Category Archives: family

New Year’s and Autumn’s Blessing

Grandma and Grandpa Stubblefield came for a quick visit after being in New Mexico for Christmas. They flew in New Year’s Eve pretty late. Before they got here our neighbor and friend Marnie surprised us with some Sparklers! The kids were SO happy for them. Aren’t we all little pyro’s at heart? That made their night. They went to bed a little later than normal and then Micah went to pick up Grandma and Grandpa from the airport. When they got here we talked for a little while and then at midnight our next door neighbors had a great fireworks show (these neighbors are the best – they go all out for Halloween and Christmas decorating their house and the fireworks were awesome – our kids love their decorations)!

Micah and I decided at the last minute to have Autumn’s baby blessing on Monday evening so Grandma and Grandpa could be here for it. I had gone back and forth about making a dress for Autumn, I knew I wasn’t up for the challenge of making another dress like Rachelle’s (the problem wasn’t actually the dress but in the fact that I only gave myself a week to pull it together, had never really sewn any clothing before, and had a baby that very rarely slept) but before Autumn was born I found some that I thought may be a little easier.  I came across a tutorial for this cute little ruffle skirt on one of the blogs I subscribe to in August or September… and then I got on pinterest and found this cute dress here that used a onesie. The more I looked at it the more I liked it, but I just couldn’t quite understand the tutorial… but I knew I wanted something sort of like it. Then several of the blogs I follow started posting about this company called Ruffle Fabric. YES! I knew as time was getting shorter I wouldn’t have the patience or energy to make all the ruffles myself. I didn’t realize I would be making the dress in a day! Monday morning while everyone went bowling I had a little time to myself to make this dress (luckily I had some help from Grandma Stubz, because it wouldn’t have come together without her expertise). I love the way it turned out and it came together pretty quickly. We used a long sleeve white onesie, two inch white ruffle fabric (that is so soft and lightweight), and some ribbon and trim to finish it up.

It was so nice to have everyone (who could come on short notice) at the blessing. Thank you! We were glad to have both sets of grandparents there.

It was nice to have the blessing in our home and have a little time to mingle afterwards.We love our sweet and precious Autumn!

 

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All About Christmas!

We had a great Christmas break the past few weeks. Micah took quite a bit of time off work and we all were able to get a lot done, relax and enjoy the time we had with each other. It was so nice. I am so grateful to have had all of his help as I’ve been getting back into the swing of things. He has been a great diaper changer, entertainer, errand runner, dinner maker, etc, etc, etc over the past several weeks! I’m picking up some slack now but I really have appreciated the time I’ve had to recover and get used to having a new baby in the mix. We’ve had a lot of fun throughout December with our elf, Jimmy Jingle, who would surprise us every morning with something fun (ingredients to make pancakes, blanket forts, stacked chairs, donuts, etc).

We miss Jimmy – the kids were so excited to wake up in the morning with him and now they slowly saunter out of bed again. We drove around a few times looking for Christmas lights and light shows. We tried to do random acts of kindness every day (which was pretty fun and successful) and this year we found a great garden train house to visit that was a fun Christmas bonus.

Christmas Eve took place at Mamama’s and Papa-dad’s house. When we arrived we had just missed the excitement – but could still smell the evidence. The house was set up so nicely for dinner and there were candles next to some poinsettias as the centerpieces. One of the little candles somehow caught the wrapping of the poinsettias on fire which then started the table cloth on fire. Luckily, it was caught quickly and the poinsettias and tablecloth were the only losses! We ate a DELICIOUS dinner with beef tenderloin, rolls, salad, fruit, etc. There were crackers and dip and cookies, and a delicious mint ice cream dessert. After eating and playing for a little bit we had our Christmas nativity. I love seeing all the little ones dressed up and its so fun to listen to all the little voices singing along. We came home and opened pajamas and then got the kids in bed.

Getting ready for the nativity.

 

Rachelle hung out with Robyn during the Nativity.

Lacey and Jackson.

Santa brought a trampoline for the family and Jimmy Jingle left a doll house he had built for the family. Both gifts are enjoyed very much! Autumn got a little musical toy for the car, Chelle got a cute baby doll, Lacey got walkie talkies, Jackson got “guess who” and a little submarine. Each got some clothes.  I think everyone came away happy. That morning we ate breakfast, opened gifts from Santa, and then got dressed and Micah and the three oldest went to church. Then when they came home there were a few presents under the tree for them to open from cousins and we finally showed them the trampoline.

Our converted bookshelf.

We’ve talked over and over about baby Jesus with Jackson, Lacey and Rachelle and it was a neat feeling to have a new baby during this time. I’ve been able to reflect a little on how Mary must have felt. I have a lot of questions for her… I want to know what she was thinking about and what kind of a baby little Jesus was! I can’t imagine how it felt to have a baby in a manger in those circumstances. Wow – she was amazing.  I’m so grateful for her, and especially for Jesus, who has given us a path to follow and has done so much for us. The more I read and think about Him, the more I know that its true. It really was a fun and exhausting Christmas for all of us.

 

 

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Our little Kitty

Sweet little Chelle has been so kind with Autumn. She is such a nice toddler that I didn’t really worry about how she would treat the baby – I knew she would be kind. I used to have a lot of cuddle time with her before the baby came along, but as I was recovering from the c-section in the past several weeks I wasn’t supposed to pick her up. She has been so patient, but when she doesn’t get held or loved as much as she wants she turns into a little kitty cat. She gets on her hands and knees and says “meow, meow”  in a soft voice, and crawls near me and very softly scratches at my knees with her fingernails. Then she reaches up to me to hold her.

It is so darn cute but it kinda breaks my heart! Its been hard not being able to pick her up and give her hugs and cuddle with her as much as I used to. I love this little girl so much… I’ve been trying to give her a little more time every day where I sit on the couch so she can climb into my lap – she loves to read books and if I could, we would read book after book after book, or the same book over and over a million times! There’s been a little adjusting, but I hope little Chelle knows how much I still love her! She is a precious part of our family!

(I took these pictures of her first ponytail a few days ago – it was so cute)

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Three Weeks and growing up!

Has it really already been almost three weeks? I can’t believe it but at the same time, I can completely believe every hour of it! Autumn is such a sweet little girl… we all LOVE her! It cracks me up when she wakes up and Jackson, Lacey, or Rachelle see her, they go tell the others “She’s awake!!!” They get so excited and all come in to look at her. They all try to stand right where she’s looking, so she can see them, and usually they get way too close to her face. Yes, it is a special time when she’s awake! Then when they see that I’m sitting down to feed her they say, “Ah mom, are you going to feed her again?? You’ll make her go to sleep!”

This little girl started out at 6 lbs 14 oz, and this past Thursday at the Dr. appointment she jumped to 7 lbs 13 oz. I was quite happy – I have to admit, I’ve felt a little nervous to have such a small baby (I know it sounds a little silly). I mean, she even fits newborn clothes and diapers still! She is starting to stay awake a little longer here and there and she loves to be held. Micah and I are trying to figure out his camera, so we’ve been trying to take some fun pictures of her… Here are some updated shots:

Hmmm – how do you get the right lighting, angle, etc, etc?

My little assistant:

  

Done with the pictures!

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Autumn Rose

We love this sweet little girl. I caught this picture last night… I know its a little blurry, but I love the sweet innocence of a sleeping baby. It is so precious to me!

A couple nights ago I was so overwhelmed with gratitude for my sweet new baby and my 3 sweet children that love her SO dearly. I couldn’t help but thank my Heavenly Father for these greatest blessings and yet I still felt that my thanks to Him were inadequate for the joy I feel.

We have felt so grateful for all the love and help we’ve received from family and friends! In the hospital as I was getting prepped to go back to the operating room someone who worked there came in and asked if I would need any help or assistance with other children when I left the hospital. I was grateful to say that we have family and friends that are helping us.  Since then I’ve thought again and again about how much harder it would be to have a baby without everyone’s support. Thank you, Thank you! My heart is overfilled with gratitude!  Happy Thanksgiving!

 

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