I interrupt my blogging break for this

I know I haven't blogged in 2 months. And I know that in the 6 months before that I have been a terrible blogger. But I am okay with that. It was a choice I finally made a few months ago. With my job and the girls and everything else, I felt like I had too much going on and something had to go. The blog is what went. I hope to be able to bring it back. Not quite yet though. But this is something I just can't forget. ever. So I am blogging. Just this story.

On Monday, most people who receive a Christmas card from us received this (btw, I really haven't updated my card list in 2 years. I should have. I will do that this week.)

Yes, the card is an announcement as well as a Christmas card. (And yes, I know I used holiday and not Christmas, but I do teach at a Jewish school.) And it was a surprise to 99.9% of people who received it. We had told one of our good friends here who is expecting a few weeks before us. and I had told one of my closest friends in Utah who is not somehow intertwined to any of my family. So it became a well-thought out process to make sure people all found out at the same time. And that is what I want to record.

A few weeks ago, we decided that we would include an ultrasound picture on the Christmas card as out method of telling people. I knew I would be near the end of the first trimester when we sent them and we like to keep it a secret. But I also knew that I had to email what I thought it would look like to Courtney because that is just what we do. And I knew the moment I brought my cards home, my mom would want hers right then. So I made a fake card as well. And I sent it to Courtney and brought one home for my mom. (The fake card is just like the real one except it includes another family picture and not an ultrasound.)

And then I mailed out cards. And I was careful to mail the out of state ones the day before the in-state ones so that everyone would find out on the same day. (Too bad I miscalculated the East coast ones, sorry.) And then it happened. John and Stephanie received theirs. And John tried to call. But I was teaching. So he called my mom, who happened to be in a sewing class and had not yet received her "real" Christmas card. And he asked my mom if I was pregnant and she said no. And then he asked about the ultrasound pic on the card and she thought he was crazy. She told him him she had seen the card and there was definitely no ultrasound picture on it. And then Courtney told me I was rude because Costco knew before her.

And then I came home from work. And my dad opened the card. He was shocked but excited. And then my mom came home from sewing class. And she starts going on about how John called her and was very confused about my Christmas card and she was sure that he thought some snowflake or something as an ultrasound. And she needed to see it again. Just as she is saying this, she pulls out the real card. And looks at it and then looks at me and then asks, "Are you pregnant?" I laugh and confirm. And then she asks again. And then she pulls out the fake card. And looks at them. And tells me I am deceptive. I wish I could have taped her talking about how John was crazy. I can't do it justice. So there it is.

Now to answer the most common questions I have received:

1. due June 19th

2. we will find out the gender of the baby at the end of January. Laney is sure she is having a baby brother. I think girl number 3.

3. Let's just say, we like surprise babies and we couldn't be happier about the new addition.

4. No, the girls don't really get it. When I was helping Laney say prays for dinner last night, I encouraged her to bless the baby. She said, ""Bless the baby in mommy's tummy and in Laney's tummy and in daddy's tummy and in Grandma's tummy and in Grandpa's tummy." And when we mentioned it to Allie, she tried to find her baby doll up my dress. Maybe when I start to show more.

And now back to my blogging break, until I can get a better grip on my life.

Two

On the second of this month, this kid turned two. Where has the time gone? I could go on and on about her but basically can sum it up by saying that we love this girl to death.

Photo credits of course go to my sister, Courtney. She documents my children's lives for me. Don't worry though, I was inside her house building haunted houses for her Halloween party during the photo shoot. It was a fair trade.

Break

I have had the past 11 days off of work (really only 7 work days). To celebrate Sukkot, we went to San Diego last weekend to play with my sister and her family. And right now we are in St. George, UT, so I could get fingerprinted to renew my UT teaching certificate. It has been a lot of driving but we have enjoyed the family time.

Both trips have been relaxing and lots of fun. In California, we played at the beach and the parks, had lunch at school with the girls, did preparations for my sister's Halloween party, had yummy food, and just enjoyed being with cousins/sisters. And in true Courtney fashion, I came away with another priceless picture of my girls.

More photos of this trip to come. Thanks Courtney, Jeff, and kids for letting us come play.

St. George has been all about relaxing. We have played outside and at the park, walked around the temple, loved having a few hours with John and Stephanie yesterday afternoon, watched Shrek about 10 times, and sat around and did nothing. Oh, I also went and did my LiveScan fingerprinting as well. It's been great. Thanks Grandma and Grandpa for having a house to let us come and relax in.

Tomorrow it is back home and back to real life. I think it's time to check my calendar for the next major Jewish holiday.

Giveaway

My sister's former roommates have a stationery company and recently started a blog. I love the blog. And today they are doing a giveaway for some notecards. Check it out.

http://blonde-designs.squarespace.com

He passed

3 weeks and 2 days Erich took the CISSP exam. It was a 6 hour test and very intense. (He was sure he had failed it.) In fact, I am pretty sure he studied more for that test then he did in all of college combined. I am happy to announce that this morning he received his results saying he passed!
We couldn't be happier. (Mainly because that he means he won't be studying for it again.)

Dear Courtney

While 99% of the time I am extremely grateful for all of the many boxes of children's clothing that you have given me, I have one request. (And just so you know, the one percent that I am not appreciative is when I want to buy my kids new clothes and my loving husband tells me that it isn't really necessary since we have so many clothes already.) My request: can you make sure that when you pass down the shoes, that you give me one left and one right shoe. Two right shoes don't really work for Allie.

Thanks again. Can't wait to see you in a month.

Love,
Mandy

Cheeks

Last night, I sat on the front lawn and watched my girls ride their bikes/cars. And when they weren't sitting on my lap, I looked at their little faces and thought about how they were growing up way too fast. And then I couldn't help remember their cute little cheeks of the past. And how I wish I had a dollar for every time someone said to me, "Looks like she is a good eater" or "Looks like she is storing some food for winter." I still their faces are pretty adorable but I kind of miss those cheeks.