Pumpkin Carving

This was the first year that we carved a pumpkin with Christian. He really seemed to enjoy digging his hands into the ooey-gooey insides and pulling out the seeds. We read this little book while we carved called, "The Pumpkin Gospel" that talked about the "yucky" sins inside our hearts, and how we are made new in Christ. With all the scary and inappropriate messages that Halloween sends, even at such a young age, I thought it would be nice to put a positive spin on things.

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Another DVD Book

Steve has sent a few special DVDs of him reading to Christian during his deployment. It's neat because he also gets to send the book with the DVD- part of the USO's "United Through Reading" program. I posted a few pictures from a book he sent in October here, and just yesterday C received another book, "Dr. Seuss's ABC." Such a special way to stay connected. In a few days Steve will be able to read to Christian in person!Speaking of "seeing" Daddy: Lately whenever I ask Christian, "Would you like to see if Daddy is on the computer?" (Skype) he heads straight for the stairs leading to the bonus room which is home to our computer.

Daddy's DVD Book

Steve sent Christian a cute DVD of him reading "Goodnight Gorilla" last week. The USO allows deployed military members to record and send a book home to family. Before his departure we videotaped Steve reading a few books and C watches them on the computer, but I think he was surprised to see Daddy on the "big screen."

Grandma's Short SC Visit

Grandma (Steve's mom) came to visit us a couple of weeks ago in South Carolina to play with Christian and help us with our flights out to Colorado. We went swimming, ate at "Ward's BBQ," "Baker's Sweets," and enjoyed spending a little time together. Below are a few C pictures from her visit:

Christian enjoys his books...he especially liked to "kiss" the babies in this book. Watching Mommy mow the lawn in the backyard.

Opening an early birthday gift!

My Little Teacher

Christian has decided the past couple of days that he doesn't need a nap. Yay. As you can imagine, this makes for a VERY long day, when some days just seem so long already. The following quote was a good reminder as I sat reading last night.

"We live in the midst of holy teachers. Sometimes they spit up on themselves or on us. Sometimes they throw tantrums. Sometimes they cuddle us and kiss us and love us. In the good and the bad they mold our hearts, shape our souls, and invite us to experience God in newer and deeper ways. Although we may shed many tears along this sacred journey of parenting, numerous blessings await us around every bend in the road."

~Gary Thomas, Sacred Parenting: How Raising Children Shapes Our Souls

Books, Books, Glorious Books

I have been on a book kick lately, which has actually been really refreshing. I find reading so much more relaxing than watching T.V. in the evenings after C goes to bed, even if it is just for an hour or so. I currently have a stack of books just waiting to be opened, and an even longer reading list on my library account web page, but I was wondering what you all are reading these days. Do you have a favorite? I am always interested in what others are reading so I can potentially add it to my queue of never ending books.

Yada Yada Prayer Group Lessons

Last time I talked about getting out of my comfort zone and "getting real" with others in regards to friendships. Still a work in progress, obviously this will not be something that will happen over night. As I continue reading the "The Yada Yada Prayer Group" books (I am now on book 4- the library is a wonderful thing!) I have become more and more inspired and am learning more about having a heart of prayer. I think prayer can be a hard thing sometimes. I personally get wrapped up in my own thoughts and often become self reliant instead of letting God in on my decisions, worries, and daily thoughts. How wonderful it is when I actually let go of things that are weighing me down and give it to God. Things just seem so much easier when I do, and God gives me such peace...but then over time it seems inevitable that I fall back to my old way of self reliance and become bogged down by the world. Does this happen to anyone else? I know its something to constantly work at (or should it come easy?) How do you keep connected with God and maintain a relationship with faithful prayer? Are you like me and sometimes just pray when things are tough, or do you pray constantly even when things are steady and good?

Here are a few things that I am learning more about from the "Yada Yada" books:

• Prayer and praise
• Praying scripture
• Thanking God for what he has done before He does it (whatever the outcome may be, He will work things out according to HIS will even if we don't understand at the time)
• Believing God versus believing in God

Yada Yada Prayer Group

I have been reading The Yada Yada Prayer Group series by Neta Jackson as of late (a 7 book series- I'm only on book 2.) Definitely light reads, but perfect for the end of the day when my mind is a little numb anyway. Actually, I have really been enjoying these books because they are all about getting real with others, becoming vulnerable, and getting out of one's comfort zone. If you know me, this is something that can really be a challenge in my life. I would sometimes rather stay to myself and be "comfortable" rather than getting out there and meeting others. This can be a very bad trait- leading to isolation at times. Steve and I have talked about how much harder it has been to make real friends ever since we graduated from college- why is that? I guess when one enters the "real world" of work and busy schedules it becomes harder and you really have to work at it. I am learning that, and have been trying to take more initiative to meet others and make friends with those at our new church and with our neighbors. It is still difficult though, and I hope that sometime in the next four-ish years while we are here in Sumter that I will be able to meet some women that I can "get real" with and develop more meaningful and intimate friendships.

Future thoughts as a read further into the series....

My Favorite Baby Products...So Far

Here are a few favorite baby items that I don't think I could live without. (Or at least I don't think I could live without.)

1. CleanWell Alcohol Free Hand Sanitizer Spray A fabulous alcohol-free hand sanitizer. I was using alcohol-based sanitizers for the first 3.5 months and it started to kill my hands, especially with the dry and cold Colorado winter weather. I also like that this is a spray versus a gel, safe for children's little hands too. Nice herbal scent.

2. The Moms on Call Guide to Basic Baby Care: The First 6 Months Reading by topic. No extra wordy chapters when you just want a straight-up answer. I received this book from my brother and sister-in-law and love it!

3. Boppy Nursing Pillow with Slipcover, Lots of Dots Super helpful for nursing mommies, especially for the middle-of-the-night feedings when your baby's head becomes so heavy and you just need a little support.

4. Graco Element Pack 'n Play Playard

(No, Christian's is not girly like the picture above. His is gender neutral.)

So Christian has yet to sleep in a real crib, and will not get the chance to until we find a place to live in South Carolina, settle down, and finally build it. In the meantime, his pack n' play has been wonderful. They are made so neat these days and you can get all sorts of different features ($$) but I just wanted one with a changing table and raised "bassinet." He has slept in it since day 3 (when we were able to bring him home) and doesn't know the difference.

Here is a helpful post from Simple Mom about things you probably don't need to have for a new baby. However, we are guilty of owning a few of these things which have actually been a convenience - (thank you Susan!)

"The Atonement Child"

I just finished reading my second book since Christian was born titled The Atonement Child by Francine Rivers. Rivers is known for her popular Redeeming Love novel which is excellent by the way. Finding time to read has been especially challenging. When Christian is napping I should be getting things done (although I am often blogging or finding other distractions) but I am trying to make it a goal to get back into reading. I was especially spoiled while living at Edwards AFB because I had a personal library and book recommendations supplied by my friend Susan. I read more after I met her than I had in a VERY long time. Now I have to use a real library....Anyway, back to the Atonement Child. This "easy read" (despite the topic) centers around the sanctity of life which has always been important to me and my values, but really struck me, especially now that I am a new mommy and loving every minute of it (okay, almost every...late night wake up calls anyone?) I am still amazed by the precious life of our little guy that began with something so small and seemingly insignificant. God is so good and life is a miracle to be celebrated. I would highly recommend this book to anyone that is on the fence or interested in this topic.

"The Shack"

I just finished reading the Shack by William Paul Young. I am sure you have possibly heard of the New York Times Best Seller. Steve received it as a gift from our AWANA TNT leader this past year and I jumped on reading it. I have been reading a lot of fiction books as of late, simply because they tend to be a bit of an easier read, but this one stands out among the many I have read. I have heard some mixed reviews, but it is really a "page turner" and without giving away any of the plot, I recommend that you read it. It gave me a new perspective on the trinity, love, and relationship. In fact, I think it is one of those books that I will read again later down the road.