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!!! :)

Dustin & Brittany... Finally :)

I mentioned a few weeks ago that my brother (Dustin) had just proposed to his woman (Brittany) and she said yes. Well, I finally got the pics I promised everyone! Aren't they so adorable?! We will be hearing wedding bells very soon. Her ring is to die for too.

Happy B-Day Joel!!!

Yesterday Joel officially turned seven years old and we had a killer party to celebrate! It was absolute chaos at our house (in all the best forms) w/ so many kiddos running around... I tried to get pictures of him opening gifts and every time I would snap a shot someone would move their head or hand or a gift bag right in front of Joel's face :(. Oh well. This was the best one I got! Joel is on the far right and you can only see the top 1/2 of his head, ha! I did manage to get a super cute photo of Rory and her "Poppy" Bob (Ryan's dad) so I had to post that also. And, as it turns out, I accidentally posted the picture of Ro and Bob first so Joel is further down the page.

Jude & Rory Help w/ Laundry...

Jude & Rory decided they wanted to help me fold a load of laundry this morning... Yeah, that always works! :) Rory (as you can see) ended up wearing big-brother-Joel's undies as a hat and I couldn't keep Jude out of the laundry basket! They are a couple of hams.

Rory's Cuteness

It has been a while since I have been able to get some cute pictures of the kids and post them for everyone to see... The reason being that we have had, like, the plague at our house! Ryan is just getting over the flu, which he gave to Joel while Joel already had strepp throat, Jude also has strepp throat, and Rory has some kind of nasty respritory virus. Yeah, it's been loads of fun around here this winter. Anyway, Ro decided to pass the time coloring with a water marker and I was able to get a couple of cute shots! Our model is sporting a lovely powder blue princess night gown by Disney, trendy white socks, and has completed her ensemble with the perfect hair accessory from Target. Isn't she so cute?! :)