How fast time flies

I can't believe it's already been 5 months since my little Liam charged into my world. He has been such a blessing, a joy and an amazement. I feel so blessed that even in those moments when he's screaming to be fed NOW, or not sleeping, or vomiting on me and the couch, I know that in a minute I know he'll be smiling and flirting with me.

A year ago I was still mourning the loss of our baby, and working through that loss but beginning to feel the joy of the life growing in me. I'm amazed how life can change in one year. Last year I was consumed with fear that I would lose this child as well. So as I try to do with every hard situation, I ask myself what I learned or what I think God was trying to teach me. And looking back it's pretty simple: FAITH. Such a simple word, so commonly overused. Did I trust that God had me and my baby in His hand? Did I have faith that He would restore what was lost? Did I trust Him that my pain would not last eternally? I have to admit that this past year my faith has been shaken and tested tremendously and I am still working to make sense of it all. But I know this: the little faith I did have was enough. Today I pray for more faith.

But on to Liam. Here are his 5 month pictures. They show a little progression of sitting up kind of tall to slowly falling over. (Thanks to my new Canon Rebel XSI, I could actually capture it!)

Looking good...

Starting to lean a little...

And a little more...

Is anyone gonna help me?

So here we try it again.

And I couldn't get a picture with out my first baby-love, Truett. Such a good big brother.

Christmas 2008

I guess it's time to update on our Christmas. One of my dear friends told me to get busy...my husband has Christmas pictures up on his Facebook, and I don't have any on my blog. I guess she's right.

We had a great Christmas, it just came and went too quickly! I love the season, the anticipation and the time with family. I wish the weather felt more like Christmas and winter, some snow would help!

Christmas Eve we went to eat at Jason's Deli with my parents and Tate's parents. Tate couldn't be there, he was still at work. He hit a dog that morning and it crunched in the front of his car. What a great Christmas gift! So he met us at the Christmas Eve service at church. I absolutely love our Christmas Eve services, the music is always powerful and I'm a sucker for the candle-light service. I get weepy every time. After the service, my parents and us went to look at Christmas lights. It's so fun to get to do that with Truett, as everything is beautiful and magical at his age. Once we got home and got the boys to bed, we got to play santa and put the gifts out and stuff the stockings. I say "we", but what I mean is "me". Tate wasn't that excited about it.

Christmas morning we spent with my parents. They came over for our traditional Christmas breakfast of egg and sausage casserole with sparkling grape juice. Yummy! I was disapointed none of my siblings could come, but it was a very sweet morning with my parents. After lunch, we went over to Tate's parents. We had a good time playing a game and visiting.

Overall it was a great Christmas. The Lord spoke to my heart on a very hard issue to deal with at Christmas time. I'll share more later when I have some clarity on it.

Truett making sure Santa ate all his cookies and drank ALL the milk.

Oh the joy of a first bike! Truett vroomed all around our house. I can tell the chickens and geese better watch out in a few months!

Look at those cheeks!

Tate and Truett playing with the Lincoln Logs. How sweet they wanted to include Liam in the boy time!

Poppa and Mekah celebrating with us. Nice pants Dad!

My sweetest Christmas gift!

I'm not sure what Liam is so shocked about, but it's cute.

I have to say I have some really precious and cute boys.

Truett got a camera from Tate's parents. He took some "interesting" pictures.

After all the Christmas mayhem, and a day of blessings.

Can I flunk "blogging"?

Okay, I can't stand it anymore...I haven't blogged in 3 weeks! I go through the day thinking I'll get to blog when the boys go down for a nap and something always comes up. There is no way I can catch up for the last 3 weeks, so I'll just start new from today.

Tate was able to come home this weekend, and what a relief! Truett was about to come out of his skin he needed his Daddy so much. It's so interesting to me how little kids express their anger or sadness. Truett has been having a lot of stomach pains the last couple of months. I've been concerned it's something serious like ulcers, celiac disease....but last night after Tate left for another week in Ft. Worth, Truett said he can't eat. When I asked why, he said because his tummy hurt becacuse it was crying because it missed Daddy. I pray that is all it is. I also pray God can give me the words to help Truett get through this time. After he said that, his Poppa came over and they watched football, and Truett felt better. :) I can't believe it starts so early! While we were eating dinner, he said to Poppa that he wanted to play football and be a "giant" and Poppa could be a "cowboy", but that he would win, not Poppa. I have a feeling there will be a lot of sports in my future. :)

Another cute thing...this week we've all had colds or something like that. One night about 3 in the morning, I heard Truett screaming from his bedroom. I ran in there expecting vomit on the walls or something equally as bad. When I got to the side of his bed, his little head was face down in his bed. I asked him what's wrong, and he looked up at me with big, round, questioning eyes and said, "my nose doesn't work"! I asked him if he wanted to blow his nose, trying not to laugh, and he said again, " I can't because my nose doesn't work".

Despite always being tired with a baby who won't sleep through the night and won't take a bottle so I can have a little break, I love being a mommy to two boys. I love to see Truett learn about the little excitements in life and how he expresses his understanding of them. And I love watching Liam become more social everyday.

Some of you may know who the Duggar family is. They are a sweet Christian family in Arkansas who have 17 children and have another on the way. When I first heard about them, I, like most everyone else thought " are they INSANE??" But after reading their book, and watching the documentaries on their family, I have a lot of respect and admiration for them. What I love most, is that they ENJOY their children. They have left how many children they are to have up to God, and they trust Him in providing for them. And He has. But on days when I think, "Lord, I can't do this!" Whether it's Truett throwing a nasty fit, disobeying or sassing me, or Liam not sleeping again, or wanting to nurse only 2 hours after he last nursed, I remind myself of the Duggars. Not that they are super-human and can do it all, but in the midst of the craziness in their home, they are thankful for the gifts that are their children. I don't want 18 kids, but I am thankful for the ones I have and for the ones that are to come. Now if only I can learn to correct without raising my voice....

My boys

As Thanksgiving approaches, I have been thinking about what I am most thankful this year. The most obvious and what brings me the most joy are my two adorable boys. They are both healthy, Truett is very tender-hearted and loves to entertain. Liam always has a smile on his little chubby face. Even last night as he was throwing up from catching a stomach bug, after he would throw up, he would smile at me and coo.

Aren't they handsome?

Liam turned over for the first time yesterday! He's only 3 months old!

Don't they look like their Daddy?

Fall Fun

Sunday evening our precious life group came out to the ranch. We had great food, a lot of fun and a good game of horse shoes. The kiddos had a blast playing in the corn trough and "planting" the corn all over my yard. Tate and I are so blessed to be a part of such a sweet and supportive group of believers. Here are some pics from the evening.

Here the kids are in a little traffic jam. They really play well together, such a delight to watch!

Craig and Tate waiting for the horseshoe game to start.

When it got too cold and dark outside, everyone came in to eat some more and chat.

Here's the Fall cake I made for the evening.

And here are some cookies I made for the kids to take home.

My Mom's 60th Birthday Bash

Last week my mom turned 60, and I got to surprise her with a birthday lunch with her closest friends. She hates surprises, but I have to say, she enjoyed this one. I don't want to get too mushy, but I am so incredibly thankful for my mom. She has been such an encourager for me, my most trusted friend and a wonderful role model. I love you Mom!

My Mom and I at her surprise party at Hickory Street Cafe.

The birthday cake I made, her favorite, carrot cake. Yumm!

The next night, we all went out to Perini Ranch with my brothers, Tate's parents and some friends. It was cold, but we had great food, a fire in the pit and some really warm blankets!

My brother Patrick, Mom, my brother Michael, Dad and Vickie (my sister-in-law). I didn't get a picture of Patrick's wife, but she was there. I always enjoy when we can get together.

Truett just busted his head on the ground, but we took a picture anyways.

Weekend with Tate

Tate got to come home this weekend. I had no idea how much him being gone during the week would affect our lives. I'm adjusting, but Truett is having a real hard time with his Daddy being gone. It's so cute, when Tate comes home, Truett is like gorilla glue on Tate, you can't get him off! Here are some pics from the weekend.

Truett and Daddy spending some time together on the hammock.

Tate and Liam taking a Sunday afternoon nap.

Liam sleeping. Isn't he beautiful?

Liam sleeping so sweetly! You'd think he sleeps a lot, and he does, just during the DAYTIME! I am looking forward to the night when he sleeps a lot!

Truett is such a good big brother. He loves his little "baby Liam!"

So studious!