One Wonderful Year

Hungry Emma???

Dig in, babe, you've earned it. Emma had quite a first year. When she was just about four months old, her Dad broke both his elbows and wrists. And then there were months of unemployment and a move. But through it all, you were there grinning and laughing and bringing us all so much joy. And for that, we made you a sweet potato cake (sort of shaped like a baby) and let you go to town. We love you Emma!!
Mmmmm!

What? Do I have something on my face??

A PUPPY!!!! You love to take this little guy out for walks on the road. You are so cherubic in this picture.

We had a small "party" with Aunt Melodi, Caroline, and the Tippets family. Not a wild party, but all shared what we love about you. . your laugh, your smile, your kisses, your barking. There is so much to love!

Happy Happy Birthday Emma Dear!

Emma's first year of life has been a crazy one for the rest of us. When she was just a few months old, Daman broke both elbows and tore ligaments in both wrists and so was pretty helpless for several months. Then came several months of unemployment, a move, and a few other hairy ups and downs. But through it all, there has been one little gummy, steady, ray of joy--and that is Emma. From birth, she has been a calm and happy influence in our home. I am so grateful that the Lord sent her to us. Something in her sparkle just lightens my heart, even as I'm taping back together the 100th book she's destroyed, pulling her out of the toilet. . . again, or waking up with her at 5:30 am so she can crawl all over me while I pretend to get a little more sleep. Through all that, she delights us. Lucy makes her laugh, Isaac puts her on the couch and sometimes remembers to get her off again, and noone can make her smile like her Daddy. She is walking and talking and making us all laugh. Happy Birthday Sweet Emma!

Emma loves pureed pumpkin, so I made her pumpkin bread for her "cake." I made two loaves and Daman took over from there. It was kind of supposed to look like a baby's face, but who cares what it looks like--it is made out of pumpkin, butter, sugar, and covered in a divine whipped cream cheese frosting. It could be shaped like Rhode Island for all Emma cared.

Emma didn't even really dig the bread/cake--mostly she was thrilled at the chance to use a spoon all by her lonesome. She and the ice cream had quite the adventure.

She wants more. . I can see it in her eyes. She has started doing the sign for "more" but she uses it for everything which makes it really difficult to understand. We figure she just uses it whenever she doesn't necessarily like what it going on at that moment and she just wants a change. Not that she knows what that change is, but she expects me to figure that out. I think we're all like that sometimes.

Emma Photo Shoot

Not much exciting has happened this week, so I will just capitalize on some adorable shots of Emma--she is going through a not so adorable sleeping pattern currently of waking up at 4:30 every morning. This three kids in one room thing has its drawbacks. She is sporting four teeth and one is breaking through. She says "Momma" and today started saying "Please." Are there any other words she needs in this life? I can't believe she will be one in a week. When did that happen?? Emma, you are a gift. . .

Yes, that is a dog bed behind Emma. . . that is a long story and should the dog become a permanent fixture, I will introduce him later.

Isaac took this shot. He likes the fact that he can hoist Emma up on the couch all by himself. He celebrates this by leaving Emma on the couch by herself. Emma also enjoys this. . until she rolls off. He didn't get a picture of that part.
I am just shaking my head in disbelief at how cute she is. Children truly are a gift from the Lord. I am so grateful for the three gifts I have. I am grateful for the lessons they teach me and how they've made me better. They magnify my weaknesses and then forgive them. God lives and every child testifies of that. What a treasure this mortality is.

Christmas, Christmas Time Was Here

The blizzard changed our Christmas plans quite a bit. We'd reserved a cool cabin with the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club, but it was buried in snow as was the road leading to it, so we had a basement apartment Christmas. We were bummed not to leave s'mores out for Santa and enjoy a sweet snowy simple Christmas, but considering every other blessing in our lives, grumbling is a rather silly option. So, Christmas at home. In the words of the great Maria Von Trapp: "Let's start at the very beginning. . . "

CANDYLAND!!! Some elves snuck in early to give us a Christmas eve present and it was a happy surprise. We love it and have gotten pretty good at it--Can you name every character in their proper order??

And then there were the pajamas (courtesy of FedEx and the Lulu Elf):

Emma's First Christmas present!!

Ooh Princesses---what a surprise!

Warm, fuzzy, sports-themed--Perfect.

And then came the happy morning. We didn't have a blanket big enough to cover everything, so we let them run to their stockings before breakfast. My first Reynolds Christmas I learned the harsh tradition of breakfast before presents. And not even waffles--we are talking cracked wheat with Christmas bliss hanging out around the corner. I told Daman I'd tow the line, but we were going to have a proper Christmas breakfast at least. So, we did our favorite overnight waffles, strawberries and whipped cream Then, we took some time to read and talk about Christ's birth in Luke 2 as well as the events marking His birth on the American continent. Then, we each talked about what we were going to give Jesus this year. We wrote down our promises and put them in a special little chest that will remind us of them. There should be a lot more sharing going on around here this year. . .

The standard stocking fare: pomegranates, pistachios, and Dollar Tree delights

We were planning on the cabin being our main Christmas gift as a family, so we didn't have many presents, but they were given/made with love. Daman received a hand-crafted "Happy Can" filled with coupons and notes about how awesome he is. Order yours today!

What a jock.

FIRST CHRISTMAS!!!!!!

(pay no attention that scary looking mom in the green shirt)

Isaac really wanted a watch--SURPRISE!! He updated us with the time every three minutes the entire day. Thanks.

A hefty dose of Christmas spirit. . .

Though Grandma Lulu couldn't make it up for Christmas because of the weather, she surprised us with a visit just a few days later! It was great to see her and she gave Lucy her very first tea set and lots of "food" for her little play kitchen. Isaac and Lucy have been busy cooks ever since.

Mom's birthday is Dec. 27th--so she sometimes gets lost in the shuffle. This year I gathered lots of old pictures, high school pictures and programs, and newspaper clippings that Mom had stashed in random boxes. It was fun to put together and learn even more about my Mom and her many talents. What a woman!

Phew. That was a whole lot of posting. We had a wonderful Christmas and are so grateful for the birth of Jesus Christ and the blessings He gives us--especially the gift of Eternal Family. We hope you all had a wonderful, jolly Christmas and are geared up and ready for a fantastic new decade. We didn't get a newsletter out. Moving right before Thanksgiving really set me back a bit. Perhaps a Valentine's family newsletter. . .