Busy week and a blessed heart

I love the 30 days of thankfulness! It has been such a great opportunity for me to reflect on all of the blessings that God has given us and pick just one to share. It's so much more refreshing to focus on the positive!

We had fajita Friday this weekend followed by gelato at La Centerra. There was live music on central green so we brought a ball from home and played while listening to music. It was lovely :)

She loves riding high!

Saturday, I woke up to Grace banging on the door to our bedroom. Alex got up early with her and while getting some things put away in the kitchen, Grace wondered where I was....so she decided to bang on our bedroom door to see if that's where I was hiding. It was precious and sweet to wake up to her coming to me for a change. We got our running clothes on and went to Terry Hershey Park for a shady and cool morning run. Following our run, we went to City Center for coffee and to explore Kitchen Aide Stand Mixers. I am asking for one for a combination birthday/Christmas present and am so excited about the possibility of getting one someday.

So excited to finally put our Houston Parks book to good use!

In the afternoon we went to our neighborhood Harvest Festival. Grace and I went on a couple of rides and she got her first face painting. I made a pizza and went next door for a Pinterest party that my neighbor hosted. Everyone was asked to bring a dish to share and Jamie had two crafts for us to complete. The company was great, the food was delicious, and the crafts were super cute. Here's the one I finished:

She's got a ladybug on her face! :)

Sunday, we went on a run when we woke up (our house woke up at 6:30 due to the time change) and then headed to church. We had a pretty low key day filled with study, a little housework, grocery shopping, and a nap.

Monday morning Grace and I went to "Mommy Mondays" at La Centerra. We were ready pretty early so we decided to go to the shopping center and walk around a little. We grabbed a cup of coffee at Starbucks and sat outside to enjoy the cool morning. An adorable, Asian, pregnant woman stopped by to chat with us about when her baby was due and talked about her move to Houston from China. She every so timidly asked question after question about when Grace reached different milestones and humbly mentioned she didn't know much about children, how to raise them, etc. My heart was so sad for this woman. She lacked confidence and feared she wouldn't know what to do with her baby on the way. I could totally empathize with this woman... regardless of being around tons of babies and children, I too feared parenthood. It is so different when it's your child, you really don't want to mess them up somehow! We exchanged phone number and I encouraged her by telling her that no one really knows what they're doing, you just try your best and pray for wisdom and grace. If you see a pregnant woman in your near future tell her she looks beautiful (because she definitely doesn't feel that way) and be an encouragement to her! Don't tell her to get her sleep while she can. Love on her... because she's well aware her whole world is about to change.. for the better!

"Mommy Mondays" was super fun and a great chance to catch up with Sarah and Ryan. Grace is so brave and wandered all over, checking out the toys other kids brought. Her favorite was the maraca! Following MM we went home and put up Christmas decorations! The Christmas music is on at our house and I looooove it! It's the holiday season guys!

Monday night the Franks watched Grace so Alex and I could have a date night. We went to a little Mediterranean restaurant called Ephesus. It was delicious and we received lots of attention from the staff. I highly recommend it if you're local! It was so nice to enjoy a dinner with Alex as husband and wife. Our night out really enforced the commitment to invest in our marriage. A wise friend shared that you need to constantly invest time in your marriage because in a heartbeat your children are grown and out of the house. You don't want to be left with a stranger you're married to!

My date night dinner. It tasted as good as it looks!

Tuesday I hosted our ABF's playgroup at my house. I enjoyed chatting with the other mamas and watching the kids play. We had a couple with a new baby over for dinner. Holding their new baby was so sweet and reminded me just how fast time goes. Grace loved Kate and giggled and looked at her endlessly! She's been so sweet around younger babies and it melts my heart. But no, we are not giving Grace a sibling in the near future. :-P

Grace cuddling with ALL her stuffed animals and watching Praise Baby

Wednesday, we went walk/running with Jennifer and Carolina in the morning. We enjoyed our walk and chatted but unfortunately, got caught in the pouring rain! We got soaked but it was a good excuse to come home and get cozy. Last night, I had a few neighbor girls over for dinner and a chance for our kiddos to play. It was lovely and I went to bed feeling so blessed that God has placed us just where we are!

We had bible study this morning and you guys (wouldn't "y'all" sound so much better here) know how much I love it. On my drive home I talked with Alex about how blessed I feel to have so many inspirational women in my life. Godly women that love their husbands and children and are such role models that live with intention. Hash tag blessed. Hash tag I love feeling inspired. Hash tag Texas isn't so bad.