Yummy!

That's a yummy toe!

Snow Day!!

It snowed last night & schools are cancelled, so Isabelle got to stay home with her momma. We bundled up Jacob & took him outside. Jason let him touch the snow, which he really didn't know what to think. He was ready for a nap, so we didn't stay out long. He'll be loving it next year, I'm sure!

Just Because

Jason surprised me Monday evening when he came home with a beautiful dozen roses. The card read 'Just Because.' That's the best kind.

Thank you, Baby, for making my day & making me feel special. I love you!!!

Update

Jacob got 3 shots last week. It was so pitiful. By the time the nurse was giving the 2nd one he'd figured out that he did not like it at all! But he only cried for a minute & he was over it. He's such a good boy.

He weighed in at 21lbs (95th percentile on growth chart), & he measured 27 3/4 in (95th percentile). He's slowed down slightly in his weight, but he had a small growth spurt in length. We've started eating baby foods, which he seems to like, not surprising. He's becoming more active & will probably start loosing some of the baby fat, which makes me sad! I love my fluffy baby!

Happy 6 month Birthday, Jacob!!

I can't believe my baby is 6 months old! Half a year has already gone by. Unbelievable! We go to the doctor today, so I will give an update on that later.

We had a nice surprise when we got up this morning - it snowed! It began as a slight dusting, but as the morning progressed it snowed enough to cover the ground. I tried to make Jacob's picture so we could see the snow, but it was a little difficult.

Attempting to take a picture with one hand

You can see a few flakes floating.

This was later in the morning.

New Year 2009

We spent New Year's eve with family. The girls chatted while the guys played Wii. The kids ran around til way past their bedtime & they thought they were grown up. Jason & I spent New Year's day eating at Cracker Barrel, my favorite, returning & swapping Christmas gifts, & riding around in Bartlett enjoying the nice weather.

I don't waste my time on resolutions because I don't keep them. There are things I want to accomplish & have happen in this new year, but I don't like feeling pressured into doing things. Hopefully, this doesn't make me sound lazy or unmotivated. I just don't like ultimatums & don't like having that guilt hanging over my head when I don't accomplish a task on 'the list.'

I do wish you a blessed & prosperous new year. It's my prayer that we all draw closer to the Lord & see again our need of Him. He has the answers to all our questions & problems if we just lean on Him & allow Him to take care of us. One of my favorite songs is "I Am a Friend of God." What an unbelievable concept that Jesus, the creator, the Lord of all, is MY friend! He cares about ME! I'd like to leave you with the words to that song:

"Who am I that you are mindful of me? That you hear me when I call? Is it true that you are thinking of me? That you love me? It's amazing!

I am a friend of God. I am friend of God. I am a friend of God. He calls me friend.

God Almighty, Lord of glory, You have called me friend."

Christmas in Hohenwald

Each of us kids got a hammock swing from Mom & Dad. I can't wait to for the weather to warm up a bit so I can put my swing up & enjoy a good book on the back porch. I've wanted one of these for a long time. Thank you, Mom & Dad!!

Any time we all get together at Mom & Dad's is a fun time but never enough time. The number of grandkids continues to grow & watching them play together gives me a new appreciation for family. AbiLyn enjoys bossing the little ones around. Judah likes running from one thing to the next. Lex does his own thing & is happy with that. He & Judah are about the same size now. It's going to be so fun when they get older & start picking on each other! Jacob & Cherish are content with being held as much as possible & try to keep out of reach of the bigger kids. We attempted to play Trivial Pursuit 90s edition. This is a favorite among the Drokes, but there are certain 'rules' we play by in the Droke house when this game is played. For instance, it's perfectly ok for the person reading the question to 'help' the player as they see fit. It was fun, but Jennifer & I had to drop out to feed babies, which left Eric, Jason, & Dad pressing on til the end. I'm not sure who won, but it was fun hearing them discuss the questions & giving hints.

I don't know what happened, but I didn't make enough pictures while we were in Hohenwald.

My sweet, chubby boy

Sweet, smiley Cherish

Lex enjoying a brownie. He loves sweets.

AbiLyn got a guitar from Santa. She got to decorate it with stickers.

The Twins in their Baby Gap outfits

Christmas at Pawpaw & Mimi's

We spent Christmas day with Jason's family before heading to Hohenwald. It was so fun to watch Ellie & Amelia open their gifts, pass out gifts to everyone, & help others open their gifts. Amelia especially felt it was her duty to open everyone's gift. The babies, Jacob & Isabelle, were so good. Jacob loves being in the middle of whatever is going on - the more the merrier for him.

Mimi & Pawpaw spoiling the boy

Pawpaw starting Jacob early on coffee

The babies - Isabelle & Jacob

Jacob & Aunt Janet

Jacob's first Christmas

Jacob had such a fun time at Christmas. He actually enjoyed pulling the paper off his gifts & trying to eat it. Unfortunately, we made more video that still pictures. But here are some that were taken Christmas Eve & Christmas morning.

Jacob's ornament

Christmas Eve in his pajamas

Love the reindeer booty!

Gift from Santa