The Sweetest Sound in the World

Holiday stress got you down? Just watch this video clip and your spirits will be lifted! It has got to be the sweetest sound in the world (so make sure your volume is up). Sorry that the lighting is not so great, though.

A very Merry Christmas to y'all!

Third Time Is a Charm?

No, I'm not talking about the baby on the way. I'm talking about taking Christmas portraits...I don't even want to think about adding a third child to the mix for next year's pictures! We have been to JC Penney's twice already trying to get the perfect decent photo. I mean, is it too much to ask for both children to be looking in the general direction of the camera? Am I crazy to think that they both might smile? I am giving these photos as gifts...who wants to open a framed portrait of Anderson looking behind him and Anagrace with an expression of boredom and confusion? But, that may just be the best we can give. It is very difficult to find a time to even take the photos between Anderson's sleep and eat schedule. I hope that I have it timed correctly today. And that something or someone can get my children to look at the camera and smile.

I'll post the photo for your opinion later.

In Shock

Boy, do I have something to blog about! Sometimes, I feel like my posts are random and rambling. This one may be rambling because my brain feels like scrambled eggs, but it is definately "blog-worthy". Okay, are you ready...

here it comes...

I'm pregnant AGAIN! I know, shocking isn't it? We could not have been more surprised. Justin actually asked the midwife if it is possible to get a refund on the birth control pills. For those of you that know Justin I'm sure this doesn't surprise you, but the whole pregnant thing has to. He was not even sure he wanted to have another child. I knew I did, but I did not plan for it to happen so soon! 14 month age difference?! Oh well, God's plan is better than our plan. That's what we keep telling eachother. My mind has been racing with all of the thoughts of preparing for a new baby physically, emotionally, financially. But I just try to keep in mind that although this wasn't my plan, it was His Plan.


I recently read a devotional written by Marybeth Whalen, one of my fellow members of Momtourage (a book study group that I am part of and have been sooo blessed by) and it really spoke to me and my situation at this moment. The devotional focuses on the story about Mary and her response to the shock of her life. When the angel delivered the news that she would give birth to God's son, although she was "confused and disturbed" she responded "May it be to me as you have said" (Luke 1:38). Marybeth wrote that "the first step to embracing every season is to let go of our own expectations" and that whatever the situation we should "trust that the Lord is sovereign and He ordained for you to be where you are at this time, for His purpose". Wow. There are so many nuggets of truth and helpful information in that devotional...I hope you'll check it out! I am appreciating the Christmas story from a different perspective this year and taking a lesson from Mary's life that a person's character is revealed by her response to the unexpected. I'm praying that I can trust in the Lord with the faith that Mary did as I am dealing with my own shocking news.


Here's the ultrasound picture of "our little peanut" who is due to arrive July 19th!

My big, brave girl

Anagrace is growing up so fast! She's had several "big girl" experiences the past few weeks. A few weeks ago she went to the dentist for the first time. She was so brave. She climbed right into the purple dentist chair and opened wide. She had her teeth checked and cleaned without more than a whimper. I was so proud. She was too!

Then, a few days ago she went to the "big girl salon". Actually, it is the salon I go to for my haircuts. She has had her hair cut at one the children's salons that have the cool chairs shaped like cars and rockets facing the TV showing cartoons. She really enjoyed that. I have been worried that the next haircut she gets will get rid of her beautiful curls! So, I wanted to take her to my salon to have her hair cut by a stylist who has been trained how to cut curly hair. Again, she climbed right up into the big chair ready for action. She sat still "like a statue". I think it helped her to be brave knowing that her best friend Jordyn was going to get her hair cut,too. But, she did ask if next time we could go back to the place where she could watch TV while they cut her hair!

Anagrace recently got a flu shot, too. I did not get a photo of that experience, she was brave but not as composed as she was at the dentist's office and salon. She cried for 30 minutes (Anderson had 3 shots that day and cried for about 2 minutes! Tough boy!)

It amazes me how fast she's growing...and it's fun to share all of the new experiences with her!

Thankful

Today, Anagrace and I did a few art projects. We did the classic turkey made by painting her hand. And we also used peel and stick letters to write "thankful". Then I asked Anagrace to tell me three things she is thankful for and draw it. Here is the result:

She is thankful for her house, brother and 2 cats. Once again, I did not make the list! A few days ago, she and Justin were talking about how much they loved eachother by stretching out their arms and arguing who loves who more. Cute, right? Well, then Justin says "Who else do you love?".
She answers, "Brother".
"And who else?"
"Bebe and Grammie."
I'm sitting right beside her. Justin nods his head in my direction as a cue for her to add me to the list. Still, she names a few other people in our extended family.
"What about Mommy?" Justin asks.
I jokingly say, "I know she loves me....but I'm at the bottom of the list"
"Yeah, she's at the bottom of the list" Anagrace agreed.

Nevertheless, even if she or Justin or Anderson do not give me any appreciation or recognition (that I so deserve [LOL]) I am thankful to have them in my life!

By the way, isn't that artwork adorable?! I just love Anderson's alien fingers and toes and those incredibly strange looking cats!

Bittersweet

Anderson has taken three formula bottles since Wednesday. Justin and I went out for a few hours when he 2-3 months old and he took bottles then, but they contained breast milk. I tried formula bottles to no avail at 5 months. The past few weeks he has been battling sickness and an ear infection, so he has not had any interest in eating baby food. His interest has been solely in breastfeeding. In one word...OUCH! I was eager to try the bottle again. And so, here is the bittersweet transition. I don't think I am ready to entirely wean him, but I am ready for a break and some freedom.

Last month, my mom kept him while Justin and I attended our class reunion. But, before his bedtime he needed to nurse. My mom brought him to the restaurant, so I could feed him in the bathroom! The restaurant is a sports-bar type place. I was waiting for the reenactment of the scene in Sweet Home Alabama...a classmate would approach me and exclaim "You have a baby...in a bar!". I felt the need to explain to everyone that he would not take a bottle and needed to eat.

So, part of me is happy because he is taking a bottle...but part of me is very sad.

Hot Tea

I'm am all about some hot tea lately! It all started when my good friend Dawn and I went out to eat for her birthday. Well, it was 2 months past her birthday, but it was a great time just the same! We went to Kabutos and I had hot tea there...and I've had it pretty much everyday since. It is just a simple pleasure that I enjoy, because I can't afford the sophisticated pleasures...haha! There's just something about the warm cup of tea on a chilly day (and my house stays somewhat chilly due to my cheap frugal husband monitoring the thermostat) that makes me happy. I've been trying to enjoy my daily hot tea during the kids' naptime so that I can read in my Bible and pray at the same time or catch up on my blog reading. It's good for my soul. Not chicken soup for the soul, but hot tea for the soul. I hope that you can find, or that you already have, a simple pleasure that you are enjoying daily!