Merry Christmas!

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing so that by the power of the Holy Spirit, you may abound in hope

-Romans 15:13

And then this happened...

And there was much weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Just kidding.

But I AM really bummed. Sure, the weather in DFW right now is treacherous and the thought of running in frigid temperatures through ice and snow for a couple of hours doesn't sound too appealing, but I am still really disappointed.

I didn't spend all this time training and ruining pedicures for nothing!



So I'm off to Google to find myself another race.


Or maybe I'll just run around my neighborhood 13.1 times.

Family Devotionals for Advent

Today is the start of Advent! Growing up, our family never really participated in Advent. We didn't get the calendars with the chocolate or give little gifts. It just wasn't our thang. But, this year, Jordan and I are excited to share the season of Advent with Isaac. It's a great way to orient our minds and hearts on the true meaning of Christmas-- the birth of Christ!

Here are a few free devotionals that you can read along with your family this Christmas season. There are some daily reading devotionals, some weekly reading devotionals, and a calendar of activities with correlating scripture passages to read.

Maybe you and your family don't typically celebrate Advent or have a time of family worship. Can I encourage you to choose a devotional to read together each day? This is a perfect time to start a family tradition of gathering to read God's Word. Parents, don't be afraid to lead your children in family worship- it can be a beautifully sweet time together! 

Daily Readings:
     Looking Forward to Christmas (Denison)

     Good News of Great Joy (Piper)

Weekly Readings:
     Lifeway Week One: Faith 

     Lifeway Week Two: Prepare

     Lifeway Week Three: Joy!

     Lifeway Week Four: Love

     Lifeway Week Five: Christ

Activity Calendar (Voskamp)

Treading Water

Oh dear friends, thanks for hanging in there.

Life is still moving at breakneck speed around our house, although I see a glimpse of less busy times up ahead. Here's a little random run down of what's been going on recently:

I'm finished with orientation at work, which means I've talked poor Megan's ear off about labor curves and fetal interventions (among other things) and she still wants to be a Labor & Delivery nurse. Our six weeks are finished and she's on to learning new things before getting thrust into the world of nursing on her own two feet. If you ask me, I think she's going to be a fantastic nurse.

This also means I'm back to part time hours again. Huzzah!

This past weekend was supposed to be our great and glorious Girls Retreat 2013. Notice the "supposed to be." As it turns out, our high school football team is doing really well and advancing in the playoffs, which meant they had a big time playoff game this past weekend. Considering that would've knocked out several of our girls AND a few leaders, I felt it was most right to postpone.

Do you know how difficult it can be to schedule an out-of-town retreat? Between the already-nailed-down youth events, and the other adults' schedules, and the student's extracurricular activities, and my own work schedule, and available dates at our location of choice.... it's nearly impossible to pick a date that is 100% commitment free. Oy.

This also means that I have some extra time to beef up and refine the retreat materials (quiet times, small group guides, large group discussions). Have I mentioned how great "Gods at War" is? Not to be confused with "How Great is our God" #punny I plan to share some excerpts and high points from our weekend as well as an awesome video that a friend of mine put together just especially for our weekend. If you go to her blog, you can watch it now. It's totally worth the 10 minutes. I promise.

Last Wednesday, Isaac had some swollen gums. By Saturday, he had TWO new molars AND a new canine... with another canine on the way. Poor boy has been c-r-a-b-b-y. I'm looking for the silver lining... three of his four molars and two of his four canines are in. My hope is that once the remaining molars/canines break through, he'll catch a break from teething for a little while. #momneedsabreaktoo

We've also passed a nasty upper respiratory infection around the house. I was down most of the weekend (so it's a good thing I wasn't in Brenham trying to entertain 20 other people). Isaac still has some drainage and a cough. Fellow mommies: Did your kiddos ever revert back to frequent spit ups during a cold? Isaac spit up 4 times this morning between breakfast and lunch. Most of it was mucous, so I can only assume it is drainage-related. (?)

I just happened to check the date and realized my little snotty teething lump of boy is 13 months today! Lets celebrate by throwing a temper tantrum and drooling on everything. Seems to be the norm around our house these days. Between teething and sickness, I am ready to have my happy boy back.

Thanksgiving is coming up shortly and we are both hosting another couple at our house and traveling to Houston to visit family. I've never actually cooked a turkey for Thanksgiving (last year we broke all the rules and had a ham instead.), so I am crossing my fingers on this one.

I started, endured, and finished my second 24 day challenge! This time I lost 10lbs and 8 inches overall. I'd be back to my pre baby weight if I hadn't put on a few extra pounds right before it was challenge time. Either way, I'm finally fitting back into my normal clothes without the aid of spanx or flowy-top-like-camoflage. #win

The Dallas Half Marathon is only a couple short weeks away and I am both excited and petrified. I've finished several "long" runs here lately and there's nothing that I should be nervous about, but I just can't ever shake the jitters. I think i'm currently more concerned with the logistics than the actual run, but I guarantee you, by race morning, I'll be taking nervous poops. Not lying.

The weekend after the half marathon, we're braving the skies with an almost 14 month old and heading home to Augusta for a Christmas visit. I'm open to any and all tips for flying with a wild child. Suddenly, last year's trip with a 2 month old doesn't seem nearly as daunting as it did at the time.

So maybe life isn't slowing down.

But the blog has.

Hang in there friends. And have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Busy doesn't even begin to describe it.

It's been quiet here on the blog front for the last week & a half. And of course that's due to the fact that our lives have been busting at the seams here at home! I have been busy with several really large commitments which just seem to take up every spare moment in my day.

• My half marathon training is really starting to add up these days. Saturday I ran 10.15 miles with my running buddy. I like making that time for myself (including two other short runs during the week), but it is definitely a considerable chunk out of my overall day. 
• I'm throwing a baby shower for a sweet friend this weekend and have been planning and prepping and organizing my buns off. I enjoy throwing parties, but the ahead of time grunt work can be ridiculously time consuming. Thankfully, there are several other hostesses who are sharing in the shower, which takes a little of the responsibility off of my shoulders.
• Isaac seems to be dropping another nap. This time instead of it being at my leading, it's at his insistence... which hasn't gone over so well around here. Last week he was like a bionic baby, taking no naps for a few days. Zero productivity I tell ya. Zero. Thankfully, I think *fingers crossed* we've got him sorted out and are just down to one longer nap each day instead of two shorter naps. In any case, last week was stressful. 
• I was in a catalog photo shoot. Yep, you read that right! I can now add "catalog model" to my resume. I like to think that all those years of watching America's Next Top Model while I was in college helped prepare me for this fancy pants role. Also, my mom enrolled my sister and I into "modeling" classes when we were in elementary school. We learned how to have more poise and how to hold really still in a store window. So maybe Jordan and Isaac were also included in this catalog. And maybe I was posing for a local fertilizer business. But we definitely had fun and were all handsomely rewarded for our time with Spray-N-Grow gift certificates.
• In less than two weeks, I'll take 2 dozen high school students out of town for our annual Girls Retreat. I still need to write materials, order books, design T-Shirts, send out parent letters, meet with my adult leaders, and tie up about 100 other loose ends. I am absolutely overwhelmed right now with this and kinda feel like I've pushed myself up against a wall, but am really looking forward to a weekend away with these girls. 
• I'm over halfway done with my preceptorship at work, which I am superthankful for (the being halfway over part.). I've enjoyed teaching and leading my orientee all about Labor & Delivery, but it is both time consuming and a little frustrating. Mostly because I know I could do everything that needs doing in a fraction of the time, but taking the reins entirely isn't conducive to learning and so I have to hand over some responsibility little bits at a time, while also explaining rationales and such in the process. Plus, adding in an extra 12.5 hour shift into each week makes such a huge difference in my overall available time. Ready to be done.
• Lastly, I'm about 3/4 of the way through a 24 day challenge. Which doesn't necessarily take up a substantial amount of time (unless you count the fact that I'm pretty much cooking every meal... no ordering pizzas, which strangely enough is what I miss most of all), but I've definitely had a few cranky afternoons since dropping sugar & simple carbs. 

Here's hoping for a few lazy afternoons in the not so distant future...

Isaac's Birthday Party

Here are some shots from around Isaac's birthday party! It was really loosely themed around little red wagons. I made certain to spend the party right next to my little guest of honor, which means I didn't take any pictures. Instead, I entrusted my camera to some able-bodied picture takers, who captured lots of fun moments. Enjoy!

We ate lunch, played with bubbles and sidewalk chalk, colored, ate cake & cupcakes, opened presents, and then collapsed! My little guy loved being surrounded by other kids and adults-- never once did he shy away from the attention. We served hamburgers and hot dogs with all the fixins, Ruffles and dill dip, chips and queso, chocolate dipped pretzels, cupcakes, and red punch or water. I think I stressed up until the absolute last minute, but as soon as the party got going, it was a lot of fun!!

Some of our favorite pictures from the past year.

It took him about 6 seconds to rip off the "ONE" that was attached to the front of his highchair.

The Aftermath. It should be noted that he didnt actually eat any of the cake. The kid's just not a sweet eater.

Opening presents in his new big boy chair!

Happy Birthday Little Buddy!!!!

Cake/Cupcakes: Morgan Vasquez
Hanging lanterns/puffs, balloons: Party City
Bunting, Happy Birthday Isaac hanging, ONE high chair decoration: Handmade
Bowtie Onesie: Krafts by Kizzie

12 Month Update!

You've made it to 1 year now! It's a little surreal telling other people that I have a one year old. You're looking & acting more and more like a little boy each day. This is by far my very favorite age, because every day is new and exciting! I would love to hit the "pause" button and just enjoy every little moment with you. You are so full of life, energy, and laughter. You are inquisitive and always investigating new things. You keep me smiling all day long. I adore watching you discover new things and saying new words-- you're growing and changing so quickly now!

Look how much you've changed in the last year!

You're just getting SO big!

So what did you do this last month besides have a birthday?? You made the transition from breast milk  to whole milk with absolutely no wrinkles. Then you went from bottles to sippy cups with zero issues. You're a champ! Nowadays your cups of milk have replaced our nursing sessions, so you get milk in the morning, before your afternoon nap, and at bedtime. It's been so easy and I'm really thankful you're so "go-with-the-flow." On the food front, we've learned that you're not a sweet eater. Ive given you cookies, cake, and chocolate and every time, you make the funniest face and just push the good stuff out of your mouth with your tongue. Conversely, you love green beans. That is 100% your daddy's palate.... because we all know mama has a mouth full of sweet teeth!

You cut a molar sometime in the last week or so, which takes your tooth count to 9. It was nice to have a few months free from teething, and I was expecting a new one any day.  I was pretty certain that you were teething a few weeks ago, but getting a peek in the back of your mouth isn't the easiest (especially when you're really protective of those sore gums!). Once again, it didn't really slow you down- you've always been such an easy teether and those molars havent seemed to bother you any more than the rest.

You're crawling, rolling, scooting, and standing, but not cruising or walking yet. Dr. Canales isnt worried at all about your motor skills yet, so neither am I! One day soon, you'll run circles around me, so I'm just enjoying these last few days of slower moving Isaac (which is kind of a laugh-- you can really get around fast!). You love throwing balls, swinging, and getting thrown in the air. You also love being around other little kids, especially if they will play with you. Even though you've been giving kisses for the last few months, here recently, you've really become more affectionate! You'll cuddle without protest and give kisses without prodding. It makes my little momma heart melt into a puddle.

You are 24 pounds & 13 ounces and a really tall 31.5" long. That means you're in the 80th percentile for weight and 90th percentile for height! Your head circumference is in the 95th percentile! Big boy!!! You're wearing mostly 12-18 month clothes with the occasional 18-24 month thrown in. You're in a size 4 shoe, but it's a stuff-the-foot-in-and-pray-it-stays-on kinda setup. Looks like you'll be in a 5 soon. You're wearing a size 4 diaper.

Oh my sweet, sweet boy! I adore you to pieces. This past year has been so fulfilling, so sweet, so fun. I am incredibly proud to be your mama-- I dont know how I got so lucky. God knew exactly what our family needed when he brought you into our lives, and I am so SO thankful for you. I pray that I can continue to be the mama that you need, that I can teach you how to be a gentleman, and that you will grow up to love God with all your heart.