Highlights of the Holiday

We have been quite busy this month and I wanted to take some time to write about my favorite moments of the season so far.  December is always busy, but also so FULL of wonderful times with family and friends.  This year, my fatigue and not so pleasant pregnancy symptoms have prevented the home-decorating explosion that is usually such a fun part of Christmas in Montgomery.  We are gone so much in December that we wouldn't get to enjoy a decorated home very much anyway. Therefore, I have LOVED getting my Christmas fix at the following oh-so-fun festivities.

The Christmas Carol - Jeremy's parents came down for a visit and we took them to see The Christmas Carol at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival.  It wasn't the best performance that I've ever seen there, but it was a great start for getting into the Christmas spirit.

Revolve Tour in Atlanta - I spent the first weekend in December with our teen girls at this conference.  The event is a fun, fast-paced, action-packed event where thousands of teen girls gather at the Gwinett Center for a time of worship, drama, and personal testimony!

Junior High Christmas Party - There's nothing like 30 junior high teens packed into one room of a house.  It took us over an hour to play dirty Santa, but I have never laughed so hard!  I adore our junior high teens and have so much fun with them.

Doctor's Appointment on Dec 11 - We heard the heartbeat again and will find out the gender in about six more weeks.  On this same day, our dear friends Kevin & Britani had their baby. What a joy to see them and hold their new little miracle - Oliver is a beautiful baby!

Staff Christmas Party - Gail Durden, Landmark's new ministers' coordinator is definitely the hostess with the most-est!  We had so much fun playing the coolest take on Dirty Santa I've ever seen.  It was a special time to spend with our church staff and I am very thankful to have them as my Montgomery family.

Johnathan's Graduation - Jeremy's brother finished his doctorate in education at the University of AL.  We joined the family in Tuscaloosa (my first visit there) to attend his graduation and to celebrate this amazing achievement.  We are so proud of him!

Andrew Peterson Concert - When we first began dating, Jeremy introduced me to the music of Andrew Peterson.  Jeremy is one of his biggest fans.  We travelled to Birmingham with some friends and left the concert truly inspired!  Jeremy even spotted Chris Tomlin there!

Christmas Concert at Landmark - Our church went out on a limb and hosted a fabulous concert this past Wednesday night.  Rush of Fools, New Song, Ayiesha Woods, and American Idol's Chris Sligh all performed throughout the evening.  God undoubtedly worked through this event to touch many lives in our church and community.

Dinner with Friends - Before leaving for our eight day road trip, we spent an evening with some good friends in Montgomery.  The Summers hosted us and a few other couples for dinner and a game night in their home.  Valerie and I are only two days apart with our pregnancies - so fun!

Exchanging Gifts with Jeremy - Jeremy and I always take time before the long road trip to do a special gift exchange with just us.  This year, Jeremy surprised me with a weekend trip to Savannah, GA at a bed & breakfast (complete with a spa treatment and horse drawn carriage ride).  We will take this trip in April before our journey through parenthood begins.  I can hardly wait!

13 Weeks Today - What a Gift!

It was so exciting for us to reach the 13 week milestone this weekend. We had another doctor's appointment last Thursday and once again heard the beautiful sound of Baby Vest's heartbeat. I will never take that sound for granted for as long as I live. What a gift! At 13 weeks, the baby is now 3 inches long and is about the size of a peach. He/she (I'm thinking he, as of now) has already developed fingernails and hair. It can squint, open its mouth, and wiggle its fingers and toes. We have an amazing creator. A verse from Psalm 139 continues to echo across my heart this week: "You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb." What an overwhelming thought to know that He is currently knitting together a beautiful work of art inside of me even now!

I will start my second trimester tomorrow. Now I have heard rumors that the next three months will bring more energy, less nausea, and better sleep. I can't wait! Though I have only gotten "sick sick" once, I am eager for the persistent feeling of nausea to leave. I would like to give a special shout out to Quaker Honey Graham Oh's. I am currently on my 5th box of these bad boys, as they've become my favorite bedtime snack. Other favorite foods include deviled eggs, ramen noodles, spaghetti o's, string cheese, chocolate milk (thanks Keely), yogurt, and the Mediterranean Tuna pita from Zoe's Kitchen. Jeremy has been a trooper through the first trimester (only 189 days to go). He single-handedly cleaned the whole house and did much of the laundry last Friday night. I am thankful for many things right now, but Jeremy is most certainly at the top of my long list!