Happy New Year!

We are so thankful for all that God has given us.

2010 has been an incredible gift to us as we have learned huge life lessons,
the news of a new baby girl and
the reminder that our God
is greater than any other.

We are so thankful for our friends & family who are a constant source
of encouragement and inspiration.

Here is to a fabulous 2011.....
we can't wait.

The December that got away.

What an insane month it has been! Wow, it has totally flown by. We've had a lot going on and to say that is an understatement. A few things....

*I am now 34 weeks pregnant. I went to the Dr. last week and was kept for over 2 hours for my blood pressure. I never have high blood pressure, so they were a little concerned. Ended up being told to REST, REST, REST. I have really pushed myself this month. I keep getting these bursts of energy and think that I must do things. I have a hard time saying no. You probably knew that. :) I just really love this time of year and I love being a part of everything. It's pride, I'm sure! So, I have been taking it easier these days. It pains me to leave some things undone, but I am learning in the midst of it.

*Jason turned 34 on Sunday. We had a really insane weekend with a wedding and worship rehearsals, but on Monday we got to celebrate and I surprised him with an iPad!!! It was the best gift I've ever given. Jason is SUPER hard to surprise and because he handles all of our money I didn't know how I was going to make it happen without him knowing. It worked out fabulously and I was so glad I had the opportunity to bless him. My favorite comment of the whole weekend was hearing him say, "I think a light went off. I have never felt this blessed or joyful in my life." I loved that. So glad he had an awesome birthday!

*I had zero Christmas shopping done until Saturday. It's been so crazy and I have been so tired, that I had no time to get out there. As of yesterday, I am 80% there. I have to go today and get a few more things and then I am done! I've never been this late. I remember my poor mom having to go out on Christmas Eve and do shopping when we were kids because her bonus check didn't come till then. I totally feel her pain and now realize why she was such an emotional wreck that week. I am grateful!

*Jackson & Reagan have gotten to spend a lot of time with their cousins this week. I loved this picture. I found him in the garage like this. He said, "What?? I am waiting for my cousins to get here."

*This picture TOTALLY cracks me up of Reagan. She got a comb stuck in here hair and was just as happy as could be. Ha.

Oh my kids....

And one last thing...

this was Jack at his Christmas performance. He is the 2nd to last on the right and the loudest, of course. You won't be able to miss him. I don't know where he got this desire to sing in front of others, but it wasn't me.

Hair day!

From drab....


To fab.....


And it only took 3 hours. :) 3 glorious hours. There is nothing that relaxes me more than getting my hair done.

And look how cute this little princess looks.
She got her hair done too. :) You can't help, but want to kiss those cheeks!

I may be hormonal or just italian...or both.

I came home today and decided that it seemed like a good night for spaghetti. I grew up with an Italian grandmother that seemed to make it whenever she wanted everyone to eat a lot so she didn't feel bad about doing it herself. I realize that every time I make spaghetti, it is usually preceded by a long day that may or may not have involved some crying. It is then followed by a lot of complaining and a few calls to every family member to tell them all different accounts of my day...which also means that by the last member the whole story is totally made up and I've got one good daytime television episode.

My spaghetti ended up good and I didn't really get to call anyone because I was so traumatized by Jason putting shredded cheddar cheese on his pasta. Who puts shredded CHEDDAR cheese on their pasta? Seriously.

One of the few things I will never understand. That and how in the world you can eat hot dogs for breakfast? No, really. He does that. Nope, not kidding. I know....

No, really. I KNOW....

Tomorrow I get my hair done. I am hoping to feel like a new woman. I am beyond excited and glad that I don't have show the 6 inch roots at the Christmas party Friday night. New hair makes everything better. That and cheesecake. Mmmmm...cheesecake.

I am officially 32 weeks. Thank you, Jesus. Thank you. I have no idea what we are naming this baby girl. It's quite sad. I have really been bonding with her lately and yet she has no name. Poor nameless baby girl. I've been reminded though that Jesus knows her name. He knows her every thought and He is forming her just the way he wants her.

That seems to give me a lot of encouragement when I don't even feel like I know myself sometimes. Well, the hormonal, pregnant woman, that is. So glad that He knows me. He knows my heart. My every thought. Every tear I cry.

Whether it's over the disgraceful shredded cheddar cheese or the raging insecurity I may be feeling at the moment, God knows and he cares.

Thank you, Jesus.

5:40 a.m. on a Saturday morning

Every Saturday should be a day to sleep in. Any day off should be. Of course, here I am now, up and blogging. I woke up at 5:40 this morning and couldn't fall back asleep. I did go to bed at 8:15 last night though. I am more and more convinced that I am going to be just like my Mawmaw for the rest of my life and get up at 5:00 am, cut coupons, read the paper and complain about my legs hurting.

And how no one loves me. And how Italians are the best....and eat too much pie.

I finished the stage at church for Christmas. It is one of the biggest projects that I do every quarter or so and although it always stresses me out, I actually really do enjoy doing it. I really want to learn how to have joy in the midst of big projects and busy seasons. I had a LOT of help this year from a fabulous group of ladies. They pretty much made the whole thing happen while I pointed and told them what to do. Now, that it is finally done I can rest for 2.5 minutes before the next project comes along. I spent most of my week doing that stage and the rest of it rehearsing music for various Christmas events. I'm not totally 'Christmas-ed" out yet. I still love this time of year.

Except that it is almost 75 degrees out every day. That makes me angry.

Again, joy.

A friend of mine wrote this blog post yesterday on perspective. McKenna is probably the most inspiring person in my life. There is a strength and grace that God has given her that she probably doesn't even realize she has. And as I complain about being pregnant and being busy, she is trying to navigate her way through being a mom of 3, a wife and battling leukemia. I hate cancer and want it to go away. She hates cancer and wants it to go away....

And still, she reminds us of perspective and God's redeeming grace. I am once again reminded of His hold on me and Joy.

And these two. Oh what joy they bring to me.

7:16 a.m. I think I'll take a nap.

Joy, Unspeakable Joy. An overflowing well. No tongue can tell.

Joy, Unspeakable Joy. It rises in my soul. Never lets me go.

Busy, busy, busy...

I'm so behind with blogging every week. There is so much going on at the church for Christmas. It is my busiest time of year and every year I say, "I will not stress out". I can now officially say that will never happen. I am lying to myself when I say I won't. I'm really trying not to freak out on people though. Being pregnant probably doesn't help that. What was I thinking being pregnant this time of year?

Our Thanksgiving was tremendous this year. We stayed in San Antonio and went to Jason's parents house early in the afternoon and then to my Mom's that night. Everything was very relaxing and low key. I was just glad to have family around. I love our family. We had a few days off of work, but unfortunately Jason got the full blown flu. I'm so glad I had my flu shot. Thank you, Jesus! It was a bummer though because we didn't really do much Friday - Monday because of it and by Monday I was about to choke my children.

So loving.

Baby doctor said I could have the baby in about 6 weeks! I think he might want to induce me. At this point, I would love that. It would be glorious to have a baby in 6 weeks and a reminder that I have a lot to do.

Too much.

I need to go now. Typing this is taking up time from all the things that I have to do.

Love to all.