A Toast to the New Year

Gianna gets really excited when the toaster pops up.

REALLY excited.  Check this video:

What can I say?  The munchkin likes the toaster.

Coming Attraction

BABIES

I simply cannot wait to see this movie (Babies) which is set to be released in April 2010. Check out the trailer below. I'm thinking we need to have a ladies night out to watch the movie, then go to dinner to discuss.

Doesn't it look fascinating, and fun and fabulous?

Mark your calendars!

Can you imagine what it would be like to have YOUR little movie star followed by cameras for a year?  I guess it's not such a big stretch for some of our munchkins...

There are cameras following her ALL the time. :)

18 months – already?

How is it, that we wait and wait and wait for a baby and time seems to stand still – and then the baby miraculously arrives and time is boosted into warp-speed?  Can’t figure it out.

Gianna turned 18 months old on January 1st.  (Can I tell you how much I appreciate the easy math on my “first of the month” baby?!!)

(click to enlarge)

Life seems to be changing gears a bit and since the holidays and has been moving at a little slower pace. We just finished the 3rd section of our home study paperwork and have one more section before the interviews. It’s been a bit of a chore, actually.

We’ve been trying to keep occupied indoors because of our freezing Louisiana temps (go ahead, northerners – you can laugh) it has been mildly challenging.  We’re starting to break out the crayons and paints and enter the whole world of “Oooh, not on that! Only on the paper!.” And, “No, not in your mouth, crayons taste yucky.” 

Maybe will need to stick with the musical instruments for a while…

Yep - she’s gonna be one of THOSE musicians.
(Stinkin' cute shirt compliments of Ms. Sarah!)

Photobook: Year II - Volume I

These are the pics from July - October '09.  I've noticed that my picture-taking has slowed down considerably after this.  I find it increasingly difficult to manage a camera and a runaway toddler at the same time. Maybe that'll be good for everyone. :)

Click here to view this photo book larger

The rest of her photo books can be found HERE.

2010 Handbook

My sweet friend emailed this to me today and I thought it was blog-worthy.

Health:

   1.     Drink plenty of water.

   2.     Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.

   3.     Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants..

   4.     Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy.

   5.     Make time to pray.

   6.     Play more games.

   7.     Read more books than you did in 2009.

   8.     Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.

   9.     Sleep for 7 hours.

   10.    Take a 10-30 minute walk daily. And while you walk, smile.

Personality:

   11.    Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

   12.    Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.

   13.    Don't overdo. Keep your limits...

   14.    Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

   15.    Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.

   16.    Dream more while you are awake.

   17.    Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

   18.    Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with His/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.

   19.    Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.

   20.    Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.

   21.    No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

   22.    Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away

             like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.

   23.    Smile and laugh more.

   24.    You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

Society:

   25.    Call your family often.

   26.    Each day give something good to others.

   27.    Forgive everyone for everything.

   28.    Spend time with people over the age of 70 & under the age of  6

   29.    Try to make at least three people smile each day.

   30.    What other people think of you is none of your business.

   31.    Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

Life:

   32.    Do the right thing!

   33.    Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

   34.    GOD heals everything.

   35.    However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

   36.    No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

   37.    The best is yet to come.

   38.    When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.

   39.    Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy.