Read. This. Book.

Oh, wow. Wow, wow, wow! I just finished this book. If you haven't read it, get it! I would let you borrow it, but I am taking it to my mom next week for her to read. So many friends have told me to read it and when I told them I had finally bought it several of them gasped and told me again I would love it. They were right. It is amazing and so well written. I would recommend it to anyone anywhere. Francine Rivers has a beautiful gift and I was really moved this story!

Stow Away

Just look at him! Look at those lips! I wish you could hear the deep breathing that went along with this. So peaceful. So sweet. SO on my PILLOW! Aron has a habbit of sneaking downstairs and into our bed in the wee hours. This really doesn't bother me. He is warm and a very quiet sleeper. (he has yet to inherit Daddy's snoring) What bothers me is that he takes over my pillow. My special-memory-foam-neck-support-makes-me-sleep-like-a-baby pillow! You might think that I should be able to reclaim my pillow from this 33lb boy in his striped footie pj's, but he is surprisingly strong and persistent and it is futile to move him over. He comes right back like a super magnetic boomerang! I usually just hang on to that last hour or so of sleep and then get up for coffee. I look back at him and my frustration over the theft of my pillow melts away. I remember the times before Aron, the ache for a child and the hole in my heart that God has seen fit to fill with this little person. I'd give him the whole bed and sleep on the floor if he asked.

31 Questions, an interview with me.

I know, you are so excited! I stole this idea from my new-never-met-her-blog acquaintance dyln. She said to do just that and I am easily influenced, so here you are: 31 tid-bits about me you should or shouldn't know about. I found this easier and more fun than doing menu-plan Monday. (sorry Rachael...maybe next Monday)

1. If your doctor told you TODAY that you were pregnant, what would you say?
Hallelujah!

2. When was the last time you flew in a plane? Our trip home for Christmas. Getting back on one next Wednesday...

3. What did the last text message you sent say?"are you in class?" (to my sister who is a teacher)

4. What features do you find most attractive in the opposite sex? consideration, wisdom, manners

5. What is a goal you would like to accomplish in the near future? I really want to exercise more, but the gym is too expensive and it is toooooooo cold outside!

6. Shoe size? 10

7. Been to Mexico? I'd be there still if I could. We honeymooned in Playa del Carmen and went back with Aron almost 2 years ago. I love the Yucatan!

8. When is the last time you had a massage? A couple of months ago. A sweet friend gave me a gift certificate after watching her son for a morning. I figure I got the better end of that deal, but if anyone else would like me to watch their child in exchange for a spa treatment, call me. I am SURE we can work something out!

9. What was the last TV show you watched? From beginning to end? Does Diego count?

10. What are your plans for the weekend? Rudy is traveling to Louisville on Friday for work and I think Aron and I are going to tag along for fun. We'll do some exploring and maybe a little shopping while daddy works. Then we'll head home on Saturday afternoon. Sunday is church and we'll probably make some yummy things in the kitchen and watch the big game.

11. If your significant other asked you to marry them TODAY what would you say? "Again?" (we've already been married twice!)

12. What is in the back seat of your car right now?
Some plastic bags I need to recycle, a tote full of emergency kiddo stuff (pull-ups, first-aid kit, etc) and my Enterprise roadside kit.

13. What were you doing at 8 am this morning? I was lying in bed tickling Aron. I slept in with a head-cold and he came down and climbed in bet with me.

14. If you could marry any celebrity today who would it be? Sorry, I am already taken.

15. Have you ever been to a strip club? Not sure this is the time or place to talk about such things!

16. What is the best ice cream flavor? Mmmmm, Blue Bell's Peaches and Homemade Vanilla.

17. What is the last sporting event you watched? I watched the end of the Greenbay-NY game and was so sad for Brett....Yep, I am a football fan, but still a girl!

18. Ever go camping? It has been a while. We actually took Aron that last summer in Vegas. He had a blast in the tent and it made for some beautiful memories. Can't wait to do more as he gets older.

19. Last phone call? I just got off the phone with Casey. Can't wait to see her next week!

20. Are you allergic to anything? Apparently everything that blooms in Tennessee....

21. What is one thing you have learned about life recently? That my life is not my own, and for that I am so grateful!

22. What do you do at work? Well, today I had a meeting with Aron about why we tell mommy before we pee in our pants, put him in the bathtub while I cleaned the carpet, mopped the kitchen floors and did the dishes, started a load of laundry, prepared lunch and took out some time to share it all with the world!

23. What is your mom's name? Peggy (and it isn't short for anything)

24. Ever cried for no reason? Well, sort of, I was pregnant....and I guess that was the cause, if not the reason.

25. Can you do the Crank Dat dance? The what-what?

26. What is your favorite color to wear? Black. It is slenderizing and elegant whether it is a t-shirt, sweater, pant, dress. I love it!

27. What is the longest plane ride you have ever been on? Oh, gosh! We lived in Japan back in the 80's (military dad) and when we moved we flew from TX to CA to AK to Japan. That last leg was a doozie, especially to a kid in the 2nd grade!

28. What is the longest road trip you have ever taken? The drive from Nevada to TN when we moved! Whatever the mileage was, double it, cause my son was 2 at the time!

29. What are your turn-offs? complaining, inflexibility....potty training

30. What was your last alcoholic beverage? A glass of wine

31. What are you craving right now? a Tylenol sinus and a fountain diet coke (just keeping it honest)

I just DON'T get it.

At least that is what Aron says. We were cruising through Home Depot yesterday morning and Aron said, "Mommy, you just don't get it." I tried not to spit my coffee out and asked, "What?" He said it again, giggling this time. It was a game from then on. He must have said it 30 times and I varried my responses: "I don't?", "Yes I do!", "Don't get what?" , "Nope. I sure don't".
I was very amused and kept wondering where he got this phrase from.
On the way home, I GOT IT! The Veggietales Silly Songs CD was in the player and right at the end of "The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything" Mr. Lunt tells Larry the Cucumber, "You just DON'T get it." Everybody now: "And we've never been to Boston in the Fall!".

Lets think...we were made to do THAT, too!

When I heard about this film, I just about stood and applauded. Which would have been silly as I was folding laundry on the couch, alone. But the point is, I think it is a great thing and cannot wait to see it!
Now, hear me out: I believe that God created us. His perfect design has purpose and it works. Now, of course there are times that things go wrong and I am so thankful that God has placed my life in an era when medical help is everywhere. But, I believe that pregnancy and birth were part of his plan for us as women. A normal, healthy pregnancy is not a "condition" or a "disease" to be treated. It is a beautiful, natural process that we go through.
I think we have all heard the idea of a 'second opinion' when it comes to almost any health issue. But, if you have ever had a baby, you might find that there are very few varying opinions out there. It is our job to educate ourselves on any health issue we face. So I encourage anyone out there who is having a child or considering it to check this out. I sure wish I had done a little more educating before my experience.

www.thebusinessofbeingborn.com

If you want even more info check out this book: The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth by Henci Goer

My new sink!

Out with the old....

...and IN with the NEW!
I tell you what, nothing gets this girl excited like updated kitchen fixtures! Our old sink started to leak last week, and as you can imagine by looking at the first picture, I was all too eager to tell it "bye-bye"! ( No one should have to live with a 6 inch sink anyway!) We bought the sink and fauctet at Home Depot and actuall installed it ourselves! Which was so gratifying and really not that difficult. BUT, when you put in a deeper sink, you have to account for that with the plumbing below....hmmm....problem. Rudy has been busy with the opening of the new deli and working more hours than I want to talk about. SO, we have a new handyman. His name is Brian and he is awesome. I would be happy to refer any of my TN friends to him any time. Brian saved the day and now my new sink not only looks great, it WORKS great, too!

Girl-time....well, almost!

Casey, Aron and I

Aron being coy with Steph

Decisions, decisions!

At the end of our Texas tour, Aron and I spent the weekend with Casey in Houston. We hadn't seen Casey in over a year and it was wonderful to spend time with her! My friend Stephanie joined us for lots of hanging out, girl-talk and shopping. Aron fit right in!

He was able to do all kinds of little boy things like try on shoes, eat at La Madeline, help mommy find a dress. He shopped for jewelry and purses with Stephanie while I tried dresses on.

Too bad we didn't have time for make-overs and pedicures!

Oh, Boy X3

Now that my sister (and soon my mother, as well) is in East Texas, visiting both sides of the family will be a breeze! Rudy's family lives just an hour away in Bryan!

Here is Aron with his cousin Sammy (center) and second cousin Fidel (left). Their birthdays are (left to right) 11/15, 12/28, and 11/17. 2004 was the year of the boy for Rudy's side of the family!

A little Christmas in Texas!

We flew home to Texas on Christmas Eve and drove to my sister's. She and her husband live "out in the country". Seriously. The closest Wal-mart is 30 minutes away! I am not sure how they survive, but apparently they do, and they enjoy it, too! We really had a fantastic time riding horses and exploring their acreage. Everybody should have a Christmas like this!

TJ lets Aron "help" lead Rooster

Uncle TJ helps Aron up onto Rooster

Happy in the saddle

Yes, even I rode! Roscoe was the sweetest horse...maybe sometime I'll tell you about how I fell off. Maybe not.

A little Christmas in Tennessee

Opening gifts at home

Santa brought a bike!

Oh, happy day!

That Santa is so accomodating! Did you know he will come early to work around your travel plans? He was able to fit us in during Aron's nap on the 23rd! Thanks, big guy!