Recent happenings

Last week the girls started gymnastics class! Yea!!! They have been bouncing off the wall. They are lovin' it:0) and so is mommy. I had some special time with Noella at Chuck E. Cheese while Madeline went to a b-day party. We had a fun day with Carolyn learning how to make clothing from old sweaters. Carolyn made the magenta and aqua skirt for Noella, and she just loves it!!!

So Blessed!

As I have shared, I had a tooth pulled this week. All day yesterday Madeline kept asking me if I was going to Fred Meyer. We went the night before and bought some yummy lemon yogurt and I vowed I would be back for more. After the third or so time she asked, I asked her why she wanted to go so badly. She said that she wanted to buy something with her money. I asked her what, and she said that she didn't want to tell me because I would say, 'no'. I said, "just tell me,!" and she said, "I want to buy you flowers. I know you don't feel very good with your tooth and the baby. You never buy flowers for yourself and whenever I want to buy them for you , you say, 'I don't need to buy you flowers'". So sweet! We went to Wal-mart and then to Freddies. I finally convinced her that she didn't need to buy the biggest bouquet. She was sooo happy to let me pick out the flowers and pay for them with her own money. That night as she prayed, she thanked God for giving her a kind heart. So precious. I too am so thankful that He has given her a kind heart:)

It's a BOY!!!

On the 13th we had our ultrasound and found out that we are having a boy! The girls knew it all along. They REALLY wanted a boy. Josh and I are pretty excited too. We both wanted girls initially and now we feel sooooo blessed that the Lord is giving us the opportunity to experience raising both boys and girls. We all love him soooo much already. The girls are plotting to dress him up in their tu-tus and princess wigs. Poor little guy!!! We are going to have a long road ahead with coming up with a name. We do not have anything that we can both agree on yet. It was easy with both of the girls, but I think it may be down to the wire this time!

Some People...UGH!!!

So I have been recovering from a painful tooth extraction while 2o weeks pregnant since Wed. night. I had a root canal about 2 years ago and did not get the crown put on when I needed to, so the tooth has been going downhill for awhile. I do have a wisdom tooth underneath that has been waiting to come up but couldn't because of the other tooth, so I figure once I heal up it will be okay. I digress... I was trying to wait until after the baby is born to have it pulled, but my OB felt I should take care of it now in case it got infected. I was sooo nervous because I had to get an x-ray and take pain meds and antibiotics, etc.... So, the DR. had to give me lots of Novocaine. He put it in my palate and it felt really weird. It felt like my throat was closing up and I couldn't swallow. Then, he cut my gums open to get the tooth out so I have stitches:(. That felt really weird; it tickled my throat and made me gag. Wed. night my sweet family stayed home and took care of me. We rented a couple of movies at redbox. We all forgot about taking them back until tonight. So by now, Josh's tooth has really started to hurt him too. (He has one that is in really bad shape that has also been bothering him lately). So I decided to change out of my PJ's to return the movies. I was out of gas, so I stopped by the Paul's to fill r up. I got out of the car- I look like I just got my tooth pulled from my mouth (how else should I look?!), but, ...BUT, I changed into my plush black maternity sweatsuit just so I would not be wearing my jammies, and do you believe the customer standing in the store looks at me and says. "I see you kept your jammies on to come get gas tonight." Do you know as soon as I walked up and saw this lady, before a word came out of her mouth, I KNEW she was going to say something. I did not know what-- she just looked like of of those ladies who could not pass up the opportunity to say her mind. You all know the type. I ran into another lady at gymnastics on Monday who had to introduce her self to everyone and then dominate the conversation. Maybe this is why I was weary tonight....It was her first time there and I don't think she actually saw anything her kids were doing! I kept excusing myself from the conversation to watch my girls. They both have class at the same time and were in different rooms, so I really had to use my time wisely. Don't get me wrong, I am quite the social gal, but this was our first time. Noella has never taken gymnastics and was whisked away to a room upstairs. It is a homeschool class and I think this mom just had to have some adult interaction. So, maybe next time I'll just keep my jammies on! I am not afraid!!

Happy New Year!!

I am still hoping to get our "Christmas Cards" out to those of you far away in the next week. They will be New Years Cards. We had a fun Christmas with Josh's family. Both of his brothers and their girlfriends were in town. It was great to spend the week with all of them catching up. I did pretty well considering that I am pregnant and it is hard for me to stay up late. We had lots of snow and the commute back and forth each night for Josh's parents was not soo fun, but the Lord kept us all safe and healthy. The girls had fun sledding down the hill at the rents house with their cousins. Noella doesn't usually like to play outside, but she has really been enjoying the snow. Josh has been working super hard at work and written many really impressive radio commercials. He has also started singing at our church. The girls and I are enjoying listening to him practice at home.

I miss my mom and dad. It has been so long since I've been with them for a Christmas. The Lord was so present this year in my mother's absence. I really struggled with many sad days leading up to her Dec. 4th birthday, but the Lord allowed Christmas to be about Him and not about my loss and sadness--such a HUGE praise to Him that He allowed this incredible joy and celebration in my life. I was hoping and praying for it and knew the Lord could give it but did not imagine that I would have so many "good" days!

Next week my dad will be 90 years old. I pray it will be a great year for him. He has been so tired and not up to doing much. He is on so many medications and usually feels dizzy when he is up and about. He has told me that it is getting much harder for him to get around his apartment. his sister just turned 92 and is feeling well. she and her son are hoping to go to Florida for the winter. i am very happy that they will be able to go and enjoy the sunshine! Some days I have though about how nice the Fl. sunshine would be!!

The girls and I have been back to school this week. We are focusing more on reading and writing this quarter. We are also spending time this week on peace vs. arguing. Last year we spent the whole year on the Fruits of the Spirit and this year so far we haven't zoned in on a character theme. I think we will be spending a few weeks on peace and see where it takes us.

This coming Tuesday we have our ultrasound to find out what we are having! We are all so excited!!! We haven't done any planning or nesting yet. I so wish I could paint!!! I am very thankful for my fantastic friends in NC who helped me with our first nursery. It was awesome to have so many creative friends help me out and to bounce ideas off of. This time Noella will most likely be sharing her room with the baby. She is more than willing and really looking forward to it. I don't know if it will last, but for now, that is the plan!

Thank you to all of you who have sent us your beautiful Christmas Cards. We love them!!!!

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