January Happenings

The month is coming to a close and as much as I don't want time to fly, I would be more than okay with some warmer weather. You take the girl out of the midwest, and she doesn't know how to handle freezing temperatures!

This January has been drastically different from this time last year. I just had our 2013 family album made and was surprised to see how much time we spent outside last year. We have not been out much at all this year. Cabin fever is beginning to hit hard. Thankfully we were able to get a brief break from the cold earlier this week. It was so nice that my sister and I took Crosbi to the zoo. I'm not sure who enjoyed it more.

While we might be stuck indoors, we're making the most of it. 

We've become big fans of Barnes and Noble. A warm coffee and a big children's section? Yes, please.

When we're not hitting the bookstores, Crosbi continues the story reading at home. Her collection of baby dolls is getting quite impressive.

We've been listening to our favorite songs around the house. Todd showed Crosbi the music video to TobyMac's song "Speak Life" and she became an instant fan. He was out of town on a guy's fishing trip last weekend and it was so great having my little buddy around the house. It was also fun having my sister stay with us. Slumber party!

We've gotten so used to staying home in our pj's during this cold season that we've forgotten how to dress to leave the house! Pajamas with rain boots was the outfit of choice on this day. 

My girl is becoming quite the artist. I make sure to have paper and a pen or crayons in my bag at all times. It's also how I get her to sit on the potty. She draws (and sits) and I can do a couple of chores around the house. I'd call that a win-win.

When we just can't stay in the house one more minute, we go out for lunch. She's a pretty fun date.

Fingers crossed February sees more days above freezing!

xoxo

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Thankful :: January 2014 Edition

I've made the statement a couple of times this year that 2014 is happening at me. It seems like we've been living with the fast forward button on. When life gets chaotic, it can be easy to take it for granted. But stopping, even just to give thanks, is good for the soul. It gives me just a moment to look around and inhale. To breathe in and cherish this life that I get to live.

One of my new favorite blogs is Today's Letters. Em often writes posts she titles "Gratitude Lately" that I always enjoy. I'm going to borrow her idea as a way to pause and give thanks for the little things that can often pass me by. Here goes!

I'm thankful for a warm home during this frigid "polar vortex!" Crosbi and I pass the time playing one of her new favorite games, Memory. 

For Pinterest and recipes that become keepers. This ravioli soup hit the spot. 

For footie pajamas and a toddler who makes me laugh. She was helping me make breakfast and thought we needed a bowl of "chicken milk." She's the best.

For warm days in January and small town churches with red doors that make the perfect backdrop for Valentine's Day photos. 

For much needed time outdoors at one of the best little parks around. 

Lots to be thankful for!

Happy weekend!

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A Look Back At 2013

Crosbi is sleeping across from me, fighting an awful stomach bug. Since I need to stay within a few feet of her in case she gets sick again, I figured what better time to sit down and write a recap of 2013 (and to pray 2014 ends better than it is starting!).

If I had to choose one word to describe 2013, I would choose full. It was full of travel and new milestones. It was full of adventure and growth. Growth in the form of a Bible study that is still proving to be life changing for Todd and I. It was full of good things, but it was also full of hard, challenging things. I blogged very little this past year because it was just so very full. We fought hard to find our new normal with a toddler. We fought to keep negativity at bay. We fought for our finances as two major home repairs took their toll. We fought tooth and nail for our friendships. That fight was the most meaningful of the year and forever changed me. For the better. Friendships we thought were dead are now bursting with life, reborn. I love that God redeems. There were plenty of other difficult seasons throughout the year, but those are held safe in our hearts as we're still finding God's hand in them, sorting things out as we go. 

For now, let's look back at the best of 2013.

January - March

The first part of the year we braved the cold and spent lots of time outside. We spent weekends playing around the house and visiting the farmer's market. In February, Crosbi and I traveled to North Carolina to visit my mom, and in March headed to Missouri for Easter. 

April - June

In April Crosbi discovered her love for baby dolls, the weather warmed up and we took full advantage of the sunshine and Aunt Cami being in town. In May my little brother graduated high school, we made a quick weekend getaway to Alabama, and Crosbi visited her first splash pad. In June we had a minor setback when Crosbi broke her arm. 

July - September

In July the cast came off. We made up for lost time with a long trip to Missouri filled with lots of water fun. In August we took advantage of all Nashville has to offer like great water parks and the zoo. We ended the month with another trip back to North Carolina. In September Todd turned 30, Crosbi started preschool and we took what might be my favorite vacation to date, a trip to Captiva, Florida. 

October - December

In October we had our family photos taken - a splurge I will happily make every year. Crosbi and I traveled to Colorado to see our favorite Millers, and my family visited to attend the best chili cookoff around. In November we excitedly welcomed fall, Crosbi turned two, and we celebrated Thanksgiving in Ashville, NC. December brought Crosbi's first haircut, two preschool Christmas programs, including one at the church Todd grew up in, which might have been my favorite memory of the holiday season. We spent nearly two weeks visiting family in the Ozarks, recharging for another big year ahead.

Looking back, we have so much to be thankful for. God met our needs at every turn. Our marriage strengthened and feels stronger than ever. Crosbi is growing to be a delightful little girl who I just absolutely love being around. This year my relationship with my sister surprised even me. We fought so hard growing up, I never thought I would see the day I called her one of my best friends. This year changed that. Todd and I both see how relationships played a vital role in 2013. We hope to continue to build and nourish those relationships as we enter 2014. We're ready for a new year. A fresh start.

Welcome, 2014. Show us what you've got. 

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