I am not a “giant snow globes and air filled figurines in my yard” kind of Christmas decorator. Nothing screams tacky to me more. (Sorry to those of you who love them… obviously I’m the minority opinion as Wal-Mart and Lowes keep those babies stocked up every season!!)
Anyway, David is fully aware of my thoughts on this topic and he, with a friends help, decided to have a little “tee-hee” moment this year. We had gone to town one evening and when we arrived home, THIS was in my front yard for all to see…
This baby came fully equipped not only with the air-filled orchestra you see here, but with a speaker that blared out jazzy Christmas tunes. To top it off, the lights would blink in a coordinated manner with the music.
Lovely
Not surprising, Gwyneth loved and adored Santa and his band. She “ooh’d and aah’d” over it time and again. I remained heartless, though, and had this “decoration” returned to its rightful owner within the week. (When it was down a few staff members finally came up to me and expressed how incredulous they were to see me with that THING in my yard and how happy to hear it was a joke on me!!) (Maybe I’m not in the minority opinion??!!)
I will now confess that David was given a small air-filled Santa and that he finally wore me down enough to let him turn it on in the privacy of our living room. Gwyneth is delighted and turning on Santa has become a morning ritual.
Joy to the World!
I hope you all enjoyed a great Christmas and are up to new and fun things this year!
Posted on January 5th, 2009 by The Mommy
Filed under: Family | 4 Comments »
Gwyneth loves to have her picture taken. When she sees a camera come out, or a cell phone for that matter, she says “smile” and poses. The only thing is, her idea of a pose is a little sour-puss looking.
That’s a pretty serious face for someone looking to have their photo taken.
Have you ever wondered why photographers use the phrase, “Say cheese”?? Well, I now know why. That is exactly what I had her say in the next photo:
Lovely, isn’t it??!!
Posted on December 22nd, 2008 by The Mommy
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Gwyneth celebrated her 2nd birthday on Monday, December 15th. Though, as I have mentioned before, we’re not really into the birthday party scene, I did want to do something to make the day a little extra special. Here is a peek at her big day!!
First off, the night before I got a dozen balloons inflated with helium. She LOVES “boppies”. When she got up Monday morning and walked into the dining room she shrieked, “BOPPIES!!!” That was probably the biggest moment of her day — the best gift we could have given her!! (This kid is easy to please!!)
We had decided to have a few friends over for a play-date. I had just finished making cupcakes when she woke up. Her second gift of the morning was to get to have a cupcake for part of her breakfast!!
Maybe just another one… after all, my first one didn’t have the frosting on it!!
After giving Daddy a hug and a kiss and sending him off to work, it was time to get ready for our company. I got Gwyneth dressed and was heading out of her room when I heard her climbing… the next thing I saw was this…
She had climbed up her changing table and was playing “night-night’s”. WHEN did she learn to climb up on her changing table??!! (And just how would she have gotten down had I not assisted her??) Oh dear!!
Anyhow, before too long a stream of Mommies and kiddos started pouring in. Our play-date could not have been more fun. Gwyneth loved having all her little friends over!!
Motherhood sure does change things. Two years ago I would have avoided a room full of babies and toddlers like the plague. Now I readily invite them to my home and REALLY enjoy them. Aren’t the different seasons of life amazing??
Guess what you get when a bunch of kids play hard for a few hours and get filled up with yummy food?? You get kids that aren’t just playing night-nights!!! Gwyneth was out cold within 5 minutes of her company leaving. She didn’t budge for two hours!! (I should know - I slept right along side her!!!)
It wouldn’t be a special day if Gwyneth didn’t get to go to the barn and see Taco, Bob, General and Duncan. The only problem was is was pouring rain. Fortunately, one of Gwyneth’s birthday gifts from her Papa and Marmee had arrived earlier — it came just in the nick of time!!
Barn Boots!!! Now she can tromp through mud and manure just like everyone else!! (The raincoat her Grandpa and Grandma Chester sent her a few months ago really came in handy as well!)
Aside from riding, Gwyneth’s second favorite thing to do at the barn is feed the horses. Here she has Duncan’s feed.
Now, our friend Dianna (”Di-Di”), owns General and Duncan. She is the reason Gwyneth and I are both a little nutty over horses!! Dianna’s 50th birthday was also Monday. Here are the birthday girls together… (We LOVE you, Di-Di!!)
(No one is into posing when it’s pouring rain!!)
After putting the horses to bed, G and I picked up Daddy and we took her out to get some Chinese food!! (Yummy!)
It was a long, fun-filled day for our birthday girl. Aside from her barn boots, she got new slippers, books, a block set and some clothes.
Here she is right before bed. (Sporting her slippers)
Gwyneth gave me a great gift right as she was going to sleep. I had cupped her face in my hands and said, “I love you, Gwyneth”. She looked back and me and said, “I love you, Mom-ma”. Then she leaned in for a kiss. It was the first time she’d ever said she loved me without being asked to. Sniff… sniff… Thank-you Gwyneth for being sweet you. Thank-you, Lord, for gifts I couldn’t possibly deserve!!
Posted on December 21st, 2008 by The Mommy
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Hanging out with Gwyneth is always lots of fun… it even gets a little goofy at times!!
(It’s a secure man that will let you put a bow in his hair and then post a photo on-line showing it!!)
In this next photo, I got out the camera and she came running up, got in this pose, and said “Smile”!!
I sure do love you, silly girl!!
Posted on December 17th, 2008 by The Mommy
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Remember those “Where is Waldo” books and stuff that used to float around?? I was just thinking about it when I wanted to apologize for my unexpected posting sabatical!! The good news is that I have a zillion photos to share with you and, once they are uploaded to my computer, the posts should be coming on a near daily basis.
One cute thing I did want to tell you is that Gwyneth has figured out that her Daddy also goes by the name “David”. If she doesn’t get the desired response when she calls out for her Daddy, she starts bellowing, “David, DA-VID”!!! Too sweet!!
Hope all is well with each and every one of you!!
Posted on December 9th, 2008 by The Mommy
Filed under: Family | 4 Comments »
How good it is to know we are never alone.
Once again I’m going to borrow some photos my brother has taken and also borrow some words the Lord wrote to bring comfort and encouragement.
“The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want…
…He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters…
…He restores my soul…
…He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name sake…
…Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil…
…For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table for me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over…
…Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life…
…And I will dwell in the House of the LORD forever.” ~Psalm 23
AMEN - Tears of joy flow down. We continue to praise God for His work as the Great Physician. He has made the wisom of this world seem foolish.
Posted on November 21st, 2008 by The Mommy
Filed under: Family | 3 Comments »
I borrowed a few pics my brother took of their newest addition, Jack. I just HAD to show you all what a little cutie he is!! He was born yesterday, Nov. 19, weighing in at a whopping 5# 1oz. and 16 inches long. He’s already got dark eyes and sporting more hair than his cousin, Gwyn!!
So without further ado…
Here he is with his older sister, Annaleigh and brother, Harrison. As you can see, he’s in NICU. Yesterday was a tough day for the Tennessee Adelgren’s, but there are covered in grace and, from what I’ve heard, Jack is getting stronger as the moments pass!
The Lord is so good. From eldest to now the very youngest, he’s blessed this sweet family with life and love. We love you D,K,A,H & J
Posted on November 20th, 2008 by The Mommy
Filed under: Family | 4 Comments »
You all know there is nothing I like more than a great photo of David and Gwyneth. I always thought David was very photogenic before we had a cnild, but once little G was born… well, he seems to glow!! Fatherhood suites him. Of course it helps that he has such a lovely little lady to be photographed with!!
Anyway, here are a few of my favorites from the last few weeks.
“I sure do love you, Daddy!”
“I love you too, Gwynie!”
(And I love you both!!!)
Any picture of Gwyneth sleeping is one of my favorites, but this one particularly tugs at my heart. Of course you know where I was a minute after getting this photo… aahhh…!
Posted on November 13th, 2008 by The Mommy
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Up until the last month Gwyneth has been using both hands for most tasks. One day she’d eat with her left, the next with her right. Then one morning it was like she made THE decision… it’s right handed for her! She is now exclusively using her right hand to color and eat with.
Now it’s the two “righty’s” vs. the south paw in this family!!!
Posted on November 10th, 2008 by The Mommy
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Last night I was called to the Psalms and found much comfort there. There is nothing about the future of our country, of our own lives, that is unseen by The Creator. If we choose, we can rest peacefully in the shadow of His Almighty wings.
Along those lines, I thought I’d share some scripture and a few photos of a little one who knows all about resting in the Hands of our Father.
“Even the darkness is not dark to You, And the night is as bright as the day. Darkness and light are alike to You…
…For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb…
…I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well…
…My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth. ” ~Psalm 139:12-15
Posted on November 5th, 2008 by The Mommy
Filed under: Family | 4 Comments »
Meet Bruce and Rachel:
Bruce and Rachel are dear friends of Davids from his undergrad years. I was fortunate enough to inherit them as friends when David and I started dating. Bruce and Rachel live in Pa. with their three great kids. When they travel this way, or when we are in Pa., we love getting together with them!
Most recently we saw them thanks to TFC’s alumni gathering. Bruce, Rachel and family came down and we had the pleasure of their company for several days. One night in particular, David and I insisted on babysitting so Bruce and Rachel could go to the alumni dinner. We had a riot. What an eye-opener for us as a couple!! By nights end, though, we had figured out how to please them all, all at once…
That’s right, folks! A bowl of ice cream is the ultimate pacifier for all ages!! Aren’t they ADORABLE??!! Here’s another angle of cuteness:
See how Gwyneth can’t take the spoon away from her mouth long enough to smile for the camera?? You know that little gal was in hog heaven!
Gwyneth and Cooper are only a month apart. They are both into exploration, but they also need lots of physical affirmation. During our night on con they had moments of need at the same time…
(David is going to do great at this whole “multiple child” thing!!)
The whole visit was great - the kids seemed to enjoy themselves. They played together really well.
It goes without saying that a lot has changed since college days for David, Bruce and Rachel. It’s so great that they maintained a close friendship all these years, that they generously included me when I arrived on the scene and that our kids are forming bonds of their own…
“… A lifetime’s not too long to live as friends…”
Posted on November 3rd, 2008 by The Mommy
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My sister-in-law, Kellie, has been doing “Flashback Fridays” on her blog for a while now. Gwyneth gave me the perfect opportunity to participate the other week…
I think having a toddler in your house makes you all the more aware of the passing of time and all the changes it brings. Each day is a new adventure in discover. Every now and then, though, something happens and I’m left flabbergasted by how much has really, REALLY changed for out little gal.
To illustrate my point, the other day Gwyneth came out of her bedroom wearing this…
Her beloved baby cap they put on her when she was first born. She loved putting it on. I had to stretch it as far as it would go to get it to stay on…
Honestly, though, wasn’t it just yesterday that Leslie had put this hat on for the first time??
Ho humm… It surely does feel like it was but moment ago…
On the same day Gwyneth drug her Bumbo chair out of her room.
She must have been having a very nostalgic day!! The sight of her in her chair reminded me of these photos…
In the above photo her feet barley fit her outfit, much less her chair.
Of course this next one is also reminiscent of sumo baby. Things have changed in the chubs department quite a bit, too!
Yes mam, little Gwyneth, you sure are growing up fast!!
So, there was my trip down memory lane. Hope you enjoyed the ride!!!
Posted on October 24th, 2008 by The Mommy
Filed under: Family | 3 Comments »
I decided to go ahead and share this humiliation with you. Thanks again, Susan J. for year-booking me - may someone return the favor to you!!!
Here I am in 1962…
1966…
1968…
1952…
1974…
1976…
1984…
1990…
1994…
And last, but definitely not least, 2000…
I know some of you sported these hair’dos, so I hope you enjoyed the trip down memory lane!!
Posted on October 22nd, 2008 by The Mommy
Filed under: Family | 2 Comments »
Monday was my Birthday. As I was teaching Childbirth classes that night, we celebrated the day before. When I got home from the hospital, though, David had my favorite pizza and soda waiting for me. Yummy… the baby and I so enjoyed it!! Later that night, after putting Gwyneth to bed, David asked if Iwas ready for my b-day dessert… he brought this blizzard out and sang “Happy Birthday” to me!! So sweet! Thanks, my Love!
My dear friends, Susan J., was good enough to yearbook me. I may share those photos with you… then again, I may hold back the humiliation and save them for just myself and David to laugh at… we’ll see! For now I need to leave for the great Mart of Wal!!
Posted on October 22nd, 2008 by The Mommy
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Cursed are you more than all cattle, and more than every beast of the field…
On your belly you shall go, and dust shall you eat all the days of your life…
And I will put emnity between you and the woman. And between your seed and her seed.
He shall bruise you on the head… “ (Or, in this instance, cut off your head and your rattle!!) Gen 2: 14-15
I once heard a native say, “There ain’t no rattlers in this area…” I beg to differ. This specimen was discovered on a walking trail not one mile from our house. Lovely. Thankfully Matthew here was full of valor and clubbed him. Then he had the nerve to bag the snake and bring his fresh, still bleeding body to my house!!! Let me assure you, the emnity discussed above is still alive and kicking!!
Did you know a snake with its head chopped off acts much like a chicken might in the same situation. Matt pulled him out of the bag, put him down, and that snake just whipped around like crazy. I nearly stroked. Funny thing is, Matt and David both knew the snake was going to do that and they still just about jumped out of their skin!! Headless or not, there is something instinctual about jumping back when a snake moves!!
Posted on October 9th, 2008 by The Mommy
Filed under: Family | 2 Comments »