Rookie's Debut

Well, here we are posting our very first blog. Not sure exactly how or if this will turn out, but there has to be a first if there is to be another, I suppose.

The Christmas holidays are well underway at the Castle (our home) with too many things left to do before we end up in January! David and I were talking through the next couple of weeks and it looks like we might have a night at home as a family once in the next ten days. Last weekend we were in Maryland where David officiated the wedding ceremony of one of his former students (in MD you do not have to be ordained to officiate...go figure!). So, we were able to see his old stomping grounds and meet and greet a lot of people he knew while he was there.

As to the s, Aubrey is loving life as a 2 year old and enjoying being a big sister with all of the joys and thrills that that title brings. She makes us laugh on a daily basis and is coming up with new antics to entertain us with. Yesterday it was singing into the "microphone" - the tripod we had used to attempt (yes, I said attempt...the Christmas picture cards might be a little late in arriving this year...) our family Christmas picture. She is counting to ten (minus seven and occasionally five, but who needs them?) and can find several letters (especially A for Aubrey and E for Emma) on the fridge and even store signs. I'm a little nervous that she is going to be passing mommy's mental prowess (what's that?) before she's 4! Speaking of "what's that," that's her favorite question to date. She hasn't hit the "why" stage, but I have a gut feeling it's just around the corner. Oh yes, and she wants to see anything and everything, including the wind. A typical conversation goes something like this: A: "What's daaat?" M: "That's the wind blowing outside." A: "I wanna see." M: "Well, we can't see the wind, only the effects of the wind." A: "I wanna see." M: "See the trees and leaves?" A: " It's blowsy!!" and then we are off to the next "what's daat" without even skipping a beat. My husband prayed for a curious child. If you ever have a prayer request that you need fulfilled, give him a call.

Emma is just smiley. She has discovered the world of solid food (can you really call cereal and stage one baby food "solid"?) and is loving it. Her toes are her favorite play things (and snacks when she's not eating) and who needs entertainment when you have a bathtub? I'm so thankful for a laid back baby. She's incredibly awesome and I can't imagine life without her.

Speaking of the munchkins I'd better close this thing. If my computer doesn't explode when I try to post this thing I might be able to do another one later (notice the broad time ramifications!). Have a wonderful holdiay shopping experience!

Jill for all