2 Little Indian Girls

This week, we have been learning about the first Thanksgiving. The girls have a little background knowledge of the Native Americans b/c of my Dad's passion for the Mountain Men and their relationship with the Indians. The girls had a blast reading books, watching Pocahontas (ok, not real educational, but it was about Indians) and decorating their own buckskins. I could not get them to let me teastain their dresses, but they turned out cute anyways. LE really got into the Indian writings, she worked on her symbol drawings for over an hour.

email about homeless outreach

I was unable to go downtown last weekend, but received this encouraging e-mail about recent events I had to share~

Today my church worked along side MHMR on serving Thansgiving Dinner to those from our city. There were several individuals I recognized and was able to speak with because I met them when I went down with you guys from Celebration. I did see the woman known as Red today. Kristi she wanted me to let you know she moved into her own home in East Austin and God is truly blessing her. She said God was blessing her with the different furniture that she needs and she was very thankful and excited to share with me. I wanted to let you know that victory report and let you know you have truly touched so many hearts. I wish you both well and a Happy Thanksgiving! Hopefully, I'll see you guys in December.


Be blessed!
Virgil

Happy Birthday Mimi!

Happy Turkey Day

Sorry for the delay, but Happy Turkey Day!

room update - bed

Rain, wind, no help from Mommy and poison ivy could not stop Daddy from finishing the girl's bed. In August, we bought furniture from a friend (school desk, my desk and Cargo furniture). I was apprehensive about the Cargo furniture only b/c of the color. I knew it was great furniture, but it was the Cargo brown and I wanted the girls to have white furniture. They were still using their baby furniture (dressers) which are black and about to be used by another RFF baby. Ben worked many weekends to sand, prime and paint, but this week he was finally able to finish. When we took the girl's day bed down, LE cried, we were worried. She no longer wanted a "ladder bed" but wanted her big girl bed. She went downstairs for lunch & when she came back upstairs Ben had it assembled. They loved it. In the next few weeks, Daddy will finish the rest of the furniture. We moved it to the garage so he can work on it, wind or rain at least.
This furniture was purchased by the family that I was a Nanny for in high school and college. The boys, our ring bearers, were pre-k/kinder age and now one is working on his masters and the other is a college sophomore. I love being able to use it with the girls. Thanks Craig and Chris.

Bella's bday dinner

I know this is not the best thing to be raising my girls to do, but man, they love to kill bugs with their Daddy. 
For Bella's bday dinner, we went to where else, but Chuck E. Cheese.  My new camera takes video, so here is a clip of some good ole Texas bug killing.

another update

As I told you, I have been feeling pretty crummy for several days, more than just pregnancy crummy.  On Sunday, that developed into something else and then Tuesday that turned into something else and yesterday that turned into spending the morning in a surgeon's office.  I am feeling much better this morning, but I am on some great meds.  I am so thankful for a believing doctor and now a great surgeon and an amazing husband.  Please continue to lift us up in prayers, but especially that baby stays happy, healthy and comfortable for a few more days while I heal.

Green Eggs and Ham Baby Shower

 My cousin, Anna and friend, Natalie hosted a sweet brunch for me and our little boy this past weekend. The theme - Green Eggs and Ham. It was a great morning with friends and family. He got some great things, just one thing more to mark off my list before he comes.

My Bella Boo Bunny

baby #3 countdown

I have not been feeling real hot the past few mornings.  Breakfast has been a struggle to get down, can usually do cereal, not good going to a dr appt. 
At my appointment Friday, found out I have begun to dilate. I am sure that means something, but with the girls not so much, so will get excited when I start progressing.  He also had some concerns about how easily he could "feel" the baby.  He put me on the sonogram machine and discovered I was leaking amniotic fluid.  Then, I got on the stress test, which this baby does not like at all.  He kicked, squirmed, and had a good ole party the entire time I got to lay peacefully in a big comfy recliner; no sleep b/c of the Zumba class occuring in my uterus.  After the test, he sent me across the street to the fetal medicine office, so they could "squeeze" me in for a more formal sonogram.  Remember, upset stomach and 2 bites of toast, now noon, starving Mama, one hour wait to be seen.  Baby will not move, will not practice breathe, just sleeps.  They discover I am not "leaking" fluid, but they need to see him practice breathe.  Nope, not for 45 minutes.  We did get to see that he is still a boy, and he has a head full of hair.  Left the office and the stinker gets the hiccups for like 15 minutes.  So, he is a Neal/Richards and is already doing things on his own time.  He is head down and weighs 6 lbs 4oz.  I am excited to see his head full of hair.

special gifts

Thank you Gigi and PopPop for all of my special gifts. My jammies are super soft, my new favorite cuddle bug is Angelina and I have watched Toy Story 3 twice.

Pooh Bear birthday

Bella's best friend is her Pooh Bear.
We had a great time celebrating Boo Bear's Pooh Bear Party. Thanks to all of her friends and family who made the day so wonderful. Special thanks to Mimi for the Pooh Bear Cake Pops, yummy cupcakes and Pooh Bear birthday cake.  She had so much fun! You could have not asked for a more beautiful day.

baby #3 update

I am now going to the doctor every Friday.  I have to have a stress test every week now (my age) and he has started "measuring" me, but no news to report there.  I have found out that I am anemic, no surprise known that for 5 years and I have a potassium, calcium and magnesium deficiency, thus the Gatorade cravings.  I have had very bad charlie horses for the past two weeks and woken up with cricks in my neck and a sharp piercing pain in my abdomen, which is the result of the deficiencies.  I have not gained weight in 3 months, and my belly is now measuring 31 weeks, so he is growing.
I started having contractions last weekend, but nothing consistent and then this weekend they stopped.  Today I have had a handful, probably b/c I worked out this morning and then the girls and I walked/rode bikes to the mail boxes.  I slept really well last night and being able to get an extra hour of sleep was awesome this morning.  It made a huge difference in my day.
I discovered this weekend I do not need much, just a masseuse, housekeeper, personal chef, nanny, shopper, and homeschool teacher for my girls over the next few weeks.  I was very thankful my mom was here yesterday b/c she entertained the girls, made us a pot of chicken and spaghetti and cleaned my kitchen.  

Missions Monday - 10 to give 10

You can bring Christmas to a child who has nothing.

Give your $10 to make this Christmas unforgettable for one precious child by clicking here.

I am hoping 10 friends will give $10 to the children of Children's Cup.  PLEASE don't be shy and let me know if you participate. 

She's 4

finishing touches

We finally finished our birdhouse. It turned out even cuter than I envisioned. Hopefully it will make a bird a nice home for the winter.

Halloweekend

On Friday night, the girls drew out their pumpkin faces. LE drew the cat and Daddy carved, Bella drew a bunny that Daddy interpreted.
Saturday night, I worked the YMCA's Halloween fest. We raised over $21,000 for children scholarships to the gym and its sport programs. I worked with the seniors and they raised over $340 selling hot chocolate and baked goodies.
Sunday night, we went to our friends from church, the Tangumas. We trick or treated and grilled burgers. LE said "trick or treating is the best thing EVER." Bella said in response to a skeleton. "there's a bone head."

baby bedding

We have the baby bed ready, car seat figured out and now a camera. Just waiting for the baby.