We're Having Another...

GIRL!

And we're thanking the Lord that she looks very healthy.  Ellie and I were the only ones there because Steven is very sick and couldn't come.  Luke opted out since Steven wasn't going.  It was a really special day for Ellie and me.  She is thrilled.  Luke, not so much.  I think he is just mad that Ellie was right.  Feeling incredibly blessed and grateful on this night!

Oh, that this little girl would know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge. How we love her even now and long for her to know Him!  She has already taken an irreplacable role in our family and we look forward to seeing much, much more of who God created her to be!

"For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb.  I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.  Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.  My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth.  Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them."  Psalm 139:13-16

Oops.

If you are in Google Reader you will see an awesome post that my mother accidentally posted to my blog.  I was on her computer last and should've signed out.  I didn't and thus the post to my blog by her.  It was a great post and I would love to take credit for it, but not mine.  

So while I'm here I will say hello and tell you that everyone is now sleeping upstairs in Luke's room.  The first night with all three in the same room didn't go quite as smoothly as the night before when Ellie was sick.  Andrew for some reason felt a little more freedom in his own bed (with the side off).  After they had been up there a little while, Ellie yelled, "Andrew is going to the playroom!"  So we have worked out some kinks and they are all doing much better. 

I am currently working on a Mexican chicken casserole for dinner that I'm thinking by the looks of it, I will probably feel the need to share with you.  I also cannot stop eating this stuff that I bought yesterday at the grocery store.  In a small town there are not a lot of grocery store options to choose from...oh, to have a Publix, or better yet, Trader Joe's...although it is probably for the best, because I would more than likely spend more money than I should.  Anyway, I found this salsa yesterday at Wally world and I can't stop eating it.  It's not super mild, but not super hot.  I like a little kick-I think I got that from my Albuquerque days.  But eat it with a glass of something cold nearby and you will be fine.  

And the most exciting news...tomorrow, Lord-willing I will get to take a peek at this growing baby in my tummy.  Most importantly, I am anxious to see that he/she is healthy and then, of course, to see if it is a He or a She!?  I will be back!

Big Boy Bed a Little Early

Last night Steven had to go to the church for a meeting.  He left the house at about 7:15.  At about 7:30, I was sitting on our bed with Ellie reading an American Girl book to her.  Andrew and Luke were upstairs playing.  She said she didn't feel so well.  Shortly after she said, "Grab the trash can-Quick!!"  (This is the first time any of my children have said that before they were about to throw up-Soooo wonderful!)  She lost her dinner without too much of a mess.  But I could tell she still didn't feel well.  

You know how when one of your children gets sick, immediately you think, "Okay, who is next?  Is it something she ate, or is it a virus?  How are we going to get through this night?  When will the next throw up be and how can I make sure there is little laundry as possible?  And in this case, how am I going to get Andrew and Luke to bed while Ellie is in here throwing up?  

I got Ellie situated on my bed and went to finish getting Andrew and Luke ready for bed.  I came back through a few minutes later (with Andrew on my heels, yelling "Eyie") and she had fallen asleep, so I knew she really wasn't feeling good.  I had to think fast to come up with the best way to convince Luke he would be okay in his room by himself without Ellie.  --The bunk beds that used to be in Luke's room are split now and they are just twin beds, and Ellie sleeps in one of them every night without fail.--  Anyway, I thought, maybe, just maybe Andrew would go to sleep in the other twin bed.  Luke wouldn't be scared (because he would have a brave, not even two year old in there to keep him safe:) and Andrew would think he was big stuff, I was sure.  On my way up the stairs with Andrew and Luke in tow, I heard the dreaded sound.  And this time, Ellie didn't call out for a trash can.  It was all over every cover and the pillow too.  Sigh.  Sent Andrew and Luke up, got Ellie washed off and situated on the couch with towels EVERYWHERE.  Then went back upstairs, tucked Luke in his bed, Andrew in the other twin bed, with a guard rail, and that was pretty much it.  I had to go back upstairs once when he threw out his paci, which he called for me to get instead of getting out to get himself. I took it as a good sign that he knew he was not to get out of the bed.  And then I really didn't hear from him again. 

First night in a big boy bed, and it was not planned at all.  Now the problem is that he is not going to want to go back to his crib.  And we really don't want to put him back in there if he does so well in his own bed.  So, actually, the problem is where to put Ellie.  Although, she would be fine sleeping in our bed the rest of her life.  She actually said that today and was dead serious.  So tonight we are going to attempt to re-bunk the beds.  And move Andrew's crib in the same room and take the side off.  All three in one room.  When I was little, I have fond memories of sleeping in a twin bed with Laura Beth in another twin bed, and Sarah on another wall in her crib.  And I think we did that for awhile.

I called Steven earlier and told him to prepare for a moving furniture night.  And if you're wondering about sick Ellie-she is fine.  She woke up good to go.  No one else has gotten sick.  She has said several times, "I don't know mom, I guess it was just something I ate."  Guess so.  Although we all ate the same thing for dinner last night. 

Good to Be Home and Gigi's Cupcakes

I am back from the National Championship game in Arizona.  Back from a wedding this past weekend in Chattanooga.  And Steven is back from a retreat that he spoke at over the long weekend.  Lots of traveling and miles between our family.  Very thankful that we are all home tonight.  Thank you, thank you, Lord for answered prayers that my family would come back together safely!

WAR EAGLE a thousand times over!  It was beyond fun and exciting to be at the game cheering with thousands of Auburn fans for the National title.  I was also beyond tired as you can see in the last picture.  My pregnant body was saying, "What are you trying to do to me?"  Our flight home from Las Vegas to Atlanta left Vegas at 11:30 p.m. (1:30 a.m.) our time.  We had a 3 hour layover in Atlanta which actually turned into 7 hours.  All of that plus add in some fast food/airport food and I was one sick and tired girl.  So worth all the exhaustion, though!  I had such a great time with my one of my dearest college friends, Laurahelen.  So much time to catch up and really talk, not just our normal 10 minute phone catch-ups.  An incredible memory!  And then coming home to the snowstorm of the century.  Wow!  The day of the game, Steven sent me a picture on my phone of Ellie and Luke beside their snowman with an Auburn shirt on.

There were a lot of people, as in my mother, and Steven's mother, who were a HUGE part of me being able to take the trip.  Not to mention, Steven, who pretty much planned the entire thing for me.  Thank you, thank you! 

I was just starting to feel semi-normal again on Friday when Steven headed out for the youth retreat.  So (as we usually do when Steven goes out of town ) headed over to my parents for a long weekend.  Ready or not mom and dad, here we come!  The boys stayed with my mom and dad on Saturday and Ellie and I drove to Chattanooga for a friends' wedding.  I was able to see some of my college friends twice in one week.  And others I hadn't seen in years.  It was a beautiful wedding and as usual, there is never enough time to catch up with college girlfriends.  Ellie ate it up.  She loved being one of the girls and couldn't wait to get out on the dance floor.  I was too busy talking and she tugged my arm until finally I had to get out and twirl around with her a little bit. 

Today Mom had to go to Huntsville for a few things and rather than be at my very dirty, backed-up laundry, dirty dishes house, I procrastinated and we went with her.  We ate lunch at Five Guys.  And after that healthy meal, went to Gigi's Cupcakes.  It was my first experience.  And it is just that, an experience.  A sweet friend from church had given each of the kids a gift card for a cupcake and we wasted no time in using it.  We brought home a box full! 

Christmas Recap

It is January 3 and here I am again after the Christmas season and definitely feeling the exhaustion of it all.  It was fun and wonderful and exciting and exhausting all at the same time.  Still cameraless, so here is a recap in pictures taken by other people.  The important thing to me is that these special and priceless moments do not go by without being documented.  

A few highlights in words, before we get to the pictures...

1.  Having all of my children, nieces and nephews, my parents, all three of my sisters, and my aunt together for Christmas.  I know it will not always be that way.  What a blessing it was!

2.  A white Christmas morning.  At one point, the snow was falling, all the kids were playing with their toys, and adults were eating a yummy breakfast and drinking coffee.  For a little bit, it felt like out of a movie.  The baby in my tummy allowed me to enjoy a cup of coffee which was a treat in and of itself.

3.  A dinner with my family at my favorite, favorite Mexican restaurant on the 23rd to celebrate my dad's birthday.

4.  Our Christmas Eve service at church.

5.  Time with friends on the 23rd to make cookies and enjoy one of the last few days before Christmas.

6.  The dinner my parents' made on Christmas night-Prime rib, wild rice, green beans (a special recipe of my aunt's-with bacon, onion, and balsamic vinegar, along with a few other things), Baby Blue salad from Southern Living (The best!-has spiced pecans, oranges, bleu cheese, tossed in a homeade vinaigrette), and of course, Sister Schubert rolls, and for dessert-tiramisu!  

7.  Going to see The Dawn Treader with Ellie, Luke, and my sisters.  

8.  Time spent the week after Christmas with Laura Beth, Scott, and their munchkins.  Laura Beth, Scott, and I rung in the New Year with leftover vegetable soup and grilled cheese, bedtime stories, and baths.  In spite of the cold that John, Ada, and Andrew passed around, fun was had by all of the cousins.  And Ada cried big tears yesterday when they were all packed up saying good-byes.  Wish we lived closer, but thankful that for this season, it is just 3 hours.  (It used to be a plane ride)

9.  A few fun surprises under the tree for me :) 

-An Amy Butler sewing book

-"Hello, Cupcake"-a super fun and cute, "how-to" cupcake book.  

-My parents are going to help get Andrew's one year portrait framed.  Since he will be two next month, it is time he took his place on the wall next to his big brother and sister.  And it really isn't a priority in Steven's mind.  He usually just says, "At least we have the portrait, we can always get it framed."  Framing isn't cheap.

(There were other things, but trying to make this a highlight post)

Ellie's major gifts this year were:  Leapster 2, a Vtech camera, and Ruthie (American Girl)-This has a long story to go with it and because I will probably not get around to posting about it later, I will just say that she has been saving almost a year for this doll.  She has a chart and earned dollars for various chores, and/or would be rewarded for various things.  Family members would sometimes contribute dollars as well.  She had gotten to $50, so we went ahead and finished it up for her.  

Luke's major gifts were:  Leapster 2, the camera, remote control car, and lots of transformer, action-type figures.  

Andrew received some board books, and a magnetic drawing board, a ride-on truck from my parents, along with plenty of gummies (his favorite).  But his favorites, of course, were Ellie and Luke's Leapsters and the cameras. 

Christmas Eve evening.  Just because it was a too cute picture.

This one is for Steven.  And yes, the paci is pink.  It is from my mother's house.

 

 Staring at the "no" Christmas morning.  We're having some hair issues with Andrew.  Not quite sure what to do. :)  Water doesn't seem to hold it down.

 

Andrew opening his one gift on Christmas Eve.  Hoping it would become is "attachment" item.  He needs something besides pacis.  He liked it for one night.  Oh well.

We LOVE having the aunts home!

These two play so well together.  It is the cutest thing.

Steering the new car.

Extremely rare to get a group shot in our family.  Mary Ann (my mom's sister-far left) requested it.  So glad you did, Mary Ann! 

E & L's Christmas Eve gift-new PJs.  It has become kind of a tradition.  They will probably joke about it as they get older.  It is like us always getting an apple and an orange in our stocking every year :)

No LB :(  She hadn't arrived yet.

Christmas morning at our house.  Ellie and Luke are posing on the front porch.  Thankfully, that is the most they wanted out in it that day.  It was a very wet snow.  But very beautiful to look at!

 

And finally, Sarah reading to Ellie.  It won't be much longer before Ellie is reading to her.  She is doing really well!  We're really proud of her and she is pretty proud of herself.

I will just go ahead and predict that I won't be posting again for a week or two.  Steven's mother is flying in at the end of the week to help with everything while I am away.  I can't believe it, but I really am going to Glendale for the National Championship game.  Everything has kind of fallen into place.  I'm crazy excited.  Hoping my nausea will behave.  My doctor upped my Zofran from 4mg to 8.  It has been great.  Didn't even know that was an option.  So thankful to have it now!  

War Eagle!  I will touch base when I return...