Winter Blahs, already??

I feel obligated to blog, to appease my loyal followers, but am having a hard time being motivated. I just feel like our lives are so un-exciting right now that anything I write would just bore the pants off anyone! I mean, I could write... "today I stepped outside only to get the mail. Luckily I didn't have to take the extra step in the evening to put my pajamas on, because I never took them off! Annabel and I played play-do today for the five-billionth time. I'm cold and this weather makes me grouchy!" 

Haha. I guess I'll try to do a little better than that. :) I did find my camera since the last time I posted, but it's gone again. I get so frustrated with myself these days... I just seem so disorganized and scattered. Every other day I'm running around looking for my phone, or my watch, or the camera. And with Halloween coming up, I need to find it! Annabel's going to be the yellow Carebear this year... Sunshine Bear. Her costume is so stinkin' adorable! I made her try it on the other day and Derek took some pics on his phone, I'll put them on here soon. 

I went to my first MOPS (mothers of pre-schoolers) meeting on Friday. It was okay. I'll go a few more times before I decide whether to commit or not. We made pies but I went and left mine on the roof of my car when I left (see what I mean!?). Booo. 

Derek entered a chili cook-off today at our church. He didn't win, but there was lots of yummy competition! I have to admit that I voted for four, including his. I love chili, especially this time of year! I love it with cheddar cheese, sour cream and Fritos. You ought to try it this way, because it's delicious! 

Even with the weather being unseasonably cool for this time of year, I still try to get Annabel outside for a little bit most days. We generally walk to the little park down the road from us and play for 20-30 minutes or so. She loves to watch the train that goes by occasionally and always asks to go see the "choo choo track" :) 

Annabel is definitely all girl, but has some funny little-boy-like interests! She loves tractors, trains, buses, and semi-trucks! Her favorite movie is Thomas the tank engine, and her favorite undies are the ones with Thomas on them! (they were a hand-me-down:). She calls them her choo choo panties. Speaking of which, potty training is going pretty well. I always give her a choice in the morning if she wants to put on a diaper or panties. She almost always chooses diaper, but I'll let her put a sticker on her chart if she chooses panties, so she usually goes that way:) The sticker chart is an amazing motivator, surprisingly. And we have very few accidents, which is cool. 

Well, I guess that's all I have to say for now. If you remember, please pray for a friend's son, his name is Caleb and he's 17. He's having major health issues and is in a lot of pain. I'm sure the family would appreciate prayers for quick healing- Thanks!