Turkey Day.

Due to ten puppies being born less than two weeks ago, dad and Peg weren't able to join "the kids". But we wanted to show our love and post a family picture for them. We missed you both and hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!!

After enjoying a delicious dinner, a few afternoon naps, and playing a long but fun game of Uno...with hot apple cider in hand, Christmas music playing softly in the car, a tired baby and a playful Robert, we ventured out to view Christmas lights. What an awesome way to end our night. I hope you all had as great of a Turkey day as we did.

Loving Uncle Robert.

Tis' the Season

For the last several years, our Holidays have been spent traveling. And although we enjoyed our time spent with family very much and they were extremely accomodating to our needs, living out of suitcases and bags for nearly two weeks, with Griffey and a two month old baby in tow, was not pleasant! Not to mention, we made our way from family to family to family. I vividly remember pulling into Tony and Ruby's drive-way shortly after midnight last Christmas Eve. And that was after driving three hours to spend a few days with my dad, driving two hours to spend a few days with my mom, driving an hour to spend time with extended family members, and then driving another two hours to eastern Kansas for a few days. Thankfully, Santa was still able to find us. But nevertheless, our goal for this year was to cut down on some of our time spent away from our home during the Holidays. And actually, it's working out quite nicely! Kris, Sky and Robert will be arriving shortly after I get home from work today and will stay until late tomorrow evening. The weekend before Christmas...my mom, Mark, Dani and her family will be joining us to celebrate. We will make a one-stop trip to easter Kansas for Christmas and a one-stop trip to central Kansas for New Year's.

WOW...when I put our plans in writing, it still seems like a lot, lol. But although it may be a bit busy, the traveling is most definitely worth it!!

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. So I would like to end with a few things that I'm thankful for this year.

I'm thankful for my...

• new relationship with God
• wonderful husband
• beautiful daughter
• family's health and wellbeing
• FAMILY, who I will miss dearly tomorrow and think of often
• job
• church
• friends

and...

• apple cider...after 26 years, I finally discovered that I have a love for the taste of apple cider made fresh with whole cloves, red hots, and cinnamon sticks...how festive!

Happy Thanksgiving to all and to all a goodnight. Wait...that's Christmas. :)

Speaking of Christmas, I'm decorating for it on Friday. I can not wait to see what Rylie does. Pictures coming soon!

Okay...I really have to go. My house needs some attention and our guests will be arriving soon...very soon.

Rylie Report.

Seriously...Thanksgiving is less than two weeks away?! Can you even believe it? This time, last year, I was at home with a one month old baby girl who ate, slept, and pooped. That was it...besides capturing my heart and wrapping her daddy around her finger, of course. And hopefully, this time next year, I will be pregnant with our second child.

But today...I have a 29 inch, 18 pound, little girl who loves to play, "talk" and do exactly what we say not to do! She is eating three meals a day (with two snacks in between) and is down to only one bottle a day (in the evening...usually right before bed). I haven't quite decided when we will try to take that last one away but hopefully it's before she turns two. :) She said goodbye to baby food about one month ago and now eats adult food. Some of her favorites include blueberry muffins, grilled cheese sandwiches, hot dogs, ham, yogurt, applesauce, peaches, pears, oranges and carrots! And the girl loves bread (just like her momma)!!

Her vocabulary is expanding but momma and dadda are the two most heard and understandable words. She can already tell a great story...but unfortunately, it's still unclear as to what she is actually saying. But we nod in agreement and laugh in amusement. She's extremely animated!!

Some of her favorite pastimes include reading books, splashing around in the bathtub, dancing, destroying the kitchen by pulling out every piece of tupperware we own, wrestling with her gigantic teddy bear, climbing in and out and around the bar stools and standing tall on the seat of her princess ride-on. She also loves to jump in bed! We stopped buying toys months ago. Give the girl a plastic colander and a t.v. remote and she's good. Leave her alone in her room for a minute and you'll come back to find a perfectly content Rylie pulling out every single wipe from its holder. Never mind all of the toys sitting in the corner. She showers momma, dadda and even Griff with lots of sugary kisses and pats our backs when she hugs.

And as for the big update...just as of tonight...she is WALKING!!! This is not her sole form of transportation as she still heavily relies on her speedy crawl when she spots something intriguing across the room. But nevertheless, she has been practicing a lot this evening. See, watch...

Rejoice!

Woohoooo!!!!

Stellan, with the obvious help from his surgeons, made it!! He's alive and doing well. I seriously have no idea and won't even attempt to go into the medical issues that Stellan faced today. But what I do know is that all the time, God is good. Stellan's mom, aka "MckMama", has had over 2500 comments left on her blog...all rejoicing the success of his surgery.

Way to go, Stellan!

Today...my Heart Aches.

Right this very second (and for the past several hours) a one year old boy is undergoing a major heart surgery. And although my heart is hurting like I've known him his entire life, the reality is that I've never even met him. But daily, I read his story on his mom's blog. My heart is simply aching for this family. Stellan is his name...and he is beautiful! He was diagnosed with a heart condition while still in his mother's womb and it was predicted that he would not survive. But one year later, he lives. And he lives as a testimony to how great God is and how powerful prayer can be. Reading Stellan's story has been touching. I get a lump in my throat when I see pictures of this poor little guy, blonde hair and blue eyes, lying limp in his mother's arms and feel anxious when I read that he is having a bad day. However, I also get to feel the excitment when I read that he has come out of SVT and is able to, once again, joyfully play with his older siblings. And although I don't understand the exact meaning of "SVT", I know that it's scary...to say the least. And I wish to not go any further with his story in fear that I will not give it the justice that it deserves.

But today...today I pray. I pray for Stellan. His will to survive. And for his family. I pray that the doctor's wisdom and experience help guide them through a successful surgery. I pray that Stellan is healthy enough to make it through another ablation. I pray that God is with his family and He helps calm their fears and gives them the strength they need to get through today.

Today...today I thank God. I thank God for my daughter's health. For my comfort. And for my family's wellbeing. I thank God for the birth of Tess' baby girl. And I thank God for just being the awesome Father that He is.

In Jesus' precious name, I pray...

Amen.

It's Fall, Y'all.

Fall is definitely my favorite season! I love the color of the fallen leaves. The weather. The scent of fall-like Yankee candles. Candy corn. Halloween always brings back great memories of my Grandma Wilson. And it reminds me that we are approaching the Holiday season. I'm a sucker for Holidays. They create such a joyous time! I'm definitely one who likes to start decorating for Christmas the day after Thanksgiving. And who starts to annoy others with the sound of Christmas music very early on. Although I wish away the cold weather the day after it arrives, I love the idea of snowflakes falling and covering the ground. I love jingles. Santa hats. Sleighs. Homes outlined in Christmas lights. Snowmen. Hot chocolate (gotta have lots of marshmellows, though). See...I'm a sucker for Holidays. Oh, and traditions. How could I forget the traditions that the Holidays bring about. Be prepared Rylie, we'll have lots of family traditions!

But back to Fall...

Today's weather was perfect. So after church and then lunch with friends, Brian and I took Rylie out and about and I got the chance to take some pictures...finally!