In all likelihood this weekend seemed so boring because I constantly sit on the edge of my seat contractions, waiting for something more exciting. Like real labor. That just won’t happen. Quit playing games with my uterus baby B!!!

The weekend has been pretty lackluster. I spent most of the day yesterday trying to nap because I felt exhausted and nauseous. If I wasn’t doing that, I was pacing our living room or distracting myself with blogging. The most exciting part of the weekend was a BBQ dinner out to use up a Groupon that expires this month.

I ate just the meat, doused in a TON of hot sauce, and the coleslaw. My appetite has been so funky the past few days. I have to go grocery shopping after publishing this post and have NO idea what to buy because absolutely nothing sounds appealing to me right now. We need food though, so I must go. I must go and face the mad crowds of weekend shopping…before an “ice storm” in Georgia. People go crazy. It’s kind of hilarious. And annoying. Not as annoying as false labor, though.

But, moving on. This has been fluttering around the blog world and I always enjoy these fun little surveys. So when Katie from Healthy Heddleston tagged me, I opted to play along. I think she just wants to know more about one of her roomies at Fitbloggin. 😉

Four TV Shows I Watch
1. Friends – It may be repeats, but nothing will ever compare in my mind.
2. The Biggest Loser – I can’t stop! Plus, its a weekly ritual with my sister.
3. Parenthood – Love that show!
4. Grey’s Anatomy

Four Words/Phrases I Use Too Much
1. Love it!
2. You’re so pretty. <--- My sister & I say this to people when they do something stupid. In fact, I’m pretty sure we stole it from Friends.
3. I love you. – Said numerous times a day to my little M and Peter.
4. Apparently I say “I’m sure…” a lot according to Peter.

Four Things I’ve Learned From the Past
1. Forgiving someone else can sometimes be the best thing to do for yourself.
2. Life is much more enjoyable with a passion.
3. Food does not have to control you if you love yourself first.
4. Trust God. The big man knows what he is doing.

Four Things I’m Looking Forward To
1. Welcoming baby B to the world!!!
2. Getting in that first more intense workout.
3. Attending my first blogging conference.
4. Not being pregnant anymore. Clearly that is high in my mind right now. 

Four Things I Love About Winter
1. The holidays.
2. Sweatshirts.
3. It’s not 100 degrees out.
4. Four is pushing it. I honestly do not like winter.

Four Newest Blogs Added to my Reader
1. Simplifying Cooking – My sister-in-law’s new blog! She just started it!
2. Naptime Diaries
3. N Her Shoes
4. Eating Bird Food

Now you tell me – what’s a new blog you love to read and something you learned from the past?

Catching up from the weekend? Here are some things you may have missed…

• an updated belly picture
• super cute M’s first visit to Santa
• a fabulous day including cooking, Christmas lights, and finding out I’m in January’s issue of Fitness magazine!

Without a doubt this year has been the best Christmas. I think viewing the excitement of the season through a child’s eyes adds a whole new level to my holiday spirit. I have loved every moment of attending little events like we did this weekend.

Yesterday, at church, our pastor discussed how sometimes we may resent the holiday season for various reasons (resentment, guilt, grief, stress, awkwardness, anger, etc). I know I have felt resentment, stress, and anger with the holidays. That was when Christmas was all about needing things to appear perfect with gifts, family, how I felt about myself, etc. I would always end up distressed because in reality things were not perfect. Now, I focus on enjoying things with family and friends, as well as thanking God for what the season truly brings. The other stuff? It falls into place. Plus, nights like we had last night are way more special when you aren’t tabulating gift lists in your head.

We visited Stone Mountain Park for their Christmas celebration.

It’s the one we drove out to last weekend only to find it cancelled because of our “wintery weather”? Well, last night made up for that annoyance. It was certainly worth it and I foresee it becoming another annual tradition with our family.

Upon arriving, we had a little bit of time to kill before the main events like a parade & Santa. What to do? Venture around a glass-blowing shop. I love these glass-blowing places. They seriously look like little pieces of art.

We also stopped at a gingerbread house to hear some tales from Mrs. Claus.

M was not amused. Mrs. Claus was pretty boring. Makenzie kept asking “Parade? Parade? Santa? Parade?” So that’s where we headed. To stake out our spot. At the perfect time too. We picked a spot right down in front for the parade.

And after the parade finished, we were able to turn around and hop right in line for a very good spot to wait to see Santa. Once again, Makenzie oohed and awed over the old dude.

Then, it was time to eat! A pretty pitiful sandwich and kettle cooked chips…which I thought I had taken a picture, but I guess not. Oh well. It was not pretty food.

Following dinner, we finished up the night with a few shows.

A kiddie musical…

…the Polar Express 4-D experience…

…and a sing-along ride on the train, that stopped for a special message about Baby Jesus being the best gift of all. So glad they included that!!!

It was pretty funny because after the show, we were ready to head out and decided to skip the special “Snow Angel Appearance & Fireworks” part of the night. Until we walked right into it. There was a huge crowd we had to push through. I played the pregnancy card – grabbed my belly, made a face, and scrambled through the quickly parting crowds who didn’t want a woman’s water breaking on them. 😉 And amidst all of that we still got to see the “Snow Angel” fly right over our heads and catch the fireworks on our way out to the car.

That’s how it’s done! I would feel bad, but missing a ton of traffic and getting home to my warm bed kind of trumped that.

• Question of the day – Do you ever NOT enjoy this time of year? Why?