Our Harvest Home

As we put away our fall decorations this past week and made way for Christmas, we took a few pictures over October and November to remember the way our festive home looked this autumn.  My heart is grateful for our sweet home, but I pray daily that a new family will find it. Here is a tour of what will {hopefully} be our last fall in this humble abode of ours.

Mirror, Mirror.

Mirror, mirror...

These are the words that are constantly playing in my head these days. I have a pocket-sized one following me wherever I go. Sure, I know she is a little sponge and will pick up on things here and there, but recently it seems almost immediate. A reflection.

Here are a few examples:

One night mommy and daddy were crumbling tortilla chips on their chili for dinner. MC wanted a chip- and then proceeded to do the same thing instead of eat it straight-up.

We were at mom's prayer last Friday and I was swinging a little one that was content to be there after a tearful good-bye to her own mommy. After she was cool, calm, and collected, I went to go help with some other littles. I come back to find my own daughter swinging the sweet one on her own and making smiles her way. My heart swelled. Tears were at the brink- and I was so proud to be my little compassionate girl's mama.

She now attempts to change her own baby dolls' diapers and tells me if they are wet or "poo poo".

She talks with her hands.

She will try and clean windows, dust furniture, etc...right after me with her own little rag.

She "folds" laundry and puts it up.

If I am putting my make-up on while sitting on the floor by our full-length mirror, she digs into my make-up bag- examining the goods and then tries to "put on" some make- up herself.

She will try on daddy's hats and mommy's necklaces.

She drums with good form {or so daddy says} just like he does.

She can say "No!" pretty firmly. {Not so sure I'm always happy about that one.}

Just this morning as I was sweating to Jillian Michaels, she tried to do her version of push-ups with me. {Lay on your belly and look up}


There are other things I know that I've already forgotten and that might jump back into my memory, but I wanted to capture these little reflections for sure. My little shadow, mirror, sponge is watching my every move and there are times when it is reflected back at me when I least expect it. Then there are flashes of my former self, and my husband- plus something completely different- all in one.

 

 

 

  

 

 

The true molding is beginning and starting to truly take shape in her. I pray that God gives us the daily tools to help her be independent and strong, mixed with just the best of her daddy and myself. Because, Lord knows, she sure is watching.

A little Halloween Happiness.

The little bug's second Halloween celebration is in the books. This year she was definitely more into it, as she was only 7 months last go around, and loved knocking on the doors and getting her treats. {Or, "nacks" -which she calls anything that reminds her of a snack}. In fact, when we got back to our house to help hand out candy, she would knock on our door hoping for people to come. When they did arrive and she got to give them some candy, she would say "More", not wanting the fun to stop.

In keeping with the making/using what we got idea behind costumes again this year- us girls were Mickey and Minnie Mouse. {Although, my mouse ears had the bow on them- that's just how they came from our past Disney trips}

Mouse ears: Walt Disney World, Hooded jacket: Old Navy, Black pants are some OU pants from Academy turned inside out, Black socks and Mary Jane shoes: Target, and Polka-Dot dress: Carter's from Babies R Us, courtesy of Nana.
Things that we already had bought for regular use. Woo hoo!

I love this pic of her because she looks totally thrilled to be taking pictures for us. Ha!

Daddy stayed true to his native roots and went as a super South African soccer/rugby fan. Vuvuzela and all.

         

                                             

             

                                                                                            

After the night was all said and done, I think we might have a candy lover on our hands. MC has never been too into sweets unless it is straight-up fruit {and, we don't really buy/keep the stuff around}, but having a few tastes of some M&M's definitely had her wanting more. Uh-oh. Here we go.

Hope your Halloween had a bit of happiness too!

The Liebster Award and some Lollygaggings

The past couple of weeks we have been doing a lot of lollygagging around these parts.

It has been wonderful. With a bit of fall break and some unexpected days where no commuting was necessary, we've been making it up as we go along. No definite plans. Just some time to soak up in play, rest, and other yummy things.

You know...


lollygaggingpresent participle of lol·ly·gag (Verb)

Verb:

Spend time aimlessly; idle: "lollygagging in the sun". Dawdle: "we're just lollygagging along". Here is some evidence of the afore mentioned lollygagging...because I can't get enough.

The bug has pretty much mastered posing for pictures now- she loves smiling for us! {Most of the time}  I also cannot keep this girl out of the kitchen! She is definitely my little helper!

More posing- she thought inside of the box that these stacking pegs came in was the perfect spot.

Wanting to send a picture to daddy at work of the tall tower we stacked.

All ready for the zoo- the beads were her twist on this funky outfit.

Getting our Elmo fix.

She is finally letting me put a headband in her hair again and keeping it there for longer than 5 seconds.

Trip to Hideaway with daddy and mommy...

Now onto the other part of the title of this post:




I am humbled to say that my friend, Megan at Life with the Dokes, nominated me for the Liebster Blog Award! It is for up and coming bloggers that have 200 or less followers.  You should check out her sweet blog- she has such a warm perspective on the heart of a mama and follower of the Lord. I am honored to call her my friend.


So, here goes my part of the nomination:
11 Things about Lil o' Me:
1. Ever since I was a little girl I wanted to be two things: a teacher and a mom. I never wavered much.  
2. My middle name is Christene after my Great Grandmother. I love the unique spelling and she was pretty much my best friend during my early days.
3. I have been to all of the major BCS bowl games with the Pride of Oklahoma.
4. I have a few "stupid" human tricks: I am double-jointed in my arms and can touch my tongue to the tip of my nose.
5. I have a weakness for Lea & Perrins Worcestershire  sauce. I could probably drink the stuff out of the bottle.
6. I met my husband in high school band. The first time we met though, he was in middle school and I was in high school! From the moment we started dating, I knew it was the real deal.
7. I want to make it to 6 out of the 7 continents before I die. Sorry Antarctica.
8. I used to vault on horses when I was in elementary school at Girl Scout Camp every summer.
9. My family used to own a farm, and I would give anything to have it back.
10. If I could BE any famous person, I would be Stevie Nicks. I have seen her in concert 3 times. The life she has lead intrigues me.
11. I love doing anything outdoors. If I could live somewhere and ski or go out on a boat often- that would be amazing.


Megan's Questions for me:

1.  Why did you begin blogging? I started blogging because we have family spread out over the globe and I wanted them to get a glimpse into our life. I also wanted a place for me to remember things - and if I could help or encourage someone with my own words- even better.

2.  If you could play the part of an actress in a movie, who would you be? (i.e. I would play Kate Hudson in How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days) I would probably want to be Sally in Practical Magic. I love the old house her aunts live in, her long hair, her sweet girls, and of course- the magical powers aren't too shabby either. Plus, Stevie Nicks could sing my anthem.

3.  Favorite thing to bake? Chocolate chip cookies from my grandmother's Hershey's cookbook.

4.  Favorite movie of all time?  "The Last of the Mohicans". I might love the soundtrack just as much as the movie itself.

5.  How long have you been married and what's the best thing about your hubs? We will have been married for 4 years on December 20th of this year. However, we will have been together a total of 11 years! The best thing about my hubs is how well he knows me. Sometimes it even catches me off guard on the things he has picked up on! He makes me laugh.

6.  What was your first job ever? My first job ever would have been babysitting. My first "big kid" job was sewing for a place on campus corner during college.

7.  The last book you read was...currently reading The Book Thief.

8.  What would be your dream vacation and who would you take? Reliving my honeymoon in Mexico with my husband. All inclusive is definitely the way to go.

9.  If you could meet one celebrity, who would you meet and what's one question you'd ask them? You probably have already guessed from my other responses- but Stevie Nicks. I would ask her if I could go on tour with her. ;) Then I could find out more!

10.  If you could eat only eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be? Cheese. Any kind really.

11.  Do you think being a mama has changed you and if so, how? My life has changed completely. My heart is fuller, I can run on not much sleep, I see what my mama was to me in the eyes of my daughter. It makes me think every decision ten times over. I have also learned that some things are not as important as they once were.

Now it is my turn to nominate a few bloggers that I love to read. 



My fellow teacher turned Mommy, Miranda at Where the Children Play. A practical and light-hearted look at mommy hood and other adventures.
A sorority sister of mine, Heidi, is over at Keeping up with the Kendles. This is a mommy to twin girls and all that it entails.
A college friend, Kiley, going through her pregnancy journey and sharing other wonderful memories at Vintage, Values, & Ventures



Love these ladies!
Nominees- it is your turn! 
Write 11 things about yourself, answer the following questions, and nominate no more than 11 bloggers with under 200 followers and draft 11 questions for them to answer.
Here are your questions!
1.  Why did you begin blogging?
2. What band/artist would be the soundtrack for your life?
3. Favorite recipe?
4. Favorite place to be?
5.  What is your must-have, carry everywhere with you item?
6.  Where do you want to retire someday?
7. What was your favorite childhood book?
8.  Which country would you like to visit someday?
9.  What is your Number 1 bucket-list item?
10. What or who inspires you the most?
11.  Do you think being a mama has changed you or will change you and if so, how?