I've Got Babies On My Mind...

Well, yet another month has passed. I'm not doing so good on the following through with the "writing more soon" thing, am I? Oops.
Well, here I am today, about to blog. Hooray! In my last post, I mentioned that I had a good reason for not writing for 5 weeks, and it was true. Again, the same holds true here. Another 5 weeks has passed, and I've been preoccupied. With what you may ask? What could hold most of my thoughts captive? What could sway me from sitting down and taking time to blog? Well...the answer is: I've got babies on my mind. Okay, well - I've actually got one baby on my mind...MINE! I still go into shock every time I say that. But Yes, it's true. I am pregnant! Nick and I are going to be parents - can you believe it? Sometimes I can't. You see where all the thinking and preoccupation comes into play here?
Anyway...we found out about our little bean back in November, and I finally decided I could tell the blog world :) Our little precious baby is expected to join us July 17, 2009. I am 15 1/2 weeks along, and there is a little baby bump starting to show. I am going to attempt to give updates concerning our tiny babe, and how we're both growing and changing. :) I have my 20 week ultrasound coming up, and then we'll see real pictures of the baby! Can't wait to see them and share them with you!
Most of all - we are so thankful and blessed for this teeny little gift. Jesus has blessed us greatly with this tiny little miracle. We cannot wait to meet you - our Little Baby.

Blogging Hiatus...and a Merry Christmas!

Oh my goodness gracious - has it really been a month since I've blogged? Oopsies. Sorry about that. I know, I know...nobody wants to hear excuses, but believe me when I tell you that we've had a lot going on in the last 5 weeks. Really and truly. But I'll get to that in a later post.

But right now, let's talk about Feliz Navidad, Joyeus Noel, Mele Kalikimaka, Fröhliche Weihnachten, Glædelig Jul...MERRY CHRISTMAS! Christmas is just days from now. Okay...actually just two. Yikes! What I'm hoping is that later, I can come back here, and update this post with...you guessed it...actual pictures. I have pictures of our sweet little place, decorated with lights and a cute little Hermie (from Rudolph) Christmas Village, a count-down-to-Christmas counter, and of course, our tree. So cross your fingers...we're hoping I'll get those pictures up sometime before Christmas Day.

But I want to talk about Christmas because well...it's my favorite holiday. I'm sure that some of you share that feeling, and some don't. And I'm sure some of our reasons for why it's our favorite are the same. But can I share them with you anyway?

1. I love Christmas because it brings with it a sense of nostalgia. Christmas has it's own scent, and everything about it is lovely - the lights, the snow, the trees, the food. It's all just so very nostalgic.

2. I love Christmas because it's a time for family and friends. This is the time of year when (most of the time) we get to spend time with loved ones from near and far. It's a special time to connect and share.

3. I love Christmas because it's a time to give. Not that giving isn't good all year round but it's universally a time to give. And I love that. It's a time that many people put "self" aside and think about others. I think as a whole, we need to do that more often.

4. The #1 reason I love Christmas is because it's the season that we come together to celebrate the birth of our sweet Savior Jesus Christ. To acknowledge that He came to earth as a tiny baby. To recognize that He was selfless and gave Himself for us. It's quite a humbling thought, isn't it? It's a time for us to be thankful and realize, that we are truly loved. Not just by friends and family, but by Jesus. Will you join me in loving this season? The season of our Savior's birth?

I pray that you all are incredibly blessed this Christmas season. That you have the opportunity to notice the nostalgia in the air, that you have the opportunity to spend time with loved ones, that you have an opportunity to give, and that most of all, you take the time to remember the true reason we celebrate Christmas. Merry Christmas, everybody!

Randomography: Take 1

Updated: After reading what Jess had to say, I realized she has a good point. What is randomography? Well, essentially it's Random Photography. It can be any random pictures you like, and somehow - they still tell a story. And sometimes, it's more fun just to let the pictures tell the story, rather than words. Hopefully that helps you makes sense of the somewhat random pairing of photos below. Thus ends my sad attempt at defining this made up word. Thankyouverymuch.
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Before I start, I need to declare that this is not my original idea. I have borrowed it from HERE. I saw it as a great idea, and I'm going to try it out for myself. So...without further ado...

I woke up this morning to find this out of my window.

and this...

and this.

Pretty, no?

I have turned 26. It has come and gone. But not without some great pics (and hopefully more to come!)

Below are just of the few of the people who are my constants, and who made my day, my day.






(Where's my husband you say? He's behind the camera in this one!)

I Digress

Do you ever find yourself going through a dry spell? Where you just can’t find anything to write about? I do. And the thing that really bugs me is when I have an urge to blog, but have nothing of consequence to say. It’s a little funny here in this blogging world (well at least for me): I feel as if I constantly need to come up with creative, enticing, entertaining and witty posts. But if I’m here to show who I really am…sometimes, I’m just not creative. I’m not entertaining, or witty. Sometimes, I’m just me plus no extras. And I would like to think that it’s okay. But it’s just harder to write when I feel like I have nothing to say. I have half started recipes, with no pictures. I have pictures, with no recipes. I have random pictures of random people, things and places, but not much of a story to tell. Maybe it’s hard for me because I want something to say. I think what I need to realize is: who cares? I don’t have to say anything earth shattering or share pictures that will “change your life.” I can, but I don’t have to. It feels good just saying that. Maybe I’ll just stick with randomness. And, if THIS is any indication, randomness doesn’t seem like such a bad thing after all. His words and pictures can be random…but somehow they always tell a story. Thanks for listening as I work my way through this…oh, and look at that – I can already feel the dryness lifting…

It’s the Great Pumpkin…

Today I’m not here to poll you on whether or not you agree with Halloween. I’m not here to ask who thinks it's right or wrong to let children go trick-or-treating. There are more important things to discuss! Today, I’m here to talk about a little something called tradition.

Growing up, my sister and I got to dress up on Halloween, and go trick-or-treating with Dad. It was tradition. It was also customary for my mom to make our costumes. We went as clowns, ballerinas, ghosts, princesses. We trick-or-treated in the rain, in the snow, in good weather. It was all the same to us – we loved it. We got to be children, and play dress up, and spend quality time with Daddy, and to top it all off…we got candy. I’m all for tradition :)

Another tradition? We would watch this…

Yes we would. I don’t care if you hate Halloween. I don’t care if you love it. Do yourself and me a huge favor – and watch it. Please? Thanks. And while you’re at it, please warm some cider, pop some popcorn, and eat some Halloween candy. And since you're already in the kitchen, could you warm some cider and pop some popcorn for me? And share some of your candy with me? Thanks.

Oh! And have a Happy Halloween!