christmas with a 18 month old

Normally we don't decorate for Christmas. With three families to visit and our time off before Christmas (we have Christmas conference for students soon after the 25th), we've never been around long enough to really go through the "trouble." This year, however, I really wanted to do something! Our "something" was an artificial tree that we placed on a side table so that the stinker (aka Henry) could not get to it as easily. We taught him to wave at the tree versus touch it, which has worked on our parents big trees as well!




We've already been to Hank's two families, where Henry LOVED the commotion and activity with his three cousins! South Carolina is where we currently are and are awaiting the rest of the family to get in to town.



(can you tell Henry was excited?!)

where did October go?

I realize that it is the middle of November and it's a little late to be asking that question. I'm slowing coming out of the first trimester hole, and am a little shocked that Thanksgiving is NEXT week. Yep, you read that right, we are pregnant again (yay!!) We started it off with Henry and I getting a stomach virus which then lead straight into morning sickness. Hank has been awesome and has served us well, but I'm ready to get back to "normal!" All I know is that things are a lot different this time around. I have plans to be in my pregnancy jeans WAY earlier than last time not because they are super comfy but because I'm going to NEED to! I guess your body just knows what to do?

We are currently at a Crusade staff conference in Alexandria, VA. (currently, Hank is at the conference and I'm in our hotel room while Henry sleeps) I've never been here, so I'm looking forward to seeing some of the city during our free time. We're then headed to Greenville, NC and Raleigh to celebrate Thanksgiving with Hank's family.

Here are a few pictures of Henry the past month. We were able to see my dear friend, Dena on Halloween. Her cute son Luke (the lion) and Henry had a fun time roaming around in their costumes.




We've been letting Henry play outside in the morning with his Pj s on, which he certainly doesn't mind one bit!

boys

I grew up with two brothers, so you would think that I would have been prepared/informed about little boys. Sometimes I just have to stop and stare at Henry in amazement as I realize just how differently we were created. I saw a link on facebook that said this



and thought "what a true statement!" Henry is definitely a dirt loving, noise making, active machine! I took a few pictures yesterday of some of Henry's favorite things to do inside (of course this doesn't even touch on the stick eating, playing in the dirt, etc. that are outside)!







I have however, decided that I want to encourage his loud, adventurous spirit and truly give him the freedom to be a boy. Hank and I have been reading Wild Things: The Art of Nurturing Boys and I would HIGHLY recommend it. Anyone else have a good "boy" book?!



I'm so thankful for this little boy and look forward to experiencing his physical, emotional, and spiritual grow!

friends

Some of our best friends, Kim and Nathan came to see us this weekend. It is such an encouragement when we have visitors! Because we now live so far away from most of our friends, it is especially refreshing to see familiar faces. They were such adventurous guests, and packed in way more than most people would in the (less than) 48 hours that they were here. We discovered a really neat apple/peach orchard on Saturday, and it was awesome! Food, wine tasting, and picking your own apples are a few things that Carter Mountain Orchard provides! Henry LOVED it, so we will definitely be frequent visitors;)






Watching the Auburn game on the computer

back home-finally!

This past week, we've been here



and now we are finally back home! Three months, nine cities, and 6000 miles later, we arrived in Charlottesville today. We're so thankful to be back. It's been an incredible summer, but we're ready for school to start and for life to get back to "normal!"

4 years

Hank and I celebrate our fourth anniversary this week! I still catch myself thinking about how thankful I am that the Lord allowed me to get married, and then what a perfect match he gave me. We are so different, but I have really come to see God's wisdom in putting us together. Though not always easy, marriage has/will be one of the biggest blessings of my life. By of His grace, I pray that we celebrate many more. Oh how I long to glorify Him in it, and for Henry to see his parents love and serve each other well.

wilmington

Henry is in heaven! We are visiting our friends (who have two boys and a dog) in Wilmington, NC. It's constant chaos, and Henry is loving it! We're here until Saturday and then off to the beach with Hank's family. We'll finally be home (after three months) on August 13th. Whew, we're getting tired of packing and repacking! Hank starts planning for the school year two days later. Where did the summer go?