1. I love Coldplay's 'Viva la Vida.'
2. I really miss shaving my legs. I'm outdoorsy, but this is out of hand.
3. I hate meat right now, this is fitting quite nicely into my plan of living in the 'blue zone.'
4. I love praying for Andy and the girls and everyone and thing that God brings to my heart at 6am every morning. It could be you.
5. The book of James has been mulling in my mind. The verse that particularly stands out is 2:13b, 'Mercy triumphs over judgment.' Oh how I need to see everyone through Christ's compassionate eyes.
6. I love conversations with my 5 yr. old and cuddles from my 2 yr. old.
7. I am so excited to be in the hospital with this new baby. It doesn't get better than juice and warm towels on demand.
8. I am thankful for the unbelievably beautiful weather we've had this summer.
9 I pray daily that we will be content here as long as we need to be and we will move when He calls, and that God's will, not ours will be done.
10. I predict this baby is a boy.

Let's be honest.

I have time. As odd as that sounds as a mother of 2 little ones, I do. My oldest is playing with goats and chickens in the nature area and my youngest is sleeping. I already had a 20 minute siesta, which let's be honest again, happens VERY frequently these days. L turned 5 this week and we partied. I thought I would share some highlights of what turned out to be my favorite party I have thrown. First I'll tell you why it was my favorite and then the pictures.



1. I hardly cooked! Now I like cooking and all, but if you can remove that from an occasion where other prep has to happen, well I like that better. The b-day girl had requested salmon, avocado/tomato salad, and strawberry cake. Andy made delicious salmon, my mom made the salad and cake, and I bought Izze's and bread from Walmart. Voila'!

2. Small guest list. When I began this journey of parenting parties in my mind were bigger=better. I sit here today friends a changed woman. Keep it simple is my new stand-by. We invited close family, our best friends and the kids closest friends, and the night was splendid!

3. Make it special without the expense. My parents brought up a small patio table for the birthday girl and her best friend to sit at. I cut some zinnia's from the garden and they felt oh so grown up.

So, some lessons learned on my behalf. Here are some of my favorite pictures from the night. I should also mentioned that I had a minor breakdown when I realized my baby is 5. How did that happen?




































Here's the birthday girl's request every morning after chocolate milk. Put the Avett Brothers on

It's time.

Well not time time, but time to start kicking back a little. I've been teaching workout 3x a week up to this point and told everyone, 'I'm done.' I'm sure I 'could' keep going, but I'm just tired. So walking at 5:30 in the morning it is. That carried me through my first pregnancy and is a great time for me to pray and prepare for the day ahead. I really enjoy my walks. So here's to being 33 weeks pregnant and taking it easy (sort of).

Out of control.

L: Mom, I need new shorts these got wet.

Me: Your sister is sleeping, so you'll have to wait. How did they get wet?

L: I went potty.

Me: Where?

L: Oh, in the pine trees. Don't worry, nobody saw.

More than an old window

I picked this up for $3.oo at a yard sale and it became the perfect accent in the baby's room. I can't wait to fill the 2 empty spots with cute little newborn pictures.

What I've been up to.

Life is good. God is so good!! Very early mornings before everyone rises spent with Jesus. Middle of the day includes reading, gardening (alot of gardening), swimming, canteen runs and being outside if at all possible. After kids go to bed and Andy is running around doing official camp business, I sometimes youtube. I youtube my favorites ie... Rusted Root, Coldplay, G-Love, and a new one for me Matt Costa. I realize that he is like 'so last year', but I like him. Here's a sampling. Heads up Rusted Root has some whacky videos. They need Jesus what more can I say?

Honestly,

creativity and thinking seem to take a leave of absence for me during pregnancy. My thoughts through the day look something like; wake up, eat, wonder what I'll have for lunch, look forward to a nap after lunch, wonder what's for dinner and hope I can be in bed well before 10. Primal really. I desire to say intelligent things in conversation, but every interesting notion, thought, or sentence that was once in my head has been pushed aside to make room for thoughts of food and sleep. I don't say these things to alarm or bash pregnancy, it's great! Uncomplicated! The other night I couldn't fall asleep due to being so excited for the labor, delivery, and holding this precious baby in my arms... There is nothing better in this whole world to me then that new life, Andy and I crying joyfully, and our family growing. So I'll take the 40(cross my fingers) weeks of complete brain lapse for that awesome outcome. Cheers.