thankful...

I am thankful every day. But today is a day to really focus on the things I'm thankful for. To name a few...

• Josh: his patience, his gentleness, his humor, his love for Sydney, his friendship and love for me
• Sydney: her laugh, her smile, her sweet disposition, her new found love for blowing kisses at everything and everyone
• Family: people who really know me and really love me. I'm so thankful for each of you.
• Friends that are like family: people scattered all over the country who I love like family...so very thankful the Lord allowed us to cross paths. Man, I miss so many of you being far away but am so thankful to have you in my life...near or far :)
• A roof over my head, food in my belly, and clothes to keep me warm
• This computer: allowing us to keep in touch across the miles
• Digital cameras: allowing everyone near and far to enjoy watching Sydney change and grow
• A job that makes me feel like I might make a difference
• The sound of crunching leaves under my feet in the fall
• Coupons...love me a good deal :)
• People who know how to cut hair...because one day when my hair grows out from the trauma it experienced the other day, I'm going to get a real haircut and forget that ever happened
• Thanksgiving food....oh man, how I love turkey, sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, stuffing, cranberry sauce, rolls, pumpkin pie....mmmmmmmmmm
• And most importantly, the great love and abundant grace of my Lord and Savior

Also...happy 11 months to this precious little girl. I'm more and more thankful for her each second of the day......

Playing the piano at the cottage...

silly sydney....

Just a quick update...things are as busy as ever. Sydney finally cut both front teeth through (yay! not as many wake-ups through the night!). She is suddenly on a baby food boycott. She will eat 3 bites of jar food and then refuses any more and will only eat food she can pick up and feed herself. Unfortunately she's picky about that too so she's pretty much living off of Gerber puffs, Cheerios, and formula right now :) She'll turn 11 months on Thanksgiving, which just blows my mind. One month away from her first birthday....how did that happen???? Oh and her new thing (that I love!!) is that she's learning to blow kisses and does it anytime she sees pictures of a baby (usually of herself) and kisses her baby dolls. She's such a sweet pea. Until next time, enjoy the pictures below....

I think she was saying something and we caught her mid-sentence... :)

Such a big girl, in my favorite sweater of hers!!

(Thanks to Mandi, Carolyn, and Kris for the sweater! :)

If you look closely you can see her new teeth!

"Cruising" around the living room

All warm and snuggly after bath time!

Ok, so we're not sure about this. She's playing quietly in her pack n' play and we look over to find this, a sock hanging out of her mouth. She kept it like that long enough for me to go find our camera and take a picture...silly Sydney :)

This one is especially for Grandma and Papa Boozell....she liked the bunny you gave her so much she used it for a pillow the other night :)

taking baby steps...

Sydney is growing and changing before our eyes. She just started cutting her top two teeth, she's starting to say the words she knows (mama, dada, etc) more to us and not just babbling, she's starting to attempt to blow kisses and loves mimicking noises of any kind and she has just started to remain standing without support and taking a few STEPS!! Granted it's been with help and none taken on her on intiative yet, but she gets so excited when she does it :) It has been so fun watching her learn, grow, and change even in a short time. Most of this has happened or progressed just in the last week. Below is a video we caught tonight of her taking "steps" with some help and motivation from us :)...

it's a big day...

It is. Not because we're electing our 44th president. Not because we will either elect the oldest president or first African-American president. And not because today is a day of making history. It's a big day because I finally fit into my most favorite pre-pregnancy jeans!!! Yay! I would like to thank my free membership to our local YMCA, my great sacrifice of many desserts, and Sydney for giving me lots of exercise. It only took 10 months, 1 week, 2 days, and 5 hours. :)

But seriously, hope you all make your vote count today!! Go. vote. and get a free cup of coffee while you're at it!!