Can I do it all?

Today, Luke went to Parent's Day Out, which means that like every other Wednesday, I had a list a mile long of things to do. Actually, though, since the Christmas season has officially begun, my list was 2 miles long. And, to be completely honest, due to pregnancy brain, I didn't even make a list and somehow thought I could remember everything on my "to-do list." Did I get everything accomplished?? No way!

Somewhere in the midst of my day though, I thought about my women's weekly Bible study. This past week we studied about the Proverbs 31 woman. For those of you who may have never come across this chapter, it's based entirely on this amazing, most unbelievable woman who does it all. She provides meals for her family, makes her family's clothes, volunteers, runs her own business, takes care of her husband and children, manages her household, etc. She is called blessed by her children and her husband praises her. She speaks with wisdom and even laughs about the days ahead, but most importantly, she loves the Lord. This woman is everything we all want to be.

A friend of mine sent an email out today reminding us to look at our own to-do lists. Do we actually think we can accomplish them on our own with faith only in ourselves? We can't! We must have faith in God and in having that, we must then throw out our to-do list and get God's to-do list. What does He want us to do today? Slow down and be a friend to someone who needs us? Stop rushing around trying to multitask and sit down with your toddler who just wants you to read a book? Put off going to the grocery store and trying to be Martha Stewart and just be a daughter, or volunteer, or adopt an angel, or maybe even share about God's love to someone?

I tend to get caught up in my own to-do lists--especially during the holiday season and so I was thankful for this study and reminder. Proverbs 31:30 says, "Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised." I want to encourage all of you to get God's to-do list, which forgets about material things and focuses on eternal goals.

Fun in the leaves!

Okay, so the pretty red leaves I mentioned in my previous blog are now dead in our yard, but that didn't stop Luke from shuffling through them! He loved the crunchy noises the leaves made and had fun playing in the leaf piles!

Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving!

Crunchy leaves are so much fun!

Our ultrasound results!

Apologies to my faithful (and harassing) readers for not posting recently! We've been on a busy streak! Much to Luke's dismay, pumpkins are gone now, but the leaves have started changing recently and Luke (and Mommy) loves them. Outside of our playroom window there's a big tree that has changed to a beautiful red color and everyday when Luke goes to play with his trains he says "Mommy, look at the red, pretty tree!" He also tells me all about the red, pretty trees when we are driving. I try to comment about the yellow and oranges too, but he insists that the red trees are the best!

And in case you've been stuck inside and haven't made it to your local malls, or any other stores for that matter, Christmas is here (yes, before Thanksgiving)! Usually, I am quite the stickler about Christmas decorating. No decorating or Christmas music until after Thanksgiving. But this year, I say bring it on! Chad's been allowed to play Christmas music on his trumpet already and while we haven't pulled out our decorations yet, I am so excited about the Christmas season this year that I am definitely not judging anyone who gets a head start!!

I have no recent pictures of Luke, but I do have ultrasound pictures of Baby #2!! We don't have a scanner, so the pictures aren't great, but the subject sure is. In case you haven't heard, we decided to find out the sex of the baby! We didn't find out with Luke and we were determined to do the same with this baby. However, the weekend before the ultrasound, Chad admitted (shockingly to both of us) that he really wanted to find out! So, we did and. . .we are having another BOY!!!!!!!!! We are super excited and it's fun already thinking of names and talking to Luke about his new little baby brother inside Mommy's tummy! Everything looks great with this baby. The dr. says he looks healthy and is growing fine. The Lord continues to shower us with blessings!

A full picture of Baby #2! Yes, it's a little blurry, but trust us, he's a cutie already!

Patches the Pony

My sister gave Luke a pony ride for his birthday and while we went for the ride a couple of weeks ago, I'm just now getting around to posting the pictures. Luke had a blast--actually, I'm not sure who had more fun, Aunt Mary or Luke. The actual night of his birthday, she gave him a stuffed pony and told him about the ride they would take later. The pony was named Patches and for a good week or so before the ride, Luke would hug "Patches the Pony" and talk about his upcoming adventure with Aunt Mary. So, when we got to Shelby Farms for the ride, Luke called the real pony he was about to ride, Patches. The lady helping us kindly renamed the horse Patches, while Luke was riding him. The poor horse was confused about being called Patches instead of his real name, but a great time was still had by all! Thanks for the fun, Aunt Mary!!

Luke and Aunt Mary getting ready for the ride!

Aunt Mary making sure Luke is wearing a helmet so he can stay safe!

Off they trot!

Feeding and petting "Patches" after the ride!

A pony ride isn't complete without a tractor picture!

Luke's Happy Halloween

Luke had a blast this Halloween! He just loves pumpkins, so I couldn't resist having him dress up as a pumpkin this year. Actually, he chose his costume! Anyway, I've been calling Luke "my little pumpkin" for the past 2 years of his life and yesterday, it finally hit him what I meant. He likes to go around saying "I'm Mommy's little pumpkin!" So today after he said it, he said, "Like on Halloween I was a pumpkin!" It was too cute to have him associate his costume with being my little pumpkin.

Despite having stayed up a little late the night before to carve his pumpkin with Mommy, Daddy and Aunt Mary (yes, we finally carved the pumpkin the night before Halloween), Luke was super excited that Halloween was finally here. He kept saying Happy Halloween, which sounded like Happy Haween and trick or treat. He enjoyed wearing his costume to Parents Day Out and was on a high (probably from sugar) the rest of the afternoon and evening. We made a trick or treat stop at Aunt Mary's new apartment, where he LOVED her pumpkin lights going up her stairs. We then headed to church for Fall fest. There were tons of moon bouncy jumpy things---no idea what the technical name is--and Luke had so much fun sliding down the slides and bouncing around everywhere. We finally headed back home and had our neighbors trick or treat before calming Luke down and getting him to sleep! What a fun day!

Our energetic little pumpkin at the beginning of the day!

Our tired little pumpkin in the afternoon after a big day at Parents Day Out!

A trick or treating visit to Aunt Mary's

A fun Halloween night!

tidbits from our week

Our computer problems are finally fixed! It's been a crazy week around here, so I'll fill you in on some of the interesting adventures. Pony ride and Halloween pics to come!

1. We spent 5 hours in the ER Sunday night with Luke. He's completely fine now, but his elbow bone popped out of joint due to his Mommy and Daddy swinging him by his hands (who knew???). Turns out this caused something called nursemaids elbow. The poor thing had to endure 6 x-rays, screaming from pain for hours, people twisting his arm in half, no dinner and staying up until 11 at night!! It was terrible and so sad, but thanks to prayers, he's A-okay!

2. Somebody stole one of our pumpkins from our yard! Who does that???

3. I backed into our garage door before it was completely up today. Yep, it's broken and someone has to come out to fix it. Can I chalk that up to pregnancy brain?? Please???

4. It's November 1st and our grass is still green outside. I think we've only been using our heat for a week too. It's crazy. Bring on the cold!!!!!!!!!!

5. Oh, I know there's more, but I'll stop for now. Maybe I'll work on the pictures. . .