Update

Just a quick update: I went to get another ultrasound on Tuesday. Our doctor tries to do a 4-D picture of their face at about this time in the pregnancy. Well, our little Hannah would not cooperate! I love it she's already got a mind of her own. I don't know why I would expect anything less from one of our kids! She kept her hand on her face for the whole time. We got to see a brief look at her face, but he couldn't get her to stay in that position. She does have chubby cheeks already (that one is definitely from me!) and the doctor said she's a little over 5 lbs roughly. He said this is a good milestone to reach - and she's very healthy as far as he can tell! 7 weeks to go! He's going to do another ultrasound next time to see if he can get the picture. I'm starting to nest - in fact I've been cleaning out every closet, nook and cranny that I can find. I'm still in the everything looks chaotic right now, but I can feel the end nearing. Then next week, it's time to wash clothes, bedding, and work on Hannah's room! I can't believe we'll have a little girl in about a month and a half!
Here's some pictures of Jonah at his school on Tuesday. The firemen came and did a presentation for them. Jonah learned so much - he came home and showed me how to Stop, Drop and Roll, informed me that I didn't need to be scared because the firemen's masks look a little like somebody on Star Wars, and told me to holler out if I'm ever in a fire so the firemen can find me. I'm so glad he learned so much - I hope he never has to use it! He loves school so much, we are so blessed to have such a wonderful school, who has helped make the school as Peanut-Free as possible (due to Jonah's severe Peanut allergy). What a blessing! Thank you Lord for always being our Provider!

Here's the 3 year olds through Kindergarten:

Food for Thought

Jonah said something funny today in the car that I thought you'd enjoy!

Jonah: Mom, Why do ants bite you?
Mom: Ummm, I don't know I guess they're scared of you and afraid that you'll hurt them.
(thoughtful silence)
Jonah: Well, why don't we get some reeeaaally tiny paper and write a reeeaallly tiny note that says "Please don't bite me, I just want to look at you!" and then we can drop it off to them!

So, I guess we have a very tiny project to do this Sunday afternoon!

Caleb's 2nd Birthday Party

Here are some fun pictures of the birthday party! We all had such a great time. Curious George was the theme of the day and we had 4 stations set up in the fellowship hall (Play-Do, Trains, Legos, Coloring) and the kids seemed to love it all. They were all so cute - I think their favorite thing were the loose balloons all over the place which was probably the easiest preparation! Isn't that how kids are - the simpler the better!

Here's Papa John before the party enjoying a rousing game of Monkey Volleyball with Jonah!

Here's Tootsie helping Caleb decorate himself with stickers!

My sister, Michelle, Mama Gina and Tootsie! We are so blessed to have such a wonderful family!

Here's all the kids eating their pizza - well, one big kid at the kiddie table? I think they were all acting like monkeys, including Tootsie!! What fun! Of course, Caleb is the kid that you can rarely catch looking at the camera!

Caleb blowing out his birthday candle! We had banana pudding instead of cake, since the theme was Curious George. He just grinned ear to ear when everyone sang to him.

Here's Caleb giving some love to one of the great gifts he got at the party! MMMpppwww! (that's a kissing noise!)

Back to School & Fun

Well, it's that time of year again and Jonah is back to school! He is still attending Forerunner Christian Academy, which is a 2 day a week school. We absolutely love the people who have started the school and have enjoyed getting involved in this school startup! Jonah has been so ecstatic to start school again. He has 5 kids in his class this year, but he's the only boy so far. We're expecting more kids to join the class, so we're praying for another little boy that he can do "boy stuff" with! Here's a little video of us in the car right before going to school!

Now that he's 2 - he's officially a little ham! I walked in and he has my oven mitts on his feet wearing them like boots! He posed for me so I could get this picture!

Happy Birthday Caleb!

Yesterday was Caleb's 2nd birthday! I can't believe that he is 2 years old - time has flown by so fast! I can't believe that 2 years ago I had this tiny little red-headed person in my arms - having no idea what the next 2 years would hold.

Caleb is such a joy of a little person! He is such a relaxed, fun-loving little guy who is just magnetic to be around. He's quieter than Jonah was, but you can tell the wheels are always turning in his little head. I love the fact that he is totally content playing by himself and being independent! He does have a little bit of that red-headed fire in him, but he's quick to get over it too. He's always wanting to do everything his big brother does - and sometimes that gets him into trouble. Jonah loves to teach Caleb how to say different words, and Caleb just absorbs and admires everything he does. My favorite moments are when Caleb climbs up in my lap after bathtime to watch a little bit of "Dorge!" which is Caleb-Language for Curious George. And if I forget he loves to pull me and remind me of our special time. Caleb's snuggles may be rare, because he's always busy with something - but I think that just makes them extra melt your heart! I love you sweet Caleb - I can't imagine our lives without you!

Here's some pictures of the boys eating cupcakes! Caleb's party is Saturday - but of course you have to have cupcakes on your birthday!

Ancient Words Impart

If you're wondering what my title is - I was sitting here singing to myself the line of a praise song that just stuck with me..."Ancient words ever true, changing me and changing you. We have come with open hearts, Oh let the ancient words impart!" I have felt completely overwhelmed in just about every area of life lately, I can't even begin to describe it. Adam and I were sitting here talking about how both of us can't seem to get out from under our rut of focusing on the negative instead of dwelling on being grateful to God in everything. Sometimes it is just so hard to let things go, and lay them at the Lord's feet. I get so consumed by the everyday physical nature of things that need to be solved, fixed, changed and finished that I begin to empty out all of the strength that's within me - forgetting the whole time that there is an unending spring of strength that I can draw from if I stop focusing on myself and my needs and focus on the Lord. This is a scripture that I am wholeheartedly meditating on tonight:

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy-meditate on these things.

Philippians 4:8

Tag, You're it!

My friend Kelli "tagged" me with this post. I'm supposed to answer these questions on my blog! I'm so excited - I feel like a kid actually playing tag!! (Which would be very interesting to watch me play tag at this point in my life - big belly and all!)

Two names you go by:
1. Momma 2. Mrs. Mandy (Church kids)

Two things you are wearing right now:
1. Flip-flops (the only thing I wear in this heat) 2. A GIANT maternity shirt!

Two of your favorite things to do:
1. Eat at a restaurant ALONE with my husband 2. Watch my boys laugh!

Two things you want very badly at the moment:
1. A very cold banana split! 2. To have all of my to-do list finished before the baby

Two favorite pets you have had/have:
1. Molly (Childhood Dog) 2. Earl ( Our first dog when we got married)

Two things you did yesterday:
1. Met my friend Mary at McDonalds with the kids 2. Made silly hats with Jonah

Two things you ate today:
1. Cinnamon Rolls for Breakfast 2. Some kind of concoction my husband made the other day put on a tortilla (it was actually pretty yummy)

Two people you last talked to:
1. Adam 2. My parents who just came by and picked up the kids!! HOORAY some time for rest!

Two things you plan on doing tomorrow:
1. Get caught up on chores and my to-do list 2. Go to a banquet for a new Christian Pregnancy Center opening here in Bonham

Two longest trips taken in the last five years:
1. San Diego, CA for a weeklong family vacation 2. New Orleans for my brother's wedding (it felt like the longest drive ever!)

Two favorite holidays:
1. Christmas 2. Thanksgiving (I love all the decorations for fall!)

Two favorite beverages:
1. Cranberry Juice/Ginger Ale mixture 2. Caramel Steamed Milk from Starbucks

In the spirit of the game - I'm going to tag my sister Michelle! Tag, you're it!