Sweet Smells of Christmas and Smiley Girly

This is one of my favorite Christmas books from my childhood. And Blake's too. It is a scented storybook about all of the different smells of the season (Christmas tree, apple pie, candy cane, a Christmas orange, hot cocoa, and a few others). We have read it to Jackson the past several days....so when I ran across a recipe for Teddy Bear Muffins in a Publix magazine a few weeks ago, I thought Jackson might enjoy making them....and he did! Claire thought it was pretty fun, too. They were much tastier (and prettier) than the disastrous birthday cake from a few weeks ago.

Turkey Time

All Smiles!

Thankful Thursday

Blake shared an email with me the other day...and it made me change my perspective on some things....

I am thankful for heaps of laundry (waiting to be washed) , and thankful we have plenty of clothes to keep us warm.

I am thankful for bathrooms that need a good scrub, and thankful we have running water.

I am thankful for an unmade bed, and thankful we have a place to lay our heads down at night.

I am thankful for pet hair that needs to be swept up, and thankful for a dog that loves us, even though she has doesn't get as much attention as she used to.

I am thankful for dirty dishes, and thankful we have plenty to eat.

I am thankful socks laying in the floor, shoes to trip over, and toys everywhere, for I know those are signs of life in our home.

I am trying to be thankful for doctor bills, and thankful we had good doctors who took extra good care of us, and helped get our sweet babies into this world.

I am thankful for a sweet friend that came to the Operating Room on her day off to assist with Claire's (and Jackson's) delivery. I was scared, but she helped make it okay.

I am thankful that I have had the same best friend since I was 8 years old. We have shared many of life's seasons together.

I am thankful that I have written well over 100 Thank You cards this year...that is a whole lot of nice.

I am thankful for my amazing husband, and thankful I have married into such a sweet family.

I am thankful for friends that cooked dinner for our family for over a week after Claire was born.

I am thankful for our little yellow house, and for the home Blake and I have made here in the past 5 years.

I am thankful for a friend that I met the first year I taught that is amazing mother, and has taught me to just slow down, and enjoy each moment.

I am thankful for sweet parents that love me...I never realized how much they loved me until I held Jackson and Claire for the first time.

I am thankful for my babies, and thankful for the plans God has for them.

I am thankful, most, for God's faithfulness. In every situation, He is ever faithful.

Lamentations 3:23-26
²³ Great is his faithfulness;
his mercies begin afresh each morning.
²⁴ I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance;
therefore, I will hope in him!”
²⁵ The Lord is good to those who depend on him,
to those who search for him.

Happy Thanksgiving!

1 Month Old!

Madeline Claire was 1 month old on November 14. What a blessing she is! Here are some updates on her (mostly just for me to look back at and record in her baby book).....

Weight: 7 pounds, 15 ounces
Clothes: still mostly wearing her newborn sleepers, but can fit into some 0-3 month outfits
Diapers: Newborn size
Eating: She is nursing every 2-3 hours, pretty much around the clock. I did pump her first bottle for her to have at church...no problems with that.
Sleeping: For the past week, she has nursed at midnight, about 2:30, 5:30, and 8:00. She stays awake for a little while, and then takes a long morning nap, long afternoon nap, and cat naps throughout the evening.

Points to Ponder

Jackson was in time out today for yelling and screaming at me for one reason or another.

I went over to release him from the captivity of the Time Out chair and we had a chat that went something like this.

Me: Jackson, why did mommy put you in time out?
Jackson: I yelled at you.
Me: What that very nice?
Jackson: No. I'm sorry, Mommy.
Me: I love you, buddy. And I forgive you.
Jackson: I love you, too, Mommy...but Jesus already forgave me.

Hmmm......

Weekend in Pics

Thanksgiving with the Freemans

Shutterfly Deal

Our family has used Shutterfly many times, and have been pleased with their products each time we have placed an order. The birth announcements are precious, and the quality of the products is great. My favorite product that I have ordered from Shutterfly is a photo book that I made of my pregnancy with Jackson. I also plan to make one of my pregnancy with Claire...when I have time. The photo books are very easy to make and the templates are really cute. I like making the photo books better than a traditional scrapbook because I can work on it when I have time, without having papers, pictures, scissors, and other scrapbooking materials out on the table. I am planning on sending out a combined Christmas card/ birth announcements, and am using Shutterfly. You can check out the photo books and 2010 Holiday Design cards at the sites listed below:

Holiday Cards :http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/holiday-cards

Christmas Cards: http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery

If you are a blogger and interested in the Shutterfly deal...click the link below:

http://blog.shutterfly.com/5358/holiday2010-blog-submission-form/

Wordless Wednesday