Extra! Extra!

I have an BIG ANNOUNCEMENT to make!

I have been keeping a BIG secret!!

You wanna know what it is?

We are expecting!
Our first baby is coming November 1. I could not be more excited.

I can't believe I made it this long without spilling the beans.

So there you have it. The secret is out and a HUGE burden has been lifted.

I don't have an ultrasound pic that shows anything other than blur right now.

So this is what our baby looks like right now.
I am 10 weeks along.

Funny Picture Huh?!? I liked it :)

Bets have started as to what we are having.

We have 10 weeks until we find out the sex, and I can't wait!

Before we find out though, I was thinking we should follow some old wives tales to see if we can figure it out for ourselves. Anyone else want to follow along? Once the 10 weeks are up, we'll see if we were right. Should be fun. I'll post the first test shortly!

Ziva...

For those that haven't met her, Ziva is my dog. She is a two year old Chocolate Lab... That may never calm down.

Has anyone ever told you that??

"Oh Labs, they'll calm down when they're about 2."
LIARS!!!

I don't think this dog has the ability to calm down, no matter her age! But that's what I love about her. She's got kiddos to keep up with and there are more coming down the line! She's going to need all the energy she can muster.

Our Ziva... Or Ziva McKiva or Ziva Las Vegas 

as my husband likes to call her.

Last weekend we went on a LONG walk. Near our house is Riverside State Park. It is huge, and down by the Spokane River there is a very nice walking trail. Holds great memories for us.

Being alone on the trail, I let Ziva off her leash. She is a very good dog and has never run off. In fact, she seems afraid to let us out of her sight. She'll run about 50 yards ahead of us on the trail - stop - turn around and make sure we are still following her. This goes on for the entire walk, every time we go.

 So as we walked, on this particular occasion, my husband says to me, "Watch this, it'll be funny."

Ziva runs ahead of us, Zach grabs my arm and pulls me behind a tree! I can see her.... she runs within her normal range, stops... and FREAKS OUT! I have never seen her act this way. Her head was bobbing back and forth like she was watching a gruelling tennis match.  It's like she is talking to herself, "Did they pass me? Did they leave me? Where'd they go? Where'd they go?" (You've gotta say it fast like Lab)

Then, she takes off toward the car... RUNNING at FULL SPEED!!! Poor thing... scared her to death. So I jumped from behind the tree just as she was passing us - That poor dog flew into the air! She seriously jumped about 4 feet up she was so startled... or maybe she was just so excited we weren't lost. She was so excited to see us. And even though I felt really bad for freaking her out, I could not stop laughing.

She stayed a little closer from then on.

Where have I been???

I haven't been on here in a while.

Between work, my husbands business, kid issues,

and not feeling 100% ... I have been absent.

For that I apologize.

I have posts and ideas around here somewhere, I promise.

They are mostly in my head, and not on paper;

but I'm getting there.

Finding the time and energy to get them all out has been harder than I would like to admit.

Today I am stopping by because

I wanted to write a special note to Kristine. 

Your message this morning made my day.

Actually, it made my week!

I have had an incredibly hard week/month, dealing with life and receiving your note has turned my attitude around. Thank you so much for thinking of me!

I'll be around more in the future. Lots to share, and now I will get off my behind and get it all out there.

Don't worry girl, I've still been following you and your beautiful family.

The beautiful pictures of your little Maggie always seem to make me smile.

So! You all can expect to see a lot more of me lately.

I hope you're ready for it because I am holding myself accountable.