I can't help myself!

I LOVE Christmas! I know that sounds very cliche because most people say that. But, I really do! I just love everything about Christmas. Here is a list of some of the things I love:

- putting up our Christmas decorations
- buying new decorations
- going to stores and seeing them filled with decorations
- putting up the tree and remembering the ornaments and where they came from. Some are so very special because they represent certain points and memories in our lives.
- turning on my Christmas tree each night after I get home from work
- saying "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Holidays"
- all the Christmas music
- buying gifts for other people that I can't wait to give them
- making yummy Christmas sugar cookies
- all of the delicious homemade candy my mom makes
- visiting family - we really treasure time with Mark's brother and his family because we don't get to see them very often
- playing with my nieces and nephews
- playing Wii games with Mark's family
- opening a new ornament each year with my family
- Christmas movies
- driving around and looking at Christmas lights on houses
- the way my brother-in-law, Aaron, hugs each gift giver after he opens each gift
- that my mother-in-law, Nancy, puts on a Santa hat when we start opening gifts
- that fact that my family exclaims after each gift we open, and that I still do that when I am with Mark's family and they think it is funny
- wearing red or green on Christmas day. I have even got Mark to start following this tradition!
- the fact that someone (usually 3-4 people) will receive burnt orange Longhorn items as gifts in my family each year
- the fact that most people are in a happy and giving mood!

I could go on and on, but that would take forever! Here are some pictures of Mark and I decorating.

While we were at my parents' house for Thanksgiving, we helped put up the Christmas tree. Here was what Mark would prefer to do!

Mom and Jessica hanging ornaments

Skylyn is having a great time!

Unpacking Hallmark ornaments from their boxes

Putting together this tree is a whole family affair

Uncle Jeremy keeping Skylyn occupied

We are having a . . .

GIRL! We went to the doctor today and found out we will be having sweet baby girl. Her name is Charlotte Ruth. We are so very excited! I am particularly excited about all of the dresses, bows, and plethora of pink in my future! However, the best part is that she seems to be very healthy and growing strong! She is currently around 11 oz. and 7.9 inches long. During the sonogram it was so amazing to see her moving around. She had her feet above her head like she was folded in half. We also go to see her open her mouth two times and swallow. It was so amazing to see the miracle that God is creating inside me.

This was what the sonograher drew at the beginning of the appointment. You can see it better if you click on it, but it is a bow ontop of her head. That was how we found out she is a girl. You can see her leg above her head.

In this picture, she is sucking on her hand. You can see her profile really well with her nose, chin, and her little ear. You can also see her foot sticking out up there at the top with her little toes.

Cast your vote!

We find out THIS Friday what we are having! Do you think it is a boy or a girl? Vote on the poll on the right side of the page.

SO annoying

Every once in a while this type of conversation will come up in the teacher's lounge, and I just find it to be very irritating. Here is how it went today:

Coworker: Life expectancies used to be shorter, so when you got married you didn't have to stay together as long. These days you sometimes have to stick it out for 40-50 years. Who wants to do that?

Me: I do.

Coworker: Well, you may plan on doing it, but you never really know what is going to happen.

Me: I still want to.

Coworker: You just never know.

Me: I know that I want to stay together and I am very happy.

Coworker: Good for you.

Me: Thank you.

I am not saying this to in anyway judge those who have been divorced. It is not my place. Everyone has their own stories, lives, and trials. It just drives me crazy when other people try to tell me how my life is going to turn out!

My growing stomach

My sister asked me for a belly shot, so I thought I would just go ahead and post it on my blog. This week my stomach really started to bulge and I actually look pregnant, not just a little pudgy. Although I know there will come a day when I want my belly to just stop growing, I am taking the time to really enjoy being excited about my pregnant belly at the moment.

8 weeks

15 weeks

17 1/2 weeks (to be precise!)

baby movements

Yesterday afternoon I laid down to take a nap and I felt the baby move for the first time! At first I thought, "Was that really the baby?" Then I felt it two more times and was convinced! It was so amazing to feel the first little flutters of our precious baby's movements. It is still hard to grasp the idea that I have an actual baby growing inside me. God works on wonderful ways! Today at school, while I was teaching, I could feel the baby move sporadically throughout the day. On the way home in the car, I coughed and then felt two quick movements like the baby was saying "Stop that, Mom!" What a wonder!

Halloween Party 2009

On Halloween, we had our annual small group costume party. We had a small crowd this year, but we still have a GREAT time! It is always so fun to see the costume people come up with!

Here were some Longhorn cookies I made. No, they aren't "Halloween" themed, but they are orange and the Longhorns football team is scary good this year!

Spider rolls that Alli made

The Chamblees as "The Flinestones"

Bam-Bam and Pebbles

I have a "bun in the oven" and Mark is the chef

Closer look at the oven

Garrett and Amy are the people on the Snuggie commercial

I don't know why this is sideways, but Mallory was enjoying Mark's apron.

Jake playing with the oven. He kept opening the door and giggling :)

Happy Halloween, everyone!