Fluffy Puff Marshmallows

Thanksgiving night was a frigid one, so we ended the turkey day festivities by toasting some marshmallows. The girls thought it was about the coolest thing ever. And closing the day with some sweet family time, gave me one more thing to be thankful for.

Pint-size Picasso

Earlier in the week, Maia got in some serious trouble for drawing on a wall in our living room. She hasn't done that in a very long time because she is certainly old enough to know that is a bad decision. If she didn't know it before, she knows now.

So, you can imagine my surprise when just a few days later I walk into the room and see her drawing with a dry erase marker, on one my bowls, that just moments earlier was full of grapes. Fortunately this was not a bowl that was the family heirloom type. In fact, I think I got it for free - used. But the point was that she was once again drawing on something that was not meant to be drawn on, and something that didn't belong to her. Needless to say, I immediately began to feel my pulse quicken. I chose not to say anything at that exact moment, for fear I would have to apologize later. Instead I just grabbed the bowl and took it straight to the kitchen to see if there was any hope of getting the marker off. When I picked up the dish sponge and looked at the bowl, this is what I saw:





Seriously? Well, my anger quickly dissipated. I know she probably should've been in trouble. But I let it slide. Guess I had a moment of weakness... :)

Trunk or Treating

This year Halloween fell on a school night and a church night. So the Wednesday before, our AWANA clubs held it's annual Trunk or Treat for the kiddos. As usual, the kids had a blast and Papa was around to lend a hand with the toddlers, while I passed out candy to all the little Woody's and Disney Princesses.


Our very intimidating little pirate



Blue-eyed Indian





Josie and Maia with their cousins, Dawson (Spidey) and Maddi (the one crying:)

Sam Houston Fall Bash

Maia's school had a Fall Bash the weekend before Halloween. There was all sorts of fun to be had, but I was working the cake walk most of the time we were there. Grammie and Granddaddy tagged along and we were thrilled they did. After a few minutes, they may have been regretting their decision!




Every good pirate needs a sword. And apparently so do Indians.

Pumpkin Patch 2010

Yes they're cute, but it is pretty much impossible to get a good picture of my girls right now! If one is looking at the camera, the other isn't. If one's smiling, the other looks pained. So, out of 60 pictures, these are the best. It is a good thing they are so gosh darn cute. :)

Four years from forty...YIKES!

In my eyes, he'll probably always be that 24 year old I fell in love with. But the numbers don't lie. On October 10th, my sweet Robert celebrated his 36th birthday. It was a fairly low-key celebration. But he got homemade cake and gifts. That's what matters, right?

You may remember for Maia and Josie's birthdays, I listed my current favorite things about them, according to their ages. (does that make sense?) Well, not that I can't find 36 things about Rob that I love, but that would take forever! So instead, I'm going to list 36 different "titles" he's held since I've known him. Sounds boring? Well then don't read it. But, I think some are quite impressive. This guy has worn many hats in our 8+ years of marriage, and every single one makes me proud to be his wife.

I do love you Rob, and am so glad you came around to loving me, after I'd loved you for so long. Thanks for marrying me, and for staying married to me! ;)


So, in no particular order:

1. Electrician
2. Hiker
3. Deacon
4. Carpenter
5. Designer
6. Actor
7. Singer
8. Gardener
9. Father
10. Pastor
11. Friend
12. Floor layer
13. Plumber
14. Aggie
15. Mentor
16. Encyclopedia :)
17. Cook
18. Furniture Upholsterer
19. Painter
20. Lumber Jack
21. Brother
22. Uncle
23. Art Aficionado
24. Museum Expert
25. My own personal GPS
26. Architect
27. Son
28. Worship Leader
29. Teacher
30. Builder
31. Computer Specialist
32. Photographer
33. Auto Mechanic
34. World Traveler
35. Website Designer
36. Christ Follower

Sillyness

A while back our friends the Hamiltons, came over to play. While the grownups were playing Skip Bo and 42, the kids decided to play dress up. Well, all the kids except Madison. She would have none of that dress up stuff! Her brother Mason was kind enough not to let our girls dress up by themselves...



Don't let the dress fool you. This kid is all boy. But he's also a silly 5 1/2 year old who was just trying to have a little fun!

He Knows Us

Yesterday when Maia woke up, there was a spot on her left cheek that was a few shades darker pink than her normal skin tone. Upon first glance, it just looked like she'd slept a bit harder on that side of her face. But it was still there when I picked her up from school yesterday, and still there this morning. It isn't raised or anything, just a little more pink. So I'm not concerned yet, but rest assured (grandparents) I am keeping on eye on it.

As I was walking home after taking her to school, I felt thankful that I know her face so well, I can tell immediately when something is even the slightest bit different. This is true with both my daughters and with pretty much their whole bodies. I know every square inch of them. I know when they get a new freckle or mole. I recognize any new bruises, scrapes or bumps. I haven't necessarily tried to become this familiar with them. It's come from years of changing diapers, bathing them, helping change in and out of clothes, etc. Each time I look at them, I memorize them without even realizing it. Because I'm their mother. Because I love them as only a mother could.

So thinking about this on my walk home, I thought, "How much more does the Father know me?" How can I fully grasp that while I'm on this earth? I don't think I can. But I do know that not only does He know me outwardly, He knows me inwardly. The New Testament is full of verse after verse with words that tell us that only God knows our hearts. He knows my every thought, every emotion, every hair. I find so much comfort in this. The book of Psalm 139 says it best:
"O LORD, you have searched me
and you know me.
You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue
you know it completely, O LORD."



I sometimes struggle with the thought that there isn't anyone who truly knows me - my thoughts, my motivations, good or bad. But He does, and that brings me peace.

Sovereign Lord, I do praise you that I am fearfully and wonderfully made. And so are my daughters. Thank You for choosing them to be my daughters and thank You for choosing me to be Yours.

Kinder Kid

We knew this day would come. We didn't think it would come so fast. Today, Maia began kindergarten. Cue: racing heart, stinging eyes, tears streaming down face. And I don't mean Maia.

She was super excited and we were excited for her. But yes, as soon as I exited the building, bring on the water-works.
Why, you ask? I've pondered the same thought many times over the past several weeks. Yes, it's a milestone. Yes, she's my first-born. But the truth is, her world of influence just suddenly grew exponentially. That's hard as a parent. Especially as a parent who is a believer. I know we live in a sin-cursed world and I can't shield that from her. Nor am I supposed too. I'm trying to teach her to show Jesus to a world that is dying. But the selfish part of me wants to hide her from the evil she will be exposed to for the first time, such as racism or bullying, or who knows what else. I'm having to rest in my God's sovereignty right now, in a different way than ever before. He's in control of her little life. Not me. As she begins this new journey, I pray He will use her life for His glory, and that He will show her parents how to best equip her for that task.





I bought this Jansport backpack for $4 last December. Regular price - $40! Not too shabby.



Patiently waiting



Understand why I might be a little nervous???!!

In the classroom and already hard at work.




Notice all the colors in her hand are a shade of pink or purple. Not a coincidence.




This is Maia's teacher, Mrs. Meador. She's telling the students about the breakfast, which they serve them each morning in the classroom.

Grammie-Maia Day

Before school started, Grammie wanted to take Maia to get a few school clothes. So these two got to spend some fun time with just the two of them, lunching and shopping. Maia had a great time and for sure will be the best dressed Kindergartner in school. Thank you Grammie!

Generations

This is a special picture indeed. At Josie's party, I noticed it was the first time that all of my grandmother's 6 great-grandchildren were in the same place as she. Not knowing when this would happen again, I seized the moment. So here is my dear
grandmother with all six of great-grandchildren and her two oldest sons, the grandpa's.

L to R bottom: Maia Jeanette Reed, Josephine Rose Reed, Margaret Josephine Penson Rydell, Maddison Kate Rydell, Dawson Jakob Rydell.
L to R top: Timothy Carl Rydell holding Hunter Timothy Robinson, David Todd Rydell holding Ella Grace Rydell.

What a blessing!!!

Big 2 Year Old

I may be unintentionally starting a tradition here, but I thought in likeness of what I wrote about Maia turning 5, I would share two of my favorite things about Josie right now. Again, this will be difficult since there are so many things I love about that little toot.
But here are two that happen to immediately come to mind:

1. I love that every morning and every nap, the first thing she says every time she gets up is, "Where's Maia?"
2. I love that any time she hears anything that even resembles a beat, she is shaking her hips and bopping her head.


Holy Father, I'm ever thankful to You for giving me little Josie. She is a joy to me and a precious gift that could only come from You. I praise You, that You knew her before I did and still chose me as her mother. Help me to raise her in a way that brings You alone glory and that she would grow to be a woman that is completely surrendered to Your will for her life.