Sweet Surprises

Before I get to the heart of today's post, I'd like to apologize for the following recent transgressions on my part:

1. Writing this in my May 30th post:

"Apparently, I am in the middle of a new wave of everyone I know having babies at one time! It's such a pity that my children will not have any kids their own age to play with, as I will not be joining any of you any time soon."

2. Signing up for insurance that mandates a 12 month waiting period for maternity coverage, in a futile effort to save a few bucks.

3. Smugly making this comment to a highly fertile friend:

"I don't know if I'd risk going without maternity coverage on your insurance if I were you. I mean, that sort of thing would work fine for Cline and I, but *you're* taking quite a risk."

4. Doubting the commonly held sentiment: "When God closes a door, He opens a womb." Oh wait... it's "window." Hmmm... what's that condition some females have that can cause memory problems and clumsiness (not a good combination when you're trying to pack a house - I'm just saying)... think it lasts about 9 months??

5. Painting the closest room to our bedroom bright pink, thinking Christa would be the only one using it for a while.

6. Wondering how in the world my sister-in-law was going to take care of a newborn and a toddler all the time, and thinking she'd never be able to leave the house with her hair still intact.

7. Telling Cline that I've gotten used to driving a baby around in a sedan, so maybe we should hold off on the minivan for a couple of years, until some new technology improves the fuel efficiency.

8. Recently telling a pregnant friend who has a 4 year old, "I like your style. I think I'll space my kids out, too. Three to four years sounds like the way to go for me!"

9. Applying to go on an intense 6-day mission trip this fall, thinking that this might be a good year to guarantee that I would be neither pregnant nor breastfeeding.

10. FINALLY dropping 5 pounds of post-pregnancy weight after months and months of trying.

So, just in case you haven't figured it out, already (or you're pretty oblivious like I am and like to have things spelled out for you), Christa is going to be a big sister soon! We received this sweet news Father's Day weekend. We are thrilled - shocked and thrilled! We are extremely thankful that God has chosen to bless us with such a wonderful gift in his perfect timing. We can't wait to meet "Teeny-Bear" as we affectionately call him or her. I haven't been to the doctor, yet, but we think the due date is around February 22. We announced the happy news at Christa's party on her birthday video. The video showed clips of her first year, set to music, and "credits" scrolled through at the end - i.e. dates and ages she hit various milestones. The final credit read "You're going to make a GREAT big sister!!!"

So... I guess... Shout-out to ME!!

I'll post party pictures soon. A great time was had by all, and Christa did incredibly well, considering she refused her afternoon nap due to all the excitement with the packing. Gotta run - lots of unpacking to do.