Bloggy Breakdown

It doesn't seem like almost three weeks since my last post, but the calendar doesn't lie. So, what has been going on in our lives? Just the usual......

Wii like to play

Meredith has come to enjoy playing the Wii this past month. My attempts at pictures, thus far, have resulted in little success, but believe me she really enjoys playing a few of the games. Along with her old favorite of Tennis, she has picked up Golf, and of all things BOXING! She likes to "wiggle" and puts her boxing opponent "to sleep." So, therapy may be in our future, but for now she gets really excited to play and maybe it will teach her some self defense skills?

In addition to Meredith's new found addiction, I picked up the Wii game "My Fitness Coach" for my personal enjoyment. Think animated fitness trainer computer program. I've enjoyed it so far (well, maybe not the weight and measurements part), but its been neat because you can set the amount of time you want to work out, a focus area of the day, and incorporate any workout equipment that you already own. I've already gotten a bronze cup ;)

An Old Man

A certain someone in our house celebrated his 30th birthday this past week. The kids and I supplemented his Rock Band collection with a wireless mic and Rock Band 2, as well as the book Diary of a Wimpy Kid. He's 30! Oh my goodness -- it seems like yesterday we were eating all-you-can-eat Waffle House with Jono, going to SWAT with the church gang, and Brooke and I were listening to all sorts of ROTC stories. Ah.....memories.

Getting into Trouble

Russ is all boy! This past month we have seen him try to push his boundaries a little more.

Issue #1: The TV controls on my parents TV - The TV at our house is up high, but the TV at my parents house has the controls right at Russ level. Mr. Smarty Pants figured out how to turn on and off the TV, and he knows that we will tell him "No, No" because he looks slyly over to the adult in the room, pushes the button, and then runs off in laughter as we try to redirect to another activity. Time out may be in our son's future sooner, rather than later. In the meantime, I've ordered the TV guard that is supposed to solve this problem.

However, he is enjoying his favorite things: his hairbrush, his toothbrush, and the dishwasher. Looks like personal and household hygiene is important to him!

Church Stuff

Upcoming flute performances have kept me busy with practices this month, as well as the usual Sunday School and Pre-K Choir activities. We have gotten back into the swing of things in both areas!

I just started the Beth Moore Esther study up at church, and trying to stay on top of the homework. As always, its been very good - and I look forward to seeing things develop throughout the study.

Living By the Book

The Cobles talked about this earlier this week, but I have also been reading Pastor Martin's read-thru-the-Bible daily devotionals and corresponding passage reading. What a blessing! If you have been looking for a way to stay accountable to reading God's Word, then I highly recommend this blog. I am trying to also use the passage for the day to correspond with my kids devotional (although, this will probably get a little difficult when we get to Leviticus and Deuteronomy in a few weeks). The link to the blog is http://www.pastorscmartin.blogspot.com/.

Winter Break Pictures

We sent Matt back to work today to "bring home the bacon." Here are some pictures from our winter vacation at home these past two weeks. Back to the real world today!

Russell "Cruise" Lipsey

Take my picture, please

Ha, Ha - Look where I got up to AGAIN!

I'm electrifying!

Fun in Daddy's shirt

A New Year, a New Project - The Bathroom Remodel

So, our nice old house has a lot of charm; but also a few issues. We have put off the hall bath for about as long as we can, as Meredith REALLY can't fit into the Infant/Toddler bath ANYMORE (not to mention that the kids like bath time when we take them over to the grandparents).

I was taking the kids over to Matt's parents house so we could fix our small problem with a patch, but I come back to find that Matt has decided to take down the entire tile surround. So, here we are day 2 of our bathroom remodel. Demo done on the tile, and hopefully this blog will keep us on track so that I am not posting pictures of a nonfunctional bathroom for the next year.

Christmas Festivities 2008

This was a very fun Christmas to watch through the eyes of my children. Bear with me as I recall the highlights I want to write and remember.

Nativity Scene

I have always wanted a small nativity scene for my Christmas collection, but never got around to getting one when Matt are I were DINKs. While out shopping this fall, Meredith and I found the Little People Christmas Story set. I was pretty excited because the kids didn't have to be super careful and could hopefully learn a little more about the Birth of Jesus. It's been such a sweet blessing to hear Meredith say "That's Mary" and "That's the angel" and "That's Baby Jesus" during the Advent season. But, my favorite memory of this set is when she started playing library story time with all her nativity friends inside her bounce house. You see, Meredith LOVES story time, and replays it for us many times a week. So, I guess its only natural for her to share it with her favorite dolls.

Sick boy

Not that I really want to remember, but these have been a rough few days for Russ. He's just been fussy and clingy -- very un-Russ like. However, it has been nice to cuddle with my fast-growing boy.

New Foods to Try (or Not)

As with most foods, Russ enjoyed the the delicious Christmas cuisine. Matt said "He has some Davis in him" as we watched him quickly devour some Ham and Cheese Casserole. He also tried his hand at some of the candy, and was not disappointed with Divinity.

Meredith happily enjoyed her Mac and Cheese, and was probably counting down the hours until Chick-fil-A opened again.

Toys R Us (formerly known as the Lipsey office/playroom)

Generous grandparents, family, and friends have reached the toy quota for our home. Matt, Meredith and I have been playing a Hybrid form of the game Lucky Ducks at least three times a day since Christmas. Russ loves his "boy toy" trucks and cars. Both kids are very blessed to have such generous people in their lives. But wait -- lest I forget that the Big boy also liked his new Wii game as well.

Music to Remember

As with most years, PHBC's music ministry has filled my time for much of the past month. Playing in morning services the first two Sundays reminded me of the songs that have been sung by several generations of believers and guides our hearts to the Savior. The marathon Adult Christmas performances allowed me to play my Christmas present, a piccolo. My precious Pre-K choir members did a FANTASTIC job with their very first performance. They sang their hearts out, and the proud parents were excited that their darlings enjoyed singing in front of the church family. It was also neat to play in a flute quartet for the Christmas Eve service this year. Can you ever really have too many flute players ;)

Thanks for hanging in there with me!

Merry Christmas

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”- Isaiah 9:6

A little perspective

This past week has been a bit of a crazy one at our house. The low notes were as follows: an illness gave a major set-back in potty success, a son began climbing onto everything in the house (chairs, tables, and potty), a friend lost a beloved pet, and a house that looks like a disaster area. However, we have been blessed with so much good news as well: friends who have announced they are pregnant, births of new babies, parties with co-workers and friends, and time with family have brought so much joy to our life.

So, I had been on the verge of tears for most of the day. Potty regression - my biggest fear - seems to be staring me in the face. Reading the handwritten Date Ball recipe of my departed grandmother made me wish that she could be here for Christmas. Hair pulling and toy taking were about to send this mom to her own personal time out spot.

It wasn't until this evening that I realized how blessed I truly am today. Meredith and I were waiting at the Sushi place for dinner for Matt and me. I see that Nancy Grace is on TV, and they are discussing the Caylee Anthony case. The show is replaying a scene of the young 2 year old sitting at a table reading a book with her grandparents. I guess that I had become numb to the story, until these words are released from my own 2 year old's mouth, "She is reading a book." My answer was of course "That's exactly right, dear. Good job."

But, as the news reports that the recent discovery of a bones were that of the young girl, I think to myself "She was reading a book." And as the feelings turn into sweet tears down my cheek, I am reminded of how blessed I really am. Though the days may be rough and messy, and the nights sleepless and way too short - how privileged am I to live this life. While I may not feel like Carpe Diem each day, I am at least dwelling in the life that was set for me by a powerful Heavenly Father who sent a Savior who's birth we celebrate in only 5 short days.

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Luke 2:14 (KJV)

Russell's 1st Birthday

We celebrated Russell's 1st birthday Saturday with our family, and enjoyed BBQ and cake at this laid-back party. Russ enjoyed some good lovin' from his grandparents and great-grandparents.

Silly grandparents, all I really wanted was this box.

Smash cake in honor of his favorite word

These past 12 months have flown by so fast. Our sleepless nights have been replaced by busy days and an empty pantry. Russ, we look forward to watching you grow even more. Happy Birthday, Russbuster!