Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Family Pics!

So about a month ago we had a sweet friend from my home town take some pics of our family of four. I've posted the shoot on facebook but thought that I would add some of my favorites here.

The day started out crazy!!! As soon as we got there Rowynn wanted to nurse and Finley was more interested in running around playing that sitting pretty for a picture. Pretty typical toddler behavior. But my girl is especially busy...always on the run...ALWAYS!!

But anyway, as I was totally losing my cool, blood pressure rising, sweat beading on my forehead, trying to remain calm, Genesis (our photographer) was the best. She was so calm, collective, and patient. Her sunny disposition helped me to calm down. She was so relaxed and sure we would get some great shots. And she did. If you've seen the photos on my facebook page, you may have noticed that Finley either has her hands raised, or she is clapping. That's because Genesis, myself, Kyle, my mom, my dad, my grandma, and my aunt kept singing "If you're happy and you know it," my girl's favorite song! I NEVER, EVER, have sung in public until I became a momma. I mean I still whisper sing at church so I won't make the people around me cover their ears and assume the fetal position out of discomfort. Now it's quite common for me to belt it out in the grocery store, the doctor's office, or in the middle of a restaurant, where ever, when ever. It's now a permanent part of my parental arsenal. No matter where we are, I can pull out a song and keep my little one entertained and smiling for a few moments.

Anyway here is some of my favorites:

Sweet Rowynn Faith

Sweet Sisters


Clap your hands & shout hoo-ray 
                          
My parents with each of their granddaughters      

                  


The Davis Family


Check out Genesis' website here.

Monday, November 29, 2010

It's been a while...

Two days ago sweet Rowynn was 2 months old. Which means other than the fact that my little Rowynn is growing (hey, I rhymed!) way too fast for my liking, it has also been exactly a month since I last posted. It's pretty much feast or famine with this whole blog thing. My days are spent reading and re-reading stories, dancing to music, being the tickle monster, changing diapers, nursing a sweet baby girl, rocking kiddos, playing with blocks, building castles, playing soccer outside, doing art projects with a toddler, cooking, cleaning, exercising, chasing Finley around, singing silly songs, trips to the store, trying to displine without breaking her spirit (thanks Grandpa Davis), playgroups, making sure Rowynn gets in some tummy time, spending time with my amazing husband, reading my bible, (gotta get better about that) going for walks, and everything else that makes up a stay-at-home mom's (or dad's) day.

During that last month we've celebrated Halloween and Thanksgiving. For Halloween weekend the little ones and I attended our playgroup Wotts, (Women of Titus Two) dress-up party. Finley was a Strawberry Fairy and Rowynn was a little monster. That weekend we headed over to Ft.Worth to spend the weekend with my in-laws. We watched the world series, which the Rangers played in for the first time ever! It was really neat to get to watch the game with Kyle's parents, as his dad is an avid  baseball fan. We spent Halloween at church with the Davis family and that afternoon we let the girls wear their costumes and spent the evening playing outside. I just wasn't up for trick-or-treating with a 4 week old. Maybe next year!!!

Thanksgiving was also a fun holiday. We rotate family holidays between the Davis and DeLatin family. For example, this year we celebrated Thanksgiving with the Davis bunch and will be spending Christmas in Louisiana with my family. And next year vice versa. Although we will get to celebrate with Kyle's family the weekend before Christmas this year. Rotating families works for now, but it may not be what we always do. But for now, it works. So this year we spent Thanksgiving in Ft. Worth. We celebrated with Kyle's parents, his grandmother, and his Uncle John and Aunt Donna. It was super fun and we ate way too much yummy food!!!

Both girls are growing way too fast. On Sunday Finley will be 18 months...that's right, a YEAR & A HALF!! Holy cow where does the time go? Rowynn is smiling more and more and making such cute sounds. Finley is very helpful around the house and still adores her RoRo.

The Christmas season is upon us and our house is twinkly and our stockings (although Kyle calls them socks, grrrr) are hung by the chimney with care. I'm looking forward to spending time with family and friends. I am really excited about this season...it's my favorite. Not only because of the pretty lights, wonderful decorations, hot apple cider, crackling fires, home made candy, music, and Hallmark movies, which are all fun and exciting, but let's not forget what this season means. This is the time to celebrate the birth of Christ!!! How marvelous is the love Jesus pours upon us. He choose to enter the world in a humble setting, took on the sins of everyone and was beaten and crucified. Isn't it amazing that the story doesn't end there. He conquered death and rose on the third day, giving us eternal hope.

It makes me sad to see what this holiday has become. Don't get me wrong I love giving and getting gifts. But that's not the point. And I don't won't this to sound all preachy and as if I've got it all together. I'm a parent struggling to teach my girls. I rarely get it right and those moments I do, it's only by God's grace. Kyle & I really want to teach the girls the true spirit of Christmas. They won't have truck loads of gifts under the tree. That's not what we want our girls to think Christmas is all about. And it's hard, I love buying for people, but I want to be a better role model for my children. I want them to be compassionate and enjoy serving others. I want them to get excited about sending money to a family in Asia so they can have food and a warm blanket. I want them to desire to send Bibles to Africa so those that are lost can hear the sweet, powerful message of Jesus' love and forgiveness. I want them to be more concerned with giving cheerfully than getting. This is more of a reminder for me than a message directed at anyone else. I'm really striving to eliminate the stress, worry, and busyness this season usually brings.

This is a cool video about giving meaningfully.
http://video.gfa.org/services/player/bcpid605776944001?bclid=605799119001&bctid=659511730001


What do you and your family do during Christmas to make it less stressful and more meaningful? Any special traditions? How do you teach your kiddos about the true meaning of Christmas?

Anyway, that's all I got folks. I'll post tomorrow some recent videos of my cute girls! Hope everyone has a wonderful evening!