Thursday, November 24, 2011

Finding pure joy in silence


As a mother of two, I have learned that when your children are quiet... it usually means they are getting into something. A few weeks ago this silence occured in my house while I was doing dishes. Penny was playing with her babies, but Lily was nowhere to be seen. So I grabbed the camera and headed upstairs to try and catch her in the act! This is what I found.

Lily in our bed "reading" the Bible



I found Lily "reading" to her bear on our bed. I asked her what she was doing and she said "I'm reading the Bible study mommy!" I said "Oh really? And what does the Bible say?" She replied with a big smile "Jesus loves me"

For all the times I have stayed awake wondering and worrying about her and if I am raising her right, this put my heart at rest. If she has that figured out at two she will be a wise old woman!

What I am most thankful for

In the spirit of Thanksgiving I decided to write about what I am most thankful for. I had to think for a while on what that one thing on this earth is that I am "most" thankful for. Everything in my life that I am really thankful for come back to one person... my husband Don...

This post is not meant to be mushy, just honest. When I got to York College in 2003 I was in no way looking for a husband or a relationship. I had left my best friends behind with the assurance that I would never get married or ever have any children. I wanted to become a successful business woman and live my life for me; no chance for heartbreak or divorce. Then I met Don...

No, it was not love at first sight, not for me anyway! Many people know that Don proposed marriage to me before he ever asked me out on a date. He knew that I was the one for him from the beginning. He was persistent and prayed for God to change my heart. Obviously we have a great God and a powerful God to break through my stubburn heart and allow for the wonderful things that my life could be.

The thing that I love most about my husband is his worry-free heart. Donny is as carefree as the wind, which is in direct opposition of my planning and controling life-style. He is always calming me out of some sort of panic or worry. He is always reminding me that our lives will happen the way they are supposed to and we just need to enjoy the ride.


Don is always making me try new things... like turkey hunting!
 My friends have all told me that if they could have picked any husband for me, it probably never would have been Donny. Somehow it just works for us to be so different. Because of my husband I can say that I have: roofed a warehouse and a house, turkey hunted, installed a car stereo, installed subs into a car, driven a stick shift truck and most importantly have had the chance to feel the joy of being a mother.

I did not think it was possible to fall more in love with my husband until we had our beautiful daughters. Don is such a loving father. He is so protective of them, I feel bad for any guy they ever bring home! I have seen his silly side while he is horsing around on the floor with them. I have seen his most sincere side as he tries to teach the girls about new things. I have seen him at his weakest, when the girls have visited the ER. I have seen him at his strongest when the girls are headed for danger. I am so thankful that God blessed us with these girls!

Don holding Lily 1-30-09

Don holding Penny 6-7-10

I am so thankful for the Husband that God chose for me. He is loving and caring and passionate about life. I am constantly amazed at the things he can create out of a few nails and boards. He is the kind of friend that anyone would want. He will give you the shirt off his back and his shoes and underwear too if you need it :) Don has given me the gift of unconditional love and for that I am most thankful.

"I Hilary, take you Don to be my lawfully wedded husband. For better or for worse, For richer or poorer. in sickness and in health. Until death do we part."

Meant it then and always.

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Halloween 2011 was epic!

Saturday the 29th my sisters and Don and I got dressed up and went out for some Halloween fun! We started out at a haunted house... haven't been to one in atleast 9yrs! Scared the pants off of me (a shoe and a glasses lens to be exact)!! A guy with a chainsaw came after me and I ran so fast I lost a flip flop. I made Donny go back and get it for me, he and the scarey guy had a good laugh over it. After that a guy jumped out and Michelle jumped back so hard she knocked the lens out of my glasses! I will gladly go another 10+yrs without another haunted house experience. After that we went downtown Cedar Rapids and danced and laughed the night away. I don't remember the last time my sisters and I all hung out together, it was great!
Don and me
The happy couple


Don, me and my sisters Jessica (gorilla) and Michelle

The girls were dressed as bugs this year, bubble bee and lady bug. We went trick or treating with thier aunties and grandma in the neighborhood I grew up in. It was fun to see people I haven't seen in more than 13yrs! We even came across a house I used to babysit at... "little Jimmy" is now a 6'6" senior in high school and his sister is a sophamore in college. That'll make ya feel old!! The girls got a lot of candy which they are very proud of and protective of! Here are some highlights!
Penny
Lily


The girls are ready to go!

Penny and Aunt Jessie

Grandma, Chelly and Penny
The girls and thier aunties


Christmas in October (with my dad and sisters)

On October 28th with all headed over the my dad's house for Christmas and some yummy food! The girls were definately spoiled by everyone and they loved it! It was a lot of fun to just hang out together. For lunch we had "fondu" which is actually mongolian hot pot, but we grew up calling it fondu. It was Donny and Jason's (Jessica's boyfriend) first time for this meal and it was delicious! We all love dad's cooking and look forward to whatever he makes but this is our favorite! I should have taken pictures but I was too busy eating :)

The girls with Grandpa Peter

Aunt Chelly and the girls

The girls with Auntie Jessie

Dad, Jess, Penny, Michelle, Me and Lily

Sisters

Penny and her new boat

Jessie and Bullseye


Penny's new bus

We made quite a mess!

Auntie Jessie and Jason bought the girls a Mercedes-Benz

Christmas in October (with my mom)

We decided to celebrate Christmas with my family early this year to avoid hunting season and snow. We celebrated Christmas with my mom on October 27th at her house. The girls thought it was so fun to open gifts so early! Donny got several Wii hunting games from my mom and was very excited about it. I got a Zumba Wii game :) The girls were excited to give grandma Mary her photo book and even helped her open her presents. We also made a yummy glazed ham with all the fixins!
Helping grandma Mary open her photo book
Helping grandma Mary open her ring

Donny modeling his new "gun"
The girls showing off Daddy's gift!
Donny opening his gifts

Penny rips into her presents
Lily opening her gifts