Autumn's Art

My friend and neighbor, Autumn, has just started listing her art of Etsy! You MUST visit and see her beautiful work. I hope we have a girl next so I can hang Autumn's art all over her room.

I love the whimsical quality and the mixed media that she uses.

Here's a sampling below. Isn't it beautiful?

Go check her out: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5361411

Remember...

There are so many moments at this stage in Caleb's childhood that I just want to freeze and keep forever. I figured that I should start writing some of them down so that I won't forget.

He loves to run toward us with his arms completely outstretched and a huge grin on his face.

He's obsessed with shoes...must be wearing them or carrying them around all the time.

He's learned to say, "I love you." It sounds like "I lalu."

When he's frustrated with not being able to do something he'll look for us and say, "help please."

He loves to eat oatmeal every morning...it's the one thing I can always count on him to eat. That and any kind of berries.

He says "hi" very enthusiastically, all the time...especially when he sees us or passes strangers in the library, grocery store, park, etc.

He loves to read...takes after mom and dad. He brings us books to read to him throughout the day.

I know these things seem so mundane and just stuff that every kid does, but they are so precious to me and I'm so determined not to forget a single thing. I feel so lucky every day that I get to be his mom...Thank you, Lord, for such a sweet gift.

David

A lot of you know that I have a brother named David with special needs. A few years ago he was also diagnosed with dystonia. Dystonia is a neurological movement disorder that causes his muscles to twist and spasm. My parents have been looking into a treatment called Deep Brain Stimulation, and it looks like it's going to finally happen. DBS sounds scary because it's brain surgery, but it could be life changing not only for David but for my parents and youngest brother, John, as well. My mom started a blog this week to keep everyone updated on the process, and I've put a link to it on the side of my blog. Please read it if you have time and pray for David and the rest of my family too.

Thanks for reading and praying!

Walking!!!

It's officially happened! Caleb is walking. Up to this point he would walk a few steps every once in a while, but he would always resort to crawling as his quicker mode of transportation. Then on Thursday he decided it was time to take off.

All of our cameras have dead batteries so we don't have any videos yet, but I'll post one as soon as possible!

Chocolate Chip Cookies

I'm always in search of "the best" recipes for the basics, and this one has come pretty close to the top in the Chocolate Chip Cookie category:

1/2 cup shortening (I like to use the butter flavored kind)

1/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1 egg

1 cup (or more) flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup chocolate chips

Cream shortening, sugars and vanilla...and when I say cream, I mean cream! Add egg and beat. Sift together flour, baking soda and salt (either with a "sifter" or a fork...whatever works). Hand mix the dry ingredients into the wet ones. Stir in the chocolate chips. Drop in whatever size cookie drops you like onto an ungreased cookie sheet and bake at 375 degrees for 8-10 minutes.

This was my friend Kristina from Knoxville's recipe. Thanks Kristina!

I'd say Caleb is a fan:)