Shopping with a Purpose

This time every year, I spend lots of time looking for the perfect gift. No one on my list needs anything; myself, Luke, and Kate included. Looking at how much I have, and how much others need, has challenged me to Shop with a Purpose this year. I am constantly humbled by how much God has blessed and continues to bless my family. I am hoping that 75 % of my the gifts I purchase will benefit those who I buy from. I only say 75% because last year was 0%, so 100% is a slightly unrealistic (especially since I have already purchased some toys for Kate that were not benefitting anyone but us :) Here is a very extensive list of ways that you can give (twice) this Christmas season, and she is working on a list for 2009.I also looked here and here for ideas. Do yall have any other good place that I can shop?

"I am sorry, Boy," said the tree, "but I have nothing left to give you----" "My apples are gone." "My teeth are too weak for apples," said the boy. "My branches are gone," said the tree. "You cannot swing on them------" "I am too old to swing on branches," said the boy. "My trunk is gone," said the tree. "You cannot climb--------" "I am too tired to climb," said the boy. "I am sorry," sighed the tree. "I wish that I could give you something------ but I have nothing left. I am just an old stump." "I don't need very much now," said the boy. "just a quiet place to sit and rest. I am very tired." "Well," said the tree, straightening herself up as much as she could, "well, an old stump is good for sitting and resting. Come, Boy, sit down. Sit down and rest." And the boy did. And the tree was happy. © Shel Silverstein

8 months and holding

I wish! Every month has brought so many changes with our sweet lamb. I don't know which one is my favorite. Right now, she is so interactive! She loves to read, and gets excited when I pull books out. She is starting to recognize faces she knows. She has recognized me and Luke for a while now, but she is gets so happy when it is someone else she knows. The other night, we were hanging out at The Gardner's, and Travis walked in. He said hi to her, and then picked up Reed. She was not having it. She wouldn't smile at him for anything! It was hilarious! Don't worry, he made up for it the next morning in Sunday School! She also loves Jake. Anytime he is around, her little (chunky) legs just start gettin it. She laughs at him constantly. I love it! I think it helps his feelings a little too about her taking his spot as the youngest in the family. She is crawling all over the place, and loves giving kisses. She also still loves all dogs. Blake's dog, Babe, is residing at our house right now, and she loves to lick Kate's toes. Kate was trying to lean in and give her kisses yesterday...you gotta watch her! She still loves bath time and eating anything in sight. We were at Cassie and Will's the other night for a dip party, and she was mad we weren't letting her try any of the food. Cassie brought out some puffs, and she went to town! It was funny that she knew exactly what to do with them. Luke and I just sit and laugh at her. She is the best entertainment!

Just trust me, Mom! I will be right here when you get back!Going!Going!

Gone! "For you see, each day I love you more Today more than yesterday and less than tomorrow." -Rosemonde Gerard

Crawling, Baby Food, and a Precious 8 month old

Kate has taken off and never looked back. She started crawling a week ago and is all over the place! Last Monday, I set her on her play mat in our bedroom while I got in the shower. I could hear her playing with our blinds (not on the play mat), and by the time I was out of the shower she was sitting in the doorway between our bedroom and bathroom! She wouldn't crawl for me then, of course, but crawled for Luke that afternoon. She looked like a walking horse at first...very dramatic with her arms. Now, she is a pro and can get anywhere in the house FAST! She loves being able to chase the dogs and is so proud of herself. It is adorable. I made a batch of baby food tonight. I did avocado, peas, and a carrot-broccoli-cauliflower mixture. Does anyone else do there own? It got messy, but I am hoping she will LOVE it. Haha. Who am I kidding? She loves anything that gets close to her mouth. Including Reed...check out this video. No other news. We are slowly getting our Christmas decorations out. I love having my house decorated, but I love Thanksgiving and like giving it it's time to shine. No Santas or reindeer yet, but there are some snow villages and Kate's tree is up in her room!

It's begining to look a lot like Christmas!

Halloween

Buggy, Alice, and a Cabbage Patch Kid We started out "Halloween Season" at the O'Connell's Annual Bash! As always, I was the star of the karoake (or maybe they gave me the mic that didn't work...I'll never tell!) Luke and I were Alice and Jasper from Twilight. I must admit that it is kinda fun putting on a TOTALLY different hairstyle for the night! We had a wonderful time eating delicious food and hanging out with family and friends. At least I can say I get the dressing up jean honest. Look at KK! She is Snow White! The sweet lamb, Lil Bo Peep, and the Beast

Mmm! Whoppers or Doritos? Decisions, Decisions!

We had a wonderful Halloween! Kate was a lamb, and an adorable one at that! My sweet SIL did some research and found that Tally, Kate's middle name, means lamb. How sweet is that?

Me: Halloween is coming, Halloween is coming, Halloween is coming, We'll say Boo! Kate: Mommy, your singing is making my head hurt! This is her at 7 months! In just a few days I will have to take her 8 MONTH PICTURE! Get outta town! I can't believe it! She started crawling on Monday, and you would've thought she'd been doing this her whole little life. She is all over the place. KK says she looks like a walking horse the way she picks up her arms so dramatically to place them in front of her. It is hilarious! Maybe I can get a video on her? Pretty please, Cute Boy?! Sorry for the lack of blogging lately. The monitor on our desktop went out. And yall remember how my computer goes to law school everyday? That leaves me with no computer and no tv all day long! I cannot say that I am bored, but it is nice to be able to blog during cutie patootie's nap time!

"They say one of a baby's first non-verbal forms communication is pointing. Clicking must be somewhere just after that."