"I'm Glad I'm not a Turkey" Sung by our little turkey!

Isabella has learned all sorts of cute songs from her kindergarten teacher this year. Here's a quick video clip to get you geared up for the Thanksgiving holiday. One of our cats, Thorn, makes a cameo appearance in the clip until the drama is too much for him... Enjoy and Happy Thanksgiving a few days early!!

We Have a Secret... Well, Maybe Not Anymore!!

We've been keeping a big secret around our house for the past few months. In less than six months, we will be a family of five! I'm actually still a little stunned when I think about it... Mark and I have kept this secret since the end of August and have just recently let the cat out of the bag. We've had to be extra secretive this time as we didn't want to tell the kids until we knew that everything was going well with this pregnancy. I am now 15 weeks along and all appears to be well. This time around, though, the pregnancy is hitting me harder than before. I have had a lot more persistent nausea and vomiting--not fun. Last week gave in and started taking the Zofran that my doctor prescribed. Though I wish I weren't taking it, it really does help me keep my food down on most days. Hopefully, I'll get lucky and I will start feeling better sooner rather than later!

I didn't realize how fun it would be for Mark and I to share our news with the kids. James seems to have a pretty good understanding that we will have a new baby in our house. And, at the age of five, Ella is very interested in the baby and extremely excited... PROVIDED that the baby is a GIRL! James, on the other hand, would really like the baby to be a boy. The kids have had a few arguments on the subject and they usually end with James sweetly saying we can have two babies--a boy for him and girl for Ella. I think one baby will be just fine and I don't think we will be finding out until the baby makes his or her debut near the end of April. My actual due date is May 4th. Since my other two babies arrived a few weeks early, I would be shocked to make it to my due date with this one... but, you never know!

Below is an ultrasound from my last appointment a week and half ago. I think this is one of the best early ultrasound pictures that I have had from any of my pregnancies. The baby seemed to be waving at us or giving us a thumbs up when this image was captured. It is so amazing to catch a glimpse of a little miracle growing!!

Happy Birthday, James!!

This is my little boy bright and early this morning. It is so hard to believe

that he is three years old today!!

And this is what it looked like outside when we woke up this morning:

James was excited to see the snow...





And so was Ella!





The snow started melting before we made it outside, but Ella still found enough to make a snowangel and a snowman.







You may have noticed that our little guy has a new big boy bed! He first slept in on Tuesday afternoon for nap. Here is James when we walked into his room and saw his big bed
for the first time. He was so excited!

Here he is climbing on the bed with Ella

and laying down for the first time...

James has his first nap in his big bed! Isn't he cute?

James was so excited that he got to sleep in a big bed he had to call Grandpa Jim and tell him all about it at bedtime.



Happy 3rd birthday to my sweet boy!!

Just One

Just One


by Author Unknown



One song can spark a moment,
One flower can wake the dream. One tree can start a forest,
One bird can herald spring.
One smile begins a friendship,
One handclasp lifts a soul.
One star can guide a ship at sea,
One word can frame the goal
One vote can change a nation,
One sunbeam lights a room
One candle wipes out darkness,
One laugh will conquer gloom.
One step must start each journey.
One word must start each prayer.
One hope will raise our spirits,
One touch can show you care.
One voice can speak with wisdom,
One heart can know what's true,
One life can make a difference,
You see, it's up to you!

This was the scene at our house this morning when James didn't get to say hi to what I hope is the last "door knocker" to ring our bell during this election season. James is a little out of sorts this morning as he hasn't adjusted to daylight savings time yet and the lack of sleep has caught up with him.

We'll be heading out to vote soon, but it will happen in shifts. Mark is home sick from work with a nasty sore throat and body aches and Ella is in her bed hopefully recovering from the stomach flu. Today should be a great day!