Parties, Poems & Peppermint Shakes

Hadley's class had their Christmas party this morning and it was a blast. As you can see Hadley enjoyed the yummy snacks.  =)

I "love" that she never looks at the camera.

Ms. Ceci got all the kids books for Christmas.

One Mitten
by Kristine O'Connell George

Thank you Ms. Ceci!!

After the party everyone was entertained by Douglas Fir, the talking/singing Christmas tree.

The sweet goodie bags all the kiddos got.

I even got something to come home and put on my tree!  

My new favorite ornament, thank you Hadley!

It came with a poem too:

These aren't just three snowmen as anyone can see.
I made them with my fingers, which are a part of me.
Now each year when you trim the tree, you'll look back and recall
Christmas 2011 when my fingers were this small.

After Hadley's school party I left and headed to the SAA's playgroup Christmas party, sadly Hadley didn't come because she stayed at school, but she did get another goodie bag out of the deal.

When I picked her up from school we got one of our LAST Christmas gifts and because she was so good we treated ourselves to one of these.

  

Thanks for checkin' in!!

Gingerbreads and Dress Up

I really want to start this post with how grateful I am for all the messages I received the other day.  It took a lot for me to share that and now I wonder why I didn't do it months ago.  I can feel your prayers working and it is amazing how much more at peace I feel already.  THANK YOU!

***

Most mornings now we start the day with dress-up. 

Yesterday it was Princess Tiana.

These beautiful flowers arrived from some dear friends of ours.

Thank you, Robins Family!

Discovered these little yummies on our run for eggs at Target.

When we got home from our quick errand Hadley was a bit chilly so she bundled up in her robe with Raja.

Cutie!!

 A belated Tuesday baking activity.

Giant Gingerbread Cookie

My little helper with her Christmas apron and snowman spatula.

Ha, this smile wasn't forced... at all.

Mixing up all our goodies.

Decorating was pretty fun too.

 Andrew, looking like he's up to no good, offered to help with the eating process.

Yes, my husband is a giant goober, but I love it!

"Not my gumdrop buttons!"

After indulging in some sweets we headed to church.  I'm so excited about this quarter because we have a singing class on Wednesday nights. We're not just singing but also looking at the origins of the songs we are singing.  This was the first night but I'm looking forward to all of those to come.

Thanks for checkin' in!!

Broken but NOT Defeated

The title is a bit deceptive because honestly at this point I do feel a bit defeated, but only by the grace of God do I know that I am NOT.  

What I'm about to post is very hard for me to say and I have prayed about whether to post it at all.  I think a lot of my reservation comes from feeling too proud to admit I have problems but I know I need prayers and sometimes its okay to talk about myself.  My fingers are shaking so bad as I'm trying to find the right keys to push, but I know I'll get there.

 A friend told me it could be therapeutic, so here it goes.

I was the 5 year old that told my mom I was going to have 5,000 babies and I was going to live in a huge house. (I would need one.)
I was (and am) the one who whenever someone would start a sentence with "Guess what..."  I responded with, "YOU'RE PREGNANT!"
I was the one that has felt my calling in life was to be the best mom in the world to ALL of my children. (And I am trying to be for my beautiful daughter.)

 16 months ago Andrew and I decided we wanted our family to grow and we have had 16 months of disappointments.
16 months ago I started my prayers for a growing family and after 16 months I'm at a loss of what to pray for anymore.
16 months ago I asked Hadley if she wanted a brother or a sister and after 16 months I wonder if I should have even brought it up.  

I know there may be some of you who think its ridiculous that I would want to have more children while my husband is still in med school. Believe me I've already gotten the "You're incredibly irresponsible" lecture from a PCP I tried out here in Tulsa. (No longer my PCP.)  If those are your feelings I would appreciate you not making any hurtful comments.

I prayed for answers before my first appointment in September but my doctor sent me home with a prescription for 3 months of ovulation tests, before she would do anything. (UGH!!)  I have since decided to switch doctors and set up another appointment with a specialist a week from today.  I am again praying for answers and a simple solution.  

I'm not writing this because I want you to feel sorry for me.  I'm writing this because I desperately need your prayers. 

Pathetically enough I have a free sitting fee from my wedding photographers that I've been so patiently saving for our next addition and I'm ready to use it by golly.  So if you pray for nothing else pray that it doesn't expire, haha.

***

2 Corinthians 4: 8-9 

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.

Psalm 37: 4

Delight in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.

Psalm 34: 17-18

The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; He delivers them from all their troubles.  The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Thanks for checkin' in!!

Playing Catch Up =)

WEDNESDAY

My sweet girl just reading a book.

On our way to go play at the gym, which ended up being playing dress up at Airika's house for dresses to wear to the Holiday Ball.

THURSDAY

Our playgroup went to Color Me Mine to paint pottery.

The girls anxiously waiting to start.

Hard at work.

Making some finishing touches.  I can't wait to get these back I think they are going to be SO cute!!

 FRIDAY

We got to hang out with Jai for a little bit while his momma went to do some Christmas shopping.

Friday evening some girlfriends and I had a date night. 

Andrew took Hadley and the guys all hung out with the kiddos while we went out.

Before we left.

Aren't they cute in their flannel?

  We did dinner at Fish Daddy's and watched The Help, such a fun night.

SATURDAY

My mom came into town and we had a craft and shopping day.  Believe me it was a blast!

That evening we spent time with friends watching The Battle of Bedlam.

SUNDAY

We went to church then headed to lunch and had Jai for the afternoon.  I think he was excited for some Norman time.  =)

After Jai went home Hadley and I did some grocery shopping, but not before we took some fun pictures in the bathroom.

Sunday night I was in a crafty mood so I made my recipe cards for the SAA cookie exchange on Tuesday.

I think they turned out pretty cute.

MONDAY

Today Hadley and I have hung out with a couple different crowds. This morning it was friends from SAA and this evening it was a friend from church both great company.

Thanks for checkin' in!!