A Big Girl Now

One of the things Hannah has gotten into doing is wearing her mommy's shoes. She'll ask for "hulp" to get both shoes on, and then she scoots all over the house in her large shoes. One of her favorites to wear are my slippers because they seem to stay on her feet pretty easily. Attatched are some pictures.

We've been working on the potty training. It's a slow process. She's so good at "holding it" until she wants to let it out, so she tends to sit a very long time and then lets it all go once we get off the potty. We're being consitant though.

I'm so excited for our trip to Texas in March. I think Hannah will be so excited to see the airplanes, going to the zoo for her birthday will be a lot of fun, and I think she'll love having all her young cousins to run around and scream with (Nana will hate it!).

Why Worry

I just started realizing all I write about is our current events and describe Hannah's pictures. I thought I should share some of my thoughts now and then. What the heck, it's therapeutic and a free audience!

Last night I had a dream...a dream where I didn't know where Kevin was and something bad was happening. I had Hannah in my arms giving me that sad lip and scared eyes that she gives before the tears flow...she wanted me to make things better, but I couldn't. I hate when things go bad, and they are out of my control. I hate that this world has so many problems and so much evil, and there is no way I can protect my children at all times for their whole lives. I say to God, "I hate when I can't make things better. I hate that my children will not live in a peaceful, loving world. I pray nothing harms them." The response I get from God, "Trust Me." He knows this is a hard thing for me...I am a fixer...I see a problem, and I analyze it until I come up with a solution. But again he repeats two more times to me, "Trust Me." God help me to trust You.

One good thing in my corner is Kevin. Trusting God and not worrying is something he is so good at (kind of frustrates me). But he is good at helping me to remember to relax and wait...he's been reminding me of that since before we were dating. Kevin's faith is something I really appreciate and rely on. His knowledge and understanding sometimes amazes me and spurs me on to grow more. He is helpful too to remind me that I need to read the bible more and to trust God. One of these days I hope I can actually do it without a reminder.

Little Hannah Mae

Here is Hannah in her favorite seat...she really fought for the right to sit on the table because we didn't want her sitting there, but as long as she doesn't stand up she knows we wont fuss (though she loves to pretend she's going to stand just to see us react). She has been pushing her boundaries quite a bit lately, and spending time in time out consequently.

We have been lazy in our efforts to potty train,

so this weekend we are beginning with a crash course. We need to be diligent in this time before the baby comes to get her potty trained

(as best as possible) and get her off bottles.

I'm not sure if she will be happy about all this, but we'll try to make it fun for her.

Below are some pictures of the doll house our friend Tammy and her daughter Hannah gave us. My Hannah played with it for an hour and a half the day we set it up...I'd say she likes it. The horse and the baby bed are her favorite pieces.

She is such a character though...she always puts the daddy in the bed and doesn't like it when you take him out. I wonder what Kevin does all day ...just teasing Kevin!

A New Year

Nothing too eventful happening at this time. We are busy looking at homes and trying not to get frustrated. If the land and area are just what we want than the house is a disaster or vise-versa. It is hard to find just the right thing under our unusual circumstances. We are looking for a home that we can make a profit on and that we are fairly certain we can sell if in a year or two God leads us out of this area, but we don't want to take on too much work because our already busy schedules will be getting busier in July with the new baby. We don't want to buy an expensive home just because we are looking at it as temporary, but we do want to get out of the crowded town area which is where the cheaper homes are. Anyhow I battle frustration that it is not easy, and Kevin tries to remind me what the bible says, "do not be anxious for tomorrow." That doesn't really make it any easier.

New Years we didn't do much of anything. We were invited to two parties, but Kevin had to work and I knew I would be falling asleep at 8:30 along with Hannah so we opted not to go. Hannah and I went to New Hope and spent a few hours with Kevin at work. Hannah loves all the attention the boys give her. She ate so much sugar she was bouncing off the walls...the boys thought it was hilarious. Luckily for me, the sugar must have gone through her system by the time we left because one minute she was singing and playing in her car seat and the next she was fast asleep...my crazy little angel girl.

The house is just about back in order...all the Christmas decorations are boxed up and in the attic. Hannah came down from her nap and gave me this very confused look and asked, "Where'd it go?" She was very concerned to know where the tree went and who took it. She looked around the house and I told her we put it outside, so she ran to the windows to see if she could find it. She also wanted to know where the Christmas doll her grandma gave her went to that was in her room...I boxed it up because it was porcelain and for Christmas. But she soon got over all those curiosities to play with all her new Christmas toys.