Have we raised a Southern belle?

This past Sat. we went to Bass Pro Shop for FREE picture with Santa. That is right free. They have invested millions of dollars to great a Santa's workshop in all their stores (minus Key West). The line was not too bad but the store was busy besides the line for Santa.


We were able to do some crafts while we waited. Such a good idea. Then it was Elizabeth's turn, or should I say mommy's turn .
The Santa kept telling me to put all my weight down. First off I felt even bigger than I was because I am 6 months pregnant. Second, it is really weird to sit comfortably on a grown man's lap who is not my husband. Elizabeth walked off with a candy cane and it was all good.

Christmas is just around the corner!!

Didn't we just finish turkey? Oh well. This is by far my favorite holiday. My mom says I have always gotten over excited about Christmas. Many a Christmas mornings we had to stop the unwrapping so I would not get overwhelmed. Not me, never!!

Elizabeth enjoys all the toys we put on the Christmas tree. Especially the ones at the bottom which is almost all of them. She helped put them up and enjoyed every minute of it.

I have realized how difficult it is to teach about Jesus' birth while competing with ads on Santa. Not that I am against Santa. But I am beginning to think how difficult it is for a 2.5 year old to grasp both. Of course, Jesus will be our main topic during this Christmas season.

We are headed to Chicago for Christmas. We get to spend time with my brother whom I have not seen since July. It has been a long time for us. I also get to see my sis and her hubby who also moved across the country. Hopefully we will spend time with friends of ours who we met in Nashville but moved back to Michigan. Can't wait for all that time with friends and family.

My Little Fairy

Sorry once again it has been a long time since I last blogged. A lot has happened. I now look prego. My parents came for a visit. If you did not already know that was there first visit together. They both have been here on their own. They were planning on visiting right after we moved but that fell through thanks to the weather.

Elizabeth and I finally got into BSF (bible study fellowship). We are a little late in starting but nonetheless. I really needed this time because our church, even though we love it, does not offer consistent,structured bible studies. This is. Elizabeth learns the same lesson but at her age. Way cool. WE get to memorize bible verses together and talk Adam about what we learned. Elizabeth cries hysterically when I leave her but I know in time that will stop.


Today I went consignment sale shopping. I know I have written on this before but I love it. This was the first time I went on 1/2 off sale. I always went sooner because I wanted to shop with the best of items. By the time 1/2 off sale has come, 2 full regular shopping days have gone by. I found some great deals. I bought a pair of dress maternity pants for myself. A way cool sling, boy clothes and dresses and skirts for Elizabeth. All under 30$. Mostly name brands from Old Navy, Addidas and Liz Lange Maternity.

As Christmas approaches my family and I (extended) are trying to figure out how to minimize spending. Some ideas we have chatted about are drawing names, (vetoed by my dad)no adult kids buy gifts for each other(I vetoed that) and then right now setting a lower spending amount. In the past it has been 20-25$ now 10-15. I already have ideas and some plans in action that will cost very little. Any ideas?

It's a boy!!

Had the gender showing ultrasound yesterday and the parts were there to see. When we went in for Elizabeth's, they could not tell. We both are very excited to know and plan. The planning part got me up at 6 am this morning. Besides coming up with a name, we need to come up with more space, boy things and a bigger car. Man oh Man.

The cool thing is Adam and I have really learned to rely on God and His provisions for us. We are in a place in our lives where each penny counts. We do live paycheck to paycheck but by choice. We choose to put a name or home to every penny earned. In the past, we would pay off bills and then wonder how much we could spend on ourselves. Now we know exactly how much for every bill and anything and everything else. With only one salary, buying a house or car is not something we can decide to go and do. For one thing, in a car we don't want any payments ever. As for a house, we want to pay a down payment. And yes, we know it is a buyer's market but we are waiting for the Lord's timing on that one. The Lord has taught us discipline and to live with things we need and not what we want. What a hard lesson but one we can't wait to pass onto our children.

A wonderful weekend!

It has been awhile since I have posted. I enjoy reading everyone else's so much I forget to do mine. We have one more week before ultrasound day to find out the gender so fun!!

This past Friday we had Uncle Nate over for dinner and pumpkin carving. Elizabeth wanted nothing to do with the insides. We did buy 2 pumpkins one for her to push in Mr. Potatohead type decorations. She did like that and now laughs at it whenever she sees it outside. On Saturday we went to the annual Halloween party and friends' of ours farm. She had a lot of fun with the other kids and not being watched like a hawk in regards to chips.















At church on Sunday I worked with the kids class. I started almost 2 years ago my mine focus on any kids with special needs. There were actually quite a few when we first recognized the need for more support. Actually I started praying when I moved here there would be an opportunity for me to serve in that kind of ministry. One women's bible study later, the childrens' director and I were talking and tears were she on both sides about how the need for each other. Anyways, yesterday they carved a pumpkin. I know my first thoughts were wondering the church's thoughts on Halloween in the church. But what the teacher taught the kids as the pumpkin was carved was this;

1. Top: Open my mind to learn about You (God)
2. Insides : Take away my sin
3. eyes: open my eyes to see You and Your love
4. Nose: I'm sorry for the times I was not thankful and when I turned up my nose
5. Mouth: Open my mouth so I can tell others about you
6. Candle: Let you light shine through me in all I say and do!

SO cool! I really enjoyed that and can't wait to use it next year.


To top of the weekend or actually this started last week. No heat. YIKES!! It has been cold but tonight will be the coldest 29 degrees. Supposedly the HVAC people are coming back again. We rent this duplex and the furnace was not orginally put in correctly and this will be the third time over all since installation they have been here. Then the gas company has to come back out and make sure it is safe to turn the gas on. Crazy.

Weekly Storytime

Every week Elizabeth and I trek into the city. If we were still in Naperville we would never go into the city every week. Nashville is probably easier to get around in then just Naperville. Anyways, we go because she does not have any social time or even time to sit in listen in a semi class situation during the week. Most kids at her age are in a mother's day out program by now. We are not going to do it for a couple of reasons. One is we can't afford it. It actually isn't that expensive but we still can't. Another reason is why do I need to put her in one, I am not working and am at home. I might put her in once a week if we had the money for the classroom situation. But we are praying that BSF finally pulls through and she can get 2 hours of bible filled learning. Don't get me wrong, a lot of the mother's day out programs are tied to a church. BSF is way more bible based than probably most Sunday school classes.

We are not in a BSF class because there is no 2 year old teacher yet. We signed up when we should have and are just waiting. I am super excited to get this type of teaching because I have never had any type of bible education besides what I have done on my own.


Onto baby news, I gained only 3 pounds this past check up. Not too bad. I wish I would have kept last times weight gain. OH well. The heart rate is about 150. The doc seems to have no worries. We are normally waiting longer in the waiting room than the whole appointment. Next month we get to find out the gender!!! With Elizabeth she was upside down and they could not tell. We shall see this time around. I will keep you posted.

New pictures

My camera is fixed.












Sunday morning breakfast with my daddy. I love powdered sugar.










Story time at the library with my daddy. Even though at times I complain about my hubby's schedule but right it allows him to come to story time and watch Elizabeth love it. So fun!!