Christmas Cards!

So, I'm really excited about sending Christmas cards next year because I'll be able to put pictures of Eli on them :-) However, this year I'm going ahead and jumping on the photo card bandwagon with Shutterfly and include a maternity picture of me and Patrick.

I learned about Shutterfly from a coupon I received in my Babies R Us packet when I registered and I was so impressed with their products. I already ordered and use some of their address labels (which they have SO many designs for!). So, I'm really excited to use them to order Christmas cards this year and next.

I have two card designs that I'm choosing between:
http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/cards-stationery/christ-is-king-religious-christmas-card-5x7-flat?sortType=1&storeNode=60217
and
http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/cards-stationery/in-his-name-religious-christmas-card-5x7-flat?sortType=1&storeNode=60217

They are both simple with a religious message, which is important to me. Plus, they will look good with just one picture on them, since I'll be using a maternity picture of just me and Patrick. Next year I'll choose one with an option for multiple photos, since I'm sure I'll have a ton of photos of Eli to include :-)

I also can't wait until next Christmas because I plan to make photo calendars for both sets of grandparents with pictures of Eli from his first year. I mean, how cute is this?:
http://www.shutterfly.com/calendars/wall-calendars

I've also been thinking a lot recently about what a blessing it's been to me to receive cards out of the blue to say congratulations on the baby, or from friends who just wanted me to know they were thinking of me. I'd like to make it a point to be a blessing to others in this same way. Shutterfly also has some really cute personalized note cards, and thank you cards. I really love this design:
http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/christmas-cards/retro-chic-holiday-thank-you-3x5-folded-card?sortType=1&storeNode=93475

It's always so nice to receive actual mail in my mailbox rather than email. It just shows that the person took a little extra effort to do something nice and make me feel special. Ever since I was a little girl I've enjoyed receiving mail, and I still do!

Check out Shutterfly and see what great products they have to offer!

We're Expecting!

Well, we found out in May that we are expecting our first little baby, whom we lovingly call 'Little Bean' since we don't know if it's a he or she yet :-)

I'm currently 14 weeks along, and am starting to show a bit now.

We are so thrilled to become parents and cannot wait to meet the sweet little babe. I've been so blessed to have a really easy pregnancy so far. No morning sickness to speak of, just feeling tired. I know other women who have had debilitating nausea/vomiting with their pregnancies, so I feel VERY lucky!

I am still amazed that there is a tiny little baby in there! I'll post more pictures as I get further along so I can track how I grow :-)

What I've Learned - 2009 edition

Now that the year is drawing to an end, I thought I'd list some of the things I've learned in 2009:

Shootin'

What better way to celebrate Labor Day than to exercise our Second Amendment rights? We took our good friends Andy and Renee shooting at our outdoor range. Neither of them had much experience with firearms, but they did great and we had a fantastic time! Patrick really enjoys showing others how to shoot. His goal is to eventually become a firearms instructor, so this is a good start :-) Here are a few pics...

Snow Day!

Yesterday we got an unusual treat - snow in North Carolina! I have some pictures that I'll post later, but needless to say, Tsali was thrilled! We took her to Durant Nature Park so she could frolic in the snow and she had a blast :-)

I only wish that we would get snow more often than once every four years!