A few things. . .

A few good things have happened lately:
1. Mama got her test results back and the cancer is only in her tumors, not her blood. That's so encouraging!
2. I felt Baby move yesterday for the first time. We hope little Holmes won't be modest so we can find out if it's a girl or boy late next week at our 19.75 week ultrasound.
3. I don't feel sick any more. I prayed I'd feel well for our trip South and God answered my prayers. My energy is also much better.
4. We swapped our bedroom with the guest bedroom to make room for a crib. I'll have to finish cleaning a few more junk piles before posting any pictures.
5. I voted today and hope it will change the power of the Senate majority in Washington. Keep an eye on the news tonight; it's a close race here in Massachusetts!
6. In 10 days Mark and I join 6 other couples renting a big house to go skiing. Mark's ready to hit the slopes! Before I get any warnings, no, I will not downhill ski. I will, however, hopefully cross country ski with another pregnant friend. If that doesn't work out we've already scouted the closest spa :). Should be a fun weekend either way.

Yeah, yeah, yeah - but still pray

Mama was in Houston getting a second opinion on her cancer at MD Anderson this week. Great news! Her tumors have responded well to the anti-hormone pill she's been taking. They shrank and I couldn't be happier. She's waiting til next week on lab results that show if the cancer is confined to her tumors or floating in her bloodstream. Please continue to pray that her body will use the medication to fight off the tumors and she'll heal quickly without needing more drastic interventions like chemo or radiation. Thanks!

more highlights of our Southern tour

William terrorized Jackson by pounding that balloon. Poor Jackson's going to have to get over his fear of loud noises and being chased!

Sarah made a cute puppet theater for Evelyn and the performance of "Cock-a-doodle-moo" was hilarious.

Jackson sporting Mark's hat

Me with two of "my" girls: Elle & Evelyn.

Mark got a sporty diaper bag/pack from my parents. I imagine him on hikes with this in less than a year from now.

Mama blogged about gingerbread houses earlier and I'm thrilled we got to start the tradition this year.

Aubrey looks like she's singing for her supper.

Mary Beth & I

Mark seems to like the jacket I gave him.

The Davis family (cousin Meredith, Doug, Katherine, Amelia & Peyton-twins) hosted a fun night with my mom's family to eat, hang out, and chase little children.

We forgot to get out the camera with other folks we enjoy: McLean, Christina, TVS folks, Laura, Liz & Josh, Tara & Len, Gail & little Abby, the Dudleys, the Busby's, Mama Ann's birthday party, Todd & Holli, hiking Stone Mountain, and probably more. What a fun time!!

Christmas with the Holmes'

with Granddad Holmes in Union Springs

eager to see what Oliver's opening

William on his new ride

Elizabeth and I

The kids demonstrating the exersaucer they gave baby Holmes.

Amelia admiring a portrait of Virginia.

Aunt Abby and Virginia

I made each of our nephews either a sheriff or cowboy vest.

William and John

Road Trip for Christmas

We put 3,433.4 miles on our car in two weeks. It might be our last drive home for a LONG while, but it was worth it to see so many friends and family. Jackson the dog is a great car traveler and adjusted pretty well at each stop. The baby loot (crib, bouncy, Bumbo, exersaucer, etc) for little Holmes was also a plus!

We stopped in Richmond, VA on the way home. This beautiful Tudor home from the 15th century was relocated to Richmond in the 1700s (?). It's a beautiful historic home that was closed for tours because it was New Year's Day. I highly recommend brunch at Millie's Restaurant if you're ever in town there!

It may be hard to see this map, but we spent the night in: Harrisburg, PA; Atlanta, GA; Birmingham, AL; Gadsden, AL; Auburn, AL; a day in Union Springs, AL; back to Atlanta; Richmond, VA; then home in Cambridge, MA.

a frozen tree on in north GA

Mark's drive from Blacksburg, VA to about Charlotte, NC. We creeped along at about 25mph for 5 hours during the terrible blizzard the weekend before Christmas. Prayers were answered that night and we were safe. Sadly, we saw about 5 jack-knifed 18-wheelers, probably 20+ cars that ran into the ditch and so many folks as nervous as we were about the terrible conditions. I was really proud of Mark for doing such a great job in the snow without the assistance of plows. Our AWD car came in handy that day!

wind farms in PA