Do You Really NEED Something New For Christmas?

So, My hubby and I were discussing last night the fact that we dont need anything for Christmas. This is easier said than done because both sets of parents are not happy with not getting us anything. BUT what if you told your family you wanted a pig, goat, chickens, ducks, or a cow this year? It's a tangible gift, yes?

Well, you are in luck. World Concern (a fantabulous non profit Christian organization that my brother works at) has a GLOBAL GIFT GUIDE of all kinds of crazy fun things you can purchase for the poorest of the poor. Want to give someone a goat? No problem and it only costs $40.
Want to give twenty chickens to a family? Twenty chickens that will produce eggs and more chicks? Only $30!
You can provide water wells. Schooling for children who have been saved from sex trafficking. You can fill a lake with 2,000 fish fingerlings that will give struggling families an ongoing protien source and a way to make an income for $65.


For the last year, John and I have been more and more convicted about how much "stuff" AKA "Crap" we have. We dont need it. Why would we ask for more at Christmas? For us, we are just starting to feel selfish and this is such an awesome way for people to still get you gifts and feel like they have given you something. Plus, they dont have to wrap anything! Even if you want some Christmas gifts for yourself this year (which Im sure I will still be getting some) this is a great way to think about someone else and donate the money yourself. YAY WORLD CONCERN!!!

Click HERE to go to the World Concern Global Gift Guide!!!

Our Baby

I was having terrible cramping last night. (terrible in my books because any cramping while pregnant freaks me out) Anyway, it started around 6pm and lasted until this morning. This is not normal. I know that round ligament pain is normal, but this was too constant to be normal. So, even though I had promised many people that I would not be getting many more sonograms, I decided to get one today at work. The second the ultrasound probe hit my stomach, my beautiful baby popped onto the screen. Praise GOD! (Seriously, God is so good. How do people not believe in Him?!) He (what I'm calling him right now because I'm almost positive) was hiccuping. So cute! He was wiggling around and even cuter, he was covering his eyes with his hands. I fell even more in love with the little guy today..so much so that I'm even OK with it if he is a boy. (I really wanted a girl) I'm just so in love now, that I don't care what gender the baby is. So, here are some pics to enjoy and please no lectures on how I don't need to get anymore sonograms. I'm done until I find out the sex of the baby:)

This is the little guys side profile. He's a cutie. I'm a proud parent.

OK, so this one was a lot easier to see on the sonogram machine, but you can kind of see his arms covering his face. It was super cute when it was all live

I titled this one creepy baby. Its his face, but I think it looks creepy. Glad to see that the eyes and everything else are in the correct spot though.

Seattle..The Happiest Place on Earth...if it didnt rain.

We had a blast this last weekend in Seattle. We were able to go visit Mark, Erin, and Ryann Cate for a few days, and it was totally worth everything we went through to go! Seattle aside, seeing family was great, and it helped us remember how much we miss them...which was not so great. We had so much fun playing with Ryann Cate and following Erin and Mark around as our tour guides. We learned that he works in a beautiful building and can make a mean grilled cheese sandwich and we learned that she is an awesome tour guide..and is hot...but I guess we already knew that. So, thank you Mark and Erin for being AWESOME hosts while we were in Seattle. We miss you and cant wait to come visit again next year!

My first day in Seattle. We went to Beechers. They are known for their homemade cheese and Macaroni. SO GOOD

This was the awesome gift next to our bed in the guest bedroom at Mark and Erin's house. So sweet of Erin. She was an AMAZING hostess.

Ryann being cute with her baby doll.

Cute pic of Mark and Erin at Pikes Place Market. You could get these HUGE bouquets of flowers for $5...put flowers from Albertsons to absolute shame.

These next two pictures are upside down and I dont know how to change them...we still look cute upside down:) This pic was taken at this really cool sculpture garden that Mark and Erin took us to. Love it!

Me and John inside a little ice cream shop eating our Mac n Cheese from Beechers.

Mark and John enjoying boiled seafood at the CrabPot...the shrimp still had their heads and legs on...

Ryann being super silly on the way to the Space Needle. It was a perfect day outside!

Right before we went up to see all of Seattle. Ryann loved being up there. Every day after we went, she would ask us if we were going back to the Space Needle. She was a big fan!

While I was there I got to go see Ryann's class that she goes to. They were having their Halloween party. It was so much fun to see all of her friends. They all seem so sweet, and Ryann had a great time!

This is where Mark and Erin both work. www.worldconcern.org It is an AMAZING place. How awesome would it be to go into this place for work every day? So beautiful!

This is Mark working in his office...diligent...We were able to meet a bunch of his co-workers. Such sweet people.

We had such a great time and I cannot wait to go back! I miss them already! LOVE YOU MARK, ERIN, and RYANN!!!!!