But baby it's cold outside...

Winter has come with full force and is taking my sweet daughter by surprise. When it is time to go outside, Joel and I bundle up Miss Ainsley with about 50 pounds worth of blankets, a hat, onesie-pants-sweatshirt ensemble, more blankets, and a sleeping bag-like sack that zips around her carseat. The only thing uncovered is a 1 by 1 inch area around her eyes. Even still, the moment we hit the frigid temperature, Ainsley's eyes narrow and her scowl gets vicious. She looks up at me as if I am a winter monster determined to ruin her snuggly state. It's really quite heart wrenching.

Today the lady and I are going to brave the frosty air and enjoy our favorite outing- a stroll around Target. Yes, my daughter and I are those kind of girls- bargain hunters, if you will. We thoroughly enjoy walking aimlessly through the aisles, trolling for deals. After Target escapades, I fully intend to come home and bake a respectable batch of Christmas cookies while the little Miss. settles down for a wee nap.

Ahh, the pleasures of winter.

Sleeping Beauty

Is it possible that a family of three could have two world-class sleepers in it?!?! My sweet baby girl is definitely a sleeper after her daddy's heart, impressing us with her abilities to conk out at any given moment. Currently she is napping on my shoulder. She must be tuckered out from the 3 hour nap she just woke up from 5 minutes ago :) I've enclosed a picture of my two sleeping beauties for your viewing pleasure...

I started back to work this week. Yet again I am amazed at God's sustaining grace. He is truly strongest when I am weak. Each morning I get up at 5:30am to feed my daughter, shower, drink as much coffee as possible and drag my drowsy body to the car. By God's mercy, I am in the classroom by 7:30 tweaking my lessons for the day. How my mind is awake enough to lecture about the intricacies of Shakespeare's wit, I have no idea. I serve a good God.

Thursdays are by far my favorite day of any week. For some reason, Joel and I regard Thursday nights as a sacred "date night" at home. Every Thursday I pull out my best homemaker skills and cook my man a small feast. We then spend the evening relaxing, talking, and enjoying our favorite TV shows. Tonight's agenda is to synch our calendars for the next several months and to plan out vacations- might not sound like romance to you, but to me it feels like true poetry. I love that man.

Fall is here...

Today Ainsley and I went out on the town to soak up as much of this fall weather as possible. I think my daughter might be as much of a fall gal as I am. Whenever the wind would blow, she would get this contented grin on her face and let out a little grunt. We walked all around this outdoor mall by our house and made it almost 45 minutes before the cries began! BIG progress.