ain't gone 'n' give up on love

Owen is kicking to the beat of this SRV song. As we speak. Seems like we've got a little musician brewing :)

beautiful

Saturday my love and I were walking out of Dillard's and a woman was staring at me. Very obviously. I turned my head after we passed to see what she was looking at. It was me.

Moments later she said, "Your belly is so beautiful. You are so beautiful."

It was single most wonderful, sweetest, beautiful thing a stranger has ever told me. My belly is beautiful. And it is. I cried because I was happy. I cried because of her kind words. And I cried for the beautiful little creation in my belly.

This makes every pound I have gained, and every pound I may not lose worth it.

Because my belly is beautiful. Thank you Dillard's woman.

(me, 26 weeks and 5 days. i will be 27 weeks on monday)

(My view, from the top down.)

mmm, orange

I dusted the furniture today with a new polish, something with orange in it. Romulus came inside and proceeded to lick my coffee table. I guess it tasted good. 

Another testament that he is good training before we have a baby. 

Once Owen is up and moving around, no more orange furniture polish. 

253

The magic number of kids in Mitchell's band this year. Two-hundred-and-fifty-three 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students all with a musical instrument in their hand.

God bless my husband!

can't

I can't see my toes when I look down.

I can't paint my toe nails... without becoming extremely uncomfortable.

I can't put my finger in my belly button... almost.

I can't wear my engagement or wedding band.

I can't fasten my sandals.

NS09

Last night we hosted a NSO family for dessert. We had so much fun with the JAWS family. Everyone was so friendly, and talkative, and grateful. They were the sweetest. Proof that HSU has the best students.

We're sitting in the living room talking, 4 girls went outside to play with Romulus, and one girl who was a bit chihuahua-hyper was sitting looking at my wedding album. She's flipping through the pages, stops, and says, "You were SO skinny."

I looked up at her with a blank look on my face and said, "What?"

"You were so skinny, you know before you got pregnant."

"Well," I said, "I am growing another human being in my body, but thanks... I think."

Yeah, haven't heard that one before.

good morning

I loved waking up to my baby moving around in my tummy.

I loved waking up Mitchell to feel his son dancing and greeting the morning.

16 more weeks, my sweet Owen until we meet. 16 more weeks until we get to snuggle, and hug, and kiss, and love on each other.

bring it

So, picture this people. I'm out in the front yard with dad and uncle Richard, sanding down the end tables, working hard and two dogs pass by. Two pit bulls walking their owner. Now, I'm not one to show off, but they walked right in front of my house. What do I do? I start barking, like a mad man. 

Everyone thought it was funny for some reason, and dad tells me to sit down. Why? They are in my territory now, pit bulls! Mom says one of those dogs could have taken me with 3 legs tied behind his back. Yeah right, did they see me. I'm huge. I may require a little pampering, and a soft bed, but I am tough. 

Pit bulls, yeah right! 

dear salesman

Here are some pointers for the next sales person who calls my office to schedule an appointment.

1. Don't refer to my business by the wrong name throughout our entire phone conversation.
   
2. Don't call me back 10 minutes later, laughing, and insisting you know what my business name is.
   
3. Don't show up 40 minutes late. (I am busy and don't have time to wait for you.)
4. Your first action in my office shouldn't be to hand me your business card and snicker while you say, "So, you won't forget who I am." (Don't worry, I won't. You're already making a memorable statement.)
5. Don't give me excuses about your tardiness.
6. Don't quote statistics about that other business you referred to me as, and when I correct you, don't ask if I am sure.
7. Don't ask what our marketing plans are and they insult one of them. I promise I know more about what you think you are talking about, and what's good for my business.
   
8. Please remember to tell me exactly what you do, and how you can help me. Because remember, you were late and are wasting my time.
9. Yes, I gave you my card and agreed for you to send me more information, but beware. That email you send will go automatically to my trashcan.
   
10. And no, I will not be calling you back.
    

Sincerely,
Amanda Etter

dear romulus

Thank you for leaving dog hair all over my shirt and pants so that I can remember you all day long. And thank you for leaving some in the bag with all the baby clothes. I am sure Owen will appreciate it when he's here. Make sure to make the bed when you get up from sleeping.

Love,
Your Loyal Owner

i'm crafty

Thanks, Leianne. It's true... I am crafty!

colour my world

31 years ago my parents got hitched in the big town of Canyon, Texas, where they met and fell in love.

I LOVE, LOVE their story. Daddy played football at WT, mom was a year younger and supposed to tutor him. Because you know - football players need tutors. She didn't like him at first, but fell in love with his swing as he walked.

Mom says (until this date) I hated to see your daddy go, but love to watch him leave.

My parents have the most beautiful, passionate, loving relationship I have ever known. Growing up I knew if I could be as half as happy as the are, I would truly be blessed. I have found that love in a man that The Lord brought to me. And I know what it is, because my parents always put their love in Christ and in themselves first. They were and are a Godly display of His love for our family.

Happy Anniversary mom and daddy. We love you!

we're real excited about the band here and at CLACK

http://www.reporternews.com/news/2009/aug/10/band-camps-up-and-running/

“We typically have about 50 kids in each class,” Johnson said. “This year we’ve got between 75 and 85 freshmen. We have got great middle school directors, and we’re really excited about band here and at Clack and Madison middle schools. I couldn’t be any more proud.”

CHS senior drum major Garrett Flippo credits the instruction in the middle schools (MITCHELL) for the interest and quality shown by the freshmen.

Those would be the students my love teaches at CLACK. And freshman he taught from his first year of teaching at Madison!!!!

lessons from romulus

In the almost two years of being a mommy to a 120 pound great dane named Romulus I have learned many lessons about parenting and becoming a parent.  

1. Cover your outlets with those stopper things. If not they will be licked like an ice cream cone. 
2. Don't share your bed. Once you start you or he can never stop sleeping there. 
3. Don't feed them food they aren't supposed to have because they won't eat there own food. 
4. Don't leave your personals on the bed, or anywhere else they can reach. Because they will be dragged outside to play tug of war.
5. If you don't play and walk them everyday, and give a SUFFICIENT amount of attention, they get cranky and tired. Just like me. 
6. Don't leave brownies on the table, counter or anywhere else for that matter. They will disappear before you get to eat one. 
7. Unless you want to be slapped, take them outside to use the restroom frequently. 

sing Your praises

"O LORD, you have searched me and you know me.

You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.

You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.

Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD.

You hem me in—behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me.

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.

Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?

If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.

If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea,

even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.

If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,"

even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,

your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!

Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with you."

Psalm 139:1-18

woopie

We are going to order our bedding tomorrow for Owen. I am SO, UBER excited! You can see the bedding on this web page. If the link doesn't go through, go to the homepage, Over the Moon Bedding, then Adam. That is the bedding. Without the blue swirly print and with orange, probably in the fitted sheet.

I can't believe this - I can't wait to see it. Today we also got a dresser/changing table for the room. It is going to be perfect.

Things are coming together so quickly!!!

"You, O LORD, keep my lamp burning;
my God turns my darkness into light.

With your help I can advance against a troop;
with my God I can scale a wall.

As for God, his way is perfect;
the word of the LORD is flawless.
He is a shield for all who take refuge in him.

For who is God besides the LORD ?
And who is the Rock except our God?

It is God who arms me with strength
and makes my way perfect. "

Psalm 18:28-32

it smells so good

I am sitting here smelling some diapers. I didn't just go buy diapers to smell then, although I probably would. No, I got them from the store when we registered. 

They are so sweet and small and smell incredibly good. I'll bring them over to you so you can experience this. Or you can just go buy your own diapers.