Merry Christmas

Our Christmas card was designed by Amy Jordan.  I find it super cool because I was her counselor at church camp when she was a wee little thing, and I was in high school.  She was quite an artist then, too.  I think I still have some of the pictures she drew me stashed away somewhere.

Have you heard this song?

His Favorite Christmas Story
by Capital Lights



My Christmas music listening situation has been a bit different this year.  Since I was sick for much of the season (I'm feeling a bit better - PRAISE THE LORD!!!), I didn't want to listen to all my favorites all the time like I usually do for the simple reason that anything I do, see, eat, listen to, watch, etc... while experiencing "morning" sickness makes me think of nausea.  So, I didn't want to ruin my favorite songs.  My solution: listen only to the Christian radio stations and flip back and forth between the 3 we get and listen to their Christmas songs.  They play a Christmas song about every 3-4 songs.  It has been cool because I've heard many new-to-me songs...some fun, some that really made me think and ponder (Example:  While You Were Sleeping by Casting Crowns click on it to see the video), some that gave me chills, and then this one...the one that made the pregnant girl cry in the car while her daughter was in the backseat watching Elmo on her DVD player.

Last night we spent the evening with my grandparents eating supper and visiting with them since we can't see them on Christmas Day.  We talked about how they met and fell in love.  My grandpa got teary, and my grandma was smiling from ear to ear.  I'm thankful their story turned out differently than this one, but I have always loved that time period.

Santa 2011

So sweet ~ I can't stand it.

December 15, 2011

Last year's photo

The Real Christmas Story

We took Molly to the Real Christmas Story at Crossings Church earlier this month.  

She loved the live animals.

We sat on the "first row" (floor) to get as close as possible to the living nativity.

We iced cookies.

We made crafts...putting the red paint on Molly's hand caused her to go into hysterics.

She ate the frosting off of the cookie.

She might never remember it, but we sure will...with joy, nostalgia, and love.

Hi.

Well, one day, some day, I'd love to feel good enough to write a lovely post on this new baby.
But, as I am still not feeling great, I'll limit this to just a few details.

* I'm 13.5 weeks!
* The baby is due in June!
* We are ultra thrilled!
* I've been sick (all day/all night), and quite honestly, I'm sick of being sick and exhausted!
I was sick with Molly, too, and I eventually felt better.  I'm praying with all my might that I will get better this time, too.
* We will find out whether we are having a girl or a boy this time around.  After all, I did make a promise to Aaron, that if he let us be surprised with Molly, we could find out with Baby #2.  Although I'd still choose to be surprised at the time of birth (as it is quite possibly the most awesome surprise ever) I'm actually excited to find out this time...doing things a bit differently.

Okay, it is nap time for Molly and ME!

Our Secret...

Orr Family Farm

On October 20, Molly and I went with our friends down the street to the Orr Family Farm in south OKC.  I wasn't sure what to expect, and although I wasn't sure what an 18 month old would enjoy and couldn't imagine spending $10 to go to a farm when I grew up on one, and my parents still live on one, we went.  It was terrific.  Molly loved every second, and she cried when we left.  The weather was gorgeous.

The hay ride

During the hay ride, they stop at a pumpkin patch and each child gets a pumpkin.

Molly and her friend

Molly loved the animals...goats, sheep, pigs, horses, alpaca, chickens...the funny thing is, we had all of those, minus the pigs and alpaca when I was growing up.  

The train

P.S. This post is dedicated to Becca, who threatened me if I didn't start blogging again and whose birthday was yesterday.

Cozy

Fletcher has been our only dog for over two years, and he finally has a new friend.  Aaron made Molly the happiest little girl in the world when he brought home Cozy.  She is a doodlekin (labradoodle/boykin spaniel), and she is terrifically sweet.  Our whole family is happy that she came to live with us.

You can see where Aaron is getting ready to pour concrete on both sides of our existing patio.

Walsh, Co

Aaron grew up in Walsh, & it has an extremely special place in our hearts.  He kissed me for the very first time in that little town.  Aaron loves the people there, and the people love him. It was terrific to return for the first time since we've been married.  Aaron's grandfather started the Walsh Baptist Church, & Aaron's dad was the minister there for many years, too.

The church just celebrated 50 years, so we went to join in the celebration.

Molly got Maci Quinn from her Nana and Aunt Jordan.

We got to meet Bella for the first time!

One of the highlights was seeing Aaron's Aunt Sis, Uncle Troy, and their granddaughter, Emma.
Troy had been Medevaced (Medical Evacuation) to Denver just a few days prior to their visit.  This was the first chance they'd had to meet Molly.  Both Sis and Troy mean the world to Aaron, and we'd give anything to have Emma live close to babysit!

Aunt Sis and Aaron's dad...both were present at the dedication of the church 50 years ago. 

One of the highlights for me, I mean, Molly, was playing with the Care Bear collection at Debbie's house.
Debbie and Steve were so nice to let us crash there. (Anyone have a collection of the vintage miniature sized Care Bears you'd like to sell?)

Playing with Brody

Molly loved Bella and her Aunt Jordan.  We wish she lived closer to babysit, too! 

Papa, Nana, and their three grandchildren

These two crying in a photograph seems vaguely familiar!  Anyone remember this just 9 months ago?

Walsh, we love you!  We'll be back!

This was the last time we were there!