Thanksgiving 2008

We celebrated Thanksgiving with Family (Johnsons/Sewells/Templetons/Curtis') and had a wonderful day of food and fellowship.  Although it was technically Emily's 2nd Thanksgiving, it felt a lot like it was her first---I guess because she participated in eating!  She was only 12 days old last Thanksgiving---crazy!

Walking with Grandpa outside

Eating turkey for the very first time!  She has certainly had her fair share of "tofurkey" but not the real thing.  She LOVED it.

Haley put this hat on Emily's head several times....It was just picture worthy!

Sorry Christie Walker because

I am thankful for turkey--my daughter ate a ton of it today.  It's the first day she has actually eaten all three meals since she was sick and two of those consisted of turkey!

I don't mean to trivialize the idea of Thanksgiving.  I have so much to be thankful for--AND--I am so grateful and feel so blessed.  You know it's funny, I don't have too many people in my life that are in the armed forces or have been in their past, but at Thanksgiving I can't help but think of these men/women who are sacrificing their family time/turkey time/safety to protect me and my freedom.  So, THANK YOU!!

Last year...1st Thanksgiving

Maya and Miguel

Have I mentioned that things with Emily have been a bit tense?  Well, she woke up much earlier this morning, so we have been thankful for electricity and tv by turning on Maya and Miguel.  Now, Emily got sidetracked and started playing with her toys.  Of course, most of her toys make some sort of musical sound and I noticed that the volume of the tv got louder.  I just asked Brian if he turned it up---yep, cause he is watching it!  Who knew that Maya and Miguel could entertain a grown adult. 

honestly

I'm having a rough day. 

The cure...

Emily still doesn't love eating since the flu.  I feel like we are going back to teaching her how to eat solid foods again.  All of the foods she loved pre-flu---she hates post flu.  Seriously, I was out with my sis/nieces and my mom today and she would not eat her lunch.  I got all teary eyed because I do not know what I can do to help her feel better etc...

So, tonight, we made homemade pumpkin pancakes for dinner, yes dinner!  We haven't had them before, but she LOVED them.   I hope she likes them tomorrow because that's what she is having for breakfast!  

perspective

Emily is on the mend from the flu.  She had it Saturday night and it was truly horrible.  I felt so bad for her.  She's so little and has no idea what in the world is going on.  I had a hard time with it too.  It is not comforting to see her go through that, not to mention trying not to get sick yourself while cleaning it up.  I realized that I was scared....I was just waiting on pins and needles to see what would happen next.  My parents came over yesterday to help us cure some serious cabin fever and before they left, I freaked out.  I knew that I was going to be alone with Emily today and I didn't know how I was going to handle all of the whining/crying/pushing away of bottles and food etc...on my own.  So far, she is doing pretty well--although, she still doesn't want to eat much, but compared to yesterday it's A LOT more.  

Okay, so on to the perspective....I was out walking with Emily today (because she seems pretty content outside) and I remembered this one family I ran into while nursing Emily at Nordstroms a few months ago.  A mom and her sister were changing the diaper of a little girl.  Her little girl was probably the age of my youngest niece (2 years old) and she sat in a different kind of stroller/wheelchair with her legs positioned straight in front of her.  Her legs were essentially tied in place.  They had to unbuckle about 6-8 straps just to free her legs.  They were lifeless.  Emily will often lift her legs straight in the air to "help" me change her diaper, but they didn't have any help from their girl.  

Although exhausted from the past couple of days with Emily's illness---it is only temporary.  Her balance is off kilter and she is falling a lot, but that is only temporary too.  The little girl I met a few months ago didn't have the luxury of falling and getting back up. 

I am Free

So, last night was the Night of Worship at church.  I have to be honest and say that although I did pray every day for the evening, I never really focused entirely on the night.  I was not feeling well at all the majority of the week---having the scare of Strep/Mono certainly didn't help.  I found myself praying for health (for myself and all the other team members) more than the actual impact the night could have on others.  (that's sad to admit)

My co-worker was overwhelmed with things that she needed to complete before the weekend so she asked if I could fill in for her at a scholarship luncheon.  I sat at a table with 8 other women that I have never met before.  We were having the awkward small chat conversations.  The lady next to me bugged me.  She didn't want to sit at our table and even asked if she could sit with her friends at another table, but the "leader" at our table told her that the seats were somewhat assigned.  Usually when someone "bugs" me, I don't feel like giving much effort, after all, when would I really see this person again?  I felt a nudging on my heart to talk to her...so, I started up a chat with her about how long she has been in her position etc...she gave me her answer and included that she also did the same kind of work in China.  I asked her if she knew one of my friends that lived in China but she said no; however, by asking her that question, it opened up more conversation.  Long story short, she told me that she was a Missionary there.  Her family has a hard time with that because she was raised Jewish.  She didn't really announce that to the rest of the table; she almost whispered it to me, so I don't think people knew that we were really talking.  One of the other ladies started asking her SEVERAL questions and I was concerned that I wouldn't have a chance to talk to her again....you see, I could tell that she was really struggling with something.  Finally, I got my chance and I invited her to the Night of Worship.  I was expecting to see this look of shock from her, but she was so touched that I invited her to it.  There were many more details to our conversation, but I know that long blogs often get skipped so I'll get to the point.....

I started praying.....not for the vocalists voices, but for my new "friend."  I prayed that she would come and that God would open up her to his promises.  I asked her to come and say hello afterward, but I never saw her.  I was sad that I didn't see her, but I realize that I have at least planted a seed.  She did tell me that she had other plans, but that she would try to change them....maybe she'll come on a weekend.  I don't know.  It was an important lesson for me though.  There is so much to our journey with Christ than one Night of Worship.  I had a wonderful night worshipping God with members of our church and community....I just need to remember that everyday can be a day full of worship and to look for opportunities to reach out to friends as well as strangers.  

The video below is another video of Emily walking and dancing---I was listening to music to get ready for the NOW--so she is dancing to "I am Free."

Look who's walking

This was taken tonight right before bedtime which is why she has the pacifier...She learned a new trick today---standing up while not holding on to anything!  (not in this video though)

Tennesse is calling

it's calling me back home.  I am such a country girl.  Sugarland, Carrie, Brad, Keith....all of you brought tears to my eyes tonight.  If I didn't have family here....if I didn't have a job here....I swear I would move. 

Little E's birthday

Emily turned one yesterday.  It really is so hard to believe how fast the year went!  We had a rough morning.  We're pretty sure she's teething again because she was really grumpy and had a low grade fever since Saturday night.  So, in order to keep the peace in the house, we decided to watch Sesame Street.  Emily LOVES Elmo.  She always smiles when he comes on.  Anyway, to my surprise, Elmo's subject yesterday was birthdays.  I thought it was pretty cute that they had a clip from his first birthday blowing out a candle, so I took a picture of it.  What are the odds that Elmo would talk about his first birthday on Emily's?  I just thought it was sweet.  

Emily's fever had disappeared even without medication, so we decided to venture out to Disneyland.  Joe/Alisha/Oliver met us there and we had a great time.  The rest of my family joined us a few hours later.  We had a fantastic day.  For those of you who have kids that will experience a birthday a Disneyland....I suggest getting a birthday pin.  It's personalized, so everyone would say, "Happy Birthday, Emily!" Obviously, Emily didn't appreciate this pin as much as we did, but I can imagine older kids getting a kick out of everyone acknowledging them.  

My birthday celebrations

I turned 30 last week---it's hard to believe.  I know most people must dread their 30th, but I had a totally different view...I won't give you all of the boring history here, but let's just say, I was so happy that day came.  Anyway, my family got together that night for Brian and my favorite teppan restaurant in Irvine.  They have a silly tradition on birthdays though....birthday girl/boy must wear a hat  (pictured below) while being sung to.  Now, I don't want to think about all of the germs that sat on my head at that moment....but nonetheless....it made me laugh.  Emily was not a fan of the hat and clung to me with all of her might.  

Since Emily's party was yesterday, we had some friends come in from out of town and we had another birthday dinner at The Melting Pot.  I haven't been there in what seems like forever.  We had a GREAT time!  

My toddler!

My little girl will be 1 on Monday!  I can't believe how fast this year went!  This morning we had her first birthday party and had so much fun with family and friends.  It was a birthday party I am sure we won't forget.  We had to have it in our garage because we don't have space in the house and it got pretty warm.  It's NOVEMBER people!  There's no reason that I should be wearing shorts!  All of the kids went to the park for some energy burning fun.  Since we had a minnie mouse theme, we ordered some pizza (you know, because mice like cheese) and had some salad and, of course, CUPCAKES!  They were not a huge hit with Emily, but she at least played with it for a bit.  Here are some pics from the day.  

Big day

I'm 30!  

My face says it all...

I didn't see this picture the other night when I was uploading pictures.  That smile on my face....geesh...I love my little girl. 

First Halloween!

Emily was Squirt (young sea turtle from "Finding Nemo") for Halloween---besides everyone thinking she was a boy, we loved the outfit. It was pretty warm here in California, so I don't think she loved the heat from the long sleeved/long pant fleece outfit---but she wasn't crying in it and she looked adorable!  Our friend Sarah put together a very fun festival at her church and we were so glad she invited us to it!  Her son, Tanner, the monkey, is in the pictures below!  Grandma and Grandpa came to hang out for her first Halloween too!  We had a lot of fun walking and crawling around.  

Where's Emily???

THERE SHE IS!!!