Here Comes Santa Clause, Here Comes Santa Clause

We have totally been using the warning, "You better behave or Santa won't bring you presents."

It's so brilliant how well it works and how big it makes her eyes get.

We are already enjoying the holiday through the eyes of an almost 3-year old.

We started our "one Christmas book a night" tradition.

Chad also hung a few extra light strands outside; all so we can enjoy her enjoying it.






I adore these stockings. They are hand made by Grandma Audrey. I am so thrilled to be able to hang Lauren's stocking this year!!

Almost 3-Year-Olds MUST Jump and Climb!!

I totally get tumbling classes now.

I'm Thankful For...

Holding hands with Kate while we read bed time stories.

Feeling Lauren cuddled up against me when I feed in her in the middle of the night.

Chad's love for our girls, his support for my business whenever I have a meeting and for his discipline to exercise regularly.

Family who take the time and expense to visit us.

My sister's help and support this year, especially during Lauren's birth.

Catch-up chats with old friends.

The love and support of new mom friends.

God's love and continued blessings.

Thank You Blog Readers!

Happy Thanksgiving Blog Readers!

We will be spending the day at my sister's house. My mom and Tim have driven out. And, I may see my step brother, Aaron, who I haven't seen in 15 years!

Thank you for taking the time out of your day to read my blog.

I've gotten some really nice compliments from blog readers lately. One said my blog is a "silver lining" in her day.

That's quite an honor. I have a handful of blogs that I read each morning and they are my "silver lining" to start my day. I'm honored to be someone else's "silver lining."

I appreciate it when the grandparents thank me for the blog. A lot of my journaling efforts are for them. I'm sad that we don't live near grandparents, so this is the next best thing.

Another blog reader shared this with me.

"Dear Lori, just a "thank you" for keeping this blog up, running and current. Living so far from you all it is just a pleasure to watch the girls, and your family as you spend your days and time just living the American dream. Keep up the good work, keep us laughing and smiling, and too, connected because we love all 4 of you with all our hearts."

I love you too, blog readers, with all my heart!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Kate's First Ballet Class

One of my friends has made an arrangement with a local dance teacher to teach ballet to our little group of friends in her own living room! The teacher is so cute and teaches the class in an "imaginative" way. ("Stir your chocolate pudding!" when they are stretching.)

Kate did so good in her first class. I was so proud of how she listened and followed directions.

At first, Kate wore her tutu, but she wanted to change into her princess dress. I think the princess dress makes her brave.

At the end of the video, you'll see Kate say "No" to me. She didn't want me filming or watching her any more.

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Momtacy: Multiple Outfits in One Day

I've heard about this and today Kate did it. She wore 4 different dresses throughout the day. They all had to be changed for various reasons.

She's also taken to wearing a dress over her pj's when she goes to bed. Maybe it helps her twirl in her dreams.

Finally, Kate helped make her first pumpkin pie today. She wanted to put cherries on top. Then crackers. We settled on one pretzel. She ate the slice with the pretzel.

6 Months Old

Lauren is six months old now. CRAZY! She's officially on her way to her first birthday.

(This also means that since she's not sleeping throught the night yet, it's been half a year since I've had a consistent night's sleep. Sigh. I've really been chanting, "It's not forever, it's for now.")

She had her 6 month old check up.

Here are the stats:
Height 27.5" (96%)
Weight 16.4lbs (56%)
She's long and lean.
Head: 17 (71%)

Lauren is rolling like crazy and has even gotten into the "table" position. I think she may be crawling by Christmas. It's amazing to watch a baby get stronger and progress.

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The West Family

When I worked at the public relations firm in California, I had the pleasure of selecting a family for our office to support during Christmas.

I recently got my hair cut and my stylist shared with me about the family she moved in with to help with mortgage payments. These folks live on the street behind me. I don't know them, but have seen them in passing.

The West Family has had a rough two years. The husband/dad has gone blind in one eye and had to leave his job in the oil industry. The mom has always been a stay at home mom but recently got a job at the $1 store. She had to quit because of taking so much time off because of her husband's surgeries.

I'm touched by their story and would like to adopt them and help them to see the beauty of the Christmas season. Please watch this video to learn a little more about the West family and let me know if you'd like to help them in any way.

Thank you dear Blog readers!

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com