November

 yum.

 This is the day of his half birthday.  

Its just so crazy to think about- we are half way done with the first year.  I feel like I had a grasp on what the beginning would be like (no, I didn't really- I was completely baffled at what it would be like to have a baby again), and its been long enough that I've completely forgotten what its all like for the second half of the first year.

All of that reading up I'd done & the experience... How much food do they need to eat?!

His profile all of him is breathtaking.

 For the first time ever, we did Operation Christmas Child shoe boxes.

I had the passing thought that maybe this year we could be a little more "pro-active" in our Advent/Christmas experience, instead of just surviving.  So we did this.  It was pretty fun, but also sorta real close to the line of making us crazy.  We went out too late one eve on a school night to shop.  And then I had a case of major frustration/impatience when we were trying to get out the door to go and take the boxes them after dark one eve.  And all I could think of was Isaiah 64:6...

All of us have become like one who is unclean,
    and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags;
we all shrivel up like a leaf,
    and like the wind our sins sweep us away.

Oh, but for God's grace, I could never stand.

As I apologized to the kids for my behavior & that Mommy has sin too, 

Jesus I come came up on the CD player (thanks, Sarah!) and I was so overcome anew at how good the news is that:

Out of my shameful failure and loss...

Jesus, I come. Jesus, I come.
Into the glorious gain of Thy cross.

 Could there ever be too many sleeping baby pics?

 On election day, friends came over to play... here are the pics from my real camera.

this pic to me is a flash forward ;)

 This girl saw me cleaning the bathroom and wanted to help.  She actually did a great job.  She was using Windex and I'd already cleaned, so I let her go at it without being too grossed out for her.

 She looks like a little SWEET pre-teen.

 I really love this pic of her little braid, her natural highlights, and her pretty cheek. :)

 Celebrating Holly's birthday with her at the river

 Maw and her little BD

 Pretty Lil on a fall day at a park