A Bartlett Thanksgiving

What a fiasco.  My husband clearly didn't know the chaos he was marrying into...or did he? The holiday began with a photo-op.  After many out takes (too many to post) we finally got a great family photo.  Everyone but Annelise smiling?  I'd say that's success.

L to R: My brother Matt and his wife Emily; My sister Leah and her boyfriend Jason; Mom and Dad; Sister Sarah; and the Nealios.

We also thought we'd try to get a Neal family photo for the Christmas card this year.

Outtake number one.  Who's dog is that??

Ah, here's a good one.  Some of you may be seeing it soon in your mailbox.

Matt was obviously having too much fun with this.

My dad getting ready to cut the bird.  Yum!

Great Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is such a busy time of year for our family.  With me still working at the Mission, it means serving over 600 meals on Wednesday night at our Great Thanksgiving Banquet.  This event has been engraved on my heart.  My dad has been in the rescue mission ministry for over 20 years now.  And I have been serving (as a staff member, though I've spent countless volunteer hours throughout my life) for three years.  Its such a blessing to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday by giving of my time and talents to those in need.

Consider spending some time at your local Mission during this holiday season.  Thanksgiving and Christmas can be a wonderful opportunity to teach your children (and remind yourselves) that serving others is very rewarding!

Photo Meme 5 of 4

Another request.  Our bedroom.   

I accidentally had the color swap feature on during this photo, so the walls shouldn't be pink.

Photo Meme 4 of 4

This was the hardest one of all.  Annelise has such a vibrant, but diverse personality. One minute she's crawling all over the house, chasing me.  She hates to be alone.  Quite often, she'll spend her time sitting on the living room floor, happily playing with....coasters.  

And without fail, she's always got those two fingers in her mouth (upside down) for comfort.

But, my choice photo would be of the flowers in her crib.  Its a little game we play.  Every time I wake her up from sleeping, this is what I find.  Droopy flowers.  How sad!  So, I promptly stand them up.  And without fail, I will surely find them again, dead and drooping to the floor. 

Let's just say her greatest personality strength is consistency.

Photo Meme 3 of 4

Little jackets.  

This is something in my house that makes me smile.  Its a reminder that we have a little person in our house that actually wears those jackets.  

Photo Meme 2 of 4

Linen Closet #1 - Doubles as a game closet.

Linen Closet #2 - In our bathroom.  

I didn't touch either of them before I snapped this shot.  Good thing I talked Matt into helping me clean them out last weekend!  Who'd a thought?

Photo Meme 1 of 4

My Kitchen.  I desperately wanted to use the photo from when I first remodeled it.  But, felt less than honest. So, this is what my kitchen really looks like day-to-day.  Since the remodel, the drawer face to the silverware drawer has come off - and we still haven't put the doors on the cabinets to the left of the dishwasher.  Nonetheless, I still love it much more than it used to look. 

Shoot, Me Either

Alrighty, Katie.  Thanks for pointing out your error, so I too can point out mine.  I responded to Krissy's meme.  And the directions clearly state (though I didn't read them) that I must post this in my blog too.  

Ask me to take pictures of any aspect of my life that you’re interested in or curious about. It can be anything from my favorite shirt to my cell phone. Leave your requests as a comment to this entry, and I’ll snap the pictures and post them as soon as I can. I would also add that you can ask anonymously, if you'd like. And if you decide to play along, do post the meme in your own blog!

Returning the Favor

I'm catching up on blogging today, so if this is the first post you're reading, scroll down for lots more!  

I have a wonderful friend, named Lisa, who watches Annelise each week while I work.  She is an amazing stay at home mom (read: incredible mother to her two daughters) and has chosen to bless our family by watching Anne at no charge!

In exchange, Matt and I try to watch the girls for them so they can go out on dates.  Well, today, I was able to return the favor for her.  It was a fun day, but made me realize that I'm not ready to add another two children to my household - and how much I appreciate what she does!

Acacia - Lisa's second daughter who's birth was just two weeks after Annelise!

Morgan - Lisa's first-born.  She'll be three in February, but is already such a big helper!

The "play-time" mess that was created in our living room.  This was only 5 minutes after they arrived!

THANK YOU LISA for all you do to help bless our little family!  We love you!

A Love Affair

Is it wrong to love your vacuum so much you'd marry it?

Ok, that was cheesy, but warranted.  My wonderful husband graciously allowed me to purchase a Dyson.  I vowed to find one cheaper than retail and succeeded.  And so, without further ado, here is the new love of my life - at least when it comes to cleaning my home.

Do you notice the uncanny sparkle in this photo?  

I would HIGHLY recommend this machine.  If you want a vacuum that actually cleans your floors - bare or carpeted - get a Dyson!

PS - Did I mention its snowing...a LOT!  6 inches already today!

Our Weekend

First, let me thank all of you that commented on my blog about discipline.  Some of your entries gave me a good chuckly (which helped lighten the situation) and others were very practical.  I hope to report back soon with a perfectly disciplined child...yeah right.

Matt and I vowed to relax this weekend, until we heard reports of snow and realized we still hadn't raked our leaves.  So, the beauty of home-ownership consumed much of our Saturday.

Annelise cried most of the time Matt was outside.  She watched intently as he raked the leaves.

PS - It snowed today.  Looks like we're going to get about 3 inches.  Welcome to Michigan!

Punishment?

My mom used to look me deep in the eyes (during times of rebellion) and say

"You know, your children are going to act like this someday and you'll get a taste of your own medicine."

And  I always thought "someday" meant I had at least 15 years.

HA!

My daughter is almost 10 months old now and I'm already seeing her rebellion.

Last week was probably the worst of it.

Halfway through our weekend, Matt looked at me during a moment of this previously stated rebellion and exclaimed

"I think she just sassed you!"

(And at that moment, I went from feeling like a frazzled, dramatic mother to...)

"Why yes, she did.  And she's been doing it all week."

I must admit, I haven't quite known how to handle it.  Do I spank, scold, a combination of the two?

I've landed on flicking her lips, which gets her attention immediately.

And allows me time to address her tantrum verbally.

But what about the...

arching her back on the changing table

swinging at me when i take something away

screaming at the top of her lungs when she doesn't approve

I'd love some insight on how you correct your children from a Christian perspective.

Tagged

1. What is your husband's name?  James Matthew Neal
2. Who eats more?  Hm...depends on what we're eating. :)
3. Who said, "I love you" first?  I think me, in a round about way.
4. Who is taller?  Matt
5. Who is smarter? I'd love to say me, but its obviously him.  He's a teacher!
6. Who is more sensitive?  Its a toss up. Neither one of us is very sensitive.
7. Who does the laundry?  Me, until Matt needs something specific washed.
8. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? Matt - closest to the door and the robbers that will try to snatch me.
9. Who pays the bills?  Matt, until he forgets and then I go online and save the day!
10. Who cooks more? ME ME ME!
11. Who is more stubborn?  Me, wait him, no...we're both pretty bull-headed.
12. Who is the first to admit they are wrong?  Matt.
13. Who has more siblings? Me.  I have two sister and one brother.  He has one of each.
14. Who wears the pants in the relationship?  Matt, though I try.  That darn sin nature!
15. What do you like to do together?  Eat.  We love to eat out.  Even though we're broke most of the time, we find ways to buy snacks here and there.  We love to watch movies, go for walks, play with Annelise.  All family stuff!
16. Who eats more sweets?  Matt, definitely.
17. Guilty Pleasures?  McDonalds Milkshakes late at night.
18. How did you meet? College.  Read our story here.
19. Who asked whom out first?  Matt asked me.  I still get butterflies in my stomach when I think about it.
20. Who kissed who first?  Oh man, what a great story!  Matt didn't kiss me until we had been dating 8 months.  Our first kiss was in the courtyard of the 4th Presbyterian Church in downtown Chicago.  If you've never been there, you must go.  It's right across the street from the Hancock and is magical.
21. Who proposed?  Matt - in the Cincinnati airport when I arrived home from a summer overseas.
22. His best features and qualities?  He is hilarious!  He loves God so much that his passion is teaching the Bible to high schoolers.  He is the best dad in the world!  

I  tag Candace, Angie and Paulina.

One Fall Day

Diaper Help Needed

I'm going to get straight to the point.  Annelise has been sick with diarrhea for a few days now. The doctor said that form of the stomach flu is going around.  Great.  She is currently wearing a number three diaper - and it fits greats.  During the day, she never leaks.  But at night, she's been going through everything!  Normally, this would be a simple annoyance, but the diarrhea adds a whole new dimension to this issue.  (I think I heard Matt through the monitor throwing up this morning.)  Plus, I'm really tired of washing clothes and sheets constantly.  So, I'm heading out to Target today to find a solution.

Do I buy the next size up (#4) and put those on her at night?

Or is there another solution I'm not thinking of?

Thanks for your help!

Baby Dedication

Matt and I joyously dedicated Annelise to the Lord on Sunday.  It was such a celebration!  Our prayer is that each of you would hold us accountable to raising her in the love of Christ.

Our Weekend

Sometimes the simplest of toys are the most fun!

Eating at the local apple orchard.

Mommy, Boogaloo killed a squirrel!

My First Halloween

Living in a Dutch community brings a whole new twist to Halloween.  

First, since when can you put a basket of candy on your porch with sign that reads 

Please take one.

and expect anyone to do so?  Only in Holland.  

Having said that, I knew there was no way I could dress-up my 9-month old to go trick or treating without someone asking me

So, really mom and dad are trick or treating, huh?

(Which happened...and the first thought that came to mind was...

Ok buddy, don't act like after your kids go to bed, you and your wife don't sit on the living room floor and pick out all of the good stuff.)

But, I digress...

We dressed Annelise up as a Bengals cheerleader for her first Halloween.  Daddy was very proud.  Even though we don't get to watch the Bengals play, it was better than being a Lions' cheerleader.

And mommy had to dress-up too, just for fun.

And of course, we couldn't go trick or treating without stopping by Papa and Nana's house. They have a mega-church across the street from their house that had "Trunk or Treat."  It was like a huge tail-gating party for kids, with candy, free pizza/pop, professional photography, balloons and more!  We're definitely going there next year.

Hope you all enjoyed a safe and happy Halloween.  

*No pictures of daddy because he has been bed ridden with the stomach flu.  Yuck!