Sunday, November 30, 2008

Reflecting on a great Thanksgiving Day!

This year for Thanksgiving, we enjoyed some wonderful family time at Betsy's grandparents' home. Granny and Pawpaw, along with several of the guests, cooked a delicious meal for us all! On this day, we took time to reflect on how thankful we are for each of our family members and also our friends who are like family to us. What a great day!

Here are some pictures from the day:

Isaac enjoys his first Thanksgiving meal! (remember that last year on Thanksgiving, he was one day old, so his meal wasn't quite as exciting...)


Steven and Isaac on a hike in Pawpaw's back yard!


Gramps and Isaac enjoying the day!

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Happy Thanksgiving!


Happy Thanksgiving to all my readers!


This time last year, we were in the hospital with our new little boy. This year, we'll be spending time with family and eatin' good, for sure!


Here's a shout out to my Father for all His goodness! Thank you, God, for your overwhelming favor in our lives! We love you and THANK YOU for caring for us as your children. May You be blessed through our lives every minute of every day.

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

It's Party Time!

This past weekend, we celebrated Isaac's first birthday and had a grand time! On Friday, Isaac and I had lunch with my parents (Gramps and Granni) and then Steven, Isaac and I celebrated over a special family dinner. On Saturday, our friends and family helped us continue the celebration at Isaac's first birthday party! We had a wonderful time visiting with everyone, watching Isaac "eat" his first birthday cake, and opening all of Isaac's presents!

You can read more about the party from the perspective of some of our guests on their blogs - Isaac's Gramps and our friend Lori.

What a special time!

Here are some pictures from the party:

Isaac playing with his friends, Jonas and Taylor:

Isaac playing with one of his new toys:

The finished pottery plate with Isaac's handprints:

Isaac's birthday cakes specially designed and made by Mommy (smile) :

Enjoying his first piece of cake!

After "too much birthday"! (Yes, he fell asleep in my arms!)

Friday, November 21, 2008

Celebrating Isaac's first year, in pictures!

As we celebrate Isaac's first birthday, I wanted to share some pictures of him throughout the year. Of course, after uploading all of these, I am in tears... What an incredible blessing he is and what a fantastic year this has been!!!

Our first family picture:


The stork outside our house that announced Isaac's arrival:


One month old (Christmas 2008):


Two months old (January 2008):



Three months old (February 2008):


Four months old (March 2008):


Five months old (April 2008):


Six months old (May 2008):


Seven months old (June 2008):


Eight months old (July 2008):


Nine months old (August 2008):


Ten months old (September 2008):



Eleven months old (October 2008):


Twelve months old (November 2008; Isaac's one year old photos were taken by Lori Jackson):


Our family, a year after Isaac's birth:



A baby will make love stronger, days shorter, nights longer, bankroll smaller, home happier, clothes shabbier, the past forgotten, and the future worth living for.

Author Unknown

Birthday Handprints; Birthday Footprints

Last Saturday, in honor of Isaac's birthday, we took a family trip to a local paint-on-pottery store to make a plate and trivet with Isaac's footprints and handprints. He did so well! He sat back and let the pottery store owner, Patty, paint his hands and feet and then make his prints on our pottery pieces.

We had a wonderful family outing!





What made this even more special for Steven and me is that we went to this very same store on the Saturday before Isaac was born, and we each painted pottery in honor of our soon-to-arrive son.

Happy Birthday Isaac!


Today is Isaac's one year old birthday!!!

This time last year, we were at Gaston Memorial Hospital, rejoicing in the birth of our new little one. Throughout the past year, we have seen Isaac grow from a tiny infant into a 23 pound toddler who brings joy to our hearts every single minute.

We love him so much and are so thankful for God's goodness in providing us with such a beautiful beam of light who fills our home with spunk, enthusiasm, and neverending laughter!

***Check back later today for a few more posts in honor of our little man's first birthday!

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Thursday Washday...

Isaac loves to "help" us with the laundry... Hand him a basket of clothes, and out they come!


Wednesday, November 19, 2008

A lesson in parking cars...

Last week, Isaac was given his first toy racecar. My mom gave him the hot wheels car that she got in the McDonald's kid's meal she'd ordered. He loves that toy and enjoys watching it race forward and shoot across the room. Recently, though, he's learned that he can "park" it under the stove...

Here he is, pushing the car forward...


Parking it...


And trying to retrieve it, realizing he's pushed it back a wee bit too far...

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

It is indeed more blessed to give than to receive...


This past Sunday, our church spent time putting together boxes for Operation Christmas Child. The church family brought items and boxes, and then the children's church time was spent wrapping and preparing the boxes.

This week, we will drop them off, and they'll be shipped overseas to needy children. I encourage you to participate in this incredible ministry if you haven't already!

There is such joy in giving and in teaching our children that this is truly the way to be blessed...to give of yourself (your time, resources, creativity...) to bless others. I believe it truly echoes the heart of God.

Friday, November 14, 2008

Having fun on photo shoot day...

Last Saturday, Steven, Isaac and I went to the Jackson's to have our family pictures taken by our friend Lori. While we were there, Isaac enjoyed playing with his friend Jonas' toys! New and different toys are always so much fun! We had a wonderful time with Lori and her mom (who helped entertain Isaac during the shoot!)

Isaac walks everywhere now!!!


This is what happens when you're snapping up overalls while carrying on a conversation... (look closely; it's very funny!)


Look at this face!!! (and brute strength!)

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Sweet little boy...

Steven snapped these shots while feeding Isaac his breakfast on Sunday morning. Isaac is two weeks shy of being one year old!

In the first one, try to spot Isaac's first little tendril. Steven had about given up hope that Isaac would have curly hair, but as this little curl suggests, there may still be a chance!




What a sweetie!

Sunday, November 9, 2008

One Year for the Mauney Family Blog!

Today, November 9th, is the first anniversary of our family blog! Wow - it's been an incredible year! You, my blog readers, have been with us through the birth of our son and his first year of life, through our joys and adventures this past year.

Thank you for sharing in the awesome gift of life that God has given us!

Our family, a year ago:


Our family, now:


Blessed be our God who makes all things possible and covers us with His grace!

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Isaac's first trip to the Zoo!

Last Saturday, Steven, Isaac and I loaded up the car for a day trip to Asheboro, NC to visit the North Carolina Zoo. This trip was in honor of Isaac's upcoming one year old birthday (two weeks from today!!!)

The weather was absolutely gorgeous (and warm!), and we all had a great time!

Here are a few pictures from our trip:






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