Halloween.

That's right folks. I've resorted to using the most simplistic and obvious titles I can in an effort to JUST BLOG ALREADY! Thank you to those of you who still check here to see if perhaps I've done something new lately, which I haven't. Sorry.

So here we have the unveiling of the costumes. I'm not sure I can compete with last year, or even come close to Char ANY year. Matt and I had a blast working together to fashion the kids' weapons entirely out of cardboard, duct tape, and hot glue.

Miles as the "Red Dinosaur Ninja" with his accompanying short swords.

Abbie was the "Blue Eagle Ninja" who sported some furiously awesome nunchucks (which Matt has already laid claim to).

Anna as the "Yellow Butterfly Ninja" with the sweetest Sai you ever laid eyes on.

And finally, Lucas as the "Ninja Chicken." Okay, not really a ninja chicken, just a regular chicken but holy cow that boy loved Anna's Sai. This would be the same costume that Miles wore two years ago, which won the costume contest at my husband's work. And guess what? It won again this year. Freaking hilarious!

And, in case you needed an action shot:

You do NOT want to get in the middle of THAT battle!

Close Enough to Wednesday...

to be Wordless.

It's ALIVE!

This morning, Matt and I had the overwhelming privilege of getting to see our baby for the first time.

Yes, folks, I'm at the halfway point now.

People kept asking us whether we had any preferences as to boy/girl, or gut instincts, etc. Matt might be able to honestly tell you that he didn't. I can't lie to my friends that way. Even before this baby was conceived, I had a very clear picture in my mind. I knew. So, I'm not sure if my leanings were colored by preference or gut, but they were there, nonetheless.

I do need to mention, however, that I am overjoyed with a baby of either variety and that my concerns this morning weren't over the sex of the child. I have some overwhelming issues called paranoia and pessimism. I always assume that if something can go wrong, it will. So, this morning I was more excited than anything else to see a healthy baby.

As the ultrasound tech starting poking at our baby's crotch with her magic wand, Matt calls out, "I think it's a boy." I paused. Looked at the screen for about 2 seconds and laughed. WRONG.

Definitely little girly parts. You'd think after 5 kids (and a wife of 9+ years) he'd know what he was looking at!



It's a girl!

Things you can't take back.

Back when my sweet husband and I had only been married a couple of months, he brought me home some flowers for Mother's Day (or some other holiday I can't readily remember). They were, bless his heart, from the grocery store and well, honestly, kind of ugly. I dutifully placed them in a vase and hoped for the best. They lasted perhaps 2 days before they were wilted and dead. Depressing, really.

I informed my dear spouse that I really didn't feel the need for him to EVER buy me flowers again. At least, not cut flowers. Of course, we've never lived anywhere long enough (till now) that we can enjoy actual flowers that you actually plant in the ground. And I'm not really a very girly person. I don't find flowers gorgeous, beautiful or amazing. To me, they're mostly just flowers, I'd be just as happy with a new slotted spoon or pair of shoes.

Occasionally, however, I'll see some flowers that just make my soul SO happy. Such was the story the other day when I was shopping at Sam's Club. And I did the unthinkable. I bought MYSELF flowers. And while I don't actually find them gorgeous, beautiful or amazing, I do find my heart lifted and my home happier because of them.

Have I changed my mind about letting my husband buy me flowers? Nah. I'll stick to getting what I know I like. Kinda like my bras.

The rest of them.

When I did my recent Better School Pictures photo shoot, I had Matt bring the kids to where I was shooting so I could get some pictures of them, too. Rather than blather on about each of them individually, let me just say that I have a pretty great group of kids. They're largely well-behaved and they keep me laughing.

Without further ado, my kids (minus Miles whose pictures were in the last post, sorry).