Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

Christmastime is most definitely my favorite time of the year. Each year I eagerly anticipate all of the sights, sounds, and smells this special season brings. If it were up to me, December might never end! Our neighborhood is adorned with sparkling lights, blow-up Christmas figures, and nativity scenes. I enjoy taking the longer route home in order to soak in as much Christmas spirit as possible. Even if I've had a crummy day, the scenery makes me bright and cheery!

This year in particular has been especially wonderful for me. Isaac is old enough now to somewhat understand the reason we celebrate Christmas. As we drive throughout our neighborhood and look at the nativity scenes, he tells me about the characters in the Christmas story. He knows that baby Jesus was born as our savior, that He died on the cross to take away our sins. This year he learned that Mary rode a donkey into Bethlehem as Joseph walked at her side. He understands the wise men wear robes, (not jammies!) and the shepherds carry staffs to help them walk their long journey.

As I look ahead to our future as a family, my hope is for Isaac to cherish and treasure Christ above all else: above himself, family, friends, and even presents. This year we implemented a new Christmas morning tradition, which I hope lasts throughout our child-rearing years. Before opening any gifts, we read the Christmas accounts as told in both Matthew and Luke. We talk about the stories and think about what each character/person had to go through in God's perfect, providential plan of redemption. As Isaac grows into maturity, I look forward to his thoughts and questions about this part of Scripture. Hopefully, it will be a long time before he asks us what an "espoused wife" is!

As Christmas winds down, we wish you a blessed year with your family. May the Lord continue revealing Himself to you in new, profound ways. As you ring in the new year, remember to thank God for his perfect son, the atoning sacrifice for our sins.

Here are some highlights of our Christmas:

Playing with some new presents with Grandma and Grandpa

Gammy gave Isaac a new helicopter. He likes spinning the propeller.

This is "Whac-A-Mole" - hysterical! The premise of the game is to thump all the moles on their heads. They laugh and say, "Miss me" whenever you don't hit them!

Here is Isaac's cheesy Christmas smile.

This is the best photo of the three of us. How pathetic that we couldn't do better! At least no one is melting down!

Grandma Bobby gave Isaac two super cute rhyming puzzle books. Here he is opening them at her house.

Look at his cute little fist propping up his head!

Matt is so good with our boy. He is a wonderful father. These are two of the best gifts I've ever received! Thank you, Jesus!

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Reminiscing

I was going through some pictures last night and stumbled upon these photos of Isaac. Despite all the ups and downs and twists and turns that characterized Isaac's first year of life, I would do it all over again. He brought us much joy and continues to do so. For those of you who weren't with us during this year, these are for you! (These don't include the very early months b/c those pics are on an external hard drive.)

Matt's Grandma Loyce and Aunt Lynne in Myrtle Beach

Beach bum

This is my friend, Sarah (Amanda's twin sister) and me. She is holding her niece, Liliana. This was Memorial Day weekend 2008 while we were still in Bedford. I miss you Sarah, Amanda, and Liliana!

Isaac was about to take a nap while we were lounging at the beach.

Matt was getting him to crack up and bury himself in our covers. I'll never forget this moment!

My mom bought Isaac this toy, and he loved it. He was actually playing with it this morning - two years later!

I was changing his diaper one day and he became completely infatuated with his toes!

We were on our way out to hit the streets of Quebec.

Exersaucer time!

At dinner in Quebec

Sleepy boy couldn't wait until we got home!

Jesse, Jenny, and Natalia were in our Bible study. Isaac and Natalia had many a play date during our time in Bedford!

Strolling along the Charles River one morning. Oh, how I miss New England scenery. It is fantastic!

Matt took me to see the Boston Ballet for my birthday. We tried getting a family picture when we got home. I don't think Isaac was the least bit interested!

I thought this was a cute face to showcase!

Daddy and Isaac on our way to church service one morning. The couple I nannied for gave Isaac this outfit. It was adorable! Conway family, we miss you!

I didn't take the red eye out yet, but I couldn't stand to not show you this face full of love and chub!

Daddy liked to let Isaac air out after bathtime!

Isaac loved the beach. We hope to go back to visit Matt's family sometime this spring!

Kisses!

One of my favorite girls in the whole wide world. Leoni was our neighbor and loved to come play with Isaac. She is just too precious for words.

Who can resist soft baby skin?

Ahhhh... he's so sweet holding his bottle!

Matt absolutely loved these jammies. He didn't want me to ever retire them. Babies do grow, so inevitably I had to!

Setting out for a stroll through Lexington. Pete's Coffee, how I miss you dearly!

My two loves

Isaac's first taste of rice cereal. He was one hungry boy!

Tonight I leave you with the cutest grin I've ever seen!

I hope you enjoyed this snapshot of Isaac's first year of life!

Looks Tasty!

For a while now, I've been wanting to try a new chicken pot pie recipe. It's been a long time since I made one, and I wasn't overly crazy about that recipe. My brother savored every bite of it, but it didn't strike my fancy. I just discovered this looks like a glimpse of food heaven one, so I thought I'd share the link with all of you. In fact, why don't you make it today and let me know how it turns out? And if it's good, you should invite me over for a dish of it!

Friday faves

Today is great because:

~ I'm sitting here in the peace and quiet.
~ Isaac is taking a good, long nap.
~ Crowd pleasing lasagna is on the menu tonight.
~ My hunky-hunk hubby will arrive home promptly at 4pm today.
~ I'll choose to show extra grace if that same hubby arrives later than 4pm today.
~ Isaac loves telling me things and really loves asking questions.
~ Isaac has the sweetest voice (when he isn't whining that is!).
~ Clean sheets will greet me tonight as I fall asleep.
~ As I glance at Isaac's Coco-Nutty Monkey Play-Doh set, I grin over how much he enjoys it!
~ Fall is in the air.
~ Peasant Princess session two is coming up tonight.
~ God gives abundant grace for every season.
~ A friend is praising God for working in her marriage.
~ Project SSAM is here!
~ I'm not overly concerned that my house is not completely in order at this moment.
~ Tomorrow is filled with three fun events.
~ Matt can relax this evening and not think about his thesis.
~ Matt is supposed to surprise me with something today.
~ I'm hopeful that surprise is a Starbucks chai latte.
~ The weekend is here.
~ Most of all: This is the day the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it!

Today is good!

Making Trains with Cars

There is no doubt that Isaac has a strong connection with his cars. Maybe it's because he's an only child right now, and they keep him company while Mommy is working around the house. Last week, I was in the kitchen putting away some things. I peeked into the living room to check on my boy. This is what I found - isn't he just the cutest?! Check out the first car in his train going around the roll top desk. He put two smaller cars on top of it! Ingenious idea!

I have a super cute video clip of him talking about the long train, but I think the file is too large for Blogspot. Nevertheless, these pictures capture his love for cars and his meticulous and methodical thinking processes! When I watch Isaac discover and learn things, my heart can't help but want to have more children. He is a gift! (Perhaps we'll start trying again in a four or five months; we shall wait and see!)

He makes these by himself! What a great way to entertain himself and develop those cognitive skills! (Check out the two smaller cars on top!)

This is his first train of the day. He likes to arrange the trains from biggest to smallest. Sometimes he'll end with a big caboose!

I guess he needed a break to play with another car!

Well, he's back to his first love - BOOKS!

Happy Birthday, Isaac!

Mmmmm... birthday cake!

Our little lovie turned two years old yesterday! We had a great time celebrating him with our friends and family. We are blessed to have so many people in our lives who love Isaac. Here are a few pictures from his party. Unfortunately, Matt and I were preoccupied and forgot to take lots of pictures. I don't have very many, but I'm hoping some people who were at the party will send us some of their pictures!

Haven and Isaac (not the best pic, but it's the only one of them we took!)

Checking out the cake with Deborah, Kate and Mati

A radio flyer tricycle from Gammy (my mom).

Some of the goodies. These banana pops were fantastic. I'm treating myself to another one tomorrow!

Isaac wanted the grader and the dump truck off of his cake. Grandpa Ken (Matt's dad) is ready to eat the cake!

Precious Mathios getting ready for his lunch - Okay, don't you just want to gobble him up?!

Isaac and Daddy working on a castle with his new blocks before bedtime. Aunt Kelly bought these for him.

Thanks, everyone for joining us in celebrating Isaac's birthday!

Tasty lil' cups

Check out this fun breakfast idea. I made them for our house church last night, and everyone enjoyed them. You don't need to bake them very long if you like a slightly runny yoke. So easy, so darling, so good! Try them out and taste for yourself!