Overheard from the Backseat

Princess #1: God doesn't care what we look like on the outside, He just cares about what we look like on the inside.

Princess #3: God cares about what our blood and guts look like???

Princess #1: No, I just mean that God wants our insides to be pretty, like a clean heart.

Princess #3: Well, I don't even know how to clean my heart. Do you do it when you shower Princess #1?

I'll leave off Princess #1's further explanation, which by the way was excellent and theologically sound, and ended with Princess #3 being exasperated, because her heart is already clean "that" way. She really just wanted to know if you could really clean your heart with soap and water. :)

Overheard from the Family Room . . .

Princess #2's Barbie: I have such a hard time finding a modest swimsuit. I don't want a bikini or a swim-dress. I just want a nice swimsuit.

Princess #1's Barbie: Oh I know! I have two children. Hell-o, I have a mama's stomach. I can't wear a bikini or even want to!!

Princess #2's Barbie: I guess we'll figure something out someday.

Note from the Queen: Good luck with that Princess #2's Barbie.

Problem Solved

We shop at Costco. Alot. I love Costco! However, one thing I detest are those individually wrapped rolls of T.P. Never fails that the end of the roll comes round on my trip and then I have to unwrap the new roll and, well, you get the idea. However, today in a moment of quietness, my problem was solved! Who knew being naughty would actually be a blessing for a mama?!

"Wow! This is strangely satisfying and oh so addicting!"

"Okay, two down, I wonder how many more I can tear into before someone notices?"

"The sound of ripping is like a drug."

"Wait! We're out. That can't be right, Mama shops at Costco!"

The end result: 7 freshly unwrapped rolls, just waiting to be used.
I call that a good day's work.

An interesting side note: Unrolling the T.P. did not seem to be of interest during this 15 minutes of fun, just taking off the "Kirkland" paper.
Of course, if it's a roll already on the dispenser, then my friends you got trouble.

Almost Wordless Wednesday

Will you be my Valentine??

(I know it's late, but that's what happens when you wait forever to upload your photos!)

Let Them Eat Cake

February is a big birthday month here at the castle. And what birthday would be complete without cake?? So without further ado, the cakes of February 2010!

As is our tradition for first birthday's, homemade angel food cake with coolwhip frosting!

Princess #3 wanted an "Atilla" cake for her 5th. Atilla is my parents' calico kitty.

Another tradition here at the castle is having your first friend party on your 5th birthday.
So Princess #3 and her friends celebrated with a pink poodle cake!

Happy Birthday Princess #3!!

Princess #3 turns five today. FIVE!! I can't really believe it myself.

Dear Princess #3-
You love to hear your birth story, so here it is, so you can read it one day.

Five years ago, I stopped Daddy from going to work, by telling him, "I think my water broke a few hours ago. The contractions aren't very strong though." Then I called Nanny and stopped her from going to work, so she could come over and watch your big sisters. Once she arrived around 7 or so, we drove over to the hospital. The contractions were getting stronger, and I was getting excited to meet you.

Once we got settled into triage, my mid-wife joined us and confirmed that yes indeed, you were on the way-even though you were 26 days early--no going home for us! Whoo-hoo! We moved down the hall to a *real* room and waited.

And waited. And paced. And waited. And talked. And joked about how this would be our last solo date for awhile. Then around 1 pm or so, the contractions started to pick up the pace and become harder and longer. We walked through them and then began to breathe through them. Finally at 6 pm, I couldn't walk through them any more-so I soaked in the tub through them, and they stopped. Not altogether, but enough to cause alarm for your mama, I was ready to meet you!!

After a lot of checking and turning, my mid-wife decided that you had turned face-up. She helped us get labor going again-yay! Then at 8:45 pm I was ready to push and half an hour later there you were. Crying, face-up, umbilical cord slung over your shoulder, BEAUTIFUL! My mid-wife's first words were, "Look at that cleft chin! She is gorgeous!"

I got to hold you all slippery and perfect. And saw that you had the deepest dimple in your left cheek and just the whisper of one in your right to go with that cleft chin! So cute! I nursed you and then let the nurse check you over. You needed a bit of oxygen, seeing as you came out upside down, but Daddy was right there with you. When you cried he talked to you, and I watched you turn your head towards his voice. You knew him already!

And now you are five and wonderful and wise, as only five year olds can be. We love you. Just the way you are. You are ours. God made you for us and us for you. What a blessing. We are excited to watch and help you grow to be more like Him every day.

Happy Birthday sweetheart.
Love-
Mama and Daddy

Almost Wordless Wednesday

Was it really five years ago
that this dimpled little doll-girl
joined our family?
Can't imagine living in the castle
without her to brighten our days!

1,824 Days Ago . . .

. . . I called a friend and told her, "I think I'm having regular contractions." She laughed (as only she can :) ) and agreed that I was probably in early labor, and said she knew that Princess #3 would come early! So I hurried to finish baby's blanket. Weaving in all the loose ends of yarn, and timing contractions. By the time the older kids got home from Awana, I had talked myself out of thinking "this was it". . . til 1 am when my water broke!

The Prince is One

Happy 1st Birthday Son!

2-11-09 the sun shone, a whole lot brighter
Than ever it had before, smiling down on me
At 1:26 PM both hands of time stopped turning,
And you came waltzing in to change my world for good

Suddenly living life meant so much more
On the day that you were born*

*Lyrics from Steven Curtis Chapman's song 11-6-64

Almost Wordless Wednesday

364 days ago, our eyes met for the first time.
Talk about love at first sight.

One Year Ago Today . . .

. . . I got the unbelievably great (and scary) okay that the Prince would be born that week! In fact in two days time. No more unproductive contractions, no more watching my belly grow by the hour, no more waiting!

I raced over to the hospital to do my pre-surgical "stuff", calling the King and the Queen Mother and Father as I went to tell them the exciting news! As I sat waiting for the blood draw, a nice older lady asked when I was due, and I told her Wednesday. And then it hit me. Reality that is. I'm going to have a baby. On Wednesday. Via c-section. Never done that before. And baby is a boy. Never done that before. On Wednesday I'll be a mom to four kids.

I put my head down by my knees as best I could. Wishing that my purse was a paper bag. Trying not to freak out as the awesomeness of what was about to happen in my life sunk in.

One year ago today.

Overheard from the Family Room . . .

. . . Princess #2 and Princess #3 were playing house when I happened upon this conversation:

Princess #3: I'm sorry to say that it's been a busy day, so we're going to have to eat a store bought lunch.

Princess #2: (with great distress) Oh no! It's so much healthier and cheaper to eat at home.

Princess #3: (heavy sigh) I know honey, but sometimes easier is better for your mama.


Do they know their mama's answers to both sides of this conversation or what??

Almost Wordless Wednesday

One year ago today, I had the King take this picture as we were headed in for yet another round of what would end up to be horrible pre-term labor, instead of meeting our little guy.again.
Seems like forever ago.

Happiness Is . . .

. . . having a mei tai for your unhappy, screaming, snotty-nosed (literally), 26 lb. prince to ride in on your back, so you can have hands free to try to whip the castle into company-worthy shape.

*I'd post a picture of him riding along, but am wearing horizontal stripes--oh so not flattering, hence photo deleted!!*