A few things I couldn't resist

1.  Adorable little baby dresses.  I happened to pass by this cute little dress while shopping and I just couldn't resist it.  I can already tell I am going to enjoy shopping for little girl things more than I should.  It is just so much more fun than the typical jeans/sports shorts and t-shirts my boys wear.  
2.  Eggs.  I know that I have teased my mother on more than one occasion about always buying a package of eggs when she goes to the store whether we needed them or not.  Today,  I had one of those "Oh my goodness, I am becoming my mother" moments when I got home from the store today to find that I have three dozen eggs sitting in my fridge.  I honestly thought we were out.  Sorry for all of the teasing Mom.  I guess I deserve a little razzing of my own now.  I guess it is a good thing that easter is around the corner. 

3.  Cadbury mini eggs.  I think that my OBGYN is going to freak out during my next appointment.  I have probably gained 10 pounds this month and I don't mean baby/pregnancy weight.  It is very unfortunate for me that March is the month that you can buy Cadbury Mini Eggs AND Girl Scout Cookies.  However, they are only around one month out of the year so it is nice to enjoy them while they are still available.  Lets just say I will be stocking up of the fruits and veggies in April. 

Oh where, oh where has my little dog gone?

Yesterday, I took Mokie to get his very first hair cut.  It was literally an all day endeavor, but in the end his nails were trimmed, his coat was clean and conditioned, and he was bald!  I can't believe how scruffy he looked.
This is how he looks today.  Definitely an improvement in the shedding department, but I kind of miss the scruffy Mokie.  There is something endearing about a scruffy dog.  I guess his hair will grow back soon enough.  (And then I can resume complaining about the hair on my couch, on our church clothes, all over our fleece jackets. . .)
I decided to leave his ears unshaven.  (His big velvety ears have always been my favorite.) But now, he closely resembles a lion, and his ears are hugely disproportionate to the rest of his body.  Oh, well!  I am sure that dog hair cuts are similar to human hair cuts. . . a week can make all the difference.  We'll have to see.

Pay it Forward

A good friend of mine started this post, and I really like the idea.  Here are the rules:

1.  Be one of the first 5 people to respond to this post and you'll get something made by me.  It will be handmade especially for you by me.

2.  You will receive your special surprise sometime in the next year. 

3.  You must offer the same deal on your blog and the first 5 people to comment will receive a special surprise just from you.  Pay it forward and see the impact we can make.

Here are the restrictions:   What you receive will be made by me.  It may be a yummy treat, handmade cards, or something else that is fun and exciting.  I can't promise that you will like what you receive, but it will be made especially for you with love.  

Any takers?     

Drumroll Please. . .

We're having a

GIRL!!!!!

I am not sure I believe it yet, but the ultrasound tech says I definitely need to stock up on bows.  I realize that it is early yet, but we've already picked out a name, but we aren't sure how we would like to spell it yet.  We like the name Av-a-lee.  We want to call her Av-i for short, but I like the idea of having the option to call her Ava too.  Take a minute to vote on your favorite spelling  (See the sidebar.)  I'm not sure I can do girly, but it will be fun to try. . .

Their Stash

I thought that we were going through peanut butter much too quickly.  It wasn't until Jeremy found their stash, that I realized why.

Gratitude

I've spent the last few days updating my the look of my blog, and as a result, I have spent a lot of time looking at old pictures of our little family.  I am left with a great sense of gratitude for my family.  I am pretty darn lucky.  I have two great kids, one more on the way, and a wonderful husband.  Who could ask for anything more?  I know I have posted many stories about all of the crazy mischief that my kids get into.  I am sure that more than once I have whined, or complained about the difficulties of being a mother.  But tonight, I am very grateful to be just that, a mother.  What a wonderful blessing.

In primary this year, our chorister is teaching a song called "The Family is of God."  Despite having a catchy tune, it has a wonderful message.  The chorus is my favorite, it says:

'God gave us families,

to help us become what he wants us to be.

This is how he shares his love,

for the family is of God.'

I think this has got to be the greatest primary song ever.  I am so very grateful for my family, and the love that I feel through them.  Besides, if my kids weren't so silly and inventive, life would be pretty boring.  I realize that I am going to regret that comment, but it's true.  So many of their crazy ideas and adventures bring a bunch of joy and laughter that brightens up my day.  (It is also the cause of a lot work too, but maybe I need a bit of an attitude adjustment some days. . .)