Happy Anniversary!!!

Nine years!! Whew! It has gone by so fast!!! Matt and I celebrated on Saturday since ouranniversary was on a Sunday this year. We went to Texas Roadhouse for dinner (I know...not super-romantic, but the food was REALLY good) and ate and talked. It had been a bit of a rough day...Matt had planned a romantic dinner at the Melting Pot and such, but I inadvertantly messed up the plans because I didn't know that he had anything planned and had talked to Bonnie about babysitting, so he cancelled the babysitter he had, then Bonnie couldn't do it, so we were in a jam and grumpy (not to mention I was hormonal) and so it looked like it was going to be a bumpy night. Thanks be, we kissed and made up and things worked out...however, it was too late to go to the Melting Pot. I felt pretty bad about the whole mix up and of course, cried about it, but we patched things up and went out. Dinner was great and, we had agreed not to do presents for eachother - our night out was our gift - and lo and behold, Matt pulls out a box from Helzburg Diamonds. I sat there stunned and then, of course, got all teary.

Now, you need to understand the impact of this. When we were engaged we looked at rings and it was fun and they were beautiful. But, when it came down to it, I thought that a simple band looked classy and I didn't like the idea of us starting out in debt so that I could have something on my finger. So, after much persuasion, Matt gave in and bought me my wedding band - a simple thin, gold band which he had the jeweler put three small diamonds in it (this was his compromise). I loved it and have loved it since, never needing more. He, however, has always been a little bugged about it, and I told him (this was my closing and winning argument in the ring-issue) that when we could just buy a ring, straight-out, in ten years or so, then that would be the time to get me a ring and I would love that much more. SO......nine years later, in a dimly lit steakhouse :) I open a box and there is a diamond ring. It was beautiful...I felt stunned, ashamed (again revisiting the misunderstanding earlier in the day, not to mention that I honored our agreement to not get gifts for eachother...I stink) amazed and touched by his thoughtfulness and how much he loves me. *sigh* We had it saudered to my wedding band and they look PERFECT together. I'm not much of a jewelry person, but I admit, I find myself turning my hand at just the right angle so I can look at it and watch it sparkle. I DEFINATELY am glad that we waited and did it the way we did - it made it mean that much more. I love you Matt!!!

Christmas Day

For the last few years we spend Christmas morning at home...it's so much fun to be "Santa" now and get things ready for the kids. Matt was up late doing his thing. I have decided that I will no longer stress nor worry about "doing" Christmas, because he already does it and then some. He always blows me away and goes overboard and I've decided that there's no fighting it so I should just sit back and enjoy it. :)

We had the kids' socks on the table and Matt draped a sheet over the room where we had the tree so they couldn't peek. I was impressed that the kids didn't wake us up until 7am. We started out in the kitchen where we opened our socks and had hot chocolate and clementine oranges. Then we went into the living room and all of us (other than Matt) were surprised at the array of gifts. Amongst some of the fun stuff were some bean bags Matt bought for each of the kids...they were a hit. Everyone had fun and I, much to my chagrin, was completely spoiled....Matt got me new pots and pans (stainless steel), some REALLY nice hand lotion and exfoliating creme - my hands are always really dry because I wash them so much. (Note: having used the stuff for a few weeks now, it really works. My hands look younger and are now soft and smooth....almost supple, even.:) a really cute prego sweater, AND, much to my amazement, A KITHEN-AID MIXER!!!!! I love it...I have made so much bread in the last 3 weeks, it's amazing. He also got me two really nice bread pans that are fantastic!!!! I admit, I was teary (he was amazed that I would get choked up over a mixer, but seriously!!!!) I was a little uneasy because I felt his Christmas wasn't as flashy, but that's not what it's about, eh? I DID put a lot of thought into what I would get him and he seemed to like it alright. :P He always blows me out of the water though, and it's frustrating....he'll do extra jobs in the summer and never tell me about it, horad the cash for 6 months, and then go nuts at Christmas. He's so fun.

Anywho, later that evening we went to Matt's parent's house where we had a potluck dinner and gift exchange. Good times. It was a perfect day and we are so fortunate to have our family close to us. Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve

We spend every Christmas Eve at my parent's house where we have good food, present exchange and a little program. It was a lot of fun to be with everyone and watch their "performances". Bonnie, Millie and I played our instruments in a little trio (Millie and I on cello, Bonnie on violin) and it sounded pretty darn good! I was impressed with Millie - I had never really heard her play before and she was great! (Bonnie, you already know that I think you rock) :). Andrew played his saxaphone and again, I was blown away. He is amazing. The grandkids sang and Bonnie and I sang too. It was fun. Earlier in the evening we watched "Pee-Wee's Christmas Special" while the food was being prepared. (It's a classic:) Our program was nice though, to get things back on a spiritual side. :) It was a great time and I had a blast being with everyone!

Update...

So, I had my doctor's appointment yesterday. The baby is now head-down (woohoo!) so let's just hope he stays that way! Heartbeat sounds good and I only have one more week to go of "moderate bedrest". (Although my personal goal is to get to 37 weeks...we'll see). So, that was good. I still need to catch up on my posts with Christmas, our anniversary, and Sammi's b-day....I'll get cracking on that. Keith's birthday is in 4 days, Maddi's in one month and Matt's a month and a half!!!! Whew! I've managed to get all prepared for the baby...all I need now is some newborn socks. I'm now focusing on getting through this next week and freezing lots of meals! Good times. Anywho, that's what's up for now!

Thought I had better post something....

I have a lot to post, but, am having trouble working up the desire to sit and do it. I'll get to it soon, I promise. :) Reason for aforesaid lack of desire: As of now, I'm on "moderate bed-rest" as I started having contractions at 31 weeks. (Don't ask me what "moderate bed-rest" means....I don't really know. I'm pretty much supposed to be as much of a couch potato as I can. Hm...with three kids, we'll see how that goes...) I take terbutaline as needed and am pretty much waiting out the next two weeks to get to 36weeks. The baby is in transverse position (sideways) which complicates things more if I WERE to go into preterm labor. *sigh* So, it's hard to think of anything else and I have to be always conscious of what my body is doing, so this stretch of my pregnancy is going VERY slow. I have a hard time not being able to DO things and be normal. But, you hear of women who are on full bedrest for MONTHS so my situation is not terrible. I can do two more weeks. Anywho, I'll get online again soon and post all about our Christmas, Anniversary and Sammi's B-day (all within four days of eachother!!!!)