love without limits

Chocolate Chip Pancakes

2009-01-29T11:57:00.000-08:00

It's always been a special treat for our family to go out for breakfast. It's just fun to go out to eat so early in the morning and enjoy spending time together before the day starts. Last Sunday, after a busy weekend, our family went out for breakfast. I ordered the kids chocolate chip pancakes knowing it would be a special treat. Oh boy...did they enjoy them! You can tell by their faces!

Noah was generous enough to give Daddy a taste.

Isabella showing off her chocolately hands.

Needless to say, everyone around us got a great morning chuckle watching our two precious little ones eat chocolate chip pancakes!

Noah on the move

2009-01-27T16:00:00.000-08:00

I knew the day was coming...my own pediatrician even warned me! Noah started crawling when he was only 5 months. He figured out how to climb onto the couch when he was 9 months old! For the past couple of months, he's been cruising around the house and well.... now he's walking, well...more like running! I've had a fun time chasing after my two little ones!

These video clips were taken a couple of weeks ago and he was still a little wobbly, nonetheless you can see just how fast he's walking!

Noah has also been using a lot of sign language and he says several words. He enjoys reading books and wants to do everything his big sister Isabella does. It's so cute! He also finally got his first tooth in December and now his upper two front teeth are coming in. I can't believe how much our baby boy has grown! He's such a wonderful little boy with a sweet spirit!

See his two pearlie white teeth on the bottom?

Movie Night & Monkey Joes

2009-01-27T11:46:00.000-08:00

We had some really cold weather here the last couple of weeks so we opted to do some fun things indoors to keep the kiddos from growing restless.

Movie Night- Isabella is loving Veggie Tales right now so we watched Veggie Tales "Lord of the Beans." We had a fun evening sitting on the living room floor eating carmel popcorn and drinking hot cocoa while watching the movie.

Look at all this carmel popcorn! Yummy!

Noah wanted to try the popcorn too but got Honey Nut Cheerios instead.

Monkey Joes- Monkey Joes is a big warehouse filled with bounce houses. We had our two little ones jump to their hearts content...not to mention Mommy and Daddy had a blast jumping too! Plus we only paid $4 for admission for all four of us...doesn't get any better than that folks!

Christmas Pictures

2009-01-10T12:13:00.000-08:00

Finally, here are pictures of Isabella and Noah opening up presents on Christmas morning. What a fun morning it was! With some prodding along, it only took a couple of hours for the kiddos to open all their presents from their loving grandparents, aunts and uncles! After breakfast, we went to Ocala to spend Christmas day with memaw and grandpa, aunts, uncles and great grandparents.

God has been so faithful in providing all that we needed this past year. We are so thankful for all our family! Here's our Christmas tree overflowing with gifts from loved ones on Christmas morning!

Noah just waking up

Wow...look at all these presents!

Isabella & Noah opening their Christmas stockings

Noah opening his Sit n Spin Elmo chair

Isabella opening her play kitchen

Noah playing with his new saxaphone

Isabella going shopping in her new tutu and mommy's red heels

Our little sheep

2009-01-07T12:16:00.001-08:00

One of the most exciting and memorable things for me as a parent was that Isabella was in her very first Christmas play this year! She played a little sheep-along with other two-year olds and I volunteered my sweet husband, Paul, to be a shepherd.

Isabella was so cute in her sheep costume that I had made, although you may not be able to tell from the pictures. By the end of the rehearsal, all the kids were picking off each other's cotton balls!

There was also a moment in the program that the choir of children started to sing, "Go Tell It On the Mountain" and Isabella got up and started dancing. It was so cute! She certainly was not shy about shaking her little bottom on stage! Unfortunately, I video taped it on our video camera and I haven't quite figured out how to transfer it to the computer but here are some cute pictures.

Baaaa! Baaaa!

So adorable!

Paul was a such a good sport for letting me volunteer him to be a shepherd!

I'm Back!

2009-01-05T12:48:00.001-08:00

I know it's been a while since my last post and I apologize for my blogging hiatus the past 3 weeks. I knew things were going to get hectic closer to the holidays but I didn't expect things to get that crazy! Anyways, belated Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! We pray that your Christmas and New Years was blessed by the joy of togetherness and filled with God's goodness and grace.

With that said, I'd like to share the highlights of how we celebrated the holidays. I might need to break it up into several different posts so that I can get them up so stay tuned!

Now I have a confession to make- I love Disney. I know that not many grown adults would admit to that! But, I have fond memories of countless Disney trips as a child with my family. I still enjoy going to the theme parks and I love experiencing the child-like excitement and "awe" that Disney creates. Since having children, we've been to numerous theme parks with them. This Christmas season, we were blessed to be able to go to Disney's Hollywood Studios (free of course!) to see the Osborne Spectacle of Lights.

Isn't it beautiful?

Noah loved all the dancing lights!

Feliz Navidad!

Isabella was pooped after a full day of seeing her favorite Disney Princesses and Disney Characters!

Noah's First Birthday

2008-12-13T18:49:00.000-08:00

Our sweet son, Noah turned one on Friday. We celebrated his first birthday for two days! The celebration began on Friday morning with a birthday party with lots of friends at the park.

Friends and fun at the park

Noah going down the slide

Noah wasn't so sure about his cupcake

There was just too much pressure to eat the cupcake- my poor baby!

Noah opening presents and checking out the green ball he got from Mrs. Jaimie and her girls

Our family with the birthday boy

Noah tasting his cars

Then, Saturday afternoon, we celebrated Noah's first birthday with family members in Jacksonville. More presents and cake!

Noah eating his birthday cake (take two!)

This is more like it!

I'll stick my finger in it first to taste the frosting!

Now, I'll take a big bite!

Although Noah never really dug into the cake, we all had a great time watching him poke at it.

Here's the birthday boy with his birthday present from his Aunt Charissa

Thank you all so much for celebrating our baby's first birthday with us. It truly was a wonderful two day celebration and we thank you for make it so special for Noah.

Noah,

Happy Birthday sweet boy! Daddy, Bella and I love you so much and we can't imagine our lives without you. You are such a blessing to us. We love your energy, excitement and your infectious laugh. We look forward to all the things that God is going to do in you and through you.

We Love You Bunches,

Daddy and Mommy

A Wedding & A Football Game

2008-12-08T18:59:00.000-08:00

You might be wondering what a wedding and a football game might have in common. Well, they just so happen to be going on the same day. You see, on Saturday, my cousin David was getting married and it just so happened to be one of the biggest football games for the Florida Gators. Paul's dad had tickets to the big game in Atlanta, but my wonderful husband so graciously bowed out to attend the family wedding(love you sweetie!). So, Paul ( and a dozen other fans) stood in the hotel lobby watching the game from the t.v. screen. What a day it was! The Gators won and are going to the National Championship and my cousin David's wedding was a blast. Check out this cute video clip of Isabella with some other little girls celebrating a touch down at the wedding(note the Gator fight song in the background).

Go Gators!

The Newlyweds- Brianne and my cousin David

This is way better than a football game! Paul dancing with his little princess.

Noah had fun dancing too!

Our little party animal was finally worn out!

A Prayer For You

2008-12-05T12:01:00.000-08:00

I've been reading the book of Ephesians during my quiet time and read this passage of scripture the other day:

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge- that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:16-19

This was Paul's prayer for the Ephesian church. I've read that passage many times before, but this particular morning it stuck me differently. My God so ridiculously loves me despite all of my sins and failures! Then, thoughts flooded my mind of people I know that are hurting- physcially, emotionally, spiritually and financially. It has to break the Father's heart when he sees his children in pain. In the midst of difficult circumstances, God so lavishly loves his children and we have to trust that God has us right in the palm of his hands. We are not immune to hard times, but the one thing we can count on is God's love and goodness. I pray that each one of you would feel Jesus' embrace today.

All I Want For Christmas...

2008-12-01T18:26:00.000-08:00

Is My Two Front Teeth!

Christmas decorating with kids

2008-11-29T05:57:00.000-08:00

It's been our family tradition to decorate our home for Christmas the day after Thanksgiving. So, Friday evening, our family continued the tradition except this time, we had two little ones running around to "help."

Yum! This ornament is tasty!

Noah's contribution to our Christmas tree

Isabella concentrating putting the hook on the ornament

Are we done yet mommy?

Although it's only December 3, we have already "accidentally" broken some ornaments (Bella throwing things at the tree) and I've already had to re-wrap a couple of Christmas presents (Isabella insists she was just too excited about the presents). Whew...it's going to be a long 22 days until Christmas, but I wouldn't trade it for the world!

My Little Chef

2008-11-24T12:36:00.001-08:00

Saturday afternoon, Bella and I spent some time in the kitchen making some muffins for her and Noah's Sunday school teachers. This was just a little way to let them know how thankful we are for their time teaching our little ones on Sunday mornings.

Isabella putting the paper cups in the muffin tin

Stirring the batter

Of course we had to taste them to make sure they were ok!

The finished product

Free Concert

2008-11-20T18:00:00.000-08:00

I apologize in advance for the crick in your necks. I didn't know when I recorded this that I wouldn't be able to rotate it. Enjoy!

We even have a back up dancer trying to take center stage :)

Just in case you couldn't understand what Isabella was singing, here are the words:

Savior, He can move a mountain

My God is mighty to save, He is mighty to save

Forever, author of salvation

He rose and conquered the grave

Jesus conquered the grave

Although Isabella may not fully understand the words she is singing, I pray that the TRUTH of those words would be ingrained in her heart.

Psalm 9:2 I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing praises to your name, O Most High.

Our Little Rock Star

2008-11-17T18:35:00.000-08:00

Doesn't Noah's hair look cool?

Paul's got a little bit of hair envy...but he's really happy for his son!

Living in Abundance

2008-11-14T20:36:00.000-08:00

Many of you know that I love a good deal! Actually, I'm pretty frugal by nature. Don't get me wrong...I enjoy a nice splurge every now and then and I am blessed to have such nice things, but for the most part, Paul and I live on a budget.

Last February, my friends, Cassie and Jessica took me under their wings and showed me the ropes to couponing. What a blessing it's been to my family (thanks ladies)! I have gotten so many things for free including diapers (and you all know we need them!).

Here's a peek of an awesome deal. This past week, I went shopping at our local grocery store, Publix. I bought over $100 worth of groceries and after the sales and my coupons, I paid $27.93! Isn't that crazy?! As I drove home, I praised God for providing so abundantly for our family. Check out our loot below.

Isabella "reading"

2008-11-14T19:18:00.000-08:00

I mentioned in my last email that I sent, that I was now teaching Isabella how to read. She's mastered all her letters and sounds so for the past couple of weeks, we've been working on sounding out words and recognition. I know this is hard to believe since I once was a schoolteacher, but I've not had the experience to teach a child how to read! I am currently reading a book that's got lots of great information but I do feel a little lost because it is unfamiliar territory for me. However, my wonderful mother-in-law (Nanny) taught Paul how to read when he was even younger than Isabella! Isn't that amazing?! So Nanny's given me some tips and Bella and I have been working on those flash cards with words and pictures on them.

About 2 weeks ago, I asked Isabella if she could recite parts of a book that we read together regularly and to my surprise, she had memorized the entire book! Since then, she's memorized 2 other books that we borrowed from the library. She loves it when I ask her to "read" all by herself! So, without further ado, here's a small clip of Isabella "reading" her nursery rhyme book that she got from her Nanny and Granddaddy. Doesn't she sound absolutely adorable?

Noah's Baby Dedication

2008-11-12T22:17:00.000-08:00

We'll be dedicating Noah at our church this Sunday during the second service. How I wish you all could be there to share this special occasion with us! If God brings it to your heart, will you say a prayer for our precious son? As we vow to the Lord to bring Noah up in a godly home and to teach him about our Lord and Savior, please pray that Jesus would pursue Noah and that he would come to know Him at a young age. I'll post some pictures of the dedication next week.

P.S. Noah recently got a haircut...he's lookin like a rock star!

Welcome

2008-11-12T21:48:00.000-08:00

I've been wanting to blog for a while now but never fully commited to the idea. I finally decided that I would just jump in with both feet! I wanted to start a blog for a couple of reasons but mainly to connect with family and friends that live far away. How we miss you all! I'm looking forward to sharing our family life with you, so take a peek...and welcome to my world!