The true meaning of CHRISTmas

Dear loved ones,
As you well know, we are getting closer to my birthday. Every year there is a celebration in my honor and I think that this year the celebration will be repeated. During this time there are many people shopping for gifts, there are many radio announcements, TV commercials, and in every part of the world everyone is talking that my birthday is getting closer and closer.

It is really very nice to know, that at least once a year, some people think of me. As you know, the celebration of my birthday began many years ago. At first people seemed to understand and be thankful of all that I did for them, but in these times, no one seems to know the reason for the celebration. Family and friends get together and have a lot of fun, but they don't know the meaning of the celebration.

I remember that last year there was a great feast in my honor. The dinner table was full of delicious foods, pastries, fruits, assorted nuts and chocolates. The decorations were exquisite and there were many, many beautifully wrapped gifts. But, do you want to know something? I wasn't invited. I was the guest of honor and they didn't remember to send me an invitation. The party was for me, but when that great day came, I was left outside, they closed the door in my face .... And I wanted to be with them and share their table.

In truth, that didn't surprise me because in the last few years all close their doors to me. Since I wasn't invited, I decided to enter the party without making any noise. I went in and stood in a corner. They were all drinking; there were some who were drunk and telling jokes and laughing at everything. They were having a grand time. To top it all, this big fat man all dressed in red wearing a long white beard entered the room yelling Ho-Ho-Ho! He seemed drunk. He sat on the sofa and all the children ran to him, saying: 'Santa Claus, Santa Claus' .. as if the party were in his honor!

At 12 Midnight all the people began to hug each other; I extended my arms waiting for someone to hug me and ... do you know ... no one hugged me. Suddenly they all began to share gifts. They opened them one by one with great expectation. When all had been opened, I looked to see if, maybe, there was one for me. What would you feel if on your birthday everybody shared gifts and you did not get one? I then understood that I was unwanted at that party and quietly left.

Every year it gets worse. People only remember to eat and drink, the gifts, the parties and nobody remembers me. I would like this Christmas that you allow me to enter into your life. I would like that you recognize the fact that almost two thousand years ago I came to this world to give my life for you, on the cross, to save you. Today, I only want that you believe this with all your heart.

I want to share something with you. As many didn't invite me to their party, I will have my own celebration, a grandiose party that no one has ever imagined, a spectacular party.
I'm still making the final arrangements. Today I am sending out many invitations and there is an invitation for you. I want to know if you wish to attend and I will make a reservation for you and write your name with golden letters in my great guest book. Only those on the guest list will be invited to the party. Those who don't answer the invite, will be left outside. Be prepared because when all is ready you will be part of my great party.

See you soon.
I Love you!
Jesus

It's A....................

SURPRISE!! We stayed strong and did not beg to know the gender of baby#2 during the ultrasound. I am really surprised at myself for waiting, but I think it will be an awesome surprise in the end that I would like to experience at least once! So all of you can have fun guessing and see who is right and wrong. WARNING: As you are guessing and making comments about how I am carrying the baby you better be nice! (You know who you are). These pregnancy hormones are crazy so you never know what will happen if you say something rude.

Looks pretty cramped in there doesn't it?! Everything looks good and it was so amazing to get to see our baby for the first time. I can't believe I am almost half way there, it has gone by so much faster this time around. Brent and Brynn came in the room after the tech was done with all the measuring. As I was laying there Brynn was leaning on my side and kept giving me kisses like she thought I was hurt or something. So cute! She will be a good big sister (hoping and praying).

Here are some recent belly shots at 19 weeks. It is definitely growing and looks much bigger from my view when looking down. I am in that awkward stage that I hate! In between maternity and my normal clothes. I can still wear about 2 pairs of normal jeans. So far I feel like I am carrying exactly like I did with Brynn (just started showing a little earlier)!

HO, HO, NO!

Let me tell you about our trip to go see Santa: I of course knew my daughter would not be fond of him, but we were going to give it a try anyways! I tried to prepare her by talking about him and pointing out Santa on her PJ's. I would ask her do you want to go see Santa? Santa! she replied (not that clear of course!), in a high pitched excited voice as she shook her head yes she wanted to see him. Off to the mall we go. The lady taking the pictures said "Just face her towards you (away from Santa), then you can put her down on Santa's lap and we will snap a picture really quick." Brynn has already spotted him of course and is clinging to my neck. Hmmmmm I think to myself you do not know my daughter, but here goes.....as soon as I was pulling her away from me she starts to whimper, then as her bum hits Santa's knee she is screaming the most ear shattering scream ever to come out of her mouth with tears and all! Of course everyone in the mall turns and stares and wonders what is happening to that poor little girl! She is hysterical so I pick her up and she glues herself to me. It takes her a few minutes to settle down. So we finally get a picture with Santa....................



My goal next year is to NOT be in the picture!!

We also went to the Christmas parade, although we watched it from inside the library because it was -17 F outside. Since Brynn doesn't care that much at this age we decided not to freeze. Santa also came to the library and so did Bailey the bison!



Here is Brynn sitting in Santa's chair, minus Santa himself! She was fascinated with the button on it, not wanting to smile let alone look up!



For more recent pictures Click here.

Dashing through the snow.......

So if you don't know this already about my husband he is very cheap. He doesn't throw old things out, he will keep everything, and thinks that duct tape is the best thing ever!! So after not being able to find a cheap sled for Brynn he 'made' one for her out of a storage tub and hockey tape for the pull string.



She enjoyed the ride and looked very cozy in her homemade sled!



She still is not a big fan of walking in the snow....not that I blame her!! She loves to wear her snow boots, not outside in the snow but inside. Those snow boots get a lot of use in our house!

Cadet Currie!!

We are so excited to say that our prayers have been answered!! Brent just found out that he got into the San Antonio Fire Academy!! You don`t even know how excited we both are. The class starts January 22nd so we plan to be moving south at the beginning of the year.

I am so proud of him because I know how competitive this process is. His patience has paid off!

What a good start to a new year!!

Wheels on the bus

Here is a video of Brynn singing her favorite song....actually I am singing so please forgive my voice, just focus on my precious daughter!! She loves to sing and I have been trying to get her on video for awhile, but every time she sees the camera she will not perform. I guess she has a little stage fright! On Thursdays we go to music class and Friday we go to the library. This Friday she really showed off doing all the motions for the wheels on the bus. Normally when we are in class she is too busy watching all the other kids! Enjoy!


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Merry Christmas!

We just made elves of ourselves.

Check us out!

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=9532253748

What Belly??

Here is the start of the belly pictures. Some of you may say what belly? but believe me when I say that it is growing and changing! I can tell a difference. Plus it is a good thing I am not huge yet, as I am only 13 weeks so I have plenty of time to get there! The same people that are asking where my belly is now, will be telling me how big it is (soon I am sure). I definitely notice that my body is changing sooner with baby #2 than it did with Brynn. I love the preggo belly and will be happy to have one....what I do not like is the awkward stage.



Just ask Brynn where her belly is and she is all to HAPPY and PROUD to show it off!! Every woman should have this kind of confidence!

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!!

Well we had only been back from our trip for three days when we wake up to snow! It's starting already!! Now I know that I am use to snow (more than you Texans), but I have a fear that once it snows it will be on the ground 24/7!! Don't get me wrong, it is beautiful....but being a true Texan it makes me really nervous to drive in. It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.............



Here is Brynn all bundled up in her snow gear....let me just say that I get sweaty just getting her dressed!! Brynn's Texas roots are shining through because she is NOT a fan of the snow. She is fine if you carry her or push her in her stroller, but she wants nothing to do with playing in it. Grandpa Harry is going to be on the look out for a sled. oh what fun!



Leave it to Brynn to find one thing that she does like about the snow....to EAT it!! That's my girl!

Trick or Treat!

My little ladybug!



We were actually in Flint Michigan visiting friends over Halloween. We trick or treated in the Lawrence's neighborhood (our 'family' in Michigan) and Danielle and Reagan came with us. We had a lot of fun, despite the rainy weather!



Getting lots of treats for mommy!



The ladybug and the dinosaur, (Brynn and Reagan).



Happy Halloween!

Kissing Pumpkins

She found a pumpkin just her size!



Family fun at the pumpkin patch!

Our Dancing Queen

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Brynn loves to dance!! Here is a video of her dancing to her Old McDonald DVD. She is so funny to watch. Enjoy!

Our Princess

It is hard to believe that sweet little Brynn is already 14 months old!! We have had a busy year with many 'firsts', she is such a joy and blessing to us. Her favorite things to do include going outside, picking up rocks and flowers, reading books, and dancing (she can really shake those hips)! We also just recently found out that Brynn is going to be a big sister in May. I think she will be a little jealous, but hopefully will also be sweet and mommy's big helper. She has become quite the Daddy's girl, mainly because he will give her whatever she wants! If we have another girl he is in big trouble!

Oh Canada

Call us crazy because we have moved to Canada!! Now you know we move A LOT....but CANADA?? Well Brent decided to hang up the skates and get a 'real' job...so here we are. We are hoping to be back in the Lone Star State soon. He is still in the process of going through the San Antonio fire department, which is such a long slow process but hopefully it will be worth it in the end. They keep telling us January is looking good for him to get into the academy. So we will keep praying, and until then I will be freezing my bum off up here!!

A New Look

Okay so I have been neglecting my blog!! After giving it a 'makeover', I promise to try to keep up with it on a regular basis!!