I’m a couple days late with this. I’ve just been so overcome with emotion this anniversary. I’m struggling to find the words to express how I feel. But I can tell you that I’m happier than I’ve ever been in my life. Even when times are tough and life is bearing down on us, I can’t imagine anything we couldn’t face as long as we’re together. Chip is not only my husband, but my best friend. I’d be lost without him. It’s been an AMAZING 14 years. And I’m anticipating many, many more to come.
Like I said, I struggle to find the right words to describe it. It’s on a level so deep inside of me that there just aren’t words. But this song comes pretty close to summing it up. This is my absolute favorite song on marriage…
Baseball and softball are done for three of our four kids. We have 5 games in 4 days next week and then I can officially trade in baseball/softball gear for cooking gear.
I think I’ve cooked a real, homemade, sit-down-at-the-table exactly twice in the last 8 weeks, with the exception of when we have company over. Between the ballgames and morning sickness, I just haven’t had the time, energy or desire. But if I have to look at one more soft pretzel or order of nachos (unless they are homemade) at dinner time, I might scream!
So starting a week from Monday, we’re embarking on a 12 week Whole Foods Challenge. I do a lot of whole foods cooking anyway, but was really inspired by my friend Sarah over at Emerging Mummy when she did the same thing this spring. I like the idea of not pumping a bunch of preservatives into my family and just eating healthier all around.
And as much as I *hate* my kitchen, I *love* to cook. And now that we’re into the summer season, organic fruits and veggies are EVERYWHERE. Which means even if the temperatures outside mean it’s too hot to grill (because I have this feeling Chip will still be doing most of the cooking that is food related), we can still have a wonderful dinner full of veggies, fruit, cheese and bread.
We’ll kick off officially on July 12th and wrap it up October 3rd. So, who’s with me?
Have you ever found out about something and realized that even though you didn’t know you want it, now that you know about it, you want it so very badly?
That’s how I felt after our world was rocked in late May.
Because we found out that little Sanders #5 is on the way!
And even though my mantra for the past 5 years has been “4 and no more” now that #5 is on the way, I want this baby so badly that my heart is already growing to make room. I didn’t even know anything was missing from our lives, but God did. Because already this little one, whom we won’t even meet until late January, is already filling in places in my heart I didn’t even know needed filling.
I had my first drs appointment today and all is well. I’m measuring right where I should be. I like my new doctor and he wasn’t at all freaked out by my high blood pressure because of “white-coat syndrome”. He listened to what we had to say, asked about some tests and such (and didn’t argue when we declined) and even tried to listen for a heartbeat (even though it was still too early, which I knew and wasn’t even expecting today). My next appointment is in 5 weeks. I’ll be 15 weeks at that point. Seems like it’s all going to quickly.
So, my heart is full. My mind is still spinning a bit (we have almost NOTHING for this little one – and yes we’ll be finding out at about 20 weeks). And the excitement is growing. We told the kids and a few family members and friends, but for the most part we told people today.
Overall, there is one word that sums out our feelings: BLESSED!
My goal in the new year is to upload a new picture daily to my Flickr account – and hopefully this blog.
We started off the year with a great start – despite the bitter cold temperatures. Dear friends of ours are visiting from Birmingham and we celebrated their daughters birthday today with them and other friends. Kait and Brianna are best buds and it was great to see the girls giggling and having fun together.
We spent the rest of the day playing games (including a 2+ hour long game of Phase10) and the traditional ham & beans dinner with Chip’s parents.
I know it’s been a LONG time since I’ve posted, but we’ve been busy and Christmas is now upon us. I’ve not forgotten about this sadly neglected blog. I’ll be back in the new year!
I know it’s been way too long since I’ve given a real update. Football and cheer are over for the year. School is in full swing and we’re planning for a couple different trips coming up – PK retreat for the kids, Youth Convention (which Chip and I are going as chaperones), a trip to WI to see my family sometime before Kait’s birthday, an Illinois football game in November and then Chip’s sister and her family coming to see us at Thanksgiving time. It’s a busy time of year and I’m loving it!
Here are some of my favorite pictures from this fall (click on the pictures to make them bigger)…
Cheer/football:
Elijah is #5 and played Tight End…
And what do the littles do while at two football games every Saturday afternoon?
And of course, what fall is complete without pictures from the first day of school? Y’all know you’re jealous that you can’t go to school in your jammies!
I’m actually taking a break from working today! Well, I’m still babysitting, but the little girl I watch is joining me in a viewing of the new Snow White dvd we got thanks to One2One Network. It’s a DVD/BlueRay combo. We don’t have a BlueRay player yet, so we’re enjoying the dvd.
Snow White has always been a favorite of mine. With classic songs from my childhood like Whistle While You Work (reminds me of my grandfather – who is an excellent whistler) and Hi-Ho, Hi-Ho, It’s Off To Work I Go, you just can’t go wrong with Snow White! I’m finding myself transported back to my Grandmother’s bedroom, where we would escape to watch VHS movies on Sunday afternoons – where I would dream of my Prince finding me (he has). I’m feeling rather nostalgic on a rainy fall afternoon!
The Snow White blueray/dvd combo is selling for only $19.99. And I can do one better for you! Here’s a COUPON for $10 off that you can print. And if you buy a qualifying Hefty product, you can also get a $5 rebate! So, you’ll end up paying only $5 for your very own copy of Snow White!
But what I really, really want to know is Who is your favorite dwarf? Personally, I’m kind of partial to Doc. I’m not sure what it is exactly, he just reminds me of my grandfather!
I know, I know. A meme is like cheating when it come to blogging. But I feel the need to blog *something* today, so I figured maybe this would give some of my newerish internets a chance to get to know me a bit better. A few of you who think you know me really well might even learn something!
I’m totally stealing this from my friend Amy’s blog! Can you answer these without fibbing?
1 What’s the last thing you put in your mouth? Coffee (anyone surprised?)
2 Have you ever kissed anyone named Matthew? no
3 Where was your profile picture taken? Sitting in the very chair I am right now. In my living room.
4 Who was the last person you rode in a car with under the age of 20? All four of my kiddos.
5 Can you play guitar hero? Yeppers. Not as well as some, but I can hold my own.
6 Last time you walked further than a block? It’s really sad, but I can’t remember the last time I actually went on a walk. Unless you count walking around the mall…
7 Name someone that made you laugh today? I need another cup of coffee before I’ll feel like laughing today.
8 How late did you stay up last night and why? 11ish for no reason at all.
9 If you could move somewhere else, would you? Not right now. maybe in a couple years if God moves us.
10 Ever been kissed under fireworks? Yes
11 Do you believe ex’s can be friends? Yep
12 Do you like calling or texting better? Texting. I have 4 kids and when the phone rings it’s like a signal telling them to be as loud as possible and come bother mom. Texting is much easier!
13 How do you feel about Diet Dr Pepper? LOVE it!
14 When was the last time you cried really hard? Don’t remember – it’s been a while. Now if you if you’d asked the last time I just cried, that I could tell you.
15 Where is your biological father right now? Heaven
16 Where are you at right now? Sitting in my living room
17 What bed did you sleep in last night? My own! I *love* my bed and miss it terribly when we’re away from home!
18 What was the last thing someone bought for you? Chip bought me some Phish Food ice cream. Gotta love a man who brings you Ben & Jerrys!
19 Who took your profile picture? It’s a self portrait!
20 Who was the last person you took a picture of? The kids yesterday at lunch. Five of them lined up across my living room floor eating lunch.
21 Was yesterday better than today? Nope. It’s still early today, but that means it’s a day full of brand new opportunity!
22 Can you live a day without TV? Yes – that’s what the DVR is for! lol
23 Are you a bad influence? Depends who you ask
24 What items could you not go without during the day? My family and coffee. I’m pretty content as long as those two things are a part of my day.
25 Would you share a drink with a stranger? No, ick, no.
26 Who was the last person you visited in the hospital? Granny
27 What does the last text message in your inbox say? From Twitter “davidtnelson: It’s a great day today! Aug 20, 9:07am”
28 What are you wearing? Yoga pants. Because if I wear the pants, maybe somehow I’ll be motivated to actually do the yoga, right? RIGHT?
30 If we were to look in your inbox, what would we find? Lots of emails waiting to be answered
31 Has anyone ever called you perfect before? Yep. I don’t think it was meant to be a compliment though.
32 What song is stuck in your head? Jeremy Camp’s Speaking Louder than Before
33 Someone knocks on your window at 2 am, who do you want it to be? A fireman. Because unless my house is on fire, you don’t want to wake me up at 2am.
34 Who was your last missed call on your cell phone? Chip’s dad
35 Can you handle the truth? Most of the time
36 What was the last book you read? I Heart Bloomberg by Melody Carlson
37 Is there something you always wear? my wedding ring
38 Have you ever crawled through a window? Nope – although my mom tells me I tried to in my sleep when I was little.
39 What’s something that can always make you feel better? Spending time with Chip, coffee, my Jesus
40 What do you want right now? Another cup of coffee
41 Look behind you, what do you see? Fireplace
42 Have you ever worked in a food place? Never
43 Could you answer all of these questions honestly? Yes – they weren’t too hard.
Let me know if you answer these questions too!
