Silence is golden.... But hard!

Hello!!
Silence has always been hard for me... but in this case, it was necessary and a very special time for me and my husband!  However, oh my, am I so excited to finally share! I haven't been able to write a post in awhile due to this a secret we've been keeping (and my inability not to spill the news)!!!
 Now, onto the news because this MOMMA is about to bust!!!!!! Yea! You read it right! Colby and I are expecting our first baby in July... July 24th to be exact! We are sooooooooo excited and playing the "name game" each night even though we don't know the sex of our baby yet! Of course no names have been decided.. but it is a fun game!
God's plan for us is a baby.. a miracle of life- and His timing is always perfect- especially considering it is a SUMMER baby and I have the summer off from work, Yes! Thank you Lord for doing all things in your perfect timing... You are SO good.

Sooooo.... You want the details??? Sure! I have only been holding this absolute pure joy in for 11 weeks now ! Colby and I found out the Wednesday morning before Thanksgiving holidays via an early morning pregnancy test because I was "late" (I am NEVER late)! So-there we are, bright and early and- positive! And three...cough cough... Okay, only my very close friends know this true number, but any who...some odd number of pregnancy tests later (your welcome, Walgreens), all confirming that yes, we really are pregnant- I called the Dr. for our first appt! We went at 6 and a half weeks to see Dr. Gebhart (love him) and to see our little pea! It was only a tiny ball then but we heard the most incredible sound that day- whoosh whoosh bump bump- our pea had a heartbeat! 132 beats per minute!
So.... Back to work and life we went with the best secret in the world!! I'll fast forward through us sharing the news with our close family and friends at Thanksgiving ( it was so wonderful, everyone was so excited) and through my morning sickness spill- ick, thankfully better now...And get to the best part so far...
 Here we are! Baby Mason's debut!
11 weeks and precious already...

Meet Baby Mason!  

**Side note: The extra "sac" underneath is the yolk sac that feeds the baby at first- disappears by 13wks*

See my feet (top right)!!

It was incredible watching baby Mason stretch out their legs and then *quick* bring them back in! We weren't quick enough to get an outstretched picture, but it moved all around for us! A busy body like Mommy and Daddy already! :) 

Tiny hands and fingers.. oh my. so excited. 

Today our heartbeat was 170! Strong and Healthy... and looking good!!

Please keep us all in your prayers as we continue to grow in our mighty God's plan!

I wish each of you a HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!  We will be celebrating/welcoming 2011 along with Margaret and Peyton as they become the SMITHS at the King Edward Hotel!  I can't wait to say "Happy New Year"  surrounded by my closest college friends!

2011 is SURE to be a GREAT YEAR (especially that wonderful day when our baby arrives!)

I'm sure you haven't noticed this.. (HA) but this is a VERY MERRY MASON signing off!

(okay- gooby.. sorry)

Happy New Year!!!

It's all about Jesus!

Hello all! I am happy to report that our Kindergarten play was a huge success- I am so proud of my "babies".. they did SO good! Here is a clip of one of the songs they sang, clearly this is not them- but close enough.
Happy Birthday Jesus!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=saNPouQVvFk

This video is ALMOST as precious as my sweet K5's singing -tears tears tears. It is no question to me why God requests that we "act as children" in our faith... They have faith that is SO pure, SO honest, and they just ADORE Jesus with every breath... Let it be a reminder to us all this season! Happy Birthday sweet Jesus!

Colby and I had a very nice weekend at home... we ordered a pizza  (even had it delivered!) and watched a movie (New in Town) by the fire on Friday night.. it was so wonderful to be home, warm, and cuddling! Saturday- I was able to finish up Christmas shopping  with my mom! I just love shopping days with her... it is always a fun time.  Saturday night we attended Kristen Parker and David Russell's wedding! It was beautiful and KP looked GORGEOUS! Congrats to Mr. and Mrs. Russell!!!
This morning we went to church with our family at Ridgecrest for the "Joy to the World" Christmas concert...
Jody Walker sang "I believe"-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQBDtKC-cQ0&NR=1
It was such an awesome performance this morning... This reminded me of another favorite song... Here it is on YouTube (can you tell I have been playing on the computer today?) Turn up your volume, grab your kleenex, be ready to be humbled!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6LbGxUdAeA&feature=related
WOW.. right?  
I don't think there is much left for me to say after these songs... Thank you God for sending your Son...


In closing... I have a special announcement!  It is my hubby's birthday tomorrow! Decenber 13th! Such a young TWENTY EIGHT year old! :)  
Happy Birthday to the love of my life! I love you Colby!

Love to all!
Merry Merry!

(I do apologize for not knowing how to post the actual videos to this link... maybe I'll figure that out one day- any tips?)

ME= Slacker!

Oops... It seems I have majorly slacked on the blog front- so sorry!
We have had a wonderful week/weekend since my last post- we celebrated the Christmas season/Colby's birthday on Friday night with a "Dirty Santa" party... It was a lot of fun with our friends! We started this ritual four years ago and each year it gets bigger and more fun! I ended up with a precious wooden distressed frame and Colby received a Leatherman key chain knife thingie... he was excited! I just love playing "Dirty Santa"... and luckily we get to play a few times each season.  We play here, at the party with friends , another time is our MRA girls party- this year at Kim's house! and lastly, my family all plays on Christmas night at my Grandparents! YAY for Christmas!
Here are a few pictures from our fun night!

Of course we had birthday cake!

Ready for present fun to begin!

See his excitement!?

What is it!!?

I wanted this... but I wanted my picture frame more... :)

Guess what else was completed since the last post?? Yep! My reproduction of the Walter Anderson horses... Here is my finished product- First I sketched, then filled in with black marker, and lastly... water color!

I also found some older pictures of my art while playing on the computer tonight that I thought I'd share... I did these for a 7-year old little boy's room last year- his room theme is SEC sports!

close up of the large canvas- all sports equipment and bible verse

All canvases together... only thing missing from this was his Bulletin Board

close up of smaller canvases

A look ahead into my week... Our "Happy Birthday Jesus" play is finally here! Thursday is the big day... I am so excited for our parents/grandparents to see how precious the children are as they sing... in angel wings, shepard costumes, and the nativity scene costumes.. ah.. melts my heart each day at practice and REALLY makes us all focus on the real meaning of Christmas... Jesus!

I hope you have a GREAT week... I cannot believe Christmas is only 20 days away!!

Go be MERRY!

~Love to all~