Fall.

Words cannot express my thankfulness for the arrival of Fall. I feel like we have somehow lived through the longest Winter and Summer ever. I'll take a long Fall. Bring it on.

I am still at war with mosquitos in our back yard. Hope they leave (die) soon? Annie's sweet little head would appreciate it.

Speaking of Annie. She continues to bring us much joy and exhaustion daily. She is sweet and friendly, animated, hungry, willful. She is a creative soul, which makes my heart glad. She sings and dances. Loves being outside. She is talking so much. Many made up words, lots of real ones. All in all, she's a delight. I love being her mom.

I am feeling much better. Been battling a number of colds for the past 3 weeks. This is getting old, but it is SO much better than being nauseated.

I have been cutting back on work, some. Working nights has been incredibly challenging while pregnant. I have the chance this next month to work day shift, and I am eagerly looking forward to the break. This may end up being a long term gig, which I would be just elated about, I think. I have loved working with all of my wonderful night shift ladies, but I tell you- working that shift with small kids is not for the faint of heart.

I just finished reading "The Help"- what a good book. I just loved the characters in the book, and love reading about the South- even though the content of this book shows a more dark side. It was still very much relatable, and got me thinking, and remembering people in my own life.

Well, I realize this post was a real snoozer. But life is like that sometimes.

but I opened the windows today, and lit candles, and cleaned my house. and read a book.

simple. boring. good.

wish list

aren't these so pretty? These are definitely going on the tree this year. I wonder how small they are? I bet small.

here

and for annie? she LOVES music. also here

and how cute are these (not new baby's name, by the way)?

been looking for something over Annie's crib. Since she is almost two?!?

you guessed it, also here

and while I'm being over greedy. I have my eye on this

one can wish, right? now I gotta go cut some coupons.

pink

So, we're having another girl!

oh my goodness. what will josh do with all of this drama?

everything looked great. still no weight gain (for me).

I celebrated with a very large cheeseburger.

and now a nap.

better

Even though Annie didn't fall asleep until 1 am last night, and my throat feels like it's full of razor blades, I am happy to say this day has ended well, with some peace, and a sleeping child.

I just listened to a talk of an old friend of mine, a woman whose house was the first home of our beloved church in St. Louis, Grace and Peace. There is so much about my time there that feels like a foundation to my story- our story, that it felt so peaceful to sit under this wise woman's words, even over the internets. I felt like I was back in her home, eating for lovely food, and enjoying her kind presence. We loved her and her husband's home. The Walker Percy print that hung on the wall as you entered the house. We knew we were in kindred territory early on. She catered my wedding. Prayed for us. Sent us off with a picnic lunch when we moved away. Chicken salad sandwiches cut into hearts. I cried my eyes out when I opened up that box in the middle of Mcdonalds somewhere in Kentucky.

It is good the hear the words of a woman who has lived 77 plus years of life. She spoke of periods where her and her husband hobbled through life. And yet, to hear her recount the life story, it is filled with such joy. such gratitude. such contentment.

To think that one day, these sleepless nights. These disgruntled church years. This wilderness season, will be but a blip on the radar.

you can listen here

house of sickies

well, annie managed to to catch a cold, get three or 4 mosquito bites all over her little bald head, and get a black eye this week. oh, and forget to sleep for like 4 nights.

as you can imagine, it's just been, like, so much fun around here.

and then, last night at work, I felt my throat slowly starting to seize up and hate me. Hacking led to previous a formentioned on this here blog, umm yacking, and well, it all just went down hill from there.

The good news is that it's rained here all day, I had a babysitter for the morning, Josh got home early and brought his sickly bride soup, and Annie slept 3.5 hours.

I have done plenty of sleeping, too.

I still feel like bricks invaded my sinuses, and my throat has seen better days, but I am glad for my bed, and loved ones, and the hope that I will feel better again.

I'll be back soon....