This is just a random update just to get it done w/ since I'm so behind. Rich has been very busy since we got home from NY. So we've been making the most of the time we do get together. Sunday we took the kids to this park in Shelby and had a pizza picnic in the gazebo there. After the kids and Rich ran and played hard we stopped for ice cream. It was a great deal we got something for everyone for $5!! and we all got what we wanted! We'll definitely go there again! I had fun watching Rich chase the kids around the playground. He was gathering the attention of all the other kids at the playground who were just dumped off w/ no parents to watch or play w/ them. At first I wanted to scream, don't forget to play w/ our kids, but then I realized something more important was going on here. and he was really giving something special to these kids. I was proud of him and reminded of my own Dad who used to be so involved w/ my own friends. I pointed out to Luke that he can be proud of his Dad and the time he spends w/ him. The baby animals are all around... we just recently started seeing the baby deer again. The hawks are almost ready to leave their nests. I hear them every morning. I wonder what they are saying to each other?! The baby birds on our porch have grown up and left their nests.

Last night I performed major surgery on little white puppy. He was looking rather sad, so after Luke had fallen I asleep, I carefully lifted him out from under Luke's arm and began a lengthy cleaning process. I soaked him, and scrubbed him, I bleached some areas of his fur, then for the first time ever, I opened up his stitching and emptied out the stuffing that was well worn and washed. I felt guilty, thinking about all the "kisses" that stuffing held. But it was time for new insides. After I closed him up, I spent a long time picking dark pieces of lint that seem to be attracted to him, and I trimmed him up where necessary. I was a little worried about Luke's reaction. I slipped him back under Luke's arm and waited for Luke to wake up and notice.

Little White Puppy looking at his old insides!

freshly stuffed....

Luke giving him a loving hug this morning. He ran at me,hugged my belly and thanked me up and down for taking care of his puppy. I NEVER would have gotten away w/ this while he was awake!

This week Luke started Safety Town. I was a little discouraged about going anywhere. I'm so glad our activities are winding down.. somewhat... but he has really enjoyed it so far. When I pick him up he sings the songs he learned and reads all the safety directions off his paper to me. You'd think he'd be tired of seeing the fireman... he's seen them 4 times now w/ preschool! but he was just as happy today, and informed me that this time he was brave enough to try on the outfit. Oh. I wish I had my camera!!! and I was there to watch!! :(

everyday the kids get 15 minutes to ride a bike around the city and practice using their signals.

Twice a week we are still participating in t-ball. I captured this one today of my big kid sitting in w/ the little ones! Rich has picked up helping coach the team. He does a very good job and seems to enjoy himself.

Well tomorrow is our big day, when we find out the sex of the baby. I've been counting down the hours for days... but now that it's here, I'm actually kinda sad to find out. I see so many good things to having a girl and a boy. I am glad I'm not the one picking! It will be fun to start preparing for this ones arrival, but I still tend to feel sad about whatever sex we won't have. It's been fun to dream about both! I've been preparing the kids all day to be happy w/ whatever we find out and not be disappointed, since they are both so verbal about wanting the same sex as themselves. Tonight I reminded Luke about how special his sister was, he got all sappy on me and started telling me how sweet her little hands were and how much he loves her!

well I'm pretty tired. I think I've been exhausted from the pregnancy this week. Also from my stress w/ the headache. They wanted me to do a CT scan b/c of the aura's I was seeing (for so long) -days... but when I got to my CT scan the techs were very uncomfortable doing a CT on a pregnant person and encouraged me NOT to do it. For now, I'm just trusting that God will speak to me if he wants me to go back and get that done b/c I just felt that I was supposed to walk out of there and not expose my baby to the radiation.

all for now.... -Beth