happy birthday, Jesus!

While looking through Christmas pictures for this post, I realized I did a totally inadequate job taking pictures this year!

Christmas Eve at Gaga and PawPaw's house.

The littlest cousins on my side of the family.

Christmas morning at our house. Aunt Khaki came over to celebrate with us.

Welcome to the family, Bubba! Silas hasn't slept without him since he arrived.

We made a birthday cake for Jesus and after we sang, we had it for breakfast.

Christmas afternoon at the Coen's.

The cousins on the Coen side (except for the newest baby Kendall...we missed them!).


Ummm. That's it. It was a wonderful Christmas though we missed Daddy. Next year we'll have Daddy and Jude! Woo hooooo!!!

merry christmas 2009

what a difference a year makes

This is Silas one year ago. A plump baby that wasn't even walking on his own yet...

And now he looks more like a little boy. This is him today, sitting on the couch watching Yo Gabba Gabba and occassionally running over to get a bite of his peanut butter sandwich...

What a difference a year makes!

Oh and get this...I realized something really special last night. I was reading some blogs and someone was celebrating their "referralversary". Got me thinking about our referral and how that anniversary of 2 years is coming up.

We received Silas' referral on Feb 7, 2008.

My due date for Jude is Feb 7, 2010.

God is in the details and it just makes me smile.

growing belly

My little Jude, dancing in my belly as I type, reminded me to post these pictures. I'm feeling really good. Honestly by this time I thought I'd be waddling and uncomfortable. Instead I feel wonderful. I think because I can't really sit still with Silas, I haven't had a chance to feel uncomfy. Darn those occasional leg cramps in the middle of the night (like bad charlie horses).

I don't think I really look 8 months preggo, but my mom says she was smaller than me, so I guess I'm "normal". Stop laughing. Had a doc appointment last week and all looks good and is measuring on target.

29 weeks 1 day (because I'm sure the one day makes a big difference).

31 weeks

A couple of weeks ago I tested positive for Gestational Diabetes. Oh joy. Actually my doc visit confirmed that all is going well with that. I'm controlling it with diet and keeping track of glucose levels by sticking my finger 4 times per day. Sweet Jude, you're worth it. Because of the GD, I had to go see a "high risk OB/GYN". Since he gave me a good report, he said I could continue seeing my Nurse Midwife which makes me really happy.

Working on the nursery now and feeling the nesting coming on. Going to childbirth classes and after those videos, I'll never be the same. Actually after the miracle of this birth, I know I'll never be the same.

I turned 32 weeks on Sunday (yesterday), but I haven't taken a picture yet. I'll add it when I do.

Hope you're in the Christmas spirit and getting ready for the ultimate birth...Jesus!

silas turns 2

Silas sort of insisted on posing in lots of "before" pictures. We asked his guests to bring non-perishables to donate to the local food care center.

the grandparents

James, Austin, Matthew and Matthew's friend

Carrie & Katy


Leslie & Katy

Bailey Beth

Silas hearts pizza.

Since he turned 2, I let him drink a juice box. He really couldn't have cared less about everything else after that.

It was such a beautiful day, the boys (we have lots of boys in this family) got to play outside.

Grandy & PawPaw

Bevin was a great helper.

We had a great time with a Sesame St theme. Couldn't have done it without my mom and Katy. It does take a village!

Thank You, Lord for our precious 2 year old son. I couldn't love him more if I tried.

fall fun

Fall has been full of fun. Holidays, birthdays and a real, live concert. Silas will turn 2 on Wednesday. Can't believe it! Here is this weekend in review:

28 weeks and 6 days. Let's just call it 29 weeks el preggo.

This is Silas' new way to pose for pictures with me. I kind of love it.

Went to Matt Redman/Casting Crowns concert last night. It was a great night of worship.

Today we went to Zayden's birthday party. There was a big blow up bounce house/slide. Silas normally shys away from these things, so this time I climbed in with him and Ryan helped him climb up the wall to meet me at the top of the slide. Then we all went down together.

You can't see Silas' face, but he loved it! I really loved it.

I knew my limits, but Silas wanted to go again. I had to pull him out crying. :( Wonder what he'll do the next time one of these is around. I'll let you know.

Gobble, gobble, ya'll!!

Give Water

UPDATE - Over $10,000 was raised in 24 hours. Wow. It's not too late to give! Save a life for Christmas. What a great way to wish our Savior a happy birthday!!

I really, really, really want Silas to grow up knowing the true meaning of Christmas. I also want his earliest memories to be of our family giving to those less fortunate. This isn't some public pat on the back...it's really my heart. We live in an "all about me" world and it's sick. That's not what Jesus is about.

Last year I heard about this really cool clean water campaign started by a Mom. Water for Christmas really took off and they have made a difference. Take a look at her blog when you have a minute. She just returned from a trip to Liberia to see first hand how Water for Christmas has changed lives. She's a great photographer too, so you'll enjoy it.

Anyway, tomorrow, November 13 is a one day viral campaign. Click HERE to donate JUST $10 dollars for clean water. The text below explains it all. I can spend $10 at Walgreens in about 4.5 minutes so I certainly can give 10 bucks to this. Hope you'll join me!!



Every day, 4500 mothers bury their children due to contaminated water. They are forced to sustain their families with a diabolical liquid that contains both life and death. This lack of clean water is the leading cause of death in underdeveloped nations. And it just doesn't have to be!So as we gear up to scurry through department stores and browse endless catalogs in search of new jeans, Tonka Trucks, gadgets and dolls....we are pausing. We are pausing. And today, November 13th, we are buying water. Clean, life-saving water. $10 will provide one person in Africa clean water for 10 years. It will literally change and possibly save someone's life. A mother. A child. A brother. A grandfather. We are rallying together for a cause. Clean water. One day. $10. Asking everyone to let this be their first gift. Let water, let life be their first gift of the season. Click here to be directed to the secure donation site of the highly recognized, non-profit, charity: water. Or just click the yellow buton to make a donation. All donations are tax deductible, and 100% of your donation will go to clean water solutions in West Africa.

halloween monkey bid-i-ness

I know some people don't do Halloween, but we think it's a big time. Really we just enjoy dressing up in costumes and knocking on peoples' doors and then eating a lot of candy. The beauty of having a not yet 2 year old only child? He doesn't know the candy we got was for him to eat. Next year will be different, I'm sure. This year...I'm thoroughly enjoying it.

Here is our evening in photographs...

It began with a practice walk up the street to Aunt Khaki's house. Darn it all, I forgot to put Sophie's jack-o-lantern t-shirt back on.

Knock, knock! Notice the Elmo bucket on the ground? He did that all night.

Then we stopped by Grandma and Grandy's house.

And then we went to a friend's annual Pumpkin Party. Silas enjoyed cake with a prize fighter and a bumble bee.

Then we stuffed a bunch of children in a wagon to make the trick or treat process faster. Notice the bumble bee is holding the Elmo bucket. He could have cared less.

Now we're back in the car on the way to Gaga and PawPaw's house. Monkey costume is sagging.


But we're still happy!

I did get a picture of Silas at Mom and Dad's door, but I didn't think my mom would appreciate a photo online of her in pajamas...it was late. Maybe when I finally make this thing private.

Hope you got a bucketful, or pillowcase full, of yummy candy! I'm going to go see what Elmo still has for me...

what's up with the private blog?

I still plan to go private...you haven't missed anything. Just haven't gotten around to it.

You'll get an email with an invitation to sign in. I will get around to it at some point.

Thanks for emailing me your addresses!

going private

Hi everyone! I've been thinking about taking this blog private for a while now. I wanted it open because others' blogs helped me so much in the adoption process. Now this blog is just about our daily life since our adoption is on hold.

If you would like to continue access to our updates, please send me an email at:

marshallandjill@hotmail.com

I will then send you an invitation. Thanks for taking the time to check in on us!

Ciao, bloggy friends!

pumpkin patch

We had a fun morning at the local pumpkin patch. Silas especially loved the bumpy pumpkins. Bonus: it actually feels like Fall today.

What was the most exciting part of the pumpkin patch?! The school buses driving by and bringing groups of kids on field trips. Silas was thrilled!

When we got home we tried to pose for a nice Fall photo. Will I ever learn?

I put our purchases on the hearth. Silas took them all down and then put them back the way he thinks they should go. I'm actually impressed.

Silas has battled a virus all week so it was nice to finally be out in the fresh air. We're staying close to home anyway, trying to avoid the swine flu. Since we're both in high risk groups and all.

Belly baby is kicking away. I'll be 24 weeks on Sunday...wow!

We've been in the house about two months now so yesterday was about time to rearrange some furniture. I've always been that way, but I know I'm nesting too.

That's all the news I can think of.