Congratulations Aaron

Today, Aaron was named as his PD's Tactical Team Dispatcher. Way to go, sweetheart! I'm very proud of you!

Score Update: Laziness 3, Productivity 0

So I won't mention names, but someone who lives here gave me a cold so I've spent the last three days in bed. Thank goodness for wireless internet and knitting to keep me occupied!

Done.

So as of tonight, I am done teaching until August. It is all a bit strange, this "having no direction" until the Nugget is born. Other than semester breaks, this is the first time in 8 years that I haven't worked 6-day weeks. I am torn between wanting to get a million things done and wanting to do nothing but lay on the couch, knit, and play Guitar Hero. Hopefully I can find a healthy balance. Whatever doesn't get done, doesn't get done.

I'll have Aaron take a picture this weekend and do my 36 week update. It is so hard to believe that we are literally days away from meeting our Nugget!

Please have a safe and happy Memorial Day!

Those Knitters...

The sweet girls I knit with each Sunday morning surprised me today with a lovely breakfast at the Bluebird Bistro and this amazing collection of knitted toys for the Nugget!

They are so thoughtful - knowing how obsessed I am with knitted toys! From AmyB - a panda; from Kate - a pig; from Amanda - a duck; from Missy - a turtle; from Ginger - a bluebird; and from Melissa - Squarey. All of my new little friends look so cute in Nugget's room. I can't wait for our little one to cuddle and love on these precious toys!!

Thanks, girls...you are a highlight of my life!

Tick Tock...

So we had an eye-opening experience this week when we bought milk that expires on my due date! Crazy...

Crazy that one month from today (or in that vicinity) we will be parents.
Crazy that we will finally know if we're having a boy or a girl.
Crazy that our lives will never be the same...

I can't wait!

Thanks, Mom...

In a previous post, I alluded to the fact that I didn't always know if I wanted to have kids. I'd promised to share the story and thought that Mother's Day would be the perfect time...

Eight years ago, I was going through a tough time. I was enduring the end of a five-year relationship whose end made me question my core values and exactly what my purpose on this planet was.

One day, my mom and I were discussing children and I let her know what my views were. Kids were part of a natural progression. You go to college, you get married, you buy a house, you have kids. It's just something you DO.

She disagreed.

Mom let me know that you have children with someone because you are meant to.

I disagreed.

She said that when she met my dad, she somehow knew that she would have a child with him. Never mind the fact that they were both on separate paths in their life that would not automatically point them in that direction. She knew and had faith.

I still disagreed. {enter stubbornness}

Then, in her wise way that let me know that this time she really did know what she was talking about, she said "This does exist. YOU are proof."

At that point, I agreed to the idea...though I didn't believe it. I told her, "Okay. If that's the way it is supposed to be, I will never even think of having children unless that feeling happens to me." With that statement, I secretly told myself that it would never happen. Over the next three years, I dated a lot and had relationships where I could see a future...but had no feeling of wanting to start a family. And honestly, I was fine with that.

Then there was Aaron.

Within a few weeks of meeting him, I felt it deep within my body and soul that not only did I have to spend the rest of my life with him, I had to have his babies.

So here we are. Just over a month from meeting this blessing from God, a product of our love for one another. Even now, after more than five years together, I still find myself saying, so this is how it is supposed to be.

Thanks, Mom...you were right:)

Shower Pictures

Here are pictures from the shower Heather and her mom Janis threw for us a few weeks ago. It was so wonderful spending time with family and dear friends! Many thanks to everyone who came from near and far. We love you!!

Dear McDonald's Southern Style Chicken Sandwich,

I had a coupon to try one of you free, so I stopped by today for a taste. When I opened your packaging, you looked strangely familiar. Smooth bun, soft breading, and two pickles. Now I understand, you poor thing...you're having Chick-fil-A envy!

I don't blame you, really. Who wouldn't want to be my favorite sandwich on the planet? Problem is, you fall short. WAY short.

Thanks for trying.
Sincerely,
Amy

A note from Aggie

Dear Mother and Father,
Since you have neglected to "tag" me, I have taken it upon myself to gift you with my own list...

Ten Random Things About Agatha Helen Pennington, composed by Agatha Helen Pennington, with illustrations by Agatha Helen Pennington

1. I am regrettably missing one of my front long teeth, and part of my tail was lopped off at some point in my life. I refuse to tell my "parents" how these injuries occurred.


2. I wag my tail like I am a canine, though I'm not nearly as stupid as one.


3. I have way too much napping to do, therefore toys, catnip, miscellaneous dangling objects, etc. are of no use to me. Stop wasting your money and buy me some salmon.


4. My favorite hobby is staring intently at my Fiestaware food bowl in hopes that it will be magically replenished with crunchy nuggets of goodness.


5. When Father starts banging on his drums like a prehistoric caveman, I look annoyingly at Mother and audibly share my displeasure in her poor choice of Christmas presents.


6. I am continually annoyed by the alien being in Mother's midsection, who chooses to punch and kick me while I am trying to enter my dormant phase.


7. My ongoing efforts to harm my guardians by circling closely around their feet have previously proven unsuccessful. I must devise a new and improved master plan.


8. Mother had chosen "Annabelle" for my name before she rescued me. However, Grammy Ludwig advised that Annabelle did not accurately portray my attitudinal tendencies. Mother then decided upon Agatha, and my middle name is Helen, after Mother's grandmother. Supposedly we have the same green eyes.


9. One of my favorite activities is obsessively covering anything in sight, such as food, my litter box, vomit, and foul-smelling gifts I leave my captors when I am displeased with their behavior.


10. Though I come across as having an attitude, really all I want in life is to cuddle with my parents. Where they go is where I want to go!