Generic Caucasian Family Thing to Do...

Yep, we went to the pumpkin patch!

And here is out first family pumpkin carving! Not too bad eh? Yes, it took a long time!



-JKE

Tagging?

Never heard of this game, but now I've been tagged and I guess I'd better play along. Thinking of 7 random things to tell about myself?? Hmm, that's a challenge. Thanks Karla!

THE RULES::* Link your tagger and list these rules on your blog.* Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog.* Tag 5 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs.* Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog....Ok...7 random facts about me in no particular order:

1. I'm not athletic whatsoever. I learned how to wakeboard so that Jarret wouldn't be thoroughly embarrassed of me (not totally true...I do actually enjoy it, too!). Growing up, I was THAT child on the soccer field who did cartwheels and picked flowers. Dancing was my only athletic ability and luckily it was my passion as well!

2. When I was little, I wanted to be an astronaut. Then an aerospace engineer. Then a NASA Control Room tech of some sort. I'd still kill to witness a shuttle liftoff, and I think one of the coolest sights is watching a shuttle fly over the Texas night sky as it heads back toward a Florida landing (like a shooting star, but brighter and slower moving).

3. I was on TV! On my first trip to NYC, I stood outside the Today show. I swore I wouldn't be one of those idiots who smiles like a fool and waves like crazy. I was sadly mistaken.

4. I love traveling. My first trip out of the country was to Turkey on a missionary trip. Europe twice, Hawaii twice, Colorado more times than I can remember, and countless other trips around the country. I really think I'm a free spirit who is restless in Dallas, but my love of family, friends and church keeps me rooted here.

5. My parents still live in the same house where I was born. So many memories are tied up in that house, I'll now be crushed if they ever move.

6. Until I got married, every Thanksgiving was spent on my family's farm in Tennessee where my grandfather and his other brothers and sisters grew up. The farmhouse was built in 1901, and it survived up until just a few years ago when it was so fragile they had to tear it down and rebuild a newer, but similar one. Each year, we took a hayride around the hills of the farm and got to hear all the old-timers' stories. Those are childhood memories I'll always cherish.

7. In my early 20s, I set out three life goals: skydiving, scuba diving, and flying an airplane. I accomplished all 3 in just a couple of years. I learned that I need to dream bigger next time!

I tag Hillary, Courtney, Tara, Katie B. (who won't have time because she's selling her house, moving, and buying a new house right now in the midst of caring for 2 kids), and Melissa (who also won't have time because she has a 2.5 week old!)

I'm 4 Months Old!

People - My birthday was Tuesday, and now I am officialy 1/3 of
1 year old! Yep, it goes fast for me too everybody. Today, I got to celebrate my recent birthday by getting 4 needles stuck in my leg! Let me tell you something about needles...not that great Buddy. I did get to be naked though while they measured my height and weight which was cool. I weighed in at 12 lbs. 11 ounces (25th percentile) and stretched out to 24.5 inches long (75th percentile). My mommy and daddy think I'm fat (at least in my cheeks), but the statistics say otherwise folks!

Tonight we got to hang out in the backyard for a bit. Mommy and Daddy bought new swings not long ago so now there is a special swing just for me! They swing with me too sometimes. Man, I just LOVE being outside! It is my favorite thing to do next to chewing my hands, grabbing my feet, watching tv (even though mommy and daddy don't let me), chewing my hands, wakeboarding (in 3 years), taking a bath, and chewing my hands.

Ok, time for bed. Check out my pictures from tonight. And the answer is no...I never get tired of hearing how cute I am. Seriously, don't stop telling me.

Love you all,
Jewels

Home Sweet Home

This week marks my first week as a stay-at-home mom, and I couldn't be more thrilled! We've already done so much together in our first 3 days. I've tired to be very purposeful about teaching her, enjoying her, getting her to spend time in nature, and modeling some of what it looks like to be a woman of faith, etc.

1. Stretching my Teacher side: In just three days time, she's
- Grasped and (kinda) shaken a rattle
- Learned to roll toward her right side
- Grabbed her feet...okay, foot
- Rolled all the way from her back to her belly, and then back onto her back (the other things I coached her on initially, but this one she did on her own out of the blue)

Julia was only rolling onto her left side, so on Monday I decided to help her see that she could roll onto her right side as well. After just a little practice with my help, she has spent the last two days rolling onto both sides on her own. This is how I found her this morning:

Just earlier this afternoon I was lying beside her and was so proud of her for rolling onto her right side...when she kept rolling a little further, and a little further, and soon she was on her belly! I was unbelievably excited to be home, rather than still working, so I could be the one to witness the first time she rolled over. I just happened to have my camera right next to me and caught the very end for a few seconds before my camera died. She didn't cry at all, and then she rolled back onto her back all by herself!

She also found her foot today! She's been grabbing at knees and ankles, but today she actually found her foot and held onto it for a few seconds. I think of all baby poses, grabbing their feet is the cutest.

2. Stretching my Spiritual Side:

I went to Bible Study this morning, which is my first organized bible study in a while. It's all women and we meet once a week up at the church. I'm incredibly excited to be a part of this!

Julia is teaching Jarret and me to slow down and really take joy in all the smaller things in life. When we go outside with her, we notice and enjoy so much more than we normally would in our rushed Dallas life. A few nights ago we went to the nearby park, ate a picnic lunch, and enjoyed the playground with baby girl. We try to show Julia the beautiful sunsets, the trees, and the calming wind that God gives us as simple reminders of His goodness and that He is the creator of all things!

Oh, and the obvious one...She's also a daily spiritual lesson in learning patience!


3. Stretching my Creative Side:

For years I've claimed that I am *not* creative. I see in black and white and in straight lines. Well, at Melissa's shower, she received an ID tag with Pierson's name and info for his bags. I'm pretty sure it was the first time EVER that I said to myself, "I can make that" rather than, "I should buy that." And alas, Julia's ID tags for her diaper bag. I'm pretty stinkin' proud of myself!

4. Last, but not least, the Eubanks clan had a family get-together this past Sunday, and here are a few great photos!

Aren't Jarret's neice and nephews just the cutest?!
Julia's pretty cute with them, and as always, Kendall is so
good holding and loving on her baby cousin!

- Katie

Julia's Smile

I have wanted to get a picture of Julia's big smile for some time now, but last weekend was the first time I was able to capture one! She loves being outside and looks so cute in her Bumbo.

- JKE