Right on Track

Why does it seem like just when you're wanting to try something new (eating healthy, working out, less TV more outside time) something inevitably happens to make that more difficult? Like - you're sick and don't feel like cooking - so it's pizza time.

Or it's freezing cold and your son has an ear infection so going outside is not a good idea.

Well, my new years resolution for Jet is to try to get him to eat more variety - not just offer him his "comfort" foods that I know he'll eat. I have a picky boy - so all you "oh my child loves broccli" or "she'll at anything I put in front of her" mommies just zip it. ;) You're lucky. Now don't get me wrong - I know it's normal for toddlers to be selective. I've had so much encouragement from mothers who tell me their kid "only ate peanut butter for a year" or "only likes white foods." lol. But I'm telling you - this kid is super picky.

I still can't get him to like eggs, PB (on anything...bread, crackers, apples...nope. Doesn't like it), apple sauce, potatoes, ham and cheese - stuff kids like! His only fruits of choice are grape and watermelon. No veggies - I've seen him eat peas once and corn maybe 3 times. That was months ago. He eats oatmeal every morning (this seriously makes my day), his current favorite for lunch is grilled cheese, and dinner is usually whatever we're having (which he doesn't eat) and then later his weight in grapes. lol. He' great with drinking milk (okay...so maybe there's a little chocolate syrup in there...but I was desperate!) and water...but no juice. And as of late he can hear an m&m from a mile away.

What? You don't think m&m's make noise...oh but they do. And he can find them.

He even knows where they like to hide...

...in small bowls around the house....but not at my house...

at his Nina' house...which is why he didn't find any this time. ;)

But even though he's picky - we're still trying. And those cute little toddler plates with the little sections keep me motivated to fill them up with various choices...just in case.

Another resolution has been more independent play - less "mommy entertain me" or shaking the remote trying to turn the TV on. I'm telling you...some kids flat out ignore the TV...Jet acts like if he's not watching it the earth will stop turning. Now don't panic - I've never let him just sit in from of the TV all day- but even the morning cartoons were stretching out a little too long for my mommy-conscience. So now we get 1 or 2 shows with breakfast - then it's playtime till naptime. And that's it. He doesn't even act like he misses it. And you know what has made this transition particularly easy....

The amazing train set and train table Jet got for Christmas! (Thank you Nina and Papi)

Jet is in L-O-V-E with T-R-A-I-N-S.

He knows what they are - he's obsessed with the little faces on them (from Thomas the Tank Engine...and yes...he found that show ONCE and was hooked) - he loves to pick them up and take them with him everywhere....

I mean everywhere.

I find them on the floor - I know I'm gonna step on one someday and really hurt myself.

But for now I don't mind - cause I love seeing him play with them.

He plays so seriously with them that it brings out the "concentration tongue-sticking-out" face.

It's a blast. I love watching him. I get this "I have a little boy" smile in my heart.

He's so careful with them (when we're not teaching him not to throw them) and will go over to the room where they are if I say "Go play with your trains." I love it. :)

So while as a mommy I worry about his nutrition, his sleep, his physical activity (or therapy) and his playtime. It's easy to see when I stop and look at him - smiling, playing, walking

(yep...I said walking!)

That we are doing okay.

We are where we need to be.

And we are right on track.

Resolutions

Last night was New Years Eve.

A night that always brings me back my childhood - when staying up till midnight was both exciting and exhausting. lol. Yes, even then I had a hard time staying up late - so I can't really blame the fact that I was in bed by 10pm last night on mommy-hood. ;) But I remember the fireworks, the the anticipation, the always-hilarious charades played every year at my cousin's house. The beginning of a new year was something new to write at the top right-hand side of your schoolwork. Buying new calendars from the kiosk at the mall (which reminds me...I need to get some!). The feeling that we get to start all over again - a new year of holidays and birthdays - people making new resolutions and goals. My sister-in-law, Kelly, asked us all last night what our favorite moment from 2010 was and wow...you know I have a TON! Looking back it's so easy to be thankful - so happy with everything we have had this year. But looking ahead...that's a different experience.

Because it's the future...made up of the unknown and unforeseen.

It's exciting...and intimidating.

I was never one for making resolutions - promises that I was too scared I wouldn't be able to keep. Perhaps it was the "perfectionist gene" creeping up in me - but it always seemed like a way of setting yourself up for failure. I'd rather take each day as it comes and do the best I can for that day.

It just seemed safer that way.

And in a way that is true. And in a way I now strive to live that way - taking one day at a time, not borrowing any worries from tomorrow. Doing our best with each day we are given - and not judging ourselves to harshly if we somedays...we just can't...or simply don't.

Recognizing our strengths and weaknesses and keeping them both in perspective.

But in other ways - I think resolutions might be a better idea than I once believed. I think we as human beings can have a tendency to get "stuck." Stuck in a routine...a mindset...a habit...or even an attitude. The right resolutions are a way to shake things up. A good reminder that we are not "done" - we are never finished learning, growing, improving, and bettering ourselves. There is always more to aspire to - something to work towards. Resolutions can be a great kick-start to the year - a motivator for the things we'd like to see happen in our lives - something to hope for.

So this year I'm making some New Year's resolutions...for the very first time.

I'm resolved to cherish every moment of motherhood...and not miss out on the joy it brings...

...the "eyes-disappear-from-smiling-so-big" kind of joy.

I'm resolved to look for the positive in every day...even when at times I want to cry...

I'm resolved to explore new possibilities...without letting myself be overwhelmed by them...

I'm resolved to enjoy life and not be afraid to relax, laugh more, and be silly...

I'm resolved to stop and take a deep, cleansing breath every day... I don't want to miss something beautiful because I was moving too fast.

And I'm resolved to keep believing that "the sky is the limit" and passing that on to our little pilot ;)...because nothing is impossible with God. He has proven this to us over and over again.

So keep reaching for the stars little man! You have a Father in Heaven who is lifting you up...

And as for here on earth... you are loved to the moon and back.

Nineteen Months and New Nephews

Okay so after Jet turns 2 years I think I'm gonna retire this "monthly birthday blog post" cause I'm just not good at keeping up with it anymore! :) Especially when it falls the day after Christmas. But we did manage to snap a few pics of our 19month old at his Grandmother and Granddad's house over the holiday.

Here is Jet sitting in Grandmother's childhood rocking chair watching Curious George on TV.

Did I mention Jet likes Curious George?

Jet also had the opportunity to meet his new little cousin!

David's brother and his wife, Stacie, came all the way from Florida for the holidays with their little dog Chloe and 11 day old baby Daniel - brave souls.

And I'm so glad they did. :)

Jet wasn't too sure about Chloe...

He tended to head for higher ground when the puppy came running up to him.

And here he is showing his interest in his little cousin...

NOT!

Lol. Yes - there was snow outside that Jet had yet to discover and babies just can't compete with snow.

Unless your a first time Aunt who loves to take pictures...

In which case babies blow snow out of the water. :)

I adored taking pictures of my tiniest model to date! He was perfect.

And since Jet demanded his grandparents full attention while we were over there...

I got to hold my sweet nephew and keep him all to myself. :) He was pure snuggly sweetness.

I know the next time we see him he will have changed so much - as babies often do - so I'm so glad we got this special time and I was able to take a few precious photos to adorn our fridge and hallways until our next visit.

Welcome to the family baby Daniel.

It's a good one. :)

White Christmas

Guess what we had?

Yep. Georgia had a WHITE CHRISTMAS! Crazy! We never get snow - and while to northerners and onlookers from other parts of the world our snow is but a "dusting" - to us it was can't-leave-the-house-cancel-everything-do-we-have-enough-milk-and-bread weather. Being "snowed-in" just doesn't happen down here in the South - so it was surreal. And beautiful.

Jet couldn't wait to go out in it the next day.

Or so he thought...once we were out there he was pretty chilly and got all bunny-faced with the icy wind blowing.

But we had time to make a few footprints...

Snap a few photos...

And do the "now-what" pose with the child who has never played in the snow before.

Overall it was so fun to see Jet in the snow again.

We had some snow last winter and to have some again this year was extra lucky. Next year if it snows, there will be snow angels, snow ball fights, snowmen, snow cones (okay maybe not snow cones - but wouldn't that be fun?!) and everything that comes with it.

But for now, we'll just snuggle in our cozy house...

...and enjoy the magic that Christmas snow brings.

Merry Christmas

I can't figure out how to put our Christmas card up here.

But here are some of the pics we used. :)

The family photo is rare and hard to come by - I imagine it only gets more difficult as the years go by - whether it's more kids to juggle or busy schedules that make it hard to coordinate - I know the family picture is something to be celebrated - and I love these. :)

Taken by the talented Jason Pendley at Jet's 18 month session. Speaking of rare - I can't believe Jet's even looking at the camera. :)

So from our family to yours -

Spirit

It is almost Christmas.

The presents are wrapped (well, most of them) the house is decorated, extended family is arriving (squeal!) and unlike when I was a child, I can't believe how fast Christmas is arriving. Why is it that time crawls when you're 6 and races by when your 26?

It is almost Christmas.

I blinked and my chubby Christmas cherub from last year...

Is my impish Christmas elf this year...

It is almost Christmas!

Again!

I guess time flies when you're having a fabulous time living your life. :)

Jet has made each holiday happier, each blessing richer, each gathering livelier.

His joy reminds me to be joyful. His contentment brings me peace. His spirit renews my own.

It is almost Christmas.

And like any true Christmas Eve, I've already been visited by 3 spirits.

The first came to me weeks ago. As soon as our tree went up and the weather got colder and the music got cheerier - it was the Spirit of Joy. The merriment. The festivities. The holiday themed store-fronts. The outbreak of red sweaters. The excitement. The magic. The "may-your-days-be-merry-and-bright" pure essence of Christmas. People smile more. Give more. Laugh more. I've always loved this part of the holidays - it's the child-like wonderment part that I cling to every year, trying not to be disappointed that it's just not quite the same feeling as when you are younger...but it's pretty good. Hot chocolate, fuzzy socks and evergreen kind of good. But it's more than the physical. It's the mental, spiritual, emotional feeling of it all. Whatever it is, something about this time of year makes me happy. It gives me joy. It reminds me that beyond the holly, tinsel and cocoa - we have so much to be joyful about. Someone to rejoice in. And I want to pass it along to my own little elf - and I can't wait until he feels it to.

Because it's warm-your-heart wonderful stuff.

The second spirit came as somewhat of a surprise to me - though I'm not sure why it was such. Perhaps because I underestimated it. And you should never underestimate a Spirit. ;)

It was the Spirit of Giving. Beginning as a tiny hopeful glimmer in the form of a little boy named Shea and fueled by the hearts and generosity of others into a roaring fire of selfless giving. I was given a gift this weekend - a surprise donation from some wonderful people who worked together and gave with such generosity and charity that I found myself speechless. And it was their gift that brought me once again spiritually to my knees in gratitude.

Thank you all.

The spirit of those who have donated to his adoption grant has touched me deeply and awakened my soul in new and powerful ways. Every gift that has been given to this sweet boy in the way of bracelets, donations, and words of kindness has been two-fold as it has also been the greatest of gifts to me. Your desire to help and eagerness to give, both great and small, fill me with gratitude and humility. And over it all and in each of your gifts I see Him who has made it all possible. In every selfless act of giving is The One who gave it all. And I am reminded of the Blessed Assurance that we have in Him.

I am filled with His goodness, lost in His love.

The third spirit revealed itself to me slowly, spread out over this past year and in all honesty my entire life. I've never been without this spirit though there are times when I feel it's presence more strongly.

The day I asked to be baptized. The first time I felt my baby move inside me.

The first time David and I held our little boy.

It is the Spirit of Love.

And not just any love, God's Love. The unconditional, peace that passes all understanding, lift you up from the darkness, make you feel safe and eternally cherished Love. The Love that bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

The Love that never fails.

It's not really a love you or I can give - only strive to emulate. But it is a Love that everyone can receive. And I have both received it and seen it emulated these past few weeks perhaps more than ever before. Second only to the Love we received when we feared the worst with our unborn baby and the days that have followed in his amazing life, has been the Love I have witnessed in regards to the only little boy I have ever loved as strongly - little Shea. Shea who has touched so many lives with his shy expression and beautiful eyes. Shea who had nothing when God brought him into our lives and said "Here. Love him. I do." Shea who has recieved over $11,000 towards his adoption grant in 3 weeks. Shea who as of now has a family waiting to adopt him.

That's the Love I'm talking about.

It is almost Christmas.

And I have been visited by 3 spirits.

The Spirit of Joy. The Spirit of Giving. And the Spirit of Love.

But the greatest of these...of course...is Love.

Love to you all. God bless you. And Merry Christmas.