Baldwin Family Christmas

We celebrated Thanksgiving and Christmas with my (Joy) family today. Here are a few pix...

Flu

Blessing came down with the flu about 2:32 am this morning. Hopefully, she will keep it and not share it, although I wish it were me instead so she wouldn't have to be sick. Also, Aunt Alice brought over an ornament for Blessing's Christmas tree. Despite being sick, she still thought the little bear was cute... Enjoy the pix...

Finally... Date Night!

After rounds of illness and other inconveniences, Andy and I are finally getting to go out on a date without Blessing. I love spending time with Andy! Jessie babysat for us and she had a lot of fun with Blessing. Andy and I went to Buffalo Wild Wings for the first time. It's pretty new in the Marion area and when we walked in we actually felt like we were not in Marion because the atmosphere is so different. It was nice. The food was great, too. Then we stopped at the parts store to get wipers for our Jeep. To all who don't know, stopping at the parts store seems to always be part of a date when you are dating a mechanic. Then we went to Tree of Life and looked around, but we didn't find anything the tickled our fancy, so we left empty-handed. Our last stop was IWU. We walked around the new Student Center and I told Andy some stories of my time in college. The new student center is like something you would see in an upscale part of a big city. It is "the bomb" (that's really good for you not so young people). :-) We had a great time and are looking forward to our next date. I would also like to mention that it's been 3 days since I've had any sugar or sugar substitutes. I am proud of myself and am feeling healthier, too.

First Snow of the Year....

Yes, today is the first snow of the year..... and the first time that Blessing has ever really played in the snow. And of course, she loved it. The first thing Daddy did, of course, was teach her how to eat the snow. Yeah... you guessed it, she thought it was great. That afternoon, she did an excellent job drawing a great picture for my fridge. She is soooo advanced that I can't even tell what the picture is of (ha)! I still can't figure out if she's going to be a professional snow eater or artist. Maybe I'll be able to tell you by the end of the month....

Yeah! It's Friday!!!

It's finally time.... Yes.... Blessings FIRST EVER haircut! There's before and after pix for you. Also, today was Blessing's first time out of her highchair and sitting on a big girl chair. She did really well, so the high chair is GONE!!! (Until another blessing comes along.) Anyway, since daddy had to work through lunch, we had a big girl time for lunch. We did really miss daddy, though. And I'm so happy it is Friday!

Final Fall Hurrah!!

So for lunch today I fixed my wonderful mouth-watering famous and world-renowned Chicken Marsala (Gluten-free of course)!!! I also fixed Herbed Potatoes to go along with it. It was so yummy! After lunch, Blessing and I went outside to play in the cool (more like cold) fall weather. It's supposed to really get cold after today bummer. Blessing ran around outside having a grand ole time and I took some cute pix. So thankful for heat when we got inside!! God is good ALL the time!

11/11

Yeah! It's Tuesday, besides Saturday it's my favorite day of the week because of MOMS Bible Study! This afternoon, Blessing had a ball reading and having me read to her for awhile. Then tonight, I decided to do crunches (I did 300, I know, awesome!!!). Anyway, here is a pic Andy took of Blessing doing crunches with me. She's learning great habits young!

Spa Treat

Today, we're all still under the weather and I was feeling pretty yucky. So.... Andy said to take a little time for myself while he watched Blessing. I treated myself to a mask and took a looooooong warm shower. It was wonderful. I took some pix of Andy and Blessing playing. I don't know who has more fun playing blocks: Andy or Blessing.

Apple pie

This week, we are still all recovering from this vicious cold that Blessing caught and shared with all of us. On Tuesday, Blessing and I went in to vote and then went to Bible Study. That evening, I made Andy homemade apple pie. He really liked it. Personally, I think that I'm his favorite wife. I made the pie gluten-free, so that I could eat some too. On Wednesday, Grandma Rickner took Blessing on a golf cart ride while I visited Tammy for a bit. Today, Blessing put on Daddy's socks. She looks adorable, of course! I also took a picture of what my floor usually looks like, no matter how often Blessing and I clean it - she seems to like the clutter. I've gotten used to it so I don't end up in the hospital with a broken neck.

Happy November!

Well, I'm not happy with the weather getting cold, but its supposed to be warm a few more days. Anyway, today I was working while I had a Boz the Bear video on for Blessing. I checked on her at one point, and noticed she was praying along with the video. Oh, that did my heart so much good. Sometimes you wonder if all the work, examples, and teaching you are doing will take root. Hallelujah! God is so good and faithful. We'll continue to pray for her and set the example of Christlikeness for her and watch the Lord work in her life what a Blessing!!!!!!!!!
Also some pictures of her wearing my shoes ealier in the week.