Some Favorite Things

I've been really feeling the urge to get back into (regular) writing again. No better way to ease into it than a short and simple, light-hearted post on a few of my recent (very random) favorite things.

1. My Camelback waterbottle.
I've had a few of these over the last couple years, but they keep getting left behind somewhere stolen. I even had a sweet friend buy me one for my birthday just days after I lost my favorite one at a large event. I left that one somewhere stupid only 2 weeks later. So mad at myself. I wouldn't buy another one on the principle of the matter (waste of money, just gonna get lost again, etc.) until I had a gift card after Christmas and passed the aisle in Target. Y'all (all 2 of you...Hi, Mom!), this thing lives by my side. Maybe it's the super dry weather we've been having lately, but I feel like I'm sucking down water at a record speed. And I love it so much because it's insulated (i.e. no drops of condensation EVERYWHERE). Also, it's just so much more fun to drink out of a Camelback than anything else.

2. Yardley of London Body Wash - Honey Almond Scent.
This smells so wonderful. I have nothing in particular to say about how it feels on my skin when I bathe. I'm sure it's just really pouring extra moisture and whatever into my pores, but I truly couldn't care less. I just LOVE the way it smells. Simple and sweet, but not too sweet that it makes me wanna barf early in the morning. Just lovely. And the whole "Yardley of London" thing totally makes me think of my Gran who has used their soaps/lotions for as long as I can remember. 

3. Kirklands Dried Apples.
These look like the most boring food ever. They truly look like more powdery versions of packing peanuts. And even when you first bite into them, it's kinda off-putting. But if you just kinda suck on them for a minute and let some hydration get back in, they taste JUST like a really delicious apple. And they are so easy. Y'all, I'm the laziest fruit-eater ever. I really only eat bananas because there's not intensive peeling, slicing, cutting involved. I have to slice apple up to eat them (something about peel getting stuck in between my two front teeth), grapes have to be washed, oranges have to be peeled and are too juicy, and all the really good fruits (melons, mangoes, kiwi, etc.) are just too complicated. But these apples are SO GREAT! Just stick in my purse or Josiah's backpack and we've got a yummy, healthy snack. I think I'll have some right now.

4. Old Navy Floral Top.
I bought this on sale with a Christmas gift card a few weeks ago and I wish I had gotten one in every print. I honestly want to wear it every day. And depending on who I'm seeing that day, I actually do wear it every day. (There have been a few overlaps, but they didn't seem to notice...or kindly just didn't say anything.) But it's a perfect weight for this indecisive Houston weather (cold in the morning, hot in the afternoon, cold again in the evening/nighttime). And the perfect amount of "flow" to it to hide some less-than-ideal bumps, if ya know what I mean. It's also the perfect level of casual while also being more put-together than a college t-shirt and hoodie.

5. Bath and Body Works Candle - Marshmallow Fireside
I LOVE several of their seasonal candles. Autumn, Leaves, Cranberry Woods, but this Marshmallow one is totally giving my nostrils a little post-Christmas, winter party. I'm so not a fan of most of the foodie candles. No vanilla cupcake, thankyouverymuch. But this one has only a slight hint of sweet smell and then this wonderful (almost a little masculine) fire-y scent. It's just...mmmm. Warm and cozy and...s'mores would be nice right now.


6. HMDX Speaker.
Y'all. My husband is surprisingly one of the best, most thoughtful gift-givers I know. I have wanted (since we got married) a little, portable speaker like a docking station or whatever for an iPhone. I listen to music every morning while in the shower and getting ready and I usually just stick my phone in a mug because it's kinda hard to hear over the shower running. This thing is so perfect because it has a great sound quality for being so small and is rechargeable on the computer. Basically, we can also take it the car and play music off our phones (we lost the tape-adapter and never bought another one). I can plug this little speaker-guy into my phone in one room of the house and hear it (without the volume being turned all the way up) throughout the rest of the house. (Mine is black.)

 7. Trader Joe's Facial Moisturizer
I don't necessarily have the MOST complicated skin ever in the world, but I certainly don't have the easiest set of skins. I've always had a tough time with cleansers and moisturizers. That is, until my sweet mother-in-law got my skin hooked on some pretty pricey Lancome stuff. I've been using it for the last couple years, but it was really starting to stifle our budget (and my husband doesn't readily understand all the intricacies of a woman's facial routine. God bless him, he grew up with a bunch of brothers.) There was a moment a few months back where I was one day shy of being completely out (I have to order it on Amazon) and I knew I needed something. We were grocery shopping at our beloved TJ's and I just took a deep breath and grabbed something that I thought might hold me over until I could order the other stuff. I was preparing for a really bad break-out and shiny, slick skin. I mean, certainly something that costs less than 3 or 4 bucks is gonna make my face freak out. But I have yet to order that fancy-shmancy stuff. It's so light-weight, but is totally getting me through the super dry, winter season. I should've known better than to second-guess Joe's. And the best part is that I've barely made a dent in this huge bottle over 2 month's time. Three or four bucks, what, once a year as opposed to twenty bucks every 3 months? I think I can do that.

8. And of course, This Guy.
Although, I'm not loving his new, too-big-for-his-britches haircut. I like it, alright. And I'm sure it'll grow on me soon enough. I'm just a little weepy at the thought of not seeing his crazy, bouncy, messy bed-hair every morning. *tear*

It's a Christmas Miracle!

It's Christmas Eve. And my heart is so full. I want so badly to bottle up all the fresh, magical moments of Christmas we've had over the last few weeks and savor it for years to come. The best way I can think to do any such thing, is to write about it. To try as I might to express that bursting-from-the-seams feeling overflowing in my heart.

I think part of the intense emotion I feel is because this is Josiah's first Christmas that he really gets what's going on. And just like any 2.5 year old, it's mostly about the presents. Always wanting to open presents. But he also totally gets that it's Jesus' birthday that we're celebrating. That He's the One we're singing about. Yes, there's Santa. He was scary at first, but eventually won the little guy over because he brought the toy dinosaur that was very specifically requested. But it's definitely all about Jesus.
**I want to remember going to walk/drive around neighborhoods (both sets of grandparents'), looking at Christmas lights and Josiah being most excited about the candy canes. And I want to remember getting his first nativity set from Grandmommy and PapaJoe and making sure he knew where Baby Jesus was at all times. And the frequent exclamations of, "Mommy, I found Jesus!!!" Does a mommy's heart good. ;)

Maybe some of my deep feelings of gratefulness come from reflecting on what our Christmas was like last year, compared to this year. Not that it was bad in the slightest bit. There's ALWAYS something to be grateful for. But last year was a struggle, emotionally.  We had just (FINALLY!! and after way too many emotional roller-coasters) bought our very first home, but were still living with my (wonderfully gracious, generous, sacrificial...hi, Mom) parents. And we were also driving back and forth, painting and fixing and choosing and deciding and blah, blah, blah. It was crazy-stressful to be kind-of living in two different places with a toddler and not a whole lot of "just us" time. We fought for that home super hard and long and it took almost as long to get to move in.

So, needless to say...we spent two (or three or four) very wonderful Christmases with both my parents, in their home and with Matt's parents, in their home and with other various members of our extended families, in their homes. But not in our own. I honestly didn't even realize how much I was sad or affected by that lack until I had the chance for "Christmas Morning" in our own home this year.

I kept tearing up the whole morning. Waking up in our bed. My son running into my room, jumping on top of me yelling, "Merry Christmas, Mommy!!! It's Christmas! I get to open all 'mine' presents now!" Cuddling with my boy and his daddy. Reading the REAL Christmas story on the couch with my little family. Then getting to open our gifts to each other. (By the way, my husband is a most-excellent gift-giver. And a marvelous deal-finder. And so hott.) Then watching my husband cook Christmas breakfast in our kitchen while our beautiful, growing son ran around the entire house playing with each new toy.

I could go on and on.

The bottom line is this:
I have entirely too many things that I am ungrateful for. And too many things that I think I should have that I don't. And so many different things that simply haven't gone my way. So many, in fact, that it often becomes unbearable.

But all those things just seem to disappear when I really open my eyes and look around me at all the wonderful, marvelous, glorious things that surround my life. All the true gifts that prove a fierce faithfulness. All the countless times in the last few weeks I've said, "It's a Christmas miracle!" And the moment in my reflecting heart right now that wonders about that very first Christmas miracle. Is that what Mary and Joseph and the shepherds said?  Were they, just moments before, overwhelmed with all of life's insufficiency? Were they whining and complaining about a situation that was seemingly less than what they deserved? And did it all just instantaneously disappear once the LIGHT of reality appeared on the earth? Could they even find words to express the Christmas Miracle snuggling in their arms? It seems like in every nativity scene I see, they're all just staring at the tiny Miracle dressed in flesh.



I think I can learn something from the posture of the statues.

"Let us FIX OUR EYES on Jesus, the Author and the Finisher of our faith.  For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." 

And may you, in all your worries and struggles and stresses, also fix your eyes on Jesus, the Christmas Miracle, during this holiday season. 

Merry Christmas!

For the Sake of a Mommy's Memory

Just making a pop-in appearance because I have a few minutes to myself while my super thoughtful, wonderful, hard-working husband is grocery shopping (!!!) with my wild toddler (!!!!!!!!!!).

*Sigh*

He's the best.

Anyway, I've had so many thoughts recently of things Josiah says or does that I want to write down so I can remember.

Lately, Josiah's response any time Matt or I ask him, "Why?" is "Why." Often with a big, goofy grin on his face.

For example...

Josiah: "Omon (come on), Mommy, get up."
Mommy: "Okay, why?"
Josiah: "Why."

Or...

Daddy: "Josiah, WHY did you do that?"
Josiah: "Why."

So frustrating. For all of us. But so darn cute...and kinda funny. 

Something else that I'm having a hard time not reinforcing is how he says, "In there." It sounds more like, "In nare."

And when someone is leaving he says, "See you laduh, A-doo-gaduh."  I keep trying to get a video of him saying it so I can document his lips. So cute. But he always turns away. Little Booger. 

It's just so much fun to watch him grow and learn and figure out how to articulate what he wants or what he means. We often can't understand what he's saying, but he's REALLY good (too good) at repeating himself over and over and over until one of us figures it out. Usually Mommy.

The funniest thing is that he repeats just about everything Mommy says. Now, I don't have a dirty mouth and I don't really say things that shouldn't be repeated, but ever so often I get frustrated with something enough where I'll say a loud, firm, "Dang it!" And of course...Josiah quickly (and just as loudly) echos. Sometimes several times. In a store. Daddy doesn't think it's very funny.

The sweetest thing lately is that for the last two Sundays, Matt and I will still be napping in our bed (Sunday afternoon naps are essential in our household...whenever possible) and Josiah will wake up and come find us. He'll crawl into bed with us and ask to look at pictures on Mommy's phone of his Tia (my sister, Allison). She is his favorite person in the world and he misses her pretty bad these days since she's at camp for the summer. Because I currently don't have any on my phone of her, we just look through her Instagram and he sees her, himself and a few of her friends that he knows. It's just really sweet, because he cuddles with me with his head on my shoulder for at least half an hour while we look at pictures.

He's really into swimming right now.

Is learning possessive. "Josiah's bed." "Josiah's chair." "Mommy's water." "Daddy's phone." "Mommy and Daddy's bed."

Is learning to fall asleep by himself in his own bed. (Yes, I know he's 2. It's complicated.)

He's becoming VERY independent. Wants to do everything "by self." Or "Josiah do it."

He's gotten really, really bossy. With us and with everyone. BUT...he's also already learned great manners and mostly uses them unprompted. Please, thank you, yes ma'am, yes sir, etc.

Still very interested in learning people's names and practicing. We go through every picture of people in our home.

He actually gets it that our friend, Nicole, ("Cole") has "Baby Evie" in her belly and pulled his shirt up to look for a baby in his belly. And when I ask him if he wants Mommy to have a baby in her belly, he promptly and very emphatically says, "No, thanks."We get the same response when we ask him if he wants a brother or a sister. Sometimes, the answer is, "No way!" Ha!
(For the record...I do not have a baby in belly. But we do hope to someday in the future shatter his dreams of being an only child.)

Of course...there's SO MUCH MORE!! Two is such a fun, learning age. There's something new everyday. And there really is nothing like getting a front-row seat to watch someone grow and learn the way a toddler does. He astounds me.

And of course...what kind of post would this be without painfully adorable pictures of the subject.

Favorite Pics of the Year!

It would be such a HUGE task to try to sum up our past year in words. So much happened and we experienced so much joy as we lived out our first full year with our little boy. Watching him grow has been so fun! 

So, instead of writing a novel, I'll just do a quick review of some of my favorite photos for each month.

January

Beautiful family day in the park with Daddy.

February

"Mom, please."

March

Starting to take a few steps!

First pic in the bluebonnets on St. Patrick's Day.

Loves his Daddy.

April

Easter

Lovin' those blackberries.

May

June

First Freebirds with Daddy while Mommy's out of town.

This actually happens ALL the time. Like father, like son.

Hoogendoorn Family trip to Port O'Connor...wearing Daddy's fishin' hat. 

This is just up through June. I'll try to get the rest of the year up soon.

Happy New Year to you! May this be the best year yet!

Why I Actually Love Christmas Music

I know, I know.

Christmas Music.

You're probably already over it. Shoot, I am too. Way over it. Over it before it was even December. See, because when the radio stations start playing it NON-STOP (really? why?) it gets really old, really fast. Totally fun for the first day or so, but after that...come on already!

Side Note: I have a few simply brilliant (in my humble, modest opinion) solutions to this dilemma of the over-whelming amount of Christmas music. But no one listens to me. I guess, maybe I should suggest it to someone other than my darling husband.

Moving on.

So, besides the fun "Frosty the Snowman" (how do I still not know all the words to this one?!?!) and the sentimental "I'll be Home for Christmas" and the slightly comical, yet oh, so true "They Don't Have White Christmases in Houston" most everything else holds a moment of nostalgia wrapped up in the obnoxiousness of repetition.

But there are a few that just never seem to get old. Only a few that cause me to pause and close my eyes (unless I'm behind the wheel, of course) and move my heart and my spirit into a whirlwind of worship. There are a few Christmas songs that just seem to really articulate what it's all about.

Have you ever really stopped and listened to the words of "O Holy Night"?

O Holy night, the stars are brightly shining
It is the night of our dear Savior's birth
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
'Til He appeared and the soul felt its worth
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn (!!!!!!!!)
Fall on your knees

O hear the angel voices
O night divine!
O night when Christ was born
O night divine!
O night, O night divine!


Truly He taught us to love one another,
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains He shall break, for the slave is our brother.
And in His name, all oppression shall cease
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we
Let all within us praise His holy name
Christ is the Lord!





And what about "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen?"

God rest ye merry, gentlemen
Let nothing you dismay
Remember, Christ, our Saviour
Was born on Christmas day
To save us all from Satan's power
When we were gone astray
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy

This is some powerful stuff, y'all. And I don't know about you, but I desperately need the truth of these carols to permeate the very depths of my spirit and my attitude. (Especially when I'm in the car. Driving around in the ever-enjoyable Houston traffic. Who doesn't need an attitude adjustment after that?) 

There are several other songs that belong only in the Christmas season that just do something to me. (Have you ever been pregnant and full of wild hormones during the Christmas season and listened to "Breath of Heaven'? Not enough tissues in the house, okay?)

So, listen. I'm with you. If I hear "It's the Holiday Season" or "The Christmas Shoes" one more time, I may or may not lose it. But it's the classics, the hymns, full and bursting with truth like these that at lease attempt to give articulation to what we're really celebrating here. 

The fact that Jesus, the very and only Son of God, came to this miserable earth as a squirmy, wrinkly, utterly tiny babe. That He grew up sinless. That He revolutionized the Law. That He gave His life for us, as undeserving as we are. And that He rose again. He came first as a babe, but He's coming back as a Conquering King.

This is what we celebrate.

And this is why we sing.

Merry Christmas. God bless us, Every One.

A Little Saturday Honesty

Today, we're packing.

More out of a need for continued hope and faith than anything else.

I keep thinking of those 10 days after my due date with Josiah. Shouldn't he have already been here by now? Is today the day? What am I supposed to do with my life if it isn't today? Can I actually make any plans for tomorrow? What if he decides to come tomorrow? What if he doesn't ? Am I really even ready yet for him to come?

And the daily questions from sweet, thoughtful, well-meaning people remind me also of those terribly uncertain days before birth. Nobody likes to say, "I don't know." Everybody likes to have all the answers to all the questions.

Well, I don't have all the answers. And that's perfectly okay. Right?

And what answers I do have are so much more complicated and lengthy than what most people truly care to hear.

I've really had to let The Lord temper my attitude lately. I've really had to surrender my "right" to whine and complain and feel sorry for myself. And sadly, I do still whine and complain and feel oh, so sorry for myself way too often. Lord, help me.

If I remember correctly, those long, terribly uncertain 10 days before birth ended in some of the most joyous beauty I've ever experienced in my entire life. I won't lie. It was tough. It was even sometimes painful...kinda like now. But boy, did we celebrate.

And we will celebrate again. We'll celebrate the goodness and the faithfulness and the trustworthiness of God in our lives. And we'll thank Him for teaching us more about peace and patience and rest in Him. And we'll thank Him for, yet again, loving us enough to refine our character.

Just a little honesty from my heart today.

Fall Fun 2012

I LOVE, love, love the Fall!!! With the cooler weather, yummy treats, sweaters and scarves and the numerous opportunities for cute photo ops!

And Josiah is at such a fun age that he's really enjoying the season as well.

This last weekend, we began our Halloween celebrations (no, we do NOT celebrate evil, but we do celebrate cuteness and fun and costumes and memories) with our annual Chili Cook-Off and Costume Party with our Chi Alpha group on Friday night. This is always one of my very favorite events of the entire year and a super fun way for our friends to invite their friends to something fun and casual and not intimidating. Plus, who doesn't love to have an excuse to dress up in a creative costume and eat some yummy chili?

Here is our family costume:

2012

I always try to have a theme, if I can help it. Last year's costume kinda stunk because Josiah was sick and I had JUST started work that day. For comparison's sake, last year's "costume":

2011

But the year before that (2010) was, by far, the best costume year!

On Saturday, we just kind-of lazed around the house most of the day (because we all really, really needed to do just that.) But the weather was gorgeous and I knew the season of pumpkins was almost over, so we decided sorta last-minute to take Josiah out to Dewberry Farm. We (my parents, sister and I...Matt was gone somewhere) took Josiah last year and we all had fun, but it was significantly more fun for him this year. Still a little overwhelming with all the people and all the different things to do. But he had a blast! And I was even able to get a few really decent pictures out of it.

 

 

 

And again, pictures from last year at Dewberry Farm for comparison's sake: 

 I hope to be able to take him back there every year. I know he'll have more and more fun as the years go by.

Happy Fall to Y'all!