Red Devil Rose

I saw a butiful rose in our frontyard. It had two swerls in it. I picked it. I was serprsied it was alive. It was BRIGHT red! I gave it to Mom. Mom called it a rose A.K.A. the Red Devel Rose. "Where should I put it?" I said. "In a cup." Mom said. I put a little bit of water in a white cup on the table. "Its BUTIFUL!" I said. Its the Red Devil Rose. I said to myself. Yha. The Red Devil Rose.



ritin by Cora

365 to go!!

So when I first started school I had Cameo make up these little cards for me. There are actually two different types of cards here. One to mark off the days from when I started school to when I'm done with school and one that marks off the weeks. Cameo ridiculed me heavily for making such cards but I love them. I made similar cards on my mission. It's kind of the equivalent of scratching marks in the wall when you're in prison. I've actually never been to prison so I don't know that for sure nor would I describe my mission or my time at school as prison persay but I find them very helpful. I'm a goal oriented person and one of the best ways for me to achieve my goals is by being able to chart my progress. It really helps on some of the really hard days to be able to look back at my nice green and orange markings and see how far I've come. Even Cameo has gained interest and will occasionally ask how many days have gone by.

All that being said, today is a big day. It is exactly one year from today that I will graduate! Time really is starting to fly by, especially now that I've started clinicals. Speaking of which, I have to go to bed because I have clinicals at 5:30 am tomorrow. I mark my clinical days off with an added measure of satisfaction. Good night.

Ultrasound update

Yesterday we went to have "the" ultrasound. First off, let me say that our baby seemed healthy and to be growing right on target. Although I swear this is the most docile kid around. Just sits there and doesn't want to move so the ultrasound tech had a hard time seeing what gender it was. Anyway, I had been thinking it was a boy for the last month or two and so I was trying to prepare Cora for that possibility. She really wants a sister and told me that if it's just another brother, she'd rather get a dog. Poor kid. Anyway so while we're trying to figure out what we're having, I see the heartbeat, right around 145 and so Lynn and I are pretty sure it's a boy. (Besides the fact that I've been eating pickles and olives and everything salty I can get my hands on.) Then the tech says, "I can't see for sure but I have a guess." I said, "What percentage of likelihood would you give yourself?" She says,. "95%." So then she says, "I think it's a boy." Jonah says, "I knew it!" He had been telling us that all along. Granger smiles and says, "We'll be crazy, all these boys swinging off the roof and trees!" Although he was hoping for a girl, he didn't seem to mind and then poor Cora just puts her head back, tears welling in her eyes and tries not to cry. Then the tech gets a better look and just confirms what she already thought. "Yeah, that's a boy part." Later, the tech leaves to get the doctor (I'll post about that in a second) and Cora puts her head on my chest. I tell her, you'll love your baby brother and he'll love you." She looks up at me with watery eyes and says, "She only said 95%, not 100%." Lynn told her that eventually we'll get her a girl dog. That seemed to help a little. So there you have it. Another boy. That makes four boys in a row. Crazy.

On a side note, although this is quite personal I wanted to blog about a little more. We could still use your prayers. I have been spotting again. The doctor thinks it's a low-lying placenta but nothing too serious. For me, however, it feels serious. I think things will be okay but the more people we know the more prayers we get and I believe in the amazing power of prayer. Anyway, thanks for your concern and love and I know the right thing will happen with this baby too. We already have one angel baby in heaven and hopefully that's all we need right now.

Wonder.

Concern.

A captivated audience.

Jonah's tricks.

...and fun times!

The circus pics turned out a little dark.

The Greatest Show on Earth

So our bargain hunter Cameo found half price tickets to the circus. Having gone to the circus as a kid she wanted to give our kids a chance to see what she remembered when she was young. The kids where so excited, it was fun just to watch them. Granger told us before the circus he was going to be an acrobat when he grew up. After watching all of the death defying stunts high above the ground he rethought his career choice. He had a very concerned look on his face most of the circus and when Cameo and I asked him if he still wanted to be an acrobat he said he didn't know, pointing out that the acrobats could easily die doing what they were doing. I don't think Granger is willing to take that chance. Cora's favorite part was the animals of course and Jonah was so inspired he started showing me all the tricks he could do on the rails in front of us after the show had been going only 15 minutes. It was a great time.