State Fair Take 3

We're getting ready to enjoy the Strawberry Festival this weekend so I figured I'd come off these pics of our recent trip to the State Fair. 

me and ma.

this big girl can even ride solo.

rope making in Cracker Country.

learning how to milk a cow.

meat lover.

making a radish seed necklace.

love making memories with this girl.

Chow Time

"More on that tomorrow"... is half a month away, apparently! When we're too busy to blog life, we're too busy doing life. That's where I've been- and that's okay! Hoping to slow it down a bit this week, but in the meantime, it's chow time over here!

Six months for my babies means one thing... FOOD! I'm convinced of the benefits of waiting until at least this age before introducing anything but breast milk. More of my thoughts on baby-led weaning here. (Also some really cute pics of my baby girl eating her first foods too!) Like most parents, we have a big hoopla about the first eating experience. Both Grace Louise and Jamesy had pear as their first food. I actually offered him broccoli and banana a few days before, and he surprisingly didn't even try to eat it. Only play- which is fun too! 

This week he has shown more interest, so far trying pear, banana, sweet potato (not a favorite), black eyed peas, green peas, black beans, butternut squash, mashed potatoes (couldn't keep 'em coming fast enough), and strawberries. I even let him gnaw on a corn cob. That was Grace Louise's favorite! It's amazing the kernels they can manage without any teeth!

He's mad. No more broccoli spears.

 *Note to self: buy this pretty boy a blue bib.

Haha... tricked ya! This last picture is Grace Louise! Looks like they both have the same pear-eating technique and even favor the left side. They look enough alike that when I go back through her baby pictures, I have to keep reminding myself that it is her and not Jamesy! So strange. She looks like her little girl self in my mind's eye. Without pictures, I'm not sure that I could even remember her baby face.  ... and we'll save all that sappiness for a later post.

Happy 6 Months

Valentine's Day was about love in the Hurst house for more than just the usual reason. Our baby boy turned 6 months old!  Half way to a year? Unbelievable! 

I really can't think of descriptives for this little guy that I haven't already splattered all over this blog... happy, smiley, loving, loud, dimply, and oh so sweet.

I believe we have a crawler in our near future! He is sitting up very well and rocking on all fours. He already manages to get ALL over the place, but I'm not exactly sure how. (Is he crawling when my head is turned or just rolling over and scooting?!) No words or teeth yet, but lots going on with that mouth! Always a chatterbox, always chewing or drooling, and even giving kisses! Open mouth ones, of course.

He has only been to the pediatrician once for his newborn check-up so I honestly have no clue how much he weighs. Maybe 16-20lbs? 

He rocks to sleep, still nurses every 3-4 hours, and wakes twice in the night. (Boo for me). We introduced food this week (more on that tomorrow), so I'm hoping for some longer stretches of sleep soon! 

This is why I write to you, why I take your picture as much as I can, why I try to stay in the present soaking up each special moment and breathing the whole experience in! I want you to know that I’ve loved you to the fullest each step of the way! 

Will you be my Valentine?

We just had the best Valentine's Day. I admit, I'm a hope(ful) romantic and usually have unrealistic expectations about how I want to experience this holiday. Last year my hubby and I joined friends for sushi and he surprised me with a towel warmer. (Don't judge. You know you wish you had a dryer-warm towel waiting on you post shower). This year we decided to spend the evening together as a family, making memories and basking in the overflowing love that Jesus has poured into our lives. 

We cooked an amazing dinner! The menu? Tuna steaks, horseradish and parmesan crusted "filet" (chuck eye), scallops and fettucini alfredo, and brocollini. And our traditional Johnny Leverock's brownie and Hershey bar a la mode with raspberry sauce. YUM!!!!! We ate like royalty, for sure. 

Grace Louise helped set the table with china and candles (something we should do more often perhaps, since she was much better mannered than usual). Jimmy and I put the kiddos to bed as soon as possible and enjoyed a movie and the rest of the evening by ourselves. :-)

Earlier in the day the kids and I celebrated with our homeschool group at the park. Grace Louise made "Crazy About You" valentines with crazy straws to give to her friends. In return, her bag was filled with sweet cards and treats from her friends. What fun... even in the rain! 

A wet and soggy Valentine's Day made for a perfect afternoon relaxing and reading inside before nap time. I snuggled my girl close and read Because I Love You, by Max Lucado. A beautiful illustration of God's unfailing love for us and His desire and willingness to bring us back to Him through Jesus Christ. 

We love because He first loved us. -1 John 4:19

Youth Fair

Now that I have a few years of blogging under my belt, I love going back to compare seasons of life and see how Grace Louise and our family has changed and grown. Here we are again- fair time. What seems like just yesterday, was a year ago that we were attending the Polk County Youth Fair and making plans to take our sweet girl to the state fair. Here is a link to some pics I snapped of our experience last year. I had just shared the news of my pregnancy with James H and was about 2.5 months along. 

This year our nephew, Triston, was the only family member with a hog that made weight. Showing and selling at the fair was a huge part of my childhood and I'm thrilled to support my own children and family in doing the same. Grace Louise watched the hog sale with enthusiasm and fearlessly toured the cattle exhibits, wanting to pet, feed, or lead every cow! We ended our day with dinner at the Frostproof FFA tent. Many wonderful people. Many wonderful memories.

Squeaky Clean

Bubby loves his once a week bath! And Sissy loves to help! (The day of his bath and the day after result in horrible eczema flare-up, which is why he only gets one bath a week). I'm looking forward to these two playing and splashing in the tub together soon. Until then, he embraces the womb-like experience in the Tummy Tub, knees to chest, then standing up and splashing, making a big ol' mess!

Home grown and sugar sweet

We love the abundance of fresh, juicy Florida citrus right now! Sadly, I don't think a hands-on aspect of orange groves and the citrus industry will be much a part of Grace Louise's childhood tapestry, as it was mine. I learned how to drive up and down the grove middles, worked planting and caring for trees since before I was even a teenager, and ultimately developed quite a love for this little fruit tree and the farmers and industry that make it happen. I will, however, teach my children where their food comes from and the hard work that goes into getting it to our table. And as much as possible, we'll get back to the basics... pick it, squeeze it, drink it :-)

Breaking Free

Today my dad was released from jail. For the past five months he has been serving time for charges resulting from alcohol abuse. He has seen few glimpses of daylight since October, bound by the consequences of his choices-- and concrete walls. I glanced at the clock this morning, only an hour passed since he was dismissed from the Polk County Jail. I imagined him walking out of the jailhouse doors, closing his eyes, and tilting his face toward the sky, basking in new found freedom. No sooner than I finished this thought did I hear these words on the radio:

Seems like all I could see was the struggle
Haunted by ghosts that lived in my past
Bound up in shackles of all my failures
Wondering how long is this gonna last
Then You look at this prisoner and say to me "son
Stop fighting a fight it's already been won"

I am redeemed, You set me free
So I'll shake off these heavy chains
Wipe away every stain, now I'm not who I used to be
I am redeemed, I'm redeemed

Can you imagine him choosing to stay in jail after being granted freedom? Walking back in and saying, "I choose to live a sub par life, eat cheap starchy food, and sleep on a cot in a four walled cell for the rest of my life. Freedom is mine, but I'll take this instead." No way! And yet we as Believers make said choice when we live in condemnation or continue to enslave ourselves to the desires of the flesh. To accept shackles and bondage, and failure as a way of life.

I am getting ready to start a Bible study with some ladies from church- Beth Moore's well known study, Breaking Free. Timing happenstance? I think not. It's totally like God to orchestrate such an effective illustration and invitation, really, of what He desires for me. I don't have a taboo stronghold... I'm thankfully not an addict; I don't habitually lie, cheat, or steal.  I do, however, struggle with other things, like respecting my husband, promoting peace in my home, etc. I continually and daily need His grace. It is my prayer that over the course of this study He would reveal to me areas of perpetual struggle, such as these, where I am not walking in His freedom. The jailhouse doors are open, and I do not want to remain an inmate!

God, thank you for this picture! Your love for me is amazing. I am utterly overwhelmed that you would be mindful of me, have even a simple thought of me, let alone, come to earth in the flesh, die a gruesome death to pay my sin debt, and free me from eternal death! You walked up to my cell, called me by name, unlocked the chains that bound me, and set me free. As if that is not enough, you have committed yourself to sanctifying me so I can be more like your Son. Wow! 

Hog slop and stories

I'm trying to capture pictures of everyday memories, the sweet moments of Grace Louise reading to her brother or helping daddy make hog slop on the tailgate of the truck. You never know what you're gonna get around this house!

Happy 5 months, James H!

What a difference a month has made! Our precious son is so active and smiley, learning and doing more everyday! 

rolling ALL over. enjoying his mat and toys on the floor. loves chewing Sophie. loves chewing anything. hopeful for teeth soon. lots of drool. brightens up the room with his smile. has quite a scowl too- like his sister. looks like a little snapping turtle. says 'mama' (not on purpose, but really he does!). still nurses in the night. sleeps in bassinet but prefers mama's bed. getting better in the car. watches the dvd player. loves his weekly bath (yes, only one a week). eczema has improved. mama loving soft baby skin again. interacting with Sissy more everyday. belly laughs often. listens to stories. squeals like a girl. joins the family at the supper table, Bumbo style. still loves to be worn. such a lover and just pulls you in!

Sweet as Honey

My family has been blessed with a very neat opportunity to dabble in one of my loves... horses. I have been in and out of horses as a hobby since childhood, ultimately realizing that the financial and time commitments of horse ownership are greater than our current budget, lifestyle, and residence will allow!  

I have a sweet friend who has offered a leasing option so that we can enjoy horsemanship without the responsibility of owning. We are currently spending our time with a 12 year old mare named Honey. Grace Louise went from zero to hero in her equestrian confidence. She's amazing! She grooms, rides, and is learning simple groundwork with Honey. I am truly the one in heaven, though. Hoping to brush up my own skills and build confidence through this experience!

Bubby hangs out in the wrap, stroller, or on a picnic blanket while we're horsing around! Sissy's never too busy to come for a little snuggle, though ;-)

Happy New Year

A little late for a Happy New Year post, but chugging along the to-do list, I finally made it to this task! I'm not much for New Year Resolutions, although I do think the timing for making life changes is spot-on. Eat all you want and procrastinate for the last couple months of the year, which happen to be the most delectable; then get yourself together come January. You have the whole year to try and fail over and over, but there's something about January that just says clean slate. If you are a Believer, friend, I have good news... everyday says clean slate!

Because of the Lord's great favor we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. - Lamentations 3:22-23

Sure, I've got some goals for the year... a fitness goal, parenting and homeschooling goals, even a goal to throw the best Hunger Games Catching Fire party EVER...but my greatest aim is simply this- less of me and more of Him. May we always be decreasing, that He may increase and be glorified in us!

Wrapping up Christmas

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day were spent with family. What a blessing, to have our families so close and traditions to keep. Grace Louise opened her last Advent countdown box to reveal an activity we always do, spend Christmas Eve with the cousins.

Granny DuBose and the great-grands.

Christmas morning we woke up, snuggled in the family bed for the reading of the Christmas story, and then opened a few gifts under the tree before Poppee Rick came over for breakfast. Grace Louise had mentioned wanting a dinosaur several times over the past few weeks, so her daddy found a very cool stegosaurus whose skin and bones separate for a fun skeleton lesson! I insisted on getting her a jump rope. She opened it, cried because she couldn't do it, and hasn't really touched it since. (Bad call, mom.) I did, however, wrap up a hand-me-down gift that she adored-- a Little People barn with farmers, tractors, animals, etc.  I can see lots of imaginative play time with this toy in the future!

We joined BeBe, Pops, Aunt Lindsey and Uncle Marsh for a scrumptious lunch on Christmas day. We had so much fun just being together. Simple as that.

And the fun (and food) continues... Christmas dinner with my family.

Christmas day was busy and exciting. We decided to wait until the day after to enjoy a Happy Birthday Jesus cake with friends!