One Thousand Gifts, 96-102

96. Hubby who came home from work to take care of the kids when I was sick.
97. Wrapping Christmas presents and anticipating family opening them.
98. One final family tailgate to finish out our home football season.
99. Listening to Annie's made-up songs.
100. The rare chance to rock Sophie till she falls asleep
101. A clean house
102. No major projects looming

Munchkin in 4D

There's a real baby girl in there! Excited to meet her in about nine weeks!

New Orleans Weekend

The Gent and I enjoyed a lovely weekend in New Orleans--with no babies. And the munchkins had a great time with Honey and Poppa. Thanks!

One baby got to tag along :)


WWII museum was very interesting (though I should have chosen better footwear--too much walking for boots!)


Coffee by the Mississippi


There was lots of delicious food to be had. Cochon Butcher was definitely our favorite, but no pictures there, so this one of beignets will have to do.


Jackson Square


Hurrah for time away! I would say I now feel relaxed and recharged, except I came down with a horrible cold Sunday night and the Gent had to go out of town for work (thankfully he's back now) and it's taking all my energy to not crawl back into bed and leave the kids to their own devices. Wonder what my house would look like if I did?!

One Thousand Gifts, 91-95

91. a weekend away with the Gent
92. delicious food on our trip
93. generous parents who kept up with our munchkins
94. studying some obscure parts of the Mosaic law through BSF and actually finding interesting parallels
95. hot tea with lemon and honey

A Little Light Reading

I love to read. I don't dedicate as much time to reading as I used to, but I still try to read at least a chapter a day in my current book. Each year I re-read a few favorites from growing up (this year, Burnett's The Secret Garden, Alcott's Little Men, and L.M. Montgomery's The Blue Castle). This fall I finished Boundaries by Cloud and Townsend. Classic book on when to say no and how to not feel guilty about it. I don't have much trouble with that; I know my limits, ha! But still, good reminders and principles. One of my favorite recent reads is Delighting in the Trinity by Michael Reeves. Reeves takes what is often a heavy theological topic and makes it accessible. This short little book deepened my faith--and delight--in how rational and orderly God is. And showed how the Trinity underlies the whole of God's Word and the Story He's been telling us since time began.

One Thousand Gifts, 86-90

86. that JJ finally broke his nap strike yesterday
87. a long weekend away with family
88. listening to Sophie say "uh oh!"
89. pretty fall colors beginning to emerge in the "woods" (as Annie says)
90. encouragement to keep on keeping on in this parenting journey

Halloween 2014

little caterpillar


my butterfly was too excited about candy and her flower wand to give me a real smile




the cutest ladybug ever thoroughly enjoyed Halloween; she got to trick or treat with the big kids!




trick or treating fun


Come on, Mama, let's go!


yum: pumpkin-shaped pretzels

Munchkin: Seven Months + Bonus Ultrasound Pic

Here we are and growing nicely but thankfully slowly on the weight gain. Looks like I can continue to indulge in ice cream several times a week. :) I had an extra ultrasound at 28 weeks to check on the placenta, which has shifted up, and baby is head down (stay that way, Munchkin), so I am preparing for another natural birth. Which will be hard but worth it...I don't think I'll think about that too much just yet, ha! I am feeling good and yoga three times a week keeps the back pain at bay. JJ and Annie are starting to get a kick out of feeling baby kick. So all is well here on the baby front, we'll just keep on as we are for one more trimester!

One Thousand Gifts, 81-85

81. First frost to eliminate the mosquitoes!
82. Listening to Annie sing her favorite hymns
83. Catch-up emails from two old friends
84. Good news on Munchkin's latest check-up
85. A day off from being Mama so I could shop with my Mama