"Jingle Bell Rock"

Is it too late to document our blissful holiday season? I mean...it's nearly February.  So yes, it's too late.  None of my faithful readers are in the mood to hear about the come-and-gone holiday season; but maybe those readers would enjoy a few pictures?  I know that the blogs I frequent most from years past are typically the ones I posted about Christmas...so hear it goes for 2015!

Christmas Parties
We have a wonderful, wonderful, wonderful church family in Central Florida...and a few groups of people we've become especially close to this past year.  It brought us (particularly the social butterflies of the house--me & C--) much joy to celebrate the season with people we cherish.

Disney Decor
Yes we all know each year we try to do as much Disney sight-seeing during the holidays as we can. We missed A LOT this year.  And that was okay.  We snapped a few Christmas Tree photos, saw the castle light up and bid farewell to the Osborne lights.  We missed Christmas at the Grand and sadly didn't see Santa & and his Mrs at EPCOT or the beloved Candlelight Processional.  But truth be told...that was okay.

Deck the Halls
We added a few Christmas decor pieces to our house and I have to say of the few years I've been decorating, I was most pleased with how this year turned out.  I didn't capture it via still image, but I did send these photos to Carley expressing that I "think" I've found my holiday decor style. ;)

Carly REALLY enjoyed decorating as well, and was thrilled to have her own tree. I saw these cute reindeer on our neighborhood re-sale site, and she gave her stamp of approval on snatching them up as well.

Simple Activities
Whether it was decorating sugar cones at Miss Kim's house, ornaments at Miss Robyn's, or salt-dough prints with Miss Carrie, we had so much fun being crafty this Christmas!  We also enjoyed baking...and eating sugar.

Christmas Sunday @ Harvest Bible Chapel
Christmas at church...well it's pretty important.  Ultimately, we believe that One Omniscient Heavenly Father sent his only son to be born in the humblest of ways.  A Messiah.  Who would save the World.  It's something to be cherished and celebrated.  So seeing our church provide opportunities for our little ones, elementary-aged, middle-school & high-school students to all lead us into worship in various ways...it actually brought tears to my eyes.  I had to tell myself to pull it together during the Christmas play the elementary kids did...and then again when the middle-schoolers led the congregation in worship.  Can we just do it again, already?  THANK YOU to everyone who helped.  I'd love to help! Someday. It's just not the season for me quite yet.

Where's Carly? :)

Middle Schoolers & their drums.

Christmas Eve
This day is my favorite day of the year.  It just is.  I look forward to a service that swells my heart and produces a steady stream of tears down my cheeks, I look forward to sharing soup together in honor of the tradition that was set when Brian was a boy, I look forward to the anticipation of presents and opening one before bed and I look forward to the moments I share with Brian once our little ones are tucked away for the evening.  Carly just looks forward to the petting zoo each year... ;)

Christmas Day
Waffles for breakfast!  Presents, galore! A few FaceTime conversations...play time & work time!  I always sign up to work Christmas afternoon because I think it's important to show my support to all those who don't totally have a choice in the matter.  Not ideal, but worth it.

I must document the Christmas menu Brian and I decided on last minute while standing in the aisles at the grocery store: Ham, Collard Greens + Bacon & Glazed Carrots.  I shared our menu with a coworker and she affirmed that we couldn't have possibly been more Southern.  We've officially diversified ourselves. Score.

Christmas in Minneapolis 
Thank you Ma, Pa, Trey & Tiffy for being willing to postpone your Christmas for us once again!  It's so special to share a big breakfast with you all and open thoughtful gifts from people who mean the world to me.  Thanks for making our time in Minneapolis so so special. ;)

Tiff got Carly some makeup!

She's been asking for Tiana since Princess life began! She only
comes in the box so mommy refused but Nana came through!

Classic Bapa...Carly really was his present. :)

A White Christmas!

Thanks for the makeup, Aunt Tiff. ;)

Santa Babies
My Favorite pic from the season...

"Joyful & Triumphant"

*Happy New Year*

Photo by Libby Asay Studio

Welcome 2016!  May this be a year to work hard, find peace in our decisions and create a sustainable plan for our future. May God go before us and hem us in (Psalm 139).

It was, of course, my every intention to post an official Christmas card letter, but this year it will be that of a New Year card!  We are truly looking toward 2016 with excitement and angst as we seek new opportunities, make some life-changing decisions and wholeheartedly pursue the plan our Creator has for us.  But before we jump the gun on that, here's a look into our 2015 year in review.

The Papa
Brian transitioned from Coronado Springs as a Housekeeping Manager to supporting WDW Lodging Line of Business as a Quality Auditor.  He enjoys upholding the company's cleanliness standards and also loves having weekends off with his family!  In his free time he has become quite the chef & has enjoyed multiple rounds of golf & visits to the gym this year.  We love Brian for so many reasons, but he is the pillar of stability and strength in all of our lives.

Photo by Libby Asay Studio

The Mama
Tricia finally began feeling healthy after finding out she is allergic to wheat, rye & barley! Although this was not something she would have ever expected, her quality of life has been richly impacted by consuming a diet that allows for her body to function properly!  Feeling good translated into joy in every other facet of life.  She had the energy to conduct a "great purge" and let go of at least 9 garbage bags of stuff.  She began getting up before the kiddos twice a week for some heavy gym time, and continues to get out & push her double stroller...allowing her to finally shed the last of the baby weight this fall.  She continues to adore her job & praises God for the opportunity to work outside the home.  Mama is loved for many reasons, but probably most for her ability to find ways to spend quality time with each member of her family.

Photo by Libby Asay Studio

The Big Sis
Carly lives in the world of imagination & has spent hours playing in princess dresses & with princess dolls. She found a new love for musical theater with the introduction to "Mary Poppins" and "The Sound of Music." Her favorite food is olives, her favorite color is blue & she would prefer playing with friends over doing anything else!  When at the playground, Carly desires to swing through the duration of our stay & can simply not get high enough!  She is becoming quite the young lady as she articulates how she feels through expressions and words such as, "I am upset, I love you more than anything, Thank you for making the food you make, Luke is frustrating me right now, It made me sad when you said that and Can you do me a favor?"  We love Carly for many reasons, but her sweet, imaginative spirit stimulates joy throughout our house.

Photo by Libby Asay Studio

The Little Buddy
Luke changed & grew like any one-year-old would do!  Turning foot steps into sprints & babbles into words, his personality, preferences & charm continue to show through more & more with each passing month.  He loves balls, trucks, giraffes, TRAINS & anything his sister is playing with.  At any playground he heads straight for the biggest slide & dives on head first.  He is our little snuggle-bug and his affections make our hearts burst.  Luke is loved for many reasons, but his charming sense of humor and tight squeezes can keep us going for days.

Photo by Libby Asay Studio

Wishing love and joy and strength and peace as we turn the proverbial new leaf of another year to you and yours.

Photo by Libby Asay Studio

Photo by Libby Asay Studio

"There's So Much To Be Thankful For"

I love living in Florida October-January.  Those four months are typically bliss.  I think I could live anywhere in October just because pumpkin, harvest & the red/orange/gold combo makes me happy.  In Central Florida, October is the month we all crave and we are so relieved when it finally arrives.  Some years it brings the cooler, 80-degree weather; and sadly some years it stays in the 90s.  This was a year was a little of both.

There are a million happenings around here once the holiday season kicks in (which of course is September 15th...) so it adds spice to the everyday.  Here are some ways we celebrated Fall in the month of October:

Garden Grill Character Dining
GG in EPCOT is on our top 10 list. It's Harvest themed so the best time to go is Oct/Nov.  Brian came home one evening and surprised us with reservations.  We got dressed up in our fall gear (permission to laugh that I'm wearing a tank top with boots) and had a wonderful dinner out as a family!

Harvest Bible Chapel Fall Festival
Carly still remembers this from last year...all the cars lined up so we could trick-or-treat past them. They DO put on a big hoopla! I love that Harvest is willing to take such care in making sure these events are well organized, safe & fun. It's so easy to invite friends to join.

Carly's best friend, Kate.

Kate has a little brother, Blake, who is just a few months older than Luke

You'll notice Bert ditched his hat immediately

Carly cherishes Dani! She's like a big sister to her. :)

These girls are near & dear to Carly's heart as her Puggles classmates from last year.  Not a week went by that she didn't include these gals in her stories.  Love their mamas, too!

Pumpkin Painting
Carly is into "little tiny" things so of course she chose the smallest pumpkin she could find for her pumpkin this year.  Naturally, the boy who copies all of her moves, went with one the exact same size.  I always go for the one most round...and Daddy usually admires our pumpkins rather than choosing his own. ;)

Halloween
Bert & Mary Poppins!! I am so happy Carly chose to be Mary Poppins!! What fun we've had learning music from the great Julie Andrews this year!  Trick-or-treat is such a kiddo favorite...and our two little sugar-crazed miniatures think it's the best day of the year.  Daddy is the candy-passer-outer at our house and I am the trick-or-treat escort.  We have a good system down. ;)

I didn't realize a little make up would make her look like a pageant girl :/

Autumn Decor
I love decorating...but doing it on a budget can be frustrating.  I have a rule that I only purchase one new seasonal decor item per holiday per year.  This banner was my purchase for this year & broke the bank at $4.

I excitedly bumped into this frame for $8 at a garage sale and decided to turn it into something that housed a kiddo art project for each season.  I think these painted leaves are a nice addition to the little tip-of-the-hat to autumn we have around the house.

Tastes of the Season
Pumpkin bread (thanks, Mom for making it gfree!), Butternut squash soup, Taco Dip, Baked Apples, Puppy Chow, Apple Cider & Pumpkin seeds are among our favorite eats during fall.  Actually...I am willing to try ANYTHING made with pumpkin...it may be my favorite food.

The kids really enjoyed helping me make pumpkin cupcakes for their Puggles teachers.  And we had fun eating them, too!

The Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue
Brian's 28th birthday was celebrated with his Uncle Dick & Aunt Crystal at Hoop-Dee-Doo!  We avoid taking our kiddos out to eat at all costs but we figured with a show going on it would be better. We were mistaken.  Fortunately, Crystal saved the day & entertained Luke on her lap through the entire show.

Happy end to fall!! Let the "Holiday Season" begin!!!

"Favorite Things" {July, August & September}

Precious Moments

Carly: "Mom...I love you all the way back to your toes...and I love ya more than anything."

Me sobbing when I heard my Nana had passed away..."It's okay, darlin', there, there...don't cry.  It'll be okay, I promise..." as she wipes the tears streaming down my face.

Luke:  "Mama...mama....mama....mama....bapa"

When he has done something wrong and is about to get punished, he throws himself into my arms and rests his head on my shoulder.  Buddy...I think you're sorry to be punished, not sorry for your actions. ;)

He fell off the ottoman onto his back and was experiencing pain on a more intense level than he usually does.  Brian came to his aid, picked him up and comforted him.  He began asking him what hurt, and after listing nearly all of Luke's body parts and hearing a "Yes" to each one hurting, both of us were laughing pretty hard.

Healthful Living

I always learn a new, healthy and delicious recipe when I'm with Anna.  When I stayed with her in August...she taught me that sauteing up some Kale, shredded carrot & chopped mushroom in a pan then adding eggs was the perfect breakfast. I make this fritatta-like bliss at least twice/week.  The kiddos even love it!  Even if you are a Kale skeptic...this one is worth trying & will make you feel good!

It tastes & smells better than it looks ;)

Places & Spaces

Carly getting quite excited to go to the "Bibbidi, Bobbidi, Boo" and the experience that came with the transformation into Cinderella!

The little bit of fall decor I have around the house...particularly this piece the kiddos helped me with. ;)

Growing Minds

We have spent hours adoring both Mary Poppins & Sound of Music!  Our family will BURST into song at any given moment spawned by any sort of sighted reminder of these precious films.  If we see a bee...we will sing..."When the dog bites, when the bee stings..." or if we are excited we will sing "Step in time!! Pick your knees up step in time!"  We have never been big believers of our children growing their minds by watching TV...but that philosophy changed when they were growing by learning MUSICAL THEATER! ;)

We used old crayons to make new ones...(actually this ended up being very bad and may have started a fire...you can ask if you're interested)

We practiced our colors with blocks

We went to the Science Center for a birthday party and Carly got to pet a snake! (eww)

Luke enjoyed the critters, too ;)

We played with ice cubes and learned that they melt quickly outside

"Split Thee Ice Apart" {Luke 21 Months}

If you saw a recent video of Luke I posted to Facebook, you'll know that this song; you know--the group of men cutting ice at the beginning of Disney's Frozen--is Luke's current favorite song.  We think he just likes grunting & smashing things...

I like this new & quick format of commenting on my boy. He's 21 months! Next post he's two!  Little brother is growing so fast, understanding nearly everything we say and finally spitting out some of those helpful words!

I love Lukey for...

1. The way he says, "Yes" to answer most questions...with a little hint of a German accent
2. How he quickly rests his head on our shoulders and wraps his arms around our neck on his way to time-out
3. His speedy little legs that have forced me to a running speed when trying to catch up to my little wanderer 
4. Always asking for more of whatever good toy/food/activity/etc he is having/doing
5. Copying every move of sweet big sister
6. Walking past the oven or stove and giving it a little blow just to cool it down. ;)
7. Placing his sweet 32-pound body on mine anytime I'm laying on the floor
8. Watching his very skilled left-hand throw a ball
9. Hearing him yell "Basketball!" every time we pass the courts in our neighborhood
10. Continually enjoying sweet bed time snuggles in his rocking hair.  He is still so affectionate!

Lukey-boy can still drive a mama nuts by...

1. Digging in my potted plants
2. Taking off his diaper and finding something fun in there to play with
3. Pushing, hitting and pulling on his sissy
4. Expressing his strong opinion through the likes of screaming so loud he cannot hear what I'm trying to communicate with him (he's nearly two...shouldn't he be more rational?! *wink*)
5. Throwing anything & everything out of frustration, joy or orneriness.  Seriously.
6. Refusing to allow a proper diaper change
7. That little look he gives us right before or in the midst of deliberately disobeying.  It's like he's decided, "No punishment they can give me is bad enough to prevent me from doing this..." OR "This is totally worth the punishment that will follow!"
8. Finding that water has been left out and proceeding to dump it all over the carpet...every. single. time.
9. His obsession with the dishwasher to the point that he's nearly broken it a few times
10. His crazy-good skills at making messes

Actually, the top-10 nuts list was hard to come up with! He's such a sweet little boy and we love him so dearly.  Being able to communicate on a 2-way street is such a game changer and that is what's changed the most over the last 3 months (well, that and his body that will. not. stop. growing [PTL!]).  Although he still very much struggles to get out his words in any sort of articulate manner, he is TRYING...which is an improvement on even a month ago.  He DOES understand what we say to him which only allows us to reinforce the rules, expectations, and most of all, our unconditional love for him.  I really do thank God every day for giving us a son to love. :)

"Five-Hundred-Twenty-Five-Thousand-Six-Hundred Minutes"

This jersey is a big deal.

When we had Carly, everything in life came to a screeching halt; well except for work.  We sort of developed this mentality that the sacrifice for having a healthy family (speaking in an emotional health way) simply meant giving family 100% of our non-working time.  It was so difficult for us to find the balance between family time, couple time & individual time...we just couldn't seem to do it all.  And by "we" I suppose I mean "me."  Since my poor husband has to deal with a wife who struggles with balance in the first place and then a wife who was facing post-partum depression, Brian essentially succumbed to my need for him to give up hope of any extra-curricular activities so that he was available to his family. Being the wonderful man he is, he never complained and actually agreed, reminding me that "this is the season we are in right now...and that's okay."

But oh how I envied the moms who could say yes to the occasional girls night, a quick coffee date, a morning run, a weekend get-a-way or for Heaven's sake a date night with their husband!  And I'm sure he missed golfing on any sort of regular basis, the occasional poker night, watching sports uninterrupted...and even playing video games.  But there was no way under the sun with our crazy work schedules, lack of family support (proximity-wise) and fear of not pouring enough of ourselves into our marriage or our parenting that I was going to have time for a ladies Bible Study...or that Brian would have time to join the church softball team.

Funny how seasons come and go.  In the midst of it; even something as simple as what I've described above; from the inside appears that you'll be stuck in that season for the rest of time...or at least until the smallest in the family is in high school.

But here we are, a new job for Brian that has given him an extra 10-15 hours/week that he's NOT at work, children who are no longer babies, a church down the street and a community of friends to share life with, and all of a sudden we are saying yes to things we wouldn't have dreamed saying yes to even one year ago.  Every Monday night Brian plays in a Parks & Rec Softball league.  And every Wednesday morning I attend a women's Bible Study.  How we've grown in the past 4 years: it's a big deal.

So this jersey makes my heart happy.  It represents a new season of flexibility and opportunity; at least for now.