A Birthday Party

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday! This was Levi's first Christmas, and our first as a family! Christmas Eve also marked the day, three years ago, that Michael and I became a couple. Many reasons to celebrate!

We had a quiet morning opening presents and eating Christmas brunch. Levi was not as excited about the wrapping paper as I had anticipated. He enjoyed his gifts, though!  We finally purchased him a toy cell phone... I was beginning to worry one more slobber would end my phone's life. I hate to say he looks like a texting teenager already... 

My husband is a history buff. He's been researching the French & Indian war heavily, as he wishes to give reenactment a try. I couldn't resist getting him a French 

trade knife... he was quite pleased :) He thinks he looks like a "tool" in this photograph... but I was too excited not to post it! 

MMM... GGma spoiled us rotten with candy! That's what grandmas are for, right? :) 

Michael gave me a silver wedding band to match my engagement ring. :) Because we were married so quickly while he was home on R&R two years ago, we never got 

around to buying rings for each other. I am so happy to finally have one! I didn't take a photo of it just yet, but I thought the package was pretty too! 

No better way to end the morning than french toast, a sprinkle of powdered sugar, and a Christmas nap! {Grin} 

Happy Birthday Jesus! We are so thankful for Your life! We are richly blessed because of YOU!

Because I Couldn't Decide

My sweet Levi playing with our chocolate advent calender. Nothing like letting him play while I eat the chocolate! :) 

Honestly, what's more magical than watching a child discover, learn, and grow? {Especially when chocolate is involved!} {Grin}

Comfort in Literature

Before I begin todays post, I want to thank you all for your kind words of encouragement, and your honesty, after yesterdays unsuccessful edit. I have been posting photographs on my personal blog for a year and a half - never  this focused. Only three days into the journey I find myself feeling a bit overwhelmed {in both good & bad ways} because... this art is not easy! It's a challenge and takes work. It's more than pushing a button and hoping for the best. You reap what you sow, right? 

I'm struggling with the second part of photography - editing. {Also something I've been doing for over a year, with Picnik.} I either over-do it, or don't do enough. Like I said yesterday, that balance is hard to find. I've finally hit a wall and Picnik is just not cutting it anymore. I'm not naive enough to believe photoshop will "fix" my issues, but I do think it will open new doors and provide options. Thank goodness Christmas is right around the bend! {Grin} 

The following photos are of great comfort to me as I LOVE TO READ! We've been living in Kansas since August, and finally visited the public library last week. Once we hit the glass doors, Michael and I split... it was very amusing. I went straight to the "new fiction"section while he headed upstairs to the history shelves. One hour later {and ten books heavier} we left with smiley faces. I don't think either of our noses have yet to leave a book.

I love the clutter on our dresser... it means we've been snuggled up in bed, reading together into the wee hours of night! 

Can you guess who picked which book? {Grin}

This was actually taken before our trip to the library... I had to finish up the ever popular Linger before diving into my new stash. {The edge of our coffee table was chewed up by the dog. I was pretty upset at the time, but for the sake of photography, I think it's perfect.} {Grin}

I just might make a mug of hot chocolate and enjoy a few chapters of The Writers Circle now. {That or tackle a mountain of laundry.} I was actually thinking... would anyone like to take a go editing my photo from yesterday? I'd love to see what another mind/program comes up with. If there are any takers, you can just right click and save the original that was posted, and then email your edits to kayla.sue3{at}hotmail{dot}com. If anyone responds, perhaps I'll post them another day. {Grin}

This is Now

I have not been myself lately.
I haven't blogged.
I haven't touched my camera.
I miss all things Wisconsin.

But here's the deal. We'll (more than likely) be moving back in less than two years. Living in Kansas with only my husband and baby? It's fleeting. I don't want to look back on this time and think, "I really took that for granted", like I did the relationships we left back home.

This is now. Not yesterday, not tomorrow. I will delight in the blessings God gives us, because someday... I'll miss this.

'Cause I've Got Nothing

I haven't taken many photos recently. Not much inspiration, I suppose. This little guy decided to hang out on our balcony for a few minutes earlier today, he was probably taking cover from the incredible winds. I think our house is going to topple over, it's so windy. (AND COLD.) I'm beginning to wonder if we'll ever get snow here in Kansas. Wisconsin is expecting 15 inches this weekend... rats. At least we'll have a white Christmas when we visit! Hopefully these next several weeks speed by, I'm ready to see my family and begin the new year. I think I'll start the 365 photo project come January. Also, a serious weight loss journey. FOR REAL. 

We went to the mall tonight, and they had the worst santa I've ever seen. He was young, dark haired, and the beard was so tacky. (Maybe he's just the P.M. guy. I hope.) I don't know what was going on, but one of the assistants was practically groping her boyfriend (I assume) in front of the families. What?! Following that scene Michael and I discussed telling Levi about Santa. I don't think we will... it only distracts from the celebration of Christ's birthday. 

I'm feeling rather "bah, humbug" tonight. It's going to be a long winter.

P.S. I have several (adorable) videos of Levi I'd like to share, but cannot figure out how to get them off our flip camera and onto my mac. Does anyone know? 

Hardships

Life is so hard sometimes.
I am easily discouraged. Easily hurt.
Personal trials... man I hate feeling like this.

But I AM blessed in many, many ways.
Lord, this is how I grow. You are refining me.
I know you desire our trust. My trust.
You will show us the wonders of Your will.
Just trust in that.
Just trust.

Wordless Wednesday : Special Delivery

Little Person

Nine (and a half) months is when the terrible two's start, right? (Quit laughing!) Our wonderfully happy angel baby has turned into quite the little person... and that little person has got a temper.

I'll cut him some slack and point out the two bottom teeth that are bludgeoning their way through his gums. That can't feel good, and he has the right to be upset. Mostly, I fear his temper is by nature and sore gums are a only a (good) excuse. 

Earlier today I took him to a local screening for children 0-5, called Check Your Child. I have had concerns for some time regarding certain areas of his development. He passed his hearing and vision test easy breezy, (beautiful, covergirl. Sorry, couldn't help it... ANTM fan. Speaking of, anyone watch the finale? I was disappointed.) and then it was time for the developmental portion. They had him play with a few toys, checking to see if he'd bang objects together, pass them from one hand to the other, look for the object if it was hidden/out of sight, and so on. He did really well, and although he didn't pick up the cheerio with his thumb and index finger, (he uses his whole palm to scrape it up) he DID use them to grab a shoelace. Interesting, I thought. 

While being evaluated and handed loads of toys, (then promptly having them taken away) he threw a tantrum. I have never felt embarrassed by his behavior until that moment. He would screech and writhe in my arms until another toy filled his chubby little palms. What have I done?! The spoiling begins this young?! Please tell me I can reverse it in a completely painless fashion. (Grin) What's that, you say? Parenting is never easy?  Remind me next time I mention I want a small herd of children. (And Levi really is a wonderful baby, we just are not used to these flares of anger from someone so cute!)

Anyway, we concluded he's behind in a few gross motor skills. He cannot sit and balance unassisted, and does not stand alongside furniture. I honestly think he's a wee bit lazy and uninterested. (Although crawling he loves... he's perfected the army crawl and can really get across a room!) After some discussion, we decided to bring the infant to toddler program into our home, and they will do physical therapy (and I use that term loosely) with Levi to get him where he needs to be. I am excited and sad that he will be mobile very soon. (and I hear that I should be scared!) (Grin) I was putting him into a new pair of tennis shoes today, and he looked so grown up. Our baby has turned into a little person! Guess we need another one! Just kidding:) I have to lose 60 pounds first... OH! Monday I begin the couch to 2k program! I have never been a runner but always wanted to be. Wish me luck! (Lots, and lots of it!)

I Can {Almost} Crawl!