Thanks Dad

I talk to my dad about once a week. However, I don't get to call him whenever I want or have the chance to see him every now and then like most other people can with their parents. When we talk it is via skype, contingent on my dad's choppy internet connection in Iraq. It is better than nothing; we are very grateful to see him at all.

My dad recently sent pictures and I chose two to post. It is so peculiar to see him in a country so different and isolated while we enjoy our lavish homes with flushing toilets and air conditioning. It's unimaginable to me that for many people, this is normal life. Not only that, but it also very sad. The horrible things that we hear about happening over there (and we still don't even get many details) make me so grateful that I was born in America. It is a true luxury that is easy to take for granted.

On Memorial Day amidst the BBQs and pool parties, take a second to reflect on the people that gave their lives so we can enjoy ours as free people.



Waiting for his ride.



This is where he lives. The far door on the right. Surrounded by concrete barriers. Looks fun, huh?

The Funny Guy

I tried talking to Ty about the baby in my tummy today. He completely doesn't get it. He pointed at my tummy and said, "Big one." Yes Ty, it is huge.

He really cracks us up with the things he says, and of course his little voice is the cutest ever. The phrases I hear the most are:
"Dis way" - When he wants someone to follow him.
"Watch dis" - When he does some sort of trick or something.
"I turn!" - When he thinks it's his turn...which is always.
"Kick it" and "sotter" (soccer) - He loves balls.
"Get it" - Like we fetch or something.

His favorite things to do are throw and kick balls, "fisbee", play "ow-side", watch the garbage truck, wrestle with anyone (especially Macie), dig in the dirt, play guitar, sweep the floor, squirt spray bottles, and see/play/talk about all kinds of trucks and buses. Last weekend Josh took him to the speedway to watch a friend race his baja truck. Sadly I didn't send the camera along, but Ty had so much fun and loves to talk about it. "Cutch (truck- this is the only word he totally says wrong) fall down. Cutch cash (crash). Cutch fast. Cutch big. Etc, etc.



Playing some tunes on the ukulele.

It's amazing to me how rough and tumble he is, yet the next minute he is wearing Macie's shoes around the house. He really likes his mama and gets jealous anytime Josh hugs me, has his arm around me, or lays down next to me. It's kind of funny because he starts to fake-cry every time. It won't be so funny anymore if he doesn't like new baby sister getting all of the attention. Yikes!

I tried to do a simple video interview of my buddy in the backyard and this is as good as it gets. Life is busy when you're 20 months old. Ty's exit at the end is what I typically see these days...his little legs running away from me as fast as he can.

A Little Help Here

I'm starting to feel stressed. I had a doctor's appointment today (36.5 wks) that went fine. However, the news that I am dilated 2 cm put me into a panic. I do contract all the time and dilated early with my other kids as well, but I was always more prepared by this point. When the doctor says, "I'll see you next week, if not before that at the hospital," then you know you're reaching the end. Gee, I guess I should pre-register at the hospital. We don't even have a name picked out, let alone a list a mile long of things I need to do. The frustrating part is some things I have no control over and I don't know what to do about it. (I know, that's very vague.) So yes, I am slightly panicked. Josh and I have ZERO names that we both like. Please help me out and give us some girl name suggestions. At least one. Por favor! 

A Little Bit of Lately

This is not a very exciting post about anything specific, just a few random pictures from the last little bit. I'm horrible at getting the camera out and taking pictures these days. I'm sure it will only get worse once we have another little baby around. Only 6 weeks left by the way...yikes!



Josh has been doing a lot of studying the past several months. We didn't see him much for a while. This is the reason he spends study time at the school, not at home.



My kids at the county fair. This was right after their pony ride.



My buddy loves to play "moo-sit" on my mom's keyboard. And wear her shoes.



Isn't he so handsome? He's always happy. Ty also likes to climb up to the desk and play "pewter".



Macie is great at coming up with all sorts of poses. She likes to do fashion shows where my sister dresses her up and takes lots of pictures. They are hilarious. I'll have to post one of her fashion show slideshows one of these days. If I remember.