A Quiet/Busy Book Idea and Snuggles.

I am making Madeline a Quiet/Busy Book for Christmas. I found a lot of cute ideas and templates online at this website: http://quietbookblog.blogspot.com/p/template-directory.html . It turns out that my mother already got her one for Christmas though which was a little disappointing because I thought I was being so creative and crafty. However, there are many different kinds of quiet books and I think one that I make will be completely different than the one my mom got. The first page I make is going to be an iSpy Bag page. If I don't finish the whole book this page alone would be a good gift and Madeline will love it (provided I find the right trinkets to put inside like a horse, a baby, a car...things she likes). 

Today I got a letter in the mail from my good friend Racheal. She is one of my best friends although now I like to say my husband is my best friend and all my other former best friends are now "good friends." Anyways, we used to write letters and notes back and forth to each other growing up and a little in college before we got married so getting a letter in the mail was fun. She also sent me a Christmas card. Now that we qualify as "adults" by the law and basic writs of passage, she lives all the way across the country doing grown up things like work, and saving for a house, and vacations with her husband. It's weird to think that 5 years ago I was 18 and I was starting my crazy college life, and now I am married and have one baby and another on the way with plans to purchase our first home within the year. INSANE. But exciting. :)

We are into this show called "Leverage." I love the two love stories that have developed and the characters are well-written and developed. Sometimes they get a little too much into vengeance mode which turns me off, but then they turn it around and these characters are really learning compassion which is nice to see. The main characters are a grifter (a thief who uses acting skills), a thief, a muscle-man, a hacker, and the man with the plan. 

 My life basically consists of planning right now. I have a lot going on in the near future and I need to plan. Although I need to plan, here are some pictures of the present.

Maddy thought it would be fun trying on my heels. She actually walks better in them than me!

Snuggles with Sampson.

Apparently Maddy does not like crust. 

Papa is home from school! Time to snuggle him! 

Christmastime and Our Countdowns

It's been five months since I wrote last--I have been writing in my personal journal rather than this public blog, but I thought I would share the excitement and news of my life.

I'm really happy it's December and that it is starting to look like Christmas everywhere we go. I just love this time of year when we get to cuddle under some covers and sip hot cocoa. I also LOVE seeing all the Christmas lights everyone puts up. We put up our tree on Thursday and Madeline couldn't wait to put the ornaments on.

She was adorable. Last Christmas Madeline was too young to really participate in the festivities, but now that she is almost two she loves the lights and reindeer (mostly because they look like horses) and the music. I hope she remembers December as a great month when she gets older.

I was putting together our Christmas wreath and I had these fake red berries and one fell off and Sampson rubbed his nose on it and it stuck to his nose. It was darling.

This year we are going to my parents for Christmas and it is our last Christmas going home for a while. We will be alone on the East Coast next year, but we are excited to start our own traditions especially since we will have two children by then. Speaking of two children I guess I should mention to those of you who don't know, I am pregnant. I find out the second week in January what it will be. My sisters both think it is another girl which I think would be fabulous because I always loved having sisters my age growing up to really experience life with, but my husband wants it to be a boy. Of course. I would be happy with either. We are excited to welcome another spirit into our home in May.

I have a huge countdown for a lot of things that are going to happen in the next 8 months.

1. My 3rd anniversary is in two weeks exactly.
2. Christmas is in 18 days.
3. Student teaching is in 30 days.
4. Marcus' birthday is in 35 days.
5. Madeline's birthday: 85 days.
6. My graduation is in 125 days.
7. New baby: 174 days.
8. Marcus' graduation is in 224 days.
9. Then we move to SC.

I have a feeling that this year is going to fly by. I also feel like I will be finally doing what I've always wanted to do my whole life; stay-at-home-mom. I know some people think being a stay-at-home-mom is easy, but children have a lot of energy and they are very curious about the world around them. I believe they need constant care, love, and support from someone at home. This does not mean to offend the working women. My mom was a career woman while I was growing up. I think she was made to do what she does, but I really think I would have benefited a lot from having her home with me all the time. All I know is that the Lord leads some people to do one thing and others to do another and I am not here to judge anyone. I am just excited not to have to worry about school or work for the next few years so I can just focus on my family and making our house a home with fun traditions. Do you have any fun Christmas traditions?