Tis the season

I've got a long day of cleaning, organizing and list making ahead of me. Because as of this afternoon, life is gonna get really crazy and I probably won't get a breath until January.

Between all four big kids, we have four class Christmas parties, one book exchange, three pajama days (one of which already past), three dress rehearsals, one ballet recitals (that all three girls are in), and four Christmas productions (both Ashley and Emily, two for church and two for school).

Aside from the kids' schedules, Jake preached in "big church" ;) twice this month, hosted a youth group fundraiser/Christmas party- a Chick-fil-A spirit night, a high school outreach to refugee families in Nashville, a Jr High outreach to a nursing home in Franklin (which ended up being canceled due to a random mass power outage, bummer!), and an intense worship night tonight at youth group. (I don't think I missed anything... !)

As for me I'm in a daily battle at home. Amy vs. Nausea. And I'm happy to report that recently I've been winning the battle and I'm only 7 lbs down from my start weight! Not too shabby! Although you wouldn't now that to look at my belly... 5th baby bumps come quick! I've got an ultrasound on Friday... the same Nuchal Translucency screening (or Nuchal Fold Scan) that we did with Mabry. Basically they measure the fluid in the back of the baby's neck to check for the possibility of the baby having Down Syndrome. I'm not too worried about it, just excited for the extra opportunity to see my little baby. :) After that we'll have the big ultrasound in late January... hopefully we'll find out at that one if we'll be blessed with a little girl or boy!

I'm almost completely done Christmas shopping, thanks to the wonderful internet! I love shopping from my couch and having my packages delivered to my doorstep! Its a beautiful thing. ;) I've tried to wrap things as they come so I don't get overwhelmed there. Somehow I managed to muster up the energy through brutal 1st trimester fatigue to tear down all my lovely fall decorations and replace them with Christmas decor! It feels great to see all of these fun decorations finally up. Although we have to keep everything decorated from 4 feet up to keep it out of the reach of 6 ( ...okay 10) busy little hands. And that includes our tree which only has ornaments on the top third! Poor little tree. :(

Last but certainly not least, we've got family coming in town for Christmas! My Dad, stepmom, and "the girls" (their two dogs, Molly and Lucy) :) are coming in to spend the day Saturday! Can't wait to see them, its been months. And Jakes parents are home from the mission field! They still have their place here and are home until after the new year. They've only been in the Dominican Republic for a month, doing some preparation work before their 4 month (I think?) Language immersion. But we're super happy to have them in town for Christmas! And my brother will be at our house for Christmas day, taking a break from his tour schedule! Busy musician. :)

Well, that about wraps up our Christmas season! Now off to my to do list for the day. I know almost all of you have just as crazy of schedules as we do... praying that through the business we are ALL able to enjoy this Christmastime before its over... and remember the tiny baby Savior who came because He loved us so... blessings to you all!!