no answers, lots of questions

I'm pretty sure the title of this post will sum up the next 18+ years of our lives now that we're in the family way.  Here are just a few of the questions that have popped into mind lately....

- Does your hair really not dye evenly in the 1st trimester or is that a scare tactic?
- I keep hearing that diapers fit differently.  Who can tell me the "makes and models" of this?
- That "itzben" thingy looks handy.  Is it really, or does it just prey upon the insecurity of first-time parents?
- What would you consider as your must-have items?
- What do you wish you'd not wasted the money on getting?

Mark wants to take preggo pics of me on Sunday mornings as I'm rushing out the door, late for work after a hard morning and overwhelming exhaustion.  He's only been successful once.  If not for the aforementioned exhaustion, I might take the time to find the camera and upload the pic.  Better luck next time, dear reader!

Well...

This little person should be making an appearance around April 14th!  We love him or her already and are so thankful everything seems to indicate health and good development.  YAY!

And maybe now that I'm not having to conceal what's really going on in our lives, I'll attempt to be better about blog updates.  Then again, a nap sure does sound good right about now....

Mark has told me for months -- maybe even a year -- that he thinks I'd look good in purple. I hadn't found anything I liked in a shade that I liked, but I kept his comment in mind. So over the weekend, I bought a purple shirt and just knew he'd be excited about this wardrobe addition. I trotted it out today and do you know what he said to me? "Hey, Barney...." I feel totally duped.

O-o-o-o-oklahoma

The wind didn't seem to sweep down the plain too much whilst I was enjoying my Girls Reunion this past weekend. Too bad, or I might've tried to use that as an excuse when the nice police officer pulled me over for speeding.

I've only received 2 tickets in my life, and both have happened in Edmond. The first was at 15th & Bryant during finals week my junior year in college. The other was this past Friday at 15th & Santa Fe as I was on my way to Mandy's so we could leave for dinner. My excuse? I REALLY had to pee. Surprisingly, the officer wasn't the least bit interested in my explanation. Alas and alack....

And yeah, I was thinking I might need to avoid 15th in the future, too. Dara and Mandy, any interest in moving? :)

hmmm...

I know I haven't updated my blog in a month, but it kind of puts me out that Blogger goes around telling everyone so matter-of-factly: "Variety is the Spice of Life - 4 weeks." Not much variety, eh?

Here's a recap of some of our latest and greatest:

- How many Blankinship kin can you fit under one roof at the same time? Here's a hint: roughly the same number of clowns can be packed into a circa 1964 VW Bug.

-We've done lots around the house lately. Replacing the carpet has rivaled the interior paint job as "the most dramatic rose ceremony...er, home updating project...yet."

- I took a great group to Camp Impact! This was definitely the busiest I've ever been at camp, so please accept my apologies if you were hurt/offended/etc. by my not getting to see you. I was hurt/offended/etc. by it too!

- I had the deluxe edition of a stomach virus last week. I was wanting a vacation, but a week stuck on the couch and/or toilet isn't exactly the luxury retreat I was after. I'm just keeping it real, folks. And no, "stomach virus" was not code for "morning sickness." There is no bun in this oven. But thanks for asking.

Warm Fuzzy

So I just have to tell you that I absolutely love the kiddos at church. We started our new summer series, SUPER U, this week for our K-5th graders. We had such a blast and I was so excited to see the kids soaking in their memory work, getting the point, etc. And then Becky and I filled in with the 4th & 5th graders in their small group time. We're having the kids do prayer cards each week this summer, and their teachers are committed to praying for them weekly. Well I just read my kids' cards and am so touched by their tender little hearts. It's a great reminder of how powerful a child-like faith can be!

And speaking of awesome kiddos, I'm also pumped to have Reed and Cassidy here among throngs of other Blankinship kinfolk. Note to self: take some pictures!

Do you...

... change your shampoo and conditioner regularly so your hair doesn't become "immune" to its effects? How often?

... ever forget other people are around and can actually see you do the weird things you do when you think nobody's watching? Like what?

... use q-tips even though your ears allegedly clean themselves? Me too!


Just checking!

Recap: Anniversary

We celebrated our first anniversary by taking a little weekend trip.  We stayed at Floy Farm, a little ranch in Flatonia where we went quail hunting.  That's right.  I said WE went quail hunting.  In the name of trying to spend a little quality time with my darling husband, I agreed to try my hand at quail hunting.  Pictured are the flowers Mark got for me, along with our cake topper that we actually ate a piece of (Jayna, that was for you!), 

Mark and me with our "loot" -- 11 of 20 birds, 

and me with the first of two birds I managed to shoot myself (we were both shocked).  

After our stay at FF, we went to La Grange where we stayed at Brendan Manor, a quaint little B&B.  That was definitely my part of the trip -- jacuzzi tub, long nap, no agenda, etc.  All in all, it was a great weekend.  Time has really flown, but I am so grateful to have spent it with Mark.  He is a wonderful, caring husband and I am so blessed to have him!

What?!

How is it that 3 months have passed since my last entry? I must be having lots of fun because time sure is flying.

We've been plenty busy these past few weeks with our trip to see Team Blankinship in FL, Mark having back surgery (he's doing great -- starting PT this week), David and Debbie coming down to see us and help over Easter weekend, a trip to Dallas to see the King Tut exhibit with David and Debbie and Grandma Jane, and plenty of other things too. Not that Becky reads this, but I owe her a shout-out for helping me work on the back yard for 7 hours on Saturday. Thanks! (And Morg, the "shout-out" part was for you. I know you're fond of it.)

Pics to come...you know, if anyone is still reading this thing.

4

Kimberly (or Kim Berly, as it says in Mark's phone) tagged me to post the 4th picture in the 4th folder. Here it is, a collage from Mandy & Matt's wedding:

I think I'm supposed to tag 4 people, so.... MANDY, MORGANDI, MYRA, and MAEGAN -- go for it! (And yes, I'm going to gloss right over the fact that I haven't posted in almost 2 months and act like it's no big deal. Thanks for asking.)