Christmas Town

I love Christmas lights and driving around seeing houses all decorated for Christmas.  When I was a little, everyone (or at least it seemed that everyone) decorated their houses... everywhere we drove, we saw Christmas lights.  Not so much anymore.  So when I heard that Busch Gardens decorated for Christmas... I was eager to go see it.  Maybe it's because this was Parker's 1st Christmas... maybe it's just the romantic side of me... but I wanted this Christmas to be magical.

So on December 30th we went up to Busch Gardens to see Christmas Town... and I'm so glad we did!  It was fantastic!

Each country was decorated with a different color.  This was Ireland.  The snow from the latest snow storm was still on the ground which allowed the lights to reflect off making everything bright and... well... magical.  Parker LOVED all the lights!  I had him in the Moby Wrap so he was warm and snug and totally captivated by all the new sights.

My mom, Parker and I... well, Parker isn't visible but he's there enjoying his dinner ;)  

Italy was decorated in white lights and angels.  You can't really tell from the pictures but all the lights on the hillside our Christmas trees.  The view was beautiful... and most of the water was frozen which is why the light reflection looks the way it does.  

They had Christmas carolers and other performers in each country... but the best part was the music.  There was no "Santa Clause Is Coming To Town" or "Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer"... it was Christmas Carols.  Yes, they actually sang about the real meaning of Christmas... Christ's birth!  It was fantastic!  By the way, notice the snow.  This was 5 days after the snow storm!  

Parker's 1st Christmas was more wonderful and magical than I had hoped.  We are so blessed and absolutely loving life as a family of 3!

December Recap

Parker is taking his morning nap and as I sit down in front of this blank screen, I'm reflecting on the past few weeks.  How is Christmas almost here?!?  I still feel like I'm just trying to survive most days.  I've been trying to workout a few days each week and on those mornings, I'm lucky if I'm dressed by 1pm... but the baby weight has to go and I'm blessed with a husband who works hard so I can stay home and tend to Baby Boy... and try to get rid of the tummy Baby Boy gave me!  

The past 2 weeks we've had a lot of snow!  I lived here for 3 years prior to moving back and I don't think we had snow more than 2 or 3 times in those 3 years.  So far, this year's snow count is 3... and one of those days turned into a snow storm and everything got shut down at noon.  Justin was able to safely make it home but a 20 minute commute took him 2 hours due to the... umm... we'll call it the impromptu driving style of some of the other drivers.  Have I mentioned how much I love seasons?  I do... but I also love a warm house to escape the cold winter season :)  Parker and I spent a lot of time upstairs where it was warmer and enjoyed so slow, relaxing days filled with Christmas movies, hot tea and chocolate.

Everyday Parker shows more of his personality... and I love it!  The acid reflux is much much better which means there's a lot more smiling and a lot less screaming/crying.  Next week he goes in for his 2 month appointment and I'm interested to see how much he weighs.   My little boy LOVES to eat!!!  He growls and makes all kinds of sound effects while he's nursing that just tickle me and make me laugh with entertainment.  He's started sleeping through the night (more or less) which has been such a huge blessing!  Most nights he'll go 5-6 hours between feedings and wake at 4:45 for his first feeding but last night he went 7 hours!!!  YAY!  Amazing how a baby lowers your standards.  At first I was just thankful for a night when I got a 2 hour stretch of sleep... then you get use to not sleeping and you're thankful for a night you don't get puked/pooped/peed on... and then you reach the other side.

We're so excited about our first Christmas with Parker!  Only a few more days...

J&J Life - March Edition

Disclaimer: Yes I know it's been a really long time since I blogged... and there's a good reason for it, I promise.  Keep reading and you'll see what has been occupying my time...

Countdown With J&J

11 days til' SPRING!

20 days til' Justin starts his final quarter!!

101 days til' Graduation!!!

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Family Updates

Justin - Wow!  Justin is about to finish his 7th quarter at NPS!  His thesis is... well... it's there.  Since he's a physics major, his thesis is based on 2 experiments he needs to conduct and write up.  The first experiment is complete and the second is pending.  Hopefully next week he'll get (what we hope is the) final part.  The experiment will only take a couple days... and then begins the "fun" part of actually writing the thesis.  He's got 3 months... plenty of time ;)

Jen - is ready to move! 

Blue & Angel - So spoiled.  They have such a rude awakening coming this June :)  Their new favorite "bed" is a box (that is sitting by the back door waiting to go to the recycle bin).  Blue is such a 2 year old... refuses to share (as the picture shows).  Angel got in the box and Blue decided she wanted it... so she laid on top of Angel until she moved.  Sigh.  Thank goodness we're not responsible for their souls and can just laugh at the antics!

News

Well... we have to big pieces of news to share.

1.) We received orders to Norfolk!!!  We're super excited!  We had always hoped to go back there but the billets available weren't ideal for Justin's career.  We continued to hope we could go back there (and pray occasionally) but we were resigned to our fate of moving to San Diego.  In January Justin got a call saying there was an early rotate billet available in Norfolk... that's perfect for him!  YAY!  A silent request that the Lord answered!  This June we'll depart!  We have a 5 weeks in Pt. Hueneme TAD before we'll begin our cross country drive!  WOOHOO!  I may be one of the few people who is thrilled to be moving cross country!

2.) We've both got a new love... something that's the size of a raspberry right now but Lord willing, we'll be welcoming into our family this October.  That's right... Jen's pregnant again!  We're so humbled by the Lord's goodness and continue to pray that this little one will continue to grow and be healthy.  Right now she's in the 8th week and so far everything has been great and baby has looked great... although it looked more like a blob than a baby ;) 

What's Been Happening the Past Month...

We've begun the "purging" process that preceeds every move!  This is one of the great parts of moving so often... clutter stands no chance! 

Jen has spent on extraordinary amount of time of the couch lately... although the laundry at least is getting done this time!  The morning sickness has been nothing compared to the last pregnancy, for which we thank God daily! 

Many of our closest Monterey friends moved away in January... so we're starting to spend time with new friends and have been blessed with some amazing fellowship!  These couples have been faithful in praying over us this last month and reminding us of God's faithfulness.  What a blessing! 

Back in January (yes it's really been that long since I did a big update), Justin started attending a different men's Bible Study.  This group has been a huge blessing and has encouraged him to resume the discipline of Scripture memorization.  Jen just changed Bible Studies to a smaller home group.  The study is on "The Power of a Praying Wife"... how amazing to go through an entire study on praying over your husband and blessing him as a wife!

Well... that's a wrap!  Stay tuned for the start of a new series: These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things... where I'll showcase some of our favorite gadgets and nifty little things we've discovered!