Still I Will Rejoice

Monday, January 31, 2011

Hello Sunshine!

This has been an epic winter in middle Tennessee. A total of 12 inches of snow has been recorded in Shelbyville since December 1, 2010 through today. The average snow fall for middle Tennessee is 9 inches. Five snow storms have come through the area this winter. We have already used 7 of our 11 snow days allotted in the teacher calendar this year. To say the least, it has been a cold and snowy winter.

However, we were given the gift of sunshine this weekend in these parts! The sun came out, the temperature was a moderate 62 degrees, and the park was calling our name. So, we met up with Anamana (Aunt Amanda) and Kayden and ventured out to the park. The swings, the monkey bars, the skate park, we did it all and enjoyed every minute. Here are some photos to capture this beautiful day...because next week, they are calling for more snow!

Saturday, January 29, 2011

A "Thank Goodness It's Not Christmas" party

Since sweet Harper was born just five days before Christmas, the Willett family was a little preoccupied and didn't throw their usual Christmas party. Instead, they decided to wait until after the holidays were over (giving them some time to welcome home a new baby) and throw a "thank goodness the holidays are over" party complete with a Dirty Santa gift exchange...with a twist. Everyone was supposed to bring a gift they received this holiday season that just wasn't quite right. So funny, a re-gift Dirty Santa exchange. We had everything from silky tuxedo boxer shorts to a life-size stocking snuggie! Yet again, the Willett's threw the best party in town.

Before we went to the party we stopped by to see baby Harper and give her her first Bible for her baptism. Sam hadn't actually gotten to meet her yet since he was sick when she was born, so here are the first photos of Sam and Harper together. He finally got to meet his little buddy I had been telling him so much about.

Friday, January 28, 2011

One Word for 2011

Honestly, New Year's resolutions stress me out. They always seem to be about losing weight and I've yet to actually do that. In fact, now that I have added baby weight to the mix, it causes distress to even think about weight lose. So, I'm trying to quit...thinking about losing weight that is.

But, I did get a great idea this year from another blog that I follow. Choose one word. One word that you will commit to reflect on all year and see how one word can change your life. One word. I can do that. Since it is January 28th and I am just now blogging about this thought, obviously procrastination is probably a word I need to meditate on....

I've thought long and hard about my word, which was difficult. So many words would be fitting for me. However, I finally settled on my one word for 2011: Anyway.

My blog posts may not be perfect and will probably have spelling and grammar errors, but I will continue to write them anyway. Because year's from now, errors and all, I will hold these entries as precious treasures.

I may not always understand what on earth I have just read in that portion of the Bible we call Revelations, but I will read it anyway and be blessed.

My husband bought our family a Wii and I got the Jillian Michael's fitness challenge. (Thanks Love) Jillian's constantly reminding me "You came to me, I didn't come to you" in her video game voice. Kayden says all those crunches make his belly tickle...mine too. I'm not sure that Wii is doing a bit of good for my self-esteem or weight loss goals, but I will play it anyway in a effort to be active and healthy.

Money is tight, and it isn't always easy to tithe and save. But, I will commit to tithing and saving anyway in obedience to Him and because it's that important.

I believe the biblical equivalent to "anyway" is "nevertheless." Johsua and Caleb could not fathom how they would take over the promised land. The task seemed unattainable. Nevertheless, they placed their trust in the Lord and they were the only two among the millions of Isrealites that left Egypt to actually enter the promised land. They didn't understand. It didn't make sense. It looked messy. It wasn't easy. But they did it anyway. I can only hope one day the same can be said about me.

What is the one word you need to reflect on for 2011?

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Sam Snapshot: 3 months

Today is Sam's 3 month birthday, and a lot of big things happened today I thought I would share...

We started off the morning with a nap in the play gym and then read our very first book from the Imagination Library! The Little Engine That Could came in the mail today. Thanks Dolly Parton for making trips to the mailbox more fun! I think Sam is really looking forward to getting new books to read every month.

After nap-time and reading, it took Sam by surprise that I was

going to let him practice sitting up on his own.

...and here's how he really felt about it.

For the afternoon, we suited up to play in the snow again. This time, we met up with the cousins and all went to CedarRock. Gotta love being a teacher and getting to stay home on snow days. Power-sledding and Kimmie's chili, here we come!

One tire tube + One John Deere Gator = Winter Fun on the Farm

It was Cameron and Sam's first experience with Power-sledding...

Sam and Mommy

Truth be told, Pawpaw and Sam both prefer the warmth of the fire back at the lodge.

Keith and Cameron drove Amanda and Kayden around in the fields.

Whether watching or sledding, everyone was having a great time!

Just as we were heading back inside for some chili, we noticed an "observer" who was watching us from the tree line...a skunk! Not the best picture, but I gave it my best shot. Only at CedarRock can you go sledding with skunks and enjoy every minute!

What a great way to celebrate Sam's quarter-year birthday!

A "Sam Snapshot" at 3 months:

He laughs and smiles like nobody's business...

especially when Daddy sings to him.

He loves mirrors and looking at himself.

He sleeps through the night, about 10 hours total.

He constantly tries to put his whole fist in his mouth.

I think he started teething.

He still has a blocked tear duct - Ugh!

He weighs 15 pounds and wears 3-6 month clothes.

He LOVES a bath, doesn't even mind being sprayed in the face.

I think he has a crush on his daycare teacher. Her name is Sam too!

And, for some reason, every time I brush his hair, he burps. Weird.

Monday, January 10, 2011

I Can't Put My Arms Down...

If you love A Christmas Story like my family loves A Christmas Story, then you know the scene when Ralphie and his little brother, Randy, are bundling up for school. Randy experiences "snowsuit paralysis" and cries, "I can't put my arms down!" Well, today I became "that" mother that bundles her child so tightly in snow gear he can't even put his arms down. Six inches of snow fell in Shelbyville, and Sam and I had to go outside and put his snowsuit to good use...before he grows right out of it!

Sitting in the Bumbo chair on the back patio table

Sam's first snow experience - January 10, 2011

Our house is blanketed in snow!

So far, so good! I think he kinda likes it!

Okay, now he's about done with the snow....

Friday, December 31, 2010

Countdown of 2010

As I look back over this year, there are so many wonderful things that have happened. It may be safe to say it's been my best year yet! Ever since we were kids we have written down our "goals" for the next year and sealed them with a candle wax seal to be opened and read at the end of the year. It is always fun to see what we wanted to achieve in the new year and what was important to us at the time. When I was younger, a typical goal might be "stop fighting so much with my sister, even though it is usually her fault" or "make the honor role at school all year." Now, my goals are geared more toward financial, spiritual, and relational goals. This year, we are going to start a new tradition and begin "Loved, learned, and like to see happen" book. We will all write down what we loved about this year, what we learned in this year, and what we would like to see happen in the next year. I'm excited to see what everyone writes, and I know this will be a great keepsake for years to come. To brainstorm, I will start with a countdown of important events that happened in 2010...

10. one year of marriage down, many more to come
9. Michael started nursing school
8. school talent show performance to "Evolution of Dance" (while 5 months pregnant)
7. a fun-filled summer keeping Kayden and Cameron
6. a three-day yard sale that proved my husband can sell ice cubes to an eskimo
5. Michael and I experienced Character Quest for the first time as counselors, and loved it!
4. a major flea infestation at the Burtram house (thanks to Spanky and her kittens)
3. a dozen prenatal visits to check on "Hopper"
2. a classroom move to a brand new middle school
and the number one event of 2010...
1. adding a new member to the family!

Thursday, December 30, 2010

Merry Christmas 2010

This Christmas season may have been the best and busiest one yet for our family. Adding a new member makes everything a bit more interesting and enjoyable. We are blessed to have a big family which means we have several Christmas celebrations all over the southeast. In a three weekend continuation, here is a look at Christmas 2010 with the Burtrams...