One Year Pictures

Vicki really wanted Addison to dig in and go crazy with the cake. She wasn't wanting to get all messy so we tried to rub the cake on her. You can tell what Addison thought of that!

As usual, my super-talented, super-wonderful friend Vicki took Addison's pictures to commemorate her first birthday. I had ordered another smash cake and picked up some more balloons for the occasion. Of course I took so many props over and forgot about them and had already messed up the cake before I got in the door, but that's okay! Vicki just worked around it. If you haven't figured it out, this monkey outfit has been my favorite and I'm so sad Addison has now grown out of it. :( The tutu pictures are absolutely precious and I'm so grateful Michelle let us borrow it. I'd love to know which pics are your favorite!

Addison's Tennessee Birthday

Addison and her cupcake pinata.

Grandaddy was thrilled to see Addison and hold her during the party.

Yum! Addison really enjoyed her special birthday cupcake.

Addison and her Great-Granny Joyce

Well this is long overdue! The weekend after Addison's party here, we all journeyed to Tennessee to have another. It was really special to celebrate with my family from home because we just don't see each other near enough anymore. Of course Addison's Mimi went above and beyond and everything was fabulously perfect! The cupcake theme was adorable and we munched on yummy pizza and cake. The weather was great and we were able to be outside and enjoy it. It could not have been any more fun and we're so grateful to everyone for coming to celebrate Addison's special day!

Halloween 2008

Our family joined the Klein's and the Bradley's for Halloween this year. Addison didn't really know what was going on but she seemed to enjoy the stroller ride. And I can assure you that mommy and daddy enjoyed picking out yummy candy! It was a little embarassing, I'll admit, because it was obvious Addison wasn't going to be eating a Twix or Hershey's bar. It was a tough job but someone had to do it! The things we do for our children.

Meow! Addison was a very cute cat for her first Halloween. Last year doesn't count because we hid in the house and didn't answer the door. It's true.

Mia and Cole are so cute together. They just might get married one day. And we have pictures of how their love started. Awww.....

Tysh and Mia as Mia tries to bolt off. She wants more candy, mom!

Erin and Cole in a cute pose. Erin was the only one of us grown-ups who dressed up. She gets the spirit award!

The three kiddos together. Aren't they adorable?

How do you know when it's been too long?

It's been too long when you have to RESET your password because you can't remember it anymore. I'm not very good about commenting on other people's blogs and that's because I don't typically sign in. I just jump on, read a bit, and then move to something else. Well it caught up with me tonight because I couldn't remember my password for the life of me! Sad thing is I don't think it's just because it's been a while. I think it's because I have so few brain cells left! My brain is mush. My friends could tell you that and I know my husband would agree. So what do I attribute that to? Is 32 really that old??

Well now that I'm on here, I want to share a few thoughts. My devotional today was perfect and I just praise God for showing me exactly what I needed to see and hear. The scripture was from Philippians 4:6-7. "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." I love that last part, the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension. I know it's no secret to those reading this that I'm heading back to teaching in 5 short weeks. And let me just tell you, the nights are getting very hard. It seems like I can handle it during the day but at night, the tears flow more freely. My throat tightens up, my heart starts pounding, and I just cry. Does that mean I'm not thankful for what is? Of course not, and quite the contrary actually. I've been more thankful this past year than ever before. I'm blissfully aware of the many blessings in my life. And I thank God multiple times each day. So is it wrong that I want more? How could it be wrong to want more time at home with my precious baby? I think the problem is that God is aware that I'm finding myself a tiny bit bitter. Yes, I'm admitting it. Another part of my devotional says, "When tension and anxiety rise up, put them down by naming all the ways God has blessed you and thanking Him. Get your eyes off what you don't have and commit to an attitude of gratitude." So I'm going to refocus my attitude and work hard to stay grateful at all times. Not just most of the time, which I feel like I am. At ALL times. I'm sure I'll slip up as we all do. But this is where you come in. Feel free to help hold me accountable. That's what friends are for, right?

Life on Loan

Since this was also Addison's birthday weekend, Jordan was in town and able to serve with us. What a joy that was!

Here's our Life Group with all of our materials ready to go out and make a difference!

Our church, Northview Christian Life, recently finished a 6-week spiritual campaign. We all read the book, Living a Life on Loan, heard weekly messages about the book, and then culminated our study with a service project. The premise is that our lives are not our own. We shouldn't be caught up in material possessions but be externally focused and aware of how our lives can intersect with others and show God's grace and love. We got connected in a Life Group again and that was so wonderful! I love the people we have met and I'm really grateful that we're going to continue together. Good Neighbor Weekend was when all services were suspended so over 2,200 members of the congregation could go out and serve in some capacity. Our group went to Brookside Community Church, Northview's urban church. We toured the facility, met some of the people, and then helped clean up the streets surrounding the area. It was a very meaningful experience and I look forward to more serving opportunities with our group. I'm so grateful to be part of a church that really "gets it". The church is not a place to judge or be hypocritical, but a place to love God and love others. We rub shoulders each day with non-believers and we need to be able to serve as Christ's ambassador in those situations. Church is much more about what we do each and every day than what happens for an hour or two during weekend service. I believe my eyes are more open to these opportunities because of Northview and I pray that I can see others as Jesus sees them and also love them as He would.

Addison's Birthday by Jordan - the budding photographer!

Jordan is quite the little photographer! She loves taking pictures and does a great job. These are some of my favorites.

Obviously someone else took this one but it was on Jordan's camera. We were very glad Aunt April could make it in from Denver for the big weekend. We don't get to see her near enough. She's so good with kiddos and I know Addison will come to adore her just as Jordan does.
I absolutely LOVE this picture. I thought Jordan was very smart to take a picture from Addison's point of view. Love it!

A side view after Addison's finger was raked through the cake.

Just slowly taking it all in...

Another great pic of the smash cake.

Gift-opening time!

We didn't open the gifts at the park but Jordan was dying to tear into them as soon as we got home! I thought Addison was going to take a short nap after her big day of excitement but she had other plans. She was so excited to look around and see all the bags, packages, and most of all, the balloons! Jordan loved reading the cards out loud and then opening the gifts. It was so special to have our family around as we watched this unfold. Addison just rolled around on the floor and was her usual hilarious self.

She loves the buttons on this ride-on toy from Janet and David.

Isn't this such a sweet picture of Jordan and Addison? We were so glad that Jordan was here with us for this special day!