Our Year in Review

It is hard to believe that 2009 is already coming to a close. This time last year, I knew of very little that awaited our family in the coming year, now I look back at 2009 with fondness, for it held so many special events in my life.

In January, I spent two weeks ministering to the women and orphans of India. They left a lasting imprint on my heart and I think regularly about the things that I learned during my two weeks on the opposite side of the world.

April 4, 2009 my brother-in-law was married. We spent the weekend in Oklahoma City where Brad performed the wedding of his little brother and lovely bride.

April 7, 2009 we found out baby #3 would be entering our lives.

At the same time, we felt the Lord had placed a wonderful opportunity in front of our family by providing us with a new home. We put our sweet little house on the market and two weeks later were negotiating a contract.

In May we left our house on Charles Street and moved in with my in-laws to begin turning this

into this!

At the end of July we moved into our newly updated and renovated home.

In between moves, we spent a week in Colorado at High School youth camp. While there, we informed everyone of our decision for Brad to take a new job within the church. He began the week as the High School pastor and ended the week as the College/Young Adults pastor.

Brad made the news when he and a friend found

a signed Tony Hawk skateboard left in a dumpster by Tony himself.

This stud muffin turned three, began Kinder Tots basketball and has blossomed into a smart and gifted little boy. He left toddler-hood behind and has astonished us with his logical way of thinking, intelligence, discernment and natural talents and giftings.

In July, I spent a long weekend with five of my closest friends lounging at a lakehouse in east Texas. I left encouraged and grateful.

And we found out that our baby was a she!

In August I witnessed this beauty become Mrs. Bo Faulds.

And in September Brad and I spent a week at a couple's spiritual getaway and made new friends.

It was full of vision and encouraged love.

This little entertainer turned two, got her ears pierced and was potty trained. She has blossomed into a funny, creative, smart and charming little princess. She woes my heart.

In October, I turned the big 2-7.

We also traveled with our dear friends to watch U2 in concert.

Since April, we watched this little bump

grow and grow and

grow into this!

And on December 15, 2009 our year was made right when Emery Claire entered our lives. We spent our first Christmas as a family of five and relished in God's goodness in our lives.

So here is looking forward to another year full of surprises and gifts. God was faithful to us in 2009 and he we have full confidence in all he will do in our hearts and lives this coming year.

A heart that is greatful...

Introducing...

On our way to the hospital,

to meet this little miracle.

Our sweet girl, Emery Claire

met her VERY proud big brother and sister

8 lbs. 9.5 oz

20 inches

2:09 pm

My sweet three-some:

Noah

Kayt

Emery Claire

Emery Claire looks so much like her big brother and sister did when they were born

and has been pure joy since the moment she arrived.

Thank you for your love and prayers.

We are in awe of our baby and could not be more thankful for ALL that the Lord has done.

The Ingram Gang grows again...

December 15th...

...will be our daughter's birthday!

I will be induced at 7:30 in the morning and am asking the Lord for a quick, easy delivery.

This sweet girl wasn't coming as quickly as we had hoped and the progress was slow so we, along with our doctor, decided to induce since we are quickly approaching Christmas and just days short of the actual due date.

Your prayers will be most appreciated.

We cannot wait to introduce you to our DAUGHTER!

Sometimes...

Sometimes I drink from a water bottle with backwash in it.

Sometimes I roll over in bed and feel a Matchbox car under my back.

Sometimes I sing the Clean Up song while mopping the floors.

Sometimes I wish that people would understand that two-year-olds touch the entire toilet and would think about this when they skimp on cleaning them well.

Sometimes I read scripture and re-interpret it into three-year-old lingo in my head.

Sometimes I save ice cream and the 'good' snacks for after my children are sleeping.

Sometimes I pick up clothes off the floor of Noah's room and smell them to see if they can be put away without washing.

Sometimes I ask for advice from my children.

Sometimes I forget that there are restaurant options other than the ones that offer children eat free nights.

Sometimes the reality of my life just brings a smile to my face.

All the time, I think that this is the best life I could have ever asked for.

:)

Are you all on pins and needles to know whether or not we have had a baby? Well, the answer is NO, not yet. No baby for us. I am feeling great this week and wondering if this little girl is going to hang until Christmas. I have had a few episodes of pre-labor stuff, but nothing to warrant a trip to the hospital.

I do appreciate having this week to get Christmas presents wrapped, bathrooms cleaned, floors mopped and my car cleaned out. Noah and Kayt are so excited for their baby sister to arrive. Noah talks to her through my bellybutton because he thinks it is a microphone. My belly receives lots and lots of kisses and rubs.

We can't wait to introduce you to our girl!

It's Finally December

Since April, our household has patiently waited for December. It's here and soon SHE will be also. I keep telling Noah that his new baby sister will come out whenever she is ready. This morning he said, "It sure does take my baby sister a looooong time to get ready." I'm afraid this may be all too true for the older brother of TWO sisters. This is the first of may times that we will be waiting on one of our girls to get ready.

Welcome, December. You are wanted in this home!

Check This Out! Spread the News!

My friend, Lezlie Andrew, is one of the most talented photographers. Her work is phenomenal and she is so great to work with. In my opinion she is the best in the area, but I am a bit partial.

I wanted to fill anyone in the Amarillo-area in on a great givaway she is offering. She will be GIVING AWAY one wedding photography session for a couple that is marrying in 2010. Completely FREE!

Tell every engaged (or soon to be engaged) couple that you know. Spread the word, this is too good to be true.

Go HERE for details.

You must enter by December 1st. Only a few days left, but I had to put the word out. I would have loved this, even though I got engaged on December 21st so we would have missed the deadline, but that is beside the point.

Now, go! Read the details, spread the greatness, win the session!

The Happenings

A few random happenings:

We had a sonogram just for fun about a week and a half ago. My doctor said that by his best estimation, our girl weighed 6 lbs 8oz and if that is accurate and on track, she would weigh just over seven pounds at this moment. Oh la la! My due date is just over three weeks away and I am getting really excited to meet her. Her with no name, that is. We are getting a lot of input on everyone's thoughts and opinions lately so feel free to add yours.

A few friends threw a lovely joint diaper shower for a dear friend and me last week. Our due dates are days apart and so it was a fun way to celebrate two girls entering our world.

The most blog-worthy news: my girl is potty trained! She has been for about a month now, but I am so proud of her, she has done phenomenally. I cannot take much credit. We left her with Meme for one day and came home to find most of the hard work was behind us. Praise Jesus for Meme! For the first time in years, I am changing no diapers. Even if it lasts only a few weeks, it's blissful.

Last, I am just enjoying these two. They are so active, funny and sweet. Noah tells me daily that I am beautiful and nice and many other things that melt this mommy's heart. I am so thankful that our baby girl will not only have parents that adore her, but these two as well. I only hope that she can keep up with their high energy levels. :)

I go back to the doctor on Monday and will see if we are progressing or holding steady. We are really looking forward to Thanksgiving and the time with family. Such fun times!

A Party Worth Pictures

My girl turned two and though I'm late, the pictures show what a fun time we had. Our morning party included muffins, donuts, coffee, juice and lots of friends and family.

da family.

my beauty.

best friends always console one another.

playtime.

baby's first elevator ride. and her birthday present from bubba, a cheerleading uniform.

boo.

giddy up.

big helpers with small attention spans.

everyone loves a juice box.

posers.

Dede, the birthay girl and Barney: a wild and crazy trio.

Thank you to all who celebrated with us and thank you to my sweet girl for giving us a reason to party!

Flippin' Over It

Does anyone own one of these?

It is a Flip Video Camera. It is as small as a point and shoot camera and is what Brad has wanted to buy me for my birthday. He decided to postpone the purchase since we spent several hundred dollars on medication for the kiddos the other day, but still plans to buy one for me. He really thinks it would be great for us at this season in life. It is easy to carry, uploads videos by plugging into the computer and would capture everyday moments.

I was just curious if anyone had one or knew anything about it. I had never even seen one until Brad showed it to me.

Not to mention, you can design your own making it really cute and stylish!

Homebound

We have done a lot of: sleeping, movie watching, soup eating, medicine measuring and sterilizing.

Bubba boy is sick, but making a speedy recovery. We have quarantined ourselves to our house for a few days and will be staying here for several more. He has not had a fever in over twenty-four hours, but I still don't want to risk getting around anyone. Not only for the sake of others (which is of utmost concern for me), but to keep extra germs from latching onto us as well.

I am very much looking forward to my evening out tonight with my man for a belated birthday celebration. It will be nice to get out of the house for a few hours. I love my home, but there is only so much a gal can take. Plus every time I try to take a step, I have two little people under my feet. My chances of falling will be much more slim if I am away for a few hours.

Yesterday will be a birthday that I always remember, that I can guarantee. I spent the day in my sweats with no make up on and didn't manage to squeeze a shower in. Hubby did work from home to help with the kids, so that was a nice surprise. It is not the way I would have chosen for him to be here with us, but you take what you can get, right?

Speaking of slim... I am not so much. I am watching my clothing choices diminish by the day. Less than nine weeks before Miss Priss makes her grand entrance into the world. I have ordered bedding. Actually, my mom and mother-in-law bought it for her. If it would only arrive, we would be making great progress.

I must go make myself presentable for the outside world...

Christmas on the mind

For the first time in my life, I have a rather lengthy Christmas list that I am adding to daily. Isn't that terrible? Having a new home with many projects still ahead of us has done this to me. Speaking of... I should show you some pictures of the house. I will try to take a few this weekend. Tomorrow is operation garage clean out. It is so cold today here that it made me realize the urgency to park my car in the garage.

What is on your Christmas list this year?

I am working on finishing my Christmas shopping in the next few weeks. Having a baby due in December is working against my inner-procrastinator and I am trying to be very prepared this year. Trying. The key word.

But then I end up doing things like I did today and I go ahead and give the gifts to the person I purchased them for because I know that they could begin getting use out of it now. That is my problem with buying early. It's hard for me to hold back. I am the worst about that. I need to go ahead and begin wrapping items so that I am not so tempted to give them out early. Sheesh.

Extra! Extra!

I have done a lot of reading over the past month and a half. I enjoy reading, but I go in spurts. I tend to get engrossed in a book and therefore I only want to read during my free time (and my not-so-free time).

Something about pregnancy makes me feel the need to read more. I've done it all three times. I think that I subconsciously know that my reading time will be soon become non-existent and therefore, I cram my reading into my months before the baby arrives.

All four leisure books that I have read are good;

The Time Travelers Wife

and I saw the movie. It was okay, not my favorite.

Rebecca

a classic. Very good.

The Alchemist

an easy read that has a lot of wisdom.

And my personal favorite:

The Glass Castle

Read it! It shifted my outlook.

What are your favorite reads lately?

And my favorite cd of the fall is Needtobreathe, The Outsiders. It's so good. I can listen to the entire cd and I love all of the songs. That is rare for me. Check it out... even if you don't know who they are.

My favorite month is coming!

October is in three days. Did you hear me? THREE days. I still remember kindergarten; it lasted forever. And now, I cannot seem to grasp how quickly the days, weeks, months come and go.

My bubba boy isn't feeling too swell today and so we have had a few extra tears shed. He gets croup this time every year, it is related to the weather, but is still no fun. My gal had a fantastic second birthday party. She keeps telling me "my. birthday. party. fuuuun!" She leaves a little pause in between each word. Cutie.

Our small group began the Crown Financial study last week and so this was our first week of homework. I love reading things related to money and learning better ways to trust the Lord with and handle finances, but I have had such a hard time fitting all of this fun in over the last week. It's just been so busy. Has anyone done the Crown study? What are your thoughts on it?

Other big news, Brad painted the outside of our house this weekend. He spent ALL day Friday scraping and painting the house. It looks much, much better. He also finished our back splash and installed two outlets in a built-in in the living room (with the help of a talented friend). My man has worked hard!

Our weekend in a nut shell... thank you very much!

~Happy Birthday, Kayt~

I feel like it was yesterday that I wrote a post very similar to this for my big boy and now it's my baby girl who is TWO. The term time flies was definitely first said by a mother. And quite possibly the mother of two active, vibrant children.

Twenty-four things that I love about my 24 month old...

24. Your are the little girl that I dreamed about when I was young. God put a picture of you in my heart and you are my promise come to life. When I look at your brown hair and your big blue eyes, I see the reality of God's best.

23. You talk so much and so well. Your words amaze me and make me laugh.

22. You are happy and care free, but you do not let anyone let anyone 'push you around.' You are also strong and determined.

21. Your sweet chubby hands attract my lips like a magnet.

20. You love all things girl. Baby dolls, purses, jewelry, and shoes. You define femininity.

19. You ADORE your Bubba. I love when you take his face between those chubby hands and pull him down to your level and kiss him right on the mouth. And he loves it too!

18. You are all things girl, but you play rough and always have your hair in your face. You aren't afraid to get dirty, keep up with the big kids and 'let your hair down.'

17. That hair. Oh, that hair. The wispy, tangled, ratty mess that we lovingly call your hair.

16. You are daddy's girl. The way you look at your daddy and he looks at you melts my heart and makes me swell with pride. I look forward to seeing the glances you two exchange for many, many years and watching those two sets of eyes meet during all of life's big and small moments.

15. You love to read, but have little patience for the words. You make up silly noises to go with each page.

14. You are curious beyond your age.

13. You think you are ten years old and tell everyone who asks that you are turning six. When we correct you and say you will be two, you reply "no, I'm six." And I almost believe you.

12. You are such a great sleeper.

11. You love hot dogs. I'm not sure how you tolerate them, but it makes me love you more.

10. Each morning when I ask you what you want for breakfast, you answer "coke" and giggle for minutes and then I burry my face in your belly just to hear you laugh some more.

9. When I get dressed, you tell me that I look cute. My self-esteem rises each day. ;)

8. You call yourself a "princess," and princess you are!

7. You have a joyful spirit and pure nature. You adapt with ease and are always eager to partake in an adventure.

6. Anytime I pick you up from a corporate setting (MDO, church, etc.) you say "I had fun!" I think it will be your motto for life.

5. You love to color and draw. And do it quite well, if I must say so myself.

4. You have a major sweet tooth.

3. There is nothing that your blanket, meme, cannot fix.

2. You love to sit next to me and put on make-up. You do just as I do and feel so proud when you look into the mirror and see what you've done.

1. You are confident, radiant, fearless, compassionate, full of smiles, genuine, energetic and loving... everything that I could have asked for in a daughter. You inspire me to be a better woman and a more gracious person. You have stirred my heart to serve the Lord and love him wholeheartedly. You have shown me promises fulfilled and made me trust his tender voice. You are my pure-hearted, girl of power: thus you are, Kayt Emerson.

Happy Birthday, sweet girl. I love you!

Hair Decor

Some things bring a joy that only the mother of a GIRL can understand. Like all 59 new bows for my two girls. Yes, fif-ty-ni-ne. I feel like we own our very own boutique.

Aren't they great?

I bought the ribbon and materials and a friend of mine made them for me. I cannot wait to put matching bows in the hair of my little princesses.

If you live in the area and would like the information for my friend, Ashley Gladman, just let me know. She is so talented, even beyond hair bows.

They are so cute that I am considering wearing them in my hair. If I don't pull it all out, that is.