Jason Castro Day is May 29th!

Well, for all you dreadheads (aka Jason Castro fans), the official "Jason Castro Day" has been scheduled for Thursday, May 29th. It will kick off with a parade at 5:30 pm followed by our own fav Dreadhead performing at 6:30 pm. Jason will be presented with a key to the Rockwall (does that really matter?) and there will be an array of fun festivities including the Concert by the Lake Series. So, come support Jason! Here are some pics of him as well as the 2 biggest dreadheads I know- my dear friends Lisa and Jen posing for a pic in their "Vote for Jason" t-shirts that everyone in Rockwall sported for many weeks. (Sorry Lisa- I had to steal this from your blog- it was too funny!) Rockwall loves Jason Castro! For more information on "Jason Castro Day" please click here.

Corn and Soccer!

So, I am 24 weeks and Caroline is just over a pound and almost a foot long (picture an ear of corn). My baby website also says that the top of my uterus is now an inch or so above my belly button, which means it's about the size of a soccer ball. That would explain my expanding belly! I have a little soccer ball in there- and what a beautiful little soccer ball it is going to be.

This weekend was fun. I took dinner to my dear friend Erin who had her baby, Jenna, two weeks ago. My sis, Amy's, birthday party was also this weekend and Bret and I gave her a party at our house complete with ribs, chicken, sausage, fixin's, my famously delicious homemade strawberry cake, slide n' swim kiddie pool for the kiddos and lots of Amy's friends. It was a fun time! Sorry- I have no pics to document the occasion but a blast non the less.

Well, not much more to report other than summer is nearing very fast. We are experiencing 90 degree days this week and school is out in 11 days! Woo Hoo!

Bottle Cap Belt.......what more can I say?

I had to laugh when I went to google what is 39.5 inches round. Why? I went to my 23-week check up yesterday and am measuring right on track, having gained 13 pounds so far with my belly circumference at 39.5 inches now. I have decided that if the baby website can compare Caroline to food then I can compare myself to visual objects found in every day life. Man, is this getting random- yet quite humorous. The only object I could find online that matched my belly size was this bottle-cap belt. Which looks like a an old station wagon seat belt that someone glued bottle caps to and decided that some punk kid would buy online for $30. Well, I guess I'd rather them buy this hideous belt than use that money for something destructive. Although one could argue that this belt is destructive and no decent outfit could come of this weird contraption. HA! I may just have to buy this now just to get a kick out of it. Nah! I'll save it for the sk8r grlz.

China Needs Our Prayers!

As I opened up my Yahoo homepage this morning, a slide show of pictures appeared from the earthquake in China on Tuesday. Here, the saddest picture I have seen, an arm of a child victim is seen amidst the debris of a collapsed building after the earthquake in Dujiangyan, Sichuan province May 13, 2008. I cried as I watched this slide show and my heart aches for these nearly 40,000 victims and their families. Lord, here our prayer for these people and heal them in their grief and mourning. Yet, we can be rest assured that according to Lamentations 3:32-34, "Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to the children of men." Out of this, as with all worldly affliction and grief, WILL come redemption and joy. For our God is Jehovah-Ropheka, our Lord our Healer. Oh, God, heal this world and bring healing to those in China. Amen.

Caroline is a Mango!

Little Caroline is more than 11 inches long and weighs just over a pound (about as much as a large mango) at 23 weeks now. I have to admit I am getting into the very uncomfortable part of pregnancy. I am expanding by the second and get tired real easy. I am also starting to swell a bit after a long days work and mothering my precious other two children. Although- I have to thank God that he only made humans pregnancies 9 months. Did you know that elephants have the longest gestation period of any of God's creatures being pregnant for nearly 2 years? Now that's a dedicated mother! But, other than being uncomfortable, little Caroline is a wonderful baby. She moves all around all the time and is not giving me any complications. I am thankful to be having such a healthy pregnancy so far. So, I'll take my uncomfortable and deal with it. After all, in about 4 months, it will ALL be worth it.

Just havin' fun!

Here are just some random pics of the kids doing what they do best- goofin' off and havin' fun. They crack me up so much. I agree with people who say being a mommy is the best job in the world. It is so rewarding and is the most fun anyone should ever be allowed to have. Happy Mother's Day to all you mommies. "Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord,the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate." —Psalm 127:3-5

A Year with Frog and Toad

This was the title of Madeline's 1st grade School Musical. The boy standing in front of her blocked her the entire time so this is the only picture I could get of her singing (she is on the far left behind the boy with his arms up in the yellow shirt). The play was cute and of course, Madeline was great! I think if she had a microphone to herself, she would have been the star of the show- but instead they stuck her in the back row behind the tallest kid. Go figure! I was not a happy mommy to say the least. Way to go, Madeline. You sang your heart out like you always do. You make me smile so much!

High School Musical is ALL the rage!

Well, Nana, Aunt Amy and I surprised Madeline with tickets to Disney on Ice- High School Musical several weeks ago. Madeline loves HSM and honestly, I have to admit that it is adorable. I think I had as much fun as Madeline singing along to all the songs which we both know by heart. Here we are awaiting the performance with my "Ryan hat" which Madeline wanted me to wear. It came with the cotton candy so I am not that dorky that I bought it just to wear to the concert. However, I might have been known to do that- HAHA! This was such a fun night. We love you, Troy!

Future Olympic Gymnast!

This marks 3 years of gymnastics for Madeline. Not to brag or anything- but the girl takes after her mommy and is naturally talented in gymnastics. She began in October 2005 and then quickly was recruited to Team in December that year. She has moved from Level 1 to now working on Level 3 skills in only 2 seasons. Her scores are consistent and she is always so proud of herself after a gymnastics meet. Our season is over this year and she will take the summer to sharpen some Level 2 skills and learn Level 3 skills. Go, Madeline! You may be the next Dominique Dawes!