My Christmas Post..a little late

I remember coming home on Christmas eve last year with my two day old son and sitting under the Christmas tree in awe that I was holding MY child. I couldn't help but think about Mary, mother of Jesus, a lot. So long ago she was doing something so similar to me and holding her baby boy...probably not in front of a tree decorated with ornaments and lights.

 When Gideon was only a couple days old he was put in the hospital with severe jaundice and possible brain damage because of such high levels of bilirubin in his blood. As a hormonal, women who just gave birth, and a new mom I was scared to death of even the thought of losing my son. I was struck again by Mary. She sat and held her newborn son, filled with joy and excitement, just like me..but oh what was to come. Her son would be killed an awful and unjust death for the lives of so many undeserving people. Wow, how heart-wrenching. Especially for a parent and a new one at that.

As I sat there holding my sick newborn son and thinking about these things, I was filled with thankfulness. One, for my son's life right now. That he can be treated and should recover fully. That he's alive. And that he's been gifted to me.

Two, for Mary. For the lessons I can learn from her on motherhood and suffering.

And three, Jesus. He came to die. He came for the purpose of dying. What?! My mind is boggled. The reason for his life was me? How can that be? What have I done? What can I do? I'm struck. Struck my true, self sacrificing, perfect love. His Father created him, sent him to earth, and for the purpose of him dying a cruel death so that I can live. Forever. With Him.

So this Christmas season, I held my son (and the baby in my womb) close. I thanked the Lord again for Jesus, His life and His death. And I was again struck by the true love of Jesus and gratefulness for my children and their lives.

Christmas Travels: Charleston

After spending almost two weeks in Alabama, Gideon and I headed "north" to Charleston. (Adam met us in Baltimore on a layover.)

Ah, the south.  Southern accents, sweet greetings, and warm weather. I think we ate enough sausage gravy and biscuits to last us all year long..though the hubs may disagree saying that isn't even possible. :)

It was my first Christmas with Adam's side of the family. It was a lot of fun to get to spend more time with them and get to know them a bit more. Adam and I have been together for almost five years but we've always lived a distant away from family making it hard to hang out with them often. This was Gideon's first time meeting most of them!

While we were there we again celebrated Gideon's birthday, this time on the 22nd. It was so fun to let him meet more of his cousins, aunts, and uncles. We had a small party with family and some friends...and yummy food of course.

Gideon loved playing with his cousin, Abigayle!
They were born only three days apart!

 Then it was Christmas. I think Christmas is so much more special with children. It doesn't take a lot and they are just full of joy.

Gideon helping Grandma and Pop-pop open their gifts. 

Christmas Travels: Alabama

I haven't been able to post for a while because Gideon and I were out of town (with little internet access) for almost the entire month of December. We enjoyed time with both sides of our family. At the beginning of December we visited my side, surprising my mom and spending two weeks with them at their new house in Alabama. Then heading to Charleston for Christmas with Adam's family.

Uncle J and the Birthday Boy

While in Alabama we had a little celebration for Gideon's first birthday with my parents, brother, and cousins! It was so fun to celebrate with them. And to meet some of my young cousins (well, I guess second cousins) for the first time.

My mom always throws the best parties!

We also got some good quality time with my parents!

Fun times with Pawpaw! 

Lots of love from Grammy!

Playing with Great-Grandpa

The Christmas Parade in Ozark is quite a big deal for the town. It was so fun to be in a small southern town again. Everyone knows everyone! Two of my cousins were in the parade, too! 

Kenadee (the one showing a little sass :)) cheering her heart out!

Charles riding with his motorcycle club.

Side note. There's little that warms my heart more than seeing a little girl melt when they catch sight of their daddy. Charles has FIVE little girls that are googly eyed for only him! As soon as they heard his motorcycle coming they started screaming! And didn't stop until he was out of sight! "DADDDDY! THERE'S DADDDDDDYY! AHHHH" It was adorable. I could hardly even take photos.

Four Generations! 

Well, that will be if for now. More to follow about our time in Charleston soon!

A piece of my heart..

I mentioned briefly in Gideon's 10 month post that he is a lot like his daddy, so much so that I think it deserves it's own post.

My husband. We met when I was 17, engaged at 18, married at 19, pregnant at 20. He's incredible and has wooed my heart ever since. He is a quiet man, which used to kind of bug me. Not anymore though. It's honorable. Its a trait I often wish I was better at. He enjoys the simple things in life, nothing too fancy. He likes to listen and serve. He serves so well and constantly. Seriously, I could (and have..and still do) wake him up at 1am to get me water...(thats sitting on his night stand) and he will gladly do it. He enjoys learning and has a brain like a sponge. Laughing is something we often do together. He is full of integrity and doesn't care what people think if it means doing what is right.

My son. We met when I was 21. :) He is the child who has made me a mama. A very happy mama. He is full of life and laughter. And he loves his daddy. The back door opens and he will stop what he's doing to crawl as fast as he can to climb up his dad. When he was a newborn until probably 4months he didn't care for toys, he was fine as could be just looking around at his surroundings and listening to people talk. He is content (for over an hour sometimes) just pushing his one simple truck around. He loves to be tickled and thrown in the air. And he is full of joy. Seriously. so.much.joy. He wakes up happy and..well not alway but often, goes to bed happy. Father like son.

I can't get enough of these too. I am just as giddy as my son when my husband walks in the door because he constantly shows me true love and sacrifice. I praise the Lord for Him. Both of these men (one little and one big) in my life drive me closer to Jesus. I can't love my husband as best as I can without being close to the heart of God and I can't teach and train my son without know the Word.

It's like living a dream....even on the hard days. :)

Sorbet

Okay okay, here it is. I have been wanting something cold to eat since we've all been sick in this house and that is when 'sorbet' was born. I wish I was creative enough to think of a clever name to call it...but I can't. If you think of one let me know! :-)

It consist of mostly fruit and then some liquid of your choice. I used my magic bullet to make one serving and it was perfect, but that means my measurements will be approximate..I didn't think much would come of it when I made it.It's not meant to be hard like sorbet from the freezer, think soft serve. I am sure you could throw it in the freezer for couple hours if you'd prefer though.

Coconut Mango 'Sorbet'

1 1/2 cups frozen mango

3 frozen strawberries

1 1/2 cubs coconut water (you could sub coconut milk but I used water for a stronger flavor)

1/2 cup of almond milk

Place frozen fruit in the blender/magic bullet and add 1/2 the coconut water. (Tip: Start with less liquid if you think it is too much for your blender to keep it thick.) Blend until it's too thick to blend anymore. Add the remaining coconut water, blend blend blend! Add the milk, blend some more! Pour into a pretty glass, add an umbrella, and enjoy!

If you find it too thick to keep blending to get the fruit completely pureed just add more liquid. I wanted it to stay pretty thick so I just worked with it. Try your favorite frozen fruit! Or my person favorite: STRAWBERRY and FRESH BASIL! YUM!!!

Let me know how it goes!

AND an added bonus to this post:

He approved! 

Double Digits

My Gideon is 10 months old this week! I don't believe it. He's been out of me longer than in me. And he is currently sitting on my lap as I type this post with one hand. :)

He still has two teeth...I'm sure there are more. He's just in no hurry. Like with most things. 

 HAHA! At a retreat we went on, he thought the glass door was the best thing! 

 Getting started on the dental hygiene early.

Loves 'reading' his books!

 He reminds me a lot of his Daddy: simple, easy to please, and finds joy in most things.

Much like his Mama, he sleeps in the funniest of positions.

-He learned to wave! Cutest. Thing. Ever. I wished I had a video to show you.
-He is learning the meaning of 'no'. There are two things in our living room that he can't touch...and of course they are his favorite.
-He is approximately 30 inches long and 24 pounds. He's thinning out!
-Thinks that us smelling his armpits and toes and saying "pee-yew" is the FUNNIEST thing!
-Will drink from a bottle! I can hardly believe it myself. After 10 months he finally learned the milk tastes the same whether from a bottle or mama.
-Likes to crawl in his toy bin to reach things higher up.

P.S. I know I told you via facebook that I have a sorbet recipe! I do. I have to 'perfect' it one last time.
;-)

October

Fall has quickly became my favorite season. I love the colors, the weather, and oh the food! This fall we planned a retreat for some of our closes friends (sadly, not all could attend) and spent the weekend just relaxing. Not much of an agenda was planned, just fellowship and food. Unfortunately we were all a little too caught up playing games and eating carmel apples to take pictures. But trust me, it was a good time!

I've also been able to go to the farmers market a few times. The one in Minneapolis is my favorite! Fresh squash and beautiful bouquets - my love language.

This fall I want to really be intentional about choosing thankfulness. I have a lot to be thankful for! Too often I find myself getting caught up in the ugliness of envy or pity...why? I love my life! So I've created little things around our home to remind me to choose thankfulness and the life it brings! Here's a few!

What are you thankful for?

9 Months!

 I can hardly believe Gideon is already nine months old...two weeks ago. :-) He is such a joy. I've dreamed of being a mama since I first changed a diaper (my cousin, Christian) and rocked him to sleep. I don't know how old I was, but young. There was something special about it to me. Holding a baby sleeping in your arms. Obviously, until Gideon I always have held other peoples babies..he is mine though. Oh what a pleasure!

29 inches tall and 23 pounds! Solid 'little' man! 

 He loves to giggle and laugh at almost anything. Not very many things go in his mouth...yet. Just fingers, toes, and food.

 He loves to crawl..we thought he might skip this step and go straight to walking. He does pull himself up on anything that will hold him.

 

 "Dada" has been his first word, for sure! When Adam comes home he hears the door open and crawls as fast as he can down the hallway yell "dada dada" until he reaches his pant leg and lets out the biggest giggles and grins!

He makes some of the best faces! 

 My Gideon always wakes up with a smile on his face! He loves the morning, just like his mama! 

 Smiles! 

Helping Mama

**Note: This entry was supposed to post on Friday, but I just noticed it didn't. Sorry! 

Play date!

Ethan Rush is one of Gideon's first friends. Though Ethan has usually had the upper-hand on Gideon when it comes to "wrestling" we know that they are best of friends..along with Finn and Liam of course.

We had a play date at the Minnesota Childrens Museum. Have you ever been there? It's amazing!! That was our first time and I loved it! I mean, Gideon loved it. :-) There was so many things to do for all different ages of children. If you have young children, you must go! Even if you don't, borrow a child or two. and invite Gideon and I to come along.

 Face painting! 

half of Gideon's mustache

 Ethan wasn't too fond of the hat.. 

 Gideon's favorite part was getting to play in the water!