Fearless!

This weekend we went to a birthday party for our little friend Steven at My Gym, and whoa, did Macie have fun! She was able and willing to climb, jump, tumble and even do the zip line! It was so much fun. I hope to get her into a class or some free play times soon.

A New Year and a Reality Check

Ringing in this New Year has really given me a lot to be thankful for. It seems I have been watching heartache and tragedy unfold for about a month now...not in my life, thank goodness, but all around. Is it that the world is getting smaller, or that I am just getting older and this is what we experience? Is there more sadness these days? I don't know, but it has a been a very sobering month. I've watched dear friends go through the most wonderful and heartbreaking experience of giving birth two three babies and losing one. I've spent nights praying for a family who almost lost their son after being attacked by a dog in their own yard. Tragedy struck someone I knew in college, killing her and her husband in a Christmas Eve car accident, only to leave their 8 month old daughter who survived, an orphan. And now, yesterday in Tucson. Watching Dateline tonight barely able to look at the pictures of that sweet little girl who was killed along with many others whose lives will be changed forever.

Through all of this, I am just counting my blessings. I'm trying to remember every day that the mundane, every day things I get worked up about really aren't that big of a deal. I'm trying to pinch myself and not just "go through the motions of my day." I'm trying to wake up and be in my life, celebrating every wonderful moment I have with my daughter and husband. I thank God that I don't have to search for answers, and that He is the only "New Year's Resolution" that I need.

Through all the praying and thinking on God's word, I have come to realize that He is merciful. All of the people I have known suffering, I believe, have been touched by prayer, and have come to rely on God's grace and love during these last few weeks. That in itself is a miracle, and so many more lives have been touched by their stories. Rest assured. He does have a plan, and knowing that, I can be at ease, enjoying my New Year.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

-Jeremiah 29:11

Drumroll please....

We're officially walking now....just in time to turn one year old next week. Macie has decided that crawling is for the birds. Here is a video of her doing laps around the kitchen and dining room, and also a video of her getting her "big girl" car seat, an early birthday present.

Baby Steps!

I think we're going to have a walker by her 1st Birthday! Here is part 1, more video to come!

Macie's Taking a Stand!

Macie is working on standing up on her own and she's so excited!

Part 1

Part 2

Wild and Wacky Week

Last weekend and this week have been so busy and filled with fun things that I haven't had time to post! It's a beautiful spring in the desert and here's what we've been up to:

Michael has been playing a boatload of golf, and even shot even par (his best round ever at OVCC) this week. I got to play as well this week, but as you can see, the desert is in bloom and I was sneezing away during the whole round. I hope to get to play a lot more soon. I had a blast from the past last Friday at a Girlfriend's 80's party at Alive Church. It was a lot of fun and the outfits were hilarious. On Saturday, Michael took me out for our Valentine's date (he got me Carrie Underwood tickets for Valentine's Day, but the concert was this week). She put on an awesome show, and we had great seats on the floor about 10 rows back. It was so much fun!

Blooming Saguaro Cactus

80's night at Alive

Carrie Underwood opening up with "Cowboy Cassanova"

Mother's Day and 8 Months Old

Mother's Day 2010

No assistance here! Time to take out the bassinet!

For Mother's Day I got a baby on the move! Macie also picked out some great golf shorts and a new sports watch for me. She has great taste, ha ha! This week Macie turned 8 months old and has started pulling up on people, the couch, her pack'n'play and her crib, as well as getting really good at crawling. Now I know how mothers really lose their baby weight - chasing their kiddos around. She is also "talking" up a storm. We think it's so hilarious because she talks with her hands. Hopefully we can get that on video soon. She's quite the storyteller.