I am so glad she is bossy...

...otherwise I wouldn't be snuggled up enjoying this special treat.

It is making me happy today!

Thanks, Alana

First of many letters to our baby.

First of all, I wanted to thank all of our sweet friends for your encouragement and support regarding our little surprise. What fun it was to share it this way with all of you! All of your sweet comments brought our family such joy. Thank you!

Dear Sweet Poppy,

I bet you are wondering why we are calling you 'Little Poppy'. The afternoon that Mommy and Daddy found out about you, we looked in all of our baby books for some information. The books all said that you are the size of a poppy seed. Little one, that is amazing to me. My limited math skills can't even put a measurement on how tiny that is. So tiny. So fragile. Yet, life.

You have been on Mommy's heart and mind long before you were conceived. I have whispered your name and dreamt of our life together. There have been many times in the last year that I have actually missed you. We had a wonderful vacation at the beach last Christmas. As I watched Z and L playing together and playing with cousins, I missed that you were not there. I know that is so silly of me. But my heart has ached for you for some time. I am so excited that you are finally coming.

I can't wait until you meet your Daddy. I feel like I have you all to myself right now and he is an outsider to all that we are experiencing and feeling. But your daddy is someone so special. You will fall madly in love with him the instant he touches you. He will adore you. Daddy will be your best friend and ally against your crazy siblings. He will protect you, snuggle you, tickle you, teach you, discipline you, pray for you, help you with any struggle. You will feel safe in his arms and I promise that you will cry when he leaves for work each day. You will shout for joy when he returns and run into his embrace. He is the one for Legos and Lincoln Logs, not me. He is the one for baseball games and hallway golf. He will be the first one to cradle you at night when you cry, mommy will come but daddy is always there first (probably because mommy can't hear, not because he loves you more!) You and your daddy will be thick as thieves. Oh, I can't wait until the two of you meet. You will love him instantly.

Your brother and sister are thrilled with our good news of you. Each of them claiming you for their very own. Of course, Z wants a brother. Actually, he wants you to be 10 years old when you are born. I think he just wants a chance to be the little. He is a terrific big brother. You will love his humor and his tendency for mischief. I know the two of you will be instant friends but don't lay on the floor too long or you will be his wrestling partner. Loulabelle is already making a home for you. She will be your other mother. I think you will find refuge with her when Big Z is being too wild. She will invite you into her world with no questions asked. She will teach you how to craft and care for all things small. You will be loved by both of them. You will complete our family.

Oh, sweet one. Do you feel our love for you? Do you feel the hand of God forming you in my womb? We love a mighty and awesome God. His mighty hand can shake the heavens and move mountains. With the power of His words, He formed the entire Earth. Yet His touch is so delicate, so tender that He can form something as small as you. To quote Z's favorite song, "Our God is an AWESOME God." Oh how I pray that you will follow Him all of your days. I pray that your heart will beat with His throughout your life. Poppy, He knows the plans for you. Plans for a hope and a future. My lips will praise Him.

As of right now, you are about 2.5 inches from head to toe. This week in development, you are forming eyelids to protect your eyes, fingerprints, and your ears are continuing to shape. Your progress from that little poppy seed has been a work of God alone. You are a miracle. I hope you are not feeling my outward effects of this pregnancy. I hope you are getting nourishment even when there is no food staying in. I know you are well protected and that I shouldn't fear. But I am your mom and I worry. I was laughing tonight thinking about what I have gone through so far. Someday in the distant future (when you are being naughty!) I will remind you of all this. I will remind you of what it was like to walk around with you in my belly and all that came with that. These days are long, but I know you are worth every minute of it.

You are precious to us. I can't wait to hold you in my arms and smell the smell of you. Come quickly.

Love, your Mommy

SURPRISE!!

Christmas music to brighten your day!

Go HERE now! Immediately. It will be worth your time.

Did I mention...FREE?

What are you waiting for?

Scattered Joy

This was a disaster of a weekend. Tempers flaired, selfishness reared it's ugly head, words spoken out of anger. And this was just Skip and I. The kids fell in the middle of all these categories.

I won't bore you with any of the ugly details. But, trust me. It was UGLY.

I will choose to focus on some of the scattered joy. Believe me when I tell you that it was scattered. But I am thankful for it. Otherwise, I would have to find a hole and cry for days.

--the twinkle of Cwismas lights in my daughter's eyes.
--snuggling with her in bed while we listened to Christmas music.
--a surprise kiss from Z.
--an impromtu back rub from Skip...gift of mercy.
--Chicken Noodle soup.
--listening to the testimony of an 80 year old couple about a life lived for the Lord.
--Polar Express
--two trees down, two to go.
--a much needed nap.
--two siblings snuggled together reading, acting like the friends I hope they become.
--groceries that I didn't have to shop for.
--Pajama Day Monday!

Have a wonderful week. I hope you have Scattered Joy all the days of this holiday season.

NERTZ. Not a game for the weak at heart.

I have to tell you all that Saturday night was a blast. After a day of "trash-talk" we were ready for a night off from kids and a night to show off our card skilz. What a riot!!

Here are the most faithful friends any girl could ever ask for. Also, these women have wonderful blogs. The talent in this room was amazing. It is so fun to blog with a group like this. My fellow bloggers are Alana, Pam, Carissa, Dawn, Jen, Michelle, Shelley. And the best blog readers, Sparky and Sonja. Thank you all for the most amazing night.

The stage was set for a perfect night even down to the food. And I PIGGED out. I think I consumed 3 plates that all looked like this. Also, there was Cappuccino Punch, the BEST pumpkin dessert ever made, 2 bite brownies and a chocolate brownie pie. All my favorites.

And the gifts were amazing! You guys shouldn't have! But don't think Alana wasn't scoping out gifts for her own birthday. Oh yes, she was. In case you are wondering, she would like a pedicure, a spa day complete with childcare, cute office supplies, stationary, a HIS story bracelet, Bath and Body works lotion and candle, a cookbook, jewelry plus a gorgeous shirt, and cute decorative letters. Just look at the death grip she has on my IMAGINE letters. Thou shalt not covet.

OK. Enough with the nice friendly things like food and cake and gifts. Now it is all about blood winning. The game of NERTZ is a highly competitive, hands flying, quick thinking, multi-tasking kind of game. Carissa "thinks" she was the big winner, but I think the birthday girl should always win even if she has the lowest score. It's just good manners.

And for the record, all the "trash talk" on my previous post was pretty much all true. Except for all the cursing. I think I only heard one word said out of pure anger the whole night. We are good girls, you know!

Thanks friends for making all of my days special. I sure do love you.

Trash Talk

This won't make any sense to my "bloggy" friends.

But my real friends, THE GAME IS ON!

Be afraid, be very afraid!

Can't wait until tonight.

Can the party start at 9:15 instead? It is going to be a long day...

Pure mischief with a smattering of freckles.

Since my birthday last Friday, Z has been more affectionate than normal towards me. I don't know the reason, but I LOVE the result. His hugs and attention turn my insides to mush. I love this boy.

Tonight we celebrated my big day with my family. It was perfect. I was showered with love, Mexican food, chocolate cake and gifts.

What more could a girl dream of?

Apparently, Z thought I needed to dream some more. He spent a fair amount of time whispering with his daddy about something. All the while, his eyes were gleaming and shining my direction. I knew he was planning a special surprise.

In the car I overheard a part of their conversation. "Daddy, you know the thing I want to buy for mommy? Can I buy it for $100 dollars? I will use all my money if I have to."

Son, you have my heart. That is all you ever need to do for me. I love that you save every note I send you in your lunch box. You are my special boy and all the money in the world cannot replace you.

Just please, for the love of all things good, stop telling everyone that I forgot you at school. It's so not funny!!

Pure sugar with blonde hair.

As we were driving home tonight from my family birthday party (which ROCKED!! Thank you, mom and grannie!) we purposefully went the long way. Our first thought was that maybe the kids would fall asleep in the car only to be carried to their waiting beds. But it was pretty evident that they were way too hyped up on sugar and good tidings for anything resembling sleep.

Or quiet for that matter.

Well, the long way in our town is completely decked out in holiday splendor. Out every window there were twinkly lights and beautiful displays. The kids could not stop OOOHHHing and AAAHHHing.

Loulabelle started the trip home with tears over her beloved Blankie. In our rush to leave the house, we "accidentally" left it behind. She became especially excited to see all the sparkle. When we were almost home she said, "Cwismas lights make me happy when I am missing my blankie. They make me so happy."

Girl, you are pure sugar wrapped in blonde curls. I can't wait to see the magic in your eyes as we decorate your Cwismas tree this year. It will make me so happy.

Maybe you will be too happy to remember where we "accidentally" deposited blankie...

I need to play a little KETCHUP.

I feel the need to post something. Anything.

I am sure the only way to play Ketchup is by formulating a list. Since the creative side of my brain isn't firing this may be as good as it gets. I know, so inspiring.

1. Friday was my birthday, my 35th birthday to be more exact. Something about a 0 or a 5 at the end of any age just wears me out. My day was gloriously spent cooking, cleaning, shopping for groceries, volunteering, wiping noses, packing for a weekend trip. Basically it was JUST ANOTHER DAY. I did wake up to several birthday emails and wishes. That was fun. Also, my mom brought Panera to my house so we could sit and talk for a while in between all the other chores previously mentioned.

This birthday really had me thinking about my life. Am I where I want to be? Do I feel accomplished? I came up with only one answer. ABSOLUTELY. This is exactly where I have always dreamed of being. I am married to my best friend. We have the privilege of raising the kids that God designed for us. We are surrounded by family...all of our family. I have the most incredible friends anyone could ask for. I am blessed beyond measure. I can't think of one thing to add. I am rich.

2. The major low-light of my BIG DAY was forgetting my son at school for the first time. Right after my mom left, I was elbow deep in dishes and kitchen cleaning. At 2:00, the phone rang. It was the secretary at my nephew's school saying that he was in the office. I assumed she was going to tell me that he was sick and needed someone to pick him up. She informed me that school let out at 1:30 and I needed to get there quickly.

What??!! SCHOOL LET OUT AT 1:30? ALL THE SCHOOLS? WHY???

Frantically, I load the car and head out towards the school. All the while trying to reach the Primary building where Z was. When I reached them to tell him I was on my way, they said he was crying and scared. My heart plummeted lower than I knew possible. I started sobbing. By the time I arrived at school I was doing the UGLY cry. Once I saw Z, we hugged and cried together. My heart had shattered into millions of pieces. How could I have forgotten early dismissal day? The redeeming factor of the whole ordeal was that we also picked up my nephew. Thankfully, he had such a good attitude about the whole thing that it diffused any further heartache. (And a HUGE shout out to Pam for saving me that day!)

3. Every Fall, Skip's family rents a cabin retreat for the weekend. A very long, relaxing weekend filled with food, games, movies, naps, fishing, bonfires, laughter. It was the perfect ending to a day filled with ups and downs. Twenty-two of us filled this 5 bedroom cabin sleeping wherever one could find space. It is the stuff memories are made of.

4. Another not-so-great thing happened on my BIG DAY. After my frantic drive to school my car started to leak. Not just a little leak, but a flood-the-garage-floor kind of leak. Since we were on our way to the cabin we didn't have time to do more than clean up. In truth, we forgot about the leak and the potential problems that might come from it. Monday, I get ready to drive to gymnastics and music class. The car is driving weird. The car started to smoke. The car is in the shop. The car will cost $1200 to fix.

5. OHHH! I won something! I entered several giveaways hosted by Rocks In My Dryer. I won something from a blogger that I "know". I am so excited! I choose The Dangererous Book for Boys. Thanks, Sarah!! You made my day! You all have to check out her blog. Prepare to be encouraged!

6. I read this list of ups and downs and know that I am blessed. I wouldn't change this life for anything. Although I could live without #2 ever happening again. I only need to experience that once!