First post in 2007

SO we have been so busy with work, school and pregnancy that we have failed in our blogging.

My company has been experiencing a great deal of change with the new CEO and Abby has been trying to get as much time at the hospital as she can handle with the pregnancy, but as we enter the home stretch of this pregnancy we are both trying to pull back somewhat on our work schedules and focus on being home and with the boys.

The boys have both been more interested in riding bikes and for a while there it was warming up and looked like we would be able to start swimming soon.

Jesse has been out of school for the last two weeks on spring break and I think both he and Abby are ready for school to start and the routine to return. He began piano lessons (thanks to great Grandma!) and seems to be very interested in learning.

Joshua has moved up a level in gymnastics and is finally with a group of boys that have more ability with him. I hope he remains challenged and continues to enjoy this as much as he has been. He is also turning into the world's biggest Star Wars fan. He has been showing more interest in reading and we are doing our best to keep him focused on that.

Abby is extremely busy with the boys and girl. She is a true champion. I can not believe the amount of things she is able to accomplish with a 30 lb beach ball attached to the front of her. As the due date draws nearer the time has seemed to slow and she is ready to be done with this stage and to move on to the next.

I have been working and travelling for work. My dad came down and helped me get our pool and back yard ready for summer after we had a bad freeze this winter. One of my new hobbies has been to introduce the boys to their desert home. We have spent several Saturdays exploring and taking pictures. I will try to post some of them.

We have decided to start looking for a new church as a family. Jesse was not growing and even though it is difficult to start over we needed to do what was best for all family members.

Alita Naomi

We had the ultrasound yesterday and found out we are having a girl! Alita (Uh-lee-ta)Naomi Drinen will join our family in May 2007. She is healthy as far as the ultrasound can detect and quite active. The boys came with us and were mesmerized by the little black and white figure moving around on the screen. Since a sister is what they wanted they are quite happy with the results. John and I are just happy she's healthy and we are excited to go on this new adventure. John asked me on the way home from the doctor, "What do you do with a girl?" "Don't ask me," I replied. "I have sons!" I'm sure we will figure it out and enjoy every minute getting to know our daughter.

Joshua's Quote of the Day

Mom, you smell strange.

Well, isn't that special Josh.

Joshua's Quote of the Day

"Girl football is for pregnant ladies."

Your guess as to what the heck this means is as good as mine.

Turkey Day at the Drinen's

We had a lovely Thanksgiving. Celebrated a couple of days late. Abby worked on Thursday and Friday so we had family over on Saturday to enjoy a Southwestern Thanksgiving meal. John made a turkey but shredded the meat and put it enchiladas! John also made his famous chile rellenos! For sides we had Mexican cornbread, rice with cilantro, southwest bean salad, queso fundido and tomotillo salsa. After all that cookin' we opted for store bought cookies for dessert. John's parents, Gordon and Karen joined us along with John's sister Amy, John's sister Molly, her husband Daniel, John's brother Paul, his wife Amber and their precious new baby Anamarie! With our beautiful weather we ate outside by the pool. We were having so much fun we forgot to take a picture! Shame on us! Well, you will have to use your imagination.

Joshua's Quote of the Day

"Mom, does God bite His tounge sometimes?"

One of the Sweetest Sounds

I FINALLY got to hear the baby's heartbeat in the doctor's office this morning! I don't know why my kiddos hide from the doctor's Doppler. For those who don't know, 8-12 weeks pregnant is normal to hear a heartbeat and I am 15 WEEKS! I heard Jesse's around 11 weeks but Joshua hid until 16 weeks! Who cares? What matters is, my boys are here and healthy and we now know this baby is in good health as far as modern medicine can measure. Ultrasound is in 3-4 weeks and we do plan to find out "blue or pink". I don't want to find out the sex and keep it a surprise like we did with Joshua but it's sheer torture for John. He let me have my way last time so, I figure it's only fair. More baby news as it comes................

Joshua's Quote of the Day

Today, Tuesday, is Mom's first day alone in the house because the kids are in school! On the way to drop Jesse at his school and Joshua at his pre-school Mom and Joshua had this conversation:

Mom: So guys, Mom is going to be all by herself this morning because you will be in school! What do you think I should do?

Joshua: Whatever you want Mom, you are a grown-up!

Yes, I am! I think I'll put my feet up, watch daytime TV and eat bon-bons! I believe I've earned a morning off in the last 6 years. I'll think about housework tomorrow..............

Jesse's First Day of School

Jesse attended his first day of school yesterday. He was very excited in the morning to get going. It was quite strange to have him gone all day! Josh and Mom didn't know what to do with all that time! When I picked him up at 2:55 his face was glowing and shining! He had a huge smile on his face BEFORE he saw me. His teacher said he had an excellent first day. Jesse fit right in to the classroom she said. On the way home Jesse verbalized more than I've ever heard him before on what went on in his day. He told me he went to PE and kicked a ball in the net. He said he made two friends, Wesley and Coby and that they played Superheroes together. And he told me he listened to tapes of books. Jesse said he liked school and he wanted to go back tomorrow. This has been a tough, emotional transition for Mom but it makes it so much easier that he is so happy! School is a hit! God, once again, has taken care of Jesse and blessed him with exactly what he needed when the time was right. Not that we expect any less from our loving Heavenly Father. Amen!

Fall in Flagstaff

John had to travel to St. Louis on business the last week in October so Mama and the boys went to Flagstaff to see the beautiful Fall colors. We had a wonderful time with Grandma and Grandpa! The boys had fun raking leaves, riding bikes, going to the park and watching "March of the Penguins" snuggled up with Grandpa at night.