Inspiring

At our church recently, we've been trying to make a difference. Whether it's meals for the hungry or shoe boxes to make a child across the world's Christmas, we've been doing whatever we can.

Here's what our pastor said about this on his blog:

The people of Good Shepherd are pretty good with goals.

Last year, for example, we wanted to raise $150,000 for the International Justice Mission and its ministry of freedom from sexual slavery. The people of the church gave $207,000.
Then on October 30, we hoped to pack 150,000 meals with Stop Hunger Now and its mission of famine relief in Uganda. The people of the church instead packed 193,000.

So yesterday, we hoped to receive 1,000 shoe boxes filled with Christmas gifts and gospel literature for use by our friends at Operation Christmas Child.

Instead, we received 1,200. And counting. If you'd like to be part of what God is doing, you can bring a box by Good Shepherd by 5:00 p.m. Monday.

 

GSUMC, you rock. :)

I'm so ready for Christmas!

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Both! But I do drink Hot Chocolate year round...

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? When I was younger, Santa  just left them unwrapped. I'm not sure what Santa will do with San Francisco.

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? I love white lights. They look so clean and crisp.

4. Do you hang mistletoe? We considered it last year, but couldn't find any.

5. When do you put your decorations up? My family's rule was no Christmas until Thanksgiving was over.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish? Almost anything made for our family reunion/Christmas party on the 23rd.

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child? Stockings! I loved getting a stocking (and I still do!). 

 

And our family tradition of trying to be the first one to say "Christmas Gift" to someone on Christmas morning. Apparently the first one to say it, got an extra gift. (I think it goes back to the days of slavery.)

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? Truth? What truth? Are you talking about that silly rumor about his existence? Baloney!

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? No. That'd be wrong. My family tried it one year and it's just wrong!

10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree? Ummm... Tree up, tree skirt, lights on, Any garland (or tinsel... yuck.), then ornaments. Balls usually go one first, evenly, with the larger towards the bottom. then ornaments, with the favorites at more of an eye level. Angel on very last.

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it?  Eh. It's so novel to me that it can be exciting for, like, 5 minutes then I realize how cold it is. Brr!

12. Can you ice skate? No.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift? I know this will sound lame, but being around my family has always been the best gift to me.

14. What’s the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Family and the 23rd party. And sausage balls!

15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? Dirt. And my grandmother's Cherry Pie.

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Eating The Varsity on the 24th and "Christmas Gift"-ing people Christmas morning

17. What tops your tree? An angel, I think...

18. Which do you prefer giving or receiving? I love to giving the perfect gift to someone. Receiving (any time, not just Christmas) just makes me feel awkward,

19. Candy Canes: Yuck or Yum? Yum!

20. Favorite Christmas show? Pretty much any Christmas movie. I think I've seen them all.

21. Saddest Christmas Song? White Christmas. It reminds me of my Grandfather who died a couple of years ago. He loved Christmas as much as I do. It's makes me happy to hear it, but sad that he's gone.

22. What is your favorite Christmas song? O Holy Night

 

If you fill this out, please let me know in the comments (with a link!).

23 weeks

How Far Along? 23-ish weeks (Sorry that these keep being pushed back more and more!)
Picture? Not yet this week and I'm already in PJs. Perhaps I'll update this with a picture later.

Total Weight Gain/Loss: After this weekend, it was 2 gained. Dang vacation food!
Size of baby:  One site said Papaya; another said eggplant
Maternity Clothes: Yup.
Gender: Sasha Fierce (Jolie, I thought you'd like that. ;) lol) is a female.
Movement: Happening and I still think it's weird sometimes.
Sleep: Sleep is like my friend Megin: I love it so dearly, but I don't get to see it often enough.
What I miss: Non swollen feet
Cravings: I love food.
Anything Making You Queasy or Sick? Meat cooking... still. And dog food. I gag every morning when I fill the dog bowl. Yuck.
Belly Button In or Out: In
Happy or Moody Most of the Time? Moody and happy
Stretch Marks? Only the old ones
Other Symptoms: Feet swelling.
Have You Started to Show Yet? I doubt it, but our dog sitter friend said I was.
Best Moment of the Week? SF's fetal echocardiogram coming back all fine and dandy :)
Looking Forward To: Thanksgiving.

Ace!

Marcel, part two!

The scene at 2:30 made me laugh so hard!

!!!

11.11.11

I just wanted to say Happy Veterans Day to all of you veterans out there!

I personally will be thinking about most of the men in my family: my grandfather (Army), my father (Army), my oldest brother (Army), my middle/youngest brother (Air Force and currently Air National Guard) and, of course, my wonderful husband (Navy), plus an abundance of friends and "brother-cousins" out there who are both currently serving and are veterans as well. But, can I mention one group of "veterans" that are easily forgotten on this day? All of those service men and women's families. They are certainly vets of their own right.


And those who have lost their lives while defending us. There have been too many of you lost, but we ALL thank you for your sacrifice.

22 weeks

How Far Along? 22-ish weeks (Sorry that these keep being pushed back more and more!)
Picture? Not this week. Sorry. I just haven't taken the time to take one. :/

Total Weight Gain/Loss: 1 under pre-pregnancy weight... still
Size of baby:  I think it's a zucchini
Maternity Clothes: Yup.
Gender: San Francisco is a little GIRL
Movement: I like it.
Sleep: I was sleeping so well last night that I hated having to get up this morning for work.
What I miss: Shoes that fit.
Cravings: Nothing new this week
Anything Making You Queasy or Sick? Meat cooking... still. And dog food. I gag every morning when I fill the dog bowl. Yuck.
Belly Button In or Out: In
Happy or Moody Most of the Time? Moody and happy
Stretch Marks? Only the old ones
Other Symptoms: My right foot hardly fits in my non-flip flop shoes. The doctor orders a shoe shopping trip. :)
Have You Started to Show Yet? Definitely if I am on my back. I still just look fat when I'm standing up.
Best Moment of the Week? Baby clothes at a consignment sale
Looking Forward To: Thanksgiving.

Why San Francisco?

I've had several people ask why we are calling our unborn daughter San Francisco (and some who seriously think that it is really her name. Seriously, people.). It's not because we really like San Francisco or, like I told/joked with someone, because her father is really from there. (Joke: T IS the father and he is so not from San Fran)

It's because her initials are SF and whenever I see SF, I think San Francisco. And we aren't quite ready to share the actual name with people other than immediate family. So _____ _____ M-lastname got temporarily changed to San Francisco for our friends on the internet and off. It's as simple as that.

So who wants to take a guess at her name? Obviously, the first name starts with S and the middle name starts with F. If you know the actual name, don't spoil it. Just have fun giving other names that SF could stand for. :)