Marshall Newsletter: 2012 In Review

Every Single Day...

Our Happyween!

Hey, Happy Halloween!

or

Happy Fall Festival!

Whatever you choose to call it, it is the time to dress up and get candy from strangers friends.

This year Miss Norah Jayne was a.... you guessed it... Lil' Pumpkin!

I did not make her costume. I was so blessed to find it at TJ Maxx last year for about $15. 

She loves wearing it around the house while playing dress up so, 

I think we have gotten our money out of it. 

The only thing I added to the costume was the green and white bow that I made, 

and the curly orange and white ribbon (that I did not make).

I thought it made the hat look a little more girlie. 

We celebrated at Kenwood Bible Methodist. They had a Trunk or Treat get-together. 

Norah Jayne was able to collect one bag of chips and two pieces of candy. 

I don't think she really understood what was going on... :) 

She just enjoyed seeing everyone and playing with her little friends in the nursery.

Kirk and I also dressed up... from the neck up. 

I was a Kitty Cat complete with whiskers and ears.

Kirk was a Pirate complete with fake hair extensions, eye patch, fake skull teeth, and do-rag. 

(He wouldn't let me do his eye make-up.)

I could kick myself for not getting any pictures of Kirk. We were in kind of a mad rush to get everything together, get in the car, and get to the Church on time... 

Oh well, I have my memories.

But, of course, I got some photos of the cute little pumpkin.

Norah Jayne wanted to wear her "punkin" to lunch with daddy, so I let her and took the opportunity to get some shots.

I love Kirk Marshall. He is a super awesome daddy.

Norah Jayne thinks so too...

  

And, I love my little baby, Norah Jayne. 

This is happiness.

Let's Go Bananas!

Norah's birthday party was this past Saturday. We had a monkey theme with purple, yellow and pink accents. I made the cake. It was vanilla cake and icing (Mr. M. requested this flavor). 

For the food I decided to do it sack lunch style. Originally we were planning to have her party at the park, but the weather did not cooperate so we had an indoor picnic instead!

The Menu:

PB&J

Cinnamon Applesauce

Goldfish

Bananas

Milk

Water

Sweet Tea

Games:

Pin the tail on the monkey

Freeze Dance

Both seemed to be a big hit!

 ❤ Little friends to help Norah celebrate! ❤

Birthday girl eating her indoor picnic surrounded by loved ones. 

 Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you! 

Gifts:

Wooden Puzzles

Eric Carle Book

Baby Doll

PBK Quilt

Calico Critters and Cozy Cottage

Gingham Dress

Curious George Book and DVD

Janie & Jack beret

Gymboree cloche hat

Plush Eeyore with Eeyore book

Purse and sticker book

Molding Clay

Doodle board

Tricycle

(Thank you Jennifer Waits (my sister) for taking the photos below!)

Unfortunately she was not in the best mood while opening her gifts. 

I felt bad because I didn't want everyone to think she was ungrateful. 

Sometimes I have to remind myself that she is just TWO... ❤

After her nap, she was in much better spirits and enjoyed playing with all of her toys. 

It was a great little party. Very low key and so much fun for Norah. 

Norah Jayne is TWO! ❤

There are times when I feel so unequipped to be her mother. There are daily challenges. New milestones bring new adventures for us all. It is a wild ride, but I wouldn't want it any other way.

A little about Norah at TWO...

Height: 37 in
Weight: 30.8 lbs
Head: 19.5 in
Feet: Size 8
Cloths: 2T-3T

Loves Curious George (as we discussed in my previous post)
Loves monkeys (probably because of Curious George), doggies and elephants
Loves peanut butter and strawberry jelly sandwiches.
Loves bananas, apples, oranges, grapes, blueberries -- basically any fruit
Loves steamed broccoli
Loves crackers
Loves sipping on mommy's decaf coffee but her favorite beverage is still MILK
Hates cheese (I think it is a texture thing) 
Loves stickers, storybooks and drawing (she went all Picasso on the armoire and shutters in her room)

Loves bows, hats and shoes

Loves music and dancing

She is interested in everything that mommy and daddy do. She does a lot of mimicking. 

She is learning about obedience and having a good attitude.

She is learning to be thankful and polite.

She is learning about patience. (And I am getting a refresher in this course too!)

She is learning to use the potty!

Some of Norah Jayne's two year portraits that I shot the day before her birthday. 

I love everything about this little lady. 

Just a few of Norah's favorite people...

Papaw

Nanny

  

Stephy

Daddy

I had to add this picture of Norah Jayne's hair. I have been itching to give her a little hair-do since she was a tiny little thing... she is just now getting enough hair for me to actually do something with. 
Mommy is in heaven. ❤

The night before Norah's birthday, I decided that I would make a special birthday breakfast for her so that we could all eat together before daddy went to work. 

To add to the festivities, I bought some balloons along with a card to surprise her. 

That morning, I hurriedly made bacon and eggs, set the table, and set out the pre-made pumpkin chocolate chip muffins. 

Norah woke up and we took her to the living room. She immediately saw the balloons and was very excited by them! She said, "Oh my goodness!" 

Such a flurry of activity in the morning is rather unusual for all of us, especially her. 

We sat her in her chair and she opened her card all by herself! What a smart girl. :)
Then we began to sing "Happy Birthday;" the look on her face was priceless!

After the singing, I brought out her muffin with two candles on it. She was mesmerized. 
I was able to get one shot before she blew out the candles.  

Later in the day, we went to eat lunch with daddy in the cafeteria. I took along the balloons, a cupcake and the two candles. The students sang to her and she really loved it! 

She is definitely mommy's girl- the icing is the best part!

We plan on having a proper birthday party for her on the 27th. I am sure there will be more photos, more cake, more friends, and more singing... 

We are enjoying our two year old. My, how time has flown!

Warning: Graphic Content & Strong Opinion Advisory

My daughter is two and she is a very brave little lady. She has never been afraid of the dark. She has never met a stranger that she didn't like. In fact, she is so friendly that my mommy radar is on hyper-drive most of the time because I want to protect this little one who can not protect herself.

We are very cautious about what Norah is exposed to. We don't let her watch television because it is just too hard to control what will pop up on the screen, even PBS. However, we have some kids DVD's and a subscription to Netflix. She loves Curious George. I love them, because they are short episodes and full of fun, adventure and learning moments. 

One afternoon, We were watching an episode of Curious George. All of a sudden, Norah became very upset -- crying and screaming, "No! No! No!" as she scrambled onto my lap and hid her face in my shirt.

I was confused, because there was nothing that seemed to be particularly scary going on. Then I realized that she was reacting to Mr. Gopher Getter. 

Immediately I turned the episode off and I held her until she calmed down. I tried to explain (as best as I could) that he could not hurt her and that mommy wouldn't let Mr. Gopher Getter visit our house ever again. 

I sit here at my desk contemplating this post. I am conflicted. I am conflicted because I know in my heart that my motives are pure, but I also realize that the topic I am about to broach is very sensitive.

However, what I am about to say has been on my mind for months now and I think that I need to share my thoughts. 

A little over five years ago we moved to Cincinnati. One afternoon I was driving up Auburn Avenue on my way to the grocery store, or maybe it was the bank, or the library... I don't remember, exactly where I was going, but I will never forget what I saw on the side of the road. 

There on the left hand side of the road was a large brick building surrounded by a gate. 

Outside of the gate, I noticed a handful of people walking back and forth, heads bowed in what appeared to be prayer. One gentleman was holding rosary beads. One man was wearing a sandwich- board type sign, and across the front and back it had a pro-life message. 

It was a peaceful demonstration.

I was impressed. 

As the months went by I realized this was not some one-time rally or some yearly Right-To-Life event. There were almost always people there at the gate, praying and holding signs with pro-life messages. 

They were there as a constant reminder of what was happening in that building. 

Silently protesting, praying, grieving.

In fact, in the five years that I have lived here, I can count on one hand the times I have not seen at least one person there. 

Then, one day, on my way back down Auburn Avenue, I noticed a car parked on the street with a large poster fastened to the back. On this very large poster was an enlarged photo of a baby. 

Its little face, torso and limbs were all there. 

However, it was dismembered. The broken, bloody body of this aborted child lay before me in pieces. Forceps holding the decapitated head slightly higher than the body. 

It was gruesome.

It was a complete shock to the system. 

I felt nauseated and disgusted.

The thought crossed my mind, How can the graphic display of a nude, mutilated child be legal? What about the little kids that live in this neighborhood? What about the toddlers in car-seats that are unwillingly subjected to these images? 

Please do not misunderstand me.  

I am pro-life. 

I am pro-freedom of speech.

I am also pro-common sense and pro-discretion.

I drive down Auburn Avenue weekly with Norah. We have to. Our doctor's office is there. Our bank is there, and other places like Kroger, CVS, and the dentist. 

I want to protect Norah from these images.

She is at that age where she is highly impressionable and emotional. 

She has a memory like an elephant, but her understanding of what she sees and hears is often beyond her understanding; so seeing images of a decapitated, dismembered, bloody baby could be easily misunderstood and very frightening for her.

Thankfully, so far, I have been able to distract her from looking out the window when we drive that section of the road. I pray that I will be able to continue to guard her eyes and protect her mind from these gruesome images.

I believe that parents are responsible for their children in every aspect. We are entrusted to care for and protect their bodies, to guard their eyes, ears and minds. To protect their innocence. To introduce the world to them in bits that they can cope with. 

No, we can't protect them from everything forever, but we should do what we can to protect them until they are prepared to handle the ugly realities that sin has brought into the world. 

I believe that fighting to protect the unborn and fighting to protect the innocence of those that have already been born should work hand-in-hand.

Unfortunately, the fact that these images are displayed without discretion, shows a callousness towards basic decency and a lack of concern for the emotional well-being of children.

The end does not always justify the means.

A lot can be said for the sanctity of life. 

I believe in protecting the unborn as well as the born. 

Stop the Glorification of Busy.

At the end of most days I think about what I have done. Based on that information, I determine whether or not I have had a good day or bad day, a successful day or an unsuccessful day.

Recently, more days than not, I have had to hang my head in defeat because too many things were left undone. There were to many bad, unsuccessful days. 

I've realized that a lot of my self-worth is tied up in being busy (or appearing to be busy), doing, accomplishing, contributing...

"So what have you done today?"
"Got any big plans for the weekend?"
"Where do you work?"

You know you have a problem when these simple phrases, used to engage conversation, send you (me) into a panic.

Everyone marvels at the multi-taskers and Martha Stewarts of this world. Everyone loves a hard worker.
Everyone approves of movers and shakers (and I'm not talking about my thighs, people. ;))

And, of course, you get bonus points if you work yourself so hard that you completely collapse emotionally and physically.
(Oh, bless her little heart! She is SUCH a hard worker...)

I want/need the approval.
I want/need the nod.
I want/need to be accepted.

However... Today is a new day.
I am going to make a conscious effort to change the way I think about being busy in relation to my self-worth.

Will I give up and become a sloth?
Probably not. :)

Will I feel like a complete and utter failure of a human being if I, for the fifth day in a row, forget to put the wash in the dryer and have to run the same wash for the sixth time? (True story, folks!)
No, I choose to believe that my worth is not determined by what I do or don't do. (Besides, the word on the street is that the sixth time's the charm!)

Sunday {Family Day}

Last Sunday it was really beautiful and we needed some fresh air, so we decided to get out of the house and go for a walk in the park. Cincinnati has many beautiful parks. One of our favorite's is down by the  Ohio River. I forget the name... I could google it, but I am too lazy today. :)

I had the bright idea that we should try to get a group photo. My arms are obviously waaay shorter than I thought. This photo cracks me up- it is so US.

There is nothing sweeter than when Norah wants to hold daddy's hand while he walks and she rides in the stroller. She does not have to, she just wants to.

We took a break from our strolling and let Norah play. She had a lot of fun, and was able to expend some of her over-abundant energy.

Getting ready to go down the slide...

Her hair is standing on end from the static electricity. :)

I do not like having my pictures taken these days, but after reading this article I decided that "getting in the picture" here and there is more important than my list of insecurities.

  

I am holding my sweet baby girl and I love her. And, I think that shows. Someday, Norah may want to look back and see her mommy and herself together, having fun and being silly. 

(Truth is, someday, I'll want to see these pictures too.)

So, here I am in all my glory. :)