The Best.

My favorite time of the WHOLE year is upon us! November, December, and January are without a doubt my favorite months. Why you ask? Well, let me tell you...

1. Cold weather! I would be completely happy to wear my scarves and boots all year round. And this is not an exaggeration. I love bundling up in layers of fantastic clothing.

2. The smell. Have you ever noticed the smell that comes along with cooler weather? Oh I have. And it's positively fresh and clean and wonderful.

3. The colors. Okay, so the colors don't change so much here in Southern California.... BUT, I still love the changing colors of the trees. Just beautiful.

4. Holidays. Honestly, this is probably my favorite reason. Thanksgiving and Christmas are my favorite holidays. I love everything about them! The very special food that is set aside for these special occasions only, family, green and red and sparkly things, Christmas trees, twinkle lights, Christmas music, pumpkin pie, presents, Christmas cards, shopping, decorating...

And what about everything in between... Hot chocolate, fire places going, snuggling in blankets, turning on the heater... Gah! Love it all.

I hope that you also enjoy this season... It's special.

Sick.

It was a rough weekend. I got the stomach flu on Saturday. Yeah, not fun. I actually don't even remember the last time I had the stomach flu... when I was a little kid I think. But nonetheless... vomiting, achy body, pregnant... it was terrible. But you know what was even worse? What was so much worse, was watching my sweet Zoe go through it. Yep, yesterday it was her turn. It was the first time she has ever been sick at all! I am so thankful that she had been so healthy for so long. But watching her go through this for the first time was one of the absolute most horrible things I have ever witnessed. And I am not joking. The discomfort she felt... the confusion on her face from not understanding what was happening or why... the big tears rolling down her face... her big brown eyes wanting us to make it stop... Completely unbearable. There is something so strange about watching your usually crazy and happy child, all of a sudden become this nearly comatose little person. All she could do was cuddle with her daddy. All energy was just sucked right out of her.

But you know what?! She was such a little stud! Even in her yuckyness, she was still trying her absolute hardest to love us and to smile and to be happy. She amazed us with her determination and perseverance.

And I need to take this opportunity to give a shout-out to her daddy. Once again, I was amazed by my husband. He held his little girl ALL day. (Well, except to eat and go to the bathroom :) He held her while she puked, comforted her, watched movies with her, she fell asleep on him, and he even slept on the couch with her until 3 in the morning making sure she was sound asleep. And at some point earlier in the evening while she was getting a quick nap, he managed to finish his homework. Oh, and then he woke up at 7:15 to go to work. And let's not forget that when I was sick the day before, he took care of me and Zoe then too! Good golly... how in the world did I get him??!! I'm not sure. But I'm sure glad I did... Cannot express how blessed I feel to have Lee and Zoe. Thank you to both of them for showering me with so much beautiful love.