Happy Birthday!

Today is my hubby's 35th birthday. Happy Birthday honey! You are a wonderful husband, father and friend. I love you.

There is something wrong here

My blog is blank. I don't know what happened. I'm gonna see if this posts.

It's a boy

I had my dates wrong, the ultrasound was yesterday. My little nephew was not shy in showing us that he is a boy. I have pics, I'll try to post one or I might wait to see if we can get better pics. She is high risk, because of her age, and she'll get two more ultrasounds.

I am lucky to still have my tongue because I had to bite it ALOT yesterday. From my brother cussing openly in an office full of variously aged people to his girlfriend confessing she is "so sick of this baby" and her daughter stomping out of the ultrasound mad because it's a boy. I kept quiet and smiled. I want to be the one that this baby comes to whenever he needs me.

Please keep my brother, his girlfriend and my little nephew in your prayers. Anyone that knows my family knows that he will need the grace of God to come out of that situation normal. :-)

Grace

"amazing grace philosophy - life is a classroom. we are both student and teacher. each day is a test. and each day we receive a passing or failing grade in one particular subject: grace. grace is compassion, gratitude, surrender, faith, forgiveness, good manners, reverence, and the list goes on. it's something money can't buy and credentials rarely produce. being the smartest, the prettiest, the most talented, the richest, or even the poorest, can't help. being a humble person can and being a helpful person can guide you through your days with grace and gratitude."

This is the quote on my bottle of amazing grace body wash. I was soaking in the tub last night and for what ever reason read that quote. I have been thinking about it all day. I hope to live my life with grace. I want to be more considerate to all people and their situations. I am way too quick to judge, especially at Wal-Mart at the first of the month. I find myself questioning doing nice things for people because they may not appreciate it or they would not do it in return. Why? I don't know. Maybe I am getting caught up in this cynical world. I don't want to be that way and I don't want to leave that impression of myself with people.

God - please give me the ability to live a "graceful" life. To be more accepting of people, that they are who they are and I cannot change that.

My brother's girlfriend is pregnant. I have a lot of issues with my brother. The girlfriends he's chosen are not ladies that I would hang out with. Growing up I always wanted a sister and hoped that my brother would marry my future best friend, no such luck. Anyway, I am getting off topic. Next week Dora, my brother's gf, is having an ultrasound and I asked if I could go. My kids are 13 and 10. It's been a while. They said that was fine but I am cautious. I could get so involved in this baby's life and I want to. I'm just not sure that I can keep my mouth shut or hide my feelings well enough to not tick anyone off. This refers to the above of me accepting people as they are. I just choose to lead a different life. But I know that I would be miserable if I wasn't the best Aunt Kari I could be. It will be my first niece or nephew that I am here for. (My brother has another child in Kansas.) So please, pray for me for next week. Her ultrasound is on Thursday. I'll let you know what we find out.

High School, already?

Tonight is 8th grade parent night at the high school. So basically, Freshman orientation. Wasn't Tyler just learning to walk, tie his shoes, ride a bike, write his name, etc.? Seriously people, I'm not old enough to have a kid in high school. Right?

I am trying so hard to encourage my children to move forward in life with confidence. But I really wish they were still little and needed me a little more. Last night Tyler told me he needed to talk to me. (heart pounding, eek!) So, in my cheeriest, heartfelt mom voice I asked what he wanted to talk about. A girl. (double eek!) He told me that he liked her and she likes him and is it okay if he goes out with her. (Collective "oh how sweet") Yep, my 13 almost 14 year old son asked me if he could go out with a girl. He still appreciates my opinion. Thank goodness.

On another note, Ashley admitted I might know a little more than her when she insisted on going to Tyler's soccer game last night instead of going to bed as I suggested. About 5 minutes after the game started she told me she feels bad and wished she was home in bed. Mom's know best, is what she said. Cute. She's been sick for a few days. Still feeling crummy today.

I guess they do still need me. I just have to wait for them to come to me.

Kitty Smells

Okay not THOSE smells. I love the way our kitty smells at the end of the day when he's tired and ready to cuddle. He smells like everyone that has held him that day. I love it!

Christmas

It just doesn't feel the same this year. I'm not sure why. I thought for sure that since I was home, I would have been overcome with holiday cheer. I feel like Cindy Lou Who. Where are you Christmas? (Maybe my Christmas spirit is a little dim because I have jury duty today.) Here are a few photos of what this season has been like for us.
Tyler and Kaylee (a friend) at the Snowball Dance

Tyler and Ashley decorating the tree

Me and Ash before the ballet

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas.