My List of Thanks

As you know I look forward to Thanksgiving each year. Yes for the delicious food. Yes for the beginning of holiday. But the best is hearing what family is thankful for. It's a standing tradition on my dad's side and someone never fails to bring on my waterworks. This year my youngest cousin's girlfriend brought down the house.

There are plenty of things I am thankful for. But it is not the things that I am thankful for this year, but the people. Allow me a moment to digress.

The obvious, my daughter. She is the center of my world and a joy for me to watch grow into a little person. She is beautiful and a beacon of everything that is right in the world.

My in-laws. You know, in-laws are a tricky thing. Most people have tension with theirs and rarely does the relationship work. Here's the thing, I have the best in-laws. They are involved in so much of our lives and to say they support us in all ways would be an insufficient explanation. They are the reason we have a safe car for the little. They saw us through the first six weeks of the baby's life. They take days off of work for us, cook for us, have moved us 5x in 3 years, give to us, share with us, text with us, visit us, and share in the joy of the baby's growth with us. They are forgiving and not intrusive. They are present and yet not overbearing. There is no expectation there. I do not feel judged by them but on the contrary am accepted and loved. They are everything a daughter in law could have hoped for. And they are everything a grandchild could possibly wish for in a grandparent.

My sister - who is my armor bearer.

My husband. Josh is someone who would sacrifice in the big moment. I know this because he sacrifices in the small moments everyday. He is that man, that husband, that father.

The person I am most thankful for this year (and whom I shared about at Thanksgiving), my mom. My mom and I have a rocky history. It has not been the kind where I ran away from home because she beat me or anything extreme like that. I mean to say that our relationship isn't a reality show or the kind that would grace the cover of Page6. But we have had our years of tension and times of seemingly not being on the same page. This year her and I have turned a corner. The baby has brought us to a remarkable place. I have become gentler with her. She has become even keeled with me. We share. We laugh. We text. We actually like to be with each other. It is only by God's redeeming power. He has redeemed us.

There are many more people I am thankful for. The list is too long for a simple blog post. Our little family has many warriors at the ready. People willing to fight for us and pray for us. And do we deserve this? No, of course not. Not even close.

God is good and gracious. All knowing, all powerful. He is love. He is the beginning and the end. Bless the Lord oh my soul, bless the Lord.

A Thankful Thanksgiving

On Monday I was reviewing our weekly schedule with the baby and realized it was jam packed of doing stuff for other people. With tears in my eyes I told her this week was the perfect lead in to Thanksgiving. We have so much to be thankful to our Great God for and the best way to show our appreciation is by loving on other people. Don't you think?

I hope you feel crazy full of hope and joy today too and that you also seize the chance to spread that goodness to others. 

And just so you know, you are on my list of things I am thankful for this year. My journeymen. My silent hoorah's. My friends. 

Ok. 7 pounds from my goal. Both encouraging and discouraging, but not spirit killing.

Also, the disparity between climates continues to fascinate me.

I assume I wouldn't take the risk. Would you?

P.S. I'm not ignoring Ferguson. I am just not sure what to say. My main concern is that today, of all days, my husband had to report for jury duty downtown.

I told him to sit near the emergency exit door.

Moment of Truth

Unfortunately not an accurate representation of my weight. :p

Morning friends, today is my moment of truth. I've got a date with the scale! Really just a routine check-up at the doctors office but we all know what's at stake here. Yesterday I was in a funny mood and told my mom I was going in to confirm if I was pregnant. She had the best reaction - as always.

There was a split second pause on the phone and then said, "Oh nooo, Julianna!"

I guess now we know how she feels about us having a second anytime soon. :) Josh and I were dying.

Anyway, I will report back. I've resolutely decided that anything within 5 pounds of my goal will be satisfactory but upwards of 10 pounds .. eck. Let's be honest, I will probably go eat a pint of Talenti Caramel Cookie Crunch.

Although I'm not sure what can bring my mood down. It's upwards near the moon as we head into this Thanksgiving week. Devo this morning, "You give me thanks (regardless of your feelings), and I give you Joy (regardless of your circumstances)..those who obey Me in this way are invariably blessed, even though difficulties may remain."

Someone upstairs is talking to me!

You guys, have you seen the Gymboree + Eric Carle pj collaboration? I die.

Emerson loves the Brown Bear, Brown Bear boardbook. She shakes her torso in excitement when she knows we're going to read it. 

Speaking of books, we just ordered an Olivia boardbook. I LOVE LOVE LOVE it! It is larger than the normal board books, tells an actual story, and per Flaconer's usual, it is wrought with amusement and pictures of fine art. 

We should talk about kid books one of these days.. just say'in. Wonderful Saturday to you friends.

Friday Favorites

The lengths you go to for your grandchildren.

// Web Finds //

My husband sent me this tweet and it freaked me out. Careful what is streaming through your wifi.

The absolute cutest PJs any kid could ask for. And it's on sale to boot.

I think I'll do my own take on this. Coming soon.



And on that note, have a wonderful weekend. Keep it safe!

Same Day, Different State

Yesterday we had a playdate with some of the moms from my MOPS group. It was a perfect day. Even perfect-er because we met at Burton Chace Park in Marina del Rey. I had to ask myself why I don't go to the water more often.

And if you are bemoaning the lack of seasons, take this perfect day and compare it to this. Same day, different state.

P.S. Those humps are cars.

Facebook is circulating a map that highlights the states you've visited. Mildly entertaining when you're waiting for the bathroom. My results shocked me.

Seems my Southern roots go deeper than I thought. :p Must. Visit. The. Northerners. 

Your turn. 

Rejection hurts.

Tough lesson to learn so young. :p

P.S. Hey, guess what? Thanksgiving is next week. :o I know right?

Friday Favorites

The woes of having an older brother.

// Web Finds //

El Segundo - moving on up.

This makes me laugh. Does that make me racist?

Marriage Lessons - 3,4,8, and 9 were speaking to me. Preach it.

 Food trucks for pint sized parties - perfect!


It's the freak'in weekend. Time to party like it's 1999.

8 Months

This week my little love is turning 8 months and she has ushered us into a new stage. I call it the ING stage. Crawling, standing, pulling, turning, lifting, sitting, moving, eating, gnawing. She is on the go; a determined little laddie but still easy going and adaptable. She also sleeps well and is rarely fussy. I know, we cannot complain. We enjoy seeing her think things through and try try try again. Her gains are our joys.

I often wonder about our role in her life. It seems there is a small overlap between control and total anarchy and I hope we fall somewhere in that middle. And yet, if sometimes we error on one side or the other there is always God's grace. Thank goodness for that all encompassing grace.

Also, you are welcome for a close up of Josh's legs. ;)

Also also, the holidays are almost here and I am just giddy about it! Wonderful Thursday to you friend.

It's Time!

I received Christmas card mailers this week which made me uber excited. so excited I may have drooled a little. :p A handful of goodies from this years designs..

So Very Christmas

Hand Lettered Joyeux Noel

Storied Joy Foil Pressed

Be Merry

Wreath of Whimsy

For those with a little more dough - consider these. I would die if this arrived in my mail.

Pop Up Angel Tree

Pop Up Nativity

Personalized Greetings 

Frankly, I'm not excited to do mine but I'm excited to get yours. :)

I've Been Flagged

Last week the little began pulling herself up on chairs. I was so excited and of course, had to get it on camera to send to Josh. Well in my excitement I failed to notice she was headed towards a fall, subsequently hitting her head on another chair.

And what was I doing? Why, filming of course!

I felt a little bad but not that bad until she took a 3 hour nap and woke up with a bump on her head. Whoops. Concussion? My newbie mommy status compelled me to call the after hours number for our pediatrician. A kind nurse walked me through some questions.

Either I have been put on a watchlist for abusive parents or I have been flagged as an overprotective mom. Both do not sit well on my resume. :p Thankfully I have video proof of my innocence in case someone from child services knocks at my door.

You be the judge.

A Lesson For All Of Us

Yesterday I was running around outside with Cole when a garbage truck drove by. We ran as fast as his little legs could go to catch up. The truck driver saw us, skipped the green turn light he was stopped at to wait for us, and then waved back at us for a long time, before continuing on his way. Three minutes later we were standing in the same place hoping and waiting for another garbage truck and unbelievably the same guy drove back, honked, slowed, and waved to my nephew. You can imagine the sheer joy radiating from that little body. On our walk back all he could talk about was "that garbage truck driver waved to me Auntie J.J."

Kind and thoughtful people are everywhere.

Hello November

Have I mentioned that I'm still on a diet?

The original plan was to do the Whole 30 diet. Which only lasted a day. I decided I'm not in it for a total body detox. No. Honey, I'm here to lose weight (and too impatient to disguise it). Then the diet was modified to exclude all carbs and sugars. That lasted a month. Now I'm only doing carbs.   ..my resolve is waning.

But this week a few people told me I looked like I had lost weight and I couldn't be more thrilled. It almost makes the agony of EVERY SINGLE MEAL worth it. Almost. Just a few more pounds to go.

I was pretty psyched that I was being so disciplined and then I got this month's Sunset in the mail. Thanksgiving gracing the cover with pages and pages of recipes. Oh, thanksgiving... my mouth is salivating just thinking you.

And mostly about Aimee's MIL's stuffing, GAD! really a treat, with a tad bit of turkey, and a dollop of cranberry sauce.

Gimme.