Hanging with Micah

This weekend we had Bev, Chris and Micah over for some dinner and fellowship. Micah is such a sweet baby. He's growing up so cute. He was telling Zoe and me stories and we got lots of smiles.

Zoe loved telling him all kinds of stories and blowing him kisses. I think she's pretty fond of her cousin.

Leftovers

I think I've finally come out of my turkey and shopping coma. I thought I would post a few pictures from our Thanksgiving.

I have a very unique family. 99% of them are not blood related in any way. This year my sister's family came over to celebrate. Her grandma usually prepares dinner, but this year my mom offered and they accepted. We had 20 people at my mom's house. It was absolutely wonderful.

Zoe was a bit overwhelmed pre-dinner, pre-nap. However post-nap, she was ready to go. Here are some highlights.

Playing hockey with Roan

Matthew, Roan, Grandpa Doug, Mark, Grandma Darlene, Harmony and Piper

Nicole, Connor, T-Dog, Jerry and Michael

Giving Zoe some love

Black Friday Traditions

It has been a tradition in my family for at least 6 years to go shopping on Black Friday. My mom, my honorary mom and my sister would all meet up at 4 in the morning to begin our adventure in savings. Because there are plenty of other people willing to lose their REM cycle in the name of savings, we would wear antlers to be seen over the crowds.

This year it was just my sister and I. We were standing in line by 3:40 this morning, ready to begin our Adventure in Savings '08. I have to be honest, the deals weren't that great this year. I wasn't as impressed as in years past. We didn't even get a Toys R Us ad. Which is a Black Friday cardinal sin, in my book.

While Black Friday is the official beginning of Christmas shopping, for me it represents the one day a year I know I'll get to spend time with my moms and my sister. Some of our funniest memories have come from Black Friday.

This year I was not only reminded of the importance of our family time, but also the spirit of Christmas.

Around 9:30 this morning I hit my wall. I was in need of some Starbucks to reboost. As I sat in the drive-thru I was thinking about all the people I could cross of my list, how much I still had to buy, how much I'd saved already, woudl I have time for a nap. The usual recap of the morning. When I got to the window with my money in hand I was informed that the lady in the car before me had already paid for my drink.

I was dumbfounded. I have no idea who that generous lady was, no way to thank her. In an instant I was brought back to the real spirit of Christmas. It's not the gifts, not all the stuff we acquire. It's showing people, both known and strangers, the real meaning of Christmas. Christ came to earth as a babe knowing His destiny would be a death, so undeserved, for me. He was more generous that I deserve, yet He paid for my sins.

Whoever that lady in the SUV was, she showed me the real meaning of Christmas in such a small act. Thank you for bringing a reality to Black Friday. It was a reboost, to my energy and my focus.

My heart overflows with gratitude

It's Thanksgiving and once again I'm reminded of what's important in life. I love thanksgiving for this very reason. Not that I need a holiday to do that, but it's a nice national reminder. It's a day to celebrate all that God has given me. A day to celebrate the things in my life I don't think I deserve, but was given anyway.

This year has been a true blessing. We are in a home of our own, our house in Puyallup sold and we're all still speaking to each other! This past year has been an eye opening experience. I'm so blessed N walked by my side. He is my best friend, my partner, my biggest supporter, my prayer partner and encourager. I truly don't know what I did to deserve him as my partner in life.

If that wasn't enough, he's an excellent father to our three girls. He loves, encourages, supports and trains them in the Lord.

N, I'm so thankful for you. I know I don't say it enough, but you are a blessing beyond anything I ever hoped for.

If it wasn't enough that I was blessed in the husband department, I got the coolest kid ever. I'm not even being a little biased. She is fun, charming, sweet and a bit goofy. I'm so thankful that God helped her survive and thrive. I honestly can't picture my life without her in it. She is the final piece that completes my heart.

What's even better than having a husband who loves you unconditionally and a daughter who brings a joy into your life? Having two step-daughters who allow you to be part of their lives too. D & E have allowed me to have a place in their hearts and in their lives. I'm so grateful that I get to enjoy them and love on them!

In all my life I never thought I would have deserved three beautiful girls or an amazing husband. Yet God had a different design for my life. There are days I'm overwhelmed with gratitude that He would trust me to raise three girls in Him. It's a task I don't take lightly, but one I'm so glad I've been given.

Psalm 107:1 - Give thanks to the Lord for He is good; His love endures forever.

Zoe's new BFF

My dear friend Steph and her husband Kendall welcomed their daughter on Friday. Jordyn came in at 8 lbs and 19.5 inches. Major kudos to Steph for all her efforts on bringing this beautiful girl into the world.

I hear she's laid back and sweet as can be. She's got some pretty kissable cheeks too.

Welcome Jordyn. Zoe can't wait to teach all the things about life on this side of the tummy. I think she's even got a BFF necklace waiting for you. We can't wait to meet you and to love on you, beautiful girl.

Girls Night In

Last night Zoe and I were a very productive bunch. What does every girl need? Chocolate and crafts.

N has been craving chocolate chip cookies for about a week. It seems that every time I went to make them I was out of some key ingredients. I think flour, eggs and vanilla are important for the cookie baking process. After making sure we had everything, Zoe and I decided to make N some cookies last night. While she wasn't too sure about the touch of flour that she tasted, she is totally hooked on cookie dough.

She's a girl after my own heart.

Since she likes to talk to herself in the oven and the oven gets a bit hot when it's on, we decided we needed a distraction. I had to make a birthday card for a client at work, so we decided on scrapbooking.

Zoe helped get everything out and found a plum colored sheet at the bottom of drawer #3 that would be a perfect canvas for her masterpiece. I found glittery butterfly stickers that she would love.

When I got out my colored pencils to fill in my stamp outlines, she decided she would "color" instead.

These are our masterpieces.

After all the baking and creating, we cuddled in her room before bed. It was the perfect night. I look forward to many more nights in with my girl.

The trifecta of awesome

After a 2 OT win by the Cougs in Apple Cup, I don't know if there is anything that could make the weekend more grand. Not being the worst team is such an uplifting experience.

Then on Sunday night, as Zoe was playing and watching Tigger and Pooh save Christmas, she turned around, hands in the air and said, "yippee." I have no idea where she's even heard that word.

Just when I didn't think life could get any better, I got a gym membership. I used it this morning. I was at the gym by 5:00 this morning. Starting off my day like that is something that has been missing for too long. I haven't been there since 2005 and most of the same people are at the gym in the mornings! It was like a small reunion.

It's a short week. Bring on the turkey and Black Friday shopping!