time to catch up

it's about time you heard from us--
do you find yourself wondering how on earth it is possible that we are almost in december? i wrote a post bidding goodbye to summer, discussing the newness of fall and change, etc. i decided that being two days from thanksgiving precluded me from ever using it here. too bad because it was kind of cute. and it was to coincide with the unveiling of my new "fallish" blog design by vanessa at butterfly sparks designs. consider the blog officially unveiled...i've always had good intentions. anyway, this year has proven true to the armstrong way of life... many changes, preparing for another baby, all of the fun things that happen when you are a part of this family!
this isn't going to be fancifully written or clever post. it's just going to be an update. i've held out on you regarding our life's happenings but you're going to get it all now. be excited ;)

we're still here in beautiful yoakum!

(sunset from my in-laws drive)
well, i guess "we" is debatable. michael did take a job as a worship pastor in humble (n.e.houston) and has been there since april. our home never sold though, and the pastor who hired michael took an out of state position about four months into michael's start. michael usually stays in houston about 4.5 days a week and is in yoakum 2.5 days. the hard part is when he can't come home in between and has to stay away for 10 days at a time. we were visiting houston a bunch...actually had an apartment for a bit until a contract on our yoakum house fell through. but after cancelling the apt. and being only weeks from my due date, the kids and i have not made the trip. this is not a lifestyle we were counting on but is it ever? i mean to say, everybody has something they are not counting on but has to deal with... the Lord is faithful to His promises and there have been many blessings in the adjustments that have had to be made.
one is that we are still in yoakum! i can't say enough how much this little town means to us. with michael's work situation still in transition, we are unsure about our future. we are in constant prayer for clarity, patience in timing, and good decision making. but we are sure enjoying our home in between. i think we all feel so much a part of this community, including the kids. speaking of...
we're getting big. let's do a year in review of pictures. and yea, i said year. we're going back to march. don't know if you recall of my grumblings about my camera and computer. well i have my precious macbook now and can download to my heart's content. brace yourselves.  we're starting at easter.




easter

mowing the lawn like daddy--he did that for an hour straight

my girl...always a mess, always fun

how we do sippy cups in the country...michael found her like this one day


our first harvest in the garden...one of our favorite evening activities was picking the garden. after growing tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, zucchini, lettuce, we were able to can lots of pickles and homemade salsa!

first trip to the zoo...lori screamed in delight the whole time

a new haircut (matching? haircuts...lori still has no hair!) and a new hiding spot



tom-tom festival in yoakum--the kids participated in the kiddie parade with their mother's day out program. our group's theme was nursery rhymes and so my precious children represented baa baa black sheep and jill, of "jack and jill." kylie, my niece, was also in the parade--mary, mary. aren't they sweet?


the big tom-tom parade--uncle tommy (and the parade coordinator) poses for this picture every year

found--michael saved the sweetest kitten in our yard. we named her bella and brought her to live with michael's parents. (away from the highway!) she grew a little bit and we found out she was a fella, so we re-named him. Fella Kitty is lori's favorite "toy" at her doc and doe's house.

lori--about as accurately as i can describe her personality without using words


another baby growing...finally taking a picture of the third!

crave--and speaking of the third, if i could have had this meal every day of this pregnancy, i would have. it's pho-a vietnamese noodle soup but with so much flavor. and salad rolls dipped in peanut sauce (chili paste mixed in for heat). i couldn't have this often because vietnamese noodle places don't thrive in this town and b/c of my son's allergy to peanuts. but after our two day trip to vegas (one last getaway!) we ate this in austin. i was so happy i took this picture. best meal of my life, right there folks.




beach--the babies first time. we visited our amazing friends in lake jackson. one week later, hurricane ike would hit this exact spot in freeport.




the wild woman--just as much spunk, this time with a little more hair on her head





the boy--happiness is concentrating on things...my phone for example, and listening for the baby in my belly.



and on that note, the boy is now potty trained! here he is enjoying a victorious day at the toilet. ice cream...



let's not skip halloween--at the houston church's fall festival. it was a stretch but aren't they the cutest, caucasian dora and diego you've ever seen? we tried...the wig staying on my daughter's head for more than 10 min should have merited some kind of award...


and so, we get to november...

an adorable cowgirl and cowboy

a new, little cowboy on the way...(see the belly)

and a mama and daddy who couldn't be more proud!

i mentioned not planning our lives like this. we also didn't plan having three babies, aged 2 and under (okay, so nolan will be 3 in jan. and lori will be 2 in mar...but when this baby is born, i will definitely have three kids aged 0, 1, and 2). but you guessed my next sentence...wouldn't have it any other way! i've never felt more purposeful or more blessed than i have becoming these babies' mother. thanks for sharing our year with us. it's been an adventure. and there is more coming. i'll try to keep you a little more updated should we officially move. until then, y'all enjoy your upcoming celebrations--and stay posted for the newest armstrong! the official due date is 16 days from now, dec. 11th. love to you all!