It's a BOY!!!!

The top one is a shot of the legs, and the bottom is a profile. It's a boy!! Due around Mother's Day in mid-May '09. Yes, we have a name. No, we won't tell you. :) It's really, really good though!! :)

Cutting down the huge tree with Grampy Poole, Opened up snazzy new shirt from Carlene(and pants, which he's not wearing due to the jammies), Abominable snow-Hans, Skiing with mommy's shoes.

Esther dresses up

Esther opens her pretty new Christmas dress, Esther dresses herself in royal garb (or rags), Daddy's t-shirt, getting some air outside, mommy's skis err- shoes.

good trip

For all of those wondering if Lance ever made it home from the Czech Republic..... he did!!
Safe and sound. He had a wonderful trip, and said it only felt like he had been gone for a day. (wish I could've said the same... :) He worked with the small children and youth, and was greatly appreciated. He enjoyed going back to the country he has visited two previous times. Czech is a beautiful place, with a great need for Christ.

Huzzyband

I really miss my husband, or as I call him, my huzzyband. He is currently in the Czech Republic, which is far, far away. Esther asked for daddy today, and I said, "he still isn't home, Esther. Do you know where he is?" she smartly answered, "across the ocean, in Iowa." Close, but no cigar. These past few days have been really good for my prayer life, but hard on the heart. It's so silly, I know.... so many people do this all the time. Single parents, busy business parents, and so on. I just don't know HOW they do it. I guess you learn to really lean on God. A whole week without Lance is like a whole week of lukewarm showers. You still get the job done, but it's not very fun. I'm not saying I'm not glad he can do this trip to help the missionaries over there, I just miss him on this end. :) Praying for you, Sweetie.

fall time

It was a lovely fall day a couple weeks ago, and we spent much of the day playing in the leaves.

Really really sweet

The kids were quiet for two minutes. I knew something was up. Upon further investigation, I found them both huddled over an object in the porch. They were reluctant to let me see.... the SYRUP container they had successfully opened, seal and all. They were enjoying themselves. A lot. Esther had even managed to create her own "melting pot" experience. She found an old, crusty piece of bread and dunked it in the bottle. Only problem was that she couldn't get it back out. I managed not to let them see me laughing hysterically, and Lance and I eventually got them all cleaned up. Pretty creative.