Thanksgiving Times

Well, we had a nice Thanksgiving holiday this week. Despite some sickness in the house throughout the week, we managed to enjoy a wonderful meal and time with family. We had a really nice visit with Dave's family and the kids REALLY enjoyed them being here. They were certainly out of sorts when they left on Saturday. They also enjoyed having a dog around for the week. All week you could hear Josiah say, "Gracie, come here!" in the most adorable Boston accent. While they were here, Karen helped us a ton by stripping the wallpaper in Hannah's room so we could start painting it. She did such a fantastic job and what a help to us! THANK YOU KAREN!!!! We did some shopping, some things around the house and just spent some good quality time together. It is a blessing to have the room so that they can stay with us now! Here are some pictures from our holiday. Today we did a little decorating for Christmas and hope to get our tree later this week. Caleb really got into decorating and keeps asking about putting the train around the Christmas tree. The older they get, the more fun the holidays become. Have a GREAT week everybody!

Caleb and Josiah checking on mommy's turkey.

Caleb helping Grandma make homemade noodles...mmmmm!!!!! They are the best!

Josiah thoroughly enjoyed his pumpkin pie!

Auntie Wendy bought Hannah and Bella matching Thanksgiving shirts...so cute!

Since we won't get to see Grandma and Grandpa for Christmas this year, we did Christmas this week. Here are Caleb and Josiah in their new sleds...and since we had our first snow (just a little flurry), we know winter is on its way!!

Josiah got a crawl through tunnel but he has yet to actually go through it.

The kids had so much fun with Grandma and Grandpa!

Thankful Hearts

It's hard to believe it's Thanksgiving time once again. Dave's family is here to visit us for the holiday and we are having a great time together. This year we have so much to be thankful for. Dave and I were just talking the other day about how much has gone on this year. If you had told us in January of all that would go on, all the changes, all the challenges, all the blessings and all the miracles we probably never would have believed it. I think God works like that on purpose. Sometimes if we knew what was ahead, we may not want to walk forward. God has been so good. It's hard to believe with this year's housing market that we sold and bought our house in just 8 short weeks. What a miracle! Who knew we would adding another bundle of joy...another miracle to our family! This year certainly amazes us and despite the challenges that come with change, we can't thank the Lord enough for the blessings he has bestowed upon us. He continues to take care of every detail of our lives and give us everything we need. Recently I was in the grocery store and since taking the Dave Ramsey course back in the Spring, Dave and I have been pretty good about sticking to our "cash envelopes" for our budget. Well, I thought I only had $11 to work with to pick up a few things that I needed for the rest of the week. (Sometimes this envelope thing is a fun challenge for me...can I get everything I need for 11 bucks?!?). The total came to $12.51. I found another dollar in my grocery envelope but still needed .51 cents. I searched my pockets and then checked one more change section of my wallet. What did I find? .51 cents and not a penny more. At the checkout, I just thought to myself "bonus!". But as I was driving away, I was reminded how God takes care of our every need. He doesn't always give us everything we "want" but he certainly provides for all of our needs. I don't share this to say we are hard-pressed for money. We have a budget and we try to stick to it but I share it to say that God is so good. He never lets us down and I know that we are in the palm of His hands. What better place to be? Here are some pictures of Caleb's first school program and Hannah's baby dedication on Sunday. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Caleb sang his little heart at home but got "stage fright" on the day of the show. Maybe the cute girls in front of him made him nervous!

The cutest little turkey I ever did see. "Gobble, Gobble!"

They had refreshments after the show for the kids and their families. Check out the look on Josiah's face. I'm not sure what he is thinking!

It was very special to have my brother dedicate Hannah on Sunday. I'm pretty proud to be the sister of the Pastor.

This just gives you an idea of the length of the dress she wore. This was my christening dress when I was a baby which was orginally made from my mom's wedding dress. It has been sitting on our bed since we have been married just waiting for a little girl to wear it. It was really special to see Hannah wearing it on Sunday.

Hannah Grace Libby...our sweet baby girl.

The Libby Clan

Tag, I'm it...

Well, I was going to post some pictures of the family and give you an update on Libby life but apparently I have been "tagged" by my blogging friend Mary to list some random things about myself. This was actually more challenging than I thought. So here are 7 things that you may or may not know about me.

1. I love fruit snacks. When I was pregnant with Caleb, I craved them and ever since then I simply can't get enough. Any kind...princess, cars, trucks, you name it. I think I am quite the fruit snack connoisseur!

2. I don't like my feet being touched by other feet. If Dave or the kids and I are sitting on the couch, I can't stand it if someone touches my feet with theirs. I know it's weird, but I just don't like it!

3. My biggest pet peeve is when people don't RSVP. For the love of Pete, just send an e-mail or leave a message as to whether you are coming or not?!?! Sorry, I digress.

4. I don't like coffee. Everyone told me once I got to college and needed to stay up and study, I would start drinking coffee...nope. Then people told me when I had kids, it would be the only way to function...nope. I still don't like it. I wish I did because it just looks like so fun to have!

5. I have many dreams but 2 are visiting Italy to see where my family is from and driving across country. Ok, actually with the driving cross country, I would like to fly to Colorado, rent a car and hit the west coast because let's face, between here and Colorado there is just a lot of farms and corn fields. Take me to the Redwood trees!

6. My favorite season is summer. I love no coats, the sunshine, being warm, open-toed shoes and just feeling free as a bird. But in the spring, I enjoy seeing the first flowers that poke through; in the fall I enjoy apple picking and baking fall desserts and in the winter I love to curl up in my sweats with a good book and a cup of hot chocolate.

7. Speaking of summer and open-toes shoes, I can't stand flip-flops. I just don't like things between my toes. Now that I think of it, what is with me and my feet? I tried them a bit this summer because my feet were swollen from my pregnancy but I don't think I could commit. That was out of complete desperation. Again, I wish I liked them because I would have about 30 more pairs of shoes!!!

So, that is me in a nutshell I guess. Maybe you learned something new about me or maybe you just realized how well you know me because you already knew all these facts! I now "tag" Wendy Picariello, Morgan Gagnier and Marci Goodwin. You're it!

Crazy Life

While we were living with my parents this summer, I discovered a new TV show that I have now become addicted to. Many of you know how much I LOVE the show Jon and Kate Plus 8. If you aren't familiar it is a show about a couple who had a set of twins and then wanted another child. Well, they got what they wanted and thensome...they got SEXTUPLETS!!! The show depicts them in everyday life, on vacations and interviews the parents to hear how they handle a family of 10. Jon and Kate are about the same age as Dave and I and have 8 children ages 7 and 4. The reason I love the show is it is just SO REAL. They have tantrums, they fight with one another (the kids and sometimes the parents too!), their mornings are crazy and there is certainly NEVER a dull moment in the Gosselin household. The show makes me feel like I am not alone in this motherhood life. In the beginning of the show, you hear Kate say, "Today, I could very well lose my mind." I can relate!!! Many have asked how life with 3 children is, for us it's a bit crazy and hectic right now. There is always something to do or someone to tend to...pretty much 24/7. For example, our evening last night. We got Hannah settled for bed about 10:00 (an early night), Caleb wakes up (not happily) to go potty at about 11:30 pm, Hannah wakes up to eat at 12:30 am but doesn't settle back to sleep until about 2:30 am. Hannah wakes up at 4:00 am to eat again. She settles back to sleep about 5:00 am which is when Caleb wakes up for another potty trip. However, he doesn't quite make it and pees on the floor. So here I am cleaning the floor at 5:00 am while my wide-awake 3 year old is trying to talk to me about the day. I told him it was too early and he could look at books or play quietly in his room with Josiah (who in the meantime had woken up for the day). At about 6:00 am I hear Caleb talking something about a Pull-up rainbow and having to clean it up. I didn't think too much of it. At 6:30 am I go upstairs with my sandpaper eyes to get Josiah out of his crib. I am not really watching where I am going and I suddenly feel soft padding on our hardwood stairs. I look down and well, there it is...Caleb's Pull-Up rainbow! I wondered what had kept him busy all that time. He emptied his entire box of pull-ups to make a rainbow on the stairs. I had him clean it up...after I took a picture of course! So here is Caleb and his rainbow and some other pictures from our eventful week. Needless to say, I think Jon and Kate put it best..."It might be a crazy life...but it's our life." And I wouldn't trade it for the world!

Caleb's Pull-up rainbow!!!

Hannah's first trip to church was last week. She actually let me sit through the entire service. She didn't make a peep! It was good to be back at church.

My mom and I took all the kids to an indoor playground during the week. They had a blast. I have a feeling we will be there a few times this winter.

Josiah enjoyed keeping up with the "Big Boys".

Josiah actually initiated this hold. He is really learning to love his little sister.

Proud Caleb! Lately whenever you take a picture he always says, "Smile cheese!" It is quite adorable.

This was Hannah's first Stamp Club. It must have wore her out. I look forward to the day when we can scrapbook and stamp together!

(Jon and Kate Plus 8 plug: Monday nights at 9:00 on TLC)

All About Me!

Ok, this is one is about me. I just had to share! Life is crazy, mornings are hectic, nights are...wait, what nights? I am totally sleep deprived but WOO-HOO, I got into my own (non-maternity) jeans today!!!!! I know, I know, you really just want to see pictures of the family well I will hopefully get to that tomorrow...Hannah is needing my attention right now but I just had to share my BIG DAY with you!!!!!

Hannah is now 2 1/2 weeks now and doing well. She truly is growing cuter everyday! This week she has become more alert and is staying awake for longer periods of time. This is fine during the day but not so great on those days when she thinks she is an owl and has her days and nights confused. The other night, we found ourselves just staring at each other at 2 a.m. Hopefully this will change in the next few weeks. Towards the end of last week and over the weekend, Hannah had been spitting up quite a bit and I wasn't sure how well she was eating so I took her into the doctor's for a weight check and to see what was happening with the spitting up. She is gaining weight fine but sure enough she was diagnosed with acid reflux just like the boys. They say if one child has it, most likely the others will too. She is on medication for it and actually hasn't spit up since we have had her on it. I'm praying that the nights will get a little easier since now she is a bit more comfortable. Here are some pictures of how the boys are adjusting to their new baby sister. Caleb is still in love with her and Josiah is starting to warm up to her.

Our little "Cutie Patootie".

Caleb is ALL smiles when he is around his sister. He always wants to know where she is and what she is doing. Especially when he gets up in the morning or comes home from school. He is so loving and kind to her and wants to help with her in any way he can.

Here are the boys just staring at their baby sister and loving on her.

This is the sweetest video of Josiah comforting Hannah. Every time she cries, he always runs over to her and says "It's ok". He must hear Dave and I say that all the time to her. This video just makes my heart melt.