Happy Thanksgiving!

Yesterday, I had my 20-week ultrasound. I was worried and excited...worried that something may be wrong with the baby, and excited at the same time. Well, we found out that we are having another baby boy!!! Both Daddy and I are excited that now we have 2 boys and 2 girls. Who could ask for anything better? This baby is a surprise, coming at what many would thing is a "bad time", being that Daddy has been unemployed since February. But we see this baby as a complete blessing. Being unemployed for this long is unfortunate, but with God's help, we've survived.

A long time ago, Daddy and I have told each other that there is nothing we can't handle as long as our family is together. Family is the most important thing there is. We can survive with much less, and still be happy as long as our family is taken care off. Due to a series of decisions we've made throughout our marriage, this time of unemployment could have been a lot more stressful and devastating than it really has. This is not to say that it has been easy on any of us, but we can definitely see the forest for tress. (Is that how that goes?)

Daddy has received 3 job offers recently, and 2 of them are viable. We are now just thinking of what is best for our family: Texas, or Northern Virginia. There are a few more hurdles to overcome: driving with 3 kids, moody pregnant Mommy, and a Daddy who has to deal with us all. But it's a task we would gladly undertake.

This Thanksgiving, we can't help but think of the never-ending things we are thankful for:

• Daddy's parents who have welcomed us with open arm,
• time the kids have spent with their grandparents
• time the kids and I have spent with Daddy
• being blessed with one more healthy baby boy
• a smart, highly independent, strong-willed son
• 2 beautiful, fascinating, smart, sassy daughters
  
• great and soulful, going on 13-yr marriage (whoah, that's long!)
• all the people that love and care about us
• and many many many more.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

the twins' 2nd Thanksgiving

The girls had fun at their grandparents' this weekend, though they are still weary of Nana & Papaw. But as long as the grandparents didn't try to pick them up, they were fine. Oh but they did enjoy all the food!

Thing 2 seems to be establishing a Thanksgiving tradition of making this exact same face. She started last year.

She is an expert at giving evil eyes, but she also has an innocent look.

Thing 2 studies the xbox. She wants to be a 'big girl'.

She thinks she's finally mastered it!

And finally conquers the xbox! "Who's your mama!"

Perhaps not. One must always be on a quest for knowledge.

a boy, his Papaw, and trains

There is no doubt that for Curious George, the highlight of this Thanksgiving season was his Papaw's trains. Equally enjoyed was his cousins' company, especially cousin B. Oh yeah, and cousin C's Leggos.

Turkey Coma

I wonder if there is a truth to the Turkey Coma. What do you think?

Being Social on Thanksgiving Day

Jojo was quite the social creature this Thanksgiving holiday. She just ate up the attention and smiled at everyone. You wouldn't know it with this picture, though. I pointed the camera at her and she got busy pouting her pretty little lips.

Katie, posing prettily in her burgundy dress, was quite the opposite. She studied everyone's faces and reserved her smile for mommy only. She has perfected a worried look about her, though it is not evident on this shot.

The girls taking advantage of the available free arms. Jo is quite animated, while Katie studies her Nana's face.

Checking Out the Ponies with Nana

Matty had a lot of fun looking at the Ponies with Nana.

Thanksgiving Trip

The trip to see the family normally takes 3 1/2 hours and in fact, it took us that long. The planets alligned perfectly and the trip was smooth and stress-free.

Daddy drove the entire time.

Matty refused to nap for the first hour because he wanted to see Nana and Papaw. He finally fell asleep without any fuss after an hour. Though we did have to have an emergency stop at the side of the road to make a pit stop. Daddy was a little worried we may get arrested, but hey, who have ever heard of a bladder of a 2-year old listening to such logic.

Jojo was content to just stare at something that the window. I don't quite know what it was, but hey, as long as she's happy, we're all happy.

Katie just found a comfy position and got some zzzzz's.

Me? What did I do? I wanted to catch some zzzzz's but Matty had other ideas and demanded that I be on his beck and call until he fell asleep. I didn't mind. It was a stress-free, F-word free trip. Everyone is happy, who could ask for more.