One more thing

So I forgot to add in my last post a MAJOR plug for The Boy in the Stripped Pajamas. We watched it last night and it is great (horrific and sad, but great). You should check it out if you haven't.

Day 11

Day 11:

I am thankful I have a husband who cares about his hygiene. I know that sounds funny, but there are plenty of men out there that are just gross! ha Don't get me wrong, Andrew is not afraid to get dirty, especially when it comes to working outside; but he also enjoys a shower, deodorant, and a clean shave when he gets inside. I like my manly-man who is sensitive and well-groomed!

P.S. Today we decided to tell everyone Baby C #3's name............... Boy Clendenin. HA You really thought I was going to tell you! wink Ceilidh is pretty persuasive for Boy. We have gone through a litany of names with her.

Us: "Do you like yadda, yadda?"
Ceilidh: "No."
Us: "What is the baby's name then?"
Ceilidh: "Boy"

This conversation has occurred several times! ha

Who am I ?

Well........ the new addition to our family will be wearing a lot of BLUE! We are having a BOY!!! Aunt Lauren asked that I specifically mention she was the only one that guessed correctly! ha Way to go Lauren. Today was wonderful. Other than the office being INCREDIBLY behind, everything went really well. Baby Boy Clendenin is measuring right on schedule for 18 weeks; and by ultrasound we could tell that he has been swallowing, urinating, and the four chambers of his heart are functioning correctly. I am really thankful for this great report, especially during this week. Thanks for all the prayers that have been lifted for us and this little boy!

Day 12:

I am thankful that Andrew is a provider. I am grateful that I get to contribute financially to our marriage; but I have never been expected to, nor asked to. I am more grateful for your spiritual and emotional provision, but I hope you always know how thankful I am that you allow me to stay at home with our babies!

Day 13

Day 13:

I love Andrew as a friend. I love having our own inside jokes, deep conversations, incredibly stupid but fun conversations, laughing together, crying together... in a nutshell, living with him!

P.S. You have T-minus 15 hours to get your guess in! wink

Day 14/ Gender?

Day 14:

This relates to my last post, but I am thankful that I have a husband who not only is interested in being active in his children's lives, but mine as well. Andrew hasn't missed one Dr.'s appt. yet (Thank you Ms. Torrinie and Cindy for helping cover his classes). He has actually taken the day off Tuesday so he can be with me for the entire ultrasound and then appointment afterward.

Speaking of having an ultrasound Tuesday, if the baby cooperates we will know the sex after our appointment!!! What do you think? I think we might keep names to ourselves again with this pregnancy, but we will reveal the sex. I would love to know your guesses! Make sure you reply before Tuesday evening!

Uh Oh!

If you have ever come to visit Moore County, you probably have been warned by us to watch your speed in both Whispering Pines and Southern Pines. Now I am in total agreement with following the laws of the land, in this case the speed limit. Whispering Pines though is quite reputable about their INSANE adherence to the speed limit. I know a couple from our church that got a ticket for going 37 in a 35. I mean come on.

Well, knowing all this, I usually am very careful driving to dance and back. In four years of driving to Southern Pines almost everyday, I have never even had a close call. Saturday changed it all. frown

They are building something new on the right hand side of the road and I still haven't figured out what it is (if you are from here and know, please let me know... it is driving me nuts). Anyways, I will admit I wasn't paying attention to the speed limit and I knew parking for Spring Fest would be atrocious, so I was trying to get there quickly. All the sudden I see blue lights and think, "Oh, I will slide over a little and let him pass to get where he is going." HA! The cop kept sliding over WITH me! haha

My heart immediately drops and you realize that you are THAT person that everyone else is staring at when they drive by. He gets out of his car and I sigh a LITTLE sigh of relief b/c thankfully I sort of know him. He gets to the window and says, "Hi, do you realize you were doing 45 in a 35." I actually didn't realize it and I apologize to him. He asks where I was going and then asks for my license and registration. While I am getting the requested items, I say, " Don't I know you?" He says that I look familiar and I ask if his wife is such and such, yadda yadda.

He and his wife were the couple who literally were making an offer on our house LAST September and were going to meet us at the attorney's office to draw up the contract the next day. Someone in their family offered them land instead so they just didn't call us for several days. I finally had to call them and she very reluctantly told me the situation. I think she was embarrassed we had gotten so far, and then was backing out. You owe me buddy! ha No, in all seriousness, he was very kind and just gave me a verbal warning. Wheww!

On the way home I literally did 30 the whole way! ha

Day 16/ Day 15

So, it seems that I am not doing so well in my encouragement! ha It has been really busy around here!

Day 16:

I am thankful that Andrew is so generous. We always joke about how stingy he can be, (he is very good about penny-pinching), but he is very generous with me. Just this week, in the midst of not be able to eat hardly anything, he brings home three HUGE favorites of mine: Cheetos (yes, I love Cheetos), California rolls (cucumbers and avocado, YUM!), and last night he grilled me a steak. I mean come on; what more could I ask for!

Day 17:

I am thankful my children have a father who wants to be actively involved in their lives. Andrew hardly ever complains about having to keep Ceilidh alone for long periods of time. He drives 40 minutes one way every Tuesday and Thursday to pick Ceilidh up from dance. Today, I had a speaking engagement in the morning and then a dance commitment in the afternoon. Andrew kept Ceilidh from 8:15am until 3pm today without one complaint. Doing the parent thing by yourself is hard enough, especially when you are the parent that doesn't do it everyday. Thank you for your selflessness.

Fasting

Andrew has been talking for quite a while now about taking part in a fast. A few weeks ago, after talking with a good friend about one called "Daniel's Fast," he decided he wanted to do it. He could MUCH better explain the idea around this fast, but essentially it is the fast Daniel did as well as Meshach (sp?), Shadrach (sp?), and Abednego (sp?). "Leavened" things, meat, dairy, sugar, additives, plus A LOT more; are not allowed in your diet to symbolize ridding your life of sin and junk.

Obviously being pregnant I can not do the fast with him. Therefore, I want to find another way to encourage him through the next 17 days (he started on Monday). This week has already been hard enough when I am eating dinner and he can't have what I am having. So... though it won't satisfy his desire for certain foods, I am going to write something everyday that I am thankful for in regards to Andrew. I want him to know that I am supporting him all the way even if it isn't in the eating department!

Day 17:
I am thankful for a husband who loves Jesus even more than he loves me. I am thankful that though we definitely worry about life, we worry WAY less than we would if we didn't have Christ to lean on. I know my steps have been directed and I am thankful that Andrew trusts in that and he encourages me to trust in that. I love you Andrew!

Girl Time!

Last Friday before Andrew's orientation weekend; Kristen, Amanda, and Maddy came to visit and let me ride back to Raleigh with them. I really love these two women, and Ceilidh is obsessed with Madelynn! We had great conversation that lasted through dinner with the Clarks, Coxs, and Baileys; and into wee hours of the night at Jared and Kristen's house. Ceilidh wasn't too sure about sleeping at "Kissten's" house at first, but she actually laid down AWAKE on a "big girl" bed and fell asleep by herself! I was really proud of her.

Kristen and Amanda came down in time to have lunch in Carthage, which resulted in Ceilidh feeding Maddy! ha Maddy can EAT! She was making me laugh so hard. I walked into the kitchen to get something to drink, and find Ceilidh happily feeding Maddy yogurt when I walk back into the dining room!






Maddy just turned one and we unfortunately missed her bday party. I loved this picture of them at her party though. Can't wait to play with you again Madelynn!!

Just a little Monday Humor

This afternoon, Andrew was telling me about a transition meeting he had today with a non-English speaking parent. As we were talking, I busted out laughing remembering a funny story from my days as a teacher assistant. Many of you may not know how much I love the Spanish language and how much I love to TRY (operative word) to use my limited skills.

Well, I had one sweet little girl named Maria in our class who I LOVED! She was adorable, and so sweet. She was actually one of our lower students, even having trouble in her heart language. Her mom spoke limited English, enough for me to try out my Spanish skills and her to laugh at me.... and me to help her with her English pronunciations. Everything written we sent home with the students, I tried to accurately translate for them. Most everything was relatively easy; until the big "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" field trip.

Some of the sentence structures were over my head translation wise with the information sheet and permission slip so I decided to use Babel Fish to help. Babel Fish is an online translation tool that you can type in English and it automatically translates for you. I finished her permission slip and sent it home over a weekend. That Monday her mom shows up with a cake and laughing at me. (She made several cakes for me that year- I really loved this family!) Apparently, my slip asked permission for myself and the lead teacher to take Maria turkey hunting using real guns! HAHA My lead teacher never let me live it down! Of course, AFTER I send this slip home, the ESL teacher tells me, "yay, babel fish isn't that reliable." Thanks a little late! ha

Separation makes the heart grow fonder

So today was the first day in a while that Zion has come to play in the morning. Last week, he was sick with strep the whole week except for one day. Then this week has been Moore County School's spring break until makeup snow days starting today. Ceilidh woke up this morning talking about "funny Zi Zi." ha She was pretty excited that he was coming. When Zion got here this morning, he even seemed excited to be seeing us! woohoo

They played probably the most well-behaved they have EVER played before. We ran around the playground, ate ONE cookie (it was a sugar cookie Lyd.. no Easter candy, wink), and read books all morning. I haven't felt the best this week, so it was definitely a nice welcome back to real life for them to have a good day. I think the separation made them anxious to see each other!

On a slightly different note, but just as exciting, I have started feeling the baby move! I started feeling little "popcorn" like tinglings about a week and a half ago. They have continued to get stronger and more frequent over the last couple of weeks. We literally have about a week and a half and we can know the sex of this baby (if he/she cooperates)!!!! I think I am actually more excited to find out with this baby than I was with either Ceilidh or the anticipation with Kenan. We decided from the beginning we wanted to know, (the other two I wasn't convinced I wanted to know), and I think when you wait that long to find something that life altering out; it is almost unbearable the few days leading up to the big event! ha

As exciting as all this development is: feeling the baby move, wearing maternity clothes, my belly button doing that weird pregnant belly button thing, etc; it is all starting to bring some of my experience with Kenan back to reality. I will be 17 weeks on Monday, and I delivered Kenan at 19 weeks. My midwife believes that Kenan probably died somewhere between 16 and 18 weeks before we found no heartbeat that Saturday morning. It is amazing what you look back and realize after the fact. We had no clue that something was wrong with Kenan. But looking back, I wasn't gaining weight as fast as I have this time, I wasn't feeling him move a lot (chalking it up to it being pretty early to feel movement), my belly button wasn't doing the stretchy thing, yadda yadda. I mean obviously, even if I had been more aware, there is nothing we could have done unfortunately. Maybe the Lord was keeping me "in the dark" so I wouldn't deal with all the anxiety plus the grief... just the grief. Who knows? I just know that I am thankful for every little "popcorn" tingle I have!

The "Bird" Song

Ceilidh's bedtime consists of changing diaper/clothes, reading a couple books, singing a couple of songs, and then she lays down with a book in her crib. Usually the requested songs are: Jesus Mommy (Jesus loves me... loves me sounds like mommy to her I guess! haha), Jesus Children ( Jesus loves the little children), and she has asked for the "Bird" Song the last two weeks. Andrew nor I have had ANY clue what the "Bird" Song was. I asked her several times to sing me the song to me, but still couldn't figure out what she was singing. Poor thing has her mother's dilemma when it comes to singing. When you don't know the words, make them up! ha She sings, " Jesus mommy this I know, for the bible tells me so. Water to him belong, he is strong, they are weak, but he is strong. Yes, Jesus Mommy. Yes, Jesus Mommy. Yes, Jesus Mommy. The bible tells me so."

So anyways, back to the "Bird" Song. Finally, two nights ago I caught a glimpse of "to you." AH HA!!! The "Birthday" Song! She has been asking us to sing, "Happy Birthday to you!" hahaha She asks you to sing to everyone also. You have to tell her before you start singing, "We are only singing to two people tonight." haha

Mystery Solved!

Happy Easter!

This was such a beautiful day to celebrate our Lord's resurrection! A bit chilly, but really pretty. I have so much to be incredibly thankful for, but I hope I remember to never place more importance on anything over the meaning of Jesus' resurrection on the third day. Praise his name that he laid down his life, so that I could have a personal relationship with God while on earth, and can commune with him forever in heaven!

Obviously we are trying to teach Ceilidh the importance of Easter's true meaning; but she can enjoy the egg hunts as well! ha She actually is quite the little hunter. Pops and Nana hid eggs MULTIPLE times so Ceilidh could continue to "find eggs." haha Thank you for your patience and persistence Pops and Nana.


Nana and Ceilidh


Pops, ZZ, and Ceilidh


Our last Easter just the three of us




Easter Egg time!






She is a master egg hunter


This could have helped with her skills, Zion and Ceilidh were "cheating" the first go-around! ha

One more Zoo trip

I haven't been to the Zoo since I moved to this area, but this week I went twice! ha Monday, Ceilidh and I went with a few moms and kids from my bible study. It really was a lot of fun. We walked the ENTIRE Zoo and saw absolutely everything. It was good to get to know these ladies a little more. I only started attending this study in January and they all go to church together, so I don't really know them outside of the study. All I heard the whole day was, "More, mommy, More!" (More animals) She was literally laughing out loud at some of the animals like the monkeys. When I asked her what animal she liked the best, she told me she liked "the elephants, a lot", and then she started listing everything else we had seen that day. So essentially, she liked EVERYTHING! haha The "choo choo train" (tram that runs inside the park) came in a close second to the animals! Again, lots of pictures. Sorry, ha.


She was mimicing the gorilla eating


There is a playground at the Zoo, she really liked this part as well!










This guy was a performer! He stayed right at the window and hamed it up!




Alex, Tad, Ceilidh, and Lilah Mae

Palm Sunday

Last Sunday we got a big treat. Chris, Neisha, Ethan, Lauralei, Gracelyn, and Lily (still in belly) came to visit all the way from Norway. My entire family hasn't been together in quite a while. It really was great to see everyone and let all the cousins play together. Chris and Neisha drove through Asheboro today on their way to the beach for a few days. This post has A LOT of pictures. Sorry, I should have blogged before today! ha


Not the best idea for someone with such sensitive skin, but she was having a blast!


Cute naked Gracelyn


Ceilidh is in LOVE with "Waurawi"


One last picture before leaving the Zoo


Happy couple expecting number 4


Roaring like a lion on top of an elephant


SO SWEET!










Birthday girl, Holly, and Gracelyn


She was in heaven with all of her older girl cousins

So much to post

We have had a VERY busy couple of days so I will post a few posts over the next few days, but I just wanted to quickly say, Happy Birthday Holly (Sunday), Happy Anniversary Sum and Derek (2 years), and Happy 1st Birthday Maddy!!!

Way to go Roy and Boys!!!!

"Hark the sound of Tarheel voices, ringing clear and true..." I never doubted! I'm proud to be a Tarheel ALWAYS, but especially last night!!! Way to go National Champions!

National Championship game... here we come!!!

Ok, so that I don't sound like a ridiculous fan, I won't even mention our HORRIBLE free throws. I will just say GO HEELS!!!! And in the words of our starting 5, " We're back.....!"

Sidenote to Jared: Andrew is considering joining the Wayne train! ha

Our hometown/ The true heros

I haven't posted anything about the Carthage Nursing Home shootings yet, b/c I have been trying to figure out how and what I wanted to say. I am sure everyone by now has heard about the man who walked into the Pinelake Rehabilitation Center Sunday morning, killing 8 and injuring 3 more. Thank you to the ones of you who have emailed us to say you are praying for our town. This whole situation is pretty unbelievable, especially since we literally live less than a mile from this nursing home and all 5,000 (obvious exaggeration, wink) police, ambulances, and firemen flew by our house Sunday morning while we were getting ready for church.

Though everyone that we knew of in the nursing home is safe, my heart is still extremely heavy for the victims family, our town, and the sense of security that was stripped from the residents and staff at the home that day. This was a senseless act of violence that has really shaken our town.

Every press conference that our chief of police and DA have conducted, they have both seemed nervous, unrehearsed, and at a loss for words (little town dealing with big town issues). We know a lot of our friends don't understand why we live here, but that is exactly the reason we do. I am thankful that I live in a town where our chief of police is at a loss for words over something like this, b/c things like that don't happen here. I would much rather live here where this is a tragedy vs. the desensitized norm. As funny as they may sound and look dealing with big time issues, I am actually pretty proud of our small town law enforcement.

I really wrote this post though, to say I believe the true heroes in this situation were the nursing home staff. I haven't heard one word on the news about the staff members who were getting residents in rooms, bathrooms, and out of hallways. Yes, Justin Garner, the policeman who shot Robert Stewart, is definitely a hero. What about all the staff risking their lives to secure these defenseless residents though? The one staff member who was killed was actually running back and forth between the main building and the locked down Alzheimer's hall to secure as many residents as he could. On one of his trips back to get more people, Robert Stewart killed him. These are the people we need to be touting as heroes.

Not to sensationalize anything, but please do remember our little town, especially the ones who have lived here their whole life.