The Crawler

We were so excited the first time Grace crawled. It was on Monday, September 20,2009, at about 8:15pm. My mom and dad were over to watch the football game when Grace decided it was time to start moving. She was rocking back and forth with a determined look in her eyes that she was going to crawl! She loves the TV remote control. So, what better way to try to get her to crawl? I put it about 5 feet in front of her and let her go for it. It worked! In this video, which was the next evening, you will see she also loves my cellphone. She'll crawl for just about any electronic gadget (or anything else she knows she shouldn't have for that matter). You'll also see Larry trying to jump in on the action. He is one proud Daddy! Now Grace is crawling like mad all around the house. I just emptied out my camcorder today so now I'm gonna try to catch her when she's mad. Oh the girl gets EM AY DEE (translation: mad). She yells at us. Plain and simple. Yeah, it's cute for now but in time, yelling with be a no-no for sure!

Lunch Time

On the menu today? Ham and chesse sandwich in a delicious pita bread with lettuce, tomato, mayo, mustard, mmm-mmm-good. I realize that my lunch may not look so appetizing in the pic, but let me tell YOU, it was guuuuuuud. I mean guuuuuuud. I usually don't pack a lunch. I'll jam over to Eric's Deli or sometimes wait until I get home from work, but I usually end up with a headache if I wait until 2:30 in the afternoon. I don't have any moo-la to spare to buy lunch so, last night I made my lunch. Hallelujah, miracles do happen! I also threw in a chocolate pudding cup, which I plan on eating in about an hour...and half. So, there you have it...Kristie's lunch today. Exciting huh?

Singin' Baby

Yesterday was a busy day. It should have been a relaxing, restful Monday off from work, but nope. We had a great weekend full of soccer games, birthday parties, and family gatherings so I was hoping to get some much needed rest. Unfortunately, when I opened the refrigerator to make some breakfast I realized there was no food in it! So, I whipped up a quick ham and cheese quesadilla and sat down to make our weekly menu in preparation for our weekly trip to the grocery store. Me and Grace were home alone so after breakfast we went upstairs to get ready to go. I put Grace in her crib while I got ready. She loves playing in her crib, especially now that she can pull herself up and stand up. I'm sure she feels like she's ruling the world. As I was brushing my hair I started singing, "Praise God, praise God, praise God, praise God..." in the tune of "Amazing Grace." I kid you not: when I hit the highest note of, "Praise G-ahhhhhhh-d" the girl grabbed the crib rails with all her might, lifted herself up on her tippy toes, looked up towards the celing, let out a yell startling loud and then turned and gave me the biggest smile as to say, "Yeah, Mommy, I can sing too!" Tears welled up in my eyes. I may have been a little over-emotional, but I do know that the spirit of God was in that room as we were singing praises to Him. I tried calling my Mom to tell her - I felt like I had to tell somebody! (She was vaccuuming and didn't hear the phone ringing.) So now I'm telling you! Like I wrote in an earlier post, I believe Grace is going to be a great communicator, but my heart-felt hope is that she will be an even greater worshipper of God.

My Sister's Blog

Okay, so it's 10:25pm and me and my sister Liz just finished creating a family blog. While I am ecstatic about it, she's trying to keep her eyes open. Don't get me wrong, she started off excited...about an hour and a half ago. Yes, starting up a new blog does take some time. If you go see her blog you'd know why. Her blog is ValadezFamily4.blogspot.com If you don't know her, don't bother (just kidding). Really, check it out. So, now we're going to start paying attention to our kids and get off this darn computer so, good night and I'll post again tomorrow. Got some great pics of Grace and my nephew Isaiah playing together on a playdate today. So cute. Good-night!

Mawwm, I'm Hungry!

This morning I was awakened by the most amazing sight. It was 6:25am when I heard this loud "Mawwwm, mawwwm!" in my ear. She wasn't screaming it, but she was saying it loud enough to wake me up. Grace's crib is right next to my side of the bed. I took this picture from where I lay. Remember, I shared with you that our Gracie is quite the crawler now - even in her crib. This morning she woke up, turned herself around, realized she was hungry and attempted to wake me up by calling out my name. I was facing her crib so when I opened my eyes she was right in front of me. She was holding onto the crib like she was in jail and gave me the cutest smile and said, "Mawwm!!" I laugh now just think about it. She wasn't crying; wasn't even upset. She was just hungry and woke me up to let me know. I smiled back at her and got up to make her a bottle. I told her she was a good girl for letting me know and she sat with the biggest grin, like she understood what I had said - and liked it. There she sat; in her crib watching my every move until I got back to her with her bottle in hand. I handed it to her and she took it. She laid back down, put her bottle in her mouth and started humming herself back to sleep. I was a-mazed. I mean Uh-mazed. I think I'm gonna have a great "communicator" on my hands!

Women's Bible Study

Our church just started this Women's Bible Study called, "Falling In Love With Jesus." If you've read the post I wrote last week you can agree with me that this study is coming just at the right time. I'll share insights I capture from the book of Ruth from time to time. I completed week one and already love it. I look forward to spending every Wednesday night with my new found friends who are, too, wanting to fall deeper in love with Jesus.

Page Update...Again!

Here I go again....changing things. Some people absolutely HATE change. I don't think I'm one of those people. Well, maybe sometimes. I was talking to a friend on the phone yesterday and we were sharing how life is changing from what seems to be one minute to the next. I shared one of my favorite lines: "Just when you think you're done with change, someone will hand you a quarter." Isn't that true? I'm one to switch furniture around on a whim, or want to re-decorate the kids rooms on a random Saturday afternoon (which they love) or re-organize the kitchen cabinets (which Larry doesn't like because he can't find anything). But I guess being stagnant is the only other alternative. Change vs. Stagnation. I'll skip the latter. So, here's my new page. I'll let you know when I change it up all over again. Enjoy the read!

The 3AM Experience

Last night was the first night Grace had EVER had a 'screaming fit.' It was about 3AM and she woke up crying at the top of her lungs for no apparent reason. Her little eyes were still shut, but I'll tell ya...her mouth sure wasn't! Let me preface my story by reminding you that it was 3AM and I felt like I left my brain on my pillow when my body jumped out of bed. My first thought was that she was hungry, but I looked at the clock and saw that she had just finished a bottle a little less than two hours before. Couldn't be that. My second thought was that her foot or hand was caught in between her crib slats, but no. Third thought: wet diaper. I was right about the diaper, but she still cried during the change and after. Grace hasn't broken any teeth through, so that was my fourth thought. I think that may have been part of the problem, but just as I was about to go downstairs to fetch the Tylenol the truth came barreling out.....of her bottom! She let out the LOUDEST "puffs of gas" as we call them, and then sighed in great relief. I couldn't help but laugh. Larry's comment as he lay nice and warm under the blankets? "Yep, that's what you needed baby girl!" Her little body laid lifelessly on my bed, her feet dangling off the side, already starting to snore. I picked her up, walked over to the rocking chair, cuddled her up and sang her back to a deep, deep sleep. Another unfortunate part of this story is that it took me almost an hour to fall back to sleep. The last time I looked at the clock it was 4:23AM. What after seemed like 15 minutes, our 6:30AM alarm went off and it was time to wake up the house. Oh how I pray Grace doesn't go through THAT again any time soon. It wasn't a good night for her, or for me!

Diaper Cakes

This is a picture of the Diaper Cake I made for my sister Nicole's baby shower. My friend Crystal made one for me at Grace's baby shower (oops, that's her cake plate, too) and I couldn't resist making one for my newest nephew and Godson, Elijah Matthew Davis. We had a wonderful time at Nikki's shower. We are so blessed to have another little guy join the family. We all love him so very much!


Below is another Diaper Cake I made for my friend, Jenny. Jenny's a first time mommy and still has a few more months before her little bambino arrives. Everyone loved the cake and Jenny and her husband Ryan loved it even more!



I really enjoy making things like this. If you have an upcoming baby shower and would like me to help you make one, just let me know. It's really fun and they are so cute. Makes a wonderful gift!

It's A New Day

As I sit here in my office chair during the overtime hours, my heart and mind are filled with nothing but complete gratefulness. When I stop to think how undeserving I am of all of the many blessings God has granted me I can't help but feel overwhelmed with emotion and thanksgiving. God always seems to extend His hand of mercy and provision at just the right time. I'm discovering that I am much like the apostle Peter. I question the Lord quite a bit, still trusting Him, yet questioning Him all the more. He has invited me to walk on the water, always reminding me to keep my eyes on Him. But it doesn't take long for the cares of this life to threaten my stability and my focus on doing His will. When the bill pile is growing and bank accounts are low, when my babies get sick and pass it around to eachother like a hot potato, when the doctor doesn't have the greatest news for me or for someone I love or life just seems to be spinning uncontrollably around me? I look away from Him. I could kick myself everytime because isn't that when we should be looking to Him the most? As the waves are crashing all around and I think I'm about to sink, I see the hand of God sweep away the waves of worriness and anxiety and replace them with His calm and reassuring words saying, "Peace, be still." I've served Him my whole life, yet at times I find myself denying Him like Peter - even though I swore I never would. I don't deny knowing Him, but my doubt, fear, and unbelief make me just as guilty as Peter the three times he denied Christ on the cross. No, I don't deny knowing Jesus, but sometimes I do deny His power. Some days life seems so big and He gently reminds me that He is the Mountain Mover, the Life Giver, Father of all light, my Creator. He is all powerful and I am important to Him and loved by Him. He is holding me in the palm of His hand. He sees my circumstances, has a plan to help me get through them, calls me to keep my eyes on Him and still sings over me His sweet songs of mercy and forgiveness when I don't. What a great God! I don't know what God is doing inside my heart. But I do know that He is wanting a greater, stronger, healthier relationship with me. And I don't think it's because He's preparing me for some big plans He has for me to accomplish up the road or because He knows what attacks the enemy of my soul has planned for me....but He's filling my heart with a desire for more of Him just because He loves me. I know this blog entry is different - more personal, but I had to get these words out in appreciation for what He is doing in me. I am thankful.

Eight Months Already?

Today my baby Grace is 8 months old. I can't believe another month has passed and we're just four months away from 1 years old. I told Larry he better start saving now because that party will definitely be a par-tay to remember! Poor baby had to get her flu shot today, too. What an awful 8 month birthday gift!