1st Halloween

David & Elizabeth went trick or treating with the Brooks cousins. Pictured here is my little (bear) bumblebee and her bee keeper.

Christi's Birthday

I had so many people make my birthday such a special day. Making it easier to let go of my 20's and embrace my 30's. David and I went to the Duluth Zoo (the shopping & lunch). We had so much fun. It was a beautiful day and many of the animals were out and about. They have so much there, here are just a few pics.

Monday David was sweet enough to send me flowers at work. The card read (sniff - are you ready?) "Remember to call the vet". Is he sweet or what? (Sidenote: Lexie needed to see the vet and I had to call.) So I brought the flowers home that night. David asked me why I brought them home. I said - so he could see them. The next day I get another bouquet, it reads "something for your desk". Here's a pic a few days later (a little wilty by this point, but they're both still pretty.) Here's a pic of my birthday party from Elizabeth & Daddy - complete with dinner, paper hats, cupcakes, and birthday onesie. My bible study also gave me a party, along with a cake (with walnuts - so I couldn't eat it), cards with scriptures, and roses & a balloon. All in all, I was overwhelmed and felt very loved and remembered by friends and family through thoughtful presents, cards, and prayer. 29 was great - 30 will be even better!

Mmmm, what to wear?

Mmmm, what shoes would go with my birthday suit?

Momma's Turning 30

David gets E dressed every morning. Here pictured is the most wonderful surprise in the world. (Click on pic to enlarge).

A year ago at this time I was 30 pounds heavier and 6 days away from having my life change forever. I have a feeling the next 30 years are going to just be getting better and better.

This morning I laid in bed, counting my blessings. Wow. Thank you to all who have been my blessings.

Tim McGraw's "My Next 30 Years"

I think I’ll take a moment, celebrate my age

The ending of an era and the turning of a page

Now it’s time to focus in on where I go from here

Lord have mercy on my next thirty years

Hey my next thirty years I’m gonna have some fun

Try to forget about all the crazy things I’ve done

Maybe now I’ve conquered all my adolescent fears

And I’ll do it better in my next thirty years

My next thirty years I’m gonna settle all the scores

Cry a little less, laugh a little more

Find a world of happiness without the hate and fear

Figure out just what I’m doing here In my next thirty years

Oh my next thirty years, I’m gonna watch my weight

Eat a few more salads and not stay up so late

Drink a little lemonade and not so many beers

Maybe I’ll remember my next thirty years

My next thirty years will be the best years of my life

Raise a little family and hang out with my wife

Spend precious moments with the ones that I hold dear

Make up for lost time here, In my next thirty years

First "Words"

Miss Elizabeth has started mimicking our words. Even though I wouldn't truly consider them her real "first words", it's still funny to hear her talk. She says dog, ook (book), Dad, Mom, num num (food), & baba-wawa (bye-bye water when the tub water goes down the drain). She's especially funny when David tells her to stay out of the dog dish and she replies with a "bla, bla, bla". It's so hard to keep a straight face when disciplining her at times.

Here's a picture of Daddy's girls reading before bed.

Product Review: JanSport Bags

David bought a JanSport backpack in 1996. It's still in great condition, but the zipper went out on it last month so I called JanSport because they have a lifetime guarantee. She told me to send it in. They fixed it for free and even repaired the stitching where the bag was separating from the rubber bottom - which we hadn't noticed. All I can say is: Two thumbs up JanSport! You sell a quality product and when it fails or tears, you back your product up! Good for you!

Grandma & Grandpa Brooks

Grandma & Grandpa came over for a dinner the other day. Grandma bought Elizabeth a new onesie from their most recent trip to Arizona; perfect for our little November Pumpkin! Thank you!

Love (Poem)

Love

If I live in a house of spotless beauty with

everything in place, but have not love -

I am a housekeeper, not a homemaker.

If I have time for waxing, polishing, and

decorative achievements, but have not love -

my children learn of cleanliness, not godliness.

Love leaves the dust in search of a child's laugh.

Love smiles at the tiny fingerprints on a newly cleaned window.

Love wipes away the tears before it wipes up the spilled milk.

Love picks up the child before it picks up the toys.

Love is present through trials.

Love reprimands, reproves, and is responsive.

As a mother there is much I must teach my child, but the greatest of all is

Love.

This is a poem a friend gave to me the other night. I thought it was too beautiful not to put in my journal.

Elizabeth & Mark

Cousin Mark has been here a couple of times to play while Jackie helps David in the garage (putting the ceiling in - which David, Gary, & Jackie finished yesterday). He does really well with her and is gentle with her. She is 11 mo and he is 7 years.

Our Wii Family

Hehe, this is just for fun. Here's our Wii Family: Lexie, David, Christi, & Elizabeth. Both "girls" are about 20#.

Change in the Mass

The mass is changing. A new translation of the Roman Missal, Third Edition, is coming out this November with the start of Advent. This is huge. Why change it after all these years? So that the mass more closely follows the original Latin text. And who says the Catholic church is old fashion & unchanging? :)

"Lectio divina, the practice of prayerfully reading over and meditating upon the words of Scripture, an ancient Catholic tradition, is recommended by the wisest of spiritual directors. It's also a practice one can apply to reading the Roman Missal." OSV Aug 2011.

"The entire Church in the United States has been blessed with this opportunity to deepen its understanding of the Sacred Liturgy, and to appreciate its meaning and importance in our lives."
Here's a web site that was recommended by OSV (Our Sunday Visitor Newsweekly) to prepare oneself for this change. http://old.usccb.org/romanmissal/

If you look at the mass without wondering what we do why we do it, all you see is kneeling, standing, recited prayers, blah, blah, blah, it's boring. But, if you learn the why, it's actually quite moving and beautiful. The bells ring to signify transubstantiation. We genuflect & kneel to signify respect & adoration to our king of kings. We recite the aords Jesus taught us to pray.
My favorite of all is the Stations of the Cross. Nothing throughout the year touches me to the core of my being as the 12 Stations. Whether you're Catholic or not, I'd highly encourage you to attend one of these Stations on a Friday night during Lent. It goes through the final hours (or Passion) of Jesus.

So, back to my point, check out the website mentioned above and gear yourself up with the changes that will be taking place Nov. 27th. And learn for yourself the why to dig into a more rich and meaningful prayer life.

Next on the Baby Food Prep List: Peaches

Miss Elizabeth tends to have a delicate palate. It takes some encouragement to get her to eat somethings and while she's a good eater, she likes it all mixed with cereal to take the "bite" out of what she's eating. Last week was peaches. She seems to like the tangy taste, which surprised me. Still her favorites are sweet peas and avocados. Bananas make her gag. It's like watching Uncle Troy eat eggs. :) We haven't done factory-made baby food, only home-made. I think home made has more robust flavor - be it good or bad. Maybe she'd do better with the bland flavors of commercial baby food and we can always try that too because I don't know how I'm going to stomach pureeing meat, gross!