anna's first christmas

Thanks for the cute sweater, Daddy!

mother and child

I was 14 when I sang the Magnificat at York Minster Cathedral. I had recently learned that Mary was about my age when she learned from the angel Gabriel that she had been chosen to be the virgin mother of the Son of God. I couldn't stop thinking about it. What an incredible young woman she must have been, with a soul that magnified and rejoiced in the Lord, who already knew something of His grace, His mercy, and His might. She was a young woman who pondered.

I wanted to be like her. I didn't want (or expect) such a grand mission, but I wanted the Lord to know who I was and know He could call on me by name, and that I would say, "Be it unto me according to thy word." I couldn't stop thinking about it. I felt a connection with her, and wished I could meet her and ask her... so many things.

Now, as a mother, I wonder so much more. Did His face glow when He slept, like my Anna? Where did He take His first steps? Was He a cuddly baby? Did you wonder, as I do, how you will prepare Him? Did you find yourself praying all the time to your Father, to His Father? Was it lonely, and joyful, and trying, and strengthening?

.....................................

My friend (I hope I can call you that!), Sarah, asked her own question that still has me thinking. Read it here.

sun and snow

Most places I've lived have crazy weather. It seems like every time there are major fluctuations, someone says, "Welcome to (Ohio, Utah, Texas...wherever my current locale is)!" But never in all my 24 long years have I experienced such major temperature differences from day to day as here in Texas. Let me give you our ten day history:

12/4: high 40's
12/5: mid 40's
12/6: 60's
12/7: high 60's
12/8: low 70's
12/9: high 70's (we all wore shorts)
12/10: mid 30's (and SNOW!)
12/11: low 50's
12/12: low 60's
12/13: low 70's
12/14: high 70's
12/15: high 30's

CRAZY!

Nonetheless, Anna and I take several walks a day. Here's how we cope:

a pearly white

Anna got her first tooth on Wednesday. Goodbye gummy grin!

thankful

I enjoyed reading everyone else's lists of things they were thankful for. I missed the boat for a Thanksgiving post, but I feel like Christmastime is still a good season for being thankful, so here's my short list:

My wonderful, super, fantastic, coolness, remarkable* husband. He works hard, he plays with Anna, he makes me laugh, he's patient with all my craziness, and he thinks I'm pretty.

My adorable and adoring daughter who loves me better than anyone or anything else in the whole world. I know because her whole body wriggles with glee when I enter the room or smile at her.

My Savior and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. My faith sustains me through whatever life brings.

Good books.

Friends who talk with me about things other than motherhood (though we always end up on that topic) and let me come over when their house is dirty.

Energetic walks. Long, quiet showers.

Doing crazy dances to make Anna smile.

Anna's smile.

Learning-- --how to cook, --from reading, --to love more, --to let things go, --to be a better friend, --how to mother.

The internet.

Babysitters.

Dentists.

Swimming pools.

My mom.

* Thanks Sara for sharing that fun song and awesome new phrase.

shaking our tail feathers

I feel like I haven't blogged in a long time. When I look at my blog I realize it's only been about a week since my last post, but I think the last few posts haven't been very substantive. I have lots of pictures and experiences to share, but I don't want to have another huge post of dumped information, so I've decided to use blogger's cool function of choosing the date your blog is published, so I only have to get on my computer and blog once, and you get fresh posts day after day! Pretty darn awesome. So here's post number one.

We had a great Thanksgiving break. Well, with one exception. It started after Sam took the GMAT. He did really well and got about the best score in the range he was expecting. (I'm so proud of him!) He came home and we rehashed the test, and Sam chose a restaurant to celebrate at. We went to Palio's Pizza which was excellent-- just delicious.

That night however, when I got up to feed Anna, I didn't feel so hot, and in the morning, I felt a lot like I did the last time I had food poisoning. We all ended up staying home from church. I traveled back and forth between the bed and the bathroom while Sam took care of Anna and made sure I didn't hit my head every time I passed out. That night, around 11, it hit Sam, and both of us were up till around 3 when we finally could get some sleep. Sam had it worse than I did, but it was over quickly. I didn't eat much of anything for three days. Unfortunately (?) it wasn't food poisoning or the flu (we all got flu shots) and we passed it on to our friends and their twins who passed it on to others. We are still so sorry....

By the big day, however, all of us were back in tip-top shape and on Thanksgiving morning we ran the Katy Turkey Trot 5K. Sam was good enough to take Anna after the first mile. I was glad to finish in less than half an hour, though it was probably the slowest 5K I've ever run. At least I didn't walk! This is us pre-race.


Afterwards they had powerade and fruit as well as breakfast burritos from Berryhill, pizza, and Coldstone ice cream, which I very much enjoyed. Anna was pretty good natured, but got hungry and tired near the end. I think it just motivated Sam to run a little faster.

dress up

Anna got a new party dress. I found the top for $.99 at The Children's Place and my mom made the adorable skirt after hearing my description of one I liked at Gymboree. I got the tights and ruby red slippers from Walmart. We got her all dressed up and then took her to a wedding reception. I didn't bring a camera, but thankfully Amy snapped a picture. I'm sure there will be more to come once she wears the outfit again :) I love having a little girl!


PS: And I got my hair cut. What do you think?

12 days of christmas

The Lil' Peanut Patch is doing 12 days of Christmas giveaways at their blog. Earlier this year, Anna was featured as the Lil' Peanut of the Week. Go check it out-- and wish me luck!