One word

I am not so great with words, so when I saw this idea on a friend's blog for the second year in a row, I thought I might give it a try.

Pick one word to focus on for the year.

So after 3 weeks of thinking about this the word that keeps coming to mind is TRUST. There are many things I am not in control of in my life and I know that when my trust is in the Lord I feel more at peace. I know this year will be filled with many adventures, memories and trials - I'm looking forward to it!

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

Kiera Catherine

Our little munchkin is growing by leaps and bounds! She cracks us up daily and is definitely showing us her personality and independence. Here's to our beautiful 20 month old :-)

Some of her more recent words - She's had a word explosion in the last week or so...
Snow (No, but sounds different then, Noooo)
Hat (and she makes sure mommy and daddy wear one too, it's cold outside)
Tree (Tee) She gets so excited when she sees them.
Please (Peas)
Shoes
Door (She said this one clear as day when leaving Michelle's on Tuesday and proceeded to point out every door the rest of the night)
Couch
Shower
She is constantly naming Daddy, Kali and Mommy and all of her childcare friends
Backpack (Bapa)
Boots
Baby
Dolly
Snack
Snake
Bird
Bug
Milk (Mo)
More
Owe (O-ee)
Cold (then promptly points to her hat, because that's what you wear when it's cold)

She kisses her dolly's o-ee's

When we get outside she says brrr and tucks her hands in and cuddles...I LOVE it!

She can identify many animals - Some of the most recent - Bird, Snake, Bug, Bear, Giraffe

Favorite books - Where's Spot? and The Busy Bible Story Book

Favorite Game - Poee (Ring around the Rosey) When you play you must fall all the way to the ground even if she doesn't :-)

Throws the chicken for Kali and runs (pumping her arms) and hides!

She is still a wonderful eater...Mom and Dad need to follow her lead and eat more veggies!

For the past couple weeks she hasn't been a great sleeper or wanting to go to sleep, which is out of the ordinary. We think it is because her brain is learning/processing so much everyday it keeps going through the night and she wakes up and can't go back to sleep. It's hard work to learn SO much about our world!

She LOVES dolls.

Really wants to be doing chores or helping us out - throwing garbage, dusting, wiping, sweeping, folding laundry.

Kiera is such a wonderful little person even when she is really asserting her independence!

Love you to pieces Kiera bug!

We are blessed, but sometimes...

Today was a wonderful day. Kiera was feeling better after a stomach bug sent her home early from daycare yesterday, I got to spend time with her for a whole day and Josh was enjoying his time as an insurance agent-which make me SO happy! Then someone decided to break the window of our CRV and steal Josh's bag, which he NEVER leaves in the car. I really hope whomever took it is happy they now have the video footage of our daughter's 1st birthday and a coin holder Josh got from his grandpa, among other things. I know these are just things, but lately it feels like the odds are against us. It just makes me sick to my stomach and feeling so violated. Here's to hoping life can only get better-sometimes I wonder.

Tea and Cookies!

What a nice weekend at home. Kiera enjoyed almost a 3 hour nap today. After her nap we decided to make cookies, I am so glad we did. I often don't do things because I think it will take time away from our little girl. Today gave me the confidence to do the "to do" list with her. She makes everything so much more fun!

Tea for mommy, daddy, elmo and dolly.

Baking cookies.

The mixer is neat.

Washing the dishes, the fun part!

Enjoying a cookie!

Winter has arrived!

Love these snow pants,  I want a pair, seriously!

Snow, interesting...

Knocking off all the snow on our railing, the best part of our time in the snow.

Daddy, I would like this toy and this one and this one...

Sweetie!



Our awesome fire at Phipps Bed and Breakfast in Hudson, WI




Awww, a nice relaxing stay.




Playing with the multi-shot function on the self timer and having a little fun :-)



A beautiful 1884 home.  We stayed in the bridal suite on the second floor.

A few highlights from the weekend...

Scott after a nice climb.

Dad and Scott (and the 2 random people who got in the shot at the wrong time)

Loving the backpack!

After a good race!

Dancin'!

Our little puppy trick or treating at Michelle's

A sad puppy :-(

Puppy's and Cowgirl's are good friends!

Our friends - Whitney and Claire

Just hanging out.

Yum pickles!

Eating with Grandma and Grandpa Sabol at the Wienery in Minneapolis.

We love our Kali!

Eating an apple with dad just like I did when I was younger.  Dad peeled the apple, ate the peel and cut pieces off for us to eat.

A year and a half!

Our beautiful little baby is turning into a little girl right before our eyes!  Happy 18 months Kiera Catherine, mommy and daddy love you!

Here are just a few things going on in her 18th month:

likes pineapple dipped in ketchup

broccoli or tomatoes dipped in yogurt

cleaning

reading - to herself and stories from mom and dad

jumping on the bed

she takes the two staris from upstairs without hanging on to the wall

loves babies

repeats words


thrives on routine

loves the playground

loves snacks
likes to color with crayons (markers are WAY more fun) and likes playing with playdough

Enjoy some pictures from this evening.

 

Silly look out of the corner of her eye!

 Concentration...

 What her hair likes after taking it out of a ponytail!

 I think this game may provide hours of entertainment in the coming weeks.

 I love my playdough!