Counting down...

We have six more weeks until June 2nd... Mark is scheduled for arrival. I am fond of surprises though, so I have calmly shared with him that he is welcome any time before then. It has been fun looking at the little boy clothes and getting used to blues and greens, as opposed to the girls pinks and purples. I have been particularly into browns and oranges... though I am afraid I may turn him into a wild monkey with all my ideas of brown color schemes and personality assumptions.
Last night, Sara Kate was talking to Grandma on the phone and she said, "Mark Dillon is still asleep, but when he wakes up we will cut him out with a knife. But he is asleep in the blood right now, so mommy's belly is all squishy." It is always exciting to hear the anticipation from a child's view, such as Hannah and Sara Kate's. Though Hannah has gotten used to the fact that he will not talk for some time. I can only imagine her anticipation of playing with him in the dirt, with the balls, and amongst the bugs, beetles and other wild creatures. While Sara Kate is content to caress, cuddle and baby Mark from the start. So it seems both the girls have their unique qualities that will be a welcome addition to having a baby brother.
Other quirks of being pregnant...

Pregnancy Cravings: Guacamole, donuts, soda fizz
Pregnancy Temperament: Unfriendly... similiar to that of a volcano or ice glacier-- calmed only by my dear Paul.
Pregnancy Habits: Walks with the girls, cleaning frantically, and studying the behaviors of these impish creatures called little boys.
Phrases most often heard: The cashier I had never met before at Lowe's, "Wow you've dropped!" Then there is,"Are you still pregnant?" from those who see me randomly in our small town. Strangers often ask the girls if they are excited to have a baby brother, which the girls often respond "HisnameisMarkdillonshoup" with record speed. The word Markdillonshoup is now a household name and may cause confusion when referred to as simply Mark or baby brother.
Pregnancy Appearance: Well... I often wear black to smooth over the bumps, and so I am careful not to wear a white shirt, in the case I will be mistaken as a penguin. I have taken on other penguin habits, such as flapping my arms, usually in protest to the level of noise, as noted by Hannah in her artwork.
Paul's symptoms: Back pain and heartburn... we think he is suffering from sympathy pains. Also severe humor, as a distraction from my mood and discomfort... though it often makes me pee. And a limitless amount of love which seems to radiate from him through it all!!

We look forward to the surprises that await us all!

7 months and counting...

Being pregnant has it's perks... people fall over themselves to open a door or pick up your things, friends call to check up on you, and no matter what your husband still thinks your beautiful. I am trying to see it his way. And today I found my perspective in this shot... it reminds me of a greater purpose I can serve. I am thankful for my purpose here. We are patiently waiting for Mark Dillon to come out and play!

POSTING: Belated Easter snapshots

Well it wouldn't have been Easter if I hadn't shared the girls in their dresses. These are the matching dresses sent from Grandma! I couldn't ask for bigger smiles from my little ladies. We spent Saturday preparing eggs for an egg hunt with friends the next evening. This was Saturday afternoon, when the girls were so hyped for Easter that they wanted to prance around in their Easter dresses. It really makes a girls day to get a new dress! Thanks Grandma!

Had to have a close up of Hannah's toothless grin!! I swear she really does look like Paul!!
Amazingly, the girls can have different features yet they both still look like their Daddy, though Sara Kate's temperament resembles mom is ALL respects!
All I had to say was, "Sara Kate!" And this was the response. Isn't she such a cheezer!! She definitely knows how to play it up for mom and the camera, even while running and hunting for eggs.
Ahhhh!! That's my girl!! Such sweetness...
I have to share... Hannah has been acting different lately and I couldn't put my finger on what it was... I couldn't seem to grasp how to define it. Paul's response was... she is growing up. And truly she is! She has been such a big help and so mature as we have begun preparing for baby Mark in June. Sometimes I have to sit with her and tell her mommy really needs help today... and she continues to rise above the call... heck she even makes MY bed if I don't get it done quick enough. She has been unloading the dishwasher for me, and getting her sister dressed... she has been quite the mother hen to Sara Kate, sheltering her and coaxing her to do good. Hannah has even been a little teacher, helping Sara Kate practice her letters and their sounds. I am amazed at all the blessings that have been given to us, even without our petition. It's humbling to know our individual needs are known to our Father in Heaven.

Congrats to my Hannah Banana!

Hannah has been so excited to be selected for the belt testings in her karate class. Hannah has always been laid back and more submissive than her mother and younger sister counterparts, but to see her blossom with confidence and skill while learning her karate forms has been an experience that I value equally as much as she does. Her two teachers, Master Lewis and Mr Peterman, have hearts of gold which truly show Hannah this is a form of discipline not aggression. Now Daddy was concerned she wouldn't hold her position while sparring (one-on-one) with the other students, he would tell her, "now don't step back, keep moving forward." And I was so proud to see her hold her own and land her punches and kicks. It still makes me giggle though, to hear her yell "KI-YA!" with such a serious demeanor. This first picture was just as they were beginning the belt testing.
This was her practice front punch to prepare for breaking the board, which is always a highlight!!
Because I was so excited to get all the shots I MISSED the actual breaking of the board because I was trying to switch to video. I was almost in tears I that my camera wasn't responding fast enough to get the shot. But she broke it on the first try and it was such an exciting moment.
Now Hannah has two yellow tips on her white belt and she is preparing for her yellow belt next. Congrats to my big girl!!

Snoop Dogg is MORMON!

LDS brothas and sistas, please give a warm welcome to our newest church member! This is no april fools, fools! If you haven't heard yet, SNOOP DOGGY DOGG has converted to Mormonism. FO RIZZLE! I wouldn't believe it either, but it's on CNN: http://cnnentertainment.co.nr/2008/SHOWBIZ/Music/04/01
Apparently, Gladys Knight invited him to a Family Home Evening activity and a concert and since then he's been hooked to the BOM and says, “Listen, the haters will say what they will,” Snoop Dogg said. “I can only do what I feel is right.”
I loved his description of FHE! “I was hooked from the start,” Snoop Dogg said. “We talked about the purpose of life, played Mousetrap, and ate brownies. The kids thought it was off the hook, for real.”And he really seems to have had a change of heart, addressing his former lifestyle of smokin, drugs and alcohol: “Y’all know me,” he said grinning broadly. “There were just certain things the old me -- the "natural man" -- needed to do. And these young guys are telling me that God’s not down with disrespecting ourselves. But it’s cool now.”
P.S. This was stolen from Corrine's blog. Her husband, Alex, got on the phone and was spreading the good news with his cousin, and just said "Dude. Can you imagine being the missionary who taught Snoop? That's like... equal to teaching the pope!" Haha. Corrine said, "We might just need to make the drive to LA, bake Brother Dogg some funeral potatoes and a batch of brownies and dropp them off in good Mormon fashion! :)
As most of you know, this WAS an APRIL FOOL's PRANK!

Remembering the gifts of Easter

Growing up I always had the pleasure and joy of easter egg hunts and the surprises that were found in the early morning of Easter Sunday. As Easter's have come and gone, and our children begin to learn the joys of Easter... I am always hoping to find an empty egg on our hunt, just as Mary found the empty tomb on that now cherished and celebrated day. All these eggs may be colored and glittered, but the true gift of this holiday is the realization and testimony that when Mary sought Jesus's dead body within the tomb, she was surpised and even pained not to find him. But then the joy that followed in seeing him and the realization that he, the Son of God, had power over death to pick up his body and live again.This is an eternal gift, eternal salvation, for all who seek after him and follow him. While these eggs hold excitement and joy for young children in their discovery, I find myself as a child again with my own personal discovery and renewed testimony that Jesus Christ lives. There is proof of His life, purpose and resurrection if we seek after it. Happy hunting!!!