Mission Accomplished

So this past weekend was fun and productive---what a combo! It's so exciting to have a list of things you want to do or get accomplished and be able to check them off, so here goes. . .

Take down the Christmas lights! Yes, they were still up on Jan. 20th--at least they weren't on. And yes, Chad actually took them down. He's been doing a lot of honeydo lists lately! I'm so thankful for him! Check

Go see a movie! It felt like forever since we'd been to one and we managed to see 2 this weekend! We really enjoyed Juno and didn't enjoy Atonement so much, but we were just happy to see a movie that had been nominated for Golden Globes! Check

Have quality family time! We had a blast this weekend, especially since it was a long weekend. We went to Gibson's (a local and super yummy donut place) for breakfast one morning and enjoyed squeals and laughter from Luke. He not only loves the sprinkled covered donuts, but they have flying pigs, cows and motorcycles on the ceiling---who wouldn't love that? Check

Finish "24"! For those of you who've been reading our blog from the start, you will recall that one of my firsts posts ever was about how we were innocently led to the show 24 (not knowing how addicting it would become) and how for the past year of our life have been watching the past 6 seasons on DVD. As of last night, we completed our mission! Now, we await the end to the writer's strike and the beginning of Season 7. Check

And finally, though I don't know that Luke consciously had this on his list to check off, he managed to climb up the playground at Chick-Fil-A this weekend! There are several of these around town and all of the playground stairs vary in height. He's been able to climb one for a while, but this weekend, Daddy taught him the skills to master the one by our house and when he made it to the top and back down the slide, he screamed "I did it!" and all 3 of us beamed with joy!!! Check

fun times ahead!

This past weekend we took a quick trip with my family to see the lakehouse they are building in South Carolina. It's not quite finished yet, but we wanted to see it before we're home bound for a while with our new baby.

The place is going to be awesome and the views are spectacular! I didn't get any shots of the house---there will be plenty to come when we actually stay there--but I got some cute shots of the family. Luke absolutely LOVED the lake and wanted desperately to go in it. We can't wait for it to be finished---there are fun times ahead!!

Beautiful view from the house!

My parents, sister, Lukey and Chad from a marina nearby

Awww, Luke loves his Aunt Mary!

My sweet boys!

change is a comin'

So a new year always brings excitement for me! It's time to get organized and clean and time for a fresh start. Since baby #2 is coming in April, that means there's a lot to get ready! We've been working on getting our junk room ready to be Luke's new room (though in the process, our guest room has now become our junk room--oops!). We're almost done---we had our carpets cleaned upstairs today and Luke's new furniture will be delivered on Monday! I'll post pics when everything is completed!

This is all so exciting, but it also means change is a comin' and for some reason change intimidates me. I'm thrilled about our little boy moving into a big boy bed, but I know that will bring some change in sleep habits (though Luke may be changing those habits on his own as he seems to be ending his naps at such a young age already)! There's also potty training ahead, though I think we will wait until after baby brother is born to even think about tackling that. And of course, new little baby will bring about change too.

As I think of all of these events, I wonder how I can control them or fix them and I get myself all worked up when things don't go right (why? why? why is Luke not napping?). I think it's time to change my thought process and put into action something that I've known for so many years already. . .I am not in control, GOD is!!! Here's a verse we should all keep in mind this New Year: Proverbs 3:5-6 -- Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

Luke's new adventure. . .

Oh, and here's our latest news. . . Lukey fractured an ankle bone! Poor little thing. At least for now, he thinks his new boot is "cool!"

Luke and his new piece of equipment!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to you all! It's obviously been a while since we last posted, but as I'm sure you were busy, so were we! We enjoyed lots of wonderful family time, celebrating the birth of Christ and ringing in the New Year.

Some highlights of the season. . .

1. Looking at the Christmas lights all over town and hearing Luke say "There's more Christmas lights!", "Ohhhh, I like those!" and "Those are pretty over there!" He couldn't get enough of them and we had to let him down gently when Christmas over, assuring him they'd be back next year.

2. Having Luke actually verbalize the meaning of Christmas and tell us that "Baby Jesus was born on Christmas day and he lives in heaven now" as well as participate in the lighting of the Advent candles at home and later chiming in about the candles during the Christmas Eve service at church!

3. Spending time with my family and adding new traditions to our celebration, yet still keeping old ones like watching Christmas Vacation on Christmas Eve!

4. Seeing and hearing the excitement in Luke when reading new Christmas books and singing Christmas songs.

5. A wonderful visit with Chad's family in New Orleans after Christmas for our nephew's baptism.

I don't have a lot of pictures on my camera---it seems my parents captured more on their camera, but here are two I had to share!

Getting ready for the season!

Check out this smile on Christmas day!