Thanksgiving Weekend!

Molly and I made a quick road trip down to McPherson to see some of my family on Friday. Here is Molly playing with her cousin Isabella - who is just 9 months older than she!

Molly loved keeping Grams company while she put her make up on!

Tip toes . . .

Mark, Isabella & Sarah! Oh - I wish they lived closer!!!

Brian, Gramps & the Girls Skyping with Lucas in Texas!

Reading books with Gramps . . .

Molly brought her doggies along for the trip - of course!

Playin' with Grams . . .

Eating chips 'n salsa with Uncle Brian . . .

Cousin Isabella helping Molly to walk -it was SOO cute hearing Isabella say "Baby Molly". :)

Molly got to go shopping with THE GIRLS on Saturday!

Isabella LOVES the swing in the backyard of Grams & Gramps' house!

Happy Hour! Sibs . . .

Molly skipped her nap so she was a bit sleepy . . .but loved being a part of the action outside! Gramps found this old hat in the garage for her! A little big, but she kept it on!

Isabella . . .

Molly LOVED hanging out with Gramps outside!

THANKFUL.

Life always gives us exactly the teacher we need at every moment.

This includes every mosquito, every misfortune,

every red light, every traffic jam,

every obnoxious person, every illness, every loss,

every moment of joy, every addiction, every breath.

Every moment is the guru. - Joko Beck

I thought this quote was very fitting this Thanksgiving - the time of year when we slow down for a day and reflect - the blessings, the sadness, the good and the bad.

Both Mike and I truly LOVE Thanksgiving and ALL that it stands for. Thanksgiving and the 4th of July rank up there as our TOP TWO favorite holidays! I think it's because they are all about family and tradition. We are loving starting some traditions of our own now that we have our 1st child. On this Thanksgiving, I am especially grateful for the addition of Molly to our family of 2 - Molly makes 3!

I always knew I wanted to be a mom someday. I also knew I wanted to wait until my 30's to get married/start a family so I could have my "career" first, travel without any obligations, responsibilities, etc. I always pictured myself meeting "the one" in my 30's, settling down and eventually having a family.

The Summer We Met - 2005

I was very happy being single when I met Mike that gorgeous summer night when I was 31 . . . but when you meet the ONE . . . TIME - STOPS -- as many of you know. :) My heart pounded the minute I met Mike and he STILL makes my heart go a bit faster when I have not seen him all day and he walks through the door.

How grateful I am for him in my life!

What I DID NOT KNOW is what a wonderful CALM that the role of motherhood would bring to my life at the age of 36. Life has become somehow

(admist all the night wakings, feedings, diaper bag packings, laundry, etc.)

- MUCH simpler . . . much calmer . . .

I am enjoying the little things, the small moments and the every day much more than I ever have in my life. Thank you God for giving me the very best gift of all -

the opportunity to treasure every day - the simple pleasures in marriage, children, and this beautiful life.

I have much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving - 2010.

This Old House - Basement Project!

As Molly becomes more and more active, we are running out of room in this old 72 year old house. Isn't it amazing how much children "take over" your home? Don't get me wrong--I LOVE it, but I also love space and not clutter . . . so we decided to push our way into the basement for a little more space and with the hope of one day giving Molly a brother or sister! This fall, we added a family room as well as an extra bedroom downstairs. Here are before/after pix of the 2 month project:

Stairwell to the basement.

This portion of the basement we are refinishing was previously finished (many moons ago!) hence the old elementary school asbestes tile, freaky bar with clown painting on it, and sink. The fireplace has an old gas furnance in it! So cool - but also so not safe being it was 70 years old. :) We decided to sell the furnace and the plan is to fill the fireplace with books!

Close up of the "old bar."

Making a wall to seperate the family room from the extra bedroom.

Shelving built to cover sump pump/radon venting.

Dry Wall up and primed!

We put beadboard (a personal favorite of mine) up in the bedroom to help lighten it up in the bedroom and bring some of the cool style we have upstairs downstairs.

AFTER PIX:

We painted the stairswell to lighten up the wood paneling!

Molly already tested the stairs this afternoon and can climb ALL the way up to the top by herself. Now we need to get a gate!! ;)

Molly crawling from the new bedroom to the family room.

Baby in the fireplace.

Family/TV/Play room.

Bedroom

View from Bedroom to Family Room.

New closet in bedroom.

More birthday gifts . . .

Molly received a couple more birthday gifts last week that I had to post . . . In these photos, she is wearing her new "Juice Couture" outfit from Joanne with matching bow in her hair from Grandma Pat! She is having fun pushing Winnie the Pooh in her new rocker from Grams and Gramps Reichenberger! Thanks everyone for the great gifts! Molly is sure getting spoiled . . .

Murnanes Visiting . . .

Our good friends, the Murnanes, were in KC this weekend - as Anita is running the Gobbler Grind Marathon tomorrow. WOOT ANITA!! John is one of Mike's best friends from Omaha. They tore through grade school, high school and even college together! We LOVE it when we get to see them and their 3 great kids! Here is a quick pic of Norah, Evan & Luke with Molly - tough to get all 4 of them smiling but this was just the best we could do. :) Thanks for visiting Murnanes!

Molly - Favorites at 1 Year

Favorite Toys - stuffed animal doggies & books

Favorite Foods - CHEESE, bananas, carrots, and pizza

Favorite Book - Big Red Barn

Favorite Activity By Herself- "Cruising/Walking"- holding on to furniture & walls

Favorite Activity with Daddy - Getting chased (while crawling)

Favorite Activity with Friends - Music class

Favorite Activity with Mommy - Dancing

Favorite Expression - Oh!

Favorite Sentence - "Hi doggie!"

Favorite Sitting Position - Legs crossed at ankles :)

Molly - ONE year photos!

Thanks to our friend, Maura Coleman Murray, who beautifully captured Molly at this moment. Here are a few that she posted on her blog . . .