Jack's Turn

My little buddy man is too awesome for words. He is 10 1/2 months. He is super friendly and smiles at everyone and will give you a big hug if you ask. He even makes a little "aawww" sound and pats me during a hug. He has a really sweet disposition and just fits right in with our family. He is very passionate though and when he needs/wants something he is not afraid to tell us. I continue to be awed by the stark differences between a girl and a boy. Clara will sit quietly in her little soft Anywhere chair and read books and Jack feels the need to conquer the chair by knocking it over, crawling on top of it, etc. He always has some bash or bruise or black eye that I have no idea where it came from. He is an excellent eater, sleeper, pooper, hugger, waver, polo shirt wearer, wrestler, hammerer, yeller, grunter, climber, stander, cruiser, and most recently thrower!

I wonder where she gets it?

Here is Clara taking her doll, Samantha (handed down from Mama) for a walk. This kid cracks me up! Also, super nostalgic moment for me to see my daughter playing with the doll that I loved as a little girl. Samantha is wearing the beautiful green cape and hat that my Tutu made for me so many Christmases ago. While, I know Clara is not just a "little me", I know that her life will reflect mine and this keeps me on my toes. I want my life to reflect Jesus to her so that it is Him she is drawn to first. What an honor and a challenge to be a mother!

Belated Bachelorette Party!!!

Okay, so five years ago when Jeff and I got married, I didn't have a bachelorette party. No reason, really, it just kind of got skipped. This week, my sisters totally surprised me with my very own Bachelorette party-five years late! I was shocked when Marilee and Laura showed up with two of my very dear friends, Heather and Rachael and announced it was officially my "Last Night Out"! They really went all out to make me feel honored and loved. I am still reflecting on the signifigance of a bachelorette party as a married woman with two kids.

The theme of the night was five. Five girls, five stops, five years of marriage celebrated. Everything was planned to the "t" and I was blindfolded between stops. Each of my friends gave me a sweet card telling five things they appreciate about me and some "unmentionables" just like a real bachelorette. (What am I talking about? This was MY real bachelorette!) At each stop they also presented me with a gift and card from my Groom. Yes, Jeff was in on it too. We might have had a drink at each stop too-it was a bachelorette party after all! Our final stop was the Melting Pot with wine and cheese and chocolate fondue. So delicious! I could have stayed there forever licking the dark chocolate fodue out of the pot except that I couldn't wait to get home to Jeff!

The amazing thing about the night was feeling like my girlfriends were holding up my marriage with me. I felt so supported and encouraged. It's hard to be married and it's hard to be a respectful, loving, helpmate to Jeff. But God has blessed me with wonderful friends that pray for me and Jeff, encourage me as a wife and point me back to dependence on Christ alone.

Jeff was incredible too. He wrote beautiful cards to me about five things he loves about me. I can't explain how much it meant to me to read what he wrote. He also got me cool gifts that went with each category. The categories were Friend, Mother, Homemaker, Helper and Lover.

I am still at a loss for words about how much this night meant to me. Thank you Marilee, Laura, Heather and Rachael for loving me and uplifting me with this party. I felt so honored. Thank you Jeff for the thoughtful, meaningful gifts, the notes and for being my amazing husband for five years. I love you.

I Chronicles 29:11-12

"Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and you are exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all."

I Chronicles 29:11-12

Sarah and Joe

On Halloween, I decided I was not going another year with no costume. So I started scurrying around trying to put together a costume. A jacket, a flag pin. . . some rimless glasses and here is what I came up with. What do you think?!!

Jeff was a great sport, buzzed his hair super short and went as Joe the Plumber. We had so much fun and were laughing all night.

Trick or Treat

Here is our little ladybug and creep crawly spider! Clara loved her costume and Jack actually scared me a few times as he looked exactly like a GIANT spider crawling across the floor. We didn't trick or treat much but just hung out at Mimi and Bubba's house with the fam and answered the door to pass out candy. Mimi and Bubba are in the last picture with their five grandchildren. Pictures of Jeff and my costumes to come in another blog. . . .

Halloween Party!

Clara and Jack had a Halloween party with their friends. It was so cute to see all those toddlers and babies dressed up in their awesome costumes. The kids bobbed for apples, fished for candy bars, played popcorn relay and had an award/fashion show for their costumes. They also consumed a fair amount of candy and pumpkin cookies. It was a little challenge to get a picture of the whole group but it sure was funny!

At our party, there were two horses, two ladybugs, a rooster, a skunk and a spider, a flower fairy, a pretty princess, a pink kitty, Minnie Mouse, a yellow duck, Batman, and a pea in a pod. It was so much fun and I think we might have to make it an annual event. Thanks for coming everyone! All your kids are SO CUTE!!!

most of the group. Baby Beckham is getting a little love tap from Avery the Duck.

I think this is actually everyone except Batman.

Bella the Kitty and Silas (our cousin) the Skunk!
Handing out the Costume Awards and prizes.

the popcorn game.Racing to fill the bowls with popcorn

Bobbing for Apples

Clara getting excited about the candy corn.

Clara and her friend Avery.