Playing together....

Well, I am starting to see the girls loving playing together these days. We had a long couple of months where Ellie was just a little more advanced and Anna was always taking her toy etc... I felt like all I said was "if you don't share, mommy will have to take it away." Lately, they love to go in their room and play pretend. Their favorite right now is "doctor". I gave them a thermometer and they love to take each others temperatures. It got really quiet the other day and I walked in to Ellie putting diaper rash cream all over Anna. She told me Anna needed cream. They also love to play in the guest bed and act like they are having a sleep over. It is so fun to see them enjoy each other and not need any toys to have so much fun! It has been a beautiful week here (86 deg. today)! We've played outside a lot lately and I give them each a plastic shovel. They love to play in the dirt which makes this mommy very happy. I would hate for them to be afraid to get dirty! Mimi and Granddaddy are coming for a visit tomorrow while Mike goes to Minnesota to speak at a retreat. I am so thankful that they are coming to visit us! It has been 3 retreat weekends in a row so I am just a little tired. I am so glad Mike is getting to go see our good friends and am so jealous I don't get to see them as well! It will be a little more cold there this weekend as they just had a blizzard! Anyways, I am off to bed. The "belly" is wearing me out lately. Mainly, from bending over so much to pick up toys or kids! I am still sleeping so well and feel great besides the exhaustion, but who wouldn't be chasing a two crazy little girls!

George and Laura....

Well, the Bush's have moved to Dallas. I just saw on the news that their moving vans have arrived. I did a mapquest and their house is about 6 miles from ours. However, their zip code is the wealthiest in Dallas. Their house appears to be pretty "Texas" normal on the outside and not that large. It did cost over 2 million mainly because of its location. The news also said that Laura went out to dinner last night at a local mexican restaurant and it was kept pretty quiet. So maybe we will bump into our new neighbors!

Twins......

I am getting the question "Are they twins" more and more as Anna grows up. They mostly look like twins when they are both in the stroller or sitting down. It is normally from older men who don't have a clue that Ellie is about 4 inches taller than Anna. I think they look alike as well, but not as close as twins! I'm sure in a couple of years we will get the question "Are they triplets"?

On another note Mike got home yesterday from speaking at a retreat in Kentucky. The girls and I did pretty well, but I was ready for him to come home. We're taking the girls on a Valentine's surprise tonight that I think they will enjoy. Mike doesn't know what it is either, but I know he will like it! We have a really busy next couple of weeks. We have d-town (disciple now) this this coming weekend. I will have my small group girls at our house and Mike will stay with his guys somewhere. He's also speaking at it! The next weekend he is going to Minneapolis to speak at Travis and Steph's church for a retreat. I am so excited for Mimi and Granddaddy to come for a visit that weekend. I don't know if I could do 3 weeks in a row! Our sweet baby girl #3 is still mellow, but moving a little more. The doctor said in the next couple of weeks I will feel her more often. I can't believe she will be here in 15 weeks or less. We have a lot to do for her room! I hope you all enjoy a great week!

Thanks for making room for me....

Our church shows these videos periodically and it just shows the story of people who recently joined Watermark. It is really neat for us to see what all is going on at our church besides student ministry!


Thanks for making room for me 3 from Steve V on Vimeo.

You're Beautiful....

You're Beautiful - Phil Wickham from Steve V on Vimeo.

I love this video so much. Our video guy at Watermark made it and it was shown last week as we are studying prayer. It is to show us how to remember who God is and exactly how beautiful He has made this world. I love the end cause it shows baptism day at our church which is a huge celebration that they have once a year. Mike and I both get teary-eyed every time we see this video. We are so blessed to be a part of such an awesome community of believers.

Silly Anna....

Ellie's funny comments....

On the way to ballet today, Ellie said:
"Mommy, I'm going to listen to the teacher today and I'm not going to run". She has a slight problem with sitting still!!

We were delivering a meal to our friend Elizabeth who just had twins a couple of weeks ago who are so precious. I told Ellie we were going to visit Hampton's family. He's their almost 3 yr. old son that is in our play group.
Ellie: " Where's Hampton live"?
Mommy: "He lives kind of far away so we will have to drive there. It is about 20 minutes away."
Ellie:" Does he live in China? We have to fly there"?

A little boy in Ellie's class just moved to China cause his parents are becoming missionaries there. Ellie has been so intrigued with Eli's story about flying on the airplane to China. I love her little imagination!

The "belly" at 23 weeks....

Well, here is what I look like at 23 weeks pregnant. I tend to blossom a lot in the next couple of months. I think I will gain about the same amount as I did with the girls, but we will see. I have enjoyed my food a lot this time and exercised about once. However, I think my daily job of chasing a 3 1/2 yr. old and 2 yr. old is pretty good exercise these days! This pregnancy has been the easiest by far except for the fibroid problem which only gave me pain for one week. It is still there and I can feel it easily, but I am not in any pain from it. I most likely will get it removed a couple of months after this baby girl comes in June! I am so excited to hold her and meet her. She is still mellow baby (PTL)!!! I have to be really still to feel her move and she pretty much just sleeps it seems like. I go to the doctor tomorrow for my 24 wk. appointment so I will give you an update. I think we have narrowed down our name choices, but I don't think we are gong to share this time. Something has to be a surprise! It am so thankful for this sweet little girl and what joy she will bring our family. God is so good to us......

Anna's Stats at 2!

For the record since I am not doing so good on the baby books!

Weight: 22 lbs. (exact same as Ellie) -5%
Height: 32 inches 20%

She was not a fan at all of the doctor, but she was a tough girl. He said at least we can tell that she is a 2 yr. old!

Anna's 2!!!

Anna turned two years old and we had such a fun party for her. We had a small party with our comm. group friends and a few play group friends. I planned it for Friday morning at Chuck E Cheese's. A little tip is that they will let you bring your own cake, etc... without doing the "official Chuck E party"! It was so fun and the kids had a blast. I think they all slept for a very long time that afternoon. Anna loves Elmo so we had an Elmo cake, balloons, and plates. She was in such a good mood except for when I wouldn't let her eat her Elmo cake for breakfast! Ellie was just as excited about Anna's party and she was all about playing games. I cannot believe my sweet Anna is two years old. However, she is talking so much lately and for sure has the emotions of a two year old. There are days she tests all of our patience! I am so thankful that Lord gave us Anna and I look forward to seeing her grow into an incredible girl. She has all of this mama's heart. We love you Anna Katherine!