My Joy Journey

"Be joyful always, pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:16

I've created this blog to be an honest look into my life, my family, my blessings and my struggles as I continue to seek to find the joy that He promises.


Friday, November 26, 2010

Happy Thanksgiving!

We attended Anne Botts' Thanksgiving feast last week at her preschool. It was such a treat! Each of the kids had helped dyed, stamped, fringed and beaded t-shirts at school in the weeks leading up to the program. They all looked so cute in their shirts and head-dresses! They came into the room where all the parents had gathered and sang two Thanksgiving songs that they had learned plus a special Thanksgiving prayer that they said. I can't believe all that she has learned so far this year! Between her Bible verses at school that they memorize every few weeks and the ones she has been memorizing for Wednesday night at church for Gopher Buddies, I'm so impressed! It's such a sweet sound to hear her recite scripture to us! We hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving. Here are a few pictures from the feast :)









Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Hospital Big Sister Tour

This weekend, we had our big sister tour at Presbyterian Hospital, where Anne Botts' little sister will arrive in 2 1/2 weeks! We had a great time. The teacher was great with all the children there who were waiting to find out all about their siblings' arrivals. Anne Botts' good friend, Lila Highsmith, joined us in class too since she's also going to be a big sister in December. I've attached pics below of the tour!



Loved the teacher's shirt :)

Lila and Anne Botts in class, of course my child raising her hand to ask a question - she comes by it so honestly...

Sharing a rocking chair in the room like Mommy will stay in

Daddy and Anne Botts looking at all the tiny babies in the nursery!

Learning how to hold the baby




Learning how to swaddle the baby

Changing the baby's diaper

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Big Girl Room!

Well, it's official. Anne Botts has officially graduated to her big girl room! It's about time :) To say that she LOVES it is an understatement. We are so glad that she has adjusted so well to this transition, especially with baby girl 2 scheduled to arrive in less than 3 weeks. I've taken some pics of the room below, as well as her reaction on the day we presented it to her a few weeks back :) Enjoy!


















Saturday, November 6, 2010

Lipstick Jungle

Things have been very busy around the Juby household lately! Michael has been logging all kinds of hours at the firm for the last 6 weeks and in any spare time we've had on the weekends, we've been trying to get Anne Botts settled in her new big girl room (pics to come!) and the nursery ready for baby #2 as well! I thought I'd post a pic that pretty much sums up Anne Botts lately :) I was getting ready in my bathroom on Tuesday morning and she asked me, "Mommy, can I have your clear lipstick?" This usually means my clear lip gloss. I gave her permission to go downstairs and get it out of my bag, knowing it would buy me a few more minutes to get ready before we had to leave for Bible study. She was gone for about 5 minutes and then I heard her coming upstairs mumbling something about needing to wash her hands, which is not out of the ordinary because the child insists on washing her hands at least 10 times a day. I walk into her bathroom and this is what I see :) NOT the clear lip gloss, she went downstairs for...

Sweet friends

Some good friends of mine from college had a very small brunch for me at their house last weekend with just a handful of girls here in Charlotte. It was so sweet..they made some yummy food and showered me with diapers galore! Thanks to you girls for making baby #2 feel special!




Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Halloween

Halloween was lots of fun this year. Anne Botts dressed up as Cinderella and made her debut at several places, including play group, her dad's office party and our neighborhood party that afternoon. I've posted pics below. She was on the move, so I didn't catch many!

Anne Botts (Cinderella) and Lila Highsmith (Dora)



In between candy bites!

Anne Botts and her neighbor friend, Lila having a candy break at the neighborhood party

Pumpkin time!

The week before last, our family had a great time ringing fall 2010 in, FINALLY! We started the day out with a visit to Hunter Farm here in Charlotte, then we went home to carve our pumpkin. The farm is here in Charlotte and it's just a sweet family farm that offers a hay ride, a visit down to the milk maid and dairy quarters, then on to the petting zoo and back to pick out your pumpkin! It is perfect for a morning activity in the fall. Anne Botts had a great time and so did we. Enjoy the pictures below!

On the hayride



This baby calf was 6 days old!

Anne Botts loved the ducks





Carving with Daddy

She was not afraid to get down and dirty!



The finished product!