Thankful Monday

. . . for having fun with Lily in the snow.

. . . for being able to go to a beautiful wedding with my husband and hearing a toast by the bride's father that moved Greg and myself. I love a happy wedding.

. . . for the spontaneous laughter and kisses of my husband this week.

. . . for the relationship between Bob and Lily. I am grateful for the gentleness they have for one another.

. . . for good neighbors.

. . . for a wonderful cozy home.

Thankful Monday

. . . trying out a new way of parenting through Love and Logic.

. . . my daughter's love of books, shoes and being outside.

. . . honest and loving devotional/prayer times with my husband.

. . . a beautiful bikeride and time at the park on Sunday with Greg and Lily.

. . . remembering how fun it is to go downhill on a bike.

Thankful Monday

. . . on March 11th, getting to celebrate three years being married to my wonderful husband who suprised me with a card and flowers.
. . . that Lily was a lot more comfortable in the water at her swim lesson on Saturday.
. . . celebrating St. Patrick's Day early with our home group. It's wonderful to be surrounded by friends.
. . . a cozy home and food.

For all these things, I feel very blessed.

Thankful Monday

Lily looking at the big kid's slide

As I was thinking about one of the exercises in Lily's swim class, I can't help but feel how it sums up some Mondays: Jump in and reach for the side. Today I have been hearing a lot of Daddy's name from Lily: Waking up this morning, when she fell off a toy at Focus on the Family and at various other points. I can't fault her for it, she is a Daddy's girl and if anyone can fix anything it's Daddy. I am grateful for the relationship Greg and Lily have, how inseparable they are on the weekends and evenings. I am grateful for being able to take Lily to Whit's End at Focus on the Family, where she just ran and longed to be old enough to go down the giant slide that frightens a lot of kids bigger than her (she loves speed). Even when she was throwing a tantrum because she was getting tired and frustrated that she couldn't play on some of the toys/rides like she wanted because they were just out of reach of her size, I just thought of how far she has come in walking and how much further she will grow. Monday's like these make me grateful that I have a God that I can reach for, who is already there, ready to teach me and grow me this week. Monday's like these make me grateful that I don't have to reach for what I already have.Lily with Cousin Logan getting ready to go to Focus on the Family

Lily's First Swim Lesson

Today Greg and I took Lily to her first swim lesson at the YMCA. At first she was clinging to both of us in the water for the first ten minutes of the lesson, but soon she was smiling and enjoying just bobbing up and down. We learned a lot of things that we can practice in her bath, but for now I think she was content to watch the other kids do the exercises and just get used to being in such a huge amount of water.

Her favorite thing to do was sit on the edge of the pool while we counted "1,2,3. . ." and on the word "bubbles" we lifted her into the pool. She also liked "Humpty Dumpty", where we sang "Humpty Dumpty" and on the word fall she would fall into the water and then we would say "Reach!" and have her grab for the side of the pool. She took to that exercise very well which is a relief to Greg and I. The teacher said that when her daughter was 23 months old she fell into the pool and reached for the side like she was taught until she was found 45 minutes later!

We all had such a wonderful time, I just could not stop smiling. I think it helped Lily to have both Greg and I there with her. We even stayed a few minutes after class to practice certain things and just get used to the water when she started to smile. I can't wait for next week!

Thankful Monday

Some good friends of mine have started a tradition of blogging what they are thankful for every Thursday. Having been touched and inspired by them, I have decided to choose Monday as my day to express what I have been thankful for over the past week (I would do Thursday girls, but I never seem to get to my computer in time :)).

I am thankful . . .

• that Greg, Lily and myself are feeling better after a bout with some gastrointestinal ickiness.
• for the women's brunch at church on Saturday that was full of loveliness and God's hand. I love being surrounded by extraoridinary women.
• for the amazing man my husband is: Taking care of Lily yesterday while I was sick, leaving me a love note this morning, how he intentionally tells me what he appreciates about me before we go to sleep, his dedication and devotion to our daughter every day and night. Thank you Greg, for being my wonderful partner in this life.
• that Lent started on Wednesday. While I did not attend service, nor have I been altogether faithful in what I have chosen to do for the season, I appreciate a time that makes me look at the simplicity in my tasks and life and look heavenward. I especially enjoy the communal atmosphere during this season as people try to "give up" something, or just become more disciplined in the name and help of Christ leading up to Easter.
• that after finishing some books on the Middle East, I have the freedom to type what I am thankful for on this blog without retribution, as a woman. These books have made me so grateful to be a woman where I am.

Two Months of Catching Up

OK, so I am way behind with our blog, hopefully this will catch you up a bit.

VALENTINE'S DAY
FEBRUARY 14, 2009

Daddy took Lily to pick out her own balloon, which she would not let go of until she went down for her nap. The crown you see was decorated in stickers by Lily after receiving it in the mail from Grandma and Grandpa.

Greg and I went out for a sushi dinner and then listened to jazz downtown at Poor Richard's Bookstore while sharing a dessert and a glass of wine. So lovely!

JANUARY

Lily finished her Physical Therapy. Here are some pictures from her last session with Miss Hilary. We were all a bit sad to see this time end because it was so much fun!

January was a bit bittersweet this year. It was wonderful to find out that Greg and I were expecting Baby Bob (that's what we nicknamed him), but so hard when we miscarried. Greg and Lily and I are so grateful to our church community for providing meals, childcare and even helping with the laundry while Greg and I mourned the loss of our little one and tried to get my body to heal and rest.

DECEMBER 2008
A PARTY AND CHRISTMAS WITH MAMO AND POPPA!

An early Christmas with Aunt Kristy, Cousin Logan and Uncle Erik!

CHRISTMAS IN FRESNO, CALIFORNIA

While visiting we were also able to visit The Meux Home and take a holiday tour. I was also given the opportunity to play the song I had written for Lily's Dedication for services at my parent's church.

Visiting Greg's Aunt Marilyn, Uncle Time and Cousin Jodie in Simi Valley, CA. We had a great time catching up with family.

My Cousin Sara, Aunt Terry and Uncle Richard came down to visit. I had not seen them in more than ten years! It was a fun visit.



It was so much fun to catch up with old friends. Julie Calahan, which I have known since Elementary School, Noelle Cahill who I have known since Junior High and our good friend Carmen.