Flashback Friday: Wrapping Up November 2013

Rex and Lane are becoming buddies (except when Lane barks)

 

Lane really is the best dog

 

 

 Seth got a pretty great birthday present--after a LONG 15 months, Rex got released from sleeping in his hip brace!!

 Lyla loves having Rex climb over and on her.

 He loves it, too. So do I because it's physical therapy for him!

Thanksgiving at Granny & Papa's

 Granny brought down and cleaned off her old high chair

 Rex looks like such a big boy in it!

 Eating a green bean

 Silly boy

 Love that smile!

 My two favorite men!

I love this one with my girl

A family photo before heading home after a great day of good family and good family time

 

 Day-After-Thanksgiving Wii Tennis Tournament

 Lyla really gets into it

I found this little tree at Goodwill last fall for $6.50. 

Lyla was so excited to have her own tree that she asked to sleep on the floor.

13 and Counting

We have had a whopping 13 snow days this school year. That's right--13.* And several 1-hour delay days, too. So, here are more pictures from our many, many snow days.

I don't have a finished photo of this Tinkerbell mosaic because the white clay was dried up and unusable. Crayola was super nice and sent us 2 $5 off coupons AND more clay. We just got it and haven't finished yet. It was a fun project, though, and will look nice in Lyla's room!

Lyla missed a tea party her Girl Scout troop had, but we were able to make up the event on our own. We made our own placemats and enjoyed Gatorade (Lyla had had tummy troubles the night before), tea, and Girl Scout cookies, of course! The dishes were the ones Mimi and DDaddy registered for when they got married.

Lyla and I built a schoolroom and her princesses had school. I guess on some level, Lyla was missing being at school.

We took a picture because Rex was waking up...

 ...and we knew it would be demolished.

 Silly girl

 Granny and Papa found Seth's race track in the attic.

 After a little cleaning and tweaking, we all enjoyed racing the cars around the track!

This picture has nothing to do with a snow day, but everything to do with hilarious hair. I couldn't resist snapping a picture!

*Correction: Today, February 26th is our Snow Day #15.

Celebrating TODAY

On January 15th, Rex did something amazing...he pulled himself up to stand! 

 

Rex has low muscle tone throughout his body. I don't know if I have mentioned that before now. It not only explains his physical delays, but also makes me glad I didn't push breastfeeding with him. When Rex started physical therapy over a year ago (at eight months old), he couldn't even roll over. Last September, he started crawling, then a couple months later came the kneeling and now he's standing and even cruising a little. He is so proud of himself and is into EVERYTHING! 

I don't remember how long ago it was, but I was talking with my pastor about Rex and how well he was doing, but also mentioned how slowly it seemed he was progressing. Dave asked me, "How old were you when you started walking?" Kinda' confused, I said, "I don't know." He responded, "Exactly. As adults, no one cares how old you were when you started walking." I have found so much encouragement in that. 

Rex is so smart, independent, and determined. He is also very stubborn (just like his daddy). He is a problem-solver and wants to figure things out on his own. Everything is done in Rex's time. Seth likes to say that "Rex isn't delayed--he's right on schedule for Rex." It's kind of like God's timing...God is rarely early, but never late. When we surrender our plans and our timetable to God, life is so much simpler. We have tried to take that same attitude with Rex's development. Throw out our expectations and the world's definition of "normal" and "age-appropriate," and let Rex be Rex. I will still teach, guide, and push him, but I refuse to stress over him. I REFUSE TO STRESS.

My amazing boy is standing, and eventually he will walk. But I don't want to miss out on celebrating THIS milestone because I am so busy looking ahead to the next one. We so often miss the lesson God is teaching or the blessing He is trying to give us because we are trying to look ahead. Enjoy today. Appreciate today.Celebrate today.

Flashback Friday: Jesse and Jensen get MARRIED!

How perfect to be blogging about our family's most recent wedding on Valentine's Day!

November 16, 2013

 The happy couple at their rehearsal dinner

 Jensen and her bridesmaids

 Jensen and her mother, Joy

 The bride's family

The Hunt family

 My handsome nephews!

November 17, 2013

 Rex kinda stole the show in his snazzy vest and bow tie.

 Their outdoor wedding was rained out, but it was beautiful (and much warmer) inside

 Jensen made a gorgeous bride

 Uncle Ken coloring with Lyla

 Grandparents' wedding photos. (Mimi and DDaddy are on the far right.)

 Jesse and the beautiful Mother of the Groom, my sister, Andrea.

Nice-looking family!

For more of the professional photos, follow this link. Jensen's "something borrowed" was a cameo of Mimi's (you'll see a picture of it). So glad Mom could be a part of the wedding even though she couldn't attend.

MORE Snow Days!

We got even MORE snow and Lyla was out the whole week following MLK Day, January 20th. The first day or two was fun, but then we stayed in.

January 21st

Attempt at a family photo (Seth was at work)

While I was checking to see how the timed shot turned out, Lyla started making a snow angel

Rex had no choice, but to take another photo with me

Jumping off the deck...

 ...and landing!

 She loved the deep snow

 Two layers of socks and her snow boots, but her feet were still freezing when we came inside

 Rex seemed unimpressed with the snow. I didn't put him down in it or anything. He just took it all in.

 From the first photo to this one=6 minutes.

The wind sent us in pretty quickly. We're wimps.

Lyla and I made our first ever batch of snow cream. It was pretty tasty and even better after we added Hershey's syrup to it!

When Seth got home, he took Lyla out on the sled for about an hour and properly wore her out (both of them actually). Unfortunately, I don't have any pictures. Oh, well.