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?