommy is my snuggle-bug.

Alex is my partner in crime.

Alyvia & Joey are my cousins.

Uncle Joshy is my favorite uncle.

Keags is my everything.

Claire understands me.

Favorite Foods-

Peanut butter & Chocolate- just like my dad

Clowning Around-

Someone has to make life more excited.

Welcome Rain, welcome winter!

The past 6 days of rain were a welcome sight. The weather this winter has been anything but typical. The other day, I was driving "Limey" as a vacuum cleaner through the orchard to pick up leaves. Here it was in the middle of January and I was bundle up from head to toe. The grasses were brown, the ground dry as a bone and the dust; well, let's just say I had to shower when I was done. This time of year the property is usually lush green, watering is absolute and we struggle to get a handle on the weeds. With no rain, the weed seed cannot sprout or green up. Were we really in winter? A shower after mowing is typically required July-October. I was shaking my head in disbelief. With little to no wind or rain this winter, the leaves have carpeted themselves on every inch of the property. Already we have hauled away 30 trailers(appr. 70 lawn & leaf bags) worth of leaves and we have another 10 trailers left. As for the last of our leaves, the rain came 2 days too soon, so the leaves still remain on the ground, carpeting the mud underneath. As I look out the window today, the sidewalks are stained with muddy paw prints and the ground is way too saturated to do anything outside. Now, I can say...Winter has begun!

Morning Surprises!

This morning I was quickly reminded of how full our life truly is. For starters, Keagan woke up this morning to Kelden climbing into his bed for an early morning 'snuggle time'. Needless to say, Kelden has learned how to safely & gracefully climb out of his crib. It looks like a 'big boy' bed is in our near future. Next, we learned that while we all slept, "mittens" figured out how to get out of her cage. Just when I thought we were through with the morning surprises, I walked in the door after taking the kids to school only to find "mittens" greeting me from the kitchen table. That mischievous kitten figured out how to use the cat door! "What's next Lord?"

I have had all intentions of updating my blog since the holidays, but life has just gotten in the way. It seems like this time of year, the time just flies by. Hours turn into days and days become weeks before I can blink. I am reminder of the verse in the bible,

"Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough troubles of its own." Matthew 6:33,34

So what do I do with this. Well, when my days do not go as planned and the 'to do list' just keeps growing, I read on...

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6,7

I have A LOT to be thankful for! Everyone is healthy, happy and growing in the Lord day by day. We have a wonderful home and an abundance of healthy food to eat. Bills are paid and the Lord continues to provide us with just the right amount of resources every month. We are thankful for the overtime every time it is offered. Thank you Lord for your provisions!

The holiday posts are coming soon. Stay tuned...