Sunshine on a Cloudy Day

When it's rainy and awful at the end of May, life can seem a bit dreary. Fortunately, moments like this one are instant sunshine.

A Pregnant Pause

In my spare time, I've been pouring over clawfoot tub styles, sink faucets, and most importantly, our architect's plans for our little addition/remodel project that should be underway soon.

On Saturday we met with one of the contractors who is providing a bid for the project. As she was discussing the stress of a remodel project, she commented that two of her clients this year have been pregnant women who were needing the work to be done quickly in order to be completed before the baby's arrival. I nodded, thinking, "I know where she must be going with this," and subconsciously rubbed my little kicking belly.

Instead, she shocked me by saying, "As you can imagine, those were quite stressful projects with that kind of impending deadline. I'm sure you don't want to place your project under such stressful constraints."

Curtis and I exchanged a glance. Clearly, we thought it was obvious that I am pregnant. Apparently, it just looks like I enjoy more than my fair share of cookies. And her comment didn't exactly lend itself well to an announcement that we, also, have an impending arrival...

So, what's a girl to do in such an awkward circumstance? I'm not proud to admit it, but I scooted my chair closer to the dining room table and sucked my stomach in and continued on with the discussion about spacing between studs and subcontractor schedules. But, talk about a pregnant pause...

Newest Slugger

A snapshot of our latest shortstop. She loves playing t-ball with her team of pals and having her dad as one of the coaches...so much so that after the last inning at last night's game, she came to me with a frown and said, "Why does it have to be over so soon?"

Super Seven

Our watermelon-loving Mary turned SEVEN yesterday, as unbelievable as that sounds. We awoke to beautiful blue skies and sunshine, reminiscent of her actual birth day seven years ago.

In addition to her own watermelon cake, she celebrated with sweet cupcakes shared by cousin Chiara and Uncle Tom, her birthday buddies. And, we ended the day enjoying the last hours of sunshine, with Mary taking her new roller skates for a roll around the block!

And it's official...

Emily is getting MARRIED!!!!

Yep, Ben proposed, she accepted, and it looks like a May 2012 Alaskan wedding is in the works!! We are overjoyed for them both. And we hope not to scare Ben off with any wedding hi jinx (yes, family pranksters, you know who you are!).

Here's a snapshot of "Bemily" (as Curtis dubbed them) on the far left in this cousin photo from the fabulous San Juan festivities (fire marshalls and all) of Zan and Janna.

No more prickles

Ever since Elk hunting season, way back in November, Curtis retained his (very prickly) beard. He claimed that he needed it for warmth during rainy, chilly bike commutes to and from work. But, he promised to shave it once Portland hit 70 degrees.

Well, today was our lucky day. We got to enjoy a soccer game under beautiful blue skies and then weeding and planting the raised beds with glorious sunshine on our shoulders.

Of course, there was one other fantastic result of the gorgeous day: a shaved Curtis! Lucy was overjoyed to kiss a nonprickly cheek!

Spring has Sprung

It's our second consecutive day of glorious blue sky, and signs of spring are all around: the blooming tulips, the grass growing faster than Lucy's hair, and the joy of awakening to birds chirping in the morning light.

Papa made birdhouses for the cousins, and our home is now proudly perched waiting for its first nesters. Now, time to get the garden planted...