Post Holiday Recovery and Reflections

Phew! The last 3 - 4 months have been jam packed full of events and activities. I found myself immobilized a few days ago because I actually had nothing major to plan.    I didn't know what to do with myself.  And then I had to convince myself that it was quite okay if I decided that I needed(or wanted) to take a nap.  I'm such a planner that it feels almost uncomfortable if I don't have anything major coming up to plan for. Which is why I've added "Rest and relax without feeling guilty" to my New Years Resolutions list, again :) 

So what has taken so much of my attention the last several months that I couldn't possibly have had time to update our blog? Here's the rundown:

Lyla's Baby Dedication was held in late October at our home church. We had a small group of family and friends surround us in prayer as we carved out a special time to dedicate Lyla to the Lord. Following the ceremony, we had a reception at our home to celebrate the occasion, complete with all the necessary party treats: Petit fours, punch, Ditty's famous chicken salad, pimento cheese sandwiches, and more! It was such a great day.

It was mid-October when we had to say goodbye to our beloved family dog, Molly.  As some of you know, she had a lung tumor and the doctors thought that the cancer had also spread to her abdomen.  We spent several months trying to make her comfortable by draining her abdomen of fluid, but eventually it just became clear that it was her time to go.  We were so sad to have to put her down, but we knew that it was the right choice for her.  We still miss her very much!

We spent Thanksgiving with the Pomeroys in Dallas this past November.  My Aunt Sonia and Uncle Thomas hosted our family dinner this year.  It was so good to see them and the rest of the family that could attend.  Brought me back to old times.  

The screening of 'An Ordinary Family' - both here at the Austin Film Festival and all over the country! Michael was able to attend the festival here locally and also the one in Fort Worth.

Lyla's 1st Birthday Party was a blast! Though I tried to keep it fairly simple,  I still somehow managed to work non-stop on her party the two days leading up to it.  Most of my time was spent baking and decorating her first birthday cake - and it turned out fabulously!  In addition to her own little smash cake, I made a vanilla peppermint cake cut out in the shape of the number 1.  I decorated it with a kind of pink winter wonderland theme going on - complete with crushed peppermints and edible snowflakes.  Can you tell I'm proud of myself :)  For a non-baker, I sure kicked this cake's butt!  And of course, a month prior to her party I baked a practice cake so I could work out all the kinks and get it just perfect, much to my family's delight!  So anyways, we're supposed to be talking about Lyla right? :)  She was such a little lady as she gingerly licked the frosting off her cake a finger at a time.  And after a handful of licks she was "all done."  Lyla had so much fun playing with all the kiddos at her party and interacting with all the people.  But more than anything, I think she loved her giant Happy Birthday balloon!  She still points to it when we go downstairs first thing in the morning. 

Lyla and I have been spending a few days every week either going to the library for Story Time or to meet up with her playgroup.  She loves getting out and playing with the other tots!  And now she's really on the move.  Just a few nights ago she started crawling up the stairs - she only got to the second stair before I caught her, thankfully, and therefore the fourth and final baby gate will be going up.  She's standing, dancing, cruising and climbing all over things.  As she moves about, Lyla loves to point to various objects and say,"This?"  Oh - what fun she's having!  So much to see and learn about!

Christmas this year at our house was absolutely wonderful!  We had a houseful of Pomeroys and Kistners - and it was great!  We celebrated Christmas with good food, family movie time, board games, an amazing program held at our church, hanging out by the fire, and a little nog.  It was perfect!  Michael and I even conquered cooking our first turkey together - with a few overseeing chefs, thank goodness!  Did you know that you have to wash the turkey before cooking it?!  Thanks to my Aunt Lyn and stepdad, Doran, we had a tasty and CLEAN turkey.  We might also have had a few surprise goodie bags in there had we not had a few experts in the kitchen. LOL!

We brought the New Year in with our neighbors by having a block party this year.  Everyone was out on our cul de sac cooking up burgers, dogs, and other goodies.  Even Ditty and Ginger made it out to this affair.  We all had so much fun getting to better know everyone - we even made it to midnight for the New Years Eve toast!  

Speaking of the new year...I am filled with hope and curiosity as I ponder what it holds for us.  2011 was a doozy of a year.  Infact, I don't think I've ever had a more difficult year in my adult life.  This year has no doubt tested my patience, endurance, ability to "let it go," and setting good healthy boundaries.  Ironically enough, it's also been a year of great love, enduring love, learning, grace, growth, and acceptance.  In a year's time, we've expanded our little family to include an amazing baby girl and a mother and grandmother.  Imagine four generations in one household!  Now - don't ever entertain that thought again!  Just kidding :)  For all of it's hardships, it has certainly been a blessing in Michael and I's lives.  We see the work that God is doing in our home and in our own personal lives.  I just hope He's done with the lessons soon! :)  We hope you all had a wonderful holdiay with your families!  Happy New Year to you and God bless!