Say Hello To My Little Friend...

I'd like to introduce you all to our little friend...

That's right... I'm pregnant. 12 weeks along which makes me due on New Year's Day. We are excited and looking forward to the new addition and new challenges.

We don't have a preference of gender one way over another. Our wallet wants another boy. Jason wants another son (mainly because I think he's scared of girls) I want either. I've always wanted one of each, but I'm scared of girls... Jacob wants a sister. We've asked him several times and he always says the same thing. The dogs just want us to move out and leave them be.

I personally think I'm having a girl, and several other people have professed the same thought, but only time will tell. I'm over the morning sickness part and actually there are times when I forget that I'm pregnant.

Jason is insisting that this one be a surprise, but of course I want to know so I can shop and plan.

I'll keep you all informed. Or at least try to...

I guess everyone needs a vacation now and then...

Last night while Jacob was saying the night time prayer I heard the following:

"Please bless Jacob that he doesn't have to go to school. Bless Jacob that he can go to Emma's house. Bless Jacob that he can go to Papa's house. Go to Grandma's house. Go to..."

At this point I interjected because his list of vacation spots can be lengthy. I steered him more toward others' needs. I had him pray for his great grandmother who is very ill.

I found it very hard not to chuckle at his prayer as he normally loves school and has a great time there. He is often the center of attention since he puts on shows for everyone to see. He is their entertainer. I have shown up many times to see the entire class sitting down watching Jake who is doing his one man comedy show... I just hide and watch as long as I can until my presence is known.

I'm grateful for Jacob and the wonderful, sweet, innocent spirit he brings into our home. I refer to him as our family conscience. He's always telling us to behave and to be nice. I guess we still have a long way to go.... Maybe our parents shouldn't have turned us loose so quickly.. Or just maybe we need to take a vacation... I'm all for that one.

Last Thursday was my birthday. The girls at work went above and beyond to make sure I had a good day. First they decorated my cubicle...

Then they surprised me by organizing a departmental lunch... Hot Dogs with chili, sauerkraut, relish and all the other fixins... plus chips and Chocolate chip cookies, low fat chocolate pie, low fat key lime pie and full fat red velvet cake. It was really nice. I have the super easy recipe for the pies if anyone is interested, too....

It was a great day.

Cousins Make all the difference

There are times when I wonder if Jake is really my son. I'm a very adventurous person. I LOVE amusement parks and carnival rides. I have gone skydiving and bungee jumping. There are many more daredevil things I'd love to try if I ever get the chance. My father was in the Navy, so no matter where we lived you can be sure there was water close by and he made sure we were well aware of all the fun you can have in the water.

Jacob.... not so much.... I thought I was being a great Mom when a couple years ago at the age of 8 months old I introduced Jacob to the wonderful world of the waterpark. Needless to say.. He hated it. I was destroyed. But I chalked it up to him being so young and the water was too cold and we'll get him a little older and try again...

One year later... I took him to Spray Park... I couldn't get him to play in the water. I told my Mom where we were and she and Bekah were down the road, so they stopped by. Viola!!!! Bekah + Spray Park = good time to Jacob. Who knew??? I thought for sure that he'd have a great time at the Water Park later that summer, but it took him a LONG time to find his happy place... and that was being with his Daddy and his cousins...

Memorial Day (this year) my sister and her husband set up the big inflatable waterslide my parents own and told their kids to have fun. Then they called me and told me to bring Jake... At first he didn't like it much...

But after lunch and more time to get used to it all he started having a great time.

Jacob loves his cousins. At least I know who to call at the Water Park this year...

Here are some fun pictures from Memorial Day.. Enjoy.