White Christmas!

Oh How I love Christmas! We had a blast this Christmas celebrating with Zoe...but to be honest...I think my hubby acted more like the kid on Christmas Morning. Due to work schedules and Family Gatherings, Zach and I decided to celebrate our Christmas on Christmas Eve. But, my husband could NOT wait. He had been asking to celebrate since a week before and I finally gave in on Christmas Eve Eve.

We had a blast though! Zoe got a Monkey Tent from Santa and she just loves it! We put her toys in it and she has been playing and playing. Good thing for us....it fold up into a tiny sphere for easy storage.

And like I said....Zach is quite the kid too....so he had fun playing in the tent as well.

Zach and I decided to fill each other's stockings for one another. He had a hard time keeping it to the stocking....I guess a Dirt Devil wouldn't fit. So excited though!!!

One of Zoe's gift was joining the Disney Movie Club. She got lots of great movies including the Toy Story Series....love those movies!!!!

And I did listen to the fact that we were keeping gifts small enough to fit in the stocking....and Zach got an iPhone....I have lost him to it....but he deserves it!

Christmas Eve we spent at my parents house doing all of our family traditions. We always put up the tree on Christmas Eve and decorate together while listening to our favorite Christmas songs!

And of course, we nap!

Then we all got ready for Christmas Mass!

And then it was Christmas Morning!

And one of my favorite traditions is that my mom gets us all new pjs....she did awesome this year...most comfy pjs yet!

We spent the morning as a family doing nothing but relaxing! Then The Stryszko's, Allison's, Uncle Tim, Cane, Brad and Susan came over for dinner.

Oh.....and did I mention....it SNOWED!!!!! We had a White Christmas!The day after Christmas, Kimberly, Cory and Carson came over for Brunch!

We hope you all had a wonderful Christmas as well!

Mark Your Calendar

For the last 2 months, Zach and I have been practicing Natural Family Planning (NFP). It is amazing how much I learned about my body just by taking my temperature and filling out a chart everyday. What I loved most was that Zach also knew what was going on with me every month because we discussed it....we made decisions based on where I was every month and it is amazing how in tune we were with one another.

And I am sure a lot of you might be thinking....well that NFP really worked....your pregnant. Well, it did. I knew when I was ovulating and in that moment, Zach and I decided together that we would put everything into God's hands. And God's plan is great...and we are pregnant!

So....I know exactly the day that we conceived our Baby #3 which is really awesome in my opinion!

Here is our Countdown to August!

January 22nd ~ Your Baby has a Heart Beat

February 19th ~ Announce Your Pregnancy

....too late for that

February 26th ~ Your Baby Sees Light

March 5th ~ Is Your Baby a Boy or a Girl

...but we will be waiting until its Birthday!

March 19th ~ Feel Your Baby Kick

March 26th ~ Your Baby Hears Sound

May 21st ~ Your Baby Can Breathe

June 25th ~ Your Baby has Fingernails and Toenails

July 30th ~ Your Baby is Full Term

August 20th ~ Your Baby's DUE DATE!

It never gets old....

Baby #3 is on the way!

And with that being said...please keep us in your prayers!

Girls, Girls, Girls!

I just love these little girls!

This past year has been absolutely wonderful having Bailey and Ella Kate and their parents, Katie and Nick, in our lives. Ella Kate is mine and Zach's God daughter and she is just beautiful and the sweetest little thing! And Bailey is such a firecracker!

I truly believe God puts people in our lives for reasons, whether for a short time or forever. I just can't imagine my life without this family now. Love you guys so much!

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

I can't believe it is already Christmas! I absolutely love this time of year for the decorations, the music, the cookies and drinks, the traditions...everyone gathering. This is our 1st Christmas in our home, so there was lots of decorating to do. I know you acquire decorations over time, but I had to get some of the essentials.

I mainly decorated the mantel, the kitchen table and the front porch. All the decor has made our home so cozy! I love it! We have had a fire almost every night and Zach even made one for me and Zoe one morning. There is nothing quite like a fire to warm the home.

I grew up always having a real tree and I would have it no other way for our 1st Christmas. We got a small, fat tree and it fits perfectly in our home. Every Christmas, my sisters and I would get a new ornament for the year and I wanted to carry this tradition on with Zoe. We also get a family one every year now, too.

This is my favorite purchase of the year and a check off my 101 in 1001! Here is our Nativity Scene. I absolutely love it because on each figure it has a Bible verse.

Zoe has been loving the tree and all the ornaments. She goes straight to the santa or a sparkley tree. I can't wait to celebrate Christmas with her and for her to see her gifts.

We hope you and your families have a great Christmas season!!!

Help!

Have any of you ever felt this way?

It is so weird....I am one of 3 girls....and I feel like I am the only one who has turned into my Mother! We look alike....I pretty much know exactly how I am going to look in 20 years. We think alike...even though she has a little bit more memory loss. We are both creative, both like to stay active, both would rather give than receive, are not big on too much attention, loving, annoying, nagging, caring....we are alike!

And I am learning that this ain't such a bad thing. You ask anyone about my Mom and they would only say positive things. She is so kind and would drop anything, at anytime for anyone.

She is human, don't get me wrong...I see the way she reacts to things my Dad does....I do the same thing with Zach. We are the worst back seat drivers....EVER! She taught me that early on. We want help....but are picky and end up just doing it ourselves. She hates to clean....need I say more!

I love my Mom and would never change a thing about her. And I am so glad she has rubbed off on me :)

Miscellany Monday

I have so much to blog about, but can't seem to find any time to get to the internet....Sad, I know. So we will settle with a post with no pictures, which I hate, from my phone.

Let's say it's a Miscellany Monday :)

1. I have been working full time for almost two months now. It was great at first because I had all these reasons as to why this was best for our family right now. Some positives are that even though I am working, Zoe is taken care of by me or Zach the entire day. I am going to have insurance now and it is way better than the insurance through Zach's work. And I get a raise. Bad Part....I miss Zach because we now tag team and see each other twice a week. And that in itself doesn't make it worth it. I am trying to see how this might all work...please say some prayers for me in this department!

2. Thanksgiving was great....once we got there! Zoe cried the entire 4 hours there and back. It is so discouraging. We traveled at night because of my work schedule and she was up the entire time. Way past her bed time. We are going to try some new things at Christmas because we cannot handle that much crying again.

3. Christmas is in the air! I have started to decorate the house, light the Christmas candles and we are getting our tree this week! I love this time of year....and for once....it is actually cold! And it makes it that much better! We are almost done with our shopping. I can't wait for Christmas Mass, too!

4. Zach's classes for RCIA have been going great. The last two sessions have been on the history of the Church....the good, bad and the ugly. But it is so interesting because not only do you get the history of Catholicism, but of Europe and every other Protestant religion because evrything is related. Mass is just that much better with him by my side. Makes me so happy!

More to come.....and hopefully a real post soon!

Happy Thanksgiving!

They will celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness.

Psalm 145:7

12 Month Checkup

Last week, we had Zoe's 12 month check up. Everything on her checked out great!

Zoe weighed 19 lbs 6.5 oz and 22%. She is 29 inches tall and 46%. And her head circumference is 17.5 round and 31%.....which totally surprised me!

The doctor was so pleased with Zoe's growth...especially since her 6 month checkup when she was in the 3% for weight. Dr. Evans okayed honey and milk, but suggested waiting on peanut butter. That is not happening! Zoe got 2 more shots and we decided to not get a flu shot. The doc said Zoe's top teeth looked like they were all about to pop through and that we should be cleaning then regularly...so we have her little finger tooth brush waiting for her now after her bath. Zoe is definitely right on track in her speech development but not quite walking yet. In the last week, she has been carrying on conversations with herself or with us and speaking words very clearly! She is quite the talker.

Zoe knows that a brush is for her hair and she puts it to her head. She knows that a coffee cup is hot and she blows on it. If we say hot for her food, she blows on it, too. When Zoe hears us sing "head, shoulder, knees and toes", she touches her head and bounces to the song. Zoe says "mmmmm" when she is hungry or if we ask if she wants to eat. Zoe says Mama and Dada perfectly. She is quite the copycat too...when we make different sounds, she trys to repeat them.

My baby is getting so big!!!!

Amazing GRACE
How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now I'm found
Was blind, but now I see

'Twas GRACE that taught my heart to fear
And GRACE my fears relieved
How precious did that GRACE appear
The hour I first believed

My chains are gone
I've been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy rains
Unending love, Amazing GRACE

The Lord has promised good to me
His word my hope secures
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow
The sun forbear to shine
But God, Who called me here below
Will be forever mine
Will be forever mine
You are forever mine

A Much Needed Getaway!

After a busy, busy weekend....My Mom, Aunt, Ms. Brenda and I got to go to Covecrest and to relax for the night and visit Kaitlin. I rant about this place all the time...but I just love it! I told Kaitlin, I hope that she never leaves so I can visit her all the time! There is just such a peace there.

And I cannot wait for some of my favorite girlfriends and me to go for another much needed getaway in December! All the girls from bookclub and I have planned a mini retreat before Christmas to have a night away for rejuvenation....it is going to be amazing and I am counting down the days!