Surprise Party for Grandma D

D's mom had a big birthday this year so we thought it would be fun to throw a surprise party.

We all hung out in the boys room downstairs and waited for her to arrive.

D answered the door and told her the kids were hidding.

I think we got her!

We are so thankful for her and all that she does for us! It was fun to celebrate her!

Happy Birthday Grandma D

Baby #5 Update

We had our midway point ultrasound this last week!

I still can't believe we are to the half way point already. Kinda seems like yesterday I was in a bit of shock after reading the double line on the pregnancy test.

We didn't find out what we were having this time (or at least I didn't) and Derrick is saying its a puppy for all those who are asking. He is a tough egg to crack! He wanted to know and I didn't so we settled at a win win for both of us!

I'm not quite sure what my guess is at the moment but lots of others are guessing girl. Wishful thinking maybe for Ells sake.

Either way - a miracle of God's!

Those ultrasounds never cease to make me stand in awe and thanksgiving of my Creator! What an amazing God we can love and know! He knit that child together in my womb and I can see the baby's four chamber heart all complex and vast and the baby kicks and turns inside me giving me nice reminders of the little person I'm carrying for the next few months only to deliver and mother for the rest of his/her life.

Such an amazing truth and honor to bear children. One I am so lucky to have had the opportunity to do and experience. One I wouldn't trade for anything in the world.

Trying to relish all the things that come along with pregnancy as this is my last time around. The growing belly, the having to go to the bathroom all the time, the weird cravings, the lack of energy, the desire to do random things like nest, etc.

So far the baby weighs almost a pound! This one is active in there just like all my others. I love all things citrus (common for me). Finally can drink coffee again which is nice. Now I don't have to nap every day although I still like to squeeze in a few during the week.  I love to bake like normal. Try really hard not to eat all the things I make. Have some random cravings like blueberry muffins, caramel frappes and milk duds (that was a weird one). And those girl scout cookies in the freezer call me name multiple times a day! Kinda hoping I just eat them all so I don't have to fight the urge all the time!

But all in all feeling super good. Still able to do the 21 day fix workouts with D each morning, although I have to modify more and more each week. Too many jumping jacks and I will probably pee my pants. Plus the ab exercises seem a bit pointless and sometimes I think I'm getting real close to breaking out D's tshirts as my belly hanging out isn't quite like the people on the video. Can't wait for the spring weather to walk with the boys in the mornings!

Trying slightly to make all the rest of the house decisions and not get to overwhelmed. I feel like I have lost a little bit of my decision making with this pregnancy. Feel just wishy washy all the time!
Probably the hormones. Poor D is the one who puts up with that on this end!  Kinda just wanna be done and moved in and then change things as they need it! Also feel super overwhelmed that with the mess during trim at the house. I could never be a trim carpenter. I can't handle dust and crap everywhere - it kinda makes my skin just crawl. So I kinda see where ells gets it when someone comes into her room and destroys it or whatever sets her off. She is particular like her momma!

I'll do my best to keep posted on this baby growing inside me but before you know it - he or she will be here and we will be a big family of 7. Geez! Thats kinda crazy!

Ells goes to the Lion, Witch and Wardrobe

 I still can't believe how old this little girl is getting. Lately she is a really big help around the house and loves to do things just her and I so we are striving to carve away more girl time.

One of our Christmas gifts to the kids was me time. Ells' gift was a trip to the playhouse with her momma. I volunteered to let D take this one but he knows I love a good play. I think it was that theatre class in London and seeing the Lion King on broadway. Sometimes I think I would be a city girl to the core and easily live overseas if D would be adventurous at all.

So we headed out to the show.

 It was so good - in fact we will be getting season tickets next year. We sat in the front row but there is not a bad seat in that place.

Then we went out for dinner at Smokey Row. Ells got an orange pop in a bottle and I had a smoothie that brought back all my college memories in one day!

It was a blast spending some quality one on one time with this little/big chica. She has a big piece of my heart!