Merry Christmas!

The Becks

Smitten

I am in love once again.

I told Lyle when we woke up yesterday morning that baby had grown...a lot!
Last night, for the first time, I felt it move. Not that little tadpole swimming around inside, but the movements of a real baby that you can see and feel from the outside. I will never get over how amazing that is! A brand new little soul...inside of me! Truly the most amazing experience to be given us on Earth. I am still just giddy over it. What a fitting Christmas gift; new life.

Happy Christmas Eve, everyone!
We are looking forward to a birthday party for baby Jesus at Grandpa and Grandma's tonight. When I asked Camden if he was excited about it he said, "Ummmmm, I don't know."
He has no idea what to expect. Do we see baby Jesus? Bring him a gift? Watch him open presents? Have cake and ice cream? This will be so fun! Thank you Grandma!

**As Requested**

Cherry Almond Chews

*1 cup shortening (i use real butter)
*1 cup sugar
*1 cup brown sugar, packed
*2 eggs
*3/4 tsp. almond extract
*2 1/2 cups flour
*1 tsp. baking soda
*1 tsp. salt
*2 1/2 cups flaked coconut
*3/4 cup chopped almonds or pecans, optional
(if I put these in they wouldn't be my honey's favorite cookie)
* 1 jar (16 oz) maraschino cherries, drained and halved

Cream shortening and sugars. Add eggs, one at a time. Beat in extract. Combine flour, soda and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture. Stir in coconut and nuts. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto baking sheet. Place a cherry half in center of each. Bake at 350 for 12-14 minutes (mine only take 10-11 min) or until lightly browned. Yield: about 7 dozen (ya right! how tiny do they make those things, anyway?!)

*I didn't have quite enough coconut, so mine flattened out pretty badly. Yours will look much cuter!

{Pockets}

We have been so busy around here!

Add that to the fact that I'm still not feeling well and you get yourself an incredibly boring blog!(:

What have we been up to?

Well...

Our babies were in the church Christmas program for the first time yesterday.
Pretty exciting for clucky parents. (;
All 3 had the option of dressing up like sheepies and sitting on stage while looking cute.
As we were getting ready to go to dress rehearsal the other morning Jude informed me that he wanted to be a black sheep....
Um, ya. That boy is really coming into his own the past few weeks and let me tell you, he's shocked Mommy and Daddy a few times. Whatta personality!
After being told I only had "white sheep" costumes he decided he would not be in the play at all. Pleased as punch, he was. It suits him just fine to do the exact opposite of everyone else.
He followed Daddy around getting the set ready all morning while Camden and Gwyneth patiently practiced their parts. It took Gwyneth a bit to warm up to the stage, but she bravely conquered her fears. It helps to have so many cousins and big brother right by your side. Camden has no fear of people. He loves everyone as if they were his best friend so he had no reservations...until the real thing. Why he got so upset I'll never know. Right before their cue he erupted in tears and refused to go on-stage. Who woulda thunk it would be our shy, prickly pear little girl to sit happily in front of the crowd while batting Preston's "ears" to the point of distraction? Mommy is very proud. And so was Gwyneth. She strutted her stuff the entire day.

We've also been knee deep in "pockets"

(Jude's word for projects.)

I haven't tackled half the ones I had on my list.

I almost decided against Christmas cards!

Now, those of you who know me at all, know that I must not be feeling well to consider that!

And I won't even admit that Daddy put up the Christmas tree while Mommy was sleeping!

If it weren't for him it wouldn't have gotten done, so yucky do I feel.

For Daddy we made these today.

They are his favorite and I'm sad to say he hasn't gotten them since before he was called "Daddy" We love you, Daddy!

I so wanted to make some chocolate covered cherries with Grandma this year, since next year we'll have a little one to contend with. But....you guessed it, yucky. So, these will have to suffice.

Oh ya, I think we even made enough to share with everyone!

And this is the kids' gift for Aunties and Uncles and Grandparents, too. They practiced twisting these buggers forever. And Gwyneth would just mangle a red and white one together and say, "Look, Mom. I'm making cute things!" Needless to say, Mama ended up doing most of them in the end. Just remember when they hand them out to ooh and ahh and all that jazz....oh, and not to get irritated about all the glitter that refuses to stick. That was my mistake.

Yep...

This pretty much sums up how this morning's shoot went.

Why do I even try?

I never win...

Awe, Jude.

What are we to do with you?

Coincidentally, we fight the same battle every time we try to put a coat on him.

Fun stuff.

S'more...

These didn't go as planned. I'm hoping to do a re-shoot.

I've been holding out for snow to do our Christmas card photos.

Doesn't look like it's going to happen...I'm running out of time!

A couple I liked...

White Stuff.

Just Gwyneth and I taking advantage of a bit of leftover snow yesterday morning.
Ain't they purty?

Little Miss

She has an opinion about everything,
and makes no bones about sharing it.
She is spunky and sassy and unbearably shy all at the same time.
Her throaty giggle and husky voice are the most endearing I’ve ever heard.
She loves Mama like no other and happily spends every waking moment at my side.
She is quite the efficient little helper and does everything with a purpose.





















She has an amazing ability to memorize place names and will spout them off on our car rides. The other day we went shopping, just her and I. While we were still on the loop she shouted the name of the lake she saw through the trees and then added, “It’s made of lemonade!” So that’s why it’s always been so murky? That’s a whole lot better than what I’ve always thought it’s made from!

Then, while waiting in line at Starbucks she asked what I was doing when she saw me rummaging around in my purse. I told her I was getting money to pay for my drink. She said, “I need some money, too.”
“Oh, you do? What do you need money for, Sis?”
“I need some money to buy me some chocolate!”
HeHe. She loves the stuff and will periodically come up to me and beg for it, out of the blue. It’s not like we eat it all the time around here, but somehow she’s addicted already. And I’ll tell ya the secret to get her to warm up to you: Pump sugar in this girl and she’s a whole different person; wild, happy, flirty and outgoing!

Unspectacular...

Okay. I've been tagged!

I actually love these things, when it's other people!
I'm pretty boring, though.

6 unspectacular things about myself.
Hmmmmm...

1.) I love to bake. Something my dad instilled in me. Growing up, it was a rule in our house that we bake a new goody every day. Something about baking seems so wholesome and gives me a feeling of contentment.

2.) I hate swimming. I panic when my head is under water and I'm so miserably cold the entire time that my back cramps up from shivering.

3.) I can count the number of men I truly respect and trust on my fingers...almost on one hand.

4.) Starbucks is my all time favorite treat...that, or a massage.

5.) I long to be a brilliantly creative person...and for the energy and time to do it. I guess I need an outlet.

6.) I could easily be a vegetarian simply because of my lack of love for all things "meat". When I eat meat (of any kind) I can taste the flesh of the animal and it's really hard for me to get past that.

K.
My 6: I tag Crystal, Dana, Lance, Staci, Gami, and Ryan.
Make it good, guys!

Yucky...

Yucky, Yucky, YUCKY!!!

That's how everything in my little life is these days.
The "morning" sickness.
The pile of dirty dishes that never goes away.
My reflection in the mirror.
The 3 children peeing their pants and everything in a 3 foot radius.
The pile of laundry that never gets folded and put away,
even if it does happen to make it through the wash.
Etc.

I have had morning sickness to the point of feeling like I have the flu for a solid month now. Everything makes me sick: Eating, not eating, the computer, the tv, the car, music, whining. Every day seems like an eternity at this point. And it's only getting worse, so far! Usually mornings are my reprieve. I feel good enough to take care of the kids and clean up a bit. Then at nap I lay down and rest because I'm so tired. But not today. This morning I feel just as sick as I do every evening and all night long. It takes everything in me not to hurl. I get dinner finished and either watch the family eat it or just go to bed because I'm too sick to do anything else. The nights Lyle is gone at practice are torture for me....which happens to be tonight and I can hardly bear the thought of it after feeling this way ALL day already.

I know there's a light at the end of tunnel, but today has just been extraordinarily difficult.
I guess I'm taking lessons from Jude (;
Sorry about the whine-fest

I did get to hear June-Bug's heartbeat yesterday. Proof that someone really is in there making me so miserable. The kids are getting excited about the whole idea of "baby"
Camden is SURE, and I mean absolutely possitive, it's a girl and he says EVERY time that it's a sister. He can't wait to change "her" diaper all by himself and worries about whether or not he'll be able to find the right size. (: I told him the other day that there's a possiblity that the baby is a boy. He said, "Gwyneth can have a brother. I want a sister." At which point I begged, once again, "Please God, let it be only one." (:
Gwyneth is also begging for a sister. She can't wait to hold "her".
Jude doesn't want a baby. He gets so mad every time we ask if he wants a brother or sister and he says, "I want a car!"
"Wouldn't you like to hold the baby when it comes?" we ask.
"I want to hold a car!" he says.
We finally told him we'd get him a car when the baby comes because he's been so upset over it. Silly boy. Not sure how the transition will go for him. (:

The Painted Veil

Shelby's recent post inspired this (:

It's not a movie I would necessarily recommend to anyone as it is not "Christian" and there is some "questionable" content. I loved it, though.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1oevR8c35Qk

It was this movie that God used to show Lyle and I that He has something more, much more, for us to do with our lives. It hit us both like a load of bricks and we just sat there, stunned. It's odd to feel so compelled to do something, but still not understand quite what it might be. I've never been more sure of anything, though. We can feel God preparing us, even though we don't know exactly what we're to do. All the beautiful material things I've always wanted for my family suddenly don't matter, at all. Oddly enough, this new baby is the first step. In my heart they're strangely connected. Which is weird as it seems like just another thing to tie us down. I'm not even sure "missionary" is the right word. There is just an overwhelming burden to love people. People who desperately need to be loved and taken care of. And I get the sense that we dare not ignore it...

Charming

He was gifted with Mama's passion.
Every emotion we encounter we experience for everything it's worth.
Often it's not pretty.
Unlike Mama,
he has an incredible ability to influence the mood of those around him.
Beware.
I have yet to see one resist his charms.
And he knows it.
For sure and certain.

What would I do without that sweet face to gaze at every day?
Mama is smitten,
to say the least.

Just Because...

Look what I found waiting for me to come home last night.

Just because.

I also got my back rubbed until I drifted to sleep...

the best sleep I've had in weeks.

Which left me feeling better than I have in weeks this morning.

Guys,

Note to self: (:

Spooky...

Last night, 1:15am-ish, glass shattered somewhere in the house waking both Lyle and I up.
My first thought was that I didn't get the candle blown all the way out before going to bed, even though I distinctly remembered doing so. We checked the whole downstairs, finding nothing.
At which point our sluggish brains started at the thought that maybe it was a window... Just as this thought was beginning to form Jude started screaming from his room. Not a feeling I ever want to experience again. Lyle ran up to check on him without his gun, confirming my suspicians that when sluggish brains are in a panic guns are not going to do us any good. (If we actually have time to get to them when an intruder is present, we probably won't realize we need to do so...I rest my case.) I ran into the living room, where Tessa was sleeping, to check those windows and ask if she had heard anything. She hadn't. Jude was fine. Probably just scared after hearing us going through the entire house. Lyle checked all the windows upstairs, still finding nothing. Needless to say, I didn't get much sleep after that. I've checked and re-checked everything I can think of and have still found nothing. It's not like it didn't happen. We both heard it. So what was it?

Ready for more?
A couple of weeks ago as I was loading some laundry into the washer, someone called my name. I jumped about a mile and spun around, not really afraid, because I thought it was Heidi, but freaked out that she had somehow gotten into the house without me knowing...Only she wasn't there. No one was. I checked the whole house. I was so shaken up that I called her to make sure she was okay. Then I called Mom. Then Tess, as all their voices are similar. If I'm going insane, then I'm really going insane because I heard someone say my name, and that wasn't the only time. I'm starting to think maybe my time has come or something. Lyle said next time I should just answer it, like in the Bible. Do you know how crazy that would make me feel? (:

Anyway, just wanted to document.
If nothing else it's a good read.(:

Dashing

He can look at me
And I can look at him,
And without saying a word
We know what the other is thinking.
It’s always been like that.
I love it.
And I love him!

This boy is special.
I love him no more than my other babies...
But there is something about him that is so beautiful.
I can feel it radiating from him.
I think everyone can.
My theory is that his spirit is the reason being pregnant with him was so magical.
I felt so physically empty after he was born that I could hardly stand it.

He is my little gentleman;
always opening the door for Mama and taking such good care of me.

Dashing. He is.
How could anyone resist?






















All chimneys are "smokestacks"
He notices them everywhere we go, with the chilly weather, and it's, "Look at all the smoke swirling out of that smokestack, Mama!" every time we pass one by.

Have I mentioned before how much I love him?

The Name Game...

Those of you who know me well know that I have a thing for names. I will probably be discovering names I love for the rest of my life. So, it's no surprise that I had a list a mile long before we even found out about our June-Bug. Thought I'd share as it will be fun to look at years down the road while laughing and asking June-Bug, "Can you imagine? You were almost a _____!"

Some of these I adore,
some; not so much.
In no particular order,

Boys:

Adriel: of God's flock
Ezra: helper
Ellis: my God is Jehovah
Audin: old friend
Ainsley: place name

Girls:

Adah: lovely addition
Adair: ornament
Ethne: little fire
Elodie: white blossom
Eleanor: shining light

Looks like it'll either be "A" or "E" (Daddy, of coarse, has a say too.) In all honesty, this baby will probably not be named until we see it. I have a couple favorites but nothing that really pulls me...maybe I'm having more than 1? (:
Let me know what you like, and what you hate! I know what I love and I'm not easily swayed, but I love to hear everyone's thoughts...

Totally Pooped...

Well, I spent most of my weekend at Sandy Beach,
either having pics taken of me or taking photos of others.
You guys totally wore me out. I am toast today!
But it was worth it!

I ended up with Holly for our last Christmas drawing with Grandma-Great, almost 2 years ago now, and gave her some picture frames and a "gift certificate" for family photos...Well, now their house is finally finished and she decided to take me up on my offer.

This photoshoot was easy-peasy.
I can't wait till my babies get a little older and a little more cooperative...
Holly has great taste and everyone looked wonderful and the weather was gorgeous!

All in all I think we were there for 20 minutes and we captured just what she wanted (whew!)
Maybe I shouldn't, but I just can't help myself and had to share!

I love this little family so much! God knew what he was doing when he knit them together.
To see them so happy makes my heart sing!

Please excuse the yucky quality of this one.

I had to share 'cause I love it, anyway.

What was Camden doing...?

Well, he was doing what any good photographer does...
getting a shot of the action!

It was so cute. As soon as he saw me grab my camera he raced upstairs and retrieved his new camera from on top the bookshelves in his room. Then he raced back down and had a hayday. He was telling Jude and Gwyneth how to pose, not to jump, to keep their socks on, that he needed a couple more pictures, and all the other things I've ever told them during a photoshoot. He sounded just like me and it made me giggle to watch him. He was so giddy with excitement. I'm not sure I'll ever get him in front of the camera again!

I took my first visit to the Dr. today.

You know.
The one where you take a pregnancy test,
they tell you you're pregnant,
and then charge you $30 for it.

That's it.

Then you get to go in a week later to see a Physician's Assistant and get your bloodwork done.

Then you get to go in a week or two after that and see the Dr. for your first exam.

Does anyone else feel the way I do about this?

I find it very irritating to have to go in so often, when it would be easy for them to roll all these into one appointment. It just seems very unnecessary...coupled with the fact that I'm lookin at going in 1-2 times a week for the entire second half of my pregnancy (for progesterone shots) and have no choice but to finish it off with a c-section, because insurance won't cover a vbac. Don't get me wrong. I would gladly do anything for the welfare of my baby. I just don't feel all of this is necessary and I feel I'm left with no other options....it's frustrating.

Sock Monkeys

I had started in folding my Mt. Everest size pile of laundry on the bed the other day when Jude and Gwyneth decided to help. They soon discovered a fun new game to play together. Usually Gwyn stomps around the house with a sock hanging out of her mouth while screaming like an "elephant." This time they decided to make themselves gloves out of Daddy's socks.

And quickly moved on to bouncing on the bed, effectively smashing my neatly folded piles to smithereens.

Pony Rides

See my pony

Jet black pony

I ride him each day

When I give him oats to eat

Trooting, trotting go his feet

See my pony

Jet black pony

I ride him each day

A song that my mother sang to us when we were little. My kids love it when I sing it to them. Funny that they call it the "Horsie" song when it never says anything but "pony." They get the connection. Yet, yesterday when we asked the kids if they wanted a pony ride they all shrank back and declared, "NO!" It wasn't until later that we thought to say "horsy" ride, to which they all responded, "YES!" Still, no one was actually brave enough to attempt it once we finally made it through the line. No one, except Preston. Who woulda thunk it? I think he surprised us all. And he inspired all the other little ones. We got to hear for the rest of the day how badly they needed a pony ride. Thank goodness the last place we stopped had them! We made it just in time. The ponies were hungry and tired and they were about to quit for the night. Gwyneth's pony was none too happy and was quite feisty. Perfectly matched to Gwyn, I say. They would have done this all night, they loved it so much!

Pumpkin Patch...

We don't do jack-o-lanterns.
I think they're creepy, ugly and messy. (:
So we told the kids they could each choose a little pumpkin all their own to take home and set on the doorstep.

We got a tractor-drawn hay ride out to the pumkin field.
I think that was the boys' favorite part.
Gwyneth was so concerned they were going to leave us there.
She kept a close watch on the tractor as it came and went with more groups.
Every time she saw it she would try to run up to it before it left again, thinking it wasn't coming back.

How many times did I tell the boys to stop kicking the poor pumkins?

And how many times did I tell them not to stomp in the dirt?

Many.

Jude. Always so much energy...

Gwyneth.

Faithfully trudging along on the quest for the perfect pumpkin...

Jude found one he likes!

Looks like Daddy is planning an ambush.

Love this one of Daddy and his boys.

Do you see how green these pumkins were?

Well, this is the shady side.

And this is the sunny side.

Quite the difference.

The prized pumpkins...

We'll pick another field next year. For sure.

This place was a little off.

No one working there seemed quite right in the head.

Very eerie, it was.

Harvest Festival

We had so much fun at the festival today!
This was the first year we’ve been able to take the kids and they had a blast!
Cousins, hay rides, pumpkin patches, kettle corn, candy apples and pony rides!
What could be more fun?

This is my fav snap of the day…




















I'll post more soon, along with all the juicy details!
(Sorry Kaylee! I couldn't resist.)

Batcam...

He gets so exasperated when I call him that.

“Are you teasing me?” he laughs, every time.
He loves to be teased.
I think it might even be his love language.

A birthday gift.
He wears it every day.
And as soon as he puts it on,
he’s all business…
takes his job very seriously, he does.
It took a lot to squeeze this little smile from him.
Goof.

He was running all over the house with Aunt Tess the other day and when she stopped to catch her breath he asked why she wasn't running anymore. She told him she was just too old and he instantly replied, "Not me. I'm just brand new!"

I call her my prickly pear…

Because she is.





















It’s kinda like cuddling up to a porcupine.
She wants me to hold her, always.
But if I dare try to sneak in a kiss, she frantically cries,
“I don’t like smooches, Mama!”
And promptly rubs off every trace.

Or if I run my fingers through her hair,
She “hmmphs!” away from me and gives me a dirty little scowl.

I often pine for the fact that we didn’t name her Ethne.
It’s what I always thought her name should be.
After all, it means “little fire”
And those of you who know our Gwyn have seen the spitfire she can be.
It’s also Scottish.
And when I see those gorgeous strawberry curls…

But perhaps she will have a little sister just like her
And maybe she’ll be our Ethne instead.




























That's better.
There is a sweet side to counteract all that sour...
If there's a chocolate chip bribe in the works.

Grandpa's Orchard...

Jude and I had so much fun in Grandpa's orchard last week.
I don't get very much quality time with this guy
because he'd rather be with Daddy if given the choice.

Mama enjoyed it...

Always on the lookout for an airplane.
He loves them and can spot 'em instantly.






















































He was so horrible to me a couple weeks ago.
He would just whine, sob and scream all day, every day. But as soon as Daddy walked in the door he was all smiles. One night I told Lyle I'd had it and needed a break. I locked myself in the bathroom all evening and read my book. When I finally emerged, all soggy from my bath, Jude looked at me with the sweetest smile on his face and said, "You. Look....Pretty, Mama!"
He hates it when I'm upset with him and knows exactly how to turn me into a puddle of goo in a mere instant. Works every time. It would do Daddy good to learn a thing or two from him.
Little monster...