Another Christmas has come and gone...

The tree is down and packed away with the stockings, outside lights, deer, garland and every other decoration.

I have to say that we had a pretty good Christmas this year! (gift wise). We told each other that we would not spend a lot but I didn't keep my end of the bargain. Jennifer had been wanting a DVD Camcorder so I finally found one that didn't cost an arm and leg and bought it for her. If it had not been on sale it would have cost our "first born! aka: Corban"

Along with that she also got a purse:

I hid the camcorder inside the purse so the whole time she thought she was only getting one gift.

I did pretty good myself. I got a book called "Babyhood" that I wanted and I got a coffee mug. See:


I also got some footie PJ's:

Don't laugh! You know you want some! Jennifer said that she tried to find a matching pair for Corban but no luck. And guess what, they glow in the dark!

We also racked up from the in laws and other family via: belts, wallets, another purse for Jennifer, a Garmin GPS for the car, gift certificate to Bed, Bath and Beyond, etc. etc. etc.

Next year will be all about Corban which is going to be exciting in itself. Speaking of Corban, we only have 55 more days until he gets here. According to the calendar we are 32weeks and 1 day pregnant. I say we because, "I am going through this too!" :)

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and you were able to get a little relaxation. I just found out today that here at work they are giving us Friday off along with Thursday. It was just going to be New Years Day and we were going to have to come back on Friday. I am EXCITED!!!

Merry Christmas!

I just wanted to tell everyone to have a Merry Christmas!!!

The year has been busy and trying at times but God has been Faithful and has blessed Jennifer and I tremendously. One of the biggest blessings is the one that will arrive in 61 days!

About 4:00 this morning I went to the bathroom and when I came back I put my hand on Jennifer's stomach and Corban and I played for about 30 minutes. He kicked and pushed and rolled. It was so amazing!!! I can't wait for him to get here. Nine months has come so fast but yet so slow at the same time.

I hope you take time to realize how blessed you are and how faithful God is.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Finally together

Corban's room is finally together. The rug that you saw in earlier pictures had to be taken out. It is 100% wool and it has a smell to it. A carpet cleaning person said that no matter if they cleaned it or not it would still have the smell because it is wool. So, what seemed to be the perfect rug, had to go. Maybe we will find another one?

Things to pray for...

1) Jennifer has been sick for 3 weeks now. She is going to the doctor today for chest x-rays. The doctor thinks she has pneumonia but wants to see how much crud is in her chest. They have given her medicine over and over. Pray for her healing!

2) They are lying people off where my parents work. They work at the same place just different departments. They have already cut my Mother's hours back a whole day.(two days per paycheck). They called her in this morning to tell her that her name would be on a sheet with potential people to lay off at the first of the year. Pray that this DOES NOT happen.

Corban in 4D

Here are 2 pics of MANY that were taken yesterday of Corban in 4D! I will post more later but we still need to scan them to the computer.

The stuff on the right side of his face is the placenta. He would press through it a little to show more of his cheeks but he never came all the way through it. His head is on Jennifer's left side heading down. Maybe he is getting ready to exit.




During the video, which we did have recorded, he would stick out his tonge and constanly open and close his mouth. The tech said that he was drinking the ambiotic fluid but I say, "if he is anything like his mom and dad, he is talking." My Mother said I came out talking!

And away we went!

Last night Jennifer and I joined another couple and their child on the Polar Express. While the weather was not wintery at all, we still had a great time.

The Heart of Dixie each year has the Polar Express where you purchase a ticket and climb aboard the train and ride to the North Pole where Santa himself and Mrs. Santa and LOTS of Elfs climb aboard to see all the kids and adults.

Along the ride there is a guy that reads the "Polar Express" story and plays and sings music. He is very good at it and very animated!

We had our picture taken with Mr. and Mrs. Santa and as soon as I download it I will post it. Next year Corban will be here and he will be about 9 months or so and it will be really fun to take him. The couple's little boy that went last night had lots of fun though he wasn't fond of Santa or the Elfs unless they were standing far away.

If you have never road the Polar Express I would say that it is something that is good to do once. The tickets are about $20 something each but if you are 2 and under you ride for free. They also give things to the kids each year. This year was bells and an ornament and you get chocolate milk and cookies. It makes even the biggest adult act like a kid again!

Signs and Miracles...

The days of Signs and Miracles from God are not over!

Marriage Changes things...

Everyone says that, "Having a baby changes things" and I agree. Our lives are about to change! But something else changes things too and that is Marriage!

July 22, 2006 was when Jennifer and I got married. I can honestly say that we knew what each other was getting and there was plenty of opportunities before we got married to GET OUT if you wanted out! I am also sure now there are times where Jennifer wishes she had RAN and kept Running! LOL! But lets be honest here...Isn't there times where we ALL want to run? Not saying that you wish you were never married but you just want to run sometimes!

Each person brings differences into the marriage. Remember, that opposites attract. On Friday night, or should I say 2:00am Saturday morning, I started reading a book written by Paul Reiser. This is the guy that played the husband on "Mad About You." The name of the book is "Couplehood."

If you have not read this book you should try and find a copy. It has been out for a while but it talks about the ups and downs of being married. The book is funny and Paul always trys to make light of all the situations that go on in marriage.

So, if you have been married for a week, a year, 20+ years, get the book and enjoy a good laugh or MANY good laughs. It should help make the "stressful times" a little lighter. Not that any marriages have "stressful times!!!" Hmmmmmm??? Maybe you will see ways to look at situations different or if not for you, maybe your spouse! (Because atleast one person in the relationship is perfect?)

Paul has also written a book called "Babyhood." There he talks about his first experience of being a dad. I haven't read this one yet. So to my wife, if you haven't already bought me anything for Christmas, the "Babyhood" book would be a nice gift. All the prices I have seen are under $10.00.

On the Couch...

but NOT in the Dog House!

With Jennifer coughing these past few nights I opted to sleep on the couch last night. When we were going to bed she told me that she would sleep on he couch but yea right! Not only would I never hear the end of it from her, but the "Blogger World" would never let me hear the end of it. A prego woman sleeping on the couch, I would really be in the dog house. To let you know, it never entered my mind for her to sleep anywhere else but the bed. (just thought I would let you know!) Kudos for me right?!

I was surprised how comfy the couch is. I haven't slept on our new couch we got a couple of months ago. Not that I want to do it every night, it wasn't bad. So, note to self, "if I am ever in the "dog-house", the dog house is pretty comfy!!!

A Sick...mom-to-be!

Keep Jennifer in your prayers. She has a bad cough and yesterday her doctor called her in a prescription to take. This morning she said that instead of a dry cough she did have, she is finally coughing up some stuff. Pray that she will get well quick!

Our 3rd Christmas!

This is the ornament that Crystal D made for our 3rd Christmas! Isn't it lovely!!!

Our Christmas Picture

This is our 2008 Christmas Picture. The tree in the back ground is our tree! The picture was taken a few weeks before Thanksgiving at my brother-in-laws wedding. If you look at Jennifer's stomach you will see it sticking out some.

Chamber President - 2008

This year I served the Calera Chamber of Commerce as President. It was an honor and I truly enjoyed it. Yes, it got hectic a few times but it was worth it. I owe a lot of thanks to my board of directors. They worked hard this year and helped be look good. Well, the best they could any way!

I will stay on the board next year as an advisor. My last order of business at our last luncheon yesterday was to turn the Chamber over to the 2009 President, who is going to do an outstanding job!

The reason why the Calera Chamber appoints a new President each year is so that one person does not get burned out and to keep new and fresh ideas coming in. Some Chambers have had the same President for years but if it works for them I guess that's good. Appointing a new one each year for Calera works for us! I will post a picture from yesterday with the award and the 2009 President.

29 Weeks & 3 Days

At 29 weeks and 3 days Corban is VERY active and eating like crazy! If I wake up during the night I will put my hand on Jennifer's stomach and Corban will move around and push on my hand. (He knows it's his Daddy!)

We go on the 18th to get the 4D picture made which we both are excited about of course.

So look back on previous posts and you will see how much Jennifer has grown.

Christmas Questionnaire

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? both
2. Real tree or Artificial? artificial
3. When do you put up the tree? about 2nd Saturday in November as well as the lights outside. Too much work to only have up a few weeks.
4. When do you take the tree down? After Christmas or on New Years day.
5. Do you like eggnog? YES!
6. Favorite gift received as a child? can't remember?
7. Hardest person to buy for? My parents
8. Easiest person to buy for? Jennifer
9. Do you have a nativity scene? no.
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? mail
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? can't remember?
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Christmas Vacation
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? throughout the whole year, but the majority day after Thanksgiving.
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? yes.
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? everything.
16. Lights on the tree? yes...white
17. Favorite Christmas song? "Oh Holy Night", but many others too.
18. Travel at Christmas or stay at home? home
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? yes
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? star, angel, bow...used them all.
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? one Christmas Eve, then the rest Christmas morning.
22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? rude people and companies not wanting to say, "Merry Christmas" Instead, Happy Holidays, etc.!
23. What theme or color are you using? Gold, turquoise, brown.
24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? anything and everything.
25. What do you want for Christmas this year? Stuff for our soon to arrive Baby Boy..Corban!

Getting it together!

Jennifer has finished her project for Corban's room. Here are some other things that will be hanging on the walls and also Corban's car seat that my Cousin gave to us. She recovered it and everything. Thanks Cuz! We have been truly blessed with all that people have given us.


And just for the record, I didn't think the planes looked like planes until they were painted.

Another Wreath...

Wreath

Here is a wreath Jennifer made. Crystal is selling orgnaments so I thought Jennifer could start saling these. Would you like to purchase one? I will try and remember to take a picture of the one on our front door. and our Autumn one. She made them all.

Finished wall and a new rug!

Yes Virginia, There is a Santa Claus!

I took this from a friends blog. As I was reading it, the similarities of God and Santa are much a like and we should believe in God the same way a child believes in Santa. Read below:

This is from a little girl who's letter to the editor of the New York Sun has become quite popular. Eight-Year-Old Virginia O'Hanlon wrote the letter, and a quick response was printed in 1897.

DEAR EDITOR: I am 8 years old. Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus. Papa says, 'If you see it in THE SUN it's so.' "Please tell me the truth; is there a Santa Claus?"VIRGINIA O'HANLON.

VIRGINIA, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except [what] they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men's or children's, are little. In this great universe of ours man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect, as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge.

Yes, VIRGINIA, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus. It would be as dreary as if there were no VIRGINIAS. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.

Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies! You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas Eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if they did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that's no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world.

You may tear apart the baby's rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived, could tear apart. Only faith, fancy, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, VIRGINIA, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding.

No Santa Claus! Thank God! he lives, and he lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.

Pregnant Women everywhere!

What has the Snyder and Sirman family been up too?



From left to right: April, my step-brothers wife. She is due this weekend. Amanda, my brothers wife is in the middle. She is due a month after Jennifer. And then, of course, Jennifer. Only 81 more days to go for us!

Frustration!

Do you ever have those days were you just feel frustrated and everything someone does or does not do frustrates you more?! I am having one of those days!

Lord, please give me peace!

Thanksgiving

I started not feeling good on Wednesday morning, by Thanksgiving morning I was running a slight fever but just like Wednesday I stayed doped up on meds and it kept me going. We loaded up the car and headed to my parents for the day. Of course along the way we stopped to get gas, grabbed a $2.00 newspaper slammed full of sale ads and then went through the drive through at McD's to hold us over until the BIG meal.

Thanksgiving at my parents is always great. Seeing everyone and eating until we bust is always good. The boys were outside putting up the lights and Christmas decor while the ladies were inside cooking or, like my wife, eating the food. But hey, she is pregnant so she has a right:)

Speaking of pregnant, there were three ladies this year at thanksgiving that were pregnant. I took a couple of pics of all three of them together. I will post those later.

After we ate we all sat around like couch potatoe's until we felt we could go back for seconds and see who busted first.

Jennifer and I stayed until about 8:15pm and then headed home.

Friday morning we were up and out the door shopping by 6:45am. We got all the items we were searching for and maybe a few more. Next year we (I) may have to be out and about yearlier with Corban here since I know I will need to make it to a couple of stores that have that "certain" toy that Jennifer will MAKE me go get! But don't worry, I WILL NOT trample over a Wal-mart employee and be partly to blame for killing him.(have you heard about this?) How Sad! How would you like to be the one to tell your child, "I hope you like your present 'cause I killed a person for it!"
I hope the people who trampled over him and then saw on the news later that he died is having a hard time sleeping at night. If there was a way they should all be charged with man-slaughter! Come on people.

When we got home from shopping I took about a 2 hour nap. Ahhhhhh!!! Saturday I actually slept until 9:15am, but I was also in bed at midnight.

Saturday was spent helping some friends move stuff into their new house and hanging around our house. It was rainy and cold.

The Alabama and Auburn game kicked off at 2:45 and let me just say, "The TIDE ROLLED and I am glad it did." I had no worry since we are #1 but I can't believe that Auburn didn't score once. I am glad we have heard the last of "the fingers" though. It was to the point that I wanted to give them a finger, but not a nice one.(jk).

Well, I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and that you took time to remember what you are thankful for. We really do have SO MUCH.

In Progress!

Our Artist came this Saturday and worked on Corban's room. It is looking very good as you can see. All that is left to do is the blue and then the wall will be finised!

After Corban is born we are going to have do a portrait on a canvas to hang on the wall. It won't be long now!

Picture Game

Go to your picture file, fourth folder, fourth picture and post it. The only person I will tag is Jennifer(my baby's momma!!!)

This was the one time we got to dress up at work. It had to be October 2001. I dressed up as Pharaoh, but most people thought I was a girl and Judi was dressed like a clown.

Corban's Christmas Stocking

26 weeks and 4 days...

That is how far along we (jennifer) are pregnant! If the due date stays February 22nd then we only have 3 more months. These months have gone by so fast and slow at the same time. It has been exciting.

I know I am going to be a Dad but I don't think that it has really set in yet. It probably won't until I see and hold Corban, which will be one of the best things ever!!!

Where was Corban Christmas 2008?

Christmas pics as promised...

Tree, Lights, Deer, OH MY!!!

The weather permited, other than being cold, so Saturday morning I got outside and started hanging the lights on the house. 1/2 of my last strand of lights didn't work, always a good thing to check as you go which I did, so I had to make a trip to purchase some more. Once I got all of them up I worked on getting the lighted deer in place and putting the north pole out.

While I was doing this, Jennifer was inside decorating the tree. I am glad to announce that EVERYTHING is decorated and we are now waiting for Santa to arrive late Christmas Eve. We even have a present under the tree!

With Jennifer's brother getting married I forgot to take pictures of everything but I will so look for them within the next couple of days.

Some people think we are crazy to have decoratd so early but this is how my Saturdays look from here until Christmas:

Nov. 22 - Men's Outreach Ministry
Nov. 29 - Spending time with family and Christmas shopping
Dec. 6 - City Christmas parade(6pm but LOTS to do that day to get ready for it)
Dec. 13 - Nothing so far but I am sure something will come up
Dec. 20 - All day Birthing Class (beats going once a week for a month)

Then the Week of Christmas is here! Decorating also takes a lot of time so we want to enjoy it all as much as we can. If you live in the area you will have to stop by the house to see how it looks.

Christmas is in the air

I know Thanksgiving has not even gotten here but Christmas is in the air. Who can help NOT to actually start decorating when every store has been decorated for a month or more already and when now, even here in our city, the streets are decorated with the things that hang from the light poles.

With all this "Christmas in the air" we have started decorating our house. I told you the other day that the tree got put up. We will be decorating it tomorrow. If the weather permits I will be hanging lights from the house, putting lighted deer in the yard and putting our new North Pole that says, "Merry Christmas from our home to your home!"

I wrapped the columns on the porch last night, hung the wreath on the door and put out the snow man that sits on the porch.

IT'S BEGINING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS!

A few things Money can't buy...

I got this idea from a friends blog and said I would use it. Below are a few things that I believe money can't buy!

*Saturday morning breakfast in bed with my wife (doesn't happen enough)
*A cool Autumn morning on the porch with a cup of coffee
*Feeling my unborn child kick in his Mother's tummy
*Anticipating the arrival of our son Corban
*A clean house
*God's forgiveness and knowing it is for me
*The feeling you get when something you did for someone else made their day; especially when they do not know it is from you
*A call or visit from a friend just saying hello
*Spending time with family
*Gardening
*Laying in bed with the windows open listening to the rain fall
*Quiet time with God
*The feeling I get when the weather changes from Summer to Autumn to Winter
*Worship time in the car
*Good music
*Relaxation

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree

I was reading the blogs this morning that I normally read and saw where Jamie posted that she has got her tree up. I guess I need to post that last night I put our tree up too. It is not decorated...yet!

Jennifer is out of town and will return this evening so I wanted to surprise her with having it up because the week before she left she was saying how she wanted to go ahead a decorate for Christmas. I am sure it will win me some brownie points:)

I will post picks as well. We also purchased some deers last year to go into the yard for this year as well as hanging the outside lights. I will probably work on that this Saturday if it is not raining.

You know...it is the most WONDERFUL time of year.

"CHANGE" is coming!!!

read the email below...

Change...

As the CFO of this business that employees 140 people, I have resigned myself to the fact that Barrack Obama is our next President, and that our taxes and government fees will increase in a BIG way.

To compensate for these increases, I figure that the Clients will have to see an increase in our fees to them of about 8% but since we cannot increase our fees right now due to the dismal state of our economy, we will have to lay off six of our employees instead. This has really been eating at me for a while, as we believe we are family here and I didn't know how to choose who will have to go.

So, this is what I did. I strolled thru our parking lot and found 8 Obama bumper stickers on our employees' cars and have decided these folks will be the first to be laid off. I can't think of a more fair way to approach this problem. These folks wanted change; I gave it to them.

Monday again...

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This week was really busy.

Friday, the wife and I went to Christmas Village, thanks to some wonderful friends who made this happen, and spent about 3 1/2 hours looking around at all the Christmas stuff.

We purchased a North Pole thing for the yard and a Christmas tree orgnament which is a cut-out of a pregnat woman painted blue. On the stomach we had written, "Corban 2008 - Merry Christmas." (or something to that effect) I will take a picture of both things and post when I get a few moments.

Saturday the Chamber of Commerce honored the Police and Fireman with their 3rd Annual Picnic. They really enjoy it and lots of fun was had by all. It makes for a LONGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG day though because you have to get to the park and start setting up a few hours before it begins and then stay and tear down. But it is worth it every year and they are very thankful.

After church yesterday I went home and crashed on the couch for a while and then did some yard work. Jennifer stayed busy saturday and sunday with volleyball stuff. She left this morning for Tennessee and will not be back until Wednesday sometime. It's a field trip with her School.

Can you believe that Corban has been on two vacations already and he is not even born yet. He went on the cruise with us and now to Tennessee. As you can tell people, this will be one of the most "going" child ever. Obviously taking after his mom and dad, not that he even has a choice right now.

And to let you know Corban is doing great. Growing like crazy! Our friend who is painting his room is coming back tomorrow to work on it some more. I can't wait to see the final outcome.

Until later...

Stomach pics...

24 weeks and 1 day...

Who will be your next President???...

......
Obama!

Not my choice and something I am proud of, not Alabama's choice either. Way to go Alabama!

My convictions are strong and my convictions are different than Obama's. One thing I am certain of, "Many people voted their heads instead of their hearts." If there was no other reason to have Obama in office the fact that he believes in abortion should have been the #1 reason why he should not have won. Forget redistribution of wealth, etc.

Remember this people, he believes that killing a human being is okay. He is planning on pulling all the troops out and bringing them home which will leave us open to...well, "one can only imagine what it will leave us open/vulnerable to." Do I want to war to end, Yes. But, we can not just pull out and run home.

Is Obama a Christian? Does he serve the Almighty God that I serve? All signs point to...NO! But this one thing I know, God did not get "knocked off the Throne" from last nights results. God is still the Alpha and Omega and Obama is still...just a man!

Christians, the government was placed over us.(Romans 13:1). We have to respect that. I know you all prayed for this election and now we continue to pray just as we would if McCain had won. Our leaders always need our prayers and support.

History was made last night. History would have still been made if McCain had won. We make history everyday. Yesterday was history and today will be history tomorrow.

John 8:12 says, "I am the light of the World." See, I told you God did not get knocked off the throne!

Work in progress...

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Here is the beginning of the painting of Corban's room. The lines are being drawn on the wall and what color in each strip is being considered. We may "veto" the rustic-red color and just go with 4 colors.

The colors we have chosen currently are: the reddish color, blue, green, tan, and brown. We may choose a different red or like I said do away with it all together?! More pics will be coming as work moves forward...

Master bedroom pics...

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Just to share...