Let the countdown begin...

We are now (perhaps :), likely not) 10 weeks from meeting our little girl, meaning I am 30 weeks today. I am definitely starting to feel pregnant-finally. I only have a few pairs of non-maternity pants that still fit (suddenly and overnight this week). I find myself having to go to the bathroom more again. And I am rather large/full feeling most of the time. Otherwise, still feel great! (and definitely not able to grasp the concept of a new baby in 2 1/2 months!) Still no name picked out but our list of 15+ names is at least made and now we just have to whittle it down...

Beauty in the unexpected places

Anyone know what this fascinating picture is?

How about now?

And now?

No, this did not "go bad" in my fridge. It is the grease drippings container that gets thrown out after it gets full.

the 2010 Twelve Days of Christmas

• On the first day of Christmas: I celebrated Black Friday by hitting Sam's Club at 5:30 am for a tv (in and out in 15 minutes) and Staples for a hard drive (far longer!).
• On the second day of Christmas: we attended our first Christmas party of the year on the first weekend of December. It was a great Sunday school class get-together/game night!
• On the third day of Christmas: we attended our second Christmas party the following Saturday night. The Neighborhood party. As usual, the food was great...and the time out with just Michael, fun. I was overwhelmed again that evening by the blessing of living in a neighborhood with an overwhelming number of other believers--many of whom I am in BSF with or church etc...
• On the fourth day of Christmas: we attended our third Christmas party of the year on the following Monday night. The annual Carenet dessert party. It was nice to visit with staff that I rarely see anymore now that I am working night shift.
• On the fifth day of Christmas: Michael, David, and I went to Prestonwood for the display of lights.
• On the sixth day of Christmas: we spent the day with Andrew my bro and Shayna sis-in-law. Shayna and I made Christmas candies and chocolates. Here's one of the easiest:

  Crispy Confections

  • 49 Kraft caramels (14 oz. bag)
  • 3 TB water
  • 2 c. rice crispies
  • 2 c. corn flakes (we used cinnamon ones...yummy)
  • 1 4-oz pkge. shredded coconut

    Melt caramels with water in saucepan over low heat. Stir until smooth. Pour over combined cereals and coconut. Toss until well coated. After cooled a bit, drop rounded teaspoonfuls onto greased cookie sheet. Let stand until firm. (I froze, but still soft enough to eat)

• On the seventh day of Christmas: we attended our fourth Christmas party. The ever interesting work party. It was held this year at the Americas restaurant in the Woodlands. It is a very fancy Latin American cuisine restaurant. As usual, the appetizers and food were plentiful and very tasty. The conversation was more intimate than last year as there were only 13 people there. This year was a challenge to find anything dressy and warm that I still fit. That week brought a big "pop" in the belly.
• On the eighth day of Christmas: we attempted to pose for family Christmas portraits using our camera timer. It was rather unsuccessful. By the time we figured out a way to keep D from squirming out of the picture, he had had enough and would not smile any longer.
• On the ninth day of Christmas: Andrew and Shayna came over again for a quick bite to eat and to go Christmas light looking. We returned to Prestonwood.
• On the tenth day of Christmas: we attended our church Christmas production. It was a modern story for the first act and the nativity the second act. I got David from the nursery (fearfully, I might add...he is one of the most active kiddos I know) for the second act. He sat incredibly still listening to the music, watching the animals (sheep, donkey, camels, and elephant), and enjoyed seeing baby Jesus.
• On the eleventh day of Christmas: Actual Christmas day! David actually enjoyed opening the gifts this year, but each gift made him forget the last one. (good thing he only had a few gifts! And did I mention it took two grown adults 45 minutes to put together his emergency center???) Michael and I treated each other to a Wii (great deal at Walmart the week before Christmas). Michael was born the expert. No chance here to beat him! (oh, for those just signing in, we always wear our funkiest non-matching outfit in green and red on Christmas day--I had everyone beat this year!) But Christmas was not over yet...
• On the twelfth day of Christmas: we went to Susan and Paul's place. (Michael's sis and bro-in-law) We enjoyed a lovely dinner of ribs, opened a few presents, and watched Caleb and Colin sweetly play with their younger cousin, David.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!