When we decided to rent our house I began doing a clean sweep. This included 3/4ths of the stuff in our garage. Believe it or not, this was all baby stuff. Of course I had kept everything along with my longtime dream of having 4 or more kids. However, over the summer and fall I started to LOVE the idea of just us four, for good. God had put a peace and even an excitement to be done having children. So, I began boxing things, taking pictures and posting ads. I sold EVERYTHING on craigslist! It was a blast. We made a few bucks in the process and were able to bless some other families. We sold our crib to a family who was pregnant with their 10 child!

Craigslist is "da bomb."

Besides making a little extra dough, what do you think happens when you clean your garage and sell all things baby? God says, "That's great you've got a little extra dough. I went ahead and put it towards that little bun in your oven. Surprise suprise!"







This is the size of our little surprise. Say hello to baby Hergie #3. He/She/They will reach 9 weeks on Saturday. So, when you decide to list your own baby stuff on Craigslist please shoot me an email so I can shop (I'll take care of it so you can use it again!).

Wow, this is a new feeling. With each previous pregnancy, we were waiting and expecting. This time it is very different and unexpected. It's a great time to remember that God "knows the plans He has for us. Plans for welfare and not for calamity to give us a future and a hope." What an awesome future this must be. We can't wait to meet our little unexpected miracle.

Hannah is extremely excited. It is more fun this time around since she's older. After it was setting in, she asked, "How did you know?" So I told her. Then when telling our in-laws she recited it perfectly, "Mommy went potty on a stick and it told her she was pregnant!" then I laughed out loud. Hudson likes to say, "Hi baby, hi baby" while he pats my tummy TWICE. Is that supposed to mean something? He also says, "The girl one is Hannah's baby and the boy one is my baby."

WHOOPIE! We are lovin' this exciting life.

BOXES!

Well, so sorry we didn't leave any notes for you in November OR December. We decided to rent our house in order to, well it's a very long and complicated story. To make it short, we have renters in our house and we're living for a period with Jared's parents! We were blessed to be able to keep our house AND to be living with family.

The kids are loving it, although I'm not sure Hudson's mind has completely grasped it yet. Anytime we get in the car he says, "And then after this are we going to Grandma Deby's house again?" Or during the day when he let's out a boring sigh he'll say, "What are we going to do after Grandma Deby's house?" They still ring the doorbell but I think that happened at our old house too. So, there are adjustments to be had on all accounts. Deby and Steve are getting used to a lot more noise and a dishwasher that gets full in a day! The kids are learning how to knock and Jared and I have some things to adjust as well. We do count ourselves blessed to be here. The plan is that they'll sell this house and buy one closer to BTB. We will be moving with them until we can sell our house or move back in, whichever is more feasible at the time.

Despite the big changes we have had a great holiday season. On both sides of the family we were able to celebrate in ways that kept it simple. For the four of us, we worked hard to keep Christ as the "reason for the season." I had a couple great conversations with Hannah this season. I've noticed we can explain things on a deeper level and she is starting to understand more and more. I was able to link Christmas with Easter for her and explained the reason we're so excited about Jesus' birth is because of what He came to do, not just that He was born.

Hannah and I also had some revealing conversations about fairies, princesses (and politics), and the abominable snowman. I was surprised Santa didn't come up. She is so inquisitive and smart!

Well, I'll be blogging again soon.