Lincoln's Baby Dedication

"Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it." ~Proverbs 22:6

Because I believe in these words, I think today is extremely important and significant for not only Lincoln but for our family as well. Today Lincoln took part in the baby dedication service at our church, and we as parents committed to raise him in a Godly home and to try our best to act in a Christ-like manner as examples for him. What a responsibility!! HUGE! But one I feel so honored to take on...

"I asked the Lord to give me this boy, and he has granted my request."~ 1 Samuel 1:27
"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you..." ~ Jeremiah 1:5 Isn't that incredible to know the Lord knew these two little angels would be mine??? That He knew the amount of hairs on each of their adorable little heads??? [And that He trusted me enough...]I adore this picture because it was completely candid and captured a precious moment between me and Sailer.
Our Family picture...
Dear Lord, I ask that you watch over these two babies you've both blessed and charged me with. Keep them safe. And may they always feel love first and foremost from me. Help me to exemplify your son, and for them to always know that you are the beginning and the end.... that your son is the reason we live... and that they are two of the reasons I live. Thank you for trusting me enough. I love you.

28 Nov ~ SIC EM BEARS!

Today we went with the Rendas to the Baylor-Tech game at Texas Stadium. It was so much fun and amazing to finally get to see the stadium. It's incredible! We started out at a fun tail-gate before the game... now that's a story. Regardless, we always have so much fun with the Rudy and Christy.
Sporting our school colors! Sic 'em Bears!
And this is how the Tech fans roll...

I cannot be held responsible for this man...

I must say my Bears put up a surprisingly good fight!!

And then there's Rudy.... well....

Post Thanksgiving laziness...

Today we just stayed in and enjoyed our little family for the day. No Black Friday madness for this one. We did introduce these little treats. Mum mums are num num... lol. (=

My little Make-Up Heister....

Happy Thanksgiving!!

This morning we woke up early to have a big yummy family breakfast together as we were doing a late family dinner with everyone. As usual, we sat at the "little table" that was set and ready for us to gobble down together.

Oh, sweet daddy...that bed head is dreamy...
Captain Turkey at our house...
Just like daddy...

Attempting for a picture of the two of them in their matching Thanksgiving outfits... ummm, not going over so well.

Attempt #2- squeezing the life out of him.
Attempt #3- definitely not going well...oh, the tortured life of Lincoln. He's going to be one tough linebacker!!
My little Thanksgiving beauty.
And my sweet little pumpkin ready for everyone to get here!

Well, there was a little snafu with the turkey.... as in it was taking FOREVER to cook.... so as most of you know or can gather, I'm usually pretty prepared for anything. So I whipped another turkey to tide us over.Oh, yep, you guessed it.... another costume change for my little man. The best looking turkey ever.... I certainly could eat him up!!
He is SO going to hate me one day for things like this....
...or just laugh and embrace that his mommy is a little eccentric but lovable regardless. (= I'm praying for the latter.
I could squeeze this little turkey all day long...
I guess someone else could as well...Finally sitting down for dinner.
After dinner, Sailer's cousin, Gavin, came over... and this is the best pic I got of the two of them, as they NEVER slowed down long enough for me to grab one.
Of course, Mr. Lincoln cannot get all of the attention... Miss. S had to squeeze herself into this size 6-12 month turkey costume. LOL- sadly, it zipped up on this skinny minnie... just a tad short. She ran around and around acting like a turkey for the rest of the night. What a little performer!


"See what had happened was...."
"Gobble, gobble, y'all!"
As the night winded down to an end, Sailer received her first Christmas present from her Nana and Papa....a small gift for her parents as well.... the Elf on the Shelf. As they read the story, it was her turn to name him. Adam. ???? Well, apparently he looks just like Adam in her class so that's what she wanted.

Someone else is ready for Christmas, I guess. Yeah... his first one!!
Happy Thanksgiving Friends and Family who read this and take part (albeit the web) in our family goings-on. I am ever grateful for you.

the night before thanksgiving....

Last year i did the same thing.... the night before Thanksgiving, amongst the craziness of holiday preparations, I sat down to write down what I was most thankful for in the past year. It's good to reflect and take stock, I think... I've always learned to praise the Lord for not only the big blessings, but to equally praise Him in the little things. Well, this year has been jam-packed with blessings both large and small at our house. Here are the highlights...

(1) How could I not be most thankful for the safe and healthy addition of our perfect little boy, Lincoln Pierce. Although making a somewhat brutalizing late arrival, as I look back now, he was worth every agonizing moment I had to wait for him. I always wondered how it would work to love another child like I do Sailer... and it's really a miracle. I think your heart truly doubles (if not more) in size to accommodate because I truly love him just as much.... and the addition only made me love Miss. Sailer even more.

(2) I am unbelievably grateful for finding a church home... that truly is a "home." I love walking in the doors to find first and foremost the essence of the Holy Spirit everywhere in that house. And second.....friends everywhere! Not just ones I happen to run into or have to plan to see... but tons that are there weekly to wrap their arms around you because they're truly glad to see you. And the ability to be hands-on with the pastor and his family... what an incredible blessing that's been. I look forward to getting to know more of that church family and become more involved over this next year. But I definitely count the Lord leading us there this past year as one of the year's greatest blessings for every member of our family.

(3) Mark. Although we can drive each other crazy sometimes... we were truly meant for one another. I am thankful for so many things about him. His love. His time. His drive. His support. His laughter. His big brain. His smile. For being a great daddy who has learned to read bedtime stories and takeover bathtime. For someone who's learned to trust although that doesn't come naturally. For learning to take me where I am and embrace some of the needs I have that he doesn't understand or share. I am very proud of him for his business success that he's earned every bit. But I'm most proud of his decision to take an active role in leading our family. In deciding to make church a priority time-wise and financially. That was a big step for him, and one, while I know he'll be blessed by, that has made me love him even more. Thank you, Mark, for working to make this adventure together the best one ever. This truly has been our best year.

(4) Sailer. I am so thankful for the privilege of being her mommy. For her sweet smile. Sometimes even for her tantrums... if they're the ones that make me laugh. I'm grateful that I see the fruits of her learning and seeing her grow into a little girl... where did my baby go?? I'm thankful that she is kind and funny and good-spirited and (sometimes) thoughtful. I love that she loves her friends, her school, ALL animals, and that she has conversations with "baby Jesus." I love that her prayers are simple and sometimes LOL funny, yet at the same time, so much more "real" than most adults. And on an extremely superficial note, I love that she still lets me dress her in crazy get-ups for the most part. I dread the day that she gets to decide (I'm all for independence until they start walking out the door looking like rag-a-muffins...mommy can not handle that).

(5) My family. Plain and simply, I wouldn't be where I am or who I am without each of their roles in my life. I love them so much.... my parents, my grandparents, my new parents, and my baby brother. They each make me want to be a better person in some way. Each are always the first to want to help me. To want to love me. To want to just "be there." I love you all... differently but the same. I am most thankful for my Pom and Mur this year. Thinking about it still makes me tear up. It was the first holiday I have ever NOT shared with them. Due to either surgery recooperation or inclement weather, they didn't get to come. It gave me a taste of what it would be like without them here.... I didn't like it. At all. There was a void. One that no one could or will ever be able to fill. They have been more than grandparents.... they have been parents, cheerleaders, role models, friends, and now the best great grandparents any two little kids could ever want. I am a better person because of them.

(6) FRIENDS!! Man, I have been so abundantly blessed with girlfriends this past year. Last NYE, I made a resolution to really make time for girls again in my life... I'd really let kiddos/hubbby monopolize all of my time, and while I'm not downplaying the need to spend as much time with your family as possible. I've learned that for me its equally as important to have some away and alone time... with both my hubby and with girlfriends.... to help me keep sane, happy and in the end, a better mommy. Well, I was blessed in college to have so many great friends, and while I'm still close with several of them, distance makes it difficult. Although I love my phone time with them, I miss the daily stuff or the ability to jump in the car and grab them for dinner. (Jennie- I'm esp talking about you.... why does NO have to be so far away???) So I started praying for local g-friends- specifically those that were sort of in the same time of life as me.... learning to juggle home, mommyhood, etc. and that I just clicked with. And well.... God answered me in such an abundant way! This past year I have experienced some amazing girl-time, laugh out loud moments, and have truly created some incredible friendships that I know will last. So to those ladies... you have truly made my cup runneth over. I love you...

Thank you, Lord. For being you. For your son. For my life. For the above gifts. And for what's in store this coming year. I love you most of all.

The story of our life right now....

25 Nov ~ the holiday shakes

Just two sweet pics of the babies today....

And finally here's a little holiday "shake".... we are so in the holiday spirit over here. [Thanks Mimi for this little bit of entertainment...]

24 Nov ~ And the sickness hits again... [please pick another house]

This picture makes me so happy yet a little sad... she looks so old! Where are the days going????
We are homebound today...a sick little boy AGAIN! Not to mention, I am swamped in Christmas decor, party faire and WAY to much to do to get ready for the upcoming holiday at my house. And all I really want to do is snuggle with this little man to make him feel better....which in the end, is exactly what I did.

23 Nov ~ When crafts go wrong...

Today was a super fun day filled with many comical elements and a lot of good laughs... I'll give you the highlights...6 kids (ok 2 don't count as they can barely sit up) who all think they are in charge attempting to play together and share amicably (this fiasco somewhat enhanced as all that was given (or stolen by) to these poor children to eat contained lots and lots and lots of sugar), 3 usually fairly crafty mamas failing miserably to create festive Christmas party decorations (this was in NO way linked to any possible wine consumption that may or may not have occurred), a small tornado that somehow touched down in the playroom, last minute microwave fine dining ala Natalie, ending with one mom exiting the bathroom with my newly hung curtain in hand. I'm just saying.... too fun!!
On a serious note, I am forever in debt to Sherilyn and Jenny for all their help that day.... couldn't have done it without you two. And definitely wouldn't have had near as much fun!

22 Nov ~ Barbies and Shotgun Shells

Well, we thought our sweet friends, the Greers, were heading this way the weekend following Thanksiving... my usual Christmas decorating crazy days.... so I decided to tackle the job pre-Thanksgiving. I know, I know.... gasp. Anyway, I always like to do it clad in Christmas flair, with festive music and maybe a celebratory cocktail for creative mojo just for good measure! It makes me in SUCH a good mood.

Even Lincoln was doing flips because he was so excited... lol!

Ever since Sailer was a baby, I have put up this super fun pink tree in her nursery which we proceeded to decorate with her 3 decades of signature Barbie ornaments.... they're too die for! I love that this year she actually knows and loves Barbies, so the tree was a complete hit! This was the blank slate, just begging for some pretties...For the second year in a row, Miss. S actually helped me put up and decorate her tree. She LOVES it!! This year she definitely had a definite opinion regarding where ornaments should be placed.
A collection of her vintage barbie ornaments...apparently having a party of their own.
My little princess.... once upon a time, this was mine... lol. Ohhh, the good ole days. (= Just kidding... I am honestly one of those people that think life just keeps getting better. Those definitely were good days in my life, but my life now... the days are GREAT!
After awhile of me just decorating, my "little elf" decided to rejoin me to help with the final touches!

A few sweet shots of my top design elf in action.



And on to my second-in-command showing off his new tree.... complete with all boy ornaments including the super fun shotgun shell lights.

Sweet boy in your cowboy Santa pjs...