TWINS!

So, I'm in a state of shock right now, but I thought that might be the best time to announce the news. I just got back from the doc and cannot believe this. I was surprised when I found out I was pregnant with #4, but I am utterly shocked over this news. I mean I would joke about it, but the possibility of having twins really was not on my radar. At all. So this is how it went down...

My usual doc was gone because she just had a baby, so I had a new doc, who I really liked. He actually knows how to do ultra-sounds (unlike my previous doc), so he said we were going to do one. If I had known, I would have had Nate come, but, oh well. He started the ultra sound and got this really goofy look on his face. He was a funny doc though, so I just took it as "normal". He looked at me and said, "what do you see?" I looked at it and in the far back of my mind thought I saw 2, but I wouldn't let that thought come to the front of my mind- I don't even know if it was a conscious thought . Actually, I just thought he could tell what the sex was and wanted me to see it too (twins! really not what I was thinking about). A little clueless about how to respond, I just said, "I see a baby." Then, he said, "well, I see two babies". I don't know if I've ever been so shocked in my life- I mean it. I started crying. I think they were mostly happy tears though, with maybe a few "oh my goodness!" tears mixed in. I asked the nurse to grab the phone and I called Nate like 7 times. It ends up that his shorts were too baggy and he couldn't feel the phone vibrating-arg. So, I went to the playground he was at with the kids and showed him the ultra sound of the 2 babies. "What does it mean?" I looked at him and told him the news. He said, "No Way!", handed me Ada (maybe in fear of dropping her), and kind of zoned out. My response to the news has been a lot of laughing, and Nate's been zoning out. Wow.

All that said, we are excited. Children are a blessing. I am so excited to have a big family. It's great to think of them when they're older and will have each other. Twins, not many get to experience it, and I do. Am I overwhelmed?- yes, I won't lie. Will God give me more than I can handle? No. He says he won't and I believe it. All that said, we covet your prayers in this time of major transition- and you can thank God too for these little miracles on the way.

And the Florida pics continue... tired of them yet?

Interruption from Flordia pictures...

with an important announcement.  What do you think it's going to be?  Well, it in fact is the news that we are expanding our family to 6 (maybe 7- you never know).  I bet you weren't expecting that announcement, well, neither were we.  Yes, God surprised us with a little partner in crime for Ada.  These two are going to be 12 months apart- yes, I'll repeat that- 12 months apart!  That puts me almost outside of my first trimester.  We have a crazy forecast ahead of us, but we are grateful and know that God knows.  As far as how I'm feeling, I'm feeling ok, pretty good.  I had two weeks that were a little brutal, and now am a bit tired with some back problems- but it could be a lot worse.  It is a little daunting to think about all the things to come (packing, moving, church planting...), but like I said God knows.  And we really are so excited that Ada can have a little friend.  So, there ya have it- ta da!

When it was nice....

We had so much fun for the day and a half it was actually nice outside. The beach was awesome! Sad to say, I never went swimming in the ocean- oh well. I think we probably could have spent all day and everyday at the beach. As far as a weather update- it's wild here. Seriously, if I didn't know better I would think a hurricane was coming. Just for fun Nate and I took Lucy and Will down to the beach for a change of scenery. We were blown and drenched within seconds. The waves are so amazing and you really feel the power of nature when standing right next to the ocean in such an intense storm. I wish we had a picture of us after, but we just ran in and took baths and showers.

Where'd it go?

Here we are, on the beach, in the sun.  Where'd the sun go- it's supposed to be quite comfortable in Florida, that's what Florida's known for, right? Yesterday we were in the house and today we are in the house.  Of course, when we come to Florida a major storm comes, Granny says she can't even remember the last time it rained.  I have to say I am so grateful we got a day and a half at the ocean and pool.  However, the kids are antsy as I didn't bring many toys with anticipation of spending every waking moment outside.  So, today we're going on a bit of a drive to try to go to a kids museum.  Nate made a fort with the kids this morning, but we're running out of ideas of what to have the kids do in our condo- any ideas?

off to the beach and pool

Family at Granny's

(Ada really is being closely monitored in this picture though it looks like she's about to roll off the couch)

Aunt Nancy with cousins Ada and Kirk

We were so glad that our trip here overlapped with Nate's brother and wife Nancy and children.  We only had 24 hours overlap, but it was so great to see them and have the cousins together.

We're here!

We made it! We are here relaxing in Florida, and we really are relaxing, it's great!

Future Grad

It's official!

I'm so proud of you hun- you are yet again, a graduate! Love you! Also, Jode and Stacie (and families), thanks for the cookies- so thoughtful, and mom and dad for the dinner out. We love you guys and thanks for celebrating with us (even when on the other side of the country).

The Star

Lot of changes about to happen.  Lucy has one day left of preschool and I haven't yet spent too much time there because Will is usually napping while she's at school.  Well, now that Nate's home I had a little more freedom and was able to go watch her at school.  Today she was the "star" and she got to celebrate her birthday because she has a summer birthday.  I really loved watching her lead the class and loved how after she did something she would look at me and give me a little smile to make sure I saw.  

When it's Lucy's turn to be the "star" she gets to do the calendar, help lead songs, and gets to bring the mystery bag.  The night before school she picks out 3 items to put in the mystery bag and then describes them to the class and they have to guess what she's describing.



Mrs. Marshall was a great teacher.  Lucy really loves her and the other teacher Mrs. Cross.  There are few greater gifts than someone pouring themself into your child.

"My God is so BIG, so STRONG and so MIGHTY..."

Oh Yes- he really did it!

HUGE congratulations are due to my great hubby who is DONE with school.  Can I repeat that again?  DONE with school!  And, not only that, he finished 1 day and 3 hours earlier than expected.  I might also point out that this completes his 10th year of college- quite a surprise from a high school drop-out.  I'm proud of him.  As a celebratory dinner I cooked up some steaks with other yummines.  For dessert we had this great blood orange sorbet (from Whole Foods, so good), with raspberries, whipping cream, and diced Kiwis.  Lots of events coming up to celebrate.  He worked so hard without working too hard- good job babe, you really did it!

Baby Blues

Whatcha lookin' at Lu?

Quite the Duo

Hail Ada

Hail Princess Ada!  At least, this is something that would come out of Lucy's mouth.  Whenever she has a chance, Lucy brings this "crown" and plops it on Ada's head- she gets quite a laugh out of it.  I get quite a laugh out of it too thinking about the many times in the future that Lucy will dress up Ada, or set up Ada, or practice "make-up" on Ada and send her on her way.  As for now, Lucy and Will brings presents to "Princess Ada", bring song offerings, and often, Lucy just laughs at Ada with her crown on.  She loves Ada so much, it is amazing to see the care she has for her little sister and the joy she gets from playing with her.  I'm so glad they have each other.

I heart Faces

The theme this week was hats.  I decided to post another one for fun.  If you'd like you can add one or check out some of the other entries by clicking on the link below.

Life

I haven't been quite in the writing mood lately.  Most posts seem to be a picture with a word or two, those creative juices just aren't quite flowing, oh yeah, and life is kind of crazy right now too.  Nate graduates in 12 days.  This will be his 10th year of college completion, and hopefully his last (at least until the kids are out of the house and we go to Scotland for his doctorate).  After graduation we leave for Florida for a week, this should be a good time for us and celebration of graduation.  Last time we went to Florida we stayed with Granny.  Granny is the coolest granny around and was so gracious to us with our squirmy little children.  However, this time around, it proved to be a better idea to get us our own condo.  This is the first time we've ever done anything like this, so it should be pretty fun.  After graduation we start packing up for the Northwest!  Departure date is June 26th.  My good friend Sarah and I are going to fly with my three kiddos while Nate and his good friend Trev are going to drive the trip cross country together with a little stop in yellowstone.  We can't believe we're packing up.  Lots of emotions surrounded with the move, but we really are excited to get back to the NW.  

As far as what we've been up to on a day to day basis, here are a few pics:

  

At Nate's school there's a "free store". It's essentially a goodwill kind of thing, but everything is free. Anyway, we found a two wheel bike there for Lucy, she was thrilled. Nate has been working on it with her, tricky business I tell you. In fact, as I type they're giving it another try. I'm thinking about buying training wheels for her first. Is that how you normally do it? Anyway, she is very eager to learn.





We've been watching Inspector Gadget. If you have Netflix you can watch some shows instantly. A lot of the shows aren't worth watching, but I found Inspector Gadget and the kids love it- the whole series is on there. I've watched some with the kids and it's a flash to the past, good 'ol Penny.



We've also had a lot of coloring going on around here lately, which I'm thrilled with, because it's a "sitting still" activity. Lucy has developed a desire to finish every picture she starts, which is great. With Lucy's peeked interest in coloring, of course came Will's peeked interest. For a while I just let them decorate the house with all their pictures. It's really not all the aesthetically pleasing, but I just "let go" and let them do it. It seems that life lately is a lot of "letting go" (should I really care that her socks look goofy with her sandals? They just got chalk all over their previously clean clothes I put on them. I'm pretty sure the toilet paper roll doesn't go in the toilet. Ada needs another bath! actually, she doesn't need one that bad. How long since I've showered? This list could go on and on, so I'll just stop. ) Really, a lot of the letting go is good for me though. Wow, that was a detour, and don't worry I won't go off about all the detours currently in my life. Back on track now...


And then there's Ada. She is amazing and honestly has brought more sanity than chaos. I waste much of the day just staring at her, what a complete sweetie she is. When it's been a long day with #1 and #2, I just look at #3 and she brings me joy. What a gift.

I think I might need to quit for now, but part 2 will come, there's still more to report. Oh yes, though I did want to say that Nate and I found the best Indian Restaurant (we only tried 1 dish, but it was awesome). It's called Taste of India and it's on Olive near 270. If you like Indian food, you must go, you really must. I might add we are yet to find a good Thai restaurant in St. Louis. Anybody know of one? Around Seattle they have amazing Thai food, so we've been on a search, maybe we're picky, I don't know, but none has been found. Alright, signing off for now.