Update

Okay, I've got you all curious, and I didn't mean to get you crazy like that! The big surprise isn't a pregnancy, adoption, or anything of the sort.

Every year Paige and I drive to NH, get a hotel for a couple nights, and do school shopping. It's a girl thing, and we really enjoy it.

This year, we headed south, but didn't go to NH like Paige thought we were going to do. Instead we drove to the Boston airport, and boarded a plane to Minnesota, to the Mall of America! Woo hoo! We're here, and having a blast. We're headed back to the mall shortly. I totally pulled it off, and she was confused and surprised.

I will post pictures upon my return, and give you the details. I just couldn't keep you guys thinking that it was BIG news, that wouldn't have been fair! It was a big surprise and secret to Paige, and to other people that thought we were just going to NH as usual.

p.s. Midwest airline rocks - they bake and serve warm chocolate chip cookies during the flight! Can you even believe that? Love it!

BIG SECRET

I've been keeping a big secret from my family and friends. It's a good secret, really it is. I couldn't tell- I couldn't take a chance in the wrong person finding out.

I will reveal very soon, I promise!

Sophie's Ride

I haven't had much time to post, but here's a cute picture of Sophia and 'Blue' in the back of the new Volvo wagon. It's red, and has the third, rear facing seat. Sophia and Noah only get to sit in it when it's necessary.

Saturday Paige and I take off for a few days for our annual NH shopping trip. I'm looking forward to it. She's a sophomore this year, hard to believe.

The kids start school September 2nd, and that's when I should be starting my new job. I've been busy getting ready for the new AWANA year (I'm the club secretary), and just getting stuff organized at home.

Oh, and I ditched the blackberry, and got a STRAWBERRY (see earlier post). (A red blackberry). It matches my Volvo 240 wagon. I'm a happy girl. :)

Busy, busy!

First, thank you all for your kind words. It has been hard. I should mention that Noah and Sophia don't know that Diesel is dead, we didn't see the need to upset them. I wouldn't expect anyone that we know to say anything, but just in case - thought I'd mention it.

We've disconnected the home internet, so I'm typing this on the Blackberry. LOVE IT BTW. But, I can't seem to leave comments for people. Please know I'm still reading and following. If anyone has a Blackberry and has figured out how to leave comments, I'd love to know... Thanks!

So, a few things have been going on. Here's the summary:

Sold the Volvo.

Bought another Volvo, one year newer, less than 1/2 the miles, always been garaged and extremely well maintained. It's RED.

Sophia starts pre-K September 2nd. She'll be going 5 days a week in the afternoon, at the elementary school Noah goes to. I'll take her, and she'll ride the bus home with big brother.

Noah's going into 3rd grade- Paige is a Sophomore this year.

Paige and I are going for our yearly school shopping/girls weekend trip to NH next weekend. Sophia will stay home with DH and Noah this year.

I'm going back to work, when the kids start school. I got the job I wanted, and the hours are perfect. I'll have mornings with Sophia, drop her at school then head to work. The pay is good, and the benefits are amazing.

We're down to three adult guineas, and three babies (getting big!). Momma hen is sitting on 12 eggs this time, we'll see...

I'll post some cute pics soon, promise!

Get it right, newspeople... AKA How to pronounce Beijing

Need a good cry?

CLICK HERE.

Stephen Curtis Chapman's first tv interview after the death of his daughter.
Thank you Nicole for sending, I had missed it on TV yesterday morning.
(There's a short commercial before the video starts...)

A Relaxing Day...

Today (okay, it was actually July 17th, when our friends from Alabama were still here) was a relaxing day. Ted, Harry and Noah went to Belgrade to visit our Diesel boy in captivity, and had a *sweet* picnic by a river (can you say MALE BONDING?). Nicole and I took the rest of the gang (minus Paige) into Hallowell for lunch, and then to the Christmas Tree Shop. (it's a New England thing). Go to NICOLE'S BLOG to see more cute pics and get more details.

Lunch at our favorite local Chinese restaurant.

Gracie gets silly with her fortune!

Nicole was so sweet to bring matching dresses for the girls. They were so cute!

Sophia didn't want any part of it, but Noah and Gracie had a blast on the water slide.

The water was ice cold - coming from deep within the well.

Harrison enjoyed getting his feet wet at the bottom of the slide.

What else did we do, Nicole? We went to Isamax for 'world famous' whoopie pies, right? (you may have seen them on Oprah's show) Oh, my memory... good thing I've got all these pictures to remember!

Each morning and evening we spent on the porch, swinging, talking and relaxing. Good times.

Porch Cuteness