The Emerald Coast...

Florida was AWESOME!!!! We practically mourned the loss of the beach during our trip home. Our condo was right on the white sands of the Gulf of Mexico and the view was unbelievable. At one point while Ry was in the water a crab crawled over his feet and totally freaked him out. We went on a dolphin cruise (which was a waste of time), ran around in the water and on the beach like little kids, went for walks in the sand every morning, and on our last full day there we went kayaking. During our last evening on the beach we filled up about 10 large ziplock freezer bags full of sand from the beach and when we got home we dumped it all in the kids' sand box and put the sea shells in it so they could have a part of the beach at home... They were stoked! So, the trip was wonderful and we have already been talking about moving there someday.

Just An Update

Well, the kids are still hitting the easter candy hard.... The plus side to all of the sugar is that they totally crash at bedtime! Ha! Ryan and I leave for Florida early Saturday morning and the kids will be staying w/ my parents. We have been so excited about getting to "vacate" just the two of us that I haven't really thought about how much I will miss my three goof-balls... It started hitting me today as I was packing the suitcases. :( We need this break so much but we have only been away from the kids for this long once (when I was pregnant w/ Rory) for a week of summer camp when Ryan was pastoring the youth at our former church. Yeah, that wasn't the best of days... I spent every morning throwing up, and the bathroom was nasty, and the food was funky, and the weather was hot, wah, wah, wah. Anyway this will be really good for all of us and the kids will have a blast at my folk's with their aunts and uncles. Plus, Jude about went through the roof when I told him he could pick out some special food/snacks to take with him! He is our sugar tooth baby so he immediately started listing off every sugar cereal and cookie he could remember and the look in his eyes was intent on the greatest sugar binge of his 3 year life.
We will be sure to post plenty of pictures of our trip once we are home! Peace out!

Our Little Thespian...

Our little man, Joel, had his first-ever school performance a couple nights ago! The students performed a narration of "A Duck Called Ping" which is a chinese story. They were so cute (even though we couldn't understand a word any of them said, ha!). Joel is in the white t-shirt holding the percussion sticks... Wearing a beak on his nose. That's my boy :).

To Snip, Or Not To Snip....

Whew! Things have been super crazy around here lately.... But I finally find myself w/ a moment to spare for you fabulous friends! Okay, honestly, I found a new book series and for about 2 weeks I devoted myself to them and have read through all 8 books almost 3 times now. Now that my short-lived affair w/ Charlaine Harris' vampire novels has come to an "almost" end I can fill you all in on our current situation.
We have 3 awesome kids... We love our kids... If we could go back and do it all over again we would... That being said, we are done having kids. :) We feel like our child-baring years have come to a close and would like to do something permanent about that decision. Our "current situation" is this: I think Ryan should get a vasectomy since it is (a) cheaper, (b) safer, (c) easier, and finally... I gave birth to our 3 kids & feel that my body has put it's dues in. However, Ryan is a little apprehensive about allowing a doctor to cut into his tenders and perform the necessary procedure to sterilize him. I use the phrase "a little apprehensive" to spare his ego :). Anyway, if any of you have any experience w/ sterilization procedures feel free to send your comments, advice, etc. Also, I know this is a touchy subject for some people. Some of you may strongly disagree w/ altering our body's abilities to make babies and feel that is something only God should have a say in. I personally am of the persuasion that God gave us wisdom and expects us to use it in all major life decisions, including the size of our families.
And, sorry but no pictures this time!!! :)