Monday, October 24, 2011

Today's Coffee: Harvest Dark Roast

Tomorrow, Wilson will be 8 months old. It's insane how fast babies grow up. I remember the first few weeks thinking "he's not getting bigger, he's not ever going to stop crying, he's not ever going to learn how to play with all these toys" - boy was I wrong. And now, I kind of miss those early days when he would sleep for hours and I would just hold him and kiss him. Now, he's big and squirmy and while he wants to be held he usually wants me to hold him so he can reach for something he's not supposed to have. Like cellphones. Or laptops. 8 months. I'm just stunned. I've already been thinking about his first Christmas (he'll be 10 months) and his first birthday party. I mean, c'mon momma, where did the time go? 

This past weekend we were blessed to have Thomas' parents visit us. Not only were they so kind to bring a yummy apple pie, pumpkin bread and a casserole but they also brought us their rocking chair. I love it already. I loved it the first night when Wilson only got up twice and instead of bringing him to our room to feed him, I could just feed him in his room. I loved it last night when I had to get up 3 times with him. How did I go so long without a rocking chair? Wilson doesn't get to see his grandparents as much as we would like (distance is really hard!) but after the initial few hours he warmed right up again and was giving his impish smiles! 
That's a good looking family right there! I would also like to add that this was the first and only try to get a good picture. We rock!
Thomas' birthday was a huge success! We found great pumpkins, Thomas and I got to go out to dinner and Wilson loved helping Daddy open gifts!

He mainly wanted the bag, but he was kind enough to look at all the goodies with Daddy!
Wilson loved this pumpkin! (Check out that dimple!)

We are also so excited to tell you that Faith will be living with us next semester! We had so much fun with her visit that we just want her to stay forever with us! :) But honestly, she has the opportunity to take some of her classes online and live in a different place next semester - so, why not Nashville, right? Also, with our teaching schedules it will be nice to have a babysitter (whom Wilson just adores!). We are thinking that it is going to be a great time next semester! 

Thomas has an organ recital on the calendar now! Please mark yours on January 8, 2012. He will be performing a recital at 3:00 pm at Covenant Presbyterian Church here in Nashville, TN on Fisk Opus 134. He will be performing works by Bach, Brahms, Mendelssohn and Durufle. After the recital you will have the opportunity to tour the organ - which if I can say so, is a definite 'must' - there are 4 floors that you can climb into. It's really cool! Thomas also has his website up and running! Thomas Russell - Organist Be sure to check it out - he's available for recitals, weddings and things of that sort. So, come out to Nashville and hear Thomas perform on a beautiful instrument Soli Deo Gloria. Also, please be praying that he would always offer his talents up to the true King! 

At the pumpkin patch

Also, be on the lookout here for a new installment for my blog - The Frugal Momma. 
I've been thinking and prayerfully considering posting some of my ideas, thoughts and actions concerning how to be a frugal momma for the glory of God and being a good steward of all that God has entrusted us. I hope to share some wisdom, ask others for wisdom and hope that we can all grow in Christ through what He shows us. 
In Christ,
Julie

Friday, October 14, 2011

Today's Coffee: Harvest Dark Roast

   Today is October 14th. 
I love October 14th very much. There are a couple reasons why. I love all the 14s because we were married on a 14. Today marks 3 years and 4 months. I also love it because it just seems to always have the perfect weather. Also, it is only one day away from Thomas' birthday! He's going to be 25! Quarter of a century old tomorrow! We will be celebrating with a great big breakfast (Blueberry Sizzle French Toast / Bacon / Juice / Coffee), a trip to a local farm to pick out a pumpkin and then a date - just the two of us!!! I love going on dates with my sweetie, and now that they are few and far between I can get pretty giddy about them. 
Last weekend we had Faith here since she was on her Fall Break. We had so much fun hanging out with her. While she was here we went to Cheekwood Botanical Gardens. They have a train exhibit up right now. There are 7 different G Scale trains and over 1,000 feet of tracks! They also built buildings out of acorns, twigs and other goodies to be models of famous Tennessee places - basically the trains chugged along tracks taking you through the history of Tennessee. It was very cool. 





They also had many gardens to walk through... we went through the Japanese garden and the Herb garden. In the Japanese garden there was lots of bamboo and also a zen garden was built - only to look at from a viewing pavilion - and it rocks were raked and there were hills built (it kinda looked like the Shire) - it was really pretty. The Herb garden was great too. We got to smell all crazy kinds of herbs. 

Sisters!

We toured the mansion and took some more pictures. Overall, it was really cool. We tried to take Faith to the Pancake Pantry - - - but there was a line out the door and down the block. So, we went to I-Hop instead. It was pretty good, I guess. 

Wilson is still recovering from the croup. Ugh. And he has also started the for-real process of teething. He's not very happy at night-time anymore. He wakes up constantly just like moaning/crying. It's so sad. Thomas has also lost his voice and all 3 of us are dealing with cold-like symptoms. We just can't seem to beat this illness thing. Blah. 
Random news: had dinner at a friend's house last night and she made Sweet Potato Curry. Uhm... AMAZING! I cannot wait to try it myself. 

And, here you go, pictures of Wilson:
Family at Cheekwood
Super cute outfit
This guy LOVES bath time!
Another family shot at Cheekwood
Chewing on his tag blanket
Reaching for camera cord
And, a happy birthday lolcat just for Thomas!
In Christ's Love,
Julie