Washington, DC - Part 1

Here's the first half of the pictures from our trip on Monday to Washington, D.C. We always try to take a trip there when my sister is here visiting. The kids have a great time, and my sister enjoys dinner at Johnny Rockets. John David was really excited about this trip. I think he is finally old enough to appreciate the museums a bit more. The space shuttles and dinosaur bones are much more exciting to him now. He even took a try at standing up on the subway. We made him sit down though after he licked the pole! Yuck! The weather was a little yucky, and not very warm, but we still enjoyed ourselves. By the end of the day, we were all exhausted from walking and ready to head home. After our traditional dinner at Johnny Rockets (Jeremy always gets his favorite... a malt), we hopped back on the subway to ride out of town to where we parked the car. We made some great new memories, and look forward to heading back to our nation's capital soon.

It's A Boy!

So it is now official, although everyone pretty much already had a feeling, but it's a boy! Jeremy, the kids, and my sister were all there for the news and got front row seats to the show. The baby was moving a ton, and everything looks great so far. I have to go back in two weeks for another ultrasound, because the baby was moving too much to get decent pictures of the heart. John David is of course ecstatic, and the girls were momentarily bummed but perked up pretty quick. It is always an emotional thing to see the baby, and today was no different. Watching him dance and squirm reminded me of how miraculous the whole thing really is. I will try to get some ultrasound pictures scanned in before we head to Tennessee on Thursday, and maybe by tomorrow we'll have decided on a name! Love you all, and thank you to God Almighty from whom all blessings flow!

Kylie Loses Her First Tooth

I can't believe it, but Kylie lost her first tooth on Sunday afternoon! Unlike Caitlyn, she was completely calm, and was anxious to get it out. It all happened quickly, and by the time we realized it was loose, it was REALLY loose! Here are a few pictures from the big event. It always stops me in my tracks when Kylie hits a milestone like this. To think that a little over five years ago, the doctors didn't know if she would be here.....running,playing, and laughing. She truly is a miracle to us, and Jeremy and I thank God for every smile and every laugh. And even though some would argue as to whether she is perfectly normal (just kidding), she is most definitely her own little person......our Smiley Kylie!

Friday Night Success

Since my sister arrived last Tuesday, we have been busy, busy, busy! We spent a lot of time last week preparing for the VBS Benefit Concert that Andrea and I were singing in. Friday night the concert turned out to be a great success, and the people who attended really enjoyed it. I was so proud of our church for stepping up and raising so much money for VBS 2008! Andrea and I, although nervous, enjoyed the opportunity to get to sing together. Andrea did an incredible job, even learning a brand new song the night before the concert. Caitlyn played Jesus Loves Me on her violin to start the night off(see video above). She was a great sport even though we forgot her music. She played it from memory almost perfectly. I have lots of pictures form the past few days and will post them as I get them loaded. Our twenty week ultrasound is this afternoon, so I'll post as soon as we get back and hopefully have pictures by tomorrow. Love you all, and thank you to God Almighty for his many blessings!

Rainy Thursday

Check out this new ticker I copied from a friend of mine! It follows the baby's development. I thought it was pretty cool, so I added it to the bottom of our blog page. We are having a great time with Andrea here. The weather hasn't been that great, but hopefully we'll get clear skies for Monday and our trip to DC. Andrea and I are singing in a Vacation Bible School Benefit Concert tomorrow night, and we've got soccer on Saturday. Jeremy bought a little motorcycle/scooter for the kids. With the weather being nasty, they've only gotten to ride it once. Andrea and I got some great pictures though, and I'll post them as soon as we get them downloaded. Love you all, and thank you to God Almighty who has for now blessed us with these.

Caitlyn's 2005 Flashback

Here is the final installment of the 2005 flashbacks....Caitlyn. She's the most serious of the kids, but still has a silly side. She loves to talk, and is extremely intelligent. 2005 found her enjoying being a big sister again. Many pictures I found had her with one of her siblings, hugging and smiling. Caitlyn has always been the "little mommy" of the bunch, eager to nurture and of course.... boss someone around! :) At times she gets a little overbearing, but the other kids are quick to put her in her place. Christmas 2004, Caitlyn was fortunate enough to have her own personal home visit from Santa. Santa was actually a relative of a friend from church, but she had no idea. To this day, she still remembers that visit. 2005 marked the beginning of her love of reading as well. Caitlyn began reading shortly before her birthday that year. She was only three! She has discovered, as I did, that books provide a relaxing escape from reality at times, a chance to exercise her imagination. She is a very imaginative and creative child, and we are very proud of the little girl that she has become!

Aunt Rea Has Arrived!

We have returned from Norfolk with Andrea in tow! I took a few pictures of the kids as we waited patiently (yeah right) for her plane to land. The kids were anxious as usual, and started screaming the moment they saw her. We are very thankful to have her here for the next week and a half, and are looking forward to all the fun we have planned. We always enjoy her yearly spring trips to Virgina! Love you all, and thank you to God Almighty for blessing me with an awesome sister!