I officially have a toddler!

This past week has been busy for my family and I! On March 19th we celebrated my mom's birthday (which was also Steven and I's anniversary.) Then the next day, on March 20 was Lillie's 1st birthday! I opted out of the big, 1 yr old, birthday celebration trend and just kept it simple. The pictures tell the story. We spent the day doing everything that Lillie loves-as of right now. We woke up, played around the house, had bfast, then she took a nap. After her nap, Lillie and I headed to Froberg's (our nearly local Farmer's Market) with Mimi and the cousins and picked strawberries. Then we headed to Menchie's for some frozen yogurt. After that it was home for another nap, then that night we celebated with Daddy and my family over her favorite dinner of Pei Wei and her 1st cake! She was spoiled and loved all of her gifts and all of the attention! The next day we played with all of her toys and then some of Daddy's family came over for cupcakes and more celebrating! The following day was supposed to be Steven and I's celebratory anniversary outting (with Lillie spending the night out for her 1st time at my parents); However, plans sadly backfired! Steven, Lillie and I all took 24 hour shift turns with the new stomach virus that has been going around! Ugh! But today is a new day and we are ready to get in full swing as we prepare for Easter! So much hope fills my heart as well as sadness. But that is for another post that hopefully I will have time to write soon. Lillie keeps me busy these days! And on that note, I will end with all that encompasses Lillie in this first year of life!

Lillie, at one years old you love...
*your sleep
*to eat-especially strawberries, noodles, frozen yogurt, peas, mum mums and your bottle
*your cousin, Grace
*Disney Junior cartoons
*reading
*bath time
*being pushed on any kind of device
*animals
*the outdoors
*going to Papa's to see his chickens
*and anyone who gets on the floor and plays with you-giving you their un-divided attention

You still look just like your Daddy and are like a day away from walking on your own. You can say: Mama, Mom, Daddy, Dada, Papa, Grace, out please (ow pea), Uh Oh, Baba (bottle), and Bath. And you also love to make animal noises. You are: unique, independent, smart, beating to your own drum, funny, beautiful and sweet. I can't believe that it's been a year! We both survived by God's grace! :) You are so loved, Lillie Joy!

A Day in the Life

Where I have been lately? Well, going non stop with my little monkey actually...as the pictures protest! On a "normal" day I wake up at 6:30 and tend to my mini farm of 7 high maintenance animals and get the house "going" (ie. unload dishwasher, etc.) Then you will find me sipping on my spark while I read a quick devotion before Lillie wakes up. Lillie usually wakes up at 8 and I feed her, we read her morning bible story, get dressed and then the playing begins. She is 10 1/2 months and nowadays you will find her: attempting to walk on her own and then falling, walking everywhere with a walker, crawling everywhere and eating anything that the she can find off of the floor, loving to watch Disney Junior, etc. After awhile of that we head out for an hour walk with Franklin and she cat naps in there. Upon returning, we eat some more, play some more, deal with more of the animals needs, read some more and mostly I chase her around the house some more. At this time I try to get any chores, errands or fun play dates done as possible. After all that, we take all of the dogs for a little walk. Around 2:30 she will nap and it is then that I have my QT and have been writing on a different format other than here (for awhile.) She usually wakes up about 4:30 and we eat again and then I attempt to make dinner. About 5:30 (if not at the fire station) Daddy comes home and we eat with him and then head outside to either play with the neighbor kids, go on an outting, or watch one of the neices' games. 7:30 is usually bath and 8 bedtime. After 8 you can find me usually cleaning, resting while watching one of my favorite TV episodes (Duck Dynasty, Downton Abbey, or The Office), spending time with Steven, having a friend over while Steven's at the Fire Dept, or writing and then finally sleeping. It's riveting folks! haha But I love my life that God has given me and wouldn't have it any other way!

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Holiday Pictures

In lieu of my last post, here are some pictures from over the Holidays of our new puppy, Franklin; Lillie (who is now 9 months old!); Christmas; and time with some family and friends that I managed to capture! :)

Hosted a friends game night at mi casa and here is sweet Gage playing his own game. :)

The zoo with my best friend, Hanna (who was in town) and her family! It was freezing out...probably why I got sick later but great day so worth it!

Our new puppy, Franklin!

Christmas Eve (ha) :)

Our family Christmas (early b/c Steven had to work)

Our present to Jesus (Matthew 25:31-45...gift we gave)

Lillie opening gifts before Christmas

Christmas Day at my parents

I left for a brief moment to let the dogs out at my house and I come back to find how her cousins dressed her :)

Christmas night and entering into a Christmas coma

Play time has begun as Disney has now thrown up in our house (thank you, family!) :)

Happy New Year!!

9 months now and a silly goose

All for Daddy...Go Texans!!