30 Days of Thanksgiving 2010

I am thankful…

1. to be a child of God. I praise Him for His faithfulness in my life and for changing my life at a very young age.
2. for my husband who continues to challenge me, motivate me, humor me, provide for me, and love me in spite of myself - I cherish him.
3. for Charlotte – her bold spirit and sensitive heart, her humor and expressive nature, her petite frame and lovely features, her giggle and rambunctious laughter, and the way she challenges me to be a better mother and example to her on a daily basis
4. for Joey – his adorable blue gaze, his sensitive spirit, his sweet grins and giggles, his love of music (already), his milky white skin, his affection for me
5. for grandparents who love our children and play an active role in their young lives, who consistently give of their time and resources (willingly), and uplift our young family in prayer daily
6. for Jeff’s safe arrival to Nicaragua and for communication with him during his trip
7. for fresh beginnings each morning. “Morning by morning new mercies I see.”
8. for my girlfriends – women of faith who uplift me in prayer, encourage, inspire, and motivate me to be a better mother, wife, and friend
9. for our Madison home – a peaceful place that provides protection and warmth. It is filled with so much joy and we always love returning to i.t
10. for my nieces and nephews – from a young age they have filled my life with additional joy
11. for a free country that so many have fought to protect
12. for technology that helps me stay connected to those that I love
13. for Jeff’s safe return from Nicaragua and the experience he gained while operating there
14. for the opportunity to be a mother- I am beyond grateful to the Lord for the privilege and honor of caring for our blessed children
15. for evenings on the couch (alone) with my husband
16. for Victor Allen’s French roast and raspberry scones - They always turn my day around.
17. for afternoon naps
18. for the fellowship of other Christian mothers
19. for the opportunity to shop for, purchase, and consume a variety of foods -what a blessing it is to be able to provide for our little ones a well balanced meal
20. for laughter
21. for music and how it fills our home
22. for my husband’s little texts throughout his busy day that let me know he’s thinking of me
23. for a wonderful bed to rest my head at the end of a long day
24. for my siblings and the experience of being a sister
25. for the fellowship of believers on Sunday morning and the privilege of freely attending church
26. for our van that provides space, comfort, and reliable transportation for our family
27. for stimulating conversations with my husband and for the laughter we share
28. for the opportunity to share my journey through residency with other wives of residents who encourage, listen, and support me through good times and bad
29. for Super Target allowing me to one stop shop with the perks of Starbucks and free bakery cookies for Charlotte
30. for God’s grace, His promises, and for the work of the Holy Spirit in my life

With Gratitude

SINCE WE HAVE BEEN MARRIED, I HAVE HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF SPENDING THANKSGIVING DAY WITH JEFF'S MOM'S SIDE OF THE FAMILY, A TRADITION THEY HAVE KEPT UP SINCE JEFF WAS A CHILD. I HAVE GROWN TO LOVE THIS FAMILY AS MY OWN AND ALWAYS LOOK FORWARD TO THIS SPECIAL DAY TOGETHER. SINCE HAVING CHILDREN, THE DAY HAS BROUGHT US EVEN MORE JOY AS WE ARE ABLE TO WATCH OUR CHILDREN INTERACT WITH EXTENDED FAMILY THAT WE SEE ONLY ONCE A YEAR. THERE IS QUITE A SIGNIFICANT AGE GAP BETWEEN CHARLOTTE AND THE YOUNGEST COUSIN BEFORE HER (12 YEARS), SO THERE ARE MANY EAGER HANDS TO SCOOP UP OUR KIDS AND HELP US ENTERTAIN THEM. WITH MANY OF THE COUSINS BEING YOUNG, PRETTY GIRLS CHARLOTTE WAS ENAMORED WITH ALL OF THE CELL PHONES, JEWELRY, AND LIP GLOSS AT HER DISPOSAL. JOEY QUICKLY PICKED UP ON ALL THE EXTRA LOVE IN THE ROOM AND SPENT HIS DAYS CRAWLING FROM ONE FAMILY MEMBER TO THE NEXT. IT WAS A SWEET TIME.

THERE IS MUCH TO BE GRATEFUL FOR DURING THIS TIME OF THE YEAR. SPECIFICALLY ON THIS DAY I WAS THANKFUL TO BE A PART OF SUCH A LOVING AND GENEROUS FAMILY. I AM BLESSED TO HAVE GROWN UP A BURGER AND AM EQUALLY BLESSED TO NOW BE A LARSON.

AND, ON THIS DAY I AM ESPECIALLY THANKFUL FOR MY BROTHER-IN-LAW, BRAD. THANKSGIVING WAS ALWAYS HIS FAVORITE HOLIDAY, AND I CAN STILL RECALL A SIMPLE REQUEST HE MADE OF ME YEARS AGO - IF AT ALL POSSIBLE TO SPEND EACH THANKSGIVING DAY WITH HIS SIDE OF THE FAMILY. HE CHERISHED RELATIONSHIPS AND HE LOVED SEEING HIS ENTIRE FAMILY TOGETHER. AND, SO I AM HONORED TO SHARE THIS DAY OF GRATITUDE WITH HIS FAMILY. A PROMISE IS A PROMISE.

I MISS YOU, DEAR BROTHER.

OUR LITTLE TURKEYS

GRATEFUL FOR ONE ANOTHER

GETTING HIS FIRST TASTE OF DEEP FRIED BIRD. AFTER A FEW (CAUTIOUS) BITES, HE WAS HOOKED.

BONDING OVER BUBBLING OIL

WHAT A MAN. WHAT A TURKEY.

FORGET THE TURKEY SANDWICH, I'LL TAKE A MOMMY SANDWICH.

CONTEMPLATING GOING DOWN THE STAIRS.

LITTLE BUDDY MADE SOME SIGNFICIANT PROGRESS IN STAIR CLIMBING OVER THE WEEKEND. HE NOW CONFIDENTLY SCALES THE STAIRS WHENEVER THE OPPORTUNITY ARRISES, WHICH IS USUALLY WHEN HIS DADDY FORGETS TO CLOSE THE GATE. :)

WE WERE EVEN ABLE TO SLIP IN A VISIT WITH OUR DEAR FRIENDS, THE HAILAS.
CHAR AND JUDE AT PLAY.

HOME AFTER THE HOLIDAY - A LITTLE RAGGED FROM OUR TRAVELS, BUT STILL QUITE CUTE.

PERHAPS, NOT HER BEST EXPRESSION OF LOVE.

WE PRAY THAT YOU AND YOUR FAMILY HAD A BLESSED DAY OF THANKS! AND, AGAIN IF YOU HAVE NOT HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO TRY A DEEP FRIED BIRD, GET YOUR HANDS ON ONE ASAP!

The Boy is One!

OUR SWEET BOY IS ONE.

I HAVE SAID IT BEFORE BUT I'LL SAY IT AGAIN, THE PAST (ALMOST) THREE YEARS HAVE GONE BY SO FAST SINCE WE HAVE HAD CHILDREN. FROM THE MOMENT YOU SEE THE POSITIVE PREGNANCY TEST YOU KNOW YOUR WORLD IS GOING TO CHANGE AND YOU ARE THRILLED AND SCARED IN THE SAME MOMENT. YOU THEN SPEND THE NEXT TEN MONTHS PRAYING FOR YOUR UNKNOWN LITTLE BLESSING, IMAGINING THEIR APPEARANCE, ANTICIPATING THEIR ARRIVAL. AND, THEN THE GRAND MOMENT ARRIVES WHEN YOUR SWEET BABE IS PLACED ON YOUR CHEST (AFTER ONE OF THE MORE DIFFICULT EXPERIENCES OF YOUR LIFE PASSES.) YOU LOOK DOWN AND SEE PERFECTION. AND, THEN YOU BLINK AND YOUR CHILD IS TURNING ONE.

JOSEPH BRADLEY HAS BALANCED OUR FAMILY IN WAYS I NEVER EXPECTED. HE IS CALM TO OUR CHAOTIC MOMENTS. HE IS PEACE TO MOMENTS OF TODDLER TRIALS. HE IS BLUE-EYED TO HER BROWN. HE IS FAIR TO HER OLIVE. HE IS CAUTION TO HER ADVENTURE. HE EATS IN ABUNDANCE WHILE SHE PECKS. HE WAKES EARLY FOR ALONE TIME AND GOES TO BED EASILY SO SHE CAN GET HERS.

HE FINDS HIS PLACE IN MY ARMS, WHILE SHE OFTEN JUMPS IN DAD'S.

AND, TOGETHER WE ALL ENJOY MUSIC, DANCING, WATCHING TELEVISION ON THE COUCH, FAMILY TRIPS IN THE VAN, CUDDLES AND KISSES BEFORE BED, PLAY TIME, STORY TIME, DONUTS AT THE FARMER'S MARKET, DADDY'S ARRIVAL HOME EACH NIGHT, BATH TIME, SUNDAY MORNINGS AT CHURCH, FAMILY VISITS IN MILWAUKEE, AND RETURNING HOME TO MADISON.

JOEY, YOU ARE CHERISHED AND LOVED BY MANY. WE REJOICED IN YOUR ARRIVAL AND WE ANTICIPATE SO MANY MORE BIRTHDAYS TOGETHER. YOU ARE OUR SON, OUR BLESSING FROM ABOVE.

HIS BIG DAY ARRIVES.

LET US EAT CAKE.


OVER THE PAST YEAR, JOEY HAS RECEIVED SEVERAL GIRAFFE KEEPSAKES. THUS, A THEME WAS BORN.

MY ATTEMPT TO ADD TO THE THEME.



OUR FAMILY OF FOUR.


FROM EARLY ON, HE ONLY HAD EYES FOR HIS MAMA.


PROUD PAPA (FRESH BACK FROM NICARAGUA).

PAPA JOE HELPS GET CHARLOTTE IN A FESTIVE PARTY MOOD.

"DID YOU KNOW I'M ONE TODAY, NANY?"

OUR BIRTHDAY FEAST - THANK YOU MOTHERS!

THIS LITTLE MAN LOVES TO EAT.

HANGIN' WITH COUSIN ZACHY.

FEELING BLESSED TO RECEIVE HER OWN BIRTHDAY GIRAFFE. THIS LITTLE LADY ADORES ALL THINGS LITTLE.

SURROUNDED BY TOYS!

LITTLE DOES HE KNOW BIG SISTER WILL GIVE HIM A RUN FOR HIS MONEY BACK AT HOME WHEN HE ATTEMPTS TO PLAY WITH THEM.

THE MOMENT HAS ARRIVED.

HE KNOWS A GOOD THING WHEN HE SEES IT.

HE WAS QUITE CAUTIOUS WITH THE CAKE. I TRULY BELIEVE IF WE WOULD HAVE DELIVERED A GIANT PIECE OF LASAGNA ON HIS TRAY IT WOULD HAVE BEEN DEVOURED IN MINUTES. HE CHOSE TO PICK AT HIS CAKE WHILE WE ALL WAITED IN ANTICIPATION FOR THE TYPICALLY ONE-YEAR-OLD SMASH FEST.

GAINING A TAD MORE MOMENTUM WITH ENCOURAGEMENT FROM PARTY-GOERS.

SO PROUD OF HIS ACCOMPLISHMENTS!

FROM THIS SHOT, YOU CAN SEE HE DOES NOT SUFFER FROM LACK OF FOOD.

GEARING UP FOR A POST-PARTY BATH.

TUCKERED OUT FROM THE DAY'S EVENTS. IT IS HARD WORK TURNING ONE.EVEN OUR SWEET GIRL TIRED FROM ALL OF THE DANCING, RUNNING, CHEERING AND CELEBRATING. OH, HOW WE LOVE THAT FACE.

HAPPY TO BE REUNITED WITH HIS FAMILY AFTER EIGHT DAYS IN NICARAGUA, I KNOW THIS SHOT EXEMPLIFIES HIS GRATITUDE, AFFECTION, AND LOVE FOR THESE SWEET ONES.

WHAT A DAY OF REJOICING IT WAS!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BUDDY!

(Probably) Too Much Information

THIS LITTLE LADY IS TOO MUCH (MOST DAYS). SOMETIMES IT IS HARD TO LISTEN TO HER WITH A STRAIGHT FACE AS SHE RELATES INFORMATION TO US ALL DAY LONG.

AS SOME OF YOU KNOW, WE ARE IN THE MIDST OF POTTY TRAINING OVER HERE. IT HAS ACTUALLY GONE BETTER THAN I ANTICIPATED (AFTER HEARING COUNTLESS TALES OF DOOM FROM MORE EXPERIENCED PARENTS). WHILE GOING NUMBER ONE SEEMS QUITE EFFORTLESS, OUR SWEET GAL HAS ALWAYS STRUGGLED WITH GOING NUMBER TWO. AS YOU MIGHT IMAGINE, IF DOING HER BUSINESS IN A DIAPER HAS CAUSED US MUCH PAIN AND AGONY GETTING HER TO FEEL COMFORTABLE DOING HER BUSINESS OVER THE POTTY HAS PROVED TO BE EVEN TRICKIER. HOWEVER, (I'M PLEASED TO REPORT) OVER THE PAST WEEK WE HAVE MADE GREAT PROGRESS IN THIS SENSITIVE AREA. AND, WITH HER NEW FOUND SUCCESS AND INTEREST IN BLESSING THE TOILET WITH SAID NUMBER TWO DEPOSITS, SHE HAS FOUND NEW (SIMILES/ANALOGIES/CHARLOTTE"ISMS") TO DESCRIBE HER POTTY.

I APOLOGIZE IF THIS IS INDEED TOO MUCH INFORMATION FOR YOU. I LAUGH THAT THIS IS EVEN THE TOPIC OF SUCH A REFINED FAMILY BLOG. BUT, I FEEL THAT I OWE IT TO YOU CHARLOTTE FANS OUT THERE TO HEAR HER LATEST AND HUMOROUS THOUGHTS.

ONCE OUR SWEET GAL GOES NUMBER TWO INTO THE TOILET SHE LIKES TO LOOK DOWN AT IT AND TELL ME WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE TO HER.

AND HERE IS WHAT SHE SEES.

IT LOOKS...

"KIND OF LIKE A LITTLE ROCK."

"KIND OF LIKE A LITTLE BALL."

"KIND OF LIKE A LITTLE BUSH."

AND TODAY...

"KIND OF LIKE A LITTLE TACO."

(I MAY NEVER BE ABLE TO EAT AT TACO BELL AGAIN - A FAVORITE RESTAURANT OF THE LITTLE LADY'S AND MINE.)

OH, IF YOU COULD BE A FLY ON OUR BATHROOM WALL TO SEE HER GLEE AND DELIGHT AS SHE GOES ON THE POTTY, AND HEAR HER CREATIVE AND DESCRIPTIVE NARRATIVES. I TELL YOU, IT IS NEVER A DULL DAY OVER HERE!

While Daddy is Away...

A WEEK AGO JEFF FLEW TO NICARAGUA WITH A TEAM OF SURGEONS TO SPEND A WEEK OPERATING IN MATAGALPA. WE KNEW THAT HIS TIME AWAY WOULD BE FRUITFUL BOTH PROFESSIONALLY AND PERSONALLY. WITH SO MANY DAYS WITHOUT THE LEADER OF OUR HOUSEHOLD, THE KIDS AND I LOOKED FOR WAYS TO ENTERTAIN OURSELVES WHILE WE EAGERLY AWAITED HIS RETURN.

LAST MORNING WITH DADDY.

HE TREATED US TO BREAKFAST AT OUR FAVORITE DINING SPOT - HUBBARD DINER.

CHAR CAPTURES A SHOT OF HER HUNGRY BROTHER.

"BYE DAH-DDY! DON'T LET THIS FACE FOOL YOU; I WILL MISS YOU!"

A NEW FAVORITE SPOT TO PLAY.
CHARLOTTE'S PLAN OF ACTION FOR FUN:
1. REMOVE ALL CUSHIONS.
2. ENTICE BROTHER ONTO CHAIR.
3. BOUNCE LIKE A MANIAC, UNTIL MOMMY IS FRANTIC.
4. PAUSE FOR A BREATH AND REPEAT.


NOTHING LIKE A TRIP TO MILWAUKEE TO PASS THE TIME.
OUR LITTLE SONGBIRDS.

MAKING BEAUTIFUL (?) MUSIC.

POST NAP CUDDLE.

MAKING COOKIES FOR JOEY'S FIRST BIRTHDAY.

SHE TAKES HER ROLE AS SOUS-CHEF VERY SERIOUSLY.

KNEADING THE DOUGH.

NANY'S KITCHEN IS THE PERFECT PLACE TO PLAY.

OUR TIME WITHOUT DADDY WAS SWEET, BUT WE SURE ARE ANXIOUS FOR HIS ARRIVAL TONIGHT. OUR HOME DID NOT FEEL THE SAME WITHOUT HIM.

A Month of Thanksgiving

I AM NOT SURE THAT I HAVE EVER PUBLISHED A POST WITHOUT A PICTURE, BUT HERE GOES.

SEVERAL PEOPLE IN MY LIFE ARE COMPOSING A LIST OF THANKSGIVING THIS MONTH. THE IDEA IS THAT EACH DAY IN NOVEMBER YOU WRITE DOWN SOMETHING YOU ARE THANKFUL FOR. I STARTED MINE TODAY. IT WAS NOT DIFFICULT TO COMPOSE A LIST OF THREE RIGHT OFF THE BAT. I HOPE TO SHARE MY LIST AT THE END OF THE MONTH. WOULD YOU BE INTERESTED IN JOINING ME?

Sunday Best

I ADORE SEEING THE CHILDREN IN THEIR SUNDAY'S FINEST. THIS SUNDAY, I WAS ABLE TO CAPTURE A FEW QUICK PICS BEFORE CHURCH.

JOEY WAS FASCINATED WITH HIS NEW BIG BOY SHOES.

WHO KNEW LACES WOULD BE SO INTRIGUING?

"HAVE YOU SEEN THESE THINGS?"


BIG BOY SHOES REQUIRE A BIG BOY POSE.
TESTING OUT NEW LOOKS FOR THE CAMERA.


AND, WE CANNOT FORGET OUR LITTLE LADY.
FROM THE LOOKS OF THIS POSE, ONE MIGHT ASSUME SHE IS ALWAYS THIS ANGELIC. LET'S JUST SAY SHE WAS PREPARING HER HEART FOR CHURCH.

IT IS ALWAYS A JOYFUL SUNDAY WHEN WE ARE ABLE TO ATTEND CHURCH AS A FAMILY. IT BLESSES MY HEART TO HEAR OUR DAUGHTER CRY OUT BEFORE LEAVING, "WHERE IS MY BIBLE?! I NEED IT!" I PRAY HER FAITH GROWS IN ABUNDANCE AS SHE LEARNS TO WALK WITH OUR LORD AND SAVIOR.

To Wauconda We Will Go

THIS PAST WEEKEND WE PACKED UP THE VAN AND HEADED TO WAUCONDA, ILLINOIS FOR A (MUCH NEEDED) VISIT WITH OUR FRIENDS THE BELLITOS AND LIVINGSTONS. OUR COMBINED FAMILIES ALWAYS FEEL EXTREMELY GRATEFUL FOR AN AFTERNOON OF FELLOWSHIP AS WE ARE NOT ABLE TO SEE EACH OTHER AS OFTEN AS WE ALL WOULD LIKE. THE BELLITOS GRACIOUSLY OFFERED TO HOST OUR FIESTA AND OUR DAY WAS FILLED WITH LAUGHTER, TOYS, CHASING, FEASTING, SPORTS, SWEET SMILES, OVERDUE CONVERSATIONS, MORE LAUGHTER AND FEELINGS OF GRATITUDE. IN JUST UNDER THREE YEARS WE HAVE DOUBLED THE SIZE OF OUR CREW AND WE ARE NOT DONE ADDING (THANK YOU LIVINGSTONS)! IT IS NOT OFTEN THAT YOU FIND A GROUP OF FRIENDS THAT ADMIRE, SUPPORT, ENCOURAGE, UPLIFT AND GENUINELY LOVE ONE ANOTHER AS OURS DOES. AND BEFORE I GET TOO SENTIMENTAL ABOUT THIS CREW, I WILL CEASE WRITING.

"WELCOME TO OUR LOVELY HOME."

~ LUKE

THE NIGHT BEFORE OUR TRIP CHARLOTTE PONDERED WHETHER OR NOT THERE WOULD BE TOYS IN "CONDA."

SHE WAS NOT DISAPPOINTED.
GRATEFUL FOR A MOMENT ALONE WITH ALL OF THE TOYS. PURE CONTENTMENT.


SLIGHTLY EXASPERATED?!
"I KNOW YOU TOLD ME I WOULD HAVE TO SHARE, BUT I WAS NOT EXPECTING TO SHARE WITH THIS MANY BOYS!"


LITTLE ANGELS AT PLAY.

THESE DAYS I FIND JOEY AS CLOSE TO CHARLOTTE AS POSSIBLE. HE CANNOT WAIT FOR HER TO TEACH HIM NEW THINGS DAILY. THIS PICTURE MAKES ME SMILE, AS I KNOW ONE DAY HE WILL MOST LIKELY TOWER OVER HER.

HIS NEW LOVE - THE PHONE.

"HI."

CURIOUS LITTLE FELLAS.

JOEY FOUND ANOTHER MENTOR TO TEACH HIM THE INS AND OUTS OF TODDLERHOOD.

THANKS ROBBIE!

WE HAD EVERY INTENTION OF TAKING A PICTURE OF ALL SIX CHILDREN IN THEIR HALLOWEEN COSTUMES, BUT DUE TO DIFFERING NAP SCHEDULES THE CHILDREN NEVER QUITE MADE IT INTO THEIR COSTUMES. SADLY, WE DIDN'T EVEN CAPTURE ALL SIX CHILDREN TOGETHER IN ONE SHOT. NOT REPRESENTED IN THIS SWEET POST IS THE LOVELY ELLIE. (sorry sweet thang!)

BETTER LUCK NEXT TIME!