update...

Here is the latest updates on our little family...

John: John has been working A TON, and nursing a work injury. The story is way better told in person, so if you get the chance... please ask him. But to summarize: a new co-worker accidentally shot John in the butt with a 2 inch, 18 gauge finish nail.

Ashley: I have been checking off my huge list of "to-do's" before this little baby comes. It has been fun to pull out all the cute little girl stuff I have. The Christmas shopping is almost done and hopefully if all goes well I will be induced next Tuesday, December 2nd on Britney Spears birthday. Seems like the stars have aligned perfectly.

Sophie: Sophie has been growing up. Good timing, I say. She has been playing super well by herself lately and seems endlessly entertained by the barbies in the playroom. She is making up for the havoc that Parker is causing around the house.

Parker: Parker has been destroying. Where to begin? Just the other day he emptied all of my drawers and two laundry baskets (picture clean clothes mixed with dirty) all over the floor to make "dirt" for his tractors to drive on. In the same night he poured soap in Sophie's hair and then poured a box of unmixed drywall mud all over the carpet. It is one mess to the next with that kid. Good thing he is so cute.

Baby Girl: Been preparing for her big debut... kicking, more kicking... and more kicking. :)

All of us: We are thrilled for this Thanksgiving season, and are grateful for all of our blessings.

thirty years ago today...

Happy Birthday Johnny! I sure love you.

Sophie

Sophie had been playing in the playroom -rare, peaceful, Sunday morning kind of playing- when she stepped into the kitchen, with a concerned look.


Sophie: Dad, it is too quiet in the playroom.

John: Ok. What do you want me to do?

Sophie: Turn on some music... (thoughtful pause)

...or get some wild animals.


As if these were two equally reasonable options. Though Ash would probably have my head for it, the thought of turning our playroom into a zoo filled me with some joy. Parker riding a little goat, Sophie braiding the mane of some poor lion. It'd turn sour pretty quick, but the pictures from those first few minutes would make for a pretty solid blog post.

Dear... Part II

Dear Chuck,
You are my favorite new t.v. show. I love Mondays now.

Dear Quickly Approaching Holiday Season,
I really like you and your music and all that you entail. I don't mind that you are around the corner.

Dear Little Baby,
I am so excited to meet you and put a face to all your squirminess.

Dear Good Friends,
Thanks for last night. It was so fun to see you. I felt 19 again...

Dear America,
I am proud of this historic moment, and now I think it is time to unite and be nice to each other again.

Dear Pre-Pregnancy Body...nope... Dear Pre-Wedding Body,
Please come back one day. Please. Pretty Please. I know you are somewhere underneath all this.

Dear Hubby,
I really like you.

Dear Dinner,
Can you consider fixing yourself?

Dear "To Do List",
I'll get to you I promise. It's just that sometimes all these other things are just more fun to do.

Dear Fingerprints and Messes,
I have been told I will miss you one day. I can't fathom that... but I surely like those little hands that are responsible.

Dear Loved Ones and Plethora of Friends,
Blame the hormones if you must... but thanks for making our life richer. Just feeling particulary sappy today and figured you should all know that I appreciate each one of you. Really.