Blessings of 2007

Yesterday I starting thinking about all of the blessings that we experienced over the year 2007. Here are some of the blessings that Dave and I are thankful for in 2007.

After an early birth and 4 months of feeding problems Arden took off and is a healthy, happy toddler girl who is into everything.

Our marriage.

Living in this city and our neighborhood.

Dave's job.

My job. I love the fact that I can work from home and the job is an answer to prayer.

Being able to travel to various places over the year...State College PA, Aiken SC, Indianapolis, IN, Boone, NC, Myrtle Beach SC, Wilmington NC, WV, Leesburg VA and a few more places here and there.

Our families.

Our church and small group.

Being able to reconnect with friends through reunions, this blog and random phone calls and emails.

Being able to vacation with Dave's parents this summer.

Arden's christening.

Spending a week in WV with my parents and Arden.

Spending the summer at the pool.

Our friends Josh and Stephanie having a miracle with the birth of beautiful healthy baby girl after a complicated pregnancy.

Our new sister-in-law Laura.

Eric spoiling Arden beyond measure.

Any many more. While there were rough times that taught us many valuable lessons... but we are choosing to focus on the blessings. I hope that you are able to enjoy your blessing from this past year and that 2008 will bring many more.

Question of the Week

As 2007 draws to a close...think back and ask yourself How was I blessed this year?

That's What It's All About

While at Dave's parents Arden was able to spend some time with her cousins Ella and Luke. Grammy has an Elmo doll that does the hokey pokey. The first time that Arden saw it she was very scared. She can running to either me or Janet and wanted to be held.

When Ella and Luke arrived she watched them playing with Elmo and decided to join in to learn what it's all about out. She would dance by bouncing her knees and shaking her hands. She never quite got the idea of turning around but really enjoyed playing with Ella, Luke and Elmo. By the end of our trip Arden was doing the hokey pokey all by herself.

Watching the kids have a great time together is a great Christmas memory. All three of them together running through the house enjoying life. That's what we as adults need to learn to do...enjoy life. We are to live in freedom because Jesus made the way for us to be free. Look at the simple things, soak them in, and treasure them because that's what it's all about.

A New Best Friend

One of Arden's favorite words is Jack. Jackson is my brother's golden retriever. She learned how to say his name this summer when her and I spent a week with my parents. Since then anytime she hears a dog bark she listens real carefully and says "Jack".

Well Jackson has been scared of Arden since she was born. She was so tiny and would scream loudly and he would out of the room knocking people out of his way if he had to. He couldn't get away from her fast enough.

This has all changed now that she can walk. He is a little more intrigued with her. She loves him. She holds out her hands for him to smell her and then she will start to pat his neck. A couple of times while we were there she would feed him by hand his favorite treats. I think they will become pals over the years.

Home Again

What a great week!!! We were busy traveling to our parents for Christmas. We didn't have any snow but it was still a Christmas for the records. My camera battery died so pictures will come soon. A few highlights:

Arden has learned to growl. Her cousin Luke (who is nine months older than Arden) taught her how to growl. So she walks around grunting and growling especially if she is trying to do something and can't figure out what do or how to do it. She might have taught her cousin to get out of his pj's while sleeping. (A post for another time)

Arden was almost as quiet as a church mouse during Christmas eve services. She was starting to get fidgety but then they dimmed the lights and she was enchanted by the room's glow by the candlelight.

There was more traffic on the interstate Christmas Day than there was Christmas Eve which really surprised me.

It gets harder and harder to say goodbye every time we visit.

Arden has definitely been spoiled by her grandparents this week. She has missed them this morning. She got up and wandered through each room looking for more people but only found me.

That's it for now. I hope to have pictures and more stories soon.

Merry Christmas.

Christmas is Almost Here!

This week has been a whirlwind. Dave is on vacation and things slow down and yet time speeds up while you are on vacation. Here are a few things we have enjoyed while he has been on vacation.

Sleeping in. Arden is usually our alarm clock but she has been sleeping in a little longer this week and it has been nice not to have to get up and get moving right away. I love that about vacations.

Arden loves to walk around in circles around something. Yesterday she learned how to sneak quietly up behind the chair and say BOO. It is so cute. She says it in her sweet little voice and then will start walking around the chair again and keep on doing it until she gets bored….which is usually after the 50th time.

We have just enjoyed walking around the mall. We finished our Christmas shopping last week and have really enjoyed walking around pointing out decorations to Arden and listening to her as she talks about what she see. I am also a huge people watcher and I love watching everyone hustling and bustling around the mall.

My friends Candice and Daniel. They are a great couple to hang out with and are just good people. They also love on Arden and really are an encouragement to us. If you are ever looking for a great photographer they have a business The Beautiful Mess. Try them out…I promise you will not be disappointed.

Family. Dave and I are looking forward to spending this Christmas with our family and soaking it all in. I can't wait to see Arden on Christmas morning.

Enjoying the Christmas Season

Arden has not been to fond of Santa this year. She love to wave at him from afar and talk to him up close but does not like sitting on his lap. Well tonight she was waving at Santa and decided to get a little closer to him and she was rewarded with a lollipop which she thoroughly enjoyed.

I'm interested in seeing if she remembers the treat the next time we see him?

She also discovered these great bears that were singing in the mall. She loved it. She was dancing in the isles and jabbering up a storm with them. I just wish that I had brought my camera. She was having a great time.

She has also discovered all of the holiday goodies that you can eat at Christmas. She is really likes chex-mix and loves pumpkin bread. It has been great so far watching Christmas from her perspective and we still have 6 more days until Christmas. There is more good stuff to come. I better remember to bring my camera.