September pictures

What a first-born. I walked into the boys' bathroom on picture-day to see why brushing teeth was taking so long. I found first-born, unprompted by anyone, taking it upon himself to make sure little brother looked his best. Hysterical!



Zeke's first birthday present! So exciting!!! I'll have to upload more tomorrow. Evidently uploading these two pictures messed up Joel's online t.v. show. . .

Our First Days of School

Zeke and Ellie helping Emma with a letter puzzle.

Isaac was so excited that he couldn't stop swinging his school supplies around wildly!

First Day of School for Jonah (3rd) and Isaac (1st), the annual pose by the flagpole!

Jonah with some of his Third Grade Pals (Nate, Jonah, Andrew and Luke).

Zeke's First Day of Pre-K by the flagpole. Every year we compare their height against the rope's cleat! Getting taller (40 inches)!!

My brother's wedding

Zeke and Uncle Carter


Hot and exhausted!!

The bride and groom with their beautiful baby, my nephew Carter III.



Ring-bearer Zeke with cousin Flower-girl Hannah.

My guys.




Hannah and Zeke

More later!

Can you say "Announcement Faux Pas"?

Like my friend Sara said today, I had "bad management" with this one! I am so sorry especially that I installed the pregnancy widget on my rarely-updated blog before telling the most important people: the grandparents. I've never had a comment on my blog from anyone except Karen Mirabella and Joel, so I truly didn't think anyone ever checked it.

Yes, it's true, I took a pregnancy test yesterday morning before church, and got 2 pink lines!!! I left it on the bathroom counter for Joel to find at his convenience, and sat down to eat my breakfast, somehow feeling gentler and softer than usual. I knew I had a sweet, sweet secret that nobody else had. Well, any of you who know me are aware that I can't keep a secret for long.

Joel finally woke up and came out to the living room, commenting, "I don't know what's wrong with me; I feel soooo tired." I just chuckled under my breath, thinking, "you just wait." He then went into the bathroom, and came right back out, saying, "You stinker. Come translate this thing for me." I grinned and said, "Congratulations". Joel immediately sat down next to me and hugged and kissed me and put his forehead to mine. After praying for me and thanking God for new life, we opened our eyes and realized the kids were still happily oblivious and playing on the living room floor.

I was so proud of myself for telling only Rhonda at church. She is an extremely trustworthy and medically-trained friend who I knew would pray for me without telling anyone else. After church, however, Joel felt strongly that we go ahead and tell the children. As Joel asked the kids what could be different with mommy, Jonah guessed what was going on, and his sparkling eyes erased any concern of mine that he would resent having another person getting into his stuff. (He actually expressed that concern a few months ago when Joel asked everyone how they would feel if God gave us a new baby.) Isaac pinched his nose and made a comment about upcoming stinky diapers, and Zeke was very excited about becoming a big brother. Zeke strongly expressed that he wants a baby girl.

Since the kids found out a few hours after we did, I knew we'd need to start spreading the news before they did. I am only a week late, about 5 weeks pregnant, with a new baby the size of a grain of rice. Please pray for peace for me about this. I am so excited about this baby. . . I have yearned for and prayed for this event for 3 years now, since Zeke was 18 months old. I am a little bit nervous since my cycles have been changing in my thirties, and I think I may have miscarried a year and a half ago. Pray for a strong and healthy baby and for me to give this new child over to the Lord every day. Lord willing, he or she will arrive in mid-March.

Please leave a comment so I can know who has actually read this.
Love,
shannon

Isaac's 7th Birthday

I praise the Lord that Isaac and I have both survived living in the same house for 7 whole years. After all the close calls, all the terrifying moments when I could only watch him fall or a car speed nearby, I am happy to report that he had a fabulous birthday weekend. Joel rejoiced to share Father's Day with Isaac's Birthday. We had a party on Saturday with his three closest friends, and another family celebration on Sunday with the leftover cake.

The Eubanks visit!!

Last Day of School!!

We made it!! Jonah is a few days away from finishing 2nd grade, yesterday Zeke "graduated" from Little Pelicans, and today Isaac finished Kindergarten. It will be difficult for me to transition to saying I have a Pre-Ker, a 1st Grader and a 3rd Grader!!!