Christmas pics

First three pics are from school picture day...I didn't have any red/green outfits for them yet.  Pink will have to do!

Anabelle is thrilled to be posing with her sister

We ended up visiting Santa at the mall even though he'd already come to Nana & OG's house to see us...Anabelle still screamed, but calmed down after she told him what she wanted for Christmas so we could at least snap a cute picture!

Before church last Sunday 

and yes, my face is getting VERY round.  so is the rest of me.  I just chose to have the girls hide that part.

Less than a week!

We're officially 5 days away from becoming a family of 5, and life doesn't seem to want to slow down.  Part of that could be having a 2 year-old and a 3 year-old, and all that comes with them.  We're doing very well though preparing for this new addition to the family.  I have to brag on Josh for a minute...I made a list of things that needed to be done before the baby comes.  Stuff like changing light bulbs, raising the crib mattress, other basic organization things...you get the picture.  He's been knocking things off the list faster than I can put them on!  What a guy!  Besides that, Christmas shopping has been finished for a while and we're just playing the waiting game.  

I think the girls have gone back & forth on how they feel about having a new baby in the house (understandably) and have been showing it through their actions.  We've had several wonderful & fun days, and several days that have made me want to lock myself in the closet until I give birth.  Then, of course, there's the "normal" day-to-day stuff to deal with.  Most recently was at naptime yesterday.  I hope you're not all getting tired of hearing about Sarabeth's naptime adventures, because apparently she's not done with them.  

I started having some pain yesterday that worried me, so I was trying to take it easy until my dr's appointment in the afternoon (everything is fine by the way.)  The girls were supposed to be napping and I was sitting on the couch.  I heard Sarabeth running around upstairs so I went up to see what she was doing.  I look in her bed, no where to be found.  I go into the nursery and find her sitting in the sink surrounded by this... 

two bottles of baby powder dumped out on the floor/counter/carpet.  The picture doesn't do it justice.  On the other side of the room was a bottle of lotion which she squirted on the carpet.  I didn't figure out until I started vacuuming that the lotion was also mixed in with the baby powder and had turned to paste.  Not sure the vacuum still works.  After 45 minutes of clean-up there was still a layer of baby powder on every surface in the bathroom & bedroom.  She's made some messes before, but this is the best of the best.  Or worst of the worst.  Whatever.  We'll be able to laugh about it someday. 

Happy 30th Josh!

Josh, your mom has always said you're wise for your years.  So, in a sense, it's hard to believe you're only 30.  On the other hand, it seems that the years we've known each other and been together have flown by.  I'm trying to do the math and I think you were 20 when we met, 22 when we started dating.  Over that time you have grown into such an amazing man and I can't believe how much God has blessed me by having you in my life!  I'm thankful for you everyday and I take incredible joy in watching you be a father to our girls.  So even though it's 2 days late, Happy Birthday Josh.  I love you!

I only had a "3" candle...

Few & Far between

My blogging has been neglected lately and I can't promise it will pick up anytime soon.  I'd like to say it's because I'm busy with a 2 year old, 3 year old, Christmas shopping, and 3 weeks left of my pregnancy.  But really I have plenty of time.  I just haven't been good about it.    

Things are wonderful at our house right now.  Everyone is well, happy, and amazingly not that busy.  Sure, we all have full calendars this time of year, but I don't feel completely overwhelmed by obligations and schedules like I sometimes do.  I'm thankful for this time to spend with my sweet family of four before it changes and grows again.  Christmas is such a special time of year and we can so easily get lost in the hustle and bustle of the season...shopping, decorating, wrapping...and of course the inevitable bribing of our children.  "Remember to be nice, Santa doesn't come if you're naughty!"  I've been reminded a lot to focus on the JOY in our lives.  We ALL have so much to be joyful about, not just at Christmastime, but always.  I'm going to challenge you to focus on that- it's SO rewarding!

A little more about what we've been doing.  We went to OKC for Thanksgiving, spent the week with family and lots of wonderful food.  We helped my mom celebrate her 60th birthday (I know, she doesn't look a day past 40!)  Santa came to Nana & OG's house to visit Sarabeth, Anabelle, & Lucas.  After we came back home the girls & I went to see "Santa Clause is Coming to Town" at Casa Manana (a children's theater here in Fort Worth) with our playgroup and got a chance to wear new Christmas tutus.  Josh is away right now on a hunting trip so my mom came to keep us company this weekend.  The girls loved having the extra attention!  Josh turns 30 tomorrow (birthday post to follow!) and we're going to the Cowboy's game next Sunday.  Christmas a few weeks away and exactly 3 weeks from tomorrow we get to meet our 3rd daughter!  Like I said, SO much to be joyful about!

Some pics from lately...

Don't you love how their faces are just lit up with the Christmas spirit?!