Tile, Birthdays, Flurries & Prayers

Thank you all for your tile suggestions. I've made a choice. It's actually a pretty big relief to make a decision since it's been in the back of my mind for a couple of days, constantly nagging at me. I won't tell you which one I chose, but when the bathroom is completed I'll share pictures. Probably within the next couple of weeks.

We have a fun weekend planned. We're heading down to Oregon for Caleb's 5th birthday! I can't believe he's 5 - when D first came down to Oregon with me to "meet the family" (which seems literally like yesterday) Caleb was only a year and a half old! He and D are buddies and from what I hear Caleb is pretty excited that his Uncle D will be there for his birthday. I'm making Caleb's cake which will be pretty simple (especially compared to last year's Batman cake - pictured below) but I'll post pictures of it next week.

I think my pregnant sisters and I are going to get some informal pictures of the 3 of us and our husbands this weekend. We need some sister belly shots together and I'm not sure that D and I will make it back down to Oregon before my first niece, Anna, is born. Should be fun - I'll post those pictures next week, too, hopefully.

I might start taking regular weekly photos of my growing midsection. I probably won't share them on here every week (bore!) but I'll slap them up here every once in a while. I think I've grown a lot just in the last couple of weeks (but still down 5.5lbs - woohoo!) so I'll post my 18 week picture either on Thursday or Friday.

We had snow flurries this morning - they're still happening, I believe. Nothing is sticking, really - maybe a dusting. I'm dreaming of a 70° day right about now. I am excited about the day I don't have to wear my coat outdoors anymore. D will say that I already don't wear my coat outdoors, but in my defense I wear a couple of sweaters and it's only when we're going from our house to the car and from our car to the church building. No biggie.

I'm up to 2 pillows during church. No, I don't sleep on them... I have a shaped back pillow that goes - where else - behind my back. Then I have a chair cushion that I sit on. My left side has improved somewhat but it's still painful to sit for long periods of time then to try standing. Again - all worth it!

Back to the grind. I didn't bring my lunch today so I walked to Starbucks and bought an egg salad sandwich. They really ruin it by putting lettuce on it so I'll just peel those babies off. I also got my usual decaf grande extra hot caramel machiatto with extra caramel sauce. Every time I go in there the manager asks me if I know what I'm having yet. Today she said "Wow it seems like it's forever away!" I kind of agree with her :)

Please, please keep my friends Matt & Candee in your prayers. Their sweet, beautiful baby boy was born with Trisomy 18 and is not expected to make it through the week. From what I hear, they're being pillars of strength and inspiration to everyone right now. It doesn't surprise me - they've always been amazing people. Please petition the Lord to comfort their breaking hearts.