When it rains, look for rainbows.

When it is dark, look for stars.

I took a pregnancy test on November 20. I know, tubal ligation = no more babies. But, the test was positive. And, so was the second one. I was mortified! Then, elated. Looking at baby name websites one minute and hyperventilating over age differences the next.

I didn't feel fantastic the following Monday and thought since I was about six and a half weeks along that I better get checked. I called the doctor's office and explained the situation: Tubes tied six years ago, pregnant now. The assistant yelled into the phone, "OH MY G.., That gives me high blood pressure." You and me both!

I was able to schedule an ultrasound and visit for the next day. Tuesday morning the kids and I were up and ready and Dave had just left for work, when a sharp pain started radiating through my abdomen. Debilitating pain. Incapacitating pain. Rilie called Dave and told him he needed to turn around, come home, and take me to the ER.

We had already considered the fact that this might be an ectopic pregnancy, but until the doctor confirmed that the pregnancy was tubal and had ruptured, I had hope.
Now instead of worrying about c-section recovery and Rilie graduating high school when the baby started kindergarten, the fear was for my life. I was bleeding internally. Enough that the urgency and panic in the ob/gyn's voice was clear. Surgery now. I am kind of fuzzy on the details, but it went well (I lived.)

A week later. I am recovering physically. Not as sure emotionally. It is strange how much you can want and love someone you have never met.

*She's Twelve*

I can't believe it either!
We thought Rilie was going to be a boy. Her name was going to be Brayden. Then came the ultrasound:

I am not sure how it was determined by looking at this grey blob that she was a girl, but it proved correct. Ri and her cousin Brody were both due on Halloween. Stubborn from the beginning, she was unmovabley breech. So we got to meet her a week earlier than planned. At 6lbs 15ozs her nickname quickly became "Tiny."

She walked at ten months,

Talked in complete sentences at two,

Decided to become a star soccer player at three,

And has been giving us a run for our money since the day she was born.

She couldn't pronounce her middle name (Nicole) and she would introduce herself as "Rilie Inthecoal."

One time after asking Nana how old she was (80) Rilie proclaimed that Nana was just about as old as a tree.

Rilie's favorite color is teal. Favorite animal is a zebra. Favorite athlete is Hope Solo. Favorite dessert is ice cream. Favorite meal is steak and garlic mashed potatoes.

Favorite action hero is Thor (maybe it is just because he is played by Chris Hemsworth.) Favorite fictional character is Annabeth from the Percy Jackson series.

Favorite actor is Channing Tatum (although that has nothing to do with his acting abilities.) Favorite place to vacation is New York.

Favorite things to do are; read, play soccer, video games, and draw.

Rilie is such a goofball. So much fun to have in our family. A great friend. Good example to her sister and brother. My favorite twelve-year-old.
Happy Happy Birthday Tiny!

Reflection...

In June, Dave and I celebrated our 14th anniversary. Rilie will turn 12 in October. Jenna will reach double digits in April. Ty will be in first grade (learning french) at the beginning of the school year.

I told Ty on the last day of kindergarten that he was a baby the day before and he would be getting married tomorrow. He didn't appreciate my exaggeration of time passing, and told me I was crazy.

Some days I look at my blessings (and no, I don't ALWAYS think of them that way) and wonder what I have been doing the last twelve years of my life. I have ulcers worrying about the heartaches, heartbreaks, and mistakes that they will have to endure.

But, for today, I want to think about some great times that we have had.

- Starting with a couple of shots from our last year (2004)on the house boat with Ericksons.

Even though I am pretty sure in the way too near future I will be posting about homecomings and engagements, I am going to try and enjoy every minute.

Easter, Birthdays and Soccer, Oh My!

I know, I know, all of my blog posts start out this way. Here is a little catch up. Nana's Annual Easter Egg Hunt was held, sans Nana. Sad. That is all I am going to say. The kids had a bunch of fun.

Easter morning I made a pathetic attempt to copy a breakfast I saw on pinterest. If you can identify it, more power to you!

Jenna turned nine the day after Easter. She gave her cake request to Tiff. The girl is amazing!

Instead of a birthday party Jenna wanted to go bowling. The kids had Jenna's birthday off from school so we loaded up, grabbed Gavin and off we went.

Next up was Ty's birthday. He wanted a Batman and Robin cake with superhero cupcakes. Leave it to Tiff.

What a ham this kid is! Just looking at this picture makes me laugh.

Tyler wants to go miniature golfing for his birthday, but we haven't had a good day yet... When we do, I am sure we will pick up Ethan, then let the competition begin. We are so lucky that Becky's family lives just across the park and that the kids are all the same ages. These two are in the same kindergarten class, the same primary class, and on the same soccer team.