Our Little Blessings

Final Pics of Disney

2008-11-04T15:47:00.002-05:00

Sorry for so many Disney posts, but I had a very hard time picking only 5 pics. Magic Kingdom was decorated for Halloween, so cute.
Main Street and me being silly

One of my old favorites

Maddie was dying to see the princesses the whole week. We never met them, b/c the line was an hour and a half. Well, on the last day we happened upon Belle and the Beast before a long line formed. Maddie asked her where her yellow dress was. It was so funny. Belle said she thought that was a little formal for a stroll in the park. They are all very in character :)

The last hour before we left for the airport. We were exhausted. Need I say more ? :)

Animal Kingdom

2008-11-04T15:32:00.002-05:00

This was a great park too. Great shows, animal exhibits, decor, and a great roller coaster.

The Tree of Life

Mickey during the parade
Enjoying the parade

Pocohantas

Epcot

2008-11-04T15:21:00.003-05:00

Epcot is such a cool place. It's really two parks in one, Future World and World Showcase, which has replicas of different countries around the world. We at in Germany one day and Morocco, which was amazing. Germany
Morocco

The British Pub

Mulan

Britian

Sea World

2008-11-04T15:11:00.002-05:00

We loved Sea World. It was a nice little break from the Disney crowds and action, but still a super nice park. The shows were awesome. I only got pics of the Shamu Believe show, but there were other good ones too.

After too much fun!! Poor neck!

More Disney

2008-11-04T15:02:00.003-05:00

I absolutely can not do spinning things. I love the rollercoasters, but no teacups for me. My mom however, and Maddie love to spin!

Maddie wasn't so sure about that crazy Mad Hatter. No hugs for him :(

Grammie and her girl.

Disney World Part 1

2008-11-04T14:36:00.005-05:00

My parents love to take family vacations, and they are so gracious to want to take us with them! My dad has wanted to take Maddie to Disney World since he heard I was pregnant. So this summer he told me to start planning for October. We left Anna Kate with Tim's parents as she would have been miserable and so would we have ;) After we got there and saw all the families with kids her age, we were very glad we decided to leave her, even though we missed her.
We had seven days full of theme parks, which was exhausting, but soooo much fun. Maddie did so well for only having one nap that whole week. It was such a great trip. I can't wait to go back !!

Hollywood Studios

Hollywood Studios at night. Their Fantasmic show was my favorite attraction of the whole trip. Definately a must see if you go!

Our Character breakfast was so good at 1900 Park Fare in the Grand Floridian. We saw Pooh, Tigger, Mary Poppins, Alice, and the Mad Hatter, who was hilarious! I thought this was too cute of my mom.

Maddie and one of her favorites!Minnie Mouse's House-I just love all of the detail Disney puts into every little thing. It's really pretty amazing.

Sweet Friendship

2008-09-28T16:37:00.005-04:00

One of the greatest blessings in this life I think is to have good friends. I've been blessed in my short life to have had several very meaningful friendships which have made me who I am. There are some that come and go, some that are meant for only a season of life, and then there are those friends that just somehow defy the odds. They are the ones who get into your life and somehow just stick. They understand you and listen even when they don't. They laugh at and with you, cry for and with you, and just generally live life with you. They are there through thick and thin to be very cliche. Well, one of my very dearest friends in the world is going through a very difficult time. She is likely being diagnosed with a serious illness, probably cancer. While we don't know anything yet as to the definite diagnosis, I think everyone is scared. I know God is good, and that He is the Great Healer, but it sure hurts to see those you love so much hurting.

I write this entry for two reasons. As a tribute to my sweet sweet friend, and as a request for prayer from anyone who might read this. Please pray for Emily and her husband and two little daughters.

This is a pretty old picture, and she probably won't like me posting it, but maybe she'll forgive me. I love you Emily!"Claire-Claire" and Maddie just before they were two and Claire moved to Oregon. April 2006

Claire and Emily after Claire and Maddie got their first haircuts together. This was in March 2006. Wow, time flies!

Hurricane in Kentucky?!?

2008-09-28T16:33:00.003-04:00

Well, crazy as is sounds, Hurricane Ike certainly did it's damage as far inland as Louisville, Kentucky. We had a major windstorm two weeks ago that left 300,000 homes/businesses without power and with lots of damage. We were very fortunate to never lose power, but we have friends who lost it for over a week. In fact, I think our neighborhood was one of the only ones who didn't lose it of all the people I know.

We did have a tree fall on our house and our patio table shattered everywhere, but we feel very blessed to have only that.

Home Sweet Home

2008-09-28T16:16:00.003-04:00

I think we so often underestimate the value of just letting kids have fun at home. They don't have to have lots of entertainment or always be going somewhere to have a great time. I'm glad my girls have taught me this lesson so that I can enjoy each day even if we never leave the house (which at this stage in life is often more trouble than it's worth.) :)

Who needs toys?The love playing together!Maddie and her little eye-cutting face. Tim says she gets it from me- surely not me :)She keeps us laughing all the time with her silly antics and imagination!

Summer Fun

2008-09-28T16:08:00.005-04:00

Hanging out at Nanna's house

Maddie and Ruth at the blueberry patch.

The girls had so much fun this summer in the pool and outside. I'm sad to see summer leaving, but I absolutely love fall. I'm looking forward to lots more memories in the coming season. God is so good to give us unique blessings and unique challenges for every season of the year and every season of life.

New Swing Set

2008-09-28T16:06:00.002-04:00

Maddie got a swing set for her birthday, but it sat in our den in peices for almost two months. Luckily, her sweet Mikey and Nanna came to the rescue and built it for her. She and Anna Kate both love it.

Anna Kate Turns One!!

2008-09-28T16:00:00.005-04:00

Sorry this is majorly late, but enjoy anyways. On Anna Kate's actual birthday, we didn't do anything since we were going to my parents that weekend to celebrate with lots of family. She did get to enjoy the cake batter since I was preparing for the party.

New 'Do!

2008-07-25T12:08:00.005-04:00

Most of you who know me very well know that Tim's hair was one of the first things I fell in love with. I've often said to him and to others that if he doesn't give me a red-head and/or curly-headed baby, he's worthless to me:) (Yes, that means we'll have to keep trying, though Anna Kate is showing signs of curls.) Well, this should show how very much I'm learning to let go of things. (that's a joke, not a prideful remark :) I actually did this to him. I will say it looks much better than I expected. I've actually agreed to it for as long as he wants it. The added bonus of not having to clean up his hairs off the bathroom floor helped with that.

Happy Fourth of July

2008-07-07T22:50:00.003-04:00

Hope you all had a great fourth. We went to the zoo and grilled out. We were going to go to the Crescent Hill festival and fireworks, but Tim was in bed with a headahche.

Granddad

2008-07-07T22:47:00.002-04:00

We got to spend an afternoon with Tim's granddad, who is one of the sweetest old men you could meet. The girls brought him such joy.

Eleven months and into everything

2008-07-07T22:27:00.004-04:00

Well, our baby was eleven months a week ago. She's not walking yet, but is into everything, including the toilet...no pictures of that :) The other day I had to call poison control b/c she was eating my mascara. They assured me all was well. I'm afraid we're in for many bumps, bruises, and catastrophes. We've had several over the last week or so. When we got back from our trip, I guess we forgot to buckle Anna Kate's highchair onto the kitchen chair. Maddie was trying to climb the chair while Anna Kate was eating. She pulled Anna Kate, chair and all, face first onto the floor. I think I was more traumatized even than Anna Kate was. She's also had fingers squished in the bathroom door, etc. She sure is a cutey though, laughing all the time. She'll find anything to climb, as you can see.

Mikey and Nana's House

2008-07-07T22:17:00.003-04:00

After the lake, we spent a few days at Mikey and Nana's house, sadly without Nana. Her trip was cut short because Tim's grandmother fell and broke her hip.
Mikey took good care of us. We grilled. The girls played in the water, and Maddie roasted her first marshmallows.

Lake Trip

2008-07-07T21:26:00.005-04:00

We had a great time with Tim's parents at Guntersville Lake a few weeks ago.

Her first catch!
She loves her "Mikey"
Getting to be so big!

Anna Kate and Nana

Summer Days

2008-06-12T20:05:00.002-04:00

We're still around

2008-06-10T22:11:00.004-04:00

I haven't posted in forever I know. Anna Kate is now ten months old with six teeth and is a wild thing. I fear I am going to know what all my friends with climbers experienced. I never understood cause Maddie just had no interest in climbing. She didn't climb onto the couch until a year and a half at least. Well, I'm in for it now :)

We just celebrated Maddie's 3rd birthday. I just really can't believe it. She's too big. She wants to do everything by herself these days. She's growing into quite the little girl and is very mothering to sissy and all her friends too.

Tim graduated from seminary in May and boy, were we happy! Six years and he finally finished. We never thought it would take so long, but God was so good along the way.

My parents were very kind to take the girls and I on a quick beach trip two weeks ago. It was Anna Kate's first time and she loved it. She's crawled straight into the ocean, no fear at all. Maddie was crying not to let her sister go away. It was too cute.

These are from the beach trip and one of Maddie's birthday.

Picture Day

2008-02-26T18:03:00.005-05:00

We went to get Anna Kate's six month pictures today. She did so well. It made it incredibly difficult to pick from the 40 pictures of her. I got some of big sis with her too. Maddie was so excited to go, but when it was her turn, she was all serious. We got a couple good ones though. Here are a couple of the pics.

Six Months Old

2008-02-17T17:06:00.002-05:00

Anna Kate was six months two weeks ago. I haven't gotten around to posting. She is sitting up really well and rolling all over the place. She's eating bananas, sweet potatoes, carrots, and applesauce so far. She also babbles a lot, mostly the da-da-da syllables. It's funny because all of these things are pretty much new developments. It's like she turned six months and changed over night. She's just the sweetest baby and is happiest being held. She's a little bit of a mama's girl (well, maybe a lot). It's amazing to me how different two kids can be even from the youngest age. We love you Anna Kate!

Happy Birthday to Me!

2008-02-16T08:56:00.002-05:00

We had a great weekend in Nashville with my family for mine and my sister's birthdays. Mom and Dad took us out for an awesome dinner at the Eastland Cafe. Did I mention that was without the kids? :) We are very rarely without them, which is great by us, but it was a nice treat to have one night for ourselves. Anyways, they are of course my favorite gift!

Sisters

2008-02-16T08:35:00.004-05:00

One of the best things about having two girls is getting to watch them interact together. Even though Anna Kate is too little to really play with Maddie, you can aready tell she loves Maddie so much. Just in the last month, Maddie has really taken to the role of big sister. She asks where Anna Kate is first thing in the morning. She tries to bring her toys to sooth her when she cries. She loves to push her really high in the baby swing, which Anna Kate thinks is hilarious, but Mommy doesn't :) It's so sweet to watch them together and wonder how their relationship will blossom over the years.
She climbed into Anna Kate's crib during room time. Too cute.Maddie reading to her sis.

Happy Valentine's Day from the Gipsons!

2008-02-14T19:13:00.003-05:00

We hope you are having a great day. Ours was low-key. Tim, Maddie and I did have a candlelit dinner on our china with our favorite Thai take-out. It was fun. Tim and I are off to watch a romantic comedy after getting the girls in bed. I'll be back soon with lots of new pictures.

Oops!

2008-01-17T20:42:00.000-05:00

Well, any of you who have known me for any time at all, know that I'm prone to some very ditzy moments. Motherhood seems to multiply any ditzyness that you already had. As I was filling the sink to wash dishes, Maddie woke up from a nap needing to potty, and Anna Kate started crying. I totally forgot my previous task; hence the big mess in the floor. Maddie had fun playing in the bubbles though!

5 months old and toddler talk

2008-01-17T20:18:00.000-05:00

Anna Kate was five months on New Years Eve. It goes by way too fast, as everyone tries to tell you. Since we're still up in the night with her, we tried to start cereal to see if it would help. It didn't, but we got some cute pictures anyways. She doesn't much care about eating. I've gotten her to eat twice, but the other times she's not interested. Maddie is very excited about helping feed her.

Speaking of Maddie and feeding babies, she said one of those priceless toddler quotes at the Christmas Eve table with Tim's family. Tim's dad, aka "Mikey", was talking to Anna Kate saying, "don't you want some of this yummy food?" Maddie piped up, "No, Mikey, she can't eat that. She eats milk-milk from the boob!!" It was very matter-of-fact too, like, duh, you big dummy:)

We're back

2008-01-11T15:51:00.000-05:00

Well, I'm so excited that my parents got me a new digital camera for Christmas so I can finally update the blog. We had a wonderful Christmastime with both Tim's and my family. We got to be with Tim's brother for the first time in almost two years, because he was in Korea w/ the airforce for a year. Maddie loved playing with her cousins.
After Christmas we had several days in Nashville and got to see everyone there for more celebrations.
Unfortunately, I only have pictures of Nashville, b/c I didn't get my camera until then.

Here are a few.

Thanksgiving in the Mountains

2007-12-07T10:30:00.000-05:00

Every other year for most of my life (since 1987) my dad's side of the family has gone to Gatlinburg for Thanksgiving. We rent a chalet in the mountains and just have a great time being family. With the very late fall, this was the first time we still had colorful leaves on Thanksgiving. It was a great trip. My aunt was kind enough to send me some pics, so I can now update the blog with pictures.

Update

2007-12-04T13:35:00.001-05:00

Well, we have had no luck finding the camera, but I haven't been to church to try to look myself yet. Potty training is getting better each day. She actually told us she needed to go the other night at the store, and waited until we could get there.

Anna Kate's sleeping is back to craziness. With me getting mastitis twice in the last three weeks and all the company and traveling we've been doing, she just can't get on track. We may have another session of sleep training "boot camp" this week.

The best news in our family right now is that Tim finished seminary last week for all intents and purposes(though not technically) . He has two hours to complete his degree. We will be taking a marriage enrichment class together in the spring to fulfill that-it doesn't really have much if any work along with it though, so that's why we're saying he's done. We're done with the stress of trying to find time to study, go to class, in the midst of everything else in life. He will walk for graduation in May. So everything is in limbo it seems with lots of our future being totally uncertain to us. At the same time, life seems a lot the same. We know nothing is uncertain for God, so we are both pretty well at peace with that. We're just praying that we will be open to His leading and wisdom for all the upcoming decisions. For all of our married life we've just been waiting and working to get to this point, and now we're here and still don't seem to know quite what to do with ourselves :)

If you think of us, please say a prayer for wisdom and faith. We have two totally different "doors" of opportunity in front of us. One is related to church planting, a scary but thrilling possibility. The other is a possible opening into the IT field. We have no idea where God is leading, but lots of decisions will need to be made soon. Coming from a person whose faith seems to always be lacking, especially when it comes to major change, I realize my need for God every second these days.

Potty Training

2007-11-26T14:03:00.000-05:00

Well, for those of you who have been around us lately, you know our struggles with Maddie not wanting to potty train. My initial goal was to have her trained before Anna Kate arrived. We tried in early July, but that didn't take. She is very particular about her "pooping in the corner" ritual, so she wasn't interested in the least to change that. I had just told my mom yesterday on our way home from our Thanksgiving trip to Gatlinburg that my new plan was not to mention anything about going to the potty to Maddie for the next month. I was going to put the potty away, have noone mention it in her presence, etc. Then after Christmas I was going to bring back the potty and have a fresh start.
Well, wouldn't you know the little stinker just up and decided last night that she wanted to go potty. It's not that unusual for her to say that and then just play or run around naked. BUT she actually went. Then she went again before bedtime. Today she's gone three times w/ only one accident. I think this is actually it. I don't know how the whole "pooping" part is gonna go over, but she seems to finally "get it" with the pee. Anyways, I know many of you will be glad to know we're finally crossing over :)
By the way, the reason posts have been nonexistent after our robust start to blogging is because I have lost our camera. I am very upset as we totally can't afford to get a new one right now. The last place I remember having it was at church two weeks ago for baby dedication. I called the church and they said they haven't seen it. I'm going to go there and look for myself and I'm praying it will show up. Until then....

Room Time

2007-11-07T12:48:00.001-05:00

Maddie was in her room during "room time" today. That is when she plays in her room by herself with her music on and the gate up so she can't wreak havoc on the rest of the house. When I went in to check on her, she had stripped herself naked (which she is quite prone to do these days) and was trying to get her bathing suit on. It was in the twenties this morning I think, but she doesn't know the difference.

Pumpkin Day

2007-11-06T13:47:00.000-05:00

We didn't do much to celebrate Halloween. Daddy did carve a pumpkin and Maddie helped hand out candy to our 5 trick-or-treaters. Moo!Maddie wouldn't sit still of course.Flashback to Maddie Oct "05-almost 5 months old

Growing like weeds

2007-11-06T13:40:00.001-05:00

The last three months with Anna Kate:One Week Old Three Weeks Old What a Smile Sunday Best Poo on you!

Maddie

2007-11-06T13:12:00.000-05:00

The next few posts are going to be a quick glance at the last few months. I've already gotten several comments that I should have posted pictures of Maddie too. Geez, you guys are impatient :) So here they are. Maddie is the biggest talker I know-she never stops! She is quite the comedian, and I think she gets her personality from her Daddy, at least that's what his mom says. She absolutely does not meet a stranger. She's also quite the Daddy's girl.
This was in August during the 100 degree streak. She loves to wear this hat with the one mitten (since the other is lost).Hannah, Maddie and Ruth enjoying their dinner. Baking cut-out cookies with mom. Ruth and Maddie at the balloon glow.

Climbing in Grammie's trees.

3 month old

2007-11-05T10:27:00.000-05:00

I've had my original post ready for about 2 and 1/2 months, but never posted it. I plan on giving a synopsis in pictures of the last three months sometime soon, but for now, I'll show our precious three month old. She's currently in "sleep training" as she reverted from sleeping 7-8 hours at two months to getting up aroung two times a night over the last month. So we reluctantly decided we would have to break down and hear the crying, because obviously she's not going to give up on her own :) She finally cried herself back to sleep after 45 minutes or so last night. It was terrible, but I knew she wasn't hungry. She just wanted some company. I'm not much for company at 2am :) Then she slept all night-wow, it worked :) I hope that over the next few nights she'll stop waking up altogether.
The dress she's wearing was mine or my sister's :) I think my aunt smocked it for us.
The last pic is her napping this morning. She finally found her thumb. Maybe she'll be a better self-soother now.

Entering the blogosphere

2007-11-05T10:08:00.000-05:00

With more and more of our friends and family being away from us, I decided entering the blog world would be an easier way of keeping up than sending pics over email. I've been reading lots of other people's blogs for a while now and love keeping up with my friends and their families through pictures and posts. So here I am. This way anyone who wants to know what goes on in our lives can look whenever they want. Honestly, it will mostly be pics of our sweet little girls and their silly antics. But maybe I'll get adventursome and muse about my latest wonderings every now and then. With a crazy two year old and an infant here, I doubt I'll have much time for musing for a while though.