Lots of Random Things

I noticed a few days ago that our cordless phone wasn't working. I guess I didn't care very much because I didn't really stop to investigate why it wasn't working for three or four days. When I finally took a look, I discovered that the dog had chewed the phone cord in half. Bad, bad dog.

I'm wondering why I have to be a different size every single time I'm pregnant. Seriously. It's not friendly on the budget. I called hubby from Motherhood Maternity yesterday to ask if it was okay to spend an undisclosed (not undisclosed to him, just to all 1o of you out of sheer embarrassment) amount of money. He gave me the go ahead and I promised not to spend anymore money on clothes for the rest of this pregnancy. His response was, "I thought you weren't going to say you promised not to spend anymore money on clothes for the rest of your life." Uh, no honey.

Not only did hubby let me buy new maternity clothes, but he has also eaten way too much frozen pizza lately without a single complaint. Fortunately, I've been feeling much better, so that trend must come to an end soon. Very. Soon. Tonight I'm shooting for homemade soup.

I am loving the cool fall weather.

This morning I was up early for Bible study and Gracie had pre-school. That means hubby and me getting ready in the bathroom at the same time. When he opened the shower curtain I had to crack up laughing. Right there in the corner of the shower was Gracie and Ella's bathtub cabbage patch kid. She had her arm up in the air, mid-wave, and a big cheesy grin on her face (way to happy for such a ridiculous time of morning). Maybe you had to be there, but you're glad you weren't. It was crowded enough.

Tomorrow Gracie starts dance class again. I'm so glad she changed her mind and decided to go. Even if it means another trip to Yankton. On the bright side, we'll get to have Pizza Hut buffet for lunch.

Well friends, I think that's all the little bits of randomness I've got for today.

Happy Birthday, Hubby

Today is Hubby's birthday. Happy Birthday, Hubby!

Today we've been busy cooking and baking for Hubby. We are making cranberry chicken and a citrus cream cake.

This afternoon we drove to Hubby's office to drop off flowers (the manliest flowers we could find) and a balloon (equally manly) as a birthday surprise. We couldn't take him out for lunch because he was doing school screenings today.

Tonight we'll eat the fruits of our labor and open presents. Gracie thought her daddy needed a Dallas cowboys blanket, because he's the only one at our house who doesn't have a special blanket. And together, we got him a portable disc golf game.

I can post about Hubby's presents before he opens them because Hubby doesn't visit the blog world often...or ever...I'm not sure.

But I felt he needed a Happy Birthday post anyway.

Apple Festival

I'm sad. I'm sad because we spent Saturday at the apple orchard and I forgot my camera. So many good photo opportunities lost.

It was our first trip to the apple orchard and we quickly decided we'd have to make a trip out for the pumpkin festival too!

Ella wasn't in a very out going mood, but Gracie enjoyed every single activity they offered...a pony ride, jumping inflatables, a train ride and face painting, which Ella decided she would participate in as well. They both had a rainbow painted on their cheek.

At snack time we enjoyed apple pie with ice cream and an apple turnover with ice cream.

The girls had a blast riding out to the orchard and picking apples. They each filled their own little bag, and we talked about how much our day was just like the book where Clifford the Big Red Dog went out to the orchard.

Did I mention we brought the dog? And that Gracie had to pee in a field across from the orchard because she ALWAYS waits to tell you she has to go potty until you're somewhere where there is no potty?

Friday Morning Paint Fest

First Day of School Pictures

Gracie ready to go to her first morning of pre-school...

A quick picture with her sis who had just woken up...

And with her awesome teacher...

Labor Day 2009 and School Starts

We decided to take the girls to the festivities in Wagner, which began with a parade. We got there towards the end of it but had time to enjoy several floats and catch lots of candy, yep we ate lots of candy. Yes, hubby was with us. Yes, he was feeling okay.

After the parade we headed over to the park for the arts and crafts booths. The big fun there was the inflatable jumping pillow. For $1.00 each the girls jumped their little hearts out. Quite a bargain. I think they would have let them jump for hours. We also got to spend some time with friends who were also there.

By the time the girls decided they were done jumping I was starving. We grabbed food and headed down to Wagner Lake for a picnic with some friends. It was a windy day, so much of our time at the lake consisted of keeping kids from falling in and keeping our food and trash from blowing away.

All filled up, we headed over to the midway for some fun on the rides. The girls really enjoyed the rides this year, and the funnel cake and lemonade weren't too shabby either.

Today marked the beginning of the end...of Gracie's pre-school career. She started her 3rd and final year at Shining Stars Pre-School this morning. She took one last first-day-of-pre-school picture with her teacher, and I tried not to cry. As soon as I can find the cord to download my pictures off my camera, I will post them!

Giving and Taking Away

16 years ago today, God gave me my brother. Happy Birthday, Daniel!

Yesterday was a day filled with joy and sorrow.

I had an ultrasound and got to see our third baby for the first time. It's amazing every single time. To see little arms moving, little legs kicking and a strong little heart beat. The baby looks great and is measuring at 10 weeks and 5 days, putting our due date at March 26th or 27th instead of March 31st. What an awesome 30th birthday present I'll be getting.

On my way to Sioux Falls I got a phone call from my step-mom, she had heard that my uncle (my dad's oldest brother) had passed away. Childhood memories came flooding back.

We are quickly approaching the two year anniversary of my dad's death. It was a hard day and I felt that old sting again. The wound felt fresh again, and honestly, I just didn't want to go to bed last night. Because that's when the distractions of the day are gone and the tears come.

So today I will cling to the Truth, and praise God for the gift of life, the beginning and the end.