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!