Lights and Music

On Sunday, we decided to drive around and look at Christmas lights. Brandon googled it and found out about a neighborhood in a nearby town that is famed for its lights, so we headed there while blasting Christmas music on the iPod (Brandon's early Christmas present that he is ecstatic about). There were so many amazingly decorated houses! It was a great way to get into Christmas mode. There was one house in particular that made it all worth going, though.

They had the lights synchronized with the music... and there were SO many lights! It was really fun.

Also, I am a little obsessed with this song from the Christmas Devotional. It is so beautiful! I have listened to it almost every day since we watched the broadcast. I love the spirit that it brings. (sorry about the words at the bottom of it)

Speaking of Christmas music, yesterday Brandon and I went shopping and saw the happiest Salvation Army bell ringer ever. He was really working for those donations. From a distance, it sounded like he was ringing his bell to the rhythm of Jingle Bells. As we got closer, we realized he was also singing along, even though he may not have been the best singer. It was pretty fun, and I couldn't help but grin. It makes me wonder what my attitude would be if I were standing out there in the cold trying to get people to donate money (actually it wasn't that cold... yesterday was 72 and sunny...). It also reminded me of the incredible influence one cheerful person can have on the world. I want to be like that. :)

Thanksgiving

We had a super Thanksgiving! We (sort of jokingly) sent my parents an invitation to come to Thanksgiving dinner at our house, and they got airplane tickets and came! It was really great to see them. They oogled over Amelia a lot (it was my dad's first time meeting her), and we really had fun with them. It took Amelia about a week to adjust after they left because she got so much attention.

The food turned out great and the company was even better. They stayed through the weekend until Tuesday, so we got some good shopping, playing, visiting, and (of course) geocaching in.

We were grateful that they came.

Just after they left, I found out what it's like to be a sick mom. I had a pretty bad cold with a fever. In the past when I was sick, I kind of just stopped life and let people take care of me. But as a mom, you really can't do that because others are depending on you. It was a bit of an eye opener... and a tough week for me. Amelia was a little sick too. It was sad to see her in pain. My visiting teachers were kind and wanted to help, but what exactly could I ask them to do? "Here, please watch Amelia for a couple of hours while I rest. Don't worry, she'll probably get you and your little kids sick... never mind that you are 8 months pregnant... you'll be just fine." Their emotional support was nice, though. We made it through, and luckily, we are both feeling much better, and I have learned to have a little more empathy for sick moms. I also got to have Brandon read me almost an entire book out loud. What a great guy!

One Smart Cookie

Amelia rolled over today. She is one smart cookie. :)