Skunk

Last week I was on an early morning run when I noticed a skunk up ahead in the middle of the road circling around another skunk which had recently become roadkill. I stopped and waited until the skunk moved back to the other side of the road and looked as if it was going to carry on its way back in to the ditch. As I reached the part on the road beside the dead skunk, I saw the other skunk pop up on the opposite side of the road with it's tail standing up at full attention. So I quickened my pace just a little and the darn thing started running after me. And of course there wasn't a stick, rock or anything that I could have used to shoo it away in sight. All I could think of was that it was probably carrying rabies and that it wasn't going to attack and bite me. I turned on it and stomped at it while also yelling like it was some neighborhood dog trying to follow me. It stopped and just stared at me and as soon as I turned away to keep running it kept right at me. I turned and stomped again yelling at it. Thankfully this time it turned away. However my heart rate was sky high and it wasn't because of the pace I was running. I didn't realize skunks were so protective and aggressive. So scary...maybe I should start carring my mase. All Wes had to say was, "Surely you run faster than a skunk, they aren't very fast". Well this skunk had it's racing shoes on!!!

Nebraska Vacation, School Supplies, & a Birthday

Last weekend we made a road trip north to the state of Nebraska with Wes's mom and his brother's family. The kids overall did a great job with the long drive and had a fantastic time at Grandma Penny's house and vacationing in Nebraska.

Grandma Penny's House






Omaha Zoo pictures

Levi wasn't quite sure what to think of the lion statues at the front entrance and decided to stand as far away as possible from them.


Another hot day so we all took advantage of misters and and sprinkler system while walking the zoo.


Jaidyn and Addy's favorite part of the zoo was the entertainment that this monkey provided. He would sit on this branch and would catch food from up above.




Riding the Sky Fari up and above the animals was my favorite part of the zoo. A break from walking and stroller pushing was a nice treat.





Taking a break for slushies!


By this time in the day, this is exactly how I felt...exhausted.


The aquarium was so neat and I think we all could have spent more time reading and watching the fish, but keeping up with the pace of the kids kept us from that.

ROOOAAARRRR!








Pool time at the hotel
Jaidyn woke Grandma Penny up one morning and talked her into taking her down the pool before everyone else was up.











Strike A Pose!


Goodbye Omaha! Levi was such a big boy lugging his suitcase up the car garage ramp.

School starts here August 12th. And while I had hoped to hold the girls off from buying school supplies until the No Tax weekend, I couldn't contain their excitement in getting to pick out their school supplies any longer. Starting Kindergarten is a HUGE deal and Jaidyn can't be more ready. My mom watched Levi for me one afternoon so that the girls and I could take our time picking out the perfect folders, backpacks, etc. Seventy three dollars later we ended our school shopping outing by treating ourselves to a McDonald's icecream cone.







She's 59 years young!! We celebrated Mama Lala's birthday with a dinner at Nakato's.







Serenading Mama Lala with a birthday dance and song.




Levi wasn't quite sure what to think of the Chef's show of fire and steam while cooking our meal.




These kid friendly chopsticks kept them quite entertained.


Eating birthday cake with chopsticks.

Yesterday I had my 3 month doctor appointment. I actually lost a pound since my last visit, but I contribute that to the fact that I didn't down a 44 ounce soda only minutes before my appointment. I can't wear any of my button shorts so that proves that I have put on some pounds. Only elastic banded shorts for this gal. And God bless the sweet nurse. While placing the blood pressure cuff on she proceeds to say that she needs to start pumping so that it will tighten and stay up on my little arms. And then she wanted to try to get a listen in on the heart beat with the small device, but before she started she said that usually this one doesn't pick up the heart beat when someone is only 3 months along, but since I was so tiny she thought she might be able to find it. Well apparently I am not that tiny as we weren't able to find the heart beat (bummer), but she did make me feel good. I don't think I have ever been classified as tiny. Ha!

Trying to survive this 100+ degree heat wave the kids and I went to a local park today to play in the fountains and then to the river to try and catch some critters. We were only successful with a couple of crawdads and snails. The minnows were too fast and the bullfrog tadpoles were too slippery to grasp.

Unplanned...

So our life has definitely taken an unexpected, unplanned turn. We found out a couple of weeks ago that we are expecting a new addition to our family about mid February. For the first couple of weeks I felt as if my whole world had been turned upside down. We were DONE and our family was complete. Wes has taken it all in stride and really I have been the one with a very selfish attitude. I really don't want to put my body through a pregnancy again. I like that we can go places and I don't have to carry a gigantic diaper bag. I like that the kids can enjoy about every activity and no one has to sit out because one is too small. And I really miss my summer time margaritas. After Levi was finished with baby items we got rid of it. No cribs, high chairs, baby toys or clothing. I had a friend offer her crib and I have no idea where we would even put it in our cozy two bedroom home. I just can't imagine being any more busier than I am. Just the thought of getting one more around in the mornings before school completely stresses me out. And the thought of having 4 little ones with me attempting to get groceries at Walmart makes me almost nauseated.
With all of that being said, I can't say that I am truly excited, but I have come to terms with it. And I am sure that one day I will look back on it and wonder what we would have done without him/her. My daily life is so blessed with Jaidyn, Addy, and Levi and we will just be blessed with one more.
Last week Jaidyn saw the picture of the ultrasound on my desk and asked me what it was as we hadn't told the kids yet. So I explained everything to her and she looked at me very seriously and said, "Don't you think we should tell Daddy about this?" Lol! And then the next morning I saw her laying on the living room floor and looking at the picture. She comes over to me a few minutes later and says, "Mom, I think this should probably be the last baby you have. You really are going to have your hands full." She couldn't have said it better. :)
I apologize to family and friends who are finding out our news by reading it on the blog. We are just now starting to share with everyone. I am sure that all will work out, after all, Life's A Dance and we will continue to take it one step at a time.

On another note, I do have lots of pictures to share of our festivities leading up the 4th of July.

We enjoyed a Springfield Cardinals baseball game with Papa JR, Mama LaLa and our niece and nephew.

I'm stuck in the middle between these two crazy boys!!


Getting an autograph...hopefully he will make it to the big leagues one day.


We sat in the general admission grass area which was perfect for the kids so they weren't confined to a seated area. Addy, Levi and Heston were a little more entertained by the train going by than the actual game.


Enjoying some frozen lemonade!!


Watching some post-game fireworks!


Levi enjoyed his first firework show in Daddy's lap.

Fishing and fireworks with Papa and Nana at the lake house.

I don't think Jaidyn caught any fish this weekend, but she did catch 6 little fish last weekend off about 8 casts.






Taking a ride in the fishing boat.

The kids and neighbor girls enjoyed the kids morning at the fair with lots of fun activities to participate in. We love when the fair is in town as it is practically just a few steps away outside our backyard. We spent several afternoons over at the sale barn watching the lamb, hog, and cattle shows. Levi was mesmerized by seeing the real live farm animals.


Making bubble machine blowers at the library table.


Blowing bubbles!!


Jaidyn wanted to participate in this bean sorting race. It took forever for her to get her turn and it took forever for them to complete the bean sorting activity. The rest of the kids, obviously bored (I didn't blame them) ran off to the playground to play.


Waiting their turn to climb through the giant caterpillar.


Levi is fearless!! He didn't want any help from his sisters.


Papa JR and Mama LaLa came for an evening and treated the kids to some carnival rides at the fair and brought along a firework pack. The kids are admiring the firework loot!


The holiday weekend was spent at the lake and the weather was just about perfect all weekend long.

All the kids took turns riding the tube. Even Levi rode it with Dad.


Participating in some fun activities while waiting for our appetizers to arrive at Larry's On the Lake.


Hula Hoop Queen!






Feeding the Carp.


Everyone is thumbs up!!


Lovin the warm water.


Sometimes it's nice to have connections.


Don't they look cute in their red, white and blue?