March ...

Is it March already? Hard to believe! That means several things around here. I am due in April but usually go a few weeks early (which is a good thing, as long as it's not too early, so I can have a successful VBAC again), which means (like the long run-on sentence) that this baby could be here sometime THIS MONTH! I don't know if it's a boy or girl because Brian wanted to wait to find out what it is and since I had my way the first 4 times I decided to serve him in this way. So ... maybe later this month we will finally know if it's a boy or girl! (Although I think it's a boy - what's your guess?)

March is also the month where Spring begins. I love Spring. One of my favorite seasons... but guess what? It's just started snowing here! The kids are so excited - and we're praying Daddy stays home tomorrow to help everyone play in the snow because it won't be a pretty picture if this big ole' pregnant momma gets out there! Know what I mean?

So technically, March is still winter here in VA! Hopefully some fun snow pics will come tomorrow!

Why?

Why did I decide to steam my carpet the same week I am trying to pack up for a beach vacation?

Probably the same reason I decided yesterday, right before nap time, to take all 4 kids to Wal-Mart and return a few small items...

I'm crazy!

What's Going (On) Around Here...

Well, I found out on Sunday that I had strep throat again (along with a sinus infection). So maybe my run time could have been a little faster on Saturday? Oh well - maybe next year. Like last time, this infection really wiped me out and had me down for the count.

Then on Monday I took Emmie to the Dr. because she had a tiny fever on Saturday night (really low-grade and gone all on Sunday) just to make sure she was fine. Sure enough, she had strep. Then Brian informed me that his work had to send him out of town for 2 days on an emergency trip.

O.K. I tried to make the best of it ... but I was still pretty out of it. Tuesday, I felt a little better and then Calvin had a little fever like Emmie's for just a few hours in the afternoon but then it was gone. Today I decided to take him in just to make sure ...

sure enough ... positive for strep. (The throat culture for him is a different blog post!) When they told me he was positive, I told them I would probably be back by Friday because I had caught the baby with his sippy cup yesterday while he was resting. They decided to check her while we were there today ... and she was positive too.

I asked them to go ahead and check Coleman while we were there ... and ... you guessed it - he has it too! So now we all have 'strap' (that's what Emmie calls it) except for Dad, who finally made it back home tonight. So since I got to take everyone for the throat swabs, I'll let him give the next few doses of medicine!

The good news is that all of the kids feel pretty good and we will no longer be contagious in 24 hours!

Where Have I Been?

I can't believe it's been so long since I've posted. Well, here's what we've been doing... the 2 weeks before Thanksgiving, we had a stomach bug that SLOWLY passed its way through all of us. It took several days for someone to get it - so by the time we thought it was gone, someone else would go down for the count. Even little Ellerie got it! Poor baby - she was so pitiful and then she couldn't eat normally for a week. We even pushed back our trip to GA to make sure we were all healthy. No one had been sick for 4 days so we loaded up and headed down to GA. I snuggled in for a nap and after I finally fell asleep, I woke to the van being jerked to the side of the road - and you guessed it ... Brian was sick!

We called my Mom to tell her we were going to turn around because we didn't want my younger brother and his family to get it. She called back a few minutes later to see if we had turned around yet (and we hadn't since Brian was still hanging out in the Cracker Barrel parking lot). She said my brother and family were going to leave that evening so we could still come if we wanted! So sweet - they wanted us sickness and all.

So we finally made it to GA after turning an 11-hour trip into a 13 1/2-hour trip. Emmie got sick the next day and then my poor Dad got sick on Thursday! Finally - the end of the never-ending virus!

So, that's where we've been and what we've been doing ... exciting I know. I hope to post some pics later ... don't worry, not of the virus but of the rest of the trip!

A New Blog to Read

There is a new blog for you to add to your bloglines ... this will always be a good read ... because Church does matter!

More For You!

Ok. You must watch this video about "Me Church." It is a funny video but sadly, most people do want a church that meets their needs.

Also, John Piper wrote an excellent and moving article about being married to his wife. This is the kind of marriage that I want to be a part of (not that I want to be a part of his marriage - but that my marriage would reflect the same values and desires as his - just so I wouldn't confuse you!)

Hope you're having a great weekend!

Friday Focus

Some good reads for your weekend:

There is a big sports event going on this weekend... Read this article from The Family Room which talks about "Sanctifying the Superbowl." (Personally, I enjoy football and look forward to this night, especially the good snacks that I make "for"my husband. I am pulling for Peyton Manning and the Colts! Any other football fans out there?)

"Children's Sunday School and the Battle for the Bible" is an interesting article about what our children are (and are not) being taught in Sunday School. I am so thankful that our children are in a preschool Sunday School class that unashamedly teaches the entire council of God's Word.

I have been reading the book Disciplines of a Godly Woman by Barbara Hughes. Leslie has been reviewing this book on her blog. Her insights are deep and thought-provoking so go and read her summary about the book and consider adding it to your reading list.

Ok - this is just a little bizarre but funny! (Thanks to Challies for this link!)

Have a great weekend!