Casa Update

For those of you who have been wondering...
We went in for our pre-drywall walk through yesterday. As of today (and since he said we could lock in, I believe him) we do our final walk through on December 15th and close on the 19th. Holy cow, it's real. The same week we close, I start my once a week doctor's appointments. Talk about time flying by!
The siding is mostly finished and the front stone work should begin any day. Here are some pictures. I'll take some more of the exterior once the stone is on.

Hello, Dolly!

Devin, Reagan and I spent the weekend in the beautiful Smoky Mountains. Pigeon Forge, to be exact. It was a quick trip, but a pretty drive. The highlight of the trip? Dollywood, of course! I had been once before, but I think I was about 4 years old. Since I'm a little bit prego, I enjoyed the walk. Dev and Rea enjoyed the rides. The Christmas lights were up, so it was a great way to kick off the holidays.
On the way home, we stopped by my Aunt and Uncle's house in Newport, VA. It was a great way to break up the trip and spend some time together. Reagan loved taking a walk with my Uncle Paul to see a pond and visit with a horse down the road. Just before we left, my cousin called to say she saw a black bear cross the road on her way out. We didn't see him, but sorta wanted to. Maybe another time!

Happy Howl-O-Ween!

This year, Halloween seemed to last forever. On the actual day, I woke Reagan up by saying "Happy Halloween." Her reply, "Again?" How true, Rea. How true. It was fun while it lasted though.
The Thursday before H'ween, Reagan's pre-school had their costume parade and class parties. Devin and I listened to Reagan and the other kiddies sing some holiday songs they had been learning, then walk, class by class, to show off their wares. (Disney Pixar stock must have skyrocketed in preparation for this big holiday. We saw many a Buzz Lightyear and Woody from Toy Story) What was Reagan dressed as this year? Dorothy, of course! After that, we mosied over to Reagan's room to have our first class party of the year.
Saturday, was the ward Trunk or Treat. Devin played along with me and we dressed as a theme this year. With Dorothy already chosen, Dev and I morphed into the Wicked Witch of the West (good thing my graduation robe is one size fits most) and the Scarecrow. I thought we turned out pretty cute. Unfortunately, my chili didn't even get an honorable mention. Sigh... Trunk or Treating was FREEZING that night and Yay Yay was happy to sit in the warm car and eat her candy while we finished handing ours out from the back.
Sunday afternoon, Devin carved our pumpkin. I will be the first to admit, I am NOT a good carver. Devin doesn't mind it, so I'm great with it being his "thing" year after year. Rea helped scoop out the guts...for a little while.
Halloween day was pretty low-key. Devin got off work early and we took Rea (costume and all) to visit Devin's parents, brother, grandmother, aunt and uncle, etc. etc. It was a rainy night, so we were all fine with Reagan and Devin hitting only a few houses in our own neighborhood before calling it a night.

Now, I just need to keep my paws off of all of the candy that's still haunting me...

Feelin' a little blue...

Last Saturday I was home visiting my parents during General Conference weekend and to celebrate my dad's birthday. I knew that a family friend was not doing too well and thought it would be a great time to pay her a visit. As it turned out, she had to cancel my visit at the last minute because she was having a really rough day. I told her daughter that I understood and to tell her that I loved her and would try again another time. There won't be another time.

Sister Sleight has always been there. My memories growing up at church include her. She was at girls' camp, roadshow practice...you name it. I have memories doing YW's activities at her kitchen table and closely examining her wall of family photos in her family room. I feel most fortunate, however, to have had her as my seminary teacher my senior year of high school. Boy was she a dedicated seminary teacher! And we studied the Old Testament that year! Sister Sleight always wrote with a pencil. Her scriptures were fresh for our new year of study. I can still see her black quad sitting on the table every morning.

Later on, she was kind enough to throw me a bridal shower when I got married and a baby shower when I had Reagan. She gave me great advice when I prepared to go to the temple. My recipe books are filled with Sharma Sleight originals. She gave me a hug any time I came home to visit during college. (Even though President Sleight gave me a hard time about being there ;)) She was a friendly face in the Vienna Ward Relief Society any time I was around.

I remember seeing Sister Sleight a little while after she had a double mastectomy. I was afraid I would hurt her if I gave her a hug. She told me it would be fine and I'm glad to say that giving her that hug in the church foyer is my last personal memory. I'm also glad I went ahead and asked her daughter Nicole to tell her I loved her. Because I sure do.

Saturday night I happened to call my dad on his cell phone. He had just left the Sleight's and told me what happened. I was so sad. I'm still very sad. But I feel so happy for Sister Sleight that she is no longer suffering. She had a long courageous battle and now she is free from her pain and discomfort.

I worry about President Sleight. He sure loved his wife. I know he misses her and will until they are again reunited. What a love story! What an example!

I feel so very blessed to have had her in my life. Sister Sleight, thank you.
'Til we meet again...

Fall happenings...

Posting again in less than a month? Yes. And you're quite welcome!
Fall has hit the great state of Virginia, and with it, cooler temps. Can I get an amen?! It's the most wonderful time of the year. October, November and December are the B.E.S.T. Especially here in the Old Dominion, my friends.

Reagan is into her preschool routine and has experienced such amazing events as: "red" day, visits from Henrico County's finest, and her first FIELD TRIP!! On Tuesday I accompanied her class to the Hanover Vegetable Farm and had a blast. We had awesome weather and beautiful scenery. We enjoyed a hay ride, punkin' pickin', fresh apples from the farm, seeing all of the animals, doing water pump duck races and playing in a corn box. (A sand box filled with dried corn instead of sand.) It was a great way to spend the morning.

I am still Devin's taxi driver and I'm *hoping* he'll be cleared on Monday to begin driving again. He's had physical therapy twice a week since his last visit to the doc and they say his recovery is ahead of schedule. A milestone for me; getting all of his toiletries out of our powder room downstairs. They were beginning to drive me CRAZY!

Another big item of note, they broke ground on our house! The basement has been dug, so each day brings something new and exciting for us to see when we drive by. We met with our builder last week and he predicts a finished house by mid December. Let's hope he's right!

I'm 24+ weeks now. Things are going well, but 2 weeks ago pregnancy really hit. I went from having to remind myself I was pregnant, to no reminders necessary. My belly is big, this little girl is rockin' and rollin' inside and my energy and patience are getting smaller and smaller by the day. Have I mentioned that I love preschool?!

I've been busy getting ready for the Primary program at church. (all the kids do a presentation each year) It is written and parts are distributed. Phew!

Oopsie! Here are the pictures to go with that last post.

Girl #2, Surgery, Dance Class, Turning 3 and Preschool!!

On August 30th, Devin, Reagan and I went in for my BIG ultrasound. I learned the last time not to convince myself one way or another what we were having. BUT, if I had to guess (again!) I would have guessed boy. Why? Beats me. That's only if I had to guess. I didn't convince myself either way. And it's a good thing, because we are having girl #2. My reaction? Laughter. Devin is SO outnumbered! As it looks right now, numero dos will be making her entry into the world somewhere between January 18th and 25th. My guess? (maybe I shouldn't do that) I'd say she'll come closer to the 18th end of her week long due date. Think this one will look like me?

The next day, we woke up bright and early to embark in Surgery 2011. My oh my. We made it through that rough first week and a half by hook or by crook. Devin had arthrosurface on his right knee. (he'll need to do the left eventually, too) We found out on his post-op visit on Monday that they had to break a bone and then screw it back together. Poor guy. He is now the proud new owner of 4 screws and 3 implants! He had some NASTY bruising that is luckily making its way out. He won't be able to drive or put any weight on it for another month. Prayers are welcome. :-/

The evening of Devin's surgery, Reagan started a dance class at The Little Gym down the street. It's an hour of fun, let me tell you. She does 15 minutes of tap, 15 minutes of ballet, 15 minutes of creative movement and 15 minutes of gymnastics. She LOVES it!! Her tiptoe walking really comes in handy in ballet class! Boy howdy! That girl is a NATURAL when it comes to staying up on her toes.

On September 8th, my little Rea Rea turned 3! How did that happen?! We celebrated by going to lunch at Red Robin, opening presents, having Chick-Fil-A for dinner, getting our toes and nails done and adopting two new members of the family. Reagan is the proud new owner of 2 beta fish. A red one named Strawberry Shortcake and a blue one named Beach Ball. She named them all by herself! Believe it or not, they are still alive! I made a rainbow cake (hard to ice and so ugly on the outside!) that tasted pretty darn good. It was a great birthday!

On Tuesday (the 13th) Reagan started preschool. She has done such a great job! I have to admit, this morning I dropped her off in the carpool line instead of walking her to her room and got a little misty. She looked so little walking in there by herself. Don't worry, they have tons of aides and volunteers to make sure the kids get to where they need to go, but holy cow! Don't get me wrong, this is exciting and necessary. We are all happy about this next step into Independence. I just couldn't believe she was out the door and gone.
Her teacher is the mother of a boy I taught a few years ago. Small world! I just found out I'm going to be a co-room mom and am excited for the fun this year holds. Preschool is awesome!

This pregnant wife, mom, nurse, chauffeur, dresser, cook, pharmacist, laundress, maid, church volunteer and house builder is P.O.O.P.E.D.