Caught up?!

So, are we finally caught up?  I think after this post we will be!  Then it will be getting caught up on reading everybody else's blogs!

The month of January was pretty calm compared to the end of last year!  If you really know us, you've probably heard me say that Karissa will be the class clown.  She is always being silly and she knows it.  When you tell her, "You are silly" she looks at you and gives a grin and giggles as if she is saying, "I know!  Thanks!" lol  Anyway, during January, she really stepped it up.

The first thing I'll tell you about that she did isn't really funny, just really cute!  I love to read (although haven't really read much in the past year...hope to get back into it) and Dave isn't a reader.  Karissa loves to look at books.  She has some that we keep in the living room for her to look at and then a bookshelf full in her room that we read before nap and bed times.  So I was trying to get cleaning done one day and she went crawling into her room (this was just before she started walking) and closed the door.  I thought, "oh boy, she's already kicking us out of her room!" lol  It was very quiet so I peeked in and she was reading a book.  I continued cleaning and every couple minutes would peek in her room and she would just be sitting there reading.  It was SO cute!

Then, the next day, she was in her high chair with her water cup.  Again, I took the opportunity to do some straightening up.  She kept banging on her tray and I thought nothing of it.  After a few minutes, I heard a thud and saw she threw her bib on the floor.  Her bib shouldn't have made that much noise hitting the floor.  So, I went and picked it up.  It was soooo heavy with water.  I look at her high chair tray, covered in water.  I realize she squeezed all of the water out of her sippy cup and was playing in it.  Her hair was soaked, her shirt and pants were soaked.  Goofy girl! lol

This month was a big month for Karissa too because she started walking and said her first word.  She can squat down and pick stuff up and stand back up and walk around pretty good.  But, she can't stand from sitting if there is nothing for her to pull up on so then she'll crawl.  She is also so close to saying "ball" but not quite.  Then one night during a bath we were playing with her bubbles and she says "bubble" out of nowhere!  I thought I was hearing things, but Dave came in and she did it a few more times in front of him.  However, she hasn't said it since so that we could get it on video....of course!

She loves to shake her head "no."  She'll point to something she wants and I'll tell her no.  Then every few minutes after that, she'll go back to the item, point at it, look at me, and shake her head no...as if she's telling me no. lol

Anyway, enough bragging about Karissa.  Like I said, it was a pretty calm month.  Can't believe how much snow we've gotten!  She loves it!  Maybe more this week...but I'm ready for summer!!!!!!  (All of that is completely unrelated so I better stop rambling now! lol)

Christmas pics

Here are some Christmas pictures...sorry so late.  We had a wonderful day with our families.  At first, Karissa wasn't that into opening the gifts.  She would tear a tiny piece and then look around like "Is it okay for me to do this?" lol  But, by evening she'd open one and then sign "more."  lol  Everyone spoiled her, but we only got her 3 gifts and then stocking stuffers.  Friends of ours do that because Jesus got 3 gifts and we liked that idea plus we knew she'd be getting plenty of stuff from her grandparents. 

Better late than never....part 2

So there were some other events in December before Christmas.  Dave and I go to NYC every year for Christmas...it is a tradition that started when we got engaged.  We go on Dave's days off work so when I was working, that meant the Thursday and Friday between Christmas and New Year's because that was his days off and my break from work.  Last year, with everything going on with Karissa, we didn't go.  This year, Dave's days off would have meant going on Christmas day (YES - Dave had OFF work on Christmas this year!!!!!).  Since I am not working, we decided we could go earlier in the month instead of after Christmas so that's what we did.  Karissa had a great time...we of course went to Serendipity (that is a MUST...another tradition), to see the tree of course, Times Square (and rode the ferris wheel in Toys R Us), and did some shopping.

We also had a BIG snowstorm about a week before Christmas.  We NEVER get snow this early in the year.  When we do get snow it's usually only an inch or two and melts within a day.  Last March, we got about 6inches or a little more, which is a lot.  This year, we got about a foot of snow and it stuck around until it rained Christmas evening.  Karissa LOVED it...she would laugh and laugh when we took her out in it.  (Even the other day we only got about an inch or two and she still loved that!).

Here are some pics of our NYC trip and the snowstorm.

Better Late than Never...part 1

So, because of our little hiatus from blogging, we never blogged about Karissa's first birthday or Christmas.  Today, for part one, I will revisit her first birthday.

We swore we would not be those parents that spent a ton of money on a party that Karissa wouldn't even remember so we were trying to decide what to do.  A little gathering at home seemed the most sensible at first.  BUT, the more I thought about it, the more I thought that would not allow me to just be able to sit back and enjoy these special times with my family.  I would have to make sure the house was cleaned prior, have it set up, clean up afterwards, entertain guests, etc.  I would barely get to spend any time with Karissa....it's her birthday, shouldn't I be allowed to enjoy it with her?  So we started thinking of where else we could have the party.  I had all kinds of great ideas..the state park, the town park, etc.  And then Dave kindly pointed out the end of November would not be the best time to have an outdoor party lol. Then it came to me....Karissa LOVES the pool.  If we could  have it at a pool, she'd be happy and I wouldn't have to entertain guests or clean up.  A local school has an indoor pool and it turns out their rates were super cheap! So no stress for us and the whole party was less than $100...maybe even less than $75, including food and everything. I don't have pics of us in the pool because I need to get them from my parents, but here are some pics of the party.

For her actual birthday (the following day), we went to church in the morning, went to my parents, and had her take a nap.  Then, for some special family time, we went to Ocean City's Festival of Lights...it was a little early to be in the Christmas spirit, but we knew Karissa would like it.  She LOVED it!!!! She was wide eyed the whole time and would giggle.  At the very end, she just looked up at us and gave us the biggest smile.  It was so precious. (I love in the middle pic how she was leaning around Dave to see out the other side lol).

 

So the past year has been amazing.  It's been amazing to see how God created us, how we grow and learn, and how God has provided for us and protected us.  Karissa had a very rough first few months, but God brought us through that and we have loved every minute He has given us with her.  Just look at how she grew!

(Her 11 month pic has a different background b/c that was our Cali vacation, but we made sure we took her bear just for her pic!)

Trusting God

It's been so long since I've blogged I don't know if I remember how. Well, I'll give it a try. God is really putting our faith to the test. I hope I learn the lessons He is wanting me to learn through the difficulties we have been through recently. Shortly after we returned from California I was driving home from work one morning and I guess I wasn't paying total attention and ran into the back of someone at a relatively high rate of speed. Thankfully I was ok and not hurt at all. Also, I was driving my older car but I only carry liability insurance on it so the damage is not covered and we cannot begin to cover the cost of fixing it. 1 vehicle down, 2 left. A few weeks later our Accord starting making noises so I started driving the Pilot to and from work until we had the money to get the Accord fixed. 2 vehicles down, 1 left. Well, on December 30 while on the way home from prayer meeting at church we were entering an intersection with a green light and a minivan turned right in front of us and we hit them head on. Thankfully God protected all of us and kept us from any serious injuries. We had to go to the ER so Karissa could be checked out and so they could check my shoulder which was in a lot of pain. Karissa was fine other than being scared to death and my shoulder x-rays were negative and it hasn't felt too bad since. 3 vehicles down, 0 left. So now I had no choice but to check out the Accord and get it fixed whether we had the money or not. It ended up needing to have the brake pads changed and my dad and I took care of it and it's been running smooth since. I am so thankful for a dad who can and is willing to help with car maintenance because it saves so much money. So God is really asking us to trust Him completely and rely on Him to meet all of our needs. I hope I am able to pass the test because I know I rely on myself to meet our needs most of the time and worry about stuff when I can't provide and I need to start trusting God totally to take care of us and meet our needs. I would appreciate your prayers in this area.

So we are praying that 2010 is uneventful for awhile but if it isn't, then we are trusting God to keep us safe and shelter us in the palm of His hand but we know whatever happens it is for His glory. Lord, help me to always remember that.

Cali: Day 7

Our last full day in California was spent relaxing again.  We went to Ventura Beach again and got lunch at Chipotle Mexican Grill.  Dave loves that place...I like it too, it's just a little spicy for me.  Dave gave Karissa a piece of chicken and she liked it! I couldn't believe it!  We also went to the mall and Target.

Then we headed back to our resort and enjoyed relaxing on the beach, the park, and our resort for the last time.  Karissa loved to eat the sand and we saw dolphins!  (Look in the bottom center of the picture that looks really gray.)

 

 

We were so sad to see our vacation end.  We had a great time and as much as I didn't think I would, I found that I would love another chance to go to California again.  There is just so much to see and the beaches are gorgeous!

Cali: Day 6

Our 6th day of vacation was time for another road trip!  We really wanted to go to Santa Monica Pier and drive the Pacific Coast Highway.  I also really wanted to hike one of the hills and see the ocean from up high.  We decided to do it all at once.  We hopped on the Pacific Coast Highway and headed south to Santa Monica.  The drive was GORGEOUS!!!! I LOVED it.  It is even better than you see on tv.  There was a campground right on the beach...I would love to stay there some day!  We kept wondering where the Biggest Loser mile was. :)  I'm sure we passed it and when watching the finale of the Biggest Loser, I'm pretty sure that mile is right near the campground...that's what it looked like.

 

 

 

So we got to Santa Monica and walked around the pier and of course took a ride on the Ferris Wheel.  I originally wanted Karissa to ride the historic carousel, but the ferris wheel had a better view and she liked that. 

 

 

 

 

On a side note, I guess I never realized that Santa Monica basically is L.A., just the beach area.  I always thought it was different, but it is just a part of L.A.  It's weird on the highways there because earlier in the week we were on a different highway and I saw a sign for Santa Monica and it said West and L.A. said East.  I thought...hmmm...I always thought Santa Monica was the beach, guess I was wrong.  A minute later I realized out there, to go West does go to the beach lol...the directions are backwards compared to here.

From Santa Monica, we headed north, back to Malibu to hike.  Dave's mom decided to sit in the van and wait for us.  We started the trail....it was very flat.  I knew we would not be able to see the ocean.  We got to the waterfall and saw a sign that the trail up the mountain to go back was only .3 miles longer than to go back the way we came.  We decided we'd go that way back.  Well, little did we know, it would take a LOT longer going back that way.  It was hard work climbing that mountain, but it was fun.  Soon though, the sun started to set.  I started to get a little nervous, but kept telling myself we'd soon be out of there.  By the time we got to where you could see the ocean, it was too dark. :(  Finally, we saw another sign saying the parking lot was a quarter mile away.  I felt relief.  At this point, the sun was pretty much gone.  I looked down and saw the parking lot.  A minute later, panic set in as I said, "Dave....that's not our parking lot is it?"  He quietly and very seriously replied a simple, "No."

 

 

 

 

So, I am freaking out at this point...we are in the dark on the side of a mountain and don't know where we are or where our car is.  I am trying my best to stay calm for Karissa who is sleepy and cranky at this point, but I know she can pick up on my stress and so I try to not think about it.  I hear noises in bushes and Dave keeps telling me their birds.  I try to believe him, but birds?  Seriously?  In a bush, at night, moving that much?  So my mind right now is saying, "Lord, please get us out of here soon and safely.  Lord, protect Karissa."  I'm also thinking of an action plan.  We are still following a trail and I see cars in the distance occasionally so I'm planning in my head to go flag down a car if we need to.  I'm planning on handing Karissa to Dave and yelling at him to run and get her safe in the event that a mountain lion appears.  I'm imagining his mom panicking in the van because of course, we had no cell phone reception.  It was crazy.  So we finally got to the end of the trail and knew we were close to the van.  I'll never forget how scared I was and swore I would NEVER hike again unless it was first thing in the morning! lol

The worst part was after we were safely back at our resort, Dave looks online about mountain lions.  He found a map that shows where they are found in red.  Where we were hiking was red.  There was a list of Do's and Don'ts for hiking in a mountain area...No. 1 was Do NOT hike at dusk or dawn when mountain lions are most active.  Oh great.  How thankful I am that we made it safely!!!! What an adventure!