7 years and 33 weeks!!!!

not the most attractive picture of me, but we keep forgetting to take a picture!
Definitely a baby in there!!! about 33 weeks!

Wow, not too much longer and we will be a family of SIX! That seems crazy as we just celebrated our 7th anniversary this week. I marvel at what 7 years has brought us. From Atlanta to Dallas, from PT to seminary to Watermark church staff, from 2 to 6!!! Just to name a few changes. Really, the change is a slow process of God refining us. I think it is easier to see in others (ie my husband) than myself. He was passionate about his walk with Christ when he married me, but it is awesome to see how he now lives it out every day. Some things are subtle and other things are obvious. He is so transparent with his struggles, he serves me in so many ways (from girls nights out to notes and sweet treats), he LOVES his kids-dates them, plays with them, rough-houses with them, etc. We have seen our marriage grow in many areas as well-part of the benefit to being a marriage pastor! I can say I love this man more today than I did the day I married him.

So, 33 weeks! I feel 33 weeks, and I think look it. (Have to post a picture soon). This is definitely the 3rd pregnancy...maybe 2 belly shots so far! The twins are excited. One is hoping for a girl the other for another boy. Not sure of the reasoning for either. I know one is concerned that if it is a girl it won't have any toys or clothes to wear. We are glad we decided to wait to find out what "it" is.

I've thought alot about friends and people I know that got pregnant right around the time we did and have since miscarried. My heart aches for them, when I see them I can't find the words or think it is not the time or the place to say something. If you are one of those people please know I'm praying for you and think about your loss and how hard it must be around this time as people like me celebrate the birth of our baby when you have lost your child. It definitely reminds me that God is sovereign and that every birth is a complete miracle of God.

Back to School

1st day of preschool 2008-2009










D & D went back to preschool on Sept. 2nd. The didn't miss a beat, you would have thought they had gone all summer. They are in a class with all new kids and 2 new teachers, but have quickly adjusted. Carson and I have enjoyed the time together, or at least I have. Unfortunately for him, it has been lots of errands. He usually leaves preschool crying because he wants to "play". I was struck with the irony, that many people leave their crying kids, while I'm carrying mine out under one arm throwing a fit. Hopefully, this time will be good for him as number 4 is right around the corner. C-section set for Mon. Oct 27th!!

First "real" haircut and 21 months

My little man had his first real haircut this week. I have put it off because I LOVE his curly hair, but it was getting a little out of control. He did a great job of sitting fairly still. We left the curls in the back and trimmed it all up. It is really pretty cute.

It is in someways hard to believe he will hit the 21 month mark tomorrow. He has really changed in the past 2 months. For example,

-he is a parrot, whatever he hears said or sung he likes to repeat.

-most heard words- book, again, elmo, "eggo"-which is Diego, sit, read, no, go

-he has suddenly found a great love for books

-he still can keep up with his brothers

-not afraid to wrestle them (ie climb on top of them if they lay down on the floor for any reason)

-still has his adorable dimples

-he likes to sing "How Great is Our God" with his daddy

-not a great appetite-no fruit or veggies-likes his PBJ, milk, cheese, goldfish

-shows his independence and stubborness-likes to "put" his own shoes on, buckle his top buckle on his car seat

Just a few things I've noticed. Not sure how the next baby will rock his world. Hoping he won't really notice--ha ha! He sure makes us laugh and smile lots!!! Love you buddy!

Special Wedding Trip

My sweet friend Ainsley got married in Atlanta 8/16/08. It was such a great day. I had the chance to meet Greg about 6 weeks earlier, but this was just great affirmation that he is a great guy who loves AA and will take good care of her! It was a busy weekend with lots of fun bridesmaid stuff (brunch, pedicures, dinner and wedding day). The wedding day was really perfect. Not too hot, especially for ATL in AUG! Just a great celebration of the two of them, how God brought them together and how He will hopefully use them and their marriage to continute to bring Him glory.

It was great to see some old Atlanta friends in person. We were without kiddos, (thank you grandma!!) so had the freedom to run around town. Late Thurs. pm we stayed with close friends (the guy led my hubbie to know Christ), and enjoyed catching up and watching the olympics. Fri am we drove to Shepherd Center to see who was still around and what the huge addition looked like. It is incredible!! Such a state of the art facility. We enjoyed surprising and catching up with many of our good friends from 6 years ago.

The rest of Fri was bridesmaid's luncheon, pedicure, quick nap, rehearsal and yummy rehearsal dinner. Sat was a relaxing sleep in morning, then off to pictures and prep for the big event. Ainsley was a beautiful bride. A great ceremony, wonderful food, fun music in a cute cottage in Roswell.

After the wedding ended, we headed to another hotel (yes, i took a nap) and then to dinner with a friend at our favorite restaurant in ATL. Sushi and thai food in the VA Highlands! Memories!! Sun was church at NorthPoint Community and then a tour of the new Buckhead campus. And finally a drive to Douglasville to spend the afternoon catching up with our good seminary friends Justin and Elizabeth.

Such a sweet time for so many reasons!!!

Sports and VBS!!

Well, as we begun August and were not doing much traveling it was time for some new and fun activities. D and D both are attending a "Small Fry Basketball Camp" at the city recreation center. It is every Sat morning for 50 minutes. They think they are so cool. New shoes, learning words and skills and shootin' hoops! They are in need of lots of practice, but they are having fun!

They also went to VBS for a week and enjoyed that as well. They went with good friends of theirs and learned about serving. The photo was from the evening program they sang in. We are still (10 days later) singing the songs on the VBS CD. It was really cute and I love to hear and see them sing and praise God. C and I enjoyed some one on one time in the mornings, mostly running errands but it was a treat for both of us. He also likes to join the big boys in singing!

Another task we are trying to accomplish is memorizing part of Psalm 100. It is so good for my boys to remind me that we haven't done our memory verse today! They are doing great. We will have a fun reward when we all memorize it..hopefully in the next 2 or 3 weeks~!

Summer is winding down.

25 weeks and counting!

It is so hard to believe that we are 25 weeks or over 6 months in the journey to meet #4!! We have not found out the gender for those of you who may be wondering-this will be the surprise at the end one. Can't say it has been easy. When ever I see a summer sale and think hmm is there a chance I should by girl clothes or when I think about IF is was a girl what will we do to decorate differently. But truly we are very excited to meet this little one as it comes into the world.

The boys always have a different idea or opinion on what it is or what they want and even what we should name the baby. Friggit was thrown out today (the name they also gave a stuffed frog) or traffic (name of a stuffed cow). Baby gets at least one vote a week. They like to feel the baby kick and are convinced it is always hungry, which I can confirm is true :)

This middle trimester is definitely the best part. Not as tired, food is not an aversion and you actually start to look pregnant! The down side for me, which is a good reminder as to why this body will not be making more babies, is the lovely appearance of some varicose veins! Yuck!!!
But if that is my biggest down-I'm not complaining. I know there are lots of my friends who have suffered morning sickness to no end so my sympathy is for them.

So we eagerly await #4 while pressing on with the things of summer and looking to planning for fall.

More Travels

Preparing for the pool!! How do you like C's muscle suit??

The boys with Curious George at Children's Museum

Long lost brother??

Fireman in training

The 3 boys and I recently returned from almost a week in Memphis with grandma and papa. We had such a good time. The Children's Museum of Memphis, yummy grandma's cooking, afternoons in the pool and bubble baths in the jacuzzi (for the boys) just to name some of the fun. The big boys had just taken swimming lessons but really preferred to have their "swimming muscles" on, but they enjoyed every minute in the water. They even got Papa with the "super dooper water shooter" kick boards-don't ask for a better description.

We had a short visit with my sister and family before the jetted off to Orlando for my nephew to play in the under 9 AAU national basketball tournament. They place #5!!!!



We were so fortunate to have grandma along for the ride both ways. She flew down, drove up, drove back to dallas and flew home-whew!!! This allowed daddy to stay home to work and to do a few major house projects!! We now have beautifully repainted dining room and play room. He replaced old yucky AC vents and new outlets (since our plugs wouldn't stay in the old ones-can you say fire hazard!). He was fantastic and it all looks great!