No Name Changes Here

That's right folks, the blog is keeping its name. We are due for boy # 4 in late August. I'm still trying to absorb the shock (well, I guess that I'm not really surprised). In case anyone wants to challenge the ruling, here's the evidence...
Our pastor used the following verse last night, and I thought it applies well here...

Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.
Proverbs 3: 5-6

I'm sort of having mixed emotions about knowing that I'm not going to have a girl. I keep reminding myself of all the pros that come with another boy...already have clothes and toys and lots of playmates. Most of all, I count my blessing that we have a healthy baby, and he's already so cute! Here's more evidence...As for other events in our lives, Joshua had a fantastic birthday party this weekend, despite the downpour that threatened to put a damper on our fun. We moved the party inside, and although the house may never be the same, we had fun! My big boy is 8 years old, and it hardly seems possible. He collected items for the animal shelter instead of presents from his friends, and family outdid themselves (again) on presents for him.
I also celebrated another birthday a couple of weeks ago. Mom made a cake, and Joshua helped decorate. You may notice the recycled "Belle" from last year, except I think she wore her yellow gown then. It was a special day of just hanging out with the family. Matt got me MarioKart for the Wii, and I got to pick all the race courses...for that day at least. :-)
That same weekend we had a retreat for our MOPS group. We got together for lots of laughter and adventure. It started with a digital scavenger hunt across town. Here's my team at the local fire station where the young firefighter on duty was tickled to take our picture! We had a great dinner, and they sang Happy Birthday to me at quarter after midnight, just to make it official, and yes, I was still awake at that time!
I'll leave you with a little luck of the Irish. We were very close to getting our leprechaun this time. For our first try, I'd say that was pretty good. Instead, the boys got a few gold (chocolate) coins and a little teasing note from the sly fellow. Better luck next year!

Signs of Spring

Caleb helps me make Valentine cookies. Luke and Joshua would rather play outside, but they didn't seem to mind coming in when it was time to eat!

Luke is "helping" Chris try to get a stump up from a tree that died in our yard.

I love springtime. The cardinals are back at the bird feeder, and the robins are out in the yard. I enjoy seeing the jonquils start to put out their yellow flowers. We have had flowers for several weeks now, but I haven't had time to comment on them. We've been busy with doctor appts and school and work, and well, you know how it goes. I am still working two days a week on the project that never ends. I've been extended to the end of March with the expectation that we'll be done by then. I'm only going in two days a week, so I'm not complaining! We had beautiful weather last week, but the cold and rainy weather returned this weekend. We missed all the snow that went on around us a couple of weeks ago, as we were in the center of the circular storm, not a drop of snow here with inches just 30 miles away in each direction.

Joshua saw an orthodontist last week. It was actually his second visit, but we are still in the consultation stages. She really wants to see if his top two teeth (next to his front teeth) will come in and push his front two teeth together. We'll wait another 6 months and see. The bottom teeth will definitely need work, so we're braces bound one way or another.

Luke had an appointment with a dermatologist in Atlanta (nothing serious, just persistent), so we took the opportunity to make a day of it and went to the aquarium. The boys enjoyed seeing the fish, and Luke liked the "big ish" (big fish).

Just try getting decent picture of the three of them!

Joshua loved touching the sting rays...once he got over the initial "ick" factor.Luke had no fear of the mascots and didn't stay in the stroller for long.

I hope you are ready for St. Patrick's Day! For the first time, we made a leprechaun trap. We hope to get a pot of gold tomorrow. I'll let you know if we catch the little fellow!

On a more serious note, we have been informed that Matt's grandmother has cancer in her stomach, kidney, and bones. We have been going back and forth for doctor visits and tests for three weeks now to determine where and how serious. She had a bone biopsy last week to determine where the bone cancer came from (stomach or kidney). Once they determine the origination, they will determine treatment. If it came from the kidney, the cancer responds much better to treatment, and the treatment is more gentle on the body. We're not sure yet what we are facing, but she seems to be at peace with it and knows "it's in the Lord's hands." She is 83 years young and still working in her beauty and electrolysis shop. We're praying for a miracle and for good news on Thursday. It seems like we just went through all this with Jean, and we dread facing it all again. Jean is doing well, but as you can imagine this sort of threw us all for a loop. Keep Mimi (and us) in your prayers!