Country Girl, City Girl

Actual conversation that just took place between Anna Claire and me:

AC (trying to avoid bedtime): Momma? Remember how I told you that I wanted you to buy me the new Hannah Montana movie when it comes out on DVD? Well, I decided that I don't really want it.

Me: Why not, honey?

AC: Because I didn't really like the part where she was out in the country.

Me: Why not?

AC (looking grossed out): Well, the guy kind of talked funny (he had a Southern accent - does she realize that we live in the South now?), and there are a lot of bugs out in the country.

Me (my heart warm with compassion and love for her because she now truly understands why I'm not wild about the country/camping/anything outdoors): I know, hon - there are a lot of bugs out in the country. But it's beautiful, don't you think?

AC: I guess so. But I still don't want the movie because it's about the country.

After she went upstairs, I giggled a little and was reminded of my one and only camping experience - that ended after four and a half hours, where we got lost on the way home and ended up in West Virginia...in the country.

I wonder if she'll ever go camping.

Time To Build Another Ark?

It has rained so much here the last 2 days, you just cannot imagine. There are places in Houston who got between 9-13 inches of rain. This morning, I went out to pick up my great-nephews, who live a little over an hour from us. The whole trip took me over 4 hours. Coming home was especially crazy - the freeway was closed in both directions at one point except for the shoulder on one side because the water level had risen so high and it was too dangerous to drive through it. I saw a golden retriever rescued by 2 men who had to swim in order to reach the dog. I also saw this guy on the side of the road at an exit near where we live - just waiting for someone to come help him. There were at least 10 other cars around who were under water just like this guy's car. At times, it was raining so hard and it was so dark that you didn't know you'd driven into the high water until it was too late.

Let's hope it dries out soon!

Baby Kole

We have friends at church who are also expecting Baby #3 - a baby boy. Unfortunately, they recently found out that their baby - whom they've named Kole - has Trisomy 18. Trisomy 18 often causes the baby to die during pregnancy or shortly thereafter. Kole is due to arrive somewhere around October 11th.

Will you join me in praying for Steve and Kara, their two children Emma Grace and Keaton, and especially baby Kole? They are walking such a difficult road right now, and although their hearts are broken and weary, their faith our Creator of Life is inspiring. They love the Lord with everything they are, yet they are grieving the impending birth and homegoing of their precious son. Please pray specifically that we would be able to meet their needs as they arise, and that we'd be able to minister to them during these next months. They are really hoping that Kara will be able to carry Kole to term so they can hold him and meet him. I cannot wait to see God write Kole's story. Already there are so many of us who love this little baby dearly.

Kara and Steve have started an amazing website - http://www.kilgofamily.com/ - check it out!

Blog Makeover

I think part of the reason that I'd been relatively uninspired to blog for a few months is that it was in desperate need of a makeover. It was just so, well, BEIGE. Beige is so not my personality. I'm all about lots of color. I like beige in certain circumstances - my family room is a beautiful color of beige and it's very warm and inviting. But a beige blog? Not so much. I don't wear beige (close to my face) because it washes me out with my hair color. I don't even like beige shoes. I much prefer red, pink, turquoise, or some other fun color.

I've always loved the header that a blogging friend created for me - so I knew that I didn't want to change it. But I really wanted to change the background. I just hadn't had the energy, though. However, last night, Gary was watching a James Bond movie, I sat in the family room with him and decided that it was time to give the old blog a new look. I was able to find some great free backgrounds and finally settled on one that worked well with my header. It's a little brighter than I'd planned, so I may end up changing it again at some point, but it works well for now.

The only thing left to do is to figure out how to put a link in my text that actually WORKS. I'm telling you, I think I have a "linking disability." Every time I try to put one in, it won't work. I need an HTML class. The weird thing is that when I worked for a Christian website as their family editor, I did links all the time - I was a linking genius! I miss those brain cells...

I'll be making some other little changes here and there to keep it fresh but at least it's one of my favorite colors now - turquoise - and it projects a fun, cheery attitude - quite the opposite of beige, don't you think?

Celebrating Momma's Birthday

We took these pictures of the girls last weekend after my birthday lunch at Cheesecake Factory. The quality isn't spectacular (taken on my cell phone) but the pics are still cute. :)

A Fresh Start

I know, I know. It's been way too long. This has been a much harder pregnancy in some respects. I thought I was really turning the corner on the morning sickness in late January. I was wrong – really wrong. I vomited through the first week of April. I also had a bad sinus infection, bronchitis and a double ear infection for several weeks in March. Add to that the low energy and overall “don't care” mood I feel during the first trimester and it just didn't make for a good combination to get anything accomplished.

The good news is that I'm better now! I've gone over 3 weeks without being sick and I finally have my energy back. Yay! I've been going to BodyPump class at the YMCA, walking, and my nesting instinct has kicked in and I'm busy cleaning out closets. My husband is thrilled. Watch out, Honey, I'm going to start labeling things again!

We had an AWESOME time with my parents, who stayed with us from the end of January through mid-March. It was so fun, and they were an incredible help, especially to me. Most of all, it was just nice to “do life” together for several weeks, and the weather was warm and sunny, so I know they enjoyed it too. We even escaped to San Antonio for a weekend, which is where the picture of the girls (above) was taken.

The girls are doing great in school and here at home and are SO excited that they are having a little brother. Yep, it's a boy! It's been a real mind shift adjusting to the idea that we'll have something other than another princess in our house come August, but we are beyond thrilled and really anticipating his arrival.

School is beginning to wind down and we are looking forward to summer. We're going to try to do swimming lessons for both girls, and Anna Claire wants to take ballet.

OK, I'm off to get kids in bed but I'm officially back into the blogging thing! :)