Miss M had her first fever two weeks ago! Poor little one ran a fever for four days. I am so thankful that she has been such a healthy girl. Her fever wasn't extremely high, but we sure missed seeing her usual silly self. She is back on the move, which makes it difficult to get a good picture. Here are a few from the past two weeks.
A few of our favorite things to do are look for the neighbor cats and walk/run anywhere outside. We usually take a daily walk to the mailbox. It is only a half a block away, but ends up taking at least 30 minutes because we pick up leaves and rocks, sniff flowers and play with the doors on the mailboxes. Maddie is getting fast and does this funny little thing where when she gets going she swings her left arm back and forth really quickly. So cute!
These pictures aren't great, but they are things we've been working on a lot; blowing kisses and waving, both of which she loves to do. Every morning when she wakes up she waves to the owl mobile in her room and the owl pictures on her wall. We have been going to story-time and on Friday she stood in front of an 8 month old baby quickly waving her had back and forth saying, "hi, hi, hi." We all had to giggle! She loves to blow and give kisses (she puts her hand up to her mouth or face up to her doll). Every time we read Brown Bear, Brown Bear she puts her face up to the page with the teacher on it to give her a kiss. She is imitating so many sounds and words now....some of the latest are bubble, door, hot, zipper, all done, towel, pillow and please. It is amazing the little things she picks up on! We love you Maddie.
I cannot believe that little Miss Maddie Grace is one! What an amazing
year it has been. She is definitely seeming more and more like a little
girl and less of a baby. Shane took her birthday off and we had a family
day. It was really sweet and special. We took Maddie to the zoo for her
first time. She ran everywhere. The little one won't slow down. It is
really cute. I love how when she gets going her left arm swings back and
forth really quickly. She giggled and squealed with excitement at all
of the people and animals! I made a carrot cake and we sang Happy
Birthday....just our little family of three! It was oh so sweet. We love
you more and more everyday Maddie!
Last weekend I took a quick trip to San Francisco to spend some time with my dear friend Cameran. She was in SF for work and is getting married in Indiana this summer. This ended up being a perfect opportunity to catch up and explore in one my favorite cities! I took the BART in from SFO and we stayed right downtown. Unfortunately I didn't take very many pictures, but here are a few of the shots I have. The weather was amazing and gave me spring fever. We walked everywhere and it was great. Thanks Cam for a fantastic weekend!
Views of Ghirardelli Square from the water
The Golden Gate
Chinatown was a bustling
Cute cafe where we had lunch in North Beach
Time with Cam wouldn't be complete without something sweet. We saw an ad for That Takes the Cake, a cupcake shop, and hunted it down for our sweet treat. It was well worth the walk. The place was adorable and the cupcakes delicious. I wish I had taken a picture of them!
We just got home from a fabulous time with my family in Michigan. It was so fun to play in the snow and see the water. It actually felt like winter as compared to the warm weather we've been having in Colorado. I love spending time with family and only wish we could all be together more often.
I thought this picture of Kim and her fiance Noah was really cute. I can't wait for their wedding in May.
It was so nice to run with Lisa, my Dad, and Shane, as well as enjoy a change in scenery.
We took this pic right before the whole family headed out for a loop in the State Park on our cross country skis. I hadn't been on mine since last year. It definitely has me excited to get out in Colorado and use them.
Ludington State Park
We walked downtown one afternoon and Shane did a great job of snapping these shots of some of the buildings. This is a little art gallery.
Our local coffee house Redolenciahas amazing coffee that is served fresh in a french press every time. We always seem to make it there when we are home. It's hard to resist the cozy atmosphere and cool vibe!
All in all it was a super relaxing trip. I am so thankful for family, rest and beautiful places. Some highlights included watching my Mom and Dad play their new Wii (I think my belly hurt from laughing so hard), a snowy run along the lake and out to the lighthouse, and cross country skiing at night. I really, truly just loved all being together and can't wait until next time!
A few pics from our pre-Thanksgiving visit with Shane's family in Alabama. We had lots of fun playing with his nephew and niece in all of the leaves on the farm!
The snow is falling....a great time to cuddle up in a blanket with a good book, light a candle, and enjoy some good quiet time. I absolutely love Anthropologie's Sweater Weather Candle Tins and their yummy scents of winter. And, my favorite read these days is A Praying Life, by Paul E. Miller. This refreshingly honest book is enlivening my dry spirit. Below are just a few statements that Miller makes that I particularly related to...just a taste of what the book has to offer.
"If I get an answer to prayer, sometimes I'll think, It would have happened anyway."
"Come overwhelmed with life. Come with a wandering mind. Come messy."
"If you are going to enter this divine dance we call prayer, you have to surrender your desire to be in control, to figure out how prayer works."
Enjoy this lovely Sunday and be encouraged to pray. The Lord will meet you!!
We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.
I am a dreamer. I am a lover of travel, a bit of an entrepreneur and sometimes a homebody. I get excited about a cup of coffee and having a glass of wine with good company. I love an early morning run and the feeling of my feet quickly bounding over rocks, blazing down a trail with my hubby. I was a ballet dancer. I love movement and living in Colorado with my husband where I have my own little Pilates studio.
