Sugar and Spice

And Everything Nice

That's what little GIRLS are made of.

So, I believe the exact words of the ultrasound technician were: "It looks like you are evening out your team! Your daughter will be thrilled... It's a GIRL!"

These words struck me for a few different reasons.

 First, I was 100% sure that this baby was a boy. I will quote my saintly mother, who had seven boys and three girls, for this one:

"We only know how to make boys."

Second, Our "Team"?!? Yeah, I guess we are starting to look like that...

And last, my dad would say with each birth of his sons that he was so happy because things were "ALMOST evened out"...even when the boys TRIPLED our numbers. So, I guess when people say that things are getting evened out I simply don't believe them.

Sarah was thrilled. She was ecstatic. She was speechless. And those of us that know our sweet princess also know that speechless comes around, ummmmmm.....never.

Matt just stood there in the ultrasound room, beaming. It was dark, but I could see the same face I saw over 6 years ago. He was going to hold another princess in his arms. God had given us another healthy baby. So grateful, my Matt. Always so grateful.

Paradise 2012- Day One

We drove to Amish Country for our vacation again this year. It was beautiful and simple. It was exactly what we needed.

We started out early Saturday morning. Nathan was really happy; don't believe that face.

First stop was Kitchen Kettle Village. We had homemade ice cream and walked around the town for a while. It was so peaceful.

We check into our hotel and the children "helped" us unpack.

After dinner, we took the short drive to check out the Strasburg Railroad. We were surprised that there was a train running so late into the evening. The children were THRILLED!

 This boy was especially happy.

Number 475

We went back to the hotel and took a swim before bed. I would have taken pictures of the children in the pool, but I am lucky to have gotten through the whole event unscathed. Thomas and Nathan have no fear. Just imagine the troublesome two, jumping off the sides of the pool with nary a care if someone was there to catch them. I found three new white hairs on my head that night. Matt challenges this with, "Well, would you rather have white hair or lose hair?" Well put.

Busy day. Tired children.

Triduum With Two Toddlers, a Train Engineer and Toothless Princess

Good Friday Bread that the children made.

Easter Egg Hunt

 The coloring of Easter eggs is always a bit tricky. This year it was nice enough to dye them outside in the driveway...which was the best idea EVER! The eggs were dropped and cracked, the bowls tipped and dye was spilled, the children were really able to get into it. It was perfect.

Sarah lost her tooth (Thanks, Poppy!) on Holy Saturday. Her biggest concern: That the Tooth Fairy and Easter Bunny would run into one another in the middle of the night.

Thomas and Nathan kept trying to sneak down the stairs before Sarah and Joseph were ready.

Sarah's Quote: "The Easter Bunny goes shopping at Saint John's Religious Shoppe!"

Joseph was really incredible this past weekend. He always seems to grow so much when Matt is home for a few days in a row. He really enjoyed his new books about animals. He is beginning to sound out short words and really takes my breath away with his concentration.

Thomas LOVES Tomie DePaola. He asks frequently if we can change his name to Tommy DePaola. He says Nathan can be "Nay Nay De Koala".