20 weeks pic!

Here's a pic of me at 20 weeks. I took it myself, if you can't tell. :-)

Fall, fall, and more fall!

The colors are absolutely beautiful. Instead of scouting again this weekend I convinced Brett to go on a hike. We had a great time.

Why Aidan's not Going to Karate.

Aidan's not going to karate tonight. Wanna know why? Of course you do. It has nothing to do with behavior or punishment. It has everything to do with the fact that tonight is the only night this week that Brett will be home for at least 2 hours (before he goes to a rehearsal). I've wrestled with this decision all day....feeling bad because he'd be missing out on karate this afternoon. Then I had a "lightbulb moment". One thing we strive for in our family is *family*. What am I denying him by letting him stay home and be with his family? We will eat our dinner in a mostly non-hurried manner....together. We will get to talk about our day, discuss what we're doing tomorrow. I refuse to be slave to extra-curricular activities. Of course there's the whole "commitment" thing, but don't worry, he'll get his 2 times in this week. We did make a commitment to this, and we will hold to that, but not at the cost of precious family time that seems to be non-existant for the next month and a half or so.

A First

As I write this Brett is on his way to pick Aidan up from his first ever "Ninja Party". The Martial Arts Academy where he takes karate has one every year. Aidan has been looking forward to this for weeks now. They could only have a certain number of kids sign up for the event and Aidan was thrilled when we signed him up right away. We won't discuss the amount of money that this three hour "Parents Night Out" (uh....I guess that's for those who don't have two younger kids) cost. Let's say it's time for me to get my eyes checked because I never could see the amount on the poster from the door and I missed a significant part of the number. Oh well! It was totally worth it to see our oldest, feeling like such a big kid (yet obviously a little nervous because that's his style when doing new things) walk in and see how they had decorated the place. I hope he had a great time. His sisters, even after a rougher day than normal of being tortured by their big brother, missed him soooooo much. Emma kept saying, "I miss Aidan. He's my best friend." She has such a sweet heart. If the owners of the academy did their job I should have an extremely tired, almost 7 year-old boy walking in my door any minute now.

20 weeks!

I'm 20 weeks! By the medical-world's standards that means I'm 1/2-way through this pregnancy, although I've never made it to term.

This baby has been moving a lot which is always a nice little treat! Gianna is still trying to figure out if we're having a pink or brown baby, but seems to be fine with either. Emma can't wait to have a baby around and Aidan, for the first time ever, is hoping for a boy. I don't think I will be completely at ease until I'm holding this precious baby in my arms and all is fine, but I'm definitely getting excited about having this little one.

Thanks for all the prayer! Keep 'em coming!

Feast of Guardian Angels!!

Have you thanked your Guardian Angel today?

Guardian Angel Prayer

Angel of God, My Guardian Dear
to whom God's love commits me here.

Ever this day be at my side
to light and guard and rule and guide.

Amen.

Today we are drawing a picture of our guardian angels, eating angel shaped sandwiches for lunch, and making a chocolate cake! It was going to be Angel Food, but who has cream of tartar in their house anyway?

Heretic!

Gianna's version of "Mary Had a Little Lamb":

"Mary had another baby, Mary had another baby, Mary had another, etc.................."