Tuesday, November 26, 2013

18 months!


I truly am filled with mixed emotion as I write this blog entry!  Excited..yes,  and my heart is so warm as every day I see my handsome boy's personality blossom.  A little melancholy, of course,  because my baby is no longer a baby...he's a toddler...quickly going from toddling to running!  He truly is such a sweet blessing to my life.  He is a quiet little thing and loves exploring everywhere!  He is very curious and interested in learning new things...as well as figuring things out himself.  He's a big boy now...he has refused to sit in his high chair now for a couple months!  Although, I think I've tricked him into sitting in a booster seat at the table...thank goodness!


 Poor guy can hardly see over the table without it!


He eats when he's hungry...but you'll never find him over eating by any means.  If he eats a ton one day...he usually decides to cut back the next.  I've learned that he's fine and not to force him!  He loves playing in the YMCA nursery with his big sister and friends when I exercise through out the week.  He holds my hand and walks all the way to the classroom and then walks right on in without hesitation!  Loves it! =)  He still is happiest with a good morning nap and an afternoon nap.  We usually put him down around 9:00 and he'll sleep till around 10:30 while Bella and I do her preschool together. He loves running and playing in the back yard with Bella....loves to ride his Little Tyke car (aka: flinstone car), loves exploring and throwing rocks and sticks....loves to just sit in the lawn chairs and enjoy a beautiful fall day with his sissy!



He always looks for the opportunity to kick and throw balls too!


He definitely appreciates a good playground...but we can't take our eyes off him or he will quickly be climbing up the ladders and ramps and helping himself right down the biggest kid slides as he is afraid of Nothing!!  He much more prefers slides to the swings...I think he either gets motion sickness or just plain ole bored. ;)  He has begun to enjoy story time on Fridays!  He thinks it's so awesome to sing the songs especially.  But, he'll do pretty good listening to the books too.  He loves music and has good ear for pitch too!  We were pleasantly surprised one night when Jeremy started singing various notes and he repeated them right back to him!  So precious!  He won't walk past a guitar without begging for it....then he wants to strum it and sing.  He loves a good round of "The Hokey Pokey."  SO cute...like truly the cutest thing to watch ever!  He enjoys sidewalk chalk and has begun scribbling with crayons!  He's mastered climbing up and down the stairs just fine...which makes my heart rest a little more at ease. He has more words each week...his favorite words at this point are:  mamma, daddy, sissy, boo-boo, hi, bye, ow, eww, uh-oh, she-she, mimi, pappa, more...and we are working on animal noises!  He knows all his body parts...which is the most fun thing to practice with him.  He loves his cowboy boots...


It's been so cool to see the different ways that he has developed from Bella.  He is so much more agile and physically advanced...and he thrives when he can climb, run, jump and explore.  Bella was so advanced verbally but was much more cautious and careful with her physical activities.  He's my snuggle bug for sure...I'm pretty certain that I have finished producing milk...but there may be a little left.  However, he still wants to nurse just a couple times a day...I'm convinced he's content with just a few drops of milk...but the cuddling and physical touch is what he desires most.  Yep, his love language will be physical touch...I'm most certain. =)  I rarely remember being able to rock Bella to sleep as a toddler...but Jackson loves the special treat  of cuddling and rocking to sleep in my arms...and so do I!!  I'm looking forward to experiencing the holidays with him...I think he will enjoy all the lights and festivities!

His stats:

Weight 24.5 lb.    65%
Height  30inches  35%
Head  18 inches  80%









Fall Festivities!

Here are a few glimpses into a few of our favorite fall festivities this year!

cool fall evening on the fields...

all smiles...




yay for mr scarecrow...


preschool fun...



just an ordinary fun day...


tinkerbell shoes...


tinkerbell..


peter pan & tinkerbell





tinkerbell & cinderella...




headed out to enjoy a pretty day...



fun road trip to visit aunt beth, cousin jason, jessica & baby james...


my pumpkins =)


birthday dinner with friends...


on the lake...


birthday dinner with my babies & hubby...



sweet girl...


just a fun fall day...


my little volunteer fans...


my turkeys...



a beautiful sunday morning...


bella's thankful turkey...


small group thanksgiving dinner...yummy...


small group turkey crafts...


gobble...gobble...

Natalie Grant...

I had the opportunity to enjoy lunch with Natalie Grant...along with 30 other women. =)  One of our good friend's works for the Christian radio station here in Columbia and he hooked us with with lunch tickets and VIP concert tickets.  The concert was actually at our church which was fun too!  Here are a few pics from lunch...


Women's Holiday Dinner...

This was my first year participating in our church's Women's Holiday Dinner!  About 55 ladies volunteer to "host" a table...meaning that you choose a holiday theme and invite 8 guests to join you for dinner!  There are a few hundred women who attend this special night which includes dinner, guest musician and guest speaker.  I chose to go with a "Musical Christmas" theme...hence my husband is the worship pastor!  I so loved the opportunity to pull out my china and special decor!



a few favorites...








Sweet baby Jude is here!


Jeremy's brother and his wife just welcomed their second baby into our Lloyd family!  Little Jude was born this month and he is absolutely precious!  I enjoyed sewing a few little gifts for him...as well as for big sister Madelyn!

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Intentional Prayer Warrior

I've been convicted lately of the slacking job I am doing as a warrior for my precious kiddos!  Warrior meaning being intentional to cover them in prayer for protection from the evil one as well as praying boldly and confidently for specific areas of their lives.  Like most mommies of toddlers, my day begins with little hands grasping for me and mouths begging for breakfast...then we quickly begin our daily routine of exercise, errands, school time, meals, play dates, chores...and the list goes on. I have just been convicted of the daily need my precious kids need for ME to pray for specific needs in their precious toddler lives.  If their mommy doesn't take the time to pray fervently and boldly....then who will!!?  You may think...seriously!?  What needs can a one year old possibly have!?  Well, let me tell you...more needs than I can possibly begin to list.  He is a sinner...I know!  My tender little snuggle muffin of a guy!  Yep, he was born needing a Savior!!  I am praying for early salvation!  And he needs patience!  I'm praying he will grow into a courageous, God fearing, diligent, hard working, pure young man!  He will need a wife one day...and I'm praying for her right now...
And my three year old princess!  What does she need!?   Oh my precious doll...she needs patience and self-control and respect for authority that only the Holy Spirit can give her.  As she grows it is so important that she has strong Christian friends.  She needs a healthy, close knit relationship with her daddy.  Yes, my friend there are so very many things my children need.  As their mom, I am not to worry or have anxious thoughts about whether their needs are met BUT I have been entrusted with their precious little souls and I am commanded to love them with Christ's love, to diligently teach them His ways and to pray continuously for them.  As Christian moms, we are in an uphill battle to raise our children to love Jesus in this not so loving world!  We must daily approach the throne of grace and boldly pray for these little lives we've been entrusted.  

A quick idea for a strategy to become a stronger warrior for your kiddos...
I  sat down for just a few minutes today and attached their pictures to card stock and began writing specific prayer needs around their pictures.  I will carry these with me...and be reminded to pray fervently for these sweet children God has given me.