Good Morning Girls

This past Monday I started an online Bible study with daily accountability. The group I am a part of is a much smaller version of the blog Good Morning Girls (http://www.goodmorninggirls.org/) and only has about 20 people in it. The group is set up to hold each other accountable for reading the Bible every day. The GMG blog posts worksheets and daily verses for you to read, so that you have a jumping off point.

Not everyone in my Bible study is doing the same study. I thought this would be weird in the beginning, but have quickly learned that with most people doing the book of James - which is what I'm doing along with the GMG blog guidance - the other people who had already started on their own studies contribute to the study what they've learned in their study and it is easier to cross-reference things.

I have enjoyed having this quiet time to myself as I've never been able to keep myself disciplined enough to read the Bible every day. In the book of James, we're only reading 2-3 verses each day and it isn't taking much time. I've even read the verses to Eden some mornings as she's eaten breakfast in order to possibly start a devotional time with her each day. Even though she isn't active in the devotional time, I talk to her like she is! I've enjoyed my devotions when it has been "me time" but I have also enjoyed them when I've shared them with Eden. I will have to start a devotion with her so that I can have the best of both worlds - "me time" and time with her.

{Pictures from the week to come! I haven't forgotten about them, but I think I'm just going to upload them on 1 day so that the blog is easier to read}

MLK Weekend

January 14 - the sunset on my way to the grocery store to prep for Mimi and Pop coming for the weekend

January 15 - Mimi and Eden, ready to go for a walk with Pop and me

January 16 - we took Mimi and Pop to base to see where Lane works

January 16 - Pop and Mimi with the "static bird"

January 16 - Lane with his solo plane

January 17 - Pop with Eden before she went down for her nap

January 17 - Pop and Eden before her nap again. This is what a tired baby who is teething looks like!

Bye Bye

Today was the day that we had to say goodbye to Mimi and Pop. It's always sad to see them go (or to leave when we're there), but duty calls and Pop has to go back to work bright and early in the morning. It was a great visit, and we were able to get a lot accomplished.
While Mimi and Pop were here Eden started running a fever and she's not been feeling 100% the past 2 days. We can see her 2 front teeth on top, and I think that's why she's not feeling well. Her nose is stuffy and yesterday and this morning she had a fever of 101.7 which wasn't fun for anyone! I hate to see her not feeling well when there's nothing we can do to help her. We just keep giving her motrin for her fever and discomfort and orajel and teething tablets as she needs them for her teeth. Today I let her have a popcicle to see if the cold would make her feel better at all. At first she didn't like that it was cold, but she came around to the idea of it and eventually enjoyed the popcicle!

Pop started a bookcase for us when we were there for Christmas, and because of all of the snow Georgia got this week he got 3 whole extra days to work on it before coming down here this weekend. It wasn't totally completed when they got here, but with hard work and dedication from all of us, we were able to get it done!

Now, I have the task of strategically filling it. I've moved all the books onto it that I want on it - I think - and the bottom 2 shelves are still empty. Part of the reason they're still empty is because every time I put something on them Eden pulls it right off! That is why I say I have to strategically fill the space that is available. I have time and it doesn't have to be done right away, so it will happen eventually.

The making of the bookcase:

 

Mimi and Pop are here!

We have had a fun filled couple of days with Mimi and Pop here. On Friday after Pop got off work, Mimi picked him up and they were on their way! They left the snowy state of Georgia for the cold state of Florida. They arrived right around bath time for Eden that evening.

Yesterday we all worked on sanding and staining a bookcase that Pop made for us. Today, we will put it together. We have plans to go bowling and to take them to base today, so hopefully I'll have lots of fun pictures to share with you!

Hope you're enjoying your MLK weekend!

You did WHAT in WHERE?!

Oh yes, it's been almost a full year and we've yet to have an accident in the bath tub...until last night! Yes, occasionally we'll have a little dribble when Eden's toes touch the warm water, but last night was different. I mentioned before that Eden has been playing this wonderfully amusing "dropping game" where she picks up a toy, stands up, drops it, grunts while she picks it up, and then does it all over again. Well, she was doing this in the bath tub last night, but she wasn't. She picked up a toy and dropped it, but as she grunted I realized that it had nothing to do with the toy or the game at all...she was "pushing a prize!"

As all of this was happening, Lane was studying (he has a big test tomorrow) and I was with Eden in the bathroom. When I realized what was going on I screamed and Lane came running. I don't know what I was thinking, but I wasn't thinking clearly for sure. Lane had to tell me to get her all the way out of the tub and over the toilet - instead of over the tub - which was a MUCH better idea! We got a diaper under her and the rest is history. The tub got cleaned, the baby got cleaned, and Lane and I both got calmed down and watched a movie after she went to bed.

You might think that because this was so dramatic that the moment is worthy to fall into my "Picture a Day," but the only thing I could take pictures of was the "after" and none of the "during" while Lane and I were running around like mad. And let's face it, the "after" isn't anything anyone wants to see! I will admit that I would have loved to have had a picture of our faces as we were dealing with this ordeal!

A Picture A Day:

January 11 - our first born babies

January 12 - One of Eden's favorite books to read (Thanks Aunt Angela, Uncle David, and M!!)

January 12 - we just got home from our walk when Daddy drove in the drive way. If anyone tells you that Florida is warm, they're lying! It's been in the 20's at night this week.

January 13 - Eden at drop off care so Mommy can go to the gym

January 13 - We did a diaper change before bath, and so we had to do a costume change too!

January 13 - clapping, "YAY!"

Back to the Gym

Yes, you heard me right - I started going back to the gym. Today I dropped Eden off at the child care facility on base and used the gym for one of the classes they offer. I went to a Piyo class and actually enjoyed myself. The class was a mixture of pilates and yoga, with some relaxation at the end. Just what I needed!

When I dropped Eden off she didn't really even seem to notice that I was leaving. I was happy, yet sad at the same time. I knew she was going to do a good job being in there with other children. After I left the room I went to the restroom and then snuck back to see what she was doing (yes, I was "that mom" who was peeking through the mirrored window). When I looked in she was playing with the other children and I saw her lean into one of the other children, which is usually a sign of her giving kisses. At this point I knew I'd be good to go and that she would enjoy some play time!

At pick up time she didn't notice me standing in the doorway, so I went into the room. She didn't notice me in the room, so I stepped closer. She still didn't seem to notice me, so I squatted down on her level. Still, it was like I wasn't there, so I started talking to her. That did the trick! Eden crawled over to me with a big smile and I loved every second of it!

Once we got home, Eden ate lunch and went down for a nap. I know she must have had a good time today because it's now 2 and a half hours later and she's STILL asleep! Yay for drop off care :)

Babies EVERYWHERE!

In the past couple of days I feel like we've been surrounded by lots and lots of babies. On Saturday I helped to co-host a baby shower for a friend in my Bible study group. She is due in early February and is looking fabulous! I know she's getting excited about meeting little Clara, and she's getting things finalized in hopes that Clara is here soon! While at the shower we were surrounded by FIVE other pregnant women! I couldn't believe it...FIVE in addition to the guest of honor!

January 8 - Taryn's baby shower cake

Later Saturday night Lane, Eden, and myself went to our friends' house for a "See You Later" Party. At their party they revealed the sex of their baby - they're expecting a little one in May. Everyone at the party was given a cupcake and we were to all take a bite at the same time. When we bit into the cupcakes they had a pink filling - they're having a GIRL! We were all super excited for them, and to finally know because they'd known for a few days before telling anyone.

January 8 - Ben and Alison with their cupcakes (the center is really pink, I promise!)

A Picture A Day:

January 7 - Ready to cheer on the Tigers in the Cotton Bowl!

January 7 - crazy hair after bath time!

January 9 - She's started copying us when we blow off her food to cool it down - this is her "cooling down her food"

January 9 - mmmmm, dinner!

January 9 - what a mess

January 9 - as she was going to do TA DA she found a banana on her hand

January 9 - food everywhere!

January 10 - looking in the trash can to see what might be in there

January 10 - playing a dropping game by herself. She started this yesterday. She will drop a toy, grumble in anger as she picks it up, stand up, drop it again, and does this over and over!

January 10 - noticing that the camera was out so she wanted to smile for her picture!

January 10

January 10 - "singing" la la la la in a very exaggerated way



January 10 - but she was excited to do it!



January 10 - she took her pants off. Why, you might ask. Well, I'm not too sure.