Another example of how Harrison loves cleaning tools… I seriously don’t know where he gets it from. 
I took these of Harrison last Wednesday as it was starting to snow. He really liked watching it out the window. We were outside at one point and he was opening his mouth trying to eat it…it was very funny!
We will definitely miss being with family tommorrow. But, seeing how the weather is turning out (it’s been sleeting and snowing all day), I am glad we are not traveling tonight. In the past years we would leave after work on Wednesday and traffic on I-80 was packed practically the whole way to Lincoln, so I know the weather would make it even more stressful.
We will be spending the afternoon with some good friends who invited us over; when you don’t have any biological family around, your friends really do become your family at times like this!
I am thinking tonight about so many things that I am thankful for and etching them in my mind so when it is an ‘ordinary’ day, I can always remember them. Have a Happy Thanksgiving!
Kelly’s brother came over last weekend for a while…Harrison loved sitting with his Uncle Troy and Cousin Dusty watching a video game. That is the longest he has sat in one spot I think…seriously.
Harrison was using his zip-up blanket sleeper as what looked like a cape one night. He looked like a little king walking around.
This kid loves the vacuum and dust mop…I don’t know where he gets it from. :) He even knows how to turn the broom vac on, although it kind of scares him.
It’s not even Thanksgiving yet, and I feel like I have already reached my limit for shopping and dealing with the craziness of the holiday commercialization. I think part of it is because my eyes are just more open this year because of certain things that I have seen friends go through in the last several months, and even because of my own walk and where I feel like God has been leading me. And I’m not saying this from a “Look at how good I am” standpoint…I just feel like God has been opening my eyes to the REALLY important things in life.
I had to go to Coralville today and I stopped at the mall. Oh. My. Goodness. It was all sorts of craziness. I don’t know if it’s because I haven’t been to the mall on a Saturday in a while (if we go, it’s usually on a Monday when Kelly has the day off), but I know people were Christmas shopping, too. People were bumping into me, into the stroller, I had to drive around the parking lot numerous times to get a space, people were just rude! And I have to admit, after walking through Target once, I probably wasn’t very pleasant, either. And I know of two malls that are opening at 12:00 MIDNIGHT on Thursday night/Friday morning. WHAT??
As I was driving home, I was just thinking about how I really don’t want to get caught up in that this year, or ever, really. I want to concentrate on what I’m really thankful for. My family, my friends, my church. I am so thankful for God and that he is showing me that He didn’t send Jesus to this earth just to die on the cross for my sins, but also because He wants to be THE priority in my life. He wants my life to bring Him glory.
Amidst this crazy day, my mind and heart were on two sets of friends. Both sets are at different spots on adoption journeys. Right now, one couple is in Russia, and have been reunited with their son who they will be taking home to Alaska in a fairly short period of time. The other couple is on their way to Sierra Leone, Africa to meet their new son and daughter and be present at a court hearing where the African courts will grant them adoption rights. They will then have to come back to Iowa and wait 2-4 months before they can go back to bring them home for good. These families have been on my heart all day. I can’t help but think that they are truly listening to God, even when it means laying it all on the line.
I’m hoping that this year I can keep my focus on what Thanksgiving and Christmas really mean. Yes, I think we can still have fun. It will be a blast to watch Harrison open his gifts. I love giving our nephews gifts and making them feel special. I love baking for our neighbors and friends. But instead of spending so much time preparing these things, I want to spend time WITH family and friends. I want to teach Harrison why we’re celebrating Christmas, and what it means to truly have a giving spirit. Those are the times that will be remembered. I hope all of this makes sense…it’s late and I feel like I’m rambling…but I had to get it all off my mind.
it’s been more than a week since I have posted anything. I have some pictures to post and hopefully will get that done soon. I’ve been busy with everyday stuff, but also trying to get some letters done for my upcoming trip…for those of you who don’t know, I will be going on our church’s annual missions trip to Guatemala in February. More on that later. I’ve been busy with some meetings and Bible Study things as well, so time has been flying. Hopefully I’ll have some pictures up later.
I noticed on Sunday that Harrison had gotten his first molar on his right side. He’s really been working at them. It’s so hard to see back there and if I try to feel, he immediately clamps down, so that doesn’t work.
He is doing so many cute things. When I ask him if he needs his diaper changed, he will practically run down the hallway to his room and stand there with his hand on the door until I come down to his room. Does this mean he’s ready for potty training?
My mom was changing his diaper one day when they were watching him and she said he was taking the tube of desitin and acting like he was getting some out of the cap and then he would rub his belly button, like he was putting some on. She said he had a very serious look on his face the whole time. Very funny!
He has been very lovey the last week or so…which I am eating up. If I am holding him, he’ll just keep putting his arms around my neck and squeezing and then give me kisses. I love it. He is saying “Daaaaaa” a lot, and will go to our bedroom door in the morning while Kelly is getting ready and make a fist and knock on the door and say “Daaaaa”, like he knows Daddy is in there. He is doing new things practically everyday! He is so much fun!
