We Survived!

As a follow up to my last post I should tell you that the kids and I made it to Michigan without much incident. So thank you all so much for your prayers! Ana struggled a little bit in the jetways on the way there. She panicked, unsure of what was at the other end. Even though she has flown before, she must have just forgotten. She set of a chain reaction with my kids though. As soon as she started screaming Luke panicked, and Alex followed suit. Once on the plane though she was fine, happy even. Our first flight was 4 hours long and I could see the dread on the faces of other passengers as they eyed my brood. By the time we landed in Chicago though I was being complimented on how well my kids did. No tears, no tantrums, no fights. All in all it was pretty uneventful.

Once we arrived in Michigan, however, the events didn't stop. We drove to Wisconsin to celebrate my grandma's 100th birthday. We spent those days at family picnics catching up with relatives. It was nice, but made for long days for the kids. We came back to Michigan and got together with Nana and Papa and all of the cousins, had another BBQ for the other side of the family, caught up with old friends, went out on Uncle Peter's boat, played with all of Grandpa's "toys", and spent some time with Aunt Melina before she had to go back to England, Uncle Garrett before he left for Kentucky, and Uncle Gavin and Aunt Rachel when they weren't working. The kids loved hanging out at Grandma and Grandpa's house. Grandpa introduced the boys to the old batman cartoons, Alex LOVED the 4-wheeler, and Ana enjoyed all the new experiences.

Ana with her Grandma, and 100 year-old Great-Grandma!

Meeting Papa for the 1st time. Like Ana's "cheese face"?

We tried to get a picture of Nana and Papa with all their grandkids, but Luke refused to have his picture taken. 

After everybody left the park, Luke said, "I'm ready for my picture now"! Really?!?!?!

At least he sat while we took pictures of our kids.

Trey had a blast playing soccer with his cousins!

Finally! Ana had some girls to hang out with.

Luke was insistent that everyone smell his feet all week

Learning how to do the "hokey pokey" with Aunt Melina. Really Melina was the only one hokey-pokeying. The kids just stared at her :)

Being flipped around by Great-Grandpa "Wild Bill"

In the lake taking a break from feeding the fish

Driving the boat with Gramps. He was so focused on what he was doing.

The things mommies do

I am 21 1/2 weeks pregnant and I am gearing up to fly across the country with all four of my children...without another adult!

Am I crazy?
Maybe.

If I survive, I'll blog about it later.

Prayers please!

It's a girl!

Since the beginning of this pregnancy, Luke has been telling us that we were having a baby girl. I was a little afraid that if it was a boy he would have a meltdown. He didn't act like he wanted a little sister; he was just very matter of fact that it was a girl. And he was right. Our 20 week ultrasound showed us a  perfect little girl. Ana will have a sister to share in girly things with, and splitting our kids into bedrooms will be much easier. Our newest daughter will be named Selah Grace. Selah is pronounced Say-lah. It is a Biblical term meaning to pause, praise God and lift Him high. We are excited to add another sweet one to our family.

Here is a 20 week picture of my belly. Please don't mind the crazy hair, it was a 90 degree day sans AC.