On My Bookshelf...and Other Happenings.

Guess what!? We're only 9 days into February and I FINISHED a book! I am thrilled about this since January was not the best month as far as reading goes. I actually finished the book yesterday. Even better. :) I read Her Daughter's Dream by Francine Rivers.

I am a big Rivers fan. She writes good Christian fiction. A lot of the Christian books out there are full of fluff. But Francine Rivers rises above the rest in my opinion. Sometimes there are fluffy parts though....I am moving on to "deeper" reading for my next book. Not sure I can handle another Rivers book right now. :) Anyway, I enjoy the history she weaves into her writng. Her books are easy to read and enjoyable. Her Daughter's Dream was no exception. This book is the sequel to Her Mother's Hope which I read over Christmas.

So now I have completed what was really one big book separated in to 2 still really big books. :) I'll admit it wasn't my favorite story of her's. It didn't come close to Reedeming Love and the Mark of the Lion Trilogy. Nevertheless, still great books.  
The story is about 4 generations of women and walls that often are built up between people we love. Rivers takes you through each of their lives and struggles to reconcile the hurt between them. I particularly liked the history. The books started back in the early 1900's and ended present day. I won't go into more details... you can read the books for yourself. It's worth you time! You can easily find them at the library too. =)

What's next? Carey and I are reading the C. S. Lewis novella The Dark Tower at the moment. (I needed something "deeper," remember?) It is a continuation of his Space Trilogy, which I loved (and definitely recommend!!) The novella is not terribly long. I hope to finish by the end of the month and re-cap it for you!

On to other things...Lucy is getting into everything and has gotten super fast. This mommy is tired! Haha. Welcome to life, right? Thankful for coffee. :) She daily amazes me with new words. She says "flower" which sounds like "flou-w." Only occasionaly does she add the "-er." I about fell over in shock yesterday when she brought me her Pocahontas book--which we had only read a few time--and said as clear as day, "Meeko!" (Meeko is the racoon from Pocahontas and the story is mostly about him.) I was shocked! She has said it a few more times so I know it wasn't a fluke. When did my little baby get so big??
Lucy is a little under the weather right now. She has a runny nose and is getting 2 big molars. Poor girlie. Freezing teps outside are not helping! I can't wait for spring so we can take walks and play in the park!!
That's what we've been up to lately. Happy Wednesday!

Birthday Girl

On December 7th, Miss Lucy turned 1! 

Here's some highlights from her big day 

(actually big week---the celebrations kept coming and coming!).

The Wednesday before Lucy's birthday
we celebrated with Momo and Grandpa. 

They got her an awesome cake! Check it out!

You think that's cool? Look at the INSIDE!

You guys are going to let me eat that!?

Yes, rainbow cake was everywhere!

But it was oh so yummy!
After cake, Lucy had a bath and then it was present time!!

The picture above is of Lucy dancing to music. Lucy got a Touch and Teach Turtle which keeps her occupied for long periods of time--thank you!! :) She also got a kitty cat piano, a fun walker, and a Little People Nativity!

Thank you, Grampa and Momo!!!

On Lucy's real birthday we had a small party with the 3 of us. 

Mommy and Daddy stayed up late the night before
baking a cake for our princess. 

(The tiara was our inspiration. I might look silly, but who cares?) =)

Here's Lucy enjoying her cake! Mmm!!!

Good stuff. After cake, Lucy opened her gift from us. 

What could it be?? 

Just what I've always wanted!!!

A shopping cart with play food! Mom and Dad, you guys are the best!

Lucy then spent 30 minutes taking the play broccoli out of the cart and putting it back in. Who knew that could be so much fun? :) We picked the right gift! 

Now Lucy and Mommy spend lots of time "eating" and "shopping." 

Lucy also got a super cool Disney Princess ride on toy 

from Grandmother and Granddaddy Wilson. 

Pictures to come.....but this provides hours of fun! 

It lights up, plays music--the works!! Thank you!

I can't believe Lucy is ONE! Such a big girl. Still not walking. Her record is 3 steps. :) 

But she's doing lots of talking! 

Here's her vocabulary so far: ma-ma and mom, da-da and dad, bath, hi, bye-bye, nigh-night, eye, more, uh-oh, oh-no, eggs (yes, because Lucy and I eat them frequently for breakfast!), banana, bottle, yum, mmm!, puppy, grampa, momo, TJ (my parent's dog. She wakes up talking about him most mornings.), yeah, no, no no no (haha!), mine, tree. 

There may be a few more I'm not thinking of.
Pretty good for 12 months! 

She will also repeat most things you say. 

Today she said "coffee." :)

Lucy also learned how to blow kisses this week. 

Cutest thing ever. 

It melts my heart.

That what's happening with our 1 year old! Love her to pieces!

Baby Love

Lucy just turned 11 months.....11 months?! I know every mom probably says this, but it seems like only yesterday we brought this little baby girl home from the hospital. Now we're getting ready to celebrate her birthday! This mommy is a little emotional about her baby turning 1. :) I am thrilled though. Everyday I am amazed and so thankful that God chose to place this precious baby girl in our care. What an incredible privilege and responsibility to nurture this child and teach her to love her God! I pray daily that she will grow to be a young lady who is tender, kind and pure. And most importantly, that Lucy will grow to love the Lord with all of her heart. We have been blessed beyond measure with the gift of Lucy. She fills our life with so much love and joy! I can't wait for all the years to come. :) 

Ok, on to what miss Lucy Lu has been up to recently....

11 months brought Lucy's 3rd tooth! I could tell she was teething because she would wake up in the middle of the night crying and clinging to me. Poor thing. She's usually such a great sleeper so I knew something was going on. Then I noticed the whole left side of her top gum was swollen. Finally, yesterday I felt the sharp little tooth pop through! Yay! (Her top left tooth) But I know it's only the beginning. I can see the rest just waiting to come though. 

Ahh, teething. :) 

Lucy is getting to be quite the mover. I literally have to chase her around. AND, she's great at popping things in her mouth at lightning speeds. I have to constantly watch her. I may think nothing could possibly be left on the ground for her to find....but just leave it to her to prove me wrong all day long. Ha! I think Lucy might, might take a step or two by her 1st birthday. She can stand on her own if she's feeling brave enough. Who knows, should could take off tomorrow. But I think it will be past her b-day before she's a "walker." I am fine with this and in no hurry. She's into enough as it is! :) 

What she might lack in walking she makes up for in brains. This kid is smart. Or maybe I'm just the proud mommy! I love listening to her talk. I usually have no idea what she's saying, but it's definitely something! She is an expert at saying "hi" though. Not shy this child. She will say hi to perfect strangers just for the attention. And she gets it! Ha! She can also say "eye" probably because it's close to "hi." Beware, she will poke your eye (or her eye!) out while she says it. She says "done" and "ya" (yes)---such great grammar I'm teaching her. She has started pointing things out in books too. If you ask her to point to the cow or puppy, for example, she will. She's up to 12 different animal noises and/or actions. She loves animals! She might not know her ABC's by the time she starts preschool, but she'll know all about animals. :) And she loves clapping for herself! This is so funny. She'll do something I normally applaud her for and clap her hands and say "yaaaa!" Hmm, we think we're pretty amazing don't we?  Something I'm sure we'll have to deal with in a couple of years! Anyway, she's saying and doing lots more....but those are the current favorites.

Again, I just love this girl! I'm so thankful to be her mommy! 

Here's a look at the past year with Lucy....

December

 January

February

March

(Ha! I love this picture below.)

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November