Happy New Year!

I noticed these last few months that there are a LOT of people saying things like, "When is 2009 going to be over?!?" And boo-hooing about how awful their year has been. Now don't get me wrong - I understand that a few people truly did have horrible years. But for MOST people, it could have been so much worse! I just hate all of the negativity!! We had a tough 2009, but it was far from "horrible" or our "worst year ever." Goodness!! Just goes to show that people (myself included) need to count their blessings more often!

Anyway...off of that soapbox now! For those who are interested, the pregnancy is going fine. I've definitely been sicker w/this one than w/the other 3 pregnancies combined. I'm just now, at 16 weeks, starting to feel like "normal" again. (Normal for me anyway - lol!) Honestly though, I can't complain - I do realize that there are many many pregnant ladies who are very sick during the entire pregnancy, and it has not been THAT bad for me - definitely bearable! I am glad to be feeling a bit better though! We should be able to find out the gender in the next month or so, so we're excited about that.

We just got the FANTASTIC news that my best friend, Bethany is expecting their 2nd baby!! So my adorable little Chloe girl will have a baby brother or sister not long after our baby is born! Beth and I have been best friends since we were tiny (our moms were best friends before we were even born, so we've literally grown up together since day one!), and we've always done everything together. We went to the same Bible college, got married the same summer, bought our first houses within weeks of each other, but when it came to having babies, God had other plans! I thought sure we'd get to be pregnant together MUCH sooner than this! I was just thinking that in a total of 7 pregnancies (including a miscarriage for each of us) this is the FIRST time we've gotten to be pregnant together! So exciting!!

In other baby news...my sister-in-law, Jacqueline is due in just 5 1/2 short weeks!!! They know they are having a baby girl, and we're VERY excited about it!! Since she is an identical twin, and there are several sets of twins in our extended family, we were definitely hoping for twins (at least, *I* was!), but it is definitely just one baby! :)

Also, Michael's sister, Angel, is due in about 10 1/2 more weeks! They're also having a baby girl, and are pretty sure they've decided on the name Kyleigh - I think that's so pretty!! Of course, my two nieces, Kaitlin and Kinsey, are very excited about having a new baby sister soon!!

I'm hoping to get to see both babies not too long after they're born - I'll be needing to get brushed up!! :)

Our Christmas was fantastic. Our church's program was great - such an awesome Christ themed message to it (it was Majesty Music's "Christmas at Home"). We also got to be at my parents' church for their Christmas program. Bethany headed it up and was able to include every child in the church in some way or another - even the babies! It was so cute! They told the entire Christmas story with several songs incorporated into it! It was precious!

Of course, the kids got spoiled rotten! I was pleased this year that Laynie is finally old enough to somewhat understand the concept of GIVING gifts, and not just receiving. Jared was so excited to give the gifts he had picked out for everyone! We take turns at our big family Christmas w/my side of the family, starting from youngest to oldest, GIVING gifts one at a time - he kept asking, "Is it my turn yet mommy?" He was so eager to give his gifts! I won't lie though - they both enjoyed GETTING gifts too - lol!!

With our little family Christmas (Michael, me and the kids), I tried my hand at making cinnamon rolls for breakfast - uh....they turned out OK..but definitely room for improvement! I'm going to try out Jessica's recipe next time, and hopefully they'll turn out better. One of the things I think could have been better is MORE butter (that you spread on the rolled-out dough, before you sprinkle on the cinnamon/sugar) and MORE cinnamon/sugar. They weren't "cinnamony" enough. Also, there wasn't nearly enough glaze. So, lessons learned - hopefully the next batch will turn out better!

Well, I think that's all for now. Hopefully all is well with everyone!