2009 here we come!

2009 is here! I can't believe it. It holds so much for our family. Mostly, a little girl! She is supposed to be here in 8 weeks and we are all not believing it! We are so excited, but scared out of our minds. Another kid...another person waking up in the middle of the night crying...another person ending up in our Queen size bed...another person living in our house...getting her own room...another person's toys in my living room...another mouth to feed....another body to clothe...need I go on! Obviously, we are not the first one's to go through this and we will survive. We will flourish actually! I know we will. She is going to be nothing but a blessing, just like Noah has been. I can't imagine my life without him. This morning he and I were lying in the bed talking. He was telling me "hi", giving me hugs and kisses, and telling me I'm beautiful. (I can thank KK for that one!) It was such a peaceful time. He likes to sing and tell me about the books we read together. I am just amazed by his recall and his understanding. He is so much fun!
It's raining outside and we won't leave the house until it stops. What a great reality! We have an awesome life and are so blessed~ I can't say that enough!
We had the best Christmas of our married lives. We had the best time at each and every one of the parties that we attended. We love our family so much and would regret it if we missed any of the gatherings. So, we go to them all. It's tiring, but we won't regret time spent with family at the end of our lives.
Noah is spoiled! I won't deny it, but I'm not ashamed of it either. He racked up! Our house is overflowing, but tons of fun to visit for any age child. We're taking appointments. Noah got a car bed, a roller coaster, a tractor, a walking dinosaur, firetrucks, dump trucks, books, and so much more! He is never bored to say the least. Good thing we are rearranging the house for Lil' Lady. We have to make room in Noah's room for all of his new toys! But I'm not complaining, it's a wonderful problem to have.
Well, I've rambled about us long enough while Noah's destroying his room. I hope the New Year has started off right for all of you!
In this video he is saying, Merry Christmas, Ho, Ho, Ho. Merry Christmas (doggy book)

Parties, Parties, and more Parties!

It's still several days until Christmas and we have already been to 3 Christmas parties. We are worn out. Not only from the late nights, but from coordinating babysitting! It's been fun though. What a treat to be able to spend quality time eating and talking with good friends. All of the parties have been different in their own way. With our Home Team, some of us went bowling after dinner. We had such a good time! It has been forever since we've gone bowling. It wasn't the best workout for my hernia, but the granny roll proved to get just as many pins down as my regular throw. I've uploaded my pictures for all to enjoy.

I hope you are enjoying the holiday season as much as we are!! The tree is up, the wreaths are hung, and we even put lights on the back patio doors. Noah has only pulled the tree down once, so we're hoping that's all. He is very curious about the ornaments, and has had many trips to timeout for pulling on them. Such a beautiful temptation! He loves it when it's plugged in and lit up.

We have already been to see Santa! Noah didn't know what to think, but it was a better experience than last year. We don't expect perfection, but atleast a good laugh for the parents when we plan this trip! A picture perfect memory. He's starting to understand Santa and today he said Santa was going to bring him toys and a trailer truck. Big dreams this boy has! Hope and Hannah Chayse say they want Santa to bring them candy! I like their thinking.

Enjoy the Season!

It's December and Snowing Outside!

I love the snow! LOVE IT! It brings back awesome memories...begging to go sledding (even into my college years!), hot chocolate, popcorn, snow angels, snow wars, and most recently sharing it with Noah. As I get older, it's easier to worry about snow and the dangers, but I try to let the little girl in me still get giddy with delight when I see it falling from the sky!
Well, as of yesterday, Nathan and I have been together (started dating) for 7 years. What a long time! Are we really that old? He never fails to remind me that I am, and I guess I am starting to feel it! Life catches up with you...work, kids, mortgage, utilities, etc. Where did the time go and how did I turn into an adult? I wouldn't trade it! I love my life and am so blessed. I have the man of my dreams and I still love spending every moment possible with him. He is such a great husband and father. Sorry for the gush- but who really reads this anyway! It's just a cool online journal for me and I guess I don't really care if anyone reads it or not. I love being able to share the moments of life with others, funny or not. We will be adding more video soon. I'm so glad so many of you got to watch the last one. Noah is a trip. You will not believe the things he comes up with.
I started writing the blog 2 days ago and I never seem to be able to sit down and finish it. So, I'll add the latest news. London Royalty was born today. She's a little cutie with lots of dark hair. Welcome London!
I'm 27 weeks pregnant now and into my 3rd trimester. March seems so far away, but 3 months is nothing! I really should start working on her room. She already has more clothes than she needs, but every little girl should have a closet full, right? And she better have hair, because she's stocked up on hair accessories! Thank you KK.
Hope you enjoy the snow like I do. Next time, just remember how beautiful it is before you start fussing about having to drive in it.

Oh my goodness! It's definitely feeling and looking like winter outside! I love fall and it feels like it passed me by. I feel cheated! But, honestly I was probably so busy, I just took advantage of a good thing and missed it. I blink and the day is over. I don't know where the time is going. I'm already 6 months pregnant, Noah is almost 2 years old, I've been gone from the TBC and have been selling Real Estate for over a year, AND it's almost Christmas!!! wow! I'm loving life and have to remember to enjoy every day and not be in too much of a hurry for tomorrow.

Our series at church right now is called Advent Christmas and the theme is Spend Less, Give More. It really is helping me to reflect and focus on true Christmas. I have such a desire for family, tradition, and helping. My heart is overflowing! I love Christmas and I love giving.

Life has been recently revolving around Nathan and his music and I love seeing him work. He is doing exactly what God has called of him. For those in the area, Making Malorie's CD Release Concert at our church, 24 Church, is this Sunday, November 23rd at 7 PM. Come ready to be blessed and your soul rocked! I don't get tired of listening to them! Some of their new pics are posted on our web album. Speaking of pictures, also take a look at all of the new Noah pictures. He went trick-or-treating for the first time and got his first candy- A Reese's Cup. He loved it and wanted more, but one was enough. He was a Race Car Driver for Halloween and was pretty timid about going up to strangers. Nathan and I took turns, but we only drug him to about 6 houses. We were in Maryville for a gig, but I wasn't willing to miss Halloween! Noah is a ham these days and talking about everything. I've added a little video of him talking. Nathan is asking Noah what he wants to drink, and Noah is saying,"Dadgummit Milk!" everytime. Just in case you need to know before you listen. Sometimes it's hard to tell, but it is hilarious! The inflection in his voice adds to the humor.

Stay Warm!

It's a Girl!

Well, here's a picture of our daughter!

Isn't she beautiful? We, of course, are very much in love and in awe that we are actually going to have a little girl around the house. We really thought we were having a boy and were excited about that. We are in cars, trucks, and dinosaur mode at our house. I guess she's just going to have to love what her big brother loves. Hey- I had all of the girls in GI Joe and HeMan! Noah definitely loves the "baby" in mommy's belly, but I know he has no clue what's about to happen. He gets jealous enough when you give the dog too much attention. He's in for a rude awakening!

Thankfully he gets to spend a lot of time with his cousins and he's use to other children. He's a great friend in the nursery. This week he was tattled on for kissing all over a little girl. What can I say? We teach him to be loving!!!

This weekend we went to Walden Farms with my family. We had so much fun and Noah did not want to leave! He loved feeding the animals and seeing the big tractor. He is a country boy no doubt. Here are a couple of pics, but the rest are on the web album.

Also, this weekend, we had another very special occassion. Nathan was ordained into the ministry. You can call him Rev now. It was very nice and extremely emotional. It is such a blessing to sit there and hear so many people say so many wonderful things about your best friend. He is the best and loves God with all of his heart. What more can I ask for?

Have a Happy Fall!

"Where Saints are Sinners"

Well, the time is here! Nathan's band, Making Malorie, has finished their album are it is on PRE-sale. Which means, place your order now and you will be the first to receive it when it is released. It's very exciting and I am so proud! The CD's are $10. Also, you can go to their new website, http://www.makingmalorie.com/, and preview a song. It's just a demo today, but later this week a completed song will be posted.

In other family news, next week we go back to the doctor for another ultrasound. So, October 6th is the date and I'm very anxious. I just want a healthy baby, no matter the gender.

I love fall and am glad that is is here. I love the leaves changing, the cooling weather, and am ready for our trip to the pumpkin patch. Noah has changed and grown so much in the past year (see last year's picture), I can't believe it. He's going to love it and I'll probably have just as much fun as him.

He doesn't know it, but it's been a big week for him. Sunday we bought his new big boy bed. But shhhh don't tell him. It's for Christmas. He's getting a race car bed. As a big brother, he needs to be a big boy! I can't wait to see his eyes light up! He also got his first motorcycle. He's already had one accident, but it didn't deter him. Here's a picture!

Have a great rest of the week. Let me know if you want an album!

St. George Island

Nathan, Noah, and I went on our first "real" family vacation last week. We went to St. George Island, Florida and had the BEST time! Our friends Seth and Michelle rented a house for the month and we were invited to come rent a room and vacation with them for a week. Their little boy, Fisher, is just 6 months older than Noah, and those 2 little boys were 2 peas in a pod! We were definitely on vacation and did nothing but relax and enjoy the island. We cooked together, went to the beach, went fishing out our back door on the dock, and sat on the screened in porch. Our friends Susan, Matt, and Karlene were also there and it was such a blessing. Nathan and I haven't stopped talking about it and we are already trying to plan next year! The weather was perfect and the island was practically empty because it was September. We only ate out once, and it was to a very very nice restaurant where Nathan and I enjoyed the finest quality food. We were drooling over it and asking for more. I was able to get some much needed rest and am feeling pretty good these days. I am 17 weeks and already feeling huge. It's way too early for that! #2 is going strong in there and we are anxious to find out gender. 2 more weeks and we should know as long as hide and seek is not his/her favorite game!

Nathan goes back into the studio this week to finalize some things with the album and then we should be able to start pre-selling this thing. We are excited and anxious to get the ball rolling.

Check out our web album. We have hundreds of new pictures. You'd think I do nothing else, but take pictures of Noah. I promise I do other things. I do have a job selling houses!