:: the kids
Bronwyn and Jackson are sitting side-by-side in the family room. The classic Charlotte's Web has just begun. A chubby sister arm reaches out to snuggle her little brother close. He'll sit and watch for a few minutes-- maybe even lean his head on her shoulder for a moment or two-- before climbing down to explore until bedtime. Exploring looks a lot like wandering about in a stupor when you're a 1-year-old, tired from a long day of following older siblings around and still rather unstable in your walking.

Gabriel is sleeping over at Uncle Merrick's house. I haven't a doubt about whether or not he's enjoying himself. (Upon waking up on his birthday, he declared that the only thing he really wanted was to play with Uncle Merrick by himself "for a long time.")

:: me
This afternoon was my first prenatal visit. I'd forgotten how long that first appointment takes.

The doctor thinks my personally estimated due date is probably pretty accurate, so now there are two of us expecting the ultrasound next week to simply confirm early October. I'm glad, since we don't have any October birthdays in our family. And, based on my past record of going late (even if only a couple days), I think Daniel and I will even be able to get in an anniversary dinner or something before baby #4 makes his/her appearance. Not that I mind the possibility of having a newborn along-- I'd just rather be doing something more fun than actually laboring/delivering to celebrate 6 years.

:: my husband
Daniel is exhausted from a busy and wonderful weekend. He plans on cutting short his time at the ESL class tonight. The class runs from 6:30-10pm, but he's hoping to be heading home around 8pm or so. I think our guest ministry must have really worn him out!

:: our home
My refrigerator is packed with leftovers from all sorts of meals-- some made by me, more made by others. I love this moment in the cycle of food, since it means lots of leftovers and little cooking this week. (I really do like cooking, just not during my first trimester of pregnancy.) I'm not sure my family appreciates a week like this quite as much as I do, of course-- but then again, when the alternative is PB&J with PB they don't even really like (due to Peter Pan's problems of late), they probably don't mind too much.

I caught up on the laundry on Saturday. It felt so good to have everything clean, folded, and put away. Two days later, I could already wash a load or two (it would be more if it wasn't for my wonderfully-huge front loader) if I had the motivation. But I don't. So the laundry will wait until tomorrow.

There are 2 decorative wall shelves still waiting to be hung in the family room. I bought them well over 2 months ago. Unfortunately, Daniel's drill broke a while back and hasn't yet been replaced. Eventually... eventually.

The number of ladybugs in our house considering the single-digit weather we've been mostly experiencing (how do they even exist this time of year?!) is astounding and annoying to me. They particularly like the children's bedroom and the kitchen, which-- if I had to choose-- would be the rooms I would least like ladybugs crawling around in. At least they're good motivation to vacuum often.

:: a recent reminder
Experience ought never define my theology. That's what the Bible is for.

Standing solely on the Word is how faith exists and grows.

I want greater faith-- for myself, for my family, for the Church, for the lost.