Christmas 2010....

Twas the night before Christmas....

..and a little hand thought it fair

...for Santa to share

Daddy and Hunter watching Santa Claus is Comin' to Town on Christmas Eve

Santa's Goodies for Hunter

Christmas Fun at Gigi and Pappy's House

Guys, this year, I'm SOOOOO big!

Hunt LOVED the Jiminy Kayla got him :)

Matching pjs for all the kiddos....Sam and Jane got from the Disney Store in Times Square!

the joy of seeing Christmas through the eyes of a child.

"For unto us a Child is born..."

good 'til the last drop...

Well, last night was the last night of Mommy milk. It was a sweet time. Not so much bittersweet because I think I've been grieving for the past few days. Josh was unexpectedly home last night...it was a calm night with just the three of us before the holiday fun with family. It seemed God made the perfect time for this to take place. This time last year, I had already decided I wanted to have me and Hunter's last meal by "candlelight." I told this to my friend Amanda over Labor Day, and she giggled a little. I told her I was serious and she said "I know you are-- I know you, Courtney!" Ha ha. Gotta love good friends.

Thoughts went through my mind last night of our year together. Sweet pictures are in my head that can never be erased, just like with any mom, whether nursing or not. And then, my thoughts drifted. After a year of hungering for any food to keep up with a hungry boy, I started hungering for heaven. You see, I'm such a sucker for the origin of things. On family vacations, I had to visit where scenes took place in LA, where this was started or thought of. Where Walt Disney first drew Mickey. I marveled at where the Cabbage Patch babies were born. So here in this moment with Hunter, I longed for the place where this sweet milk was thought up. Heaven. What a great place it must be.

It was a great year with my son, but now we decided we would be a little more inclusive. Since it's not such a private party anymore, we had a tray set aside in his room. When we were done, we surprised and called in Daddy.

We had fun, Hunter loved his first bite of Oreo! Even with the extra sugar, he went right to sleep.

Then my thoughts went to not-so-spiritual things like how much more time I'll have in the evenings. But--oh. Bummer. I just remembered I have not had to do dishes in a year.

Thanks, Josh. I had it pretty good. :)

stationery loves

So, I thought I was the world's best pen pal. My mom always joked about me loving to do my "morning correspondence." Well, if you think you're the "World's Best" anything...God just might humble you. Next thing I know, I meet someone who became a dear friend--someone who loved stationery and writing letters as much as I did--or more. Hello, Ashley Park. She so has me beat now in the pen pal world. But we do both love to buy and use stationery, for personal correspondence and party invitations. One of the best gifts I got from our wedding was a book of stamps. Does this tell you anything?

This time of year, it's time for Winter/Christmas correspondence. After some shopping, I'd like to highlight some of the new products I've found from Shutterfly. First of all, I've always liked the Christmas letter that accompanies a picture card--when I have time to do so. This year, they are offering a picture card that INCLUDES a colorful list on the sidebar, titled: "Reasons we loved 2010." Busy moms, how great is that?

Agree with me? Click here.

Something else I love---monogramming. So, this card is also on my "top list" because it combines the two worlds--monogrammed stationery.

If you're a true connoisseur, your love goes beyond the Christmas season (and you'd love to receive "regular" or "off season" stationery for a gift!) And when I say stationery, it includes party invitations! Here's one I can definitely see using:

Funny thing is that I think Hunter's hair will actually be this curly!

Shutterfly is definitely on my "go-to" list of merchants this year. Now, only if Santa could get the memo and put some stamps in my stocking...

WWJD- What Would Jajo Do?

My grandmother's birthday was yesterday. My close friends and, of course, family all know we call her Jajo. Mom texted me last night--Jajo would have been 83 yesterday. Hard to believe it's been 7 years since she passed away. Often my mom and I will smile, but with some sadness and ask-- "What would Jajo say" or "What would Jajo do" if she saw this or that. Our precious Hunter. My new house. Leslie and Lana Lee's lovely home. Kayla being a married woman. A bright red pair of stilettos on sale.

Funny thing: Mom and I both know almost verbatim what she would say--down to the right inflections. We know exactly what made her excited, what she'd giggle over, and what she'd do. I guess we just want to hear it for ourselves--and that's really what we mean.

But I started thinking about the question. Because if we know what she would say if she were here, do we know what she would say to us now that she's not? They are, in fact, different answers. Of course, she'd still be happy over her great grandson and she'd "for sure as the world" say "get those shoes," but what she says now is all colored by her new location-- heaven. For if I think beyond the surface of what she would say if she were here, I can hear the Holy Spirit inside of me whisper what she would say now that earth is not her everyday home: "Keep going for the Prize. Jesus is really more than anything you see here. Glance at these things--but focus on what matters. In the end--He's all that does. Trust me. I'm actually living it."

It's all different when you think of what she really would say--today. So for now, I'll give my stilettos a rest and get down on my knees, and get done the work that needs done here.

Events of the Big Day

So....what did we end of doing on Hunter's actual b-day yesterday? First off, "FT for FC." (French Toast for Fortune Cookie). :) His fav.

Then we played, napped and played some more. We had some friends come by for a visit....Maci and her two little cupcakes, Naomi and Elena. That was a fun surprise! Hunter did not know quite what to think of two little girls riding around on his ice cream truck, but he was very gracious. I think he kind of liked sharing!

Then we grilled outside with Daddy for lunch. Yum! Hunter likes hamburger meat!

We napped some more! Whew! It had been a busy day already! Then we went to Katy Mills mall, where we shopped 'til Hunter dropped. Daddy was determined to take Hunter to Bass Pro Shop, where we got to go to their Santa's Wonderland and take Hunter's first Santa pic. He cried like his Aunt Lana Lee did when she took her first. Didn't like that man at first. Then he calmed down, but never smiled.

Some homemade lasagna was a good finish to the day for my little man. With, of course, his sweet peas and green bean mixture. Gotta keep this growing boy healthy!

:)

Hunter's Birthday Eve and Morning

Josh paused before he turned off the little lamp last night on the changing table and gave one last bittersweet glance towards Mommy and Hunter in the glider. He came back over to me and stroked Hunter's hair. "He is not yet one...but tomorrow he will be." And with that, we said goodnight to our infant, for in the morning, he would be a toddler.

In the morning, Josh went to get him out of bed. "Happy Birthday, Hunter!"

"Bur-tay." *smiles.*

Forgot to post...

So I forgot to post a very important element to the party...the moo-sic! My favorite on this album is "I've got a cow in my bathtub reading a book, a big book about ice cream....."

Or the cow serving ice cream who asks "Cow many scoops do you want on your cone?"

Also, my mom really wanted a pic of Hunter in his Blue Bell hat, and this is certainly a winner! Here's a pic of him with Josh's mom aka- Nana. :)

Hunter's Blue Bell Extravaganza

On Saturday, we hosted our son's first birthday party. The yard party gathered around the high chair--ages 79 to 4 weeks old---and watched this little man in all his royalty sitting behind his "I am 1" banner-- a mound of buttercream goodness at his fingertips. "Happy Birthday" began. It was so surreal. I thanked God for this moment as we celebrated H. I could not believe we had arrived at this point.

Theme: Blue Bell. And yes, we partied like it was an extravaganza!

You could smell the fall in this brisk morning. It was that kind of morning when if you took a breath and then inhaled just a bit more before exhaling, you could smell the fall. And...Spiced Pumpkin Pecan was the favorite of the ice cream tasters.

Contemplating how to start with this tower. First cake ever!

Let the display of delectable Blue Bell treats begin:

PB&J on Pumpernickel on Popsicle sticks.

'Lil Belle's Salty Snacks- pretzels and goldfish in the small blue bell containers--chips in the "big" container for the adults.

Belle's Favorite Hay Snacks: Picnic Shoestring Potatoes in Waffle Cone Bowls.

Factory Perfected Ice Cream Sandwiches (Pimento Cheese half-sandwiches wrapped in wax paper with a certified Blue Bell stamp of approval).

My favorite decoration was Hunter's Menu. We listed all of the ice cream combos we were offering and named them with an event he had that year. For example- the "I Love You, Too" was a special Snickekrdoodle ice cream, the list price was $7.27 because Hunter said "I love you, too" to Mommy on July 27th. Of course, the menu also stated all fees could be waived for a good 'ole country smile. :) Flavors on the menu included: Cookies 'N Cream, Vanilla, Dutch Chocolate, Snickerdoodle, Spiced Pumpkin Pecan and Mint Chocolate Chip. Toppings: butterscotch and chocolate sauce and morsels. And sprinkles and cherries, of course!

Ice Cream Cupcakes- recipe idea from cousin Leslie! :)

It's safe to say Hunter had a blast! "It's just so tasty, MaMa!"

Happy One-Year Old~ Too Excited for Words...

Thank you to everyone who was able to come! Our whole family was in attendance, and that was so special. Thank you also to my parents who were slaving away in the kitchen with the pb&j fudgecicles at the crack of dawn. And most of all to my husband who did everything I needed, including rearranging furniture in the house the morning of the party when it was 39 degrees outside and we were thinking ...there's no way people will eat ice cream out here! But it all worked out, as the weather really warmed up enough. As I gave Hunter a bath that night, I told him my main hope was that he felt special today.

p.s. to my readers...

my blog is currently under construction...sorry my background has no curb appeal at the moment. look out for new colors and texture coming soon!

CJ

dear hunter- 10 months!

check out that smirk!!!!!!!!
hooray for double-digits! (and not sitting still!)
simply irresistible......
dear hunter,

we celebrated your 10-month birthday on friday. cannot believe this even as I type! you are still so funny! you love to eat french toast. you love your walker....especially when you find your way into your self- made man cave under the kitchen table or when you pick up your feet after chasing someone down the hall for a "slide!" WOO-HOO! you can say "DA-DA" very well, and "Mommy," I'm sure, is just around the corner. :) you still crawl on your belly (very fast, might I add) ...but you started taking your first steps on your own initiative this month! who wants to crawl on knees anyways? you sure can't get under the furniture as easily up on your knees. you've been doing better when we drop you at the church nursery--even kelly matte, who was helping in your room today, said you did great. were you on your good behavior because it was the pastor's wife? you pick up on everything. :)

i am having fun celebrating all of the milestones and funny things you did this year, as i compile goodies for your birthday party. but it is bittersweet---where has my baby gone? oh well, you are too cute now to miss anything at the moment. i love you~ mommy

Summer Highlights

Since we are fastly approaching Labor Day, I better get this post done before I have to start my drawn out, romantic goodbye to my white capris. Takes forever every year to let go.

This summer was one of the best for these reasons:

Avery and Abby and VBS. We had a great time hosting my niece and nephew this summer for Vacation Bible School at First Baptist. I have excitedly told many of you...but for those of you who have not heard...Avery accepted Christ this year! Giddy up from the Saddle Ridge Ranch. Oh. My. It was SUCH a highlight for me and Josh. We were thrilled--and so was Avery. We had lots of talks about how the angels were partying it up in heaven over his decision. When we prayed at night together, I'll never forget what Avery wanted to add: "I hope He is happy with what I did today." There are no words.

Taking Hunter to the Aquarium~

We had a blast showing Hunter all of the fishies like his plush aquarium at home. I think he liked the random tiger best. We so enjoyed the Thompsons adventuring into the deep with us. The kiddos had a great time and Caden made sure to let us know Nemo was in the house. He's adorable.

Hosting a Baby Olivia's Shower at Rudy Tomjanovich's House. So much fun to be at someone's home I have admired for years with my Dad. We honored my friend Michelle Beard and Baby Olivia. Cupcakes by SugarBabies and truffles by SessySweets. YUM...YUM.

Hunter Goes to the Beach. We took Hunt to Galveston as a family in August. He wasn't afraid a bit. I think he would have taken a wave if he had a surf board. He was ready to go out there! He splashed, tried to used the sand as a trampoline (and also for a snack!) I'm so glad he loved the beach as much as Mommy and Daddy...now if we could just get the "laying out with a magazine" part down. Hmmmmm...I'll keep dreaming. LOL

And last but certainly NOT least: "BING." Enough said. One night during Hunter's Bible story, all Josh said was "bing" without even a laugh, and Hunter did the biggest belly laugh he's ever done. Again and again. Over and over. We were afraid he would stop if we videoed it, but we finally just had to.