A few things

The girls with our very 1st ulrasound picture at about 7 weeks

First of all, we had our 20 week ultrasound today and everything looks great! We had a change of plans with our sitter so we had to take the girls with us and they got a kick out of seeing their baby brother perform. We are so thankful that all is well and very grateful for your prayers. What a precious miracle from God!

Last weekend we began moving Anna Clare's room upstairs to transform her current room to the nursery. She is going to continue sleeping in Owen's room but is really excited about her "new room." And speaking of sleeping in Owen's room, they continue to squeeze into the same twin bed every night even though there are 2 twins in the room and even though Owen begs her to sleep in the other bed. But I love sneaking in there at night to get a peak of them all cuddled up together sleeping soundly. It makes me forget about how much they argue during the day!

I wish we had a picture of what we saw after Steve took her bed apart Friday night to move it upstairs. I have never seen so much crap in all my life! If there was a "Hoarders: Eight-year-old edition," she would be the star. And I think it's probably even worse that I had no idea all that stuff was under there. Needless to say we did a lot of purging and I was very proud of her (and me) for throwing so much away!

Steve put the crib together (again), and guess who is napping in it while I type?

I told her this was a one time deal, and she was so excited I couldn't resist. Her giggling completely cracked me up.

My parents and sister are on their way back from Asheville visiting my brother, sister-in-law, and sweet baby Mason. I was so sad I couldn't make the trip with them but can't wait to hold him in just a few short weeks. They are coming in July!

Wilson has weaseled his way back into the house during the hottest parts of the day and is very happy to have a cool spot to rest (I promise he's alive and well in this picture).

And speaking of hot, the hot item of the summer (for Owen anyway) is this dress...

This is just a cell phone pic but you can get a better look here. It's cute, comfortable, and cool, so if she has it on everytime you see her, please forgive us. I am completely ok with that! I highly recommend picking one up here for the little girl in your life. Thanks, Darby!

Ok, I'm back to de-hoarding closets and bedrooms. Happy Monday!

Today's Lesson

In order to have a successful business, you need to get along with your partner.

That seemed to bring the arguing to a halt. So far so good :)

Weekend Fun

Steve and I went to the beach this past weekend with some friends. I took my camera but never got it out of the bag unfortunately, so all I have are some cell phone pics...mostly of Steve.

Friday night we had a delicious dinner at Captain Anderson's. Yummy!

Saturday morning we slept until 8:22! And might have slept later except that Steve's brother called him on his cell phone and it woke us up. Doesn't he know not to call so early!? :)

We spent the entire day on the beach Saturday. As in we got out there at 10:30 that morning and came in after the sun went down (most of that time was spent under a tent). Or I did at least. Steve managed to sneak inside for some golf and a two hour nap. I had a book but only read a couple of chapters. We spent most of the time chitchatting and people watching.

We came in after dark and grilled chicken kabobs on the deck enjoying the breeze and the sound of the waves. After lunch at Pier Park on Sunday we headed back to our children. It was a wonderfully relaxing weekend and we enjoyed every minute of it. Thank you GG for taking care of our girls! We couldn't have gone without you!

Eleven Years

Never would've thought I could love him more today than I did that day.  But sharing children and life together can do that to you :)

He's here!

My sweet, precious nephew, Mason Ford, was born in the wee hours this morning, 9 pounds, 3 ounces, 21 inches long. He is so adorable I can't even stand it! We are all feeling very blessed and very thankful today.


Seriously, does it get any cuter or sweeter than that?!



Jaime and Dave in the early stages of labor

We are praising God that Jaime and Mason are doing well.

I am so very proud of Jaime and Dave and think they are some of the strongest people I know. They are going to be wonderful parents to this little miracle.

A very proud, grateful daddy

My parents, Dave, and Mason

I am having an absolute fit to get to Asheville (I was supposed to go this past weekend with my parents and sister but Dave and Jaime decided not to be induced, hoping she would go into labor on her own). So I hope to be holding this little gift from God very very soon!

Mountain Trip - Part Three

Since I never posted the remainder of our fall mountain trip to my brother's, I figured tonight was as good as any. You can read Part One here and Part Two here. As of tomorrow they are officially one week past their due date. If my little nephew doesn't come on his own this weekend, Jaime will be induced on Monday. We are so excited. So, Mason Ford Money, this post is in honor of you..

This is the French Broad River where we spent some time on Saturday. The weather was nice and chilly (a refreshing break from the 100 degree temps we are currently experiencing)and it was a gorgeous day.

And we have the pre-fall-in-the-river picture...

And after the fall...

The very wet walk back to the car...

I probably don't have to mention that the moments that followed were filled with tears, drama, and stifled laughter from the grown-ups. (Remember, it was October and very breezy). And because we had no clothes in the car, we were a long way from the house, and our day was just beginning, we revealed our true redneck nature. We hung her panties and jeans OUT THE WINDOW and continued our trek up the mountain. Thankfully there was a blanket in the car that Anna Clare wrapped up in while her clothes were flapping in the wind drying.



Remember long-haired Owen?  Just a few short weeks before the big chop.

We headed to a little mountain called Max Patch.

The summit is completely flat with the most beautiful views because it was cleared and used as a pasture for cattle and sheep starting in the 1800s and was also used as a landing strip for small planes in the 1920s.

We made our way up with Dave and Steve carrying each of the girls a good portion of the way. And it's a lot steeper than it looks.

And we made it!

The highest point...

Even Ollie made it up :)

We had a picnic on the top and enjoyed some people watching.

The girls decided they would roll their way back down.

On the way back down in the car we had our first experience with car sickness. Not sure if it was the winding mountain roads, the bluegrass on the radio (kidding,Dave:), the mountain rolling that she did, or the book she was reading, but poor Anna Clare. Thank goodness we had a plastic bag in the back. Bless her heart it has happened twice since then on long trips. I think she is just going to be prone to it and we have to limit her reading.

We finished off the night roasting marshmallows mountainside by their cabin. After going to church with them on Sunday morning (which was such a cool experience...their church actually meets in a downtown Asheville bar) we headed home. What a fun, wonderful trip we had. Life is indeed good at the cabin.

And any day now they will bringing their first child, their son, into their home. Wish I was there right now awaiting his arrival. But we will get to meet him really soon. We are praying for a smooth delivery and a precious, healthy baby boy. Mason, we already love you so very much!

And speaking of prayers, thanks so much for your continued prayers for our baby boy! We are so grateful for them. I am 16 weeks and ready to feel him moving around!