We are continuing to enjoy life in Godfrey, IL. The last couple of months have been full of fun and excitement, as is certain when you have a now 2 year old around! The biggest event has been Annabelle turning 2 on December 14. She (of course) requested a chocolate cake with Slimey on it. (the worm from Sesame Street!) She loved hanging out with friends and family, blowing out candles on every food she ate all weekend long, and opening presents. Christmas was very special getting to celebrate with all of our family for several days in a row! We sang happy birthday to Jesus A LOT and opened presents over four days, a couple each day, because she just enjoyed playing so much that she lost interest in opening.
We are continuing to get excited about what God is doing in the life of our church and how God is providing for our needs. He is so faithful and he is growing our family’s confidence in his provision and grace for our needs. Joe and I are both enjoying all of the books we have read, due to not having TV and internet. We never thought we could survive, but it’s pretty fun! We have also enjoyed date nights renting movies at the Red Box. We finally have a few neighbors and there is another house going up across the street, so it’s nice not to feel so alone.
Most recently, Annabelle has become fascinated with Cinderella. We have showed her parts of the movie and she is just enthralled! She loves Cinderella’s dress, “Gus Gus” the mouse, the Bibidy bobidy boo lady, how the prince says “Come back Cinderella” and how the prince and Cinderella fall in love, get married and live in the “Casserole! (castle!) ” She never ceases to amaze us with how fast she has grown up. She has an amazing vocabulary and conversation ability, an almost scary good memory, lots of energy and gentleness and she has mastered potty training and the “big girl bed” with ease. We are certainly blessed and she keeps us in stitches!
Baby Co number 2 has been trying to come for a few months, and even had us in the hospital today thinking I was in labor. Sadly, I am blessed with lots of strong contractions that don’t do much more than keep me exhausted! BUT…I will be induced on Monday morning the 19th and we will do our best to keep everyone posted. Annabelle especially can’t wait to hold her little brother or sister and she is really looking forward to changing diapers, giving it a bath and snuggling. She has also been practicing “breast feeding” since she has seen one of our friends at church nursing her new baby. So needless to say she has had a lot of very funny questions about it all! Oh what fun!
Enjoy a few pictures of our cookie decorating and Annabelle's b-day. We'll post our new addition in a few days!! Maybe then I will learn how to do all of this from Joe's computer at church, so I can be more frequent! We love you all!
So snuggly...he has big hands like his daddy and sister.
I see eyeballs! His cheeks are starting to fill out. We'll see is he "beefs" up as much as his sister!
No, I won't wake up to eat, Mommy!
Annabelle squealing with excitement as she saw her brother today after a 2 day break!
Annabelle: " Yes he has a tongue!"
Annabelle's suprised face
Annabelle's happy face 
Adventures in the snow at Nana and Poppa's. They said she wasn't too interested at first, because snow was getting on her shoes!
Helping Poppa sweep the snow
She was thrilled to call and tell us that she got drug around on the sled!
She picked out her hat and scarf all by herself.
