December

December started off with a bang and never seemed to slow down!  It was a treat to have Marc home at this time of year....normally, he is in the Philippines the first 10 days of December...but since he changed jobs, he was actually HOME!

We started December with a night at our church for the Lighting of the Nativity and concert with Jeff Berry.  It was a memorable way to kick off the holiday season!

The first weekend of December was a last minute girls weekend with my college friends.  We all managed to arrange our busy schedules and gather together in Frisco at Jenny's house for a little girl time - and it was wonderful!  We enjoyed some shopping, catching up, a day at Canton and they even had a little shower for me (and Rebekah)!  It was SO great to be together.  Thankful for each of these girls and that we still make time to see each other several times during the year.

My doctor said I could go to Canton and would be fine (at 35 weeks prego).  I brought a wheelchair in the car.....and decided a needed it when we were about a mile away from the car.  It was a hard day on my body and I think I scared the girls a few times.....but I made it and we had fun!  Of course, after that day, my feet never stopped swelling for the remainder of the pregnancy.....

I didn't take any pictures that weekend....but stole this one that Rebekah posted!

 

 

 

 

 

After the girls weekend, came Madden's Christmas performance at his school.  Last year was pure chaos....so this year I made sure we were there early and had good seats.  Of course, this year wasn't nearly as crowded and we got to sit on the second row.  We were glad to have Lainey, Pops and Caroline come in town for the performance.....and Honey and Cheryl joined us too!  The theme this year was the "Wild West" and Madden was a cowboy.  Several weeks leading up to the show, we were serenaded with songs and lines from the show.  He really got into it this year!








 

 

Madden with his class and teacher, Mrs. Kourtney

Afterwards, we went to Joe Willys for dinner and ice cream!


The next day I surprised Marc with the first of his 40th birthday surprises.  I had contacted his friends in San Antonio and arranged to fly Marc down there for the weekend to golf and eat at a nice restaurant.  I surprised Marc by giving him this little poem.....







 

 

While he was having a guys weekend, I was home with my parents and Caroline and Madden getting ready for baby sister.  I put everyone to work on various projects for the nursery.....and Pops even found time to wrap Madden's playground with Christmas lights, which he loved! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My sweet neighbor, Cori and my MIL and SIL threw me a shower on that Saturday, so the girls headed over there.  So many sweet friends and family attended and it was so fun to have a girly shower and get some fun GIRL things.  We had a wonderful brunch, played some games and then I was showered with so many beautiful gifts.  It was such a blessing to me!

 

 

 

 

 Sister in laws, Jamie & Cheryl....Mother in law, Sharon.....and Marc's aunt Connie

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My mom and her college roommate, Mary

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Julie and Cara are friends from MOPS and were so sweet to come and celebrate!





On December 11, Marc and  I celebrated 8 years of marriage.  Nothing special was planned this year....we figured we'd already packed enough fun into December!  Can't believe it has been 8 years!! 

 

Later that week, I was feeling a bit odd - lightheaded and tired.  I went to our clinic downstairs and my bp was quite high.  So, I called my doctor and went it for monitoring.  It came down quickly, but this was the beginning of my time on bedrest.  At this point I was at 36 weeks and had one more week of work I was hoping to complete before the holidays. 

 

Bedrest put a kink in much of our plans the rest of the month.  Most of my shopping was done and I just had to be OK with not getting to do much holiday fun.....no Christmas parties, no holiday baking, not too many special things with Madden.  It was a bummer....but baby girl was on her way and I needed to do everything to keep her well! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here I am grocery shopping on bedrest right before Christmas!  I about DIED when we ran into Marc's brother and family.....glad it was just family we saw and not anyone else!  Ha!

 

 

 

On December 19, Marc turned 40.  I had to change up some of the things I had planned for that day since I was on bedrest, but we still managed to celebrate.  We snuck away for a steak dinner and celebrated with family that night.  I was glad I had sent him to San Antonio earlier in the month....so at least he got to do something fun!  His biggest surprise was a book that I created for him.  I contacted friends and family (old and new) through email and asked them to write a letter/memory/birthday wish to Marc.  I heard from 40+ people and created a scrapbook full of letters and pictures.  It turned out really well and I was excited to give it to him - and he loved it!  We also gave him a new grill and he got accessories to go with it.

 

 

His friend, Matt sent him this sign - something from Lonesome Dove.  Pretty awesome and thoughtful gift!

 

 

 

 

I still can't believe he is 40!  His first birthday that we celebrated together was when he turned 30 and I gave him 30 gifts for his 30th birthday.  Hard to beleive we've been together for 10 years.  So much has happened and I hope this new decade will be a great one! 

 

Madden had a school party that week.   I was on bedrest, but Marc encouraged me to go to the party since I was home....so I did.  It was a quick outing and then I was back home on the couch.  Madden is so funny at school.  He totally ignores Marc and I if we show up.  He has done it to Marc before and he did it to me at the party.  He acts like he doesn't know us!  Really, are you already embarrassed of us at age 4?!  Ha!  I took a few pictures of him at school...

 

 

The weekend prior to Christmas I was itching to get out of the house and do something....so we loaded up in the van in our pjs and went to look at Christmas lights.  Madden was so funny.  He wanted to take pictures of EVERYTHING!  We had to stop and let him get a picture before moving on.  We saw some pretty neat ones out here in our town, so that was good!



 

 

Are you tired yet?  December was a jam packed month!  It always will be though....with our anniversary, Marc's birthday, Christmas and now Marley's birthday....it's quite busy! 

 

Next up...CHRISTMAS!