Milla the Russian dancer :)

I realize that I haven't been a good blogger as of late, but we've just been so busy with other things, that I haven't had a chance to sit down and write about the busyness. So here's a good post to give you baby fever. I'm introducing my newest niece, Miss Milla Josephine, to you. And no, she's not Russian. While many of you may have the urge to call her "Meeeela," I assure you, that is NOT her name :) Her name is Milla...such a sweet name for a sweet girl. She was born on New Years Eve - the perfect way to end 2008. She was 8.2 lbs. I guess that extra cooking time added a little weight. Poor girl came out so quickly that she broke her collarbone and has to wear a sling. My sister Amber said, "big girl + small mom = broken bones." She's still presh. I got to hold her for a little bit when Scot and I went down to visit them at their house. With her broken collarbone and all, I was a little scared. I didn't want to hurt her, poor thing. Here are a few sweetie pictures that I think you'll enjoy. She's such a cutie. Here's one of the first pictures I took. Look at those sweet foot prints!



While we were waiting to see Milla for the first time, Jonah was very excited. He loves the idea of a new cousin. Here he is peeking through the window....waiting for a glimpse of the sweet one.





We couldn't see her very well because she was at the farthest end of the nursery. She's that little pinky peach blob towards the back of the photo. Tessa's fiance Dustin was there trying to get the nurse's attention so that she would bring Milla over to the window. He wrote on a small piece of paper and started knocking on the window. That wasn't working, so Josh finally went back to the nurses station and let them know that about twenty people were waiting at the window to see sweet Milla. Finally, they brought her to the window...for all of thirty seconds. Here are the only two pics I was able to snap before they wisked her away!




Here's Major admiring his newest sister. I think he really likes the idea of being a big brother. He told me the other day, before Milla was born, that he was more excited than a school bus - whatever that means. But honestly, he's always talking about "taking care of the ladies." He's a good little man, and I think he'll be a sweet big brother.




After we had waited for a long time, we decided to do a bit of shopping and come back so that we could actually see Milla up close when they brought her back to Amber. These are definitely some of the sweetest pictures I got that day. Here's Mary Alice being such a good big sis. She loves to hold Milla and tell her things like, "You're so nice, aren't you? I just love you so much, you know?" It's very sweet to watch her love on the girl.



Milla kept wanting to suck on her fist or anything she could stick in her mouth. What a sucker...



Here are some sweet pictures of the Smith girls. I love how Mary Alice's hands look so much like Amber's. The way they are both patting the baby is just too cute. I think this will be a very special time for Mary Alice to be able to help out with the girl. She just loves taking care of Milla. Evidently, she gets really sad when Milla cries :(





Can you believe how good Amber looks after having a baby? What a pretty sister I have. Hopefully, I will look as good when we have kiddos. But honestly, I hope our kids are as sweet as these ones.



And here's a close up look at the girl. She's a sweet one...I think you will agree.



FEET! I think wrinkly feet are just about the cutest thing ever. She has especially beautiful ones. She kind of looks like she's dancing!



And here she is admiring her Aunt Taylor. She loves me already. I'm pretty sure she asks for me on a daily basis :)

a thankful heart

This Thanksgiving was so wonderful! The food, the fun, but mostly the family. I've always loved being a part of such a large and loving family. This year, everyone was there except Adam, Alisha, and their kiddos. They sure were missed by everyone! I drove in late Monday night and was joined by my hubs on Wednesday. Scot was sick the whole time, so that kind of stunk, but I never got it, so hoorah for preventive medicine! Now I'm getting back into the groove of things until we jet off to Tulsa for Christmas. Amber's baby is due in a few weeks, so I'm praying she comes a little early so I can be there. I'm also very excited to hear the girl's name. I'm sure it will be a sweet one!

Anyway, here are a few pictures that we took over Thanksgiving. Here's my mom not wanting her picture taken. She ended up laughing at a joke she told. This is SO my mom. Her meal was so delicious this year! My favorite is always the mashed potatoes.



Fresh rolls from the oven...Tessa seems happy!



The kids were so much fun this year! Mary Alice and I made these cute little cupcakes that looked like Thanksgiving dinner. I didn't have my camera at the time, but imagine mashed potatoes, corn on the cob, and peas and carrots! My favorite was the mashed potato cupcake. Delish! Maj joined in with the big boys this year and played lots of ball.



Here's the beautiful centerpiece and table settings! I have always loved how my Mom makes everything special during the holidays. Setting out the china and laying beautiful linens....this is a tradition that I want to carry on in our family. I'll take china over paper plates any day!




Oh pies! My favorite! Mom's pies are the best :) I almost ruined all the pies this year because I put the wrong kind of flour in the flour canister. Luckily, they tasted just as good as they always do.




Aunt Barbara and Uncle Ken came down to visit this year which was so great! The kids thought Uncle Ken was especially funny. At first they didn't know when he was joking...but they figured out pretty soon that he was just silly.



Tessa and Dustin went to see "Home for the Holidays" at Bass Hall. I'm sure it was fantastic! Dustin had never been to the symphony, so we got Tessa all dolled up and took a few pics before they left. What do you think of her hair? Aunt Barb and I fixed it.



Last, but not least, brother Ben took a few pics of Scot and me for our holiday card. Any votes for which one we should use?




Hope everyone had a wonderful thanksgiving filled with lots of things to be thankful for!

pies + family = best time of the year

Hey all! My Mom is resting at home after her surgery and getting ready for chemo. Keep praying for her strength and that she gets plenty of rest. We picked up some very cozy pajamas at Soma for her to romp around in. I've never been in Soma, but after getting those pjs, they're going on my Christmas list! The past few weeks have been a blessing, even with the rough news, because I've gotten to spend so much time with my family. On Halloween, I got to trick-or-treat with all my little nephews and sweet niece--sometimes I call her my nice, cause she's just so nice--in their precious costumes. Mary Alice has been so concerned with her Gran (my Mom). She's such a caring and considerate little woman. Also, my older sister and I have been at my parents' house cleaning up and happily eating the delicious food many very sweet people are bringing to my parents. I love my family! We're getting so big that it's becoming hard to schedule holidays. Christmas is with Scot's family this year, but Thanksgiving will be in grand 'ole Cleburne. I'm so excited that (almost) the whole family gets to spend Thanksgiving together. Even my Aunt Barb and Uncle Ken are joining in on the fun! I just can't wait for this wonderful time to spend with my family.

On another note, I desperately need to clean my own home. It's a MESS! I guess this is what happens when I'm gone for a week ;) What would Scot do without me? Just kidding. But I really do need to clean up around here. I smell something funny. I think the kitchen is calling my name.

Cancer

God,

Today satan is trying to rock my world. I got a call this morning from Dad telling me that Mom had bad results from her colonoscopy and has to have surgery today. Cancer. Such a horrible word. It grounds even the most strong in faith. So as I type, my mom, my dearest and best friend, is having surgery. My Mom has always been one of the most amazing people to me. She seriously is so passionate about so many things. I just pray that right now, she's calm and remembers that we serve You, a good God that is loving and gracious and kind. I also pray that I'm not anxious in my thoughts and that I will continue to look to You for your comfort and calming Spirit.

In the Name of your precious Son I pray this very heartfelt prayer.

our state fair is the best state fair in the whole wide world!

So this weekend was pretty busy, but SO FUN! On Friday afternoon, my Dad and I went to the Kimball Art Museum in Ft.Worth and looked at the impressionist exhibit. I love stuff like that! We had so much fun seeing all the amazing art on loan from Chicago. Afterwards, I met my sister and her family at the botanical gardens and had a fun photo session of all of them before their little bundle arrives. It's a girl, and we're really excited! When the photo session was over, I left to meet Scot so that we could have dinner with the Flemings. By the time I met Scot, I was starving! Yum, Tiff...the baked ziti was wonderful! We all watched Ironman and Thursdays' episode of The Office (our favorite show). We were pretty much pooped when we got home.

The next day, I worked on a few Barefeet things while Scot studied. He's in the big middle of the CPA and is in a constant state of tired. While you're thinking about it, say a quick prayer for him. He's extremely stressed. Everyone needs a study break every now and then, so we went to the fair that night with the Browns. We ate so much! Here's a list of all we ate: two foot long corny dogs, a diet coke, a carmel apple covered in nuts, a turkey leg, fried pineapple covered with whip cream and strawberries, a funnel cake, and cotton candy. Now most of that was consumed by Scot, but I definitely ate a lot more than I ever have at the fair. It was so much fun though! I even got a kiss from the top of the ferris wheel! That was my favorite part.



On Sunday, we had a pretty relaxing afternoon. I just worked on some Bible Hour stuff for later that night and watched the Cowboys get slaughtered. I hope their season isn't over. Who loses to the St.Louis Rams? Anyway, I'm off to fix supper.

Early to rise

Scot has been getting up very early lately. I'm not really an early riser. If you know me at all, you know that I love to sleep. On this particular morning, Scot woke me up at 6:12, after he had been up for an hour, and said, "Can I take you to Starbucks?" What a treat! I was so tired, but going on a fun morning date with my hubs was worth being tired. As we drove up to Starbucks, we stepped out of the car to the noise of thousands of birds. Scot asked me if there were speakers in the tree that were playing bird noises. It was dark, but speakers? You're silly, Scot. I got a passion tea and a pumpkin scone. Yum! So now Scot is at work...sad day. He'll be home for lunch though!



Speaking of lunch, yesterday I made the most delicious vegetable/potato soup! It was very hearty as well as low in fat. Let me share the recipe. Sautee the chopped onions and green peppers together with the butter. Add the flour and stir. Pour in the chicken stock then add in all the other veggies and herbs! Cook until the potatoes are soft - about 30 minutes.

1/4 cup of chopped onions
1/4 cup chopped green peppers
1 tablespoon butter
2 tablespoons flour
1 box Rachel Ray's chicken stock
1 cup chopped carrots
1 cup chopped celery
8 medium red potatoes
pepper to taste
dash of salt
sage to taste

In other news, Scot and I went on a bike ride last night. Usually, I'm a little hard to get out the door for a long ride, but I wanted to spend time with Scot. It was beautiful outside and not too cold and he told me it would only be thirty minutes. An hour later, my hiney was sore and I was pretty tired. Scot decided to go the long way around Arbor Hills and we got home just in time for the debate. That cheered me up a little. I ran and took a super quick shower and we ate supper as we watched. I don't really know what to think about that debate. I wanted so badly for McCain to do as good of a job as Palin did on that last debate. She really ripped into Biden. I think she made him look childish and whiney, which is good. If only Palin could debate with Obama...what a wonderful world. Regardless, I know who I'm voting for, come November. I figure if Obama wins, God will use this awful choice of the American people for good.

Fireproof

The other night, Scot and I went on our "date night." We were trying to decide if we were going to go see a movie or just go grab a bite to eat. I absolutely love going to the movies, so that's what we decided to do. I had been hearing about this Kirk Cameron movie, "Fireproof," for a while and it really interested me. Scot had never even seen the previews, but he said we could go. I think he might have been expecting something a little different. It wasn't quite the action movie he had prepared himself for. Yes, the cinematography was not the best I've ever seen, however, this movie was truly a blessing. Through the whole movie, Scot held my hand and kept saying sweet things to me like, "I love you" and "You're really special." It was just a really great date and a very neat movie. If you have not yet seen it, I highly recommend it! It has such profound truths that really touched us.