We Have A Home!

God provided a beautiful home for us in VA. I cannot begin to tell you how excited we are about this home. We truly believe God showed us this house and provided for this house. We moved in last Thursday and spent the next couple of days getting as much done as possible before the boys came home (GG and PaPa were kind enough to keep them till all this was done). Let me tell you what a blessing it was not to have to worry about schedules. I'll have pictures soon.

Homeless

Technically, we are homeless right now. I wish I had taken pictures of the garage before we moved. The boxes were piled high, the toys were everywhere and there was more stuff than I thought possible. I think when I wasn't looking my neighbors added their stuff because our small home could hold all of that junk.
I praise God because he sent us a lot of helpers and trucks. I'll keep you posted as to whether we continue to homeless or not (we close tomorrow on our home in VA).

Graduation Day

This weekend was a huge weekend for our family. First, Chris' parents came in to help me pack up the house**. Second, Chris graduated with is Doctorate of Ministry (yes, he likes for me to call him Dr. husband). Third, Jonathan was dedicated at our church (I have pictures and will post them later). The hardest part came on Monday when Chris' parents kindly took the boys home with them so that we could finish packing without any distractions (does posting on the computer count as a distraction or procrastination).

Here are a few pictures from Chris' graduation:

Dr. Chris and family

Dr. Chris and Future Dr. Andrew (?)

Proud parents of Dr. Chris

Dr. Chris and his brother and sister-in-law

**Some of you may or may not be aware that Chris and I are leaving BBC and planting a church in VA. My posts will become fewer and fewer due to the fact that we are moving Wednesday and most of our stuff is in boxes. This was a huge decision but we know that God is all over this and has opened the doors wide open for us to move there. Please pray for us during this time of transition.

We are so greatful for all the friends we made at BBC. We will miss everyone.

It's a Girl!!!

Congratulations to my sister who had Isabella Grace on December 7. Isabella weighed 7lbs 5oz and was 19 1/2inches long. Andrew and I were able to meet Isabella and help Tia Missy and Uncle Chris adjust to having a new baby (since he is an expert). Isabella is beautiful and we are so glad she is finally here.

I hope it's the camera angle, because my head looks gigantic compared to hers.
Isn't she so sweet. She's giving everybody a wink.

This Morning...

I got some help feeding Jonathan. Andrew has become my little helper with Jonathan. Before he would help but now he wants to do it all. He helps me make the bottles then feeds Jonathan. I'm pretty sure the ulterior motive is to make sure I get Andrew's lunch made, and Jonathan drinks faster so we can get to the meal. Or maybe, he just loves his little brother and is being a blessing to me.
This would have been our Christmas picture if there wasn't a bottle in it.

Singing In Church

Andrew got to sing in front of the church again. I recorded the songs but I'm having a hard time uploading them. Once I figure it out I'll show you. We were so proud of him.
He couldn't take his eyes off us when he was singing.

Playing Together

The boys have really gotten to the point they like to play together. Mainly, Jonathan plays and Andrew makes sure it is in his room and shuts the door so he won't escape. It is a lot of fun to see them playing together (even if it isn't the same game).

They think if you are on the floor that you are playing jungle gym. Jonathan is playing with Chris and deciding what is the best way to get over him.

Still figuring it out.
Andrew loves to play the piano (for those of you who call know that to be true). This is an example of them playing together but not together (although, Jonathan does tickle the ivory sometimes). He finally noticed I was taking pictures.

Happy Thanksgiving

We had a very fun and relaxing Thanksgiving in VA. We made sure to hit all the spots that we love and can't get in NC. My personal favorite was eating a CJ's stromboli and chef salad (after my fair share of turkey leftovers) which, I believe, everyone should have once and then they would be addicted like me.
Andrew did his fair share of the cooking for Thanksgiving. He helped us make our pumpkin cheesecake (with no sneezes included) some of the casseroles before getting bored and went on to other things. This was the first year he was excited about having all the food. He actually ate the turkey, carrots, broccoli casserole (he didn't like it) and green beans.
Jonathan was offered, and politely refused, mashed potatoes with his Thanksgiving lunch. I would try to sneak a bite of mp on his spoon and he would get the shudders from the taste. His favorite thing to do at GG's house was to pull every Tupperware out of the cabinet. He even stood up on the ledge to get the one's in the back.
It was a fun time and a much needed break for Chris and I. I actually brought my camera and took pictures.

Jonathan playing in the Tupperware cabinet. GG said it was alright to destroy it.

It is the hardest thing to take pictures of Andrew. If he isn't in the mood then you get this face. So from now on if you see this face, remember he was forced to do it. Here he is playing bingo with his Pa Pa.
Jonathan is now more interested in playing with the camera than taking pictures. You have to be quick if you want to get the shot.Okay, this is Jonathan and Andrew exacty 3 years apart. I knew I had taken a picture of Andrew in Pa Pa's chair but I didn't know I had done it on the same day. Jonathan is older than Andrew when the picture is taken but I can see some similarities. What's weird is I remember taking this picture of Andrew on that day because we were so proud of the VT outfit (and now I can't find it). It's weird what we remember.


We also got to see some of Chris' friends from high school and since they read this, 'Hey, and thanks for having us over. Your house is beautiful!!!' I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and is still stuffed from all the turkey.

Captain Obvious

Over the past few weeks Andrew has become Captain Obvious, even though he doesn't know it. Here are some examples:

-Mommy, did you know that Micky Mouse is a mouse?
-Mommy, did you know that Donald Duck is a duck?
-Mommy, smell this Taco Bell bag. Doesn't it smell like tacos?

I wish I could remember them all for you. As he continues to point out the obvious I will continue to share them with you.

Jonathan is now 9 months old and we just went to his 9 month check-up, and all is well with him. He is 18lbs 12ozs and 28 1/2inches long. I did share my concerns with his lack of talking and laughing but he didn't seem too concerned with it but told me to keep him up to date on it.

Something very exciting happened this morning during breakfast, Jonathan signed is first 'more' sign. We've been working to teach him sign (something that we did with Andrew and had great success with) over the past month but today was the first time he did it all by himself. I tried to get a video of it but he didn't cooperate. Here's a picture of him after he signed more and was awaiting his praise. It is so sweet to see them do this.

A Relaxing Friday...

Friday was such a beautiful day that the boys and I had some fun outside.

Click on this picture and you can see I caught the drool bomb mid-fall.