Merry Christmas!

I don't have my camera cord with me, so I had to use a picture we had on the computer (from CO in November). But we did have a white Christmas here in southern Oklahoma with Alex's family. The boys are enjoying all their toys - too many of them. We're enjoying time with family and just relaxing...

1 year postpartum...

...or 9 weeks pregnant?

Yep. It's no secret that we're expecting again, although it was a surprise to us! Let's just say girls, that you shouldn't trust your 1st postpartum period. You know, when you're breastfeeding, your cycle doesn't kick in for a while - say 9 months, but then it might not be normal. If you ever have mid-cycle spotting, just consider that as good enough for "prime time" 2 weeks later! Anyway, our timing is just great - due date is July 20th (as of the 1st ultrasound). Alex starts his job in CA on July 1st. Might be a little crazy...

By the way, why do I have a belly at 2 months instead of 4 months? Anyone with more than 1 kid find that they start puffing out really early? I guess some of that IS still postpartum belly, although I did lose nearly all the weight I put on last time...

1 year!

We started out the day with eggs and toast, which Big O loves, but we usually only have on Sunday mornings. He was pretty happy...

Since he's one year and 20 lbs., we switched car seats - he was pretty happy...

And the weather was nice - about 50 degrees, so we played outside. He was pretty happy...

although this picture doesn't show it... he just wanted to ride some more... no pics mom...

Present time - he's a bit of a climber and pretty happy....

Dinner time - McDonald's! (Thanks for the gift card Aunt Jane!). He was pretty happy...

I'm not sure if we should be proud of this, but Big O can eat almost an entire Happy Meal... (check off those important milestones in life :))

And he downed the juice box...

I don't really want the cupcake...

...but I'm happy to sit in a box!

Do you think I could return this "toy"?

Owen's party

I counted Owen's party on Saturday as my service for the day - we had 12 kids and their parents over for lunch and cake. For our ball theme, we played with balls, the gifts were balls, and we had cheese balls, hotdogs, and round crackers and cheese for lunch. And of course we had ball cupcakes! Basketball and baseball ornaments and rice krispie balls were the favors. I probably could have done a little better, but it turned out just great for a 1 year old party. We had fun!

For Audrey

My sister Audrey served a mission in Bulgaria. She encouraged us to donate to the orphanages - just a little bit goes a long way. Anyway, I came across this video, and it really touched me - I love the song!




www.oneheart-bg.org/ - link to the website if you want to donate

Gratitude post 31

I just found out that my mom was in a car accident, but she walked away from it. The car was totaled, but she was fine (just a few bumps and bruises). I'm thankful that she was okay.



On a side note, my mom has a dress store in Houston called The Silver Hanger. I have a link on the side of my blog. Go check it out and buy something or send the link along to someone you know. She specializes in modest formal wear, so if anyone is looking for a great wedding, bridesmaid, or prom dress, send them her way.

The cookies were a separate thing than the card. The card, with a nice $urprise in it said, "Hope your holiday season is full of surprises." Since it was anonymous, I sure hope this person doesn't know about my blog... shhhh... don't tell!

Christmas tree magic

There's just something magical about those lights. Owen loved them - he'll probably pull everything off the tree before Christmas. Nathan and Jared loved decorating the tree, and the magic got them too. They just stared at the lights. I do the same thing. It's magical.

Because I have been given much...

...I too must give.

November was a perfect month for gratitude. A couple of weeks ago, I made this post. I had the thought that gratitude was great, but service is even better, and it is a way of giving back to the Lord what He has given to us. I knew that December would be the perfect month for service. So... I'm going to try to do some act of service every day this month. I know we all serve in some way every day, but I'm going to try to do something that I normally wouldn't do. I'm not sure if I'll post about it or not - I haven't decided if that's appropriate or may seem "showy." I'm not sure if I can do something every day, but I have to try, if only in some small way.

In the recent conference of the church, the prophet gave a talk called, "What Have I Done for Someone Today?" In it, he referred to an interview and said this, "Just over a year ago, I was interviewed by the Church News prior to my birthday. At the conclusion of the interview, the reporter asked what I would consider the ideal gift that members worldwide could give to me. I replied, “Find someone who is having a hard time or is ill or lonely, and do something for him or her.” He wanted us to serve, and I can't think of a better season of the year to take that daily challenge.

The words of this hymn inspire me:

"Because I Have Been Given Much"

Because I have been given much, I too must give; Because of thy great bounty, Lord, each day I live I shall divide my gifts from thee with ev-'ry brother that I see who has the need of help from me. Because I have been sheltered, fed by thy good care, I cannot see another's lack and I not share my glowing fire, my loaf of bread, my roof's safe shelter overhead, that he too may be comforted. Because I have been blessed by thy great love, dear Lord, I'll share thy love again, according to thy word. I shall give love to those in need; I'll show that love by word and deed: Thus shall my thanks be thanks indeed.

Who's with me? You just thought we were done...