One Week Old Today! ~ A Picture Blog

It's hard to believe that our baby girl is one week old today! It has gone by fast, yet at the same time, it's hard to think of our lives with out her! Here are some pictures of Ella Kate's first week. All is going well. I will update this post and type more later.

Hanging with my family the first night home.

Doing time in the billy bed. I was glad to see that thing go!

My first trip was back to the hospital for a billy rubin check. My second trip was to see Dr K for a newborn check on Monday.

Sun bathing to get those billys down.

Watchng the All Stars with the guys.

My sister loves me so much!
I'm going to have "flash" burn if they keep taking pictures of me!
I have more hair than my brother or sister did at this age...and of course Mommy had to take a picture to document this!

We love our sweet one week old baby girl!

Introducing Ella Kate!

We are home. We are tired and sore and very happy! I will try to post a few pictures. Thanks to Elizabeth for ghost writing for me!


It looks like Rob and I only know how to make babies that look one way! Seriously, if you look at Kolby and Rhett's baby pictures and look at her you would think I had triplets! All my babies were born on Wednesday mornings after a rain storm. Kolby was 8 days early, Rhett 10, and Ella Kate 12 days early. All my LDR nurses were named either Debbie or Carol... Ella Kate's were Debbie and Carol! The list of similarities goes on and on....

This was my best, easiest, and fastest labor. We could not have asked for a more ideal situation. I felt five contractions and pushed for all of 7 minutes! I might have had more babies if all my labors were this easy. My nurses were the best. I was the only person on the LDR floor at the time she was born. I had sweet nurses in postpartum. The room was big and comfey. The food was good. Everything went so well, except for some some complications during dismissal today. (nothing serious just annoying) Overall it was a wonderful time and a great experience to end our baby having days with! Third time is a charm! : )

Ella Kate is a little angel. She a bit smaller than the other two and has a tad more hair. She also is by far the best little eater and at two days old, seems the most even tempered. She coos and gurgles all the time and has the most expressive little infant face. I had forgotten how dramatic babies are! We just love her! Can't imagine life with out her! Kolby is in hog heaven! She loves her sister and is quite the little Mommy!
Rhett took a little longer to warm up to her, but has become more and more fascinated with his little sister every hour we are home. He is amazed to the point it scares him a bit, but he thinks she is really cool over all.

Rob and I feel extremely blessed and so very grateful for this precious baby! She is such a little miracle. Will write more soon... Just wanted to touch base. We are in love with this brand new baby girl!

P.S. For those who asked.." What are you going to call her?" I am not sure we will ever decide on one name for this girl! I have called her Ella Kate from the get go. The kids are calling her Katie. Rob goes back and forth between Katie and Ella Kate. Rhett calls her Katie Lou at times. I call her Ella Bella Kate some times. Kolby thinks we should call her Ella when she is older. We all call her Baby Girl. So, does that answer your question? :)

Ella Kate Pictures

Some shots from the hospital.

Daddy

I'm here!

Checking out the baby sister.

Mama K is tickled pink with this baby girl!

Yawn!

Happy girl!

Ella Kate is here!

Hi! It's Elizabeth, ghost writing for SG. She called me earlier and gave me EllaKate's stats. Of course, blogger hasn't let me post this all day. Sorry for the delay!

Time of birth: 10:32 a.m.
Weight: 7 lbs., 13 oz.
Length: 19 3/4 inches

She says that it was the easiest of the three births and everyone is doing well. I went to see her tonight and think she looks just like her other two! What a beauty! I am also pretty sure they are calling her Katie. I called her EllaKate and Kolby informed me that her name was Katie!

Just wanted blogland to get the blessed news!

The nesting I needed

I have had more down time in the last week than I have had in the last year. Lots of time to think. Lots of time to catch up on everyone else's blogs. As annoying as it has been to not be able to do things, I think bed rest has been good for not only my blood pressure, but my over all spirit and state of mind.

About a week ago my mother-in-law (mil for short) sent me an obituary from her home town newspaper. It was for Cindy Chowning. Cindy and Richard Chowning were missionaries to Kenya where they worked with the Kipsigi people for many years. When I met them, they were furloughed to ACU where Richard was a guest professor in the missions department. He taught my "World Christians Class" and they hosted African Mission Fellowship in their home. Even though Gaston Tarbet was actually my official ACU mentor for my two summer internships in Nairobi, Kenya, I got to know the Chownings quite well. Richard attempted to teach me some Swahili. The little I knew pre-Nairobi came from him! Cindy taught me to make the American version of chai, ugali & sacuma weki, and my favorite, chapati's and cabbage. They were such a sweet, open, and loving family.

Years later I did a special missions class on Wednesday nights for the kindergarteners at our church in San Angelo. Richard helped me when I took my kids on a field trip to Abilene to see the big globe in the Bible building and to talk to a real live missionary. He was such a nice man.

Anyway my heart breaks for the Chowning family. They have three children Heather, Naomi, and Aaron, who are all married. I think they have several grandchildren. The Chownings were planning on coming home to the states next year after spending the last eight or so years in Benin, West Africa. They were ready to be closer to the kids and the grandchildren even though they had a deep passion for the Aja people. Cindy was killed in an accident June 14th when she was hit by a motorcycle as she went to get something out of her truck during a routine Bible study visit. A senseless tragic accident!

Other ACU friends Randy and Kelly Vaughn worked with the Chownings in Benin. I have visited Randy's blog a lot these last days getting a small glimpse into their lives. Kelly had a heart for Africa even back during our time at ACU. She was very active in AMF. I guess Randy found his heart in missions after he gave it to Kelly! : ) Both are just the greatest! I admire them so much!

As tragic as Cindy Chownings death is and as unfair and horrible as it is, her life was such that you can not help but rejoice for her. She and Richard have really walked the walk. They have made a huge difference in the world for Christ. Just thinking of their many sacrifices over the years, their choices to give without getting back, the lifestyle they imposed on themselves for the love of God's word and the different people of Africa... they are truly inspiring! I can't find words to express it accurately.

The Chownings lived with a world view that I tend to close out. The last few months I have been very self absorbed with this pregnancy and trying to get ready for the baby. I have forgotten there is a great big world out there. Lately, I have been a bit scared thinking of all that has to happen to get this baby out of me in the next 24 hours or so. I fear pain. But reading about the Vaughns day to day life and reflecting on the life of Cindy Chowning has made re-evaluate a bit. It has made me think about what I really need to be as a mother, wife and Christian. It had made me re-dedicate to raising my children to love God and Jesus sacrificially. Sadly I loose sight of that from time to time.

So I am grateful to God for people like Cindy Chowning and the Vaughns who so selflessly labor for the kingdom that even those of us who only get far away glimpses of their lives see Christ and are humbled. I am grateful for the reminder that the most important thing I can prepare for this baby has nothing to do with bumper pads, fresh paint or clean floors. My heart and my life nesting in the vision of God's love and his Kingdom plans for my life and my child's life are what I need to focus on and prepare for. Being a Christian is not just a state of being, it is an intentional decision by decision life style. I needed to be reminded of that.

I 'm grateful that God choose to slow me down and remind me of what is really important this week. I'm grateful to him for feathering the nest of my heart with the example of Cindy Chowning's life and the lives of those I know who truly live for Christ. That is what I most needed to prepare to mother this precious little girl. I can't wait to meet her face to face!

My heart and prayers continue to go to the Chowning family both here in the states and in Benin, West Africa. Thank you God for Cindy Chowning and the inspiration she was and is to so many.

We have a plan!!!

Wednesday is the day.
Unless she decides to come earlier.
I'm at a three.
He says she is head down and guestimates she is about 8 lbs.
Woah!
We have tickets to the Ranger game in Arlington tomorrow night.
I think we will skip it.
My doctor is going to the said Ranger game.
I hope the baby doesn't come on 4th of July!
I would like my doctor to be at her birth.
Both Kolby and Rhett were born on Wednesday mornings.
Both weighed 8.6 and were 20.5 inches long.
They looked just alike, well, except that one area!
People say they are twins four years apart.
So I wonder if we are going to have a triplet...
Or maybe a totally different looking baby!
Much to think about for the next 40 or so hours!
I have to admit I am excited.
My blood pressure is currently reflecting that.
Must settle down!
Stay tuned!

E-M-O-T-I-O-N-A-L

Well it's Sunday morning and I am "forsaking the assembly" for bed rest. Bed rest is not all that bad but, some how laying on my left side for hours at a time has made me a bit sentimental and at times down right weepy! What is up with that?????

Friday night was Kolby's program at church. It was really cute and she did a great job on her little solo. I was so proud of her! It seems Kolby is growing up so fast! I can hardly believe she is the age I was when Sari was born. Isn't she cute! AK & K .. The kids really loved this Music camp. Our church did this instead of VBS this year.

Truly it feels like it wasn't that long ago that we were waiting for Kolby to be born! I tend to get bogged down in the day to day so much of the time that it seems like these "mommy days" are the longest days of my life. But then, I look up and suddenly my kids are a year older! Long days and short years! It makes me want to bottle time! I don't want to take for granted the wonder this new baby will bring to our family. Yes there will be one more mouth the feed, more laundry, less sleep, more noise and less down time, but little infant days are fleeting and I don't want them to get away with out being fully appreciated.

Yesterday my mother-in-law took my kids home with her, 3 1/2 hours away. They have been looking forward to this all summer and honestly, so have I. With the whole bed rest thing, the timing couldn't be better. I was fine as I packed them up and gave my mother-in-law some last minute suggestions. However, when they were both buckled up in the back seat of the car, ready to go.... The ugly cry came out! I leaned in the car on Rhett's side to give him a hug while Rob was reminding them from Kolby's side about minding and having good manners. Rhett got a little choked up and big old tears welled up in his eyes. He put his arms around my neck and wouldn't let go. After a few seconds he choked out "I'm gonna miss you Mommy." I totally lost it! Tears streaming down my face, I choked out that I would miss him too but that he was going to have a great time and I didn't want him to be sad.
Going to Grandma's
I really wanted to rip him out of the seat belt and tell him that he didn't have to go! What was I thinking sending my two babies three and a half hours away on the fourth of July weekend with all that bad I-35 traffic!??? Everything in me wanted to take both of them back inside. But I didn't. I want my kids to know that they are loved and safe even without me. I want them to have great memories of staying with their grandparents. I want them to take little vacations from the nest through out their growing up years so that when it is time to fly, they won't be so afraid. I was having a inner war with myself as I hugged them goodbye.

Kolby has no problem leaving because she has done this before. In fact she looked at me like I was a nut when I got all teary eyed, but sympathetically she said would miss me too and she would take care of her brother. Rhett had already recovered by this time and was singing "See you in four nights and five days!" (That seems so long!!!!) I managed to dry up long enough to get out of the car and wave goodbye as they drove off, but I sobbed as soon as I turned to walk in the house! Rob was trying to be sympathetic but he let a few chuckles slip. He tried to tell me it's just all those pregnancy hormones... Maybe he is right.

Since then things have been so quiet around here. It is nice, but really, it is too quiet! I am going to do my best to enjoy the quiet however because it may not come again for years!!! I don't think Rob and I have been alone this long since way before Rhett was born. Last night I managed to get completely caught up on thank you notes, and Rob re-painted all the base boards in the kitchen. So now we are just waiting for the baby ...

I go to the doctor's office tomorrow morning and I hope and pray that we have a plan for birth by the time I leave! I'm grateful to have had this last week but, I'm ready now! Hopefully the baby will be ready too and make her debut very soon! We'll keep you posted...

Still here...still resting

Bed rest is not as bad as it sounded. Yesterday I rested most of the day so I could go to my shower last night. I had a wonderful shower and got so many precious things for this baby girl! I can't wait to get in the nusery and get it all put in it's new place. I am always overwhelmed at people's generosity when it comes to new babies! My sweet friends did a great job, the food was wonderful and my cousin Ashley's house looked amazing! It was such a fun night.

Kolby went and was so in party mode! No one enjoys a party like my sweet little girl! She wore a brand new pink and white dress and her first ever pair of "real panty hose" with white heels. She had a blast bringing me punch and helping open the presents. The girl even knows how to work a crowd! I've said it before, but I just can't get over how much this whole baby process has meant to Kolby. She has loved every minute of it! This baby is quite blessed to have such a sweet and doting big sister!

My Mom has been really worried about my blood pressure and me me having a stroke or something all week. Last night she did her best not too worry or make too much fuss over me. I guess you never out grow the Mommy worries! Even though I felt a bit silly, just to be safe, I sat in a recliner with my house shoes propped up most of the night! AND wonder of wonders, my blood pressure was absolutly perfect when I got home! I think God was at work there because all day long if I even got up or did much of anything, my bp would shoot up. I'm very grateful that I was able to go to my own shower! I'm very grateful for everything about last night!

Today is Rob's flex day so he is off. Kolby is going to Splash Kingdom camp this till noon and Rhett is swimming with neighbors. I have a blood pressure check at the doctor's office sometime today. Rob's Mom is coming in to see Kolby's program tonight and is planning to take the kids home with her for a few nights. SO if the blood pressure holds and the baby doesn't decide to make an early entrance, we are set for a few days of R&R! I honestly don't know what to think of that! There is nothing left to paint or clean and no place I'm allowed to go! I plan on taking full advantage of it all!

I'm going to teach Rob to blog so he can let you know as soon as the baby is here. In the mean time, I hope you all have a great, safe, Fourth of July weekend!

The Nursery

Here it is...The Nursery!


This is the baby bed my grandmother bought for me 36 years ago!


All the furniture in this room, even the picture frames, (except the rocker on loan from my cousin Maria) has been stripped, sanded, primed and painted in the last month. Rob invested several layers of skin in this process and we all took turns painting. Do you think the baby will even notice? :)

My Mom made all but the quilt and the bumpers. She even made the bedding in the Moses basket, the basket liners under the changing table, the dust ruffles, the curtains ...Well everything! She says it has been fun but it was so much work for her! This baby is gonna love her Mama K!


This dresser was in my nursery, my teen room, my college dorm room, and then I repainted it for Kolby a six years ago. I repainted it last week for this baby.


My Mom and I came up with the idea to frame the squares from the quilt. Mom figured out how to do the squares and Sari and I painted the frames and had fun framing all these!



After next Friday there may be a little bookcase by this rocking chair under the quilt. We are waiting for a sale! :)


The little shelf on the wall was my great-grandmothers.


The rocking chair was made for my Mom by her grandfather on her first birthday!It has rocked many a mile holding the little members of our family. My Mom bought this basket from a group who imports them from a church group and uses the money for their village through some Baptist missionaries. She made all the bedding and I cut the mattress.

It has taken about thirty attempts to load these pictures and I have no idea why...But hey, I'm on bed rest and have nothing better to do! Now all we need is a baby....But hopefully not until next week! :)

Happy Birthday Sari!

Today is my sister's birthday! I was 8 1/2 when she was born which is almost exactly how old Kolby will be when this baby is born! I still remember so many of the details of the day Sari was born. She was overdue by a few days so my mother was induced. I remember sitting in the hospital waiting room with my grandparents for most of the day just waiting and waiting... It was no picnic for my Mom either. After hours and hours of labor, the doctor finally used forceups to get sari out and broke my Mom's tail bone in the process. Mom had to sit of a plastic clear donut for months afterward.

I just knew Sari was going to be a boy but really wanted her to be a girl. I would have been relieved at her birth except she came out looking like a little Eskimo! Every other baby in our family to that point (me and 3 cousins) had been blond with blue eyes. Sari had dark eyes, dark hair, and because she was a tad jaundiced, darker skin. At the same time a Hispanic family who had been waiting all day too had a blond haired blue eyed boy. I was absolutely convinced that there had been a baby swap! It took my mother telling me she had seen Sari the second she was born to convince me that the little Eskimo looking baby was my sister.
_____

I wrote this before my doctors appointment today. I had planned to meet my sister and parents for lunch to celebrate Sari's birthday. Instead, we spent the most of the day in the labor and delivery ward being monitored for high blood pressure! It was a bit of a stroll down memory lane for Mom and I remembering how 20 something years ago she was in labor with Sari. For an hour or so Sari even had hopes of getting a neice on her birthday!

Yes, my heart caught up with my swollen ankles causing quite a bit of concern this morning. But after being monitored for 6 hours, my doctor let me come home tonight. I had to promise to stay off my feet and go back for another bp check on Thursday. He said he was tempted to keep me and induce, but both he and I want to give this baby one more week if possible. So I am at home, on the couch, straining to blog with my wireless keyboard.

No matter what, it looks like the longest we have to wait is another week or so! WOW!!!!!! It feels very real all of a sudden!

Thankfully, we finished the nursery yesterday! (insert halelujah chorus) I"ll post pictures as soon as I can. Our baby shower is Thursday night and Kolby is singing a solo in the church summer musical Friday night. I really don't want to miss either of these events. Please pray for normal blood pressure through the fourth of July weekend for me. But of course I want to do what ever is best for the baby and me so .... I best go pack that hospital bag!!! Stay tuned blog world! :) We might be having a baby this week! :)

What's for dinner?

This is my new favorite easy summer meal. In fact, I am addicted to this menu. So easy and yet so good!

Turkey/Slaw Wrap
Fresh Blueberries and Strawberries with a smidge of splenda
Grilled ( or broiled if it's too hot to grill) zucchini
Peach fizz ice freeze

Turkey/ Slaw Wrap
Take one over sized thin flour tortilla (wal mart brand works fine)
Top with 1/4 to 1/2 cup "coleslaw" salad mix (buy the package it is faster than chopping)
Sprinkle with a two teaspoons of either sunflower kernels or toasted slivered almonds
Add a few teaspoons (just not too much) of any "from the bottle" Cole Slaw dressing ( I used Kraft this week)
Top with a few slices of shaved or #1 sliced turkey lunch meat (got to go with the good stuff from the deli)
Fold bottom over inch and roll ( so all your stuff doesn't fall out)
Enjoy

Peach Fizz Ice Freeze
(This is for a 4 quart ice cream maker)
Puree one 15 oz can on peaches in heavy syrup with one 14 0z can sweetened condensed milk (Eagle brand skim works!)
Pour in a chilled ice cream maker canister with dasher.
Slowly fill canister to fill line with 2 liters 7-Up, Gingerale, or any other clear soda (diet works but might taste "diet" like)
Follow directions on Ice Cream freezer . This is a light, fun and yummy summer dessert!

You can also do this with:
Big Red and strawberries or cherries (or sans fruit!)
Orange Crush and mandarin oranges or crushed pineapple
Root Beer , or Coke, or Dr Pepper and just Eagle Brand. It will taste like a Rootbeer float slushy, sort of! (But if you are not adding fruit don't use the diet drinks or skim eagle brand because it will have a funky after taste.)


Any one else have some favorite EASY summer recipes? If you can even call these recipes! :)

ouch!

Maverick fans are all a bit sad today. I know I am. Did last night really happen? Did the Mavs really loose the finals? Wow! What a sad game! The thing is I still think the Mavs are the better team. They did not play well three of the four quarters, missing at one point 16 shots in a row, and still only trailed by three in the end. I'm not a huge sports fan but I really wanted the Mavs to take it this year! I guess there is always next year!

Still here... 4 weeks to go!

Hey there blog land! I have not had too many bloggable thoughts lately. I can't believe how fast this pregnancy is going and I also can not believe how hard phyiscally it is getting for me to get anything done! I feel like cross between the Stay-Puft marshmallow Man from Ghostbusters and Violet from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (after she chewed the gum and turned into a blueberry). Pretty huh? By 2pm my whole body is so swollen I can barely bend! I've had nightmares that the baby came and my body was stuck in swollen mode forever! I am looking forward to being able to wear shoes again.

OK swelling aside, we are slowly but surely making progress in the nursery. After a three week stripping, sanding, priming, painting, nightmare with the nursery furniture, it is all almost done. I am in love with the bedding! The curtains are hung and my Mom came up with a great art project to tie the room together, so we are almost there! It feels good/ weird to have a baby bed up in the house again!

Rob and I are coming closer to picking a name but we have both said we might just have to see her first to truly decide. It's still a bit hard to imagine us with a baby again. We have started talking to the kids about what a new baby needs and doesn't need. They are really excited! It's so funny to watch them talk to my tummy! I'm glad they are so into this process.

In other news, my kids went to VBS at the Baptist church where Rhett goes to pre-school last week. It was so wonderful! The kids loved it and I loved having a few mornings to myself. When I was little we never went to things at "other" churches. I think that is a shame. I love the people I have met through this church. The moms and teachers are wonderful! I still love our church and want my kids involved there, but I think exposing them to other Christ followers is a great thing! I want my kids to understand that we are Christians only not the only Christians and not be afraid of other churches.

There have been times I have wondered if I was doing something wrong by putting Rhett in a program other than the Mother's Day Out at our church. (which is a great little MDO program by the way!) But the other program fit more of what I felt Rhett needed. Three years later, I am so glad that Rhett has gone to a different school because we have met so many great people and Rhett has so many good little friends outside his little class at church. I absolutely LOVE Rhett's little group of friends at church, but I think it is important to have good Christian friends who attend other churches.

Anyway it was nice to have my kids in a great VBS that I didn't work! Our church is not having VBS this year, but when we do, I want to make sure and be a big part of it to give some of my friends the great break and awesome learning opportunity they gave me and my kids last week!

Well, that's the end of my blog time for today! Hope you are all having a great summer! Time to waddle off to the next task! :)

Misery loves company

Pulled this off of my Yahoo home page this morning. Here is the caption.

Qiao Yubo, who is pregnant with at least five babies, walks with her husband, right, in Songyuan, in China's northeast Jilin province, Sunday, June 11, 2006. Qiao, who is 1.67-meters tall ( that's 5'4 for Americans) , has a waistline measurement of 1.75 meters. (5' 7) She is only five months into her pregnancy. Qiao's excessive bulk is causing difficulties in getting around, with taxi drivers too afraid to take her in their cars. Her clothing is all custom-made and she eats up to seven meals a day. (AP Photo/EyePress)

Bless her heart! I hope there is an air-conditioner in her house! Somehow this makes me feel better... a lot better!

The Pink Palace

At last we are finished decorating and moving Kolby into her new room! We still lack a few finishing touches, but this is as close as we will get before the baby's room is done. Speaking of, I best be getting back to that. Hopefully I can post finished nursery pictures before long!


Much of the inspiration for Kolby's room came from these wooden letters that she painted for a name plate for her door. I love doing kids room!


I copied Kolby's little letters and made them big for her wall. This was a fun, but time consuming, project!


We decided to put two beds in Kolby's room so that we could utilize under bed storage for toys, and after loosing the guest bedroom, I want to always have an extra bed up and ready. All of Kolby's toys are in pull outs under her beds.

This desk was my sisters when she was Kolby's age.
Kolby and Rhett love these beds! There are still lots of little girl touches in this room so that it isn't too teen (or tween) like but still leaves room for growth.


If you look in the far left top corner of this picture you will see one of Kolby's favorite parts of her new room. She has a TV/ DVD player mounted from the ceiling. It can only be turned on with the remote (which we keep most of the time) and gets only the five channels that Rob and I picked. Also anything over a G rating is automatically blocked out. You gotta love parental controls! I never wanted a TV in my kids rooms but when we lost our guest/ play/extra TV room... Well, I think this will work out!


This was my dresser all my growing up days.

Now on to the nursery.....

Getting Along

( rant warning)
With school out and both kids home we are having some "getting along issues" in our house, some for the first time really. Seems an 8 year old and an almost 5 year old find more to argue about than they ever have before. I constantly hear myself saying "You guys are going to have to be nice and learn to get along." We have talked about respecting each other and not saying hurtful things. Truthfully it has been exhausting!

One of my mommy escapes is to blog and read my e-paper. But this morning's read reminded me that kids aren't the only ones who struggle with "being sweet to each other and getting along." Seldom do I agree with Senator Hillary Clinton, but this time I have to say she has a point. Not to pick on Ann Coulter, but she goes way too far in my opinion. In fact there are way too many peoiple who have gone too far when it comes to criticism these days. Too many in our political process make a living off of dishing "the other guys" to prove a point. There are no boundries, no decent lines of respect, no punch too far below the belt. It's always all out war. It needs to stop. There are too many pundits and critics and too few public servants in the political landscape of our world.

The political polarizing of America in order "to get what our side wants" has gone too far. The left, the right, Republicans, Democrats, Liberals, Conservatives, Christians, Jews .... All of us are all guilty. I'm so tired of hearing from each party and each special interest group about what is broken in this country and what should be addressed by the government. I want to scream "Stop whining and do something constructive!" Seems we all need to go back to grade school days and re-learn manners, respect, sacrificing for others good, getting along, and just plain old being "nice"... Things that an exit tests can't gauge, but things that are more true indicators of what a person will contribute to the world in life.

I guess after reading about the ruckus going on the world, I should not be surprised or alarmed that my 8 and almost 5 year old haven't quite learned what politicians five times their age have yet to figure out. I will however double my efforts to teach my kids to get along, love each other, sacrifice my wants for your needs, and respect even those they do not agree with. I'm afraid our world today will not teach them any of these things. Where are all the good examples of servanthood, sacrifice, self control and working for the common good? I guess Jesus is the only example we can really hold up. I guess in ways that has always been the case. (end rant)

Thanks for letting me get that out. Back to Mommy world. Hope your summer is going well and that you have a great Thursday ....Oh and just for today, try to be nice and get along! OK? :)

Checking in

Nothing to new today but thought I'd pop in and say Hi. We are still working on rearranging the house and getting everything ready for the baby. We spent all day Monday sorting through Kolby's stuff and getting her old room ready to become a nursery. My Mom and I spent much of yesterday trying to find some material to match what we bought at Pottery Barn.

The kids went to their first day of Summer Mother's Day Out at church and had a great time. Even though it's only been a week, I have to say I enjoyed the break from the two of them. I love my kids but breaks are so nice. Today we are continuing to move and organize closets and clean up. I'll take the kids swimming this after noon.

On the prego front...I don't think my feet can get any bigger without popping. It's really hard to walk at times. I had to get some men's flip flops at Target yesterday because my feet won't fit in anything else. The heat makes it worse but, I have yet to find anything that makes the swelling better. I had a dream last night that I was at a baby shower for me at a friends house and my water broke. IN my dream I was mortified that I had ruined the wing back chair I was sitting in and wondered how long I could hold off telling someone! Then I woke up. You know it might be fun to go into labor surrounded by girl friends...but I would hate to think of anyone having to clean that up!!! I think the dream is just wishful thinking on my part because if I went into labor at my shower the baby would be 18 days early! Fat chance!

Yesterday I spent some time with Mom and the kids a Target registering for baby stuff. Rhett made it his job to hold the scanner and zap barcodes. I had to go delete a few things such as Hot Wheels racing cars and Cars toys, but Rhett had a blast. I have never registered for a baby before and honestly I feel a bit silly. But as one of my friends said, people want to give you something, you might as well let them know what you want and need. So I did it. Still feeling a bit sheepish about it though!

So tonight is the first night in a year that we don't have a class to teach! I will actually miss this little Wednesday night class and hope we make it to church on Wednesday nights even if we don't HAVE to be there. It's going to be a challenge.

Ok I've rambled enough. Hope to check in with some before and after shots by weeks end! :)
Happy Hump Day!

PS Just in case you weren't in Mrs.Johnson's 2nd grade at Travis Elementary in the late 70's "hump day" is Wednesday! Hey....... Get your mind out of the gutter! This is a G rated blog! :)

What's in a name?

I am taking a short break from my "clutter clearing, house organizing, furniture sanding, life altering home make over nesting" mania to vent about my latest mental challenge. I am completely conflicted over the name of this baby! We have narrowed it down to two, possibly three combinations. Why is this so hard for me? Why can't I just pick one out of a hat and be happy? I have never struggled over names like this. The first two ( Sara Kolby and Rhett Thomas) were easy to come up with for us. We agreed immediately. I love my kids names.

There were some grumbles when I insisted that Kolby be called Kolby and not Sara. I like the name Sara and all, in fact it was a tribute to my sister Sari and the many Sarahs in my family tree. But I wanted her called Kolby. Originally I wanted to name Kolby Shelby, but there were lots of Shelbys and my cousin named her dog that. I couldn't name my first born after a dog. I came across the boy name Colby and decided it sounded like a girl name to me. I also wanted Kolby to have my initials, SKG. AND Kolby Sara just didn't sound right. So, much to my in-laws chagrin, we call our daughter by her middle name. Who made the rule that you had to be called by your first name? Think outside the box people! (end rant)

Rhett's name was also easy. As far back as I can remember I have always loved the name Rhett. I had a good friend named Rhett. He was one of two people who I had a class with every year from first grade until we graduated from High School. Rhett was the life of the party and the nicest, most fun, guy. He was actually related to some of my relatives, so we kidded about being cousins. Rhett was the kind of guy I would have loved to have had for a brother. He reminded me a lot of my cousin Robby. Everyone liked Rhett. Tragically, Rhett was killed in a car wreck in college. I wrote his sweet Mom and Dad when my Rhett was born. They were thrilled to hear of another little Rhett and we still keep in touch now through Christmas cards. Thomas is Rob's middle name and my sweet grandaddy's first name...Although he was called Caskey, his middle name, his whole life. Rhett and Rob share the monogram RTG.

Now here we are on baby number three. Again one of my family member's has named their dog a name I would really like to use. Rob doesn't want his daughter sharing the name of a dog. The name I like the best is beautiful but again, I want the baby called by the middle name if we use this one. Rob isn't too sure he wants to do that again. Then there are some family names, but I'm not so sure I like them as much. Kolby likes my favorite name, Rhett likes Rob's preferred name of the moment...Though it is really Rob's third choice name because I nixed the other two. Rob said he would be fine with whatever I decide...but I want him to like the name as much as I do.

So we have six weeks to decide and I have no idea what will change that will make us pick a name. Would it be too much to give the baby 4 names? Yeah, I thought so! Let me know how you decided on your kids names. Any secrets or hints?

Back to the nesting phase....
Have a great weekend!

PS Want to see how common or uncommom your name is? Go look at this site! I have been spending lots of time here lately!

A great season!

Last night was our last t-ball game and team pizza party at a near by park. Three players are not pictured above, but I think you can tell from this team party picture what a fun group this was! Rhett has loved his two adventures in team sports so far. Rob has really enjoyed "coaching" these teams. Kolby and I are happy to watch and socialize. I love this stage in my kid's life. Though it keeps us on the go, we all enjoy these short laid back sports seasons!

Bye Bye 2nd grade, HELLO SUMMER!

Today is the last day of school for Kolby! Even though I haven't been in a school situation personally for over 12 years, I still love the last day of school! It is always such an incredibly great feeling to have another year completed and know after a great summer everything will start over new next year. This is Kolby's teacher's last year here as she is moving back home to South Carolina. We will really miss Mrs. Mosier! She was such a wonderful person and an incredible teacher. She was a pilot teacher for a new (as in not SAXON) phonics program this year. Kolby thrived with this new program.

(brag warning!) Yesterday Kolby got an AR Award. Lots of kids did, but any kind of reading award means a lot when you are dyslexic! Last year at this time we were so apprehensive about how Kolby would do this year. (OK apprehensive doesn't quite describe the terror I felt.) With lots of hard work , an intense summer camp, twice a week tutoring at Baylor, and an incredibly sweet teacher who understood her challenges, Kolby was able to make the all A or A/B honor roll all four of the 9 week grade periods! She still struggles more than we wish, but she has come so far! I am not worried about her academically anymore. Third grade and the looming TAKS test are a bit intimidating, but I feel sure she will be able to excel.

So let summer begin! Hallelujah! It's the LAST DAY OF SCHOOL!
UPDATED WITH PICTURES AT 3PM
Today, the last day of second grade with Mrs. Mosier.



The first day of school last August.

Love one an Otter

I'm trying to do alot of "Mommy and Rhett" stuff this week so, this morning Rhett and I went to the Zoo. We have the neatest zoo here. One of Rhett's favorite areas is the otter slide. There is a clear plexiglass slide that goes through the otter pond. Rhett, as usual, had a car in his pocket. When he went down the slide he took the car out and started zooming it around the slide. He loves to do that with all slides. One otter saw him playing and started chasing the car. Rhett got off the slide and continued to zoom the car on the plexiglass pond window. The otter followed the car and Rhett everywhere! Rhett was thrilled to make a new fun friend. It was one of the cutest things I have ever seen! It went on for twenty or so minutes. People were stopping and videoing Rhett and the otter. On little girl was a bit upset and said "Mom he's not sharing the otter!" to which we all laughed. Rhett walked away from the window and the otter just looked so sad. He still followed Rhett! So we hung out at the otter pond for some time entertainng Rhett, several passsersbys, and apparently the otter. When it was finally time to leave Rhett was a bit sad and wanted to ask the Zoo people if we could bring the otter a car of his own "because there aren't any toys in there for him to play with." As we left to zoo about an hour later Rhett said, " I bet that otter still misses me."

I have a feeling we will visit "the otter" many times this summer and... you can bet Rhett will always bring few cars along!

Night terror

I'm in Dr Lakey's class on the second floor of Morris and I have an exam in five minute across campus on the second story of the business building with Dr Jozell Brister. Dr Lakey will not let us go. He keeps talking and talking. He stops me as I try to leave and the rest of the class streams out the other door. He gives up and let's me go. Finally, I am out of his class and trying to navigate the extremely narrow (like 12 inch wide) staircase to get out of the buiding. With help, I finally leave D Morris. No matter how fast I walk, the business building is not getting any closer. People are trying to stop me to talk about club and senate and my ex-boyfriend. Leave me alone please! I'm going to be late! Dr Brister will not let me take my exam if I am late. I will fail the class. I am running. I run in the door to the business building and again there are very thin stairs with no bannisters and at least a hundred foot drop off on either side. I am terrified but I keep going. Finally I arrive at the door of the class only to be met by Dr Brister. I am late. I may not take the exam. I will surely fail the class if I don't go drop it this moment. I want to scream but I have no voice. She turns to leave then suddenly I find my voice and say "Dr Brister I have worked hard in this class all semester long, if I drop today I will get an WF or WP and it will still cost me and my family $800 to $900 dollars. When was the last time someone fined you $800 for being five minuted late?" She looks at me as if she is thinking about it, and I wake up sweating and so glad to know it was just another bad college dream!!!!

College nightmares! I am still haunted by them! Last night's version was strange because I only had Dr Brister for one class and it was my freshman year. It was a junior level Macroeconmics class that I should never have been in and didn't even need. Apparently my summer advisor who registered me messed up. Dr Brister had no idea I was a first semester freshman until the last week of class. She was so sweet and so troubled that I had been put in that class, but there was nothing we could do about it so late in the game. I think I made a C. Dr Brister was very nice and never had a "no exam if you are late rule," at least not that I remember. What is it about college that 16 years later it still haunts my sleep? Why do I still wake up in a sweat from dreaming I slept through a test or registered for a class and forgot to go until the last week of class?

Anyway, last nights dream was a little different from normal becase I was able to go up the stiars. Usually, I am just stuck there. AND in last nights dream I was able to speak up for myself and question my unfair predicament. Usualy I am unable to talk no matter how hard I try. So what does that mean? Any dream interpreters out there?

The Bibe talks about God speaking to people in dreams. I wonder if he still does that. I wonder if we pass off his messages to us as eating too soon before bed or indegistion? How do we know if it is God or the scarey movie we just watched before bedtime?

Well Rhett and I are off to the zoo so I have to run. Do you have any reoccuring dreams? What do you think they mean?

Endings and beginnngs

This morning I realized that these are my last few days home alone with Rhett. Friday Kolby will get out of school and then it will be the three of us until the baby comes. Rhett has another year before he starts kindergarten. He will be in pre-school three mornings a week next year and when he isn't at school, the baby will be here. So these really are the last days of just me and Rhett! I can't believe that! I regret that I didn't do more with just him this semester, but I guess that part of watching our babies grow up.

Next Monday is the beginning of our summer. T-ball is also over Friday night. We don't have anything much planned for a week or so afterwards. However, this is when the real rush to get ready for the baby begins, so I think we will be quite busy. Then ths summer's activities begin, not to mention our due date countdown. Just 8 weeks to go now!

As the big D-Date nears, the reality of three kids is becoming a bit more clear! WOW! Three kids! I am going where my mother and grandmothers never went. I have never been in a family with three kids... It's all new, slightly intimidating, and really exciting! Yeah, I get a kick out of thinking that I am going to be the mom of three. Rob and I have talked about zone defenses and being out numbered. I think this should be fun! :)

Would love to blog more but I think I need to go spend some time with my favorite little guy! Happy Monday!

words

park playdate
make cookies
make b-day banana pudding
time??????
end of the year
teacher gifts
i signed up to bring what?
still homework
LAST SPELLING TEST :)
register for summer
BILLS
everything by Friday
Nursery still not started
un-painted baby bed waiting
projects on hold
all over the house
time??????
energy?
broken staple gun
make posters
dry markers
last 20 school birthdays
2 short
store again?
Rhett's last day of school
last PTA event of year
leftover Watermelon
yum
late nights
early mornings
e-mails
more trips to the store
sick dog
must clean carpets
swollen feet
where are my ankles?
Kolby's field day
Rob's birthday
Mother-in-law
2 day visit ?
T-ball game
getting hot now
humidity on the rise
BRAXTON HICKS every time I stand
Heartburn
Summer just a week away
Kolby still not moved
three closets to go
sewing'
painting
overwhelmed?
CALGON???????????????
???????????????????????

BE STILL AND KNOW THAT HE IS GOD!
No.
Really.
STILL.
Feet up
Breath
Pray
Better
Drink
Water
Swallow
Plan
Breath

GO!

blog later

Happy Birthday Rob!

Last year I wrote this about my favorite guy on his birthday. Last year we were celebrating the premeire of Star Wars Episode 3 and having a great time. No big plans this year, though we did call in a sub for the 4 year old class at church tonight. I think we are going to just have a quiet night out and come home for birthday banana pudding.

Last night we went to see Rob's last softball game of the season. (Which is misleading because I am sure a new season will start next week.) Anyway, it was a cool night and a early game and we all had fun watching Daddy! He hit one in-field home run, a few rbi's and later on his last at bat he hit an over-the-fence home run that helped his team win the game 14 to 12. I think they came in at first place for the season. Pretty impressive for a thirty something year old guy! I met Rob on the softball feilds almost eleven years ago. I don't think he has missed too many spring or summer seasons since then and he still seems to play better and better each year. Just goes to show, you can take the boy out of the game, but you can't take the game out of the boy!

Ten years ago today Rob was turning 25. We were engaged and planning our August wedding. I threw a big surprise party for him at a favorite Mexican resteraunt in San Angelo. My parents gave him a gas grill which we still use. Most of our grooms men and lots of friends were there. We ate, danced and talked 'till the wee hours of the morning. It was such a fun night. I wonder if we had had a glimpse ten years into our future if we would have cut and run! Seriously! Five moves, eight jobs, two kids and one on the way, living across the street from my parents in Waco of all places, driving old cars, PTA, paper routes, trying to make ends meet, trying not to miss out on one minute of our kids childhood, t-ball games, basketball games, tutors, dentitst appointments, millions of loads of laundry, Saturday to-do list that leave us exhausted, family moments we wish we could freeze and keep forever.... So much good and bad (though I think more good) It might have been too much for those fun loving 25 year olds to handle! Maybe it's good that God lets us have our days one at a time!

HOWEVER I am so proud of Rob and wouldn't want to do this thing called life with anyone else! I have said it before, Rob is a rock. He is seldom down and believes everything will work out eventually. He works so hard. He knows when to take a break. He is steady as the day is long! He doesn't take himself or much of anything too seriously. He makes me laugh, even when I do not want to. He is a great dad. A great friend. A great husband. A great Christian. I am very blessed to be his wife. I love you honey! Happy Birthday!

Grey's Anatomy

Before you think I am some TV crazed nut, let me state that this is the only show I ever watch. We do not watch TV at night in our house unless there is a game on. Sunday nights I watch GA, and if we are home, Extreme Home Makeover. I haven't watched Desperate Housewives in so long that I have no idea what the previews are talking about. I'm not a TV junkie, this is just my show. I don't have much time today but here are my first reactions to the two hour season finally.

Thank you President Bush for not talking about immigration during the two hour finale. I was going to have to be upset with George! Luckily he decided to talk during the re-brodcast of Sunday's show. Not that immigration isn't important, but really there are 24 hours in a day...I'm glad he didn't pick the two hours I wanted to watch TV last night.

The Show~
Izzie has lost it! I'm sorry but you don't stop the heart of someone you love. She caused so many problems with her attempt to save Denny. I don't think anyone would throw their career away for a impulsive dangerous plan like that. Having said that, yes I cried at the end and found myself really sad about Denny. I don't want Izzie to leave the show either. She maybe psycho but I have always liked Izzie! She and Burke would have made a better couple..two nice people.

Christine~ Well I never thought she deserved Burke and now I am sure of it! Can she redeem herself? Not sure! Good to see her be bit more human. I can't decide if I think she is pretty or really not. She has a really good sad face and does anger and sarcasm well.

Burke~ So glad he is alive and I really hope his hand is not damaged for life. He really is one of the good guys. Why do they always hurt the good guys?

George ~ One of the only ones I was not disappointed in last night. He needed to apologize to Mere and not get Callie's hopes up. He did what he should have done. You gotta love George.

Alex ~ What a jerk! But he did have some really redeeming qualities in the end I guess. It made me tear up when he was so sweet to Izzie.

Bailey ~ I love Dr. Bailey. She, George, Burke and the Cheifs wife are my favorite people on the show. She is the best!

The Sheppards. ~Addison needs to go back to McSteamy in New York because, try as he might, her husband does not love her. And I am not sure he really has tried. I however really do like Addison and I hope she and Fin get together if Mc Steamy doesn't work out. I think I like her better than Mereidtih in some ways and think Derick is making a mistake.
~ Derick ~ He has issues. What in the world? He left Mere to make a go of his marriage. He should never have followed her out. Leave her alone if you are going to leave her. Leave your wife if you can't get over Mere. End all these games. I never got the whole "friends sharing a dog" thing. I kept having Can't Buy Me Love Flashbaacks last night and wanted to tell Ronald to go get bacl on his lawnmower and ride away. I even yelled "NO! Don't do it! " when they got together in the exam room. Thought he was pretty spineless to walk out like nothing happened. He needs to make a choice and stick with it.

Mereidith~ It's hard to feel sorry for a girl who sleeps around so much. I think she was trying to do better and be better but, she should have run away when Derick followed her out. Poor Vet...he had plans! I hope she is honest and lets the Vet know she still loves Derick so we don't go through another season of them playing cat and mouse... and occasionaly other things. AND When did she figure out what happened with her Mom and the Cheif? Thought more would be made of that! She sure did turn the tables on the old guy, didn't she! She is a bit looney but I guess considering what she has been through, she has a right to be looney, just not slutty. Show some selfrestraint/self respect Mereidith!

Despite what all I just said, I am still as hooked as ever and can't wait for next season. I know the show is a bit catty and "who sleeps with who-ish" but there are some really good stories too. It is a night soap to be sure, but for some reason it is easy to identify with all of them and is far from predictable for me. Yes, I am a GA addict! So what did you guys think?

Big Weekend, Big Blessings

We had a big weekend again this week but for all the right reasons this time!

The weekend started out with two very big prayers being answered. First my uncle had been told last week that some spots removed from his bladder looked cancerous. Though the prognosis was good even if they were cancerous, we were all thrilled to hear the great news last Thursday that it was all benign! My uncle is an incredible man and I can't tell you how happy we all are that he is OK!

Next Rob got a call from his sister saying she is expecting in December!!! We are all so happy! My sister-in-law has being trying to have a second baby for over three years. After all sorts of treatments and a miscarriage, we are so grateful that she is pregnant and all the test and sonogram look great! Her son is just two months younger than Rhett and this one will be just five months younger than our baby girl! Cousins are so fun!

After good news like that, the rest of the weekend had to go well...and it did. Rhett had a t-ball game Friday night. He played the team of his favorite "dude" Michael from school. Michael and Rhett just love each other. Rhett even said he wanted Michael's team to win because when they played each other last fall in soccer, Michael's team lost. Since we don't keep score in t-ball and everyone gets to score, we were all winners. It was a really fun game.

Saturday Kolby, my Mom and I got up bright and early and headed for Dallas. We were on a mission to get bumper pads for the new nursery and do some baby shopping. After calling all over the state, we found out the only store that had the bedding we wanted was the Pottery Barn Kids in Frisco, Texas. So we made a day of it! Our first stop was IKEA in Frisco. I love IKEA! The store amazes me. We picked up two rugs, some trays, some decorative things for Kolby's room and had a great time just looking at all the stuff! We even had a little snack in their super cool resteraunt. I'm sure we looked like country folks in the big city just gwaking at all there was to see.

We then headed to Stonebriar to Pottery Barn Kids for the bumper pads. I have a bit of a confession. My mom is much more into the decoration of this nursery than I am. I want it to be cute and flowery but I'm not too picky about actual pattern. Mom bought some bumper pads in Austin that I really liked. She however didn't like how they looked in the room with the current paint color and wanted something more pastel and delicate. So we took those back and got something she likes better. I like them both, but I guess this pattern is sweeter and more girly.

Rob laughs at us because he thinks a flowery print is a flowery print and anything would work. He has come so far though in our almost ten years of marriage and totally accepts that I, like my mother before me, have to have things a certain way when it comes to decorating the house. No white walls, no un-matching anything, no hodge-podge just use it because you have it works decor etc. As a military kid who lived in base housing most of his growing up years, that has been hard for him to get used to. But I stray...

For an early Mothers Day present, Kolby and I took Mom to the Cheesecake Factory for a late lunch/early dinner! We all love the Cheesecake Factory! We had a great lunch topped off with a piece of Adams Peanut Butter Fudge Ripple Cheesecake, which is to die for! We then rolled ourselves around the corner to the famous Sam Moons! Kolby was heart broken that we wouldn't let her get a diamond-eek tiara for $15.00. She has at least three Disney type tiaras for dress-up, but she wanted this one because it looked so real. She tried to sell us on the deal by saying she could wear it to church every Sunday! As amusing as that thought was, we told her she would have to wait. She was a bit pouty but resolved to return when she is a "teenager" to get a crown and sceptor for her first "prom". I can't wait to remind her of that in eight or so years!

We should have called it a day then, but no, we had to squeeze in a few more stores. Our last stop was a Babies-R-Us. If I thought the baby section of Toys-R-Us was overwhelming, I should have known what Babies-R-Us would do to me! But, I am getting better about all that. With Mom by my side, we were able to make a more practical list of things we need. I am old enough and experienced enough to know that we don't have to have everything to be good parents...like a wipe warmer and a diaper stacker that matches the bedding. But there are some things, like a waterproof crib mattress cover NOT made of plasticand a changing table pad, that we will need. We actually didn't buy a thing. We just made a list and plan to return before the baby comes. We got home around 9:30PM and were all a bit pooped!

Sunday we had a great Mothers Day! Despite a huge thunderstorm that dropped three inches of rain in our back yard in a matter of three hours and caused a few flash floods in the area, our day was great. We went to church and then Rob headed out to my aunt and uncles to help all the guys grill a big lunch/dinner for all the Moms in the family. They grilled rib-eyes, shrimp and Terriaki chicken. It was al so good! I love this tradition that my Uncle started! We had a great family day complete with the viewing of a Star Wars movie, a kid style show and lots and lots of visiting. We pulled in the drive-way about 8:45 last night. I had just enough time to get unloaded, put the kids in the bath tub, make them a little supper and catch Grey's Anatomy.

OH MY GOODNESS! GA freaked me out last night! I am so excited to see the season finale tonight! I am planning to stay home and just soak it in.

Well, I guess that is about it! Rhett and I hope to go eat lunch with Kolby today so I better get going. Hope you had a great Mother' s Day Weekend! Tune in tomorrow for and all GA discussion blog! :)

Baby?!%&*?"+:)$$%#

Ever since the day I said I was melting...Our weather has been great! Cool and in the 70's! I love this weather and wish it would last until July!

Monday I took the kids to Toys-R-Us. It was a bicycle "survey" trip as both kids knees are hitting their chest now as they pedal their current bikes. We somehow ended up on the baby aisle. You would think I would have enjoyed that aisle being 30+ weeks prego and all, but instead this nagging anxious sensation took root and it is growing by the day. The baby section did me in!

There is so much stuff for babies! Have you ventured down the baby aisle lately? While I know that not all of it is necessary, still it is a bit daunting. I kept looking at things wondering if I had thrown my old one away, mentally making a list of who I could borrow this and that from and started the "things we will have to get" list n my head. OH MY!

I feel very unprepared for this baby. In fact I feel less prepared for this one than I did the first two. With Kolby I had her room almost done and the Q-tips and wipes in place on the changing table by now. Rob and I were taking a baby class and I was reading every baby book I could get my hands on. With Rhett I had a three year old. I didn't read too much but the nursery was ready and waiting. All my friends had little babies so we talked "baby" all the time. Fast forward four, almost five years.

There hasn't been a diaper or a bottle in this house since Rhett was two. Diaper Bag... I think I stopped carrying one of those when Rhett was 18 moths old and went for the monogramed sports themed "church bag" instead. Stroller ..two garage sales ago. Car Seats.. Besides the booster Rhett is in now, they have all surpassed their 5 year limit and are gone. High Chair...I have a great one! Rhett ripped the pad in it to shreds so I am trying to find another one that will fit. Still have a pack-n-play. Not sure about the swing. Have a bouncy loaned out to someone, or did I give it away? The cover to the exersaucer molded in the attic. Lets not even talk about the pump.

And it isn't just the stuff. I sat by my friend E at a PTA luncheon yesterday with her two month old little Ethan. He weighs 12 pounds, so he isn't tiny, but he sure seemed it! And there was so much stuff that went with him! A big old bag, an infant seat, and an upside down highchair thing. He was really good, but E still had to leave with him a few times to feed and change him etc. Friends kept saying..."Are you ready for that?" I laughed, but honestly, I don't feel ready at all!

Don't misunderstand...I am so grateful to be having this baby! She already has, is, and will be a huge blessing in our lives and I am very grateful for her! It's just that having a baby when you have an active 8.5 year old and almost 5 year old is quite different from having the first, or even the second with a toddler around. It's hard to get back to that baby mindset. AND you know how ADD I am, so having to have an elementary school, preschool and baby mindset all at the same time seems a bit... Overwhelming!

I guess I thought by the third, this baby thing would be old hat. But really is having a baby ever old hat? I wonder if people who have 5 or 6 or even more still feel the same way? I wonder if they question their abilities to be a baby Mom and a big kid Mom at the same time. Do they wonder if the poor little baby will spend her little infant-hood in a carseat on the way to T-ball practice and carpool? Do they worry that they will forget something important and miss out on some big developmental stage? Do they fear their baby will never go to MOPS or playgroup because her mom is a decade older than the other Moms? Do they have nightmares that they will leave the baby at home on accident or forget the stroller at the mall? Not to say that I worry about any of those things...

But I have to add, as overwhelming as the baby section sometimes is for me, it is fascinating for Kolby! She wants to know what everything is for and exactly what every little do-a-hickey does. She would have bought the baby aisle out the other day if I had let her. She also loves to look at diapers and baby food at the grocery store and is DIEING to start buying some. The other day she disappeared in Children's Place for a few minutes and came back with no less than 6 outfits for her little sister! If I have forgotten something about babies or lost my baby shopping zeal/smarts...Kolby might just make up for it!

Even Rhett is into the baby stuff. Although he mostly just liked popping wheelies with the display stroller someone had left in the aisles the other day, he too finds stuff he wants to buy his sister where ever we go. He says he will give the baby a bottle and play with her, but is quick to add that he will not change any diapers! :) So I guess what this baby lacks in a prepared and mentally ready Mommy, she more than makes up for in a very excited and willing older sister and brother! And Rob..he's a rock! Ready for anything. Always confident that it will all work out and be just fine. Can't imagine doing this parent thing with anyone else! :)

So even though I feel a bit overwhelmed right now, deep down I know this family and this baby are very blessed to have each other. I'm sure once she is here I will not be able to remember what life was like before her! I guess it's just all part of the ongoing Mommy journey. The road may be bumpy and steep at times but there is no other road I would rather be traveling!

Excuse the mommy ramblings today! Hope you all have a great weekend!

Melting

The temperature here is currently 92 degrees. The humidity is 65%. That means it feels like it is 106 degrees outside! It's only May and already, I'm melting!!!!! Thank goodness it was not this hot or humid this weekend when the power was out. I think I will go stick my feet in a bucket of ice....

What a weekend!

Too tired to spell check so you will have to bear with me!
I am a bit overwhelmed as I try to sum up the weekend. Seems like it was a week long. I guess most of you know by now that our town was hit by a tornado. The second tornado in 7 days actually. The first tornado was an F1 that hit on the outskirts of the other side of town. I didn't even know about it for two days. The second was an F2 that I knew about as it happened!

Going back to last Friday night, Rob dropped Kolby off at a slumber party, dropped Rhett off at my parents for the night and picked me up to go to a Cinco de Mayo party at my cousins. We had a nice relaxing evening and sat on my cousins back patio enjoying the cool breeze and watching lightening roll back to the west, far, far away from us. Since both Rob and I had had an exhausting week, we were happy to cut out early and be home asleep by 11:30pm. I had visions of sleeping late and having a low key yet productive weekend.

At 12:20am I woke up to the sound of our electricity going off and a storm outside. About a minute later my sister called our one remaining land line to tell us that they were across the street in the closet with Rhett and the tornado sirens were going off. Rob and I were up like a shot bolting to the guest bathroom, which has all interior walls. We could hear the emergency warning siren saying "Tornado Warning! Seek Shelter Immmediately" (Yes our sirens have a human voice and are soo creepy)

Anyway we huddled for a moment then decided to take a peek out the windows and look for a flash light and a radio. The storm was amazing. The sky was greenish. There was so much lightening that at times It was a s bright as day outside. ( A man a few blocks away from us took this picture around 12:30am) The only radio we could find was Kolby's "My Scene Barbie Walkman" but it worked. I lit candles. When we heard a very high pitched whirling sound that was not our sirens, we retreated back to the bathroom.

I was very uneasy because both my kids were not with me in this awful storm! I swore never to let Kolby go to a slumber party (her first all nighter by the way) during tornado season. To sooth my nerves, Rob left the confines of the safe bathroom and called over to my friends house where twenty one 8 year old girls were having a slumber party! My friend said that they had waked all the girls up and were crouching in a closet under her stairs. Can you imagine? She said they were all OK and were giggling and telling stories. We later learned that Kolby had gone into a sound sleep and in typical Kolby style was at the bottom of her sleeping bag. They couldn't see her and had left her up stairs. She woke up to a dark room and was all alone. She said she was scared and hid in her sleeping bag for a minute or two before my friend came upstairs and found her. Then she was fine. Glad I didn't know that until later, although I think the whole ordeal took less than four minutes.

I was in the bathroom and kept calling my sisters cell phone frommy cell phone because my parents don't have a land line ( ie a phone that does not require electricity). After several failed attempts and dropped calls I found out that they were all safe in a closet and Rhett had slept through the entire thing. In fact, he never woke up the whole night! That in itself is one of the great blessings of this storm because Rhett is terrified of "funder and lighting."It was a huge relief to me to know he wasn't scared.

By 1:45 the siren had long since stopped going off and the storm had died to a light rain. Our lights were still out. I was tempted to go get both Rhett and Kolby, but it seemed both were ok where they were, so we just went back to bed. I didn't go to sleep until after 3 as it was getting hot in our house, but I wasn't scared anymore.

Saturday is a blur. It took a great deal of time to get us all back together. HINT Do not almost run out of gas the morning after a tornado..there is no place to get any! By the time we had the car filled, the food moved out of the frig (THANK YOU ELIZABETH!!!) and both kids back, it was late afternoon. We ate out at Applebees and spent the rest of the day doing things outside.

Thank goodness the weather stayed cloudy and in the 70's. While it was still light enough to see, we bathed the kids and got them in their PJs. We considered staying with friends or realitives or even a hotel for the night, but decided since the temperatures were pretty mild we could stick it out. We made a Sonic run and ate in the car (with the air on) then Rob and the kids waited in the car while I ran in Wal Mart for flashlights, a weather radio, and breakfast for in the morning.

Once home I stayed outside talking to neighbors until after 9. When I came in, I found the rest of my family had all put themselves to bed and were sound asleep! Kolby and Rhett were both asleep holding their new flash lights. Rob was sawing logs. It had been a day! I opened up every window in the house, blew out all the candles, and went to bed. Couldn't sleep. I had just drifted off when I woke to the sound of Kolby crying. She was crouched in her floor clutching her tummy. A few minutes later she was in the bathroom puking by candlelight. There wasn't much of a breeze in her room so I took her into the back yard where she puked some more. It just isn't fair to be hot and nauseated at the same time. Around 2, I put her back down. The house had really cooled off by then. I fell asleep praying the lights would come on soon and second guessing that hotel decision.

At 6:30AM every bird in Hewitt decided to descend in our yard and chirp their loudest! I thought I was in the rain forrest! Needless to say I got up and Rhett soon followed. Rob didn't get home from the paper until after 7. Rhett decided to go with my parents to breakfast and church so I had him dressed and out by 8. Rob decided to go to class and let me stay with the still sleeping Kolby. I called TXU for an update. 2 to 3 days they said! 2 to 3 DAYS!!!!! This was no longer fun.

The weather was again excellent. Cloudy and in the 60's and 70's. Resigned to the fact that we would not have power for a few more days, I took a shower, put on the last of my prego clean clothes, and started dividing laundry by priority to take to the laundromat. Kolby came in at 9:30 feeling great. What ever had her puking the night before was gone. She ate three muffins! Things were looking up. When Rob got home we re-dressed everyone and headed for a birthday party for both kids at Kiddieland. We were going to make the best of it. I had just blogged from the phone when my Mom called to say our power was on! The ordeal was over...or was it?

I left Rob and the kids at the birthday party and drove home to close all the windows since the AC would be coming on. As I drove up I noticed our sprinkler system had come on and was on it's last station.... That meant my entire yard had been watered with all the windows open!!!! It wasn't too bad inside, but I had to laugh. We survived the tornado but almost flooded the house with the sprinkler system! I was so happy to have power that I didn't even care! The rest of the day we rejoiced and reveled in the AC and lights. I had everything cleaned up and the kids in bed just in time to watch GA! AHHHH the simple pleasures!

This blog is already way too long so I'll stop. I just feel very blessed to have survived the storm realitivly unscathed! AND REALLY glad the weekend is over! This should be a very low key week! I can't wait!!!! :)

We've got the power!

YES! (Insert dancing and jubilation here!) It came on this afternoon and we are thrilled! To have electricity is the biggest luxury. We never appreciate it enough! More as soon as I get the house back in shape! :) We are doing the happy dance complete with lights, music and AC!:)

Tornado Trouble

37 hours with out electricity.... But we are all safe and sound and have no other damage...not even a twig down! Read Elizabeth's Blog if you don't know what I am talking about. I'll have some stories to tell, soon as I can blog again! :)

Fiesta Friday!

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Here are a few shots of the decorations for the Fiesta lunch at school today. I'm off to put my swollen feet up and take a rest! Cinco de Mayo is a great excuse for Mexican food. Go eat Fajitas and drink a 'rita for me! :)

Thank them Thursday

This is day four of Teacher Appreciation Week. Monday's flowers were a huge hit. The Teachers oohed and awed over the treat cart that we took around school Tuesday. Wake-up Wednesday's breakfast went off without a hitch! But of all the days this week today is my favorite. Thank You Thursday. Today we are going to distribute Thank You Books to all the teachers.

Getting the pages for these books back has not been easy. Only one class out of 30 has 100% participation. BUT the pages that have come in are so amazing! My friend Emily and I have had the privilege of reading through these books as we put them together. No two pages look the same. Some kids made big drawings. Some wrote letters. Some added pictures of themselves. Some parents wrote letters.

One little first grader cracked us up by writing "I thought I knew it all, I didn't.." One kindergartener drew her teacher (who is pregnant) with a baby sticking out her belly button waving. A third grade girl wrote "Thanks for teaching me good and helping pass the TAKS. I would have never made it without you" A second grader wrote "Next to my Mom, grandma and Hillary Duff, you are my favorite woman in the world!" And a fourth grader told her teacher if she is ever "a millionair"she will owe it all to her and she will buy her a house. Then there was a letter from the father of a little boy whose Mom died just before school started. I can't even start to type about the letter with out tearing up. His child's teacher is a friend of mine and I know how deeply she will be touched by the words of this sweet sorrow-filled yet incredibly grateful man. She will keep that letter forever.

Saying thank you is so important. I know Teacher Appreciation Week seems like another one of those obligatory PTA events on the calendar, but this week has been more than that for me. A teacher who has not smiled at me all year walked up and thanked me profusely for everything we have done this week. I almost fell over. I watched a room mom who hasn't been to nice to anyone all year tear up and morph into a different person when she read the letter a mom she hasn't liked all year. The letter so sweetly thanked the teacher for helping her child with a severe learning disorder. Gratitude changes people. It changes the giver and receiver...And in ways it changes those of us who just stand back and watch.

I told you this Appreciation thing is a soapbox of mine, and it is! But only because I know that I need to incorporate an attitude of gratitude deeper into my everyday life. Somes days are hard and gratitude seems the last thing I need to think about. But those are the days I need to try harder than ever to count my blessings and more importantly, express my gratitude in words and actions. Gratitiude transforms the heart. Stepping down now...

So tomorrow we have a big Fiesta at noon to end out our week of Teacher Appreciation. The PTA job that has taken so much of my time and energy for two years will basically be over. I can't say I'm not happy to have an end in sight, but I am so glad we have done all we have done this year! I love my daughters school, and more than that, I love the teachers and staff there. They have become my friends. I feel so secure in sending Kolby up there everyday because I know I am sending her to people who love children, who work hard, and who will do whatever it takes to teach my little girl what she needs to know. That is priceless!

I hope you all have had a great week. I haven't had the chance to check in on most of you with all the commotion around here. I have sorta missed you guys! But I will catch up next week! Happy Thursday!

Psalms 18:2

The Lord is my rock, my fortresss, and my deliverer, my God, my strength, in whom I will trust.

This came to me in an e-mail this morning and I needed it. Thought maybe someone out there might be "needing it" to! Have a blessed, faith-filled day!

Make your Monday!

After the bad rap I gave Mondays last week, I want to start out on a more positive note this week! :)

This week is Teacher Appreciation Week at Kolby's school. I'm the PTA Teacher Appreciation person so it is a big week in this house. But it would be a big week even if my PTA hat had some other title on it. I believe in showing teachers as often as possible how important they are in the lives of their students, in the community, and to our society as a whole. It's one of my soap boxes. I also believe strongly that one of the greatest things we can teach our children is the art of appreciation. This is another one of my soap boxes. So I guess I am a natural for my PTA job!

Anyway, this week we have an event each day to honor our teachers and staff. Today is " Monday ~ Make their day with a class bouquet!" We put mason jars decorated with a big red and white checked bow on each teachers desk last night. This morning as the kids come in they are supposed to add a flower to the jar to form a class bouquet. Kolby was really excited this morning as she headed off to school with a handful of daisies! She had a whole list of teachers she wanted to give a flower to!


Tuesday is "Treat them right!" day. We are taking a "treat cart" stuffed with cookies, candy and iced tea around the school in the afternoon and giving all the teachers and staff a nice afternoon treat.

Wednesday is "Wake them up!' day. The PTA board is giving a spring themed, come and go breakfast from 7:30 to 9 AM in the teachers lounge.

Thursday is "Thank them" day. All the kids are bringing pictures and letters they made thanking their teachers to school by Tuesday. All the room reps are binding them together in class "Thank You Books" for their teachers.

Friday is "Fiesta day!." In honor of Cinco de Mayo, we are having a fiesta lunch of Mexican stack-up donated by parents from every grade level. We are going to try to turn the lounge into a Mexican Plaza and have lots of fun with this day!

So I am going to be pretty busy this week, but I look forward to it. I'll try to blog later in the week and let you know how all these events went. Even if it's not Teacher Appreciation Week in your neck of the woods, try to let a special teacher know how important they are, or have been in your life this week. It will make both of you feel really good! :)

Happy MAY DAY!!!!