many apologies

There is something about this time of year. It makes me procrastinate. I was late posting Halloween and Noah's birthday by a couple of months last year, and it looks like I will be shooting for that again this year too.

We've been busy, but it's been nice. It's made the time go by very quickly. Only 9 more sleeps until Wes and Amanda get here! Woo hoo. I have to force myself not to think about it too much or it feels like it's taking way too long to get here.

A short recap of our November:

Noah's birthday came and went while we were in the States visiting family for my Uncle's funeral. It was an emotional week but I am so grateful that we were able to be there to support and spend time with family. It had been so long since we had all been together that the catching up and sharing of memories of Uncle Clyde will always stay in my memory. The spirit was so strong in that house the entire week it was unbelievable. His presence was felt often. You could almost feel the joy that you knew he had at seeing all of his loved ones coming together to support his wife and family. He was a beautiful man and will be missed by many.

Josh has been staying with us for the last couple of weeks while he finishes up a job he has here in the city. How nice it's been! He'll actually be leaving tomorrow and tonight I felt overwhelmed at the thought of him going. With Ed's busy schedule it has been like a breath of fresh air having Josh around. Noah has a constant playmate which is nice since I am much to large to move around let alone run around after an active toddler. He wakes up every morning asking for Josh and his truck :) Cute. I am grateful because I have another adult to talk to! And in person! What a treat. His manly muscles come in handy as well when I need things done around here and can't wait around for Ed to come home from school or work. Like I said, it's been really nice and so much more helpful to me than he probably realizes!

Other than that, we've just sort of stuck close to home. I am trying to get things organized here so that I don't have to come home from my Mom's house with two children and a huge to do list. Ed tells me I'm nesting. Which I think is funny because I had no desire to do that at all when I was pregnant with Noah, but I'm just itching to do it now. Speaking of baby, I was feeling really unprepared for her arrival this last week so I went shopping. Oooooh how I LOVED shopping for a girl. I was in my element. Pink dresses, accessories, shoes, tights. Ah, I could have spent all night at that mall, and much more money if we're being honest. Amber came with me - and whoa. Let's just say that she probably purchased 50 % of the loot that I came home with that night! She's just as crazy for girl clothes as I am. The difference between us? She has waaay more money! :) Amber, remind me to take you on every shopping trip from now on :) Kidding. You're the best Auntie Amers and she's going to love you for it! Anyways, after that night I feel much more prepared to keep her clothed when she gets here, so whew! One more thing to cross off my gigantic to do list thus far.

It hasn't snowed until just the last couple of days which of course is rare for here. But now with all the white stuff around it really feels like Christmas :) Tomorrow I'm sending the boys out to pick out our Christmas tree! So excited for that. This year I think is going to be a lot of fun now that Noah is more at an age where he can understand the excitement and meaning of Christmas. It's going to be a fun month, filled with lots of laughs and family time. Unfortunately I probably won't be posting much until the little Miss arrives so keep your eye out for that!

Until then, here is a picture I snapped of my tiny cheese ball who's idea of helping me bake Christmas cookies this morning was eating all the flour! He kept saying... "Oooo Yummy Mommy! Yummy" My kitchen was a disaster by the end, but at least we had fun :)

I hope everyone has a safe and wonderful week!