Thankful Thursday!

It is 730 in the am. Ryan has just left to run in the Thanksgiving Day 9k. (i'm so proud of him) James is sitting in his high chair eating breakfast while i am typing this. It is so nice to really be able to sit back a think about all of the things that i am thankful for....the list is so huge!
One of the things i am so thankful for is our little baby #2. I've been putting headphones on my belly playing sweet worship music for him/her. I know, his or her ears probably have not yet developed completely yet, but hey....people play music for plants in order for them to grow...do they have ears? nope. haha. Anyway, yesterday while James was napping, i relaxed on the couch while i played music for our baby. And guess what?! I felt the baby move! Believe it or not, i am positive it was our baby! I remember how it felt with james....it's the most amazing feeling in the world!
I am so thankful for our precious boy james. The whole toddler bed transition has been a dream come true. He has not come out of his bed once! He waits for us to come get him. And putting him down to sleep is still so easy as it was in the crib. Haha, we have started a new tradition with him before he goes to bed (not every night). Ryan gets his guitar - he learned to play some of James' favorite songs on it - Deep and Wide, Jesus Loves Me, The Wheels On the Bus, and Old Macdonald. We sing the songs together...James gets so tickled. And he always asks daddy to play it "fast" so he can run in place. haha. It is so sweet!
Yesterday my wonderful mommy took us to the mall for James' first Build A Bear experience. Uncle Joe was in town, so he came along too. James picked out such a cute dog and of course a Lightning Maqueen outfit for the dog. The Dog's name is Patch. It was so cut and sweet seeing him cling onto that dog all throughout the mall. After Build A Bear, James heard none other than the train passing by...so you know what that lead to. haha. He held onto Patch as he and Uncle Joe rode through the mall in the train. (so glad Joe was there - i would have gotten sick on the ride haha) We ate some lunch together and then rode the carosel. (Build A Bear gave us a free token for it) Here's some pictures from the eventful day:















Gammy gave James a little Christmas tree to decorate for himself. I got some lights from the dollar store and we hung the little heart ornaments that he had made on it. (we aren't decorating for Christmas until tomorrow - we have a thing about waiting until after Thanksgiving)



I am so thankful for my husband Ryan...who is right now running his heart out in the cold. haha. I always wonder why God blessed me with him? Everyday i am in awe of how God brought us together, our marriage, and our family. I am excited everyday about our lives together! I am also very thankful for his foot massages! The joys of being married to a preggo wife.
I love you Ryan!

I am thankful for my family!

I am thankful for God's wonderful peace! I think thankfulness plays a key role in that.

I need to go start cooking for a huge thanksgiving lunch with the family!
OHHH! I am also so thankful for 2nd trimester! Just in time for good eating!!! haha.
Have a happy Thanksgiving everyone!!!!

Christmas Ornaments

It has been...well, a month since my last post. The pregnancy and little James have had me pretty occupied. On the Baby #2, everything is going great! I am 13 weeks today...which means only one week left of the 1st Trimester! I am starting to get more energy and am able to eat a little more at night...still not up to par, but i am well on my way.
Last week we had a Dr. appointment to check on our little bundle. We heard the heartbeat...the most amazing and comforting sound to a mother to be. It brought tears to my eyes...just knowing this is for real and that our baby is doing great. Other wonderful news considering our baby, we find out the sex on December 22nd! I'll only be 18 weeks, but the nurse was so sweet and said since i am petite it would be easy to find out the sex...plus she wanted me to be able to enjoy my Christmas. I told her "thank you" probably 10 times on the phone. haha. So, only 36 days till we find out! I really have no indication of what the baby is. Things were different and yet things were the same as James' pregnancy. We will see. Of course we would love to have a little girl, but i have absolutely loved being a mommy to a boy. (i may say differently when james reaches his teen years) haha. I am just so so so excited to just be having another baby. God turned an almost impossible situation into something possible and beautiful.
James is doing great. He is headed for some major adjustments these next few months. This weekend we are moving him into his toddler bed - so baby #2 can have the crib. (we wanted him to be well adjusted with that before the baby comes) Please pray it goes smoothly! Then this winter, sometime after Christmas, we will start POTTY TRAINING. (it kind of puts my stomach in knots thinking about that) If anyone has any tips...feel free to share! I figured since Kentucky is known for their very snowy and icy winters that it would be a great time to potty train - since we will be home a lot more. Then of course the last adjustment of having a little brother or sister. I think he will be great! But, i'm just praying that i will be able to divide my time wisely. woo.
James is talking more and more! we have been doing "school" for the past few months. He knows letters A - P now. He recognizes them and can say them. He knows his numbers 1 - 5. And the colors Red, Blue, and Green. It's actually been fun. Some days, because of morning sickness, i couldn't handle doing anything. haha. My favorite thing to do with him is Arts and Crafts. He is actually the neatest boy when it comes to painting and coloring. Always stays on the paper and i have yet to have a shirt covered in paint. (there's still time)
Today, i was in the Christmas mood and wanted to do something crafty. I found this "recipe" for homemade ornaments.
It's super easy and fun to do with the kids. You have to be careful that your kids do not think that they are cookies...James did at first and wanted to eat them. (he helps me bake cookies - he likes the batter...just like his mama) :)

All you need is:
- 1 cup of Salt
- 2 cups of All Purpose Flour
- 1 cup of Luke Warm Water
- Cookie Cutters



once you have the ornaments cut out and on the cookie sheet. You bake for 2 hours or until completely hardened on 250degrees.




After they are completely cool, you can use accrylic paint or really anything to decorate. We used acrylic paint. James loved this part.




Here are some of ours. It was so much fun to do and a great activity for a rainy day.




I hope everyone is having a great week! Oh, their is this amazing singer Daniel Martin Moore that we found on itunes. (we heard one of his songs on the TV show parenthood) I am in love with his music! It's very smooth and mellow. My favorite is "IT is well with my soul." Check it out! Alright, i've got to go give James a tub!