I love to play with the background!!!

Thank you to "Cutest Blog on the Block" for putting free backgrounds on your site! It makes me happy!!!

Okay, so the doctor's appointment went well! Here are her stats:

*

Weight: approximately 4 lbs

Length: approximately 17 inches

Position: definitely head down

*

The doctor said it is a little soon for her to be head down, but my pain is indicative of a head down position. I have officially gained an appropriate amount of weight, and did not get reprimanded as I thought I was going to! Yay!!! Due date still at the 23rd, but possible induction set for the 18th of March.

*

We go to our Childbirth Prep class on Saturday, which will be interesting! It will be so much fun! Love to everyone and I promise I will be a better picture taker this week, hopefully!

Update

Okay... sorry for the lack of Blogging! Just a quick update because I have a doctor's appointment in an hour. I will write more when that is done... Anyway, here is a rundown:

1) Baby doing great! I think she is really getting big and she is head down ready to go... I am only guessing because of where my pain is. I am not complaining! The reward of a beautiful, healthy baby girl is well worth any pain!

2) Justin is working hard! He is a phenomenal husband that provides for his family on a daily basis! He is supportive in every way... BTW... he massages my feet EVERY NIGHT!!!!!! So wonderful!

3) Me... I am great! I love being pregnant and feeling every move and hiccup! I am getting tired, sort of like I did in the first trimester and I have pain in my hips and legs, BUT nothing in this world could make me rush this or wish it over! It is an incredible feeling to grow a baby! 

4) The family is great! Everyone is doing well! Thank the Good Lord every day!!!!!!!!!!

Now I am off to the doctor so she can tell me that I am gaining weight too fast, and I am going to tell her that I am watching EVERYTHING that goes into my mouth and getting on the elliptical nearly everyday. I worry about my weight when I am not pregnant, and I am tired of doing it while I am. I am eating better than I ever have, I feel fantastic, and the baby is growing just fine! I cannot help the fact that my body saves food like there is not going to be any more tomorrow! I don't feel huge, but the scale says otherwise... like I said before... I am not going to worry about it for the last 2 months! I am not going to go hog wild, but I know that my brother will graciously help me lose the weight when I am done!

Love to all! I will have more pictures later!

Happy Anniversary!!!!

*

It's amazing what can happen in a year!

Justin and I celebrated our 2 year anniversary last night, and what a year! New jobs, new nephews, new pregnancy... WOW!!! It has been an action packed year, and I am sure the years to follow will be even more packed!

*

There is something I need to say to my dear sweet husband...

There is no one more dear to my heart, and no one I would rather spend the rest of my life with. You are so kind and gentle, and yet strong and protective. You know me, you know how to deal with me, and most importantly, you know how to love me. You understand my quirkiness and my moods, and you handle them with ease and tenderness. That is hard to do! = )

You make me laugh! You are everything I prayed for and so much more! God led me to you, and what is funny is that you were right there the WHOLE time!

I love you everyday, more and more!

Thank you for being the man I need and want in my life!

Thank you for loving me!

Thank you for being the father of our children!

Thank you for trusting me with your life and future, and allowing me to be apart of it!

I love you!

*

*

*

P.S. I will have Christmas and New Year's Pictures after Saturday! I still have one more Christmas to go.... Yikes!

Clean Bill of Health!

Today we had our follow up ultrasound to the sort of bad news we got with the first one. Thank you to all who prayed and to everyone that supported us because the cysts are gone! She is perfect in every way, and BIG!! She already weighs 3 pounds and they moved my due date again! Now we are due March 23rd. God is good, and he has certainly given us a miracle! We can now focus on getting her here!!!

*

*

*

This is her little profile... at the top of the picture is her little arm and hand. What is funny is that she is holding her foot ABOVE her head! Yes, what appears to be a tuft of hair is actually the heel of her little foot! Don't know how she does it, but the whole time she had it up there! So much so that I had to change position so they could see everything! She is precious! We couldn't be happier, and I just love her so much! I cannot wait until she is here and I can look at her drooling all over her cute little toes!

*

Thank you again for the prayers and thoughts! It worked, and I cannot imagine how anyone on this planet doesn't believe in God and the gracious nature of Jesus Christ! Here is actual proof people!

*

Gracelee Sutherland

Photo Tag

Okay! Sorry to Meredith because she photo tagged me and I am just NOW responding! I just had to update the blog with all of the other stuff, and now I can have some F-U-N!! So, the photo tag says:

Here's the rules:
The object of the picture tag is to:
1) Choose the 4th folder where you store your pictures on your computer
2) Select the 4th picture in the folder
3) Explain the picture
4) Tag 4 people to do the same

Oh! And NO CHEATING pictures or folders! ( and no cropping, editing, etc!)

*

4th folder, 4th picture

This is a picture of my brother, Brian. We went to San Marcos over the summer for some birthday fun for TJ. There is a place where there is a rapid in the middle of the river and you can pretty much camp  out there for the day. Of course anywhere we go we take a ball of some sort because our family is play, play, PLAY!!!! Momma was quarterback and I was photographer. Brian took his turn running down the rapid and caught the ball, and I took this picture... which I think turned out really good!

*

*

So here is my picture! This was fun!! Thank you Meredith for including me!!! BTW, everyone, only 92 more days until Gracelee!!!! Whoo hoo!!!

I tag: Robyn and Corey, Christie, Tonya, and my Auntie (I know you don't have a blog, but it works in email too!!! = 0 ) )

*

Love you!!!

So this past weekend, to bring you back up to date, Justin and I took a trip to Georgia to have Christmas with his Nini and Aunt Lisa's family. The hospitality was marvelous, the food was incredible, and time with family is priceless. Thank you to the family... it was an amazing time, and we cannot wait for ya'll to join us next year in Houston to see baby Gracelee's first Christmas! Yay!!!!

*

*

Okay... I can explain the picture... Little Rumor dog, who is Amanda's dog's brother, left her a treat under her chair before dinner... it was too hilarious not to take a picture! Sorry, manda... Love you!

The house of many trees... the main tree had timeless ornaments and hand tied bows. This is the family tree with all of the kiddo ornaments and special ornaments that are given to the family. Gorgeous!

The entry way tree glitzed its way with gold decorations and a stair rail with matching garland... beautiful!

My personal favorite was the Whimsical tree complete with red pom- poms and cute little snowmen... Amazing!

And then the basement tree was woodland and home- y! Really cool!

And then there was the village... the village that I know Gracelee will stare at and want to touch because Mommy already does! The village is complete with cars and people, and snow, and lights... just look at the amazing amount of work and the sheer size!

Part one

Part two

Dinner Picture

Presents picture

A Campfire Dinner

Jimmy, Momma, TJ, Justin and I made it back to the George Ranch for a wonderful Christmas Campfire Dinner! It started with a Turkey and Dressing dinner, followed by a hay ride, and then a tour of common folk housing and then the Davis Mansion. It was a great time with family, and we can't wait to do it again next year!

*

*

*

Momma and Jimmy enjoying the dinner

Justin and I before we left for the dinner (sorry out of order)

Momma loving on Gracelee

Mom and Momma

A picture in front of our Reception Hall 2 years later... amazing how things change!

Cowboy setting of into the sunset on another day (our hay ride leader!)

So the weekend after Thanksgiving is a busy time in the Sutherland House. We decorate for Christmas, which gets bigger and bigger each year as we collect more stuff. It is awesome! I love Christmas time, and the way the house looks and smells! I wish I could have a Christmas House all year!

*

We decided to take some funny pictures as we got everything together, and chose one to display proudly.... here is Justin being Chevy Chase lighting our house...

*

*

*

The inside is my job.

And then us being dorks... we have to have a picture of us decorating the tree... our last time as a duo... as yes, we set the camera up on candle sticks and a self timer to get the picture... told you... we are dorks, and we love it!

*

Our Great Expectations ornament

And our Mantel... sans one stocking that we have yet to find the perfect one.

Hope everyone's Christmas brings an amazing amount of joy and time with family, and that the true meaning of Christmas is seen around every corner and in every person you come in contact with!

Baby in the Belly Pictures

With Gracelee's impending arrival, we decided to take some bump pictures before I get too too big. These came out really good. Thanks to the photographers... a.k.a. Momma and TJ!!!

*

*

Baby Love

Amazing

The Bell Concert at Church is A LOT of work for the participants, and it is a GREAT joy for the rest of us! It gets us all into the Christmas spirit, ready to welcome the baby Jesus into our hearts!  Momma and TJ both particpated this year and here are some examples of all of their hard work! It was a great time!

*

*

*

TJ's hard at work

Momma and Mrs. Luckert

Okay... I have been trying to download the bell concert for a half hour now... it will have to come later... sorry! I have so much to update that this will have to come later!

We were so blessed to join Amanda last night in welcoming Scott back to Texas for GOOD!!! Poor Scott has been traveling to Kansas City Monday thru Friday for a VERY long time! I cannot imagine, even for a second, being away from my husband every day of the week for as long as Amanda did it! This is a true testament to their marriage being strong, and a faith in God that always proves to be gr

acious and good!

*

We are so happy that Scott is home now, and we can all hang out together as we have been planning since these two were engaged! Yay, couples dinners!!!! Scott, we are elated to have you back and safe, and we love you and Amanda so much! We are looking forward to spending time with ya'll and watching your relationship flourish!

*

*

Balloons with Uncle J

Balloons with Uncle Scott

Even Aunt Amanda likes the balloons!

Yay! I was so excited to see Tonya!!!! We need to hang out more!!!!

It's Joey!

Justin and Me

"You taste it Grandma!"

"Now you taste it Aunt Amanda!"

Grampa tickle monster

And time for sleepy

It was a wonderful evening! Thank you for inviting us!!!! 

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! We are all so thankful to have each other as a family! I think I like Thanksgiving because we can think of all that God has blessed us with, and get us into the spirit of Christmas, in which we should be truly grateful! God has sent His only son to Earth to live and teach, and die on a cross for our sins! Now that is something to celebrate! It doesn't matter where or when or even how you celebrate! All that matters is spending time with the ones you love, and TRULY understanding the meaning of these holidays! After all in, in my opinion, they are "holy"days.... who cares if they changed the "y" to an "i".... we as Christians know the real meaning!

Love you!

Some Thanksgiving Family Fun!

So we had some fun at Auntie's house this weekend! Thank you Family Fun magazine! We made Oreo Cookie Turkeys and even Uncle Tommy played along!!! Here are some pictures of our fun!

*

*

*

Which one do you think is dinner?

Uncle Tommy playing along

Here is "Tommy the Turkey" made by Uncle Tommy... it really did turn out the best!

Uncle Tommy with his prized Turkey

Thanks for indulging me Uncle Tommy! It was really fun to see everyone, even if it was a short trip! I wish Dallas was a day trip because I miss everyone so much! Thank you to our gracious hosts, Corey and Robyn! We always have a blast with you all! Love you!!! Happy Turkey Day!