Trip to the East Coast

This month we embarked on a two week long vacation to the East Coast. It was our longest vacation to date--which we have decided was a little too long. On previous trips, we always drove to our destination and were only gone a maximum of ten days. We thought two weeks would be perfect and full of exciting, memory making fun. Justin planned out our whole adventure, down to tentative eating places, travel time, departure time to the next destination. It was perfect-- on paper. But with 5 kids and a 25 week pregnant wife in tow, things did not go entirely as planned. (Do they ever though?)

We were really lucky to find some amazingly cheap plane tickets from Dallas to NYC. We bought them months in advance! Started planning our stops a few weeks later, and were all looking forward to this trip. We'd actually been "planning" an East Coast trip for a few years. We knew it'd be expensive, and NYC (our main reason for going) is really far from where we have lived the last 5 years. We've visited the West Coast and Midwest a couple times now, and decided these tickets were too good to pass up; And flying meant there would be so much more time for activities!

We drove to Dallas on May 3rd and flew to NYC on the 4th. Cue hiccup #1. Like I mentioned before, Justin planned EVERYTHING. And he planned it well! He set up our rental car for 2:30, giving us plenty of time to grab our luggage and find the the rental car counter. We took a shuttle there (because JFK is huge), with 5 kids, two large suitcases, two carry-on suitcases, a big backpack, two small backpacks (full of books, packed by Gabrie and Addie), a small purse full of books for Lillie, a tiny backpack full of books and hatchimals for Pennie, my purse and camera bag, a duffle bag with two booster seats and an air mattress, and a very large and heavy car seat bag--with approximately 50 pounds of car seats inside. We lugged that load right into the car rental waiting room, checked in, and then waited. And waited. And waited for our car to be ready for us. By 4 o'clock, we were finally on our way. 

Coney Island was our first stop. We ate at Nathan's Hot Dogs and then walked around the boardwalk. We had planned on Luna Park, but because of the long wait for the rental car, there wasn't quite enough time to get our money's worth before it closed. Plus, we discovered that Nathaniel isn't really a fan of amusement park rides. His words "If it spins, goes upside down, or moves, I'm not doing it." And most of the rides looked too big for the girls to go on. There was a smaller kid carnival right next to Luna Park that was perfect for them though, and we even convinced Nathaniel to get on one ride. (He was right. He's not a fan). We grabbed a funnel cake and cotton candy on our way out of the park. Somewhere between the plane ride and rental car, Gabrie lost her jacket, so we also visited a gift shop so we didn't look like awful parents making her freeze. While on Coney Island, Pennie spotted a dog that she was convinced was a goat. She stared and stared as we walked by and told me "mama, a goat!" I said "no, that's a dog" (a very weird looking dog, but still a dog). She didn't believe me.

Hiccup #2 came the next day. Rain, all day long, on the day we planned on walking around NYC and visiting Central Park. We rolled with it though; Justin dropped me off at a CVS to buy some umbrellas, while he circled around the block. Five umbrellas and $100 later, we were on our way to do some sight-seeing/walking. I don't really know the going rate for umbrellas...I don't think I've ever bought one, despite the kids begging me to every time it rains (which isn't often here in Midland), but I felt like 100 bucks was a little pricey. They made it home with us though, so here ya go kids! We have umbrellas now! We grabbed some lunch at a hole in the wall pizza place, and then walked some more. At some point during the car ride, either to or from New York (our hotel was only 20 miles away but it took at least 2 hours to reach NYC), Addie said her "guns hurt". We figured out she really meant "gums". She argued with Nathaniel about what they were really called. Also while Justin and I discussed where we should go look next, Pennie randomly chimes in, "You are sloppy Daddy. That's it."

Luckily the weather on Monday was beautiful. We went to central park and visited the zoo. Upon our arrival, Lillie had to use the bathroom. And at the zoo cafe, in a park where literally millions of people visit, was a line for the only two toilets. We stood for 10+ minutes, waiting patiently, and in the most obvious "I'm about to pee my pants" stance. With two people on the toilet, and another two people before us, Lillie could hold it no longer. I turned to Justin behind me, told him under my breath (mostly), while also tugging at the black elastic partition so Lillie and I could leave (which came unattached and flung back into the pole, creating quite a scene). In a humorous addition to the events, my glasses also fell to the floor, and I screeched at Lillie to get them. We sat on a bench, while the others used the bathroom and then finally Justin came out to take Lillie to the car for a change of pants. Hiccup #3 would not have been SO bad, except I had planned family pictures in the park. We were very careful not to spill breakfast on our shirts, I came prepared with the tripod, and then the whole idea got peed on. I cooled off while Justin took the kids to the car, and when they returned we went back to the cafe for lunch. Just burgers and fries, and Pennie says, "Fries need ketchup, huh mama. Cause they need it." And then on to the zoo and a short stroll through Central Park. While at the zoo, Justin spotted a celebrity. He said, "Grace, I'm pretty sure that was Kerry Washington." I didn't think he knew what he was talking about, so I followed her back up to the bear enclosure to get a better look. Turns out it was Zoe Saldana, there with her husband, kids, (and nanny).  A pretty day and we all had fun, eventually. "Those leaves look really great"- Pennie












Tuesday was our day in Boston, but first we stopped in Plymouth and looked at Plymouth Rock. Not a very exciting rock. We stopped by an old cemetery before finishing the drive to Boston. We walked the Freedom Trail (part of it) and toured Old North Church and Copp's Hill Burying Ground. Bought some Boston Harbor Tea, and beat the rain to our car.

Lunch In Plymouth

The next day, we drove to Gloucester, Massachusetts and went on a whale watching tour, about 15 miles into the Atlantic. It was a really fun experience and I think the kids decided it was their favorite part of the trip. I believe it was Justin's least favorite though, since he got the worst of the sea sickness. (Literally looked green in the face at one point!) Pennie also puked, but after a very quick nap she was fine.
Me: "Did you have fun on the boat?"
Pennie: "No, it was terrible. Actually, yeah."

Before Justin turned green

After the tour, we drove to Hampton, New Hampshire for lunch at Farr's Famous Chicken. The owners were super nice and impressed we came all the way from Texas, and gave the girls a coloring sheet to hang on their wall. Farr's was a two minute walk from the beach, so after lunch we went to play in the sand. Some of us played in the water, despite their mother's warning that it would be very cold. They didn't care. One of them only got wet because of an ornery brother. Addie- "This was the best day for getting wet!" (She was the upset one, go figure.)

Lunch At Farr's

Thursday we drove through Massachusetts, to upstate New York. Pennie called out "slug bug, slug bug, slug bug, slug bug..."at every passing car on the other side of the interstate. Not one of them was an actual slug bug. We toured Harriet Tubman's Home for the Elderly in Auburn and enjoyed the presentation the guide gave us about her life and all the work she did. She was one tough, amazing lady! On the grounds was also her actual house, although not open for tours. The ranger told us the brick was handmade by the family from clay in the pasture-- the same clay that Addie had slipped in just a few minutes prior.

Friday morning we drove to Toronto. We visited the historic St. Lawrence Market, had lunch and bought delicious desserts, and then toured the Hockey Hall of Fame. Nathaniel was in memorabilia heaven, despite my insistence on taking a picture of him with anything Oilers related. He even got to touch the real Stanley Cup before it was whisked away for an evening event.




Saturday we were all pretty exhausted, so Justin said we could take it easy and sleep in that day. Our only activity for the day was to see Niagara Falls, and it was only an hour drive from Toronto.
Justin- "Dude, get up."
Nathaniel- "I thought you said we could sleep in today."
Justin- "We did! It's 9:00!"
Nathaniel- "That's not sleeping in!"
The kids loved the Falls and we went back again that night to see them lit up.

Sunday we spent the entire day driving in the rain to Philadelphia (but stayed in New Jersey). The countryside was beautiful and green. That night we got two rooms but the hotel didn't have any adjoining ones, so Justin took Lillie, Addie, and Pennie in his room, and I kept Nathaniel and Gabrie. We thought a friendly game of "who can get ready first" would be fun. I was sure Justin would struggle getting at least two of his roommates up in the morning because they aren't morning people at all, and Team Grace would beat them to breakfast. Gabrie and I listened through the wall and didn't hear any movement so we were sure they were still asleep. Just as I was finishing my hair, I got this text:

"About wrapping up breakfast"

Justin was very humble about his victory... NOT! I say he cheated though, because he didn't give baths like he was supposed to. We both discussed what a piece of cake it was getting just two and three kids ready. (No nannies over here).

In Philadelphia on Monday, we were greeted with more rain. We went to the Liberty Bell, the Benjamin Franklin Museum and had a Philly Cheesesteak.

We were supposed to go to Independence Hall that afternoon, but walking in the rain gave us soaked feet, and it was pretty cold that day, so we decided to get a head start toward Washington DC.

We went to the White House and actually saw President Trump leaving in his convoy, (he waved to us!) and then walked to Washington Monument. Tuesday we went to the Capitol and then to the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. 

Pennie- "It's so sad how people killed that sweet lion." 

Eating a Cheesesteak from Pat's and Geno's

Wednesday it was time to head back toward NYC. We stopped in Philadelphia for lunch, sampling the two best Cheesesteak joints in Philly. At this point we were REALLY tired and just hung out at the hotel and swam. 

Metro Diner

Thursday we had breakfast at a cool little diner in NYC and then walked to Central Park. 

I could spend most my days in Central Park.

It was beautiful. Justin wanted to take me to a particular spot in the park, but after walking and searching for it for over an hour, we decided to call it quits. The park is full of winding trails and you could literally spend the entire day there. 

Addie- "Are we lost?"

Me- "I think so."

Addie- "I have an idea. I'll tear these leaves and leave a trail. Then BOOM. We have a trail. Now we're not lost."

We did a lot of walking throughout the trip. On day 1, I wore Pennie in the carrier and she protested against that. She said, "No! Walking is my favorite". In to the carrier she went, though. Other times, Justin and Nathaniel gave her "pippy rides". Gabrie and Lillie pitched in too. If it was Addie's turn for a pippy ride, Pennie would get very upset and pout. At Niagara Falls, I picked her up and carried her on my hip and she tauntingly told Addie, "I get to be 'holded'!" Then Justin thought he'd add to the sibling rivalry and put Addie on his shoulders... 

On our way to the car on the last day, Justin had Pennie on his shoulders and she said "I thought walking was my favorite but it's NOT!"

Overall, we had a great time together. Lots of funny moments and moments that will be funny after some time. We learned that we all get on each other's nerves a little. (However, I don't know that that is really news.) I quit counting the hiccups, because life is full of them and counting them doesn't help. We also learned that the kids are totally content with just swimming at the hotel. Most of our hotel stays were free with points we'd been saving, so when a large suite was not available, we had a twin size air mattress to air up for Nathaniel to sleep on, and the girls all shared the second bed. We realized early on that while this was a great way to not go over budget, our sanity and family size requires adjoining rooms or two room suites. 

I was very proud of what good little travelers the kids are though. They helped pull heavy suitcases through a busy airport, *mostly* like they'd done it their whole lives. They behaved well on the plane. And I'm really glad Justin knows what he's doing when it comes to air travel, because I'd have been lost. 

Some random quotes I took down during the trip:

Addie- "She always gets a shoulder ride!"

Pennie retorts, "No, it's a pippy ride!"

"This could take years to make"- Addie, commenting about the boat, a restaurant, and other things she found impressive.

Justin- "Do you guys realize how lucky you are to be sitting in a car with the world's greatest driver behind the wheel?

Addie- "You're not THAT good." 

(For real though, Justin handled East Coast traffic like a pro. I'm certain that all the New Yorker's jaws dropped when they saw a man in a minivan with Missouri plates keeping up with their craziness.)

Pennie- "Now I have three stuffies." (She had a doll and a book in her hands when Justin buckled her in, and she asked him for another doll to hold.)

Coming back from the hotel pool-- Justin was barefoot. Pennie looked down and saw and said "Daddy, you're not wearing flip flops. How rude."

"It's so airy."- said Pennie, while feeling the air vent in the rental car.

Lillie's favorite thing to say on this trip was, "That's not fair." Actually, I think they all used that phrase at least once, concerning whose turn it was to play a game on the phone.

Pennie- "I spy something in my eye...orange!"

Me: "Can Pennie have some of your eggs?"

Addie- "Yeah"

Pennie- "Thanks, Addie. You're my sweetest twin."

Pennie-"I'm gonna have baby ducks when I'm a mom."

Gabrie- "When I was younger, I used to think my feelings were in my knees."

March and April Kid Quotes and Funny Moments

It's been busy around the Perkins' house lately, and I realized I never wrote up my kid quotes and cute moments for March. So here's March and April all in one. Watch out for cuteness overload! 

One night in March I was laying in bed trying to go to sleep. Pennie had just recently started sleeping in her sisters' room, right next to our bedroom, and I could hear Lillie singing her to sleep. So precious! It's so amazing to see those motherly qualities come out even while the girls are still kids themselves. Sometimes Pennie is the last one to fall asleep and when that happens, she tries desperately to wake Lillie back up. She'll call out to me from their room, "Mama! Lillie won't wake up and play with me!" On a different night, I heard Pennie ask, "Addie, will you scratch my back? I'm just a baby."

You know how kids like to have "staring contests"? My kids made up a blinking contest. It's hilarious to watch, and they get pretty competitive about it. One game between Nathaniel and Addie--Nathaniel won.

Nathaniel: How do you lose a blinking contest?!

Addie: I started to stare. 

Lillie lost tooth #4 and #5 in March. 

Gabrie to me while I was frying bacon for breakfast: "Mama, why do we cook bacon and bake cookies? Shouldn't we do their name? Cook cookies, bake bacon."

Addie started using the word "also" in conversation. A lot. 

One trip to the grocery store, Pennie was sitting in the cart while I pushed. It was a quick trip for a few things we needed for dinner. I told Justin, who was walking beside me what we needed next. "Buns", I said. Pennie thought it was hilarious. She let out the deepest belly giggle I've ever heard and repeated the word "buns" while still laughing. We got sidetracked with something else on the list, and I said "buns" again as we headed to the bread aisle. She giggled and repeated "buns" again. So stinkin funny. 

"I just love twinkle, twinkle, little star"- Pennie

Justin had to work out of town for a couple days and the first night he was gone had Addie pretty sad. She got out of bed and came to my room and said "Mama, it stinks when your dad has to go somewhere."

"I love this day, I love this day! Hehehe."- Pennie (the only kid I know who actually laughs that way)

Nathaniel walked into the kitchen for breakfast. Pennie was sitting at the table eating her food. "Bubba, lots of people go to drive thrus." (The most random comment of March.)

Nathaniel shrieking and fussing at his Xbox. "Whaaaaatttt. Happened?!" He then says to one of the girls in the room, who was watching him play, "stop looking at me like I'm a weirdo!" Oh, but you are, Dude. 

APRIL QUOTES

Watching AFV one night. A family sat there talking to Carlton-- their video had just won. 

Justin- "They got a bunch of kids!" 

Me- "Justin, they have 4. 

(currently pregnant with our SIXTH!)

Pennie- "Mama, I have to go potty. Can you take me to the bathroom.

Me: "Yes"

Pennie- "So take me to the bathroom already!" (Not as disrespectful as it sounds, or else it wouldn't have made it on my kid cuteness post) 😉

Lillie to me- "I actually don't remember what it was like being in your tummy."

Pennie- "Mama, I got a good idea for the baby! How about this? It would be so cute!" (an old onesie they use for their dolls)

Pennie- "Mama, I have a secret."

Me- "You're supposed to be in bed."

Pennie- "I'm gonna tell you anyway. Cause I like secrets." *whispers* "I love you."

Pennie- "Mama, I have an idea. We should get phones for Bubba, Gabrie, Lillie, Addie, and me. That would be great!"

Lillie- "Mama, why are you not tan like Daddy?"

Me- "I'm just not, Sweetie."

Addie- "Yeah, why are you white and Daddy is tan?"

Pennie- "Mama, you are peach!"

Pennie coming in my room one night for another drink of water before bed- "Mama, I will be hurry."

Pennie- "None of ya business" in response to every question Justin asked her one night. 

*Tucking the girls into bed one night*

Me- "Goodnight, Pennie. I love you"

Pennie- "I hope the bugs don't bite and eat you, Mama" 

(Her version of "Don't let the bedbugs bite")

*Painting Nathaniel's room*

Me- "I think we should move the bed over here against this wall."

Nathaniel- "No, it's fine where it is."

Me- "It would look better. It'd give you more floor space."

Nathaniel- "Mama, it's okay. It's not like I'm dancing. Really, what do I need floor space for."

*Pennie saying goofy things to me and Justin at bedtime*

Me- "Pennie, you're a ham."

Pennie- "No I not. I a hamster."

*At Chick-Fil-A for lunch one day, the kids discussed what order they like to eat the fruit from their fruit cup*

Nathaniel- "I used to eat the oranges and strawberries first, then the apples, and then grapes."

The girls looked at him confused.

Nathaniel- "That's how old I am. I remember when they had grapes instead of blueberries."

The girls asked if they could watch a movie at bedtime one night. I said yes. 

Gabrie and Lillie in unison- "You're the best mom ever!"

Lillie- "Moms are only sweet when they're pregnant."

*Pennie while cleaning the playroom, without a shirt on*

Pennie- "Mama, I'm hot. Are you hot?

Me- "Yes."

Pennie- "Then take off your shirt!"

Lillie lost her 6th tooth, just two days before her 7th birthday. That night while tucking them in, and encouraging them to go to sleep quickly (because the tooth fairy doesn't come if you stay up late), Gabrie said, "Mama, if the tooth fairy isn't real, you can tell us. We're okay with knowing that magical things aren't real. Just like Santa isn't real! Cause at Christmas, Daddy wrote 'From Santa' on your gift and it was HIS writing!" 

Addie- "Papa, is coming tomorrow! When will he be here?"

Me- "Tomorrow night."

Addie- "I bet he's gonna say 'you have grown up!' Cause I AM growing bigger."

Nathaniel lost a molar. Here's his selfie of the occurrence. 

                         Addie- "Mama, tomorrow does Papa have to leave?

                                Me- "Yep, in the morning."

Addie- "I'm gonna miss him."

Me- "Me too. It's been fun, hasn't it?"

Addie- "Yeah. It stinks not getting to see your grandpa."

*Addie eating a popsicle.*

"Oh good! Now I got a nail file!"

Addie- "we should watch Dude Perfect. The new videos are CLASSIC!"

Pennie- "she is my friend because she has a beautiful style." 

Gabrie is a tree climbing book worm.

Happy Birthday, Ma

Last night I searched for the perfect picture to share on Facebook, along with a sappy birthday post, and then I brilliantly decided a sappy blog post would be better. I'm a day late, but she'll understand. It's hereditary...I'm pretty sure! I couldn't let the day go unnoticed though, because this lady is super special. Our family is incredibly lucky to have such a woman to call "Ma". 

I remember the first time in my adult life a friend talked about how they weren't close to their mom. I couldn't imagine it! I couldn't help but think of my own mom when she talked negatively about hers and it made me sad for both of them. Maybe it was a little naive of me, but I assumed all daughters and mothers were good friends. Over the years I have heard and read more and more stories of daughters not liking their mom, and moms not making much effort to be close to their daughter. I've realized just how blessed I am! 

We had hoped to visit on her birthday this year. Planned on it even. And when she found out we were going to make a 10 hour drive just to spend a day with her, she insisted we skip it. That's the kind of selfless person she is-- some mothers would be upset that we didn't come; mine said she'd be upset if we did! 😄 

To one of my very best friends, Happy Birthday. 

P.S. You're lucky I'm not tech savvy. I wanted to include the videos of you racing us down the road with the other kids when our visit is over and we leave for Texas, but I couldn't figure it out. Maybe one day.

February Kid Cuteness

A Collection of Cute Quotes From the Kids This Month

Me: "Are you gonna lay down with me?"

Pennie: "Yes. Because you are sweet. You're a sweet mom. I 'wub' you."

Addie: "I have a bad feeling about this." Said in response to me asking Gabriella if she could "hold it" a few more minutes till we got home. 

Pennie: "You are a sweet mama!" *big hug*

Me: "And you are a booger head!" 

Pennie: "Nuh-uh! I don't pick boogers!"

One night Justin helped Pennie out of the bath and took her to get jammies for bed. On the way to her drawer for panties, she began singing her made up song to the tune of "Do you know the Muffin Man?"-- "Do you know the Panty Man, the Panty Man, the Panty Man."

Addie-"Mama, when I'm a mom I'm gonna get my kids everything they want. I'm gonna let them choose a bath bomb, and I'm gonna get them a juice, and candy at the store." --her response to the many no's I told her and her sisters while grocery shopping. 

On our way home from our visit with the midwife and the kids hearing the baby's heartbeat-- 

Justin- "What did you guys think?" 

Said in unison:

Gabrie- "Good!"

Lillie- "Great!"

Pennie- "I don't think!" 

We ate dinner at 5:20 one night. Addie says, "Why are we eating dinner when it's still morning time?"

"Can you start me out?"- Addie, handing me a cutie, requesting that I help get the peeling started. 

Addie says "smallow" instead of "swallow", and soy sauce is "soil sauce". 

I caught Addie messing with my phone, and stopped her. She says, "I just need to see what time it is."

Me: "Why do you need to know that? You're 4. It's 6:15, what does that tell you?"

Addie: "It tells me the time."

Addie: "Pennie, do you think I'm dumb?"

Pennie: "No, Addie. You are 'tute'!" (cute)

Justin likes to give the kids and me gifts every year for his birthday. He's been doing it for at least the last 5 years or so. This year he was extra busy with work and simply hadn't had time to go shopping for us, so one weekend he had the kids pick out their own toys from Wal-Mart. The girls all chose a special Barbie set and Nathaniel chose a new hockey video game. Pennie chose this "Giant Barbie" and throughout the entire store and drive home, so kept exclaiming, "I can't 'beliebe' it! I'm so LUCKY!" 

And the last comment for February goes to Nathaniel. I came across this cool video of quadruplets being delivered via c-section and wanted Justin and Nathaniel to see it. I showed Justin, who thought it was gross, but watched it to the end. Next was Nathaniel's turn; I sat him down on the couch by me so we could watch it together. 

"EEWWW I don't wanna watch this!" (Jumps off the couch so he can't see it anymore)

"Dude, sit down and watch it!"

"No, Mama. I'm not Kim Kardashian. I don't wanna eat your womb or something!" (referencing placenta encapsulation)

I don't want to eat my womb either... I just thought it was a cool baby video. 

I guess Lillie and Gabrie didn't have much to say this month, but Lillie did lose her first front tooth!

Some Not So Shocking News ;)

We're excited to announce our newest adventure for 2019--baby #6 is due this August! This past Tuesday, we finally got to hear the sweet sound of life from this new soul God has blessed us with. The kids sat quietly on the bed with me, (the quietest they have ever been in their whole life!), and listened intently while the midwife searched for a heartbeat. 

Penelope brags daily about being a "big sista". Adaleine asks me every single day "has the baby kicked yet?". Before that though, her question was, "are you sure you're 'preganant'?" Lillianna and Gabriella are hoping for twins. A boy and a girl, because "we've never had a baby brother before and we want another girl to play barbies with us". Nathaniel is happy with either one. I don't think he's holding his breath for a baby brother though. 😉 

Our plan this time, God-willing, is to have a home birth. Yes, that's right. This baby will be a TEXAN! Nathaniel and Gabriella were both born in Arkansas because we still lived there. And then Lillianna came in April, a month after Justin graduated from Spartan. Awaiting her arrival was the only thing keeping us in Oklahoma, so we decided to just stay at my parents house in Arkansas until she arrived, because we knew Oklahoma was not where we'd be living. At the time, Justin had two job offers, one in Texas and one in Colorado, and we hadn't yet decided which one to take but knew the best thing was to wait for Lillie to be born before moving away. She came a day early and Justin left for Colorado to start his new job and find us a house, just a week after she was born. We followed him three weeks later after he found us a beautiful house. (Still miss it!) In 2014, Adaleine joined us and it was during my pregnancy with her that I began researching home births, and falling in love with the idea. We met with two midwives, but ended up deciding to do something crazy... we planned on having her in Arkansas instead. So a few weeks before my due date, Justin drove the kids and me to Arkansas, and turned right back around to Colorado so he wouldn't waste time off before her birth. The plan was for Justin to come back a couple days before my due date; all my babies came the day before they were due, after all. What could go wrong? Miss Adaleine decided to arrive four days early. The second labor began, I called Justin and told him to leave NOW! He made the 12 hour drive in record time (with one potty break on the side of the road, one gas refill, and without any tickets), we went to the hospital and Addie came an hour later. And then it was Penelope's turn. We decided on the same plan we made with Addie, except this time we lived in Texas and it was only a 9 hour drive. Pennie came ten days early but with another twist--my water ruptured early that morning, but thankfully not enough to rush to the hospital, which allowed Justin enough time to get to Arkansas. Contractions didn't even start until after we got to the hospital, and she was born shortly after. 

I can't wait to find out what this sweet baby's birth story will be. Hopefully it will be the intimate, peaceful experience I've been dreaming about for five years. It will be an adventure either way. 

Happy Heart Day

Our homeschool co-op celebrates Valentine's Day at the skating rink every year. The kids had a wonderful time, loved making boxes and valentines for their friends (in true Grace fashion, we threw boxes together the day before. Glitter glue for the win!), and we came home with at least 150 cards with candy attached. Nathaniel skipped the box and valentines, but wasn't too cool to whip out his blades. (Or to help Addie around the rink several times. He's a keeper.) And yes, it was really actually warm enough for shorts. 82 degrees in February.

Kid Cuteness-January Edition

Normally I would document cute things my kids say or do in a Facebook status, but since I'm trying to limit Facebook time this year, I had to come up with a new way to remember those funny things they say. It meant saving it in a memo on my phone, and unfortunately that was harder to do than a quick FB post, but I'm going to get better. The reality of it is I'd almost have to record our entire day, because honestly, they say and do many hilarious things... but then I'd also have to remember the many feuds, attitudes, and bad behavior we encounter daily. The stuff that isn't supposed to happen between sweet, happy siblings. Like the current fight over a coloring book that I'm trying to drown out with the help of Alexa and The Lumineers.

Back to the cute stuff...

1. One night this month, Justin brought up our need for an escape plan in case we ever encounter a house fire. We discussed the basics with the kids before bed and tried to prepare them a little for what it could be like if they woke up to the house on fire. Of course there was concern for the cats; how would they get out?! I told them we'd try our best but it was most important to get the people out. Just after we finished discussing, said our good-nights, and prayed over everyone's night, Addie exclaimed, in all seriousness, "Daddy! What if there's a fire under your blanket??" Insert obligatory toot joke. Exploding laughter. I no longer recall who made the toot joke, probably the boy, but it could go either way. 

2. We just finished our Friday co-op and Justin was home early and off for the weekend, so we decided on a spontaneous trip to Dallas. I do all the packing for our trips and instruct the older kids what to bring to me so I can arrange it in the suitcase. It's a big job and even though wherever we go probably has a Wal-Mart, I tend to get a little stressed. I strive (and mostly fail) to be an organized person, and forgetting things we need is not organized! Lillie is a little shy, but don't be fooled: she comes to life at home and can be quite the comedian. And if you can imagine her serious little voice saying it, it's even cuter. "Lillie, did you get three pairs of socks?" "Oh, I got more than three. Now that's what I call -- BEING. PREPARED." We hit the road a couple hours later, and embarked on what felt like the longest drive of our life. Obviously it wasn't but we severely miscalculated just how far Dallas is from Midland. Justin doesn't like to make too many stops, especially since our destination was so close...we arrived at our hotel after 8, none of us had eaten dinner yet, and we were a little "testy". The next day was record cold temps (I'm guessing. All I know is it was freezing). Definitely not Zoo weather, huh Justin? So we opted for something indoors, the Dallas World Aquarium, along with 500 other guests that morning. Above the trail inside, there is all sorts of jungle-y vegetation; Pennie looked up and thought the vines were snakes. I told her, "no, those are just branches." Later, Justin tried to scare her by saying, "Pennie, look at all the snakes up there!" to which she frantically replied, "No, Daddy! Those are just 'ranches'!"

3. A couple Sundays ago was serious business for football fans around the nation. We watched both games, almost back to back. Don't tell Ma I actually somewhat enjoyed watching it this year. (The boys have corrupted me, Ma. It's not my fault!) I have to be the annoying girl watching though, and root against whoever Nathaniel is rooting for and ask him to explain the rules to me. Justin to Nathaniel: "Give up, Dude. I've tried explaining it to her for years." Anyway, miraculously both teams Nathaniel was cheering for won. He swore at the beginning that he was having really good luck that day, (I think it started earlier that morning when he found out the Oilers won the night before.) and that his teams would make a comeback and compete at the Superbowl and WHEN that happens, "Daddy has to take me to buy a lottery ticket, because I'm lucky today!!!!" That night they went to the convenience store and bought two tickets. The drawing was held a few days later, and Nathaniel Googled the results. He came to me with a slump in his shoulders, "Well, I didn't win the Powerball. BUT, I did learn that if you stack 1 billion, $100 bills on top of each other, it would be as tall as TWO Willis Towers in Chicago!" His disappointment turned so quickly into enthusiasm over that little fact.

4. Gabriella is very into pranks lately. She has gotten "stuck" in two trees, "not cleaned her room" at least a dozen times, and has plans of countless more, I am certain. The prank-er, might soon become the prank-ee.