First Day of School!

If you live anywhere near me, you probably heard my shouts of joy on Tuesday morning as I took Lucy and Jack to their new school for Mom's Morning Out! It's been a long summer without MMO...

Ask any SAHMom, and they'll tell you they adore the special times they get to share with their kids at home, but they'll also likely tell you that sending the kids to school which, in turns, creates some valuable variety to the daily routine is also something they adore. Probably none so more than I do... ;-)

Lucy and Jack went to school last year at Faith Presbyterian, a school we loved. But this year, we're trying out a program a little - well, a lot, actually - closer to home. It's a four minute drive! New Salem is where they now attend; Jack on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and Lucy Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays - 9-1pm. And with this pregnancy, this is a break I love; and Wednesdays are special too because it's time for just me and Jack to spend together, which he rarely gets alone time with either parent because of "everybody-look-at-me-big-sister," Lucy.

Jack and Lucy were a bit too excited Tuesday morning to sit still for many photos - well, Jack is NEVER still - but here are a few pics I was able to snap:





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"Which one is mine?"

I couldn't even get Jack to look at me for a picture once he found his classroom's trucks and cars! He wasn't nervous for a moment!


I'm thrilled Lucy and Audrey remain so close and are in the same class again this year. Lucy arrived before Audrey, and a rare occurrence happened: Lucy got nervous! She clung to my hand, and I think a few tears were about to spring forth, had Audrey not arrived just in time. Immediately, all fears subsided, and Lucy and Audrey were off to play with the baby dolls!

I love the "Quiet Zone" sign on the wall - yeah, good luck with that Mrs. Melody! LOL! ;-p


Happy School year 2010-'11 everyone!

We love to read!

One of the joys I anticipated most before becoming a mom was being able to read fun, wonderful picture books to my kids.

We still do it every day, and I'm so glad Lucy and Jack enjoy reading!

The "Fancy Nancy" series' books are WONDERFUL for little girls - so much fun! Lucy totally relates! ;-p


Josh was so sweet to read to the kids, over and over and over...



Bedtime! Check out her baby doll she propped up next to her - ;-)

Lady and Papa Visit

My parents came to visit us last week, and it was great to see them - it's been since April that we've seen my Dad, as his new radio job took him far away to Denver ;-(.

But, we had a wonderful time hanging out, although I felt awful because I was such a lump while they were here, still feeling so sick with pregnancy related symptoms. (I'm so sick of feeling sick I could just scream ;-0)

We headed to Harmony Safari Park on morning, where they kids flipped out seeing all the fun animals. Neat thing to go see right here close to home!

My mom and I enjoyed going to see Eat, Pray, Love. Good movie! Made me want to travel, of course!

But mostly, we just hung out and enjoyed each other's company. The kids spent lots of time playing with Papa 'n Lady:



Lucy's wearing a new pink tutu and headband Papa brought her - my parents came with so many presents in tow, you'd have thought it was xmas! ;-) My mom bought her Belle's yellow ball gown dress up dress, and she insisted on wearing it to Rosie's for dinner one night ;-).

So glad you guys came to visit, mom and dad! Hope to see you again soon!

Monday Meals - make good friends

My first thought for my meal posting tonight stems from just the overwhelming gratitude I have for my wonderful friends and family who have provided me such tremendous help and encouraging pick me ups while I'm getting through this very nauseous, sick first trimester.

Tiffany is bringing dinner over tomorrow, so my first though the the meal I'd post tonight is to just: make good friends and they'll bring dinner and feed you to you when you're in need - LOL!

But, here's a recipe Tiffany tried out tonight, and she said it was delicious: a weight watchers slow cooker lasagne. I can't wait to try it!

http://www.weightwatchers.com/food/rcp/index.aspx?recipeid=135321

Tomorrow is going to be just awesome: MMO FINALLY starts back up, and friends and dinner are arriving in the evening - can't get much better!

Enjoying my mom's awesome help...

I've been absent again because my mom has been here since Tuesday, helping out - so much! And after a bad turn with the nausea - it got even worse! ;-( - I took any free time to just lie in bed, motionless. It brought back a few memories of college except that, at one point this week, after coming home from Harmony Safari Ride, it felt like I was enormously inebriated yet hungover at the same time. Oh goodness, college!... ;-)

But moving quickly on...my mom made us many meals, which are just waiting for consumption in our freezer, tended to the laundry and kitchen every day, and took such great care of the kids, taking them on "adventures" around town. I think their favorite was playing in the fountains at Bridgestreet and getting to eat cookies from the Great Cookie Co. at 10am ;-) They had a great time with "Lady"!

Like I mentioned before, we did get a chance to go check out that Harmony Safari Park, located in New Hope on Saturday. That was fun, lemme tell ya. The kids were amazed at all the animals, and I got a scary surprise when I turned back to my window, only to realize I had left it rolled down and there was an aggressive emu and several deer poking their heads at me waiting for feed. I screamed and my family laughed...good times...

It was great to see my Dad, too, who flew in from Denver. He's doing great on his new morning show out there, the ratings are skyrocketing, and he's beginning to really enjoy it out there. Lots of good stuff!

But, now that my mom's gone, it's back to reality - sigh! ;-(. Kids will be up any minute, gotta run. Hope you all had a great weekend!

Monday Meals

I think I forgot about MM the last few Mondays, but I was reminded of this fun topic as I watched Rachel Ray this morning make these salmon and sweet potato cakes.

Click HERE for recipe.

They look delicious, and what a great way to get healthy vitamins and minerals from sweet potatoes into you and your kiddos!?!

Even "Nicer" Husband

My last post was all about how wonderful my friends and family have been during this time where I'm really struggling with the pregnancy nausea. People have watched my kids, called to check on me - thanks nurse molly!, brought dinners, just gone above and beyond.

But I'd be leaving out the most helpful person yet, if I didn't spotlight Jason here for a minute. (Not that'd he want it, but I want him to know how much I appreciate it. Not just a spoken "thank you" but a little mention on my blog ;-)

He has totally stepped up to fill in all the roles that I used to perform more effectively. He lets me say in bed each weekend morning, while he rises with the kids - sometimes at 6:30 (sleep, Jack, geez! ;-), gets them dressed, feeds them breakfast, and even cleans up.

He comes home from work, strips off his tie, and gets right down on the ground with the kids (literally) to let them squeal and jump all over him - which beyond being helpful, is just so wonderful to watch! ;-)

He's gone in to work late, come home early, sacrificed his Fridays off to be Mr. Mom. He'll cook dinner, clean up, basically he just does whatever needs being "done" and it is just so very helpful to me, I just want to say THANK YOU, Jason. Love you! I hope I can serve you just as much sometime soon!

Nicest friends and family

They say there's a silver lining in every crappy situation, and I can certainly say I've found my "silver lining" amongst this terrible nausea I've been struggling with: I have experienced such love and kindness offered by my friends and family, it's been truly heartwarming.

I have many faults, but being prideful is not on the list (well, at least I don't think so ;-) perhaps someone is reading this going, "Huh? She only thinks she's not prideful! I dunno...) But honestly, I don't have a hard time saying "I screwed up" or "I'm wrong" or being the first to apologize. And when I'm drowning, I don't especially try to hide it. I mean, if you've seen me lately, you know I'm not putting any effort into my appearance! LOL!

I missed our C-Group's last session on Wednesday because I felt so wretched, so I missed one of my favorite nights of the week when our group met; I laid in bed, miserable. During prayer requests, Jason mentioned my situation and asked for prayers. Well, not only did my wonderful group pray for me, but Monica and Janet immediately set up a day for my kids to go to their houses (which I must add are already filled to the brim with young kids - what a sacrifice on their part!) and play the whole morning so I could just rest and not have to worry about struggling through the day with the kids. And mom to mom, it was such a blessing to know my kids were enjoying such a wonderful morning full of interaction and fun - way more than they would have received from me at home!

Elaine called to set up a night to bring an entire meal over for dinner so I wouldn't have to worry about cooking. (And considering the nausea some pregnant women feel with cooking "meat", every pregnant should be so lucky as to not have to cook dinner! ;-)

We enjoyed her delicious baked ziti tonight - so comforting and nice to not have had to cook! I always say giving the gift of "time saved" is such a wonderful gift!

Another delightful surprise arrived in yesterday's mail: my sweet mother-in-law, who sends cards for every occasion (and often multiple cards each holiday ;-) because she enjoys making others smile so much, sent me a "Wishing you well" card with a twenty dollar bill enclosed with directions to do something that made me smile and that she was so sorry I was feeling so bad. Isn't that so sweet!?! Really made my afternoon, and this morning I indulged in a breakfast sandwich at Chick-fil-A because those chicken biscuits certainly make me smile and did a great job settling my rumbling stomach this morning! ;-) I intend to use the rest of that money for more chicken biscuits ;-) anytime I pass by a chick-fil-a! ;-)

I've had so many friends offer encouraging words and their emotional support - Tiffany, you're the best "listener" to all my complaining! ;-) - and it's been so helpful, truly. Sometimes it helps just to vent...

So, thank you - so very much - to these outstanding ladies and their kindness they showed me. You be sure to let me know anytime I can serve you, and in the meantime, I hope your generosity returns to you twofold!



Matthew 25:40
"And the King will say, 'I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these, my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!"

Acts 20:35
"And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive'."

Philippians 2: 1-5
Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort in his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. Don't be selfish; don't try to impress others. Be humble thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don't look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had."

Just proving how stinkin' hard it is to get a "family shot"

So, I've now organized all our Hilton Head photos, and looking at the ones where we're desperately trying to get a cute, "beach family shot" just makes me laugh at myself.

All that planning (picking out the cute outfits to coordinate between the kids), and then having an early dinner so we can head to the beach to get just the right lighting, only to have the kids act like wild hooligans the minute we step on the sand...ah, yes, the fruitless attempt.

Just take a look:


"Look, right here, in FRONT, Lucy" LOL



"Jack, be still, squirt..."


"Lucy, look at the camera!"


best shot we got is right here:

both my children look like they're seeing a monster behind the camera. ROFL...


We had better luck just photographing the kids....the cute boys on the left, Jack and Grant, are my college roommate, Laura's, boys. Adorable kids!



Check out my Jack in this last one...that face is just priceless to me...so "squinched up and happy"

Pregnancy Scare

It's been a stressful afternoon, but praise God, all is well and fine!

To keep from grossing out anyone, I'll keep it G-rated and just sa this afternoon, I had a symptom that can be a sign of a miscarriage.

The doctor wanted me to come in for an ultrasound, so we did at 3:45 and got to see our baby - who was squirming around like crazy (so thrilling to see and never ceases to amaze me), who is doing just fine. Phew!

I was so scared driving to the doctor's office, reminded of just how precious life is and how we're not promised any tomorrows.

Makes me want to hug everyone in my life I'm blessed to be family and friends with; so hugs to YOU!