Spaghetti "Noodnles"

I think every mom on the planet has a picture of their child(ren) making a mess with spaghetti...I am no exception!

Joshua's birthday

Yesterday was Joshua's 2nd birthday if you can believe it--we can't. We took him to the park and invited some of his friends (because it was 85 degrees here yesterday). We were all sweating but we ate some funfetti birthday "pantake" as Joshua calls it and played on the slide and swings. It was a lot of fun. Then Joshua sang "Happy Birthday to me" literally on the way home from the park. ..

Picking out the perfect tree

This is the first year without our normal Christmas traditions so we decided to come up with a few of our own--one of which is getting a real tree. Chris didn't want to just go to Wal-mart and pick one up though (he'd rather hop someone's fence and sneak one out of the woods) so we compromised and went to a Christmas tree farm right down the road from our house. It might seem silly but we had a lot of fun. It was a little strange though because it was pretty warm and very sunny....we are having a hard time getting into the Christmas spirit around here. Here are some pictures.

Our "little" big boy....

Mostly we've gotten settled into our new house in SC and with the transition we decided to transition Joshua to his "big boy" bed which happens to be in the shape of a fire truck. Chris and I have been talking about and planning the big day for weeks now in anticipation of baby sister Mattingly who will need the crib soon. We put Joshua in his pack 'n' play (because that's what he's been sleeping in for the past 5 months) for a couple of days right next to the fire truck bed and talked to Joshua about it. And on Sunday when Chris put Joshua down for bed, without discussing it with me first (ha ha), Chris came out of Joshua's room and said "guess what? Joshua's sleeping in his fire truck bed" I didn't know which emotion to cling to first; a) the thought that Chris decided to do this without us planning the date firmly on the calendar b) that Joshua was actually staying in the bed or c) that my little boy was growing up. So I did the most rational thing a pregnant mom would do--I cried. We went in his room over and over again just sure that he'd sneak off into the closet to play toys or run around his room, but much to our surprise he slept like a little angel all night and that was it. Naps have been a little different since he can see his toys during the day, but all in all he's done really well!

p.s. Thanks aunt Amy for the fire truck pajamas to go with my fire truck - Joshua

The big move...

This weekend we will be "officially" moving our things from KY to SC. I guess we have "officially" been in SC for 5 months now, but I think the reality will really kick in once we have settled in. I never dreamed that this move would happen before our house sold in KY but apparently the Lord had a different plan for us. We are committed to this decision even though it has been difficult and continue to trust the plans He has already declared for us. The Lord has been in control the entire time. The problem is that sometimes I lose focus and try to get in the way too much.

I can't wait to get to know our neighbors and share with them the best thing I know which is the love and sacrifice of Jesus Christ. I know it is going to be a long, difficult road but more and more I am convinced we are in the right place.

Too funny

Well everyday my son continues to crack me up and yesterday was no exception. With a small story just to make some smiles. We got in the van and because it is still 90 degrees in SC it is very hot in the van which he normally points out. So I put him in his car seat and he says over and over again "hot", "hot". Then he says "bwow on it" and he did. He blew in the van for a few minutes cooling it off just like he does his "oatmeyll" every morning. He is such a blessing from the Lord and he makes the difficult days a little easier.

Sorry it's been so long....

I haven't been a very good picture-taking mother lately so no blog for you! Here are some random photos that I hope you enjoy. One of Joshua helping mommy clean; another of Joshua "unner" the bed; and Joshua "hidning" in the "piddows". He's been a lot of fun, but fussy the past few days and very clingy to mommy. Actually he walks around with his arms up saying "hode gyew, mommy" about 1000 times a day--sometimes I hold him....sometimes I don't. I don't know what I'll do when baby 2 comes along.

On the church front, we are having our first "real" service on Sunday and by that I mean we are beginning to invite people in the area. Up until now it has been a leader development process. We are all very nervous and excited but hope there aren't 100 kids in the nursery. I'm sure the Lord will work everything out for us. I hope to post again soon. Love Jenny