Christmas Card Preview

I am proud to announce that I have already ordered and picked up our Christmas pictures/cards for the year. Now I just need to type up the letter, purchase some stationary and stamps and send them on their merry way.

I love sending and receiving Christmas cards!

thankful for a great Thanksgiving

We spent 12 days up in Morton for Thanksgiving, and I wasn't ready for vacation to end - proof of a good time with family. Our first week was filled with trips to the doctor with my dad (he's still battling his kidney stones....), football, and low-key evenings at home. Abigail and I both had a bad case of the sniffles, while Rodney had a nasty stomach bug that he thankfully didn't share with his girls or anyone else. But I couldn't have been happier anywhere else, sniffles and all.

On Sunday we got to go to Bethany Community in the morning and celebrated the Feast of Thanks at Bethany Baptist in the evening. It was great to see friends and spend some time letting them get to know Abigail. She fit in great with all of the other kiddos running around the gym after dinner, worship and prayer.

On Monday, my mom watched Abigail in the evening while I went to BSF. It was such a blessing to be a part of that group of ladies again. It is such a blessing to study the same Word and be able to pick up wherever I happen to be.

Tuesday evening we enjoyed food with some of our favorite people in Peoria - the Deutsch family! Abigail loved having so many big girls and boys (and young ladies and a gentleman - they're all growing up so fast!) to follow around. They helped her eat her dinner and kept a close eye on her. Big families are so much fun:)

And Wednesday through Saturday, my in-laws, three of my grandparents and an uncle joined us for Thanksgiving festivities. So between family and my parents' two big dogs, Abigail was a very well loved little girl!

Whew! Busy two weeks! Thankfully, Abigail traveled marvelously and even got to sit in her own seat on both flights. Free checked bags and flexible loading made me a fan of Southwest Airlines.

With all that said, I did not take many pictures. I was not in a picture taking mood (very off for me). But here are some of the few pictures I did take.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Abigail brought books to all willing parties. My brother Dave read to her. All the grandparents read to her. Uncle Scott read to her. And her grandparents read to her (of course). I believe Camus and Cobi were the only ones who did not, but if they could, I'm sure they would have been delighted to oblige Miss Abigail Sue.

"Hi, Doggy!" In the mornings, she first asked for Mimi and Papa. Then she would say, "Doggy?"
hugs for Cobi...Camus didn't stand still long enough for Abigail hugs...

She enjoyed several rides in my old wagon...on the warmer days...

Abigail called this doggy "Amus" instead of "Camus"...Camus was quite spoiled with all of the extra attention while we were home...

Abigail and Papa (who was not feeling the best but still a good sport about reading to Miss Abigail)

a great week

A great week = my hubby being home

A great week = having a girlfriend over to spend the night

A great week = having a healthy household

A great week = being able to go to Bible Study (church and BSF!)

A great week = having Friday night date night with my hubby :)

It sure is amazing how a low week can sure make me thankful for the simple blessings the Lord gives me every week!

what a week

Monday - an off day, teething toddler...

Tuesday - my little girl has the stomach flu, a first for both of us. My poor baby would say, "all done...all done...," and cry every time she got sick. It wasn't fun for either of us.

Wednesday - Mommy has the stomach flu all night, sleeps very little, and prays as she watches the hours drift to morning that she would have the strength for day.

Thursday - a very hard day, nauseous, exhausted

Friday - hubby arrives home from Canada around 12:30am...so far, it's the best day of the week...

And I'm thanful for -

My girlfriend Jaclyn. She came over Monday night to keep me company and watch our traditional "Alias" episode, and though I didn't see her on Thursday, she dropped off Sprite and crackers on her way to work.

The Lord's perfect timing. It was much better to be sick all night than to be sick all day. Having the stomach flu with my hubby gone couldn't have worked more perfectly. As much as I would rather not have the stomach flu, some things just can't be avoided. And if anything, it is always good for my sanctification. It helps me find my way to my knees.

My daughter's nap schedule and flexible schedule altogether. I'm so thankful for naps.

And finally, it is good to have my husband home. I am so blessed to have an extra pair of helping hands in this walk of life and parenting.

so pretty

We had a quiet weekend. We opted to stay home and enjoy a long walk along the bayou and family time instead of joining in busy Fall festivities at church. And with church and Awana on Sundays, we decided to enjoy a quiet afternoon and evening as Rodney has another long week of work ahead of him. So since I knew the grandparents would be missing loads of costume pictures, we grabbed a couple quick before church pictures instead:) Abigail is quickly becoming a little lady...

stubborn

Yes, my sweet girl is a little bit stubborn. No. Correction. She is very stubborn (even though she is sweet, huggable, and oh so cute).

Here she is below in the car, sucking on her thumb because she is tired. Maybe she knew mommy would take her to the park later in the afternoon, since she resolved to skip her afternoon nap.

"Peekaboo, Mommy."
If you look closely, you may even be able to see her hair sticking to her forehead. It was in the 90s yesterday. Taking Abigail to the park when it is that hot is purely selfless and shortlived:)

Parenting certainly keeps me on my knees. It most reminds of my own stubborn heart and my desperate need of grace. In my study of Isaiah right now, I have been struck by the self-reliance of Israel and Judah - their pride and arrogance strikes close to home - which is quite alarming. I daily drift towards pride and self-reliance - the do it on my own mentality. I confess that I rarely turn to the Lord first when I encounter struggles and strife. It usually takes falling on my face to get me on my knees.

So I was very much encouraged this week by chapter 9 this week.

"But there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulon and Napthtali, but in the latter time has has made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.

The people who walked in darkness

have seen a great light

those who dwelt in a land of deep

darkness,

on them has light shined.

You have multiplied the nation;

you have increased its joy;

they rejoice before you

as with joy at the harvest,

as they are glad when they divide the spoil....

For to us a child is born,

to us a son is given;

and the government shall be upon his

shoulder,

and his name shall be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Of the increase of his government and of peace

there will be no end,

on the throne of David and over his

kingdom,

to establish it and to uphold it

with justice and with righteousness

from this time forth and forevermore.

The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do

this." -- Isaiah 9:1-3,6-7

What a picture of grace! Zebulun and Naphtali were a part of the self-reliant tribe of Israel who had "pride and arrogance of heart" (Is 9:9). God judged their arrogance, pride and self-reliance (Isaiah 9 -10:4), but he didn't leave them forever. He leaves them with hope - a light that pierces the darkness - Jesus of Nazareth. So my prayer this week is that I would spend time on my knees, asking for God's daily grace in my life. I need this light that pierces the darkness. I desire to depend on the Lord and allow His peace to guard my heart and mind in Christ Jesus. May I truly know and fellowship with the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. And I pray the same for you too.

finally!!!

Another tooth has arrived! And I can see three more about to pop through, which explains the missed nap today...

So we went out shopping and then spent an hour at the park. Swinging lasted about two minutes and the bouncy animals about one minute. We literally spent most of the hour going down the slides. She would say, "More slide!" and happily trot off to the steps to go down the big slide again.

So, I think before long, we'll be at the end of her toothy grins, at least for a couple of more years.

I love this sweet face!

and I love her "cheesy" smile too:)

Meanwhile, my hubby is working in West Texas at an oil show this week, so us girls are living it up here in Houston. Today we had my "Transforming Women" Bible study at church - so encouraging and awesome. Tomorrow we have BSF, lunch with a friend, and an "Alias" date with another friend in the evening (well at least I do -- the littlest lady will be in bed, I hope). So we're keeping pretty busy, as usual. And when we have times of quiet and girl time, we've been filling our home with the melodies of Keith and Kristyn Getty, who we got to see in concert on Sunday night. The kids album in in the CD player in the house, and their new CD, "Awaken the Dawn," is in the car. Soul satisfying and delightful.

a step...

...in the right direction...

i hope.

personality

Fall routines...

We've fallen into a good Fall routine here in Houston. It's beautiful outside - cool enough again to actually enjoy being outdoors. Last week, we walked down by the bayou every evening. And Abigail and I made our first trip to the park in a great while, celebrating the fact that I can actually stand outside comfortably! She loves the slides and swings and is brave enough to go down the big slides all by herself.

On Friday we went to our local Greek Festival with our friends, John and Jaclyn. I don't think I could ever turn down Greek food. Yum! And Abigail would have eaten all of my baklava if I had let her:)

Jaclyn "Jacky" and John are such a blessing in my life. I daily thank the Lord for Jaclyn, someone who I can laugh, cry and be a goof with.

my handsome hubby and beautiful little girl...

"Daddy, you have big shoes to fill!"
I am in a bit of a daze today because I'm fighting off a cold. I figured I would blog while Abigail fell asleep. And now I'm off to make some homemade bread and take a nap myself.

20 months

Thank you Lord...

for the headache.

Yes. Last night I had a terrible headache. I ended up turning off the movie I was watching and crawling into bed at 8:30. Four hours later I awoke to the ringing of my phone; Rodney was calling letting me know he'd touched down in Houston.

God knew I was going to need that recharge of sleep because Abigail is sick and had a rough night and Rodney was coming home off of a four hour night of sleep the day before and a 19 hourish day. So when I was up every hour or so listening to Abigail coughing and up at 4am taking care of a miserable little girl, I could rejoice and thank God for my rest and presence of mind!

Thank God for headaches! And I'm going to keep praying that my little girl feels better soon.

my girl...

makes me smile and laugh. she is laid back. she loves making new friends.

she brings me so much joy.

thank you God for my precious girl!

a birthday week

Yes, I turned 28 last Monday and though the day didn't go entirely as planned and was in some ways in accord with my past five birthdays -uneventful, lonely, husband gone, to Hurricane Ike - it ended with my husband home, Starbucks and the beginnings of a marvelous week. My in-laws treated me to beautiful flowers, cake, a fireworks display cake topper (in good Harms tradition) and a date-night with my hubby later in the week.

It was so good to have Morrie and Angie here for the week. We actually spent most of the week up in Lake Conroe. It was good to get away from the apartment to swim, shop and play games. I won't mention who won and lost most of the games...

On Friday we headed to Brenham to visit the Blue Bell Ice Cream factory. My in-laws are converts to all things Blue Bell. Abigail even got to eat her own little scoop of vanilla, much to her great pleasure.

I am already counting down to the holidays. Having family here makes me homesick. Abigail says "Grandma" and "Grandpa", and I am looking forward to all grandparents being within a couple of short hours. We love and miss you!!! So when it gets cold up north, please come visit us down south. I assure you. It will still be warm.

a new month

September is a new month. It is a fresh start. Praise God!

August was one of the most challenging months in my recent married memory. Anxiety and loneliness were enemies that I had to fight daily with truth. They would wake me in the middle of the night and keep me up. But the Lord is good. His words comfort. They draw me back to where I need to be - at the foot of the cross.

I am amazed at how I love my husband more and more each day. He is such a blessing in my life. He prays for me, leads me to the Lord, and encourages me like no other. He is a great dad. He is an excellent leader. He is my best friend.

My in-laws are coming for a long visit on Friday, and I'm thrilled mostly because we'll get to have lots of family time next week:) Some of Abigail's most recent new words are grandma and grandpa (just in time for their visit!).

isn't she beautiful :)

she loves to climb into the chair all by herself...

BOB instep stroller - my most recent purchase. i decided after a month of poor sleep, i needed to add exercise back into my life. i picked it up on friday, and i've already walked/jogged 8 miles! if the rain holds out this week, i'll try and take it out tomorrow.