Melt my heart....

My little daughter, sweet princess Madelyn, is now saying, " I luv lu!" It is the most precious thing! She is growing up so much! I know that once this baby enters the world, my little baby Madelyn won't be a baby much more. She will be two the beginning of March...oh my goodness, I can't believe she will be 2 soon! However, she is such a little peanut, and still my baby. She is my cuddler beyond all else.

When Terry or I put her to bed at night, we usually sit in the rocking chair with her and rock her just a bit. She has to hold on to us, and hug us close. Sometimes she pulls me down to her in a hug while we rock. Terry told me last night that she gets upset sometimes if he isn't looking down at her. She will grab his face and direct it to her face. I know she has done this to me, too, but I didn't really think about it much. She is very much a personal touch little person.
She also loves to sing! When I was practicing with the practice cd and tape for learning the songs for our Sweet Adelines performance (see here) I usually played the tape in the car while we drove. I could hear Madelyn singing her little heart out, trying to match my voice. So very cute!!

She likes to pray along with us at meal time, too. Whomever is saying the prayer, Madelyn bows her head, puts her hands in front of her face, and says a prayer right along with whomever is praying~ usually Caleb. Caleb is really loving leading us all in prayer. It is so sweet! I love hearing the prayers of my children!

Some Christmas Photos to share...

On Sunday, we went to a Granite City Sound performance. For the last 8 weeks, I was practicing with the Sweet Adelines Women's Barbershop group. This is a special time of year, where anyone can take part of being in Sweet Adelines without a commitment to join. Then, after the 8 weeks of practice, we perform with the Sweet Adelines at their Annual Christmas Tea. This was held in a church, they had tea, coffee, punch and cookies. They also had a silent auction for baskets, that the members had put together. The money raised is used for "scholarships" for those Sweet Adelines that may need a little extra help for activities/performances/camps throughout the year. It was a fun time! My mom has been a Sweet Adeline for 21 years. She has been in a quartet (within the Sweet Adelines) for about 18+ years! That is a long time! I think the Sweet Adelines is a great group, and someday (when my kids are older) I would love to join them! Doing this winter session was a blast, and I am thankful that it worked out to join them for just this bit.

I had dressed my kids up for the occasion...some of their Christmas time outfits. Madelyn has about 6 "Christmas-type" dresses. Last year, my mom had scored a great deal on dresses after Christmas, and so, we are set for this year. I bought Caleb an outfit last year, after the Christmas sales, but it is a 4T and way too big. But, we did get by with the turtle neck and the sweater. The pants will have to wait until next year. I just had to share the photos with you!
Nathaniel was with his Dad this past weekend, so unfortunately he missed out on the pictures and the concert.

Caleb looks so grown up! He wanted to put his hands in his pockets.
Madelyn had a hard time just standing in front of the tree. She is always on the go.

This is so sweet of them! Caleb is being so loving. Do you think I could spark a smile out of my daughter? She sees a camera, and the smile goes into hiding.

So happy together! I think it is so sweet how Caleb is holding her hand.

There is nothing like the love between brother and sister. They are really becoming best buds.