November 2010

In November we celebrated my 28th birthday and Elisabeth's 3rd! Her birthday was on a Sunday this year so we decided to get a few balloons (no worries this was done on "Our very special day, Saturday"), we invited 2 families over, and we then got to sing to our little darling. Now I must tell you that being the second child and having an older sister, Elisabeth literally and unfortunately came out of the womb singing High School Musical. She literally skipped over the whole Elmo/Barney obsession and went straight for the sappy teeney-bopper love songs. I must admit they are a blast to sing and dance to, but I was still bummed. Well you can imagine just how excited I was when I asked Elisabeth what kind of cake she wanted and she replied, "ELMO!" Do my ears deceive me? Hooray....the classics are back! I drew and colored a few Seame Street pictures on art paper, and, Viola, we had a make shift party tablecloth. (I must inform you that since this time Elisabeth has completely reverted back. HSM is okay to her...but she now LOVES Sesame Street and Barney.

I want to say a few things about our Lizzy Pooh! She rocks our world! When Elisabeth is mad, we are all sad! When she is happy, we are all happy! She can light up a room, make the entire family roll in laughter, entertain us without end, and warm us all with her sweet and tender love! She literally has the world at her fingertips! I hope as she gets older she will realize this and use this strength and quality for good. The world better get ready for our little firecracker, Elisabeth. She is here and ready to conquer the world one person at a time. Surprisingly, this year as she entered school and Primary she turned into our ultra shy and quiet child. You would never guess it when she is in her own element. I must say that Elisabeth is very observant and extremely sensitive in her own way. I have never met a child who is more fascinated with the Savior, His life and ministry. Almost daily she asks me to tell her about Christ, and all of his countless examples and stories. Almost daily she asks to watch a church dvd about Christ, the Crucifixion, and Resurrection. There are times that I question why she wants to watch it. But when I sit down and watch them with her, I get it. She is so inquisitive, and so tender. She loves to tell me of her love for Jesus, and her sadness in the way mean people treated Him. I feel the spirit that she feels and it is amazing! Elisabeth is a great sister, great daughter, and a sweet friend. She is our "Curious George" always asking questions about EVERYTHING!!! Where do things come from, how are things are made, and why do we have things? The questions never stop and for my sake...I hope they never do! I love Elisabeth and am so grateful to be her mommy! I look forward and sometimes nervously anticipate seeing her grow up! She is my pride and my joy! I am utterly OBSESSED with this little girl and all that she is. She has my heart forever! I LOVE LOVE LOVE you Elisabeth!

Okay back to November events! I had the opportunity to go with my friend Aubree to the Food Pantry up in Pontiac to serve a Thanksgiving meal to the homeless. It actually was a few days before actual Thanksgiving day. I am grateful and humbled by this experience. It was sad for me to see the lines and lines of people coming to get their food. To my surprise it was not just your drunken, crack smoking bum from the streets. Parents with children, men on their way to work, hot-shot "bling-bling" Fu-Bu wearing teenagers, and lonely old people trying to stay warm filled the room. I went that day in hopes to lighten peoples burden and lift their spirits but I must say that I am the one that came away being lifted! I was filled with gratitude and completely humbled. My initial hope was to take my kids with me to do this but I am glad that I didn't. Simply for their health and even safety I am going to wait a few years to take them there. I hope when we do it will make a huge impact on my girls life....I know it did mine!

Dan and I felt like the luckiest kids in the world! His parents came out over Thanksgiving and spent a few days here! It was sooooo nice to be with them, in OUR home, and seeing the kids LOVING their grandparents. Dan kept his dad busy by taking him to a Red Wings and a Lion's game. They seemed to have a great time! I know Dan was in heaven to spend a weekend chalked full of sports with his dad! I made my very first TURKEY this year! I have done every side, salad, and dessert but have NEVER had or needed to attempt cooking a turkey. As you can imagine I was VERY nervous because I had my Betty Crocker mother-in-law here and I wanted to impress her to say the least. I did more research on the darn Turkey that by "D Day" I was soooo over it! But the time and effort paid off. Old Tom was very moist, very flavorful, and turned out to be a HIT! Yahoo! My in-laws were also able to see Madeleine's soccer game, go to the Henry Ford Museum, do a Factory tour, and experience "heaven on earth" (Cider and donuts) It was such a great time having them here! The only problem I foresee now is that we will expect and another visit from them sooner rather than later. I love Anders and Kris and feel so blessed to have such amazing in-laws! I really must have done something right in heaven to have been blessed to get them!