JUST GOT MOVING

I was so tired this morning, after having to get up multiple times last night for both children, for different reasons...  And, I thought, "I have too much to do this week, to be this tired and dragging...several photography jobs to get out, Pierson's 1st birthday this Saturday, and Thanksgiving next week!"  

Then, slowly, the children and I just got on with our morning...breakfast, diapers, change of clothes, pick-up after breakfast, a couple morning videos for them and some business stuff for me...  

Emmi trying to feed Pierson for the first time.  :)  And, he loved it.

Then, I started preparing P's room for his morning nap, and one thing led to another.  So, I cleaned up both Pierson's and Emmi's rooms, put all the clean clothes everywhere away, thoroughly vacuumed that whole section of the house, and more, with a crawler chasing the vacuum and a toddler trying to plug it into different outlets.  :)  I even scrubbed out numerous stains in Emmi's room and in the hallway, with some trusty Woolite spray. 

Finally, I thought, "wait a minute, this is a dream come true!  I get to work at home with these two amazing little people God gave us, cherishing all these cute, special, sweet moments with them, and *I* get to be the one to take care of and invest in our HOME!"  I am truly so blessed and thankful for God shedding a right perspective on my mind, as I simply took some slow steps and just got moving.

Emmi lying on her clean floor, playing, while Pierson is napping in his room.

Fall Festival on Reformation Day

This year our family attended the Fall Festival hosted by Grace Community Church in Southlake, Texas on Reformation Day.  My sweet friend Angelina invited us to join her family there, as they go each year.  What a sweet fellowship of servant-hearted believers there, and this made their 29th year to do this for the community.   Since Dave and I have been married, we haven't done anything special on October 31st, but this year we decided to let Emmi dress up and to get out of the house for the evening to do something fun. 

Our little purple butterfly was super excited, as we walked across the parking lot to the festival.  :)  She takes that Donald Duck (which her Aunt Christy gave to her a couple years ago) everywhere these days; it's so cute how children rediscover toys at different times and to see the favorites each month...

Our little gentleman was secure and snug in the Boba carrier with his mama.  He looked so handsome in his little golfer hat that his daddy picked out for him.

 

 

Emmi was simply delighted to see all the fun little activity booths and games for children...

And, as you can tell, she was very proud to be a purple butterfly.

Instead of doing the "Ring Toss," Emmi did the "Ring Drop."  ;)  

Please note the mustard goatee on the chin from the free hot dogs we had for dinner there.

A couple photos my love took of me that evening... 

Do you see my purple eye shadow?  I put on a little make-up (which hardly happens these days) in the van on the way there.  As we were getting out of the van in the parking lot, Emmi wanted to see my eyes behind my sunglasses....and when I pulled them down, she said, "oohhh, Mama..." and smiled.  (Purple is her favorite color, in case you can't tell.)  ;o) 

The purple butterfly *on* the purple butterfly.  Found this adorable accessory on zulily, a favorite place to shop this year, because I don't have to leave the house with two young children and I learn about so many cute, unique brands and companies. 

Pierson wasn't feeling well that day.  He was running a fever.  But, he was still such a trooper and was usually fine, as long as we were moving.

My friend Angelina took a couple great family photos for us, and I love the woods and the warm sky behind us.

Taken by Angelina Ayers

Taken by Angelina Ayers

Emmi's favorite spot was the bounce house, as you can see in the following images...

While we were at the Fall Festival, under this awesome, large tent, we ran into Angela Friesen, a midwife at Gentle Beginnings Birth Center.  She actually helped teach our birthing classes when I was pregnant with Emmi.  Angela was doing face painting for the festival, and so she painted one of Emmi's favorite things on her cheek: a moon. 

Yellow Moon on Emmi's Cheek

Finally, to finish off a fun evening, our family went on the hayride.  Here are a few photos from that in the dark...

Sweet Daddy and Daughter

My Good-lookin' Guys

Emmi, loving the hayride.

Well, it was time to head home, and Emmi want to head over to the soccer goal. 

A few more cute Fall photos with some colorful pumpkins, before we left...

Thankful for the best daddy ever, leading his children in the way they should go...

Strollin', Swingin' and Smilin'

Recently, I was overcome with such heartfelt emotion for my 10 month-old son, Pierson.  A little over a week ago, on Sunday afternoon (9/25), our family went on a walk to the park after dinner, and it was the first time Pierson rode in our Radio Flyer wagon with his sister Emmi.

He looked like such a big, strong boy, sitting up and wearing his seat belt.  He was happy and proud and having such a great time.

 

During our visit to our neighborhood park, he also got to swing for the first time, in the baby swing.  I may have tried him in it before (?), but I can't remember him really liking it, until that day.

I'm so thankful we were able to get some sweet shots of this memorable experience for him.  He is growing up so quickly, into such a handsome, sweet, and fun-loving boy.  I could not be more proud of him....what a gift God has given our family.  Pierson is now crawling everywhere (which he started doing a few days before he become 10 months-old.)

He loves to hang out with his big sister and watch all the interesting things she does.  He is starting to pull up, not only on his knees, but to his feet, on a rare occasion.

Pierson is so vocal and expressive; he even repeats expressions and sounds that we make from time to time.  He is also sitting through church services pretty well, except for when he gets hungry or needs a diaper.  What a "Mama's Boy" God has given me; I cherish the sweet times he will let me rock him to sleep at night, sometimes while he's nursing and other times while he just lays his head on my chest.  And, yes, there are the other times (most evenings) when it is literally a wrestling match, just trying to get our little chunk of muscle dressed and ready for bed!  I have to be so careful, because Pierson has almost jumped out of my arms before!  He is so strong and so brave...very fitting to his name, Pierson Everett.

Some of his favorite things are laughing uncontrollably, when he's getting really tired, smiling really big, after a sweet goodnight kiss from his big sister...

and wolfing down a fresh purée of Mama's homemade cooking, whether it be beef stew, chicken pot pie, rice and beans, or sweet potato delight.  Pierson also enjoys grabbing the puzzle pieces that Emmi is trying to organize...

watching our border collie Banjo play in the backyard, and gnawing on these wooden eggs that we bought at Hobby Lobby for our Laugh & Learn™ Learning Farm by Fisher Price®, which we got second-hand for a fraction of the price, but it was missing some of the accessories.  

His manual dexterity is quickly advancing, and he is able to quickly pick up small HappyBaby puffs with his thumb and index finger and deposit them immediately into his mouth.  :)  Our growing boy has almost reached the limits of his 12-month clothing, and will soon be needing his entire 18-month wardrobe!  He still wakes up once or twice a night, and has had a rare occasion when he did not, but his Mama does not mind taking care of his gaseous needs or hungry tummy.  The good news is that he no longer nurses enough at night to require a night-time diaper change before the morning comes.  AND, the other VERY good news is that Pierson's eczema is pretty much gone, with the exception of a few small dry spots near his ankles and mildly dry skin on his shoulders from time to time.  The little rashes on his cheeks, near his ears, try to surface every once in a while, but they are easily controlled and go away without a problem.  

All in all, we are so thankful for the amazing gift of our son and all the joy, love and wonderful strength he has brought to our family.  We hold these blessings of our children with open hands and open hearts, entrusting them to the Lord and never taking for granted the presence of their dear spirits in our home...