Christmas in Waco 2009

Well, the last time we spent Christmas in Waco was 4 years ago…when I was pregnant with Jackson and also due any day!!! :) We normally travel for Christmas, either to New Orleans, or to Naples, FL where my parents spend their holidays, but I must say, even tho we LOVE going to both of those destinations, it was so nice to not have to go anywhere! This year Christmas truly was relaxing and restful and just simply, wonderful!

Josh had to use some vacation days and took the whole week off before AND after Christmas. We’ve truly been blessed to be able to revel in our family time together with Jackson before our family grows, and things get a little nutty for a while.

Here are some pics from our fun holiday time at my parent’s house.

It started snowing on Christmas Eve!! we had to run outside and take a pic...it was nuts and of course, we all weren't looking!

Mom made homemade lasagna for dinner on Christmas Eve...yummy!!

Jackson helped clean up after dinner...where did this come from? I'll take it though!

We had a birthday party and cake for Jesus after our Christmas Eve service

Christmas morning, going through goodies from Santa! He did GOOD this year! THANKS Santa! :)

One of our last pics of a Crosby family of 3! very bittersweet...

Josh cookin' breakfast Christmas morn...a tradition. He doesn't cook much, but does cook a mean breakfast!

Fun presents....i guess i need to get cooking again huh?

Thanks Aunt Beebee, i love my first glove. Aunt Kiki's dog likes it too...

Blessed beyond measure...thank you Lord for friends, family, and our health! What a fabulous Christmas! (and my shirt obviously isn't a maternity shirt...ha ha!)

We all got a hoot out of this...Jackson enjoyed parking his cars in the nativity stable.

Let’s just say it felt like Jackson celebrated Hannakuh! Ha ha, he’s been getting presents here and there ever since his birthday party. This will always be an issue having a birthday so close to Christmas…and looks like BOTH of my kiddos will share that issue. Fun times ahead! :) December will be an expensive month forever more.

Pregnancy Update: I go tomorrow for my 39 week checkup – cannot believe it!! 39 weeks, ahhh! Last week after my appointment, sweet Dr. Rister called and told me he was up at the hospital and set up an induction for December 31^st, 6 am, if I haven’t had baby before then….which, looks like we may be holding out since baby seems awfully comfy in there. That is 3 days away - ahhhh! So, looks like a New Year’s Eve baby for the Crosby’s! Updates and more come very soon!!

I have been processing lots of things the last few days. I am thankful that God has given me this time before baby to truly reflect and rest. Reflecting on what's to come, and what has been for the last 4 years with my one and only child! And also to just earnestly pray and lay all my anxieties at His capable feet: Will my baby be healthy? Will all go smooth during delivery? How is Jackson going to adjust? Will nursing go smoothly? How will i manage 2 kids and be the household manager and a godly wife with little sleep? It goes on and on...

Yesterday at church, the guest pastor used Philippians 4:6-7 in his sermon, and then today as we were running a few errands, it was the verse of the day on K-love radio station, so I know God wants me truly to hear and believe this familiar passage. I'll leave it at this:

Philippians 4:6-7 - "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds, in Christ Jesus."

Sweet shower of blessings….

I want to thank our young adult SS class at church. They threw a combined diaper shower for Kendra and I, and it was such a blessing to receive such goodies that we’ll need and definitely USE!! Kendra is due with her 3rd two weeks after me, and they aren't finding out either! (She already has one of each.)

I am especially grateful because I haven’t been as involved in the class this fall because I have been teaching in the youth department, so it meant so much that the class loved on me in such a special way.

A special thanks to Rebekah for opening up her beautiful home with all kinds of fun yummies for us to enjoy that night, thanks girl! Love ya!

Here are some pics Kendra took of the evening. Thanks again Young Adult 1, ya’ll are the BEST!!

Squeezing in one more major thing before baby - Jackson's Bday party!

One other major thing i wanted to "cross off my list" before baby comes, was Jackson's bday party! His official bday is December 28th, which ahhh, i guess this new babe and him could totally share a bday huh?? Anyway, we celebrated a little early.

MONTHS ago, after playing Wii with my brother Ben, Jackson became obessesed with bowling. Mind you, it was only on Wii, he'd never really played before, but he started saying back in the summer, that he wanted his next bday party to be a bowling party. I kinda blew it off thinking his age was too young to bowl, and surely he'd change his mind by December. Nope. :)

So this mom investigated a little, and the Baylor Bowling Alley was a perfect fit! It isn't smokey and dark like some of the other alleys in town, and it was small enough to contain the lil kiddos from running all over the place, and affordable!

So, here are some pics from our bowling party! Jackson and all his lil friends had a total BALL! (No pun intended!) He was soooo happy to get to finally really bowl, and although the bumpers were on many of the lanes, we were all impressed with how great these lil kids did, and that they even knew what to do with a bowling ball!

(Do any of these pics bring back memories of any baylor grads getting those PE credits?? hee hee!)

can you tell someone was SOOO excited to get started?

The yummo cake...

The yummo cookies....

Dubs and Jackson...here with a lil ramp thing that helped them roll the ball straight into the lane, very cool!

Checking out the competition....

Singing to Jackson...he was taking it all in and smiling ear to ear!
Sweet Betsy Grace....

Watson & Karoline eatin pizza...
Kimberly with her sweet boys...
Bowling away...Kendra and I...2 weeks apart...ready to have these babies!
The funniest part of the night was on the way home when Jackson said, "mommy, is the baby coming tonight?" I was so confused, and then realized that for months we've been telling him that baby will come after his birthday...that we'd celebrate his bday first and then we'd welcome the new baby. Man, they really take things literally huh??? We explained to him that we celebrated his bday a little early, and that we don't know when exactly baby is coming, but it could be soon. (Try explaining that to an exhausted 4 year old!) Ha, it was classic, but such a sweet lil conversation.

Thank you to all our friends (and mom and dad!) who came and took time out of the busy holiday schedule to celebrate Jackson! Josh and I were reflecting on how blessed we feel to be in such a wonderful community to raise our kids, and have friends that love, support, and are so involved in our kid's lives - it's so fun!!

To my Jackson, I cannot believe we are celebrating your 4th year!! Man, it has gone by too fast! I am so grateful that i have had these four years with just you - to share in so many sweet moments that i'll never forget. You can now officially be a "big brudder"as you say, since you are now 4! What a wonderful big brother you'll be. I love you buddy,
and so thankful to the Lord for your healthy, joyful, and sweet 4 years of life!
Here's to many more fun bdays ahead!
With lotsa love and a full heart,
Your Mommy

Technology is just amazing!

This past weekend, Josh's sister Rebekah got married. Her and her fiance Mike were planning on getting married in February, but moved the date up due to some exciting baby news!! So, they got married this past weekend, and we sadly just couldn't get to New Orleans with it being so close to my due date.

Josh and his dad had the best idea for us to watch the small, intimate ceremony, that was being held at the Crosby's house, through skype over the internet. I had heard of skyping, and knew what it was, but never really experienced it.

It was the coolest thing ever to get to feel like we were there...as we watched over the internet, and they got to see us...watching in our pj's on a lazy Saturday morning. ha ha. :)

Here is a pic of the happy newlyweds that Josh's dad took...with the computer of us watching on the other end....cool huh?

Congrats Aunt Beebee and Mike! We are sad we couldn't be there, but know we truly did feel close as we watched it all unfold. We also can't wait for another Crosby baby for our lil one to have as a cousin who will be close in age!! :)

Quick Pregnancy Update: At 36 week check-up this week, I was at a 3, 75% effaced. Trying not to get too hyped up...knowing i still have 4 long weeks ahead, and this baby could just stay put the entire time. :)

Until then, just want to get through Jackson's birthday party this week...then i think i'll feel ready...bring it on!
Until next time!