2009: The Year In Reverse

As cliche as it sounds, I can't believe how quickly this year has passed! So, inspired by Allison at O My Family, I've put together some of my favorite photos from This Heavenly Life in 2009. To help me look back on our year and see how far we've come: from babies to toddlers, from toddlers to preschoolers.

Here, in somewhat reverse chronology, was our 2009:

From: Scenes From Christmas

From: Mia's Jungle-rific Party

From: 7 Quick Takes, #44

From: Chocolate Chip Cookies

From: Perfectly Poetical Tuesday (Couplet)

From: I Can't Believe I'm Doing This

From: A Bigger Pile Of Leaves

From: A Pile Of Leaves

From: Ballerina Recap

From: Ballerina Recap

From: One Thousandish Photos

From: King Charming

From: 7 Quick Takes, #33

From: Hop-too; Life Is Good

From: The Single Acceptable 98* Activity

From: Where Dirty Equals Cherished

From: Water Balloons & Donkey Legs: The Makings Of Party Magic

From: Everyone Loves A Slinky...Until It Crashes

From: Mia Goes To The Dentist




From: 7 Quick Takes, #21

From: 7 Quick Takes, #17

From: 7 Quick Takes, #17




From: She Comes From The Land Down Under

From: 7 Quick Takes, #11

From: 7 Quick Takes, #11

From: Heavy On The Easter Pictures

From: Heavy On The Easter Pictures

From: The Cool Thing About Grandpas

From: Lauren's Birthday Party

From: Shield Your Eyes

From: Where We Pretend It's Spring

From: 7 Quick Takes, #6




From: I'm My Own Bread Machine

From: 7 Quick Takes, #5




From: Shameless Bragging




From: Nana-Enforced Memories




From: The Food Feud, Episode 3

From: 6 Years!




From: Starring Evelyn Joy

So there you have it: a small fraction of our 2009 in reverse. I can't wait to see what happens in 2010.

Happy New Year!

This Heavenly Nana

Today is my mom's birthday!

In a little tribute to the woman I most admire and love, here are some photos which I believe will help you to know and love her a little better, too.

She is tender and caring, generous and compassionate.

She can really make us laugh -- sometimes accidentally so.

She's always available if you need to have a chat, and her feedback is both wise and helpful.

She can rock a sun visor; this makes her super cool. We mortals can only hope to successfully wear a sun visor in our lifetimes, while she makes it look natural. Not goofy at all. Nope.

She knows how to keep herself (and others) busy. There's never a dull moment at Nana's house.

She has an addictive laugh (and a hereditary one, it would seem -- I sometimes honk right along with her), a positively joyful spirit, and an uplifting personality.

And if you ever get to wish her Happy Birthday in person, she'll somehow manage to turn the compliment back around on you, leaving you happier than you were before. She's a blessing like that.

Happy Birthday, Mom! Here's to another year of embarrassing photo opportunities and snuggly baby kisses. I'll do my best to make sure there are plenty of both.

You just keep that visor handy, OK?

One Last Christmas Post

Being a selfish human, I was thrilled with the gifts I received on Christmas. And being a blogging human, I must show some of them to you.

You already saw my lemon apron, which was a gift from my sweet husband. I was so excited that I wore it for the rest of the day. It's cheery and confident and clean -- perfect for my kitchen, which is decidedly not confident or clean. Cheery, though, yes. What I didn't expect was the gift my mom presented me with later in the day: another apron! You can't tell from this picture, because sitting the camera on top of a lamp and pushing the timer button doesn't provide for the best focus -- either that or I'm a horrible photographer, which is a true story -- but the apron is the sweetest purple with tiny white polka dots.

This apron, though, she MADE. She sewed it herself, along with a tiny matching apron for Mia. I was floored! I had no idea she was going to such trouble for my Christmas gift. Thank you, mom! It's gorgeous!

In keeping with my kitchen-themed Christmas, I also got two new cookbooks. One, I'd begged for: The Pioneer Woman Cooks, from my mom. The other, I'd never heard of, but am very impressed with: The Amish Cook's Baking Book, from my husband. It's so full of wonderful stories and recipes, and its focus is on one of my favorite kitchen activities, baking. Justin did a very good job picking it out -- I've already made a fabulous pecan pie from its pages.

My parents also got me this pretty cranberry and white rectangle platter from Pampered Chef. I don't know exactly what I'm going to do with it yet, but I love it. I'd like to be able to keep it out as a centerpiece or something, but I'm falling blank on how to make that happen in an attractive way. Any suggestions?

And something I'd completely forgotten about wanting were these reusable baggies from my sister-in-law. They're called WasteNot Saks, and they're adorable! I can't wait to send Mia to preschool with these in her lunchbox. Or to send one in Justin's lunch and hear about the ribbing he gets for having a weird wife. Aren't they cute, though?!

I was also so excited about my spa and bookstore gift certificates. If I can manage to use the two together on the same day, you will be hearing from one contented mama. I can't imagine the repercussions of such bliss.

One thing I was not terribly excited about receiving was this little lady:

At my family's white elephant gift exchange, she landed in my unwilling lap. Luckily, I jumped at the chance to trade her off for a giant hot cocoa mug, but it wasn't meant to last. My dreamy daughter, Mia, batted her eyelashes at her Uncle Sam and told him in her sweetest voice how much she loved the doll. With one swift motion, the doll was ours. Forever. She loves it too much to not notice it's mysterious absence, so we're left plotting revenge on Uncle Sam.

Mia's slept with it ever since, and my stomach turns when I think about those provocative lips and tushie being anywhere close to my baby.

But. This too shall pass.

So tell me: What gifts were you excited about this Christmas? And if you tell me a Bratz Doll, we might not be able to be friends anymore.

Mia will still love you, though.