I'm thankful for...

First and foremost, Happy Thanksgiving! I hope everyone has a fabulous day and stuffed themselves full of turkey and mashed potatoes. Thanksgiving is one of my absolute favorite holidays! Who doesn't like an entire holiday devoted to comfort foods?

Anyway, the service today was about being thankful not only during our peaks, but also through our valleys. It is always a good reminder to me that God asks us to praise him always and to rejoice in our sufferings. Normally this part of the Bible makes me think "Oh sure, thanks, God. Yet another expectation I could never live up to. Really?"

Well, clearly this message was meant for me because it made me think about all of the annoyances and nuisances in my life that irritate me to no end. In the bigger picture, these annoyances should really be a reminder to me of all of my blessings. So, I thought that on this Thanksgiving I would take time to think of the things that bother me in life and reflect on why I am thankful for them. Trust me, most of these are stated, but I need MUCH work on TRULY being thankful for these things. Either way, it's a great reminder to me to view things differently.

1. I am thankful for a daughter that regularly poops in the tub, because it means I have a healthy (and regular) child.


2. I'm thankful for a husband who forgets to come home on time from work, because it means my spouse is driven and dedicated (or forgetful?)


3. I am thankful for my clothes that don't fit me as well as they did before Belle, because it means that I have enough to eat.


4. I am thankful for homework and papers, because it means I am mentally capable of furthering my education.


5. I am thankful for staying home to change diapers and clean up toys, because it means that Paul has a good job.


6. I am thankful when I have to drop Belle off to a babysitter, because it means I have sisters and a mom willing to watch my child for free and offer a safe environment.


7. I am thankful when I only have the energy to make mac and cheese, because I know my husband thinks this is the BEST meal ever.


8. I am thankful for the rising gas prices, because it means I have a car that needs gas.


9. I am thankful for the snow and cold weather, because it means I live close to my family.


10. I am thankful for messes left at my house after a party, because it means I've been surrounded by family and friends.


11. I am thankful for needing to get an oil change in my minivan, because it means I have transportation.


12. I am thankful for the furthest parking space, because it means I am able to walk.


13. I am thankful stained teeth, because it means I get coffee in the morning and red wine at night.


14. I am thankful for an overhwhelming amount of crochet orders, because it means I have a successful business and able hands.


15. I am thankful for Belle's screaming and crying when she is tired, because it means I can hear.


16. I am thankful for my dry eyes and need for glasses, because it means that I can see.


17. I am thankful for my mortgage payment, because it means I have a roof over my head.


18. I am thankful for pots and pans to clean, because it means I have enough food to make a meal.


19. I am thankful for having to make a doctor's appointment when I am sick, because it means I have health care that is reliable and readily available.


20. I am thankful for all of the dog hair I find all over the house, because it means I have a dog that is a guard dog, a friend, and Belle's best friend.


21. I am thankful for all of the laundry that piles up, because it means I have clothes to wear (this one is REALLY hard to write!)


22. I am thankful for having to admit wrong and apologize to Paul after a fight, because it means I married someone who some how puts up with my dramatic, opinionated, stubborn nature.


23. As the pastor stated today...."I am thankful for Jesus."

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Nothing makes me happier than dressing my kid up and making her look as ridiculous as possible! I need to take advantage of this privilege as long as I can. It won't be long until she develops her own opinions and expresses them strongly. So, I chose to dress Belle up as a chicken. A chunky, little, waddling chicken.

Halloween is one of my favorite holidays the past few years. My entire family gets together and we all watch the kiddos trick or treat in their costumes. Paul's brother, Marc, came to visit with our nephew Caden. Caden is so good with Belle and is obsessed with Mac. Paul and I love when he comes to visit because he is so stinking hilarious. That boy knows how to get attention and just when to turn on the charm. Love him.

The evening started with some trunk-or-treating at Providence CRC. Might I say that trunk or treating is my new favorite thing. It is the quickest and fastest way to get loads of candy! I think people in neighborhoods should sit at the end of their driveways and hand out candy. It would make the entire process much quicker! The rest of the night was spent be-bopping around Crystal Springs.

Belle's second Halloween was much more fun than her first. Last year, Paul literally drug the stroller around the neighborhood while Belle slept (she was only a month old). This year Belle was in her glory. She was VERY into the concept of getting free candy and having her own bowl all to herself. She had her head in her bowl almost the entire time. I found her with wrapped candy in her mouth that she was biting through. The girl couldn't get enough.


I know this is sappy and cheesy, but I literally love Belle more and more each day. I love watching all of the new things she learns and seeing how she experiences the world. She is walking all over and repeating a lot of things we say. Somehow she learned to wave to people as they drive by. Paul and I took her for a walk today and she waved at every car that drove by and said "hi." I didn't teach her that, and neither did Paul. Where did she learn that? The girl amazes me, not because I think she is so smart, but more because watching her grow up is so fun.

Can't wait for the holidays this year! Belle will actually have a clue what is going on (sorta, right?).

Recent Happenings

Belle is walking and talking like a crazy girl! I has finally hit me that I no longer have a baby, but a toddler. Let me tell you, this girl's walk is a true toddle! She is far from graceful, but so stinkin' adorable. She has finally hit the point where walking is quicker than crawling and she is moving all over the place. She is a much happier and less frustrated girl since she has been moving and grooving via walking.

On top of the walking, Belle is exercising those vocals chords. She loves to repeat things we say. This has required this plumber's daughter to watch her mouth a bit more. I don't have the vocabulary of a sailor, but I have been known to let those cuss words slip when I am stressed, angry, or not thinking. Haha, let's hope Belle doesn't pick up on any of them....yet. Anyway, her vocab consists of: Mac, Mama, Dada, No, Hi, Duck, and Yuck, however I don't know how many of her words she says are deliberate. She definitely knows "uh-0h" and will say it often.

Belle took her first trip to Indianapolis with Paul and I this weekend. Our friends, Dennis and Amber, had a son 6 months ago and we had yet to meet him. Belle and Carson were instant buddies :-)

For those who don't know, Paul and I used to live in Indianapolis. Paul worked for FedEx straight out of college and I moved there when we got married. Indiana was an interesting time for us. I worked an hour from our apartment, and he worked 3rd shift. Not ideal for a first year of marriage . Despite the struggles, we had great friends and a fabulous church. In the end, Paul found a job with Meijer back in GR and we were able to move back. I would never regret our move, but I sure miss many aspects of Indy. Needless to say, it was nice to visit. However, next time I would go for a longer weekend because we were able to see our friends from FedEx, but there was no time for me to get away to see my friends from BehaviorCorp where I worked.

Anyway, not much else to report. Halloween is coming up and I can't wait to post pics of Belle in her costume. My goals as a mother is to make her look as ridiculous as possible on Halloween. I guarantee that I will be successful this year.

BTW, I will post pics of Belle's one year photo session with Kate Krueger soon. It's too late to load pics tonight :-)

Baby Steps. Literally.

I realize I have been awful at updating this blog! I will try to be better!

Tons has happened in that past couple of weeks. We brought Belle to the pumpkin patch, went to Artprize, and Belle has become a wobbly little walker!

The pumpkin patch was cold and windy, but we made the best of it. Belle loved the goats and hanging on all of the pumpkins. Paul and I were way more excited about the donuts. Holy cow. I could have eaten a dozen all by myself! I forgot how good orchard donuts were. My mouth is watering as I type!

Paul and I made sure to make it to Artprize this year. Last year was the first year for Artprize, but we had just had Belle. I wasn't quite confident enough to head out downtown with a new little baby, and let's be honest, I was way too busy at home to think about checking out art. This year Artprize was busy, but fun. We never made it into the GRAM, because the line was WAY too long and a teething one year old was not going to last through the wait. Belle was more into the people watching and loved riding on her daddy's shoulders!

Lastly, Belle is beginning to walk. Watch out world! She has slowly been gaining confidence in herself and took a good little walk over to my scarf this afternoon. I had to share her new found skills!

Party Time

We had Belle's birthday party at our house on Saturday. It was SO much fun! We had both sides of the family here, and Liz and Mike. Since it was raining we were all inside and it sure felt crowded! Either way, it was a great reminder of how many people love Belle and wanted to come out to celebrate her day.

Belle was dressed ridiculous. As her mother I feel the right to dress her in whatever I like and I often choose big frilly tutus. This time, however, I also opted for a big ole flower for her hair from Emma's Bowtique. Belle may be embarrassed later, but at this stage in her life I get to make the decisions on her attire, so I am going to go all out!

Belle got lots of gifts that she will definitely use. He Mema and Bipa Thompson got her an adorable outfit and some books. She had few books and I wanted more for her as she got older. Her Meme and Papa Huizinga got her a wagon. We gave it a test drive yesterday around the neighborhood. Every kid needs a wagon, right?

She also got lots of clothes (which makes me happy!) and other items like a stroller, cars, and a fridge farm (she played with this a ton at her Aunt Cricket's, so we felt she needed one of her own). All of her cousins were very into watching Belle open her gifts, as you will see from the pics!

Lastly, what one year old party would be complete without a baby covered in cake??? Belle dug right in to her cake and ended up covered in purple frosting. She actually ate very little of her cake and ended up just playing in it, but it made for GREAT pictures!

All in all it was a great day and Belle was exhausted by the end. We feel blessed to have our little one year old and thankful for everyone who came to celebrate.

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