Lonely Christmas

I've been thinking a lot over the last few days about how this is going to be a 'lonely' Christmas for us. One without family coming here or us traveling 'home'. Our children are still so young, the traditions that we are starting are very small. There won't be afternoons of hanging out and talking, evenings of games and movies. No extra baking and cooking and plans for outings with the grandparents.

Thinking about it makes me feel really sad. I think about how much I miss family and how I wish we could share this time with them. I told Athan that we really need to make sure we spend some time with friends, it'll make it easier to not feel 'alone'.

Then I shifted my focus off of 'feeling sorry for myself' and really started 'wondering' about the details of that first Christmas. I thought about how Mary and Joseph had to travel to Bethlehem. I thought about how alone Mary must have felt, giving birth to her firstborn without her family there. And not even having the comfort and privacy of a nice bed or room. Was it a 'lonely' time for her and Joseph? I think it probably was in some ways. I think she probably would have chosen to be in her own home, with her mother there. She certainly would have wanted to lay her baby in cradle made for him, not a feeding trough. She would have wanted to show him to all her family...

But then I thought about the name Emmanuel 'God with us'. How could she be lonely, knowing she held the Son of God in her arms? God had come to dwell on earth and she had the priviledge of holding him close, nurturing His first moments! I wonder at the awe she must have felt. And think of the song 'Mary did you know?'

I remember Jesus' life and death, and all that He accomplished. I think of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. And I remember that 'Emmanuel' wasn't just a name for Mary, Joseph and those who lived and walked with Jesus. It's a name for MY Saviour and His role in my life today.

Christmas doesn't have to be lonely...

It's a Girl!

So excited to find out this morning, that we have been given another precious little daughter! We thought it was going to be a boy, so it seemed surprising. But I love the thought of another sweet little baby girl, curls, dimples, bows and pink! So fun to think of two sweet little sisters becoming best friends as they grow up together. So thankful she seems healthy and active in the womb, such a blessing! Looking forward to meeting her and holding her!

Tomorrow, tomorrow, you're only a day away!

I'm having a hard time being patient. I wish it was tomorrow morning NOW. =)

Tomorrow morning I have my ultrasound of baby number three and we are hoping to find out if it's a girl or boy. For the record, I think it's a boy. So does Athan. But we really can't wait to see. Ok, I take it back... I can't wait to see! Athan would like it to be a surprise.

I admit the idea of a 'surprise' baby, not finding out what it is till it's born, is a fun idea. I'm just not there... I don't feel prepared at all. I feel like there is so much to do, with moving and all, to not know and be prepared. So Athan has agreed we can find out.

We're taking Seth and Charlie with us, to see their new brother or sister on the tv. I think Seth will get it, Charlie might be a little bored.

Tomorrow night, we're going out to dinner with Mitch, LeighAnn and Eli to celebrate! I can't wait to start telling everyone about our precious little one! I've been happy about this baby but I always feel like the ultrasound makes it just a little more real.

Moving on

So I haven't been on here very much since my 'first' post but I hope to correct that. I very much want to keep some sort of record of our busy lives right now and this is often the easiest way to do that.

On Friday (Oct 30, 2009) we found out we're going to be moving. We are very excited... it's a base we had put on our list and will move us much closer to family! We're headed to Shaw AFB, SC in January. That's the part I keep shaking my head about... January. A little more than two months away. I have a lot of work ahead of me... packing up our house, getting our house ready for inspection, figuring out housing and schools on the other end. Plus the actual 5 day trip. All while being pregnant with baby number 3! Oh and did I mention before we move we're having family in town for Thanksgiving? And then Christmas and New Years will happen too. Shew! I'm ready to give up before even getting started!

The thing to remind myself is: God is in control. I am not. I want to be, often think I am. But really, would things turn out good if I was the one in control? Nope! So in remembering God is in control I can also remember: His timing is perfect and He is working all of this for our good. That's a really exciting thought and we're looking forward to the good He has for us in this new place!

Getting Started

I'm just getting started on this site. I previously had a xanga blog and enjoyed posting about life on it. Xanga seems to have died a quick death to facebook and twitter and other 'instant' sites. I think it's because so many people are too busy to post an actual blog and prefer to post quick updates. I know I can be that way, life if busy. But I still like to blog and I especially like to read others posts.

My husband is in the AF (air force) and we're stationed in NM currently. Hoping that'll change this year, we'll see what happens. I stay at home with our two kids: Seth age 3 and Charlie (Charlotte) age 18 months.

I also volunteer a lot and this week happens to be VBS at the chapel here on base. So I doubt I'll be posting much more, but my goal is at least once a week. Even if it isn't very interesting to the rest of the world, blogging is a good way for me to 'think out loud' and a good record of what's going on in my life at any given point.