Grandparents and Christmas Decorating

My parents came over from Iowa for Thanksgiving. As usual the trip was too short. The kids love having Grandma and Papa here. While they were here we got so much accomplished. No sooner had my parents walked through the door that the kitchen sink started to flood. Good thing my mom is a plumber. The sink has been causing us headaches for months and mom figured out the problem in no time and was able to get to the hardware store and fixed it. Thanksgiving day was so nice. Not only did we have my parents but some friends too. I love holidays that are filled with friends and family. Friday Scott and I were able to get out for a date. We went to the Cheesecake Factory for dinner and then to see The Blind Side. Great movie!! Saturday was filled with shopping. Scott and my dad went to the store to buy Grisham a twin size bed so Genevieve could move into the toddler bed. Grisham loves his Big Boy bed but I haven't put Genevieve in the toddler bed. I don't think I am ready for that. However, I will have her moved over by the time Carolyn arrives. Later, when the kids were asleep Mom and I went shopping for clothes for the kids. I pulled out all of my newborn girl stuff to see if I needed anything for Carolyn. Nope..not a thing. She is set. Genevieve needed so much and so did Grisham. They are growing so fast, it is hard to keep up. We went to Once Upon A Child and found the stroller that I have been wanting and few more items. Then it was off to Target and Wal Mart for clothes. It was fun hanging out with Mom. I didn't want the day to end but the sun was setting and I was feeling it in my body. The kids "helped" us organize the clothes when we got home. Sunday Mom and Dad left and Grisham and Genevieve were so sad. I can't wait to have them back when Carolyn is born. Sunday evening I got all our Christmas decorations out. This was the first year I let the kids help with the decorating. It went better than I expected. Now I just am having a hard time keeping them out of the tree. After decorating they were both tired and needed cuddle time with Daddy. I love the little moments in time. Makes it all worth it for times like these.

Baby Bump

My sister ( love you seestor)has been on my back about posting a current picture of the belly so here it is. Thanksgiving day, 29 wks 4 days.

Happy Thanksgiving

Over the past few days I have tried to think of things to be thankful for. Here are just a few.

10. I am thankful for my Columbus friends. Being a physicians wife is not easy. It is not paved in gold and people outside the medical world do not understand the hardships that we face. The Doctor's wives group has been a blessing and I am soooo thankful that God has put them in my life to help make this part of our journey easier.
9. I am thankful for our house. When we first moved in it was so roomy and perfect for the three of us. Now that we anxiously await kid #3 and transform into a family of 5 we are busting at the seams. But no matter how small the house seems we could never replace the wonderful family memories that surround this house.
8. I am thankful for nap time. All the kids including Grisham take a nap in the afternoon. This is my sanity break time. I spend it either catching up on recorded TV, reading or sometimes sleeping. Before having the five kids I used that time to clean or do laundry. Now it is pure me time. Oh, Heaven.
7. I am thankful for grandparents. Not only do they spoil the kids rotten but I get spoiled when they visit. No dishes, help with the kids and odd jobs get done around the house. Also it is amazing when you realize how much your parents love you when you have your own children. It makes me so thankful for my parents and Scott's parents.
6. I am so thankful for playgroup on Wednesday mornings. This is kind of tied into the friends thing but not. Playgroup is such a blessing for the kids and myself. We get to get out of the house to see friends and play with different toys. I get some time with my friends and so do the kids:)
5.I am thankful for our dogs Janey and Carly. They are, in my opinion, the greatest dogs ever. They were of course our first babies. They have been with us since the beginning and have been so good about our growing family. They are so amazing with the kids. They are a constant in our lives. It saddens me because Janey will be nine this spring and Carly seven. They are starting to show there age and slow down a bit.
4. I am so thankful for free babysitters. When my parents are in town they always insist on us going out for a date. After all we don't have to pay them to spend time with their grandchildren. Thanks Mom and Dad.
3.I am thankful for our children. Parenthood has had it's ups and downs but we are so incredibly blessed with our 2 1/2 kids. Grisham is a great big brother and wants to teach his sister everything. Genevieve is a little firecracker. So much personality in such a tiny little person. We are so excited to meet baby #3, Carolyn. I can not describe the love that I have for my children.
2. I am so thankful for my husband Scott. He is a wonderful husband. I could not have found a more suitable man for me. He balances me out. Definitely the Yin to my Yang. He adores his children and relishes the time that he has with them. I think my favorite part of the day is when he comes home from work and the kids squeal with delight "Daddy, Daddy, Daddy!!" Makes me smile. He is a gifted surgeon, a man dedicated to his craft. I find myself awed by the incredible knowledge that he has. I am so honored to be his wife and mother to his children.
1. I am so thankful for Jesus. My Saviour and my Lord. With out Him I would be lost eternally and I am so excited to share with my children what he has done in my life.

These are just a few things to be thankful for. I have so many blessings it is hard to narrow them down to just ten. I try to be thankful for everyday that God blesses me with. Thanks for reading:)

New Moon

Last night I did something that I have never done before in my life. I went to a midnight showing of a movie!!! New Moon opened up last night and some of the other wives and I went. About a dozen of them all met for coffee and then went to the theatre to save seats around nine. I went around 10:30. I attempted a nap when Genevieve went to bed. Scott helped me out by putting Grisham into bed a little later. I think I did sleep a bit but baby Carolyn was doing her gymnastics routine so it made it difficult to relax and fall asleep. Scott came to bed around 9 and I couldn't go back to sleep. Audey (Brenner's mom) picked my up shortly after 10. When we got to the theater the parking lot was packed and so was the lobby. Every theater was New Moon and sold out. Glad to see that I am not the only crazy in this town. We found out friends and settled in for the long wait. Finally the movie started and I was beginning to think that I wasn't going to make it. The movie was ok. It had its weak moments. The whole experience was worth missing the sleep. I had fun with my friends but don't plan on doing a midnight showing again. I am too old!!

Zoo In November!! Are You Crazy!!

No we are not crazy just really desperate to get out of the house. Thankfully it was a bit warm today. I don't think it ever reached the 70 degrees that the weather guys were calling for but it wasn't bad at all. We made our usual rounds, the reptiles, fish, manatees and gorillas. I had Brenner today so he and Genevieve rode in the stroller and Grisham walked. He did a great job. He did start to complain close to the end and Tess ( a medical student that is staying with us) carried him out to the van. So nice of her. I would have been the mean mommy and made him walk. Oh well I guess that is what extra hands are for. I think the greatest part of the day was when the kids were exploring the submarine in the aquarium. They all got hands on experience with the sub. The fish were pretty cool too.

Playgroup and Ava's Birthday

Today's playgroup was at Rainbow playground. It was also Ava's third birthday. Since they ask way way too much for formal birthday parties we just had our playgroup and called it a birthday party. The kids always have fun here. Grisham can climb everything and Genevieve wants to climb everything. I just had my kids today and enjoyed it immensely. The kids played moms talked and we all enjoyed some yummy cupcakes after the playgroup. Thanks Erin for cupcakes:) Happy Birthday Ava!!