And because I never posted our 4 year old Birthday Interview (OOPS!)

Q: what is your name?

D's A: Dylan. Dylan Mercer

B's A: Brody Mercer

Q: what animal do you like?

D: Ollie the Elephant

B:. Monkey!

Q: what is your favorite color?

D: Green

B: My favorite color is…PINK!

Q: where do you like to go?

D: the zoo! The zoo!

B: HEB to buy food

Q: what store do you like to go to?

D: HEB. HEB, Mom. HEB.

B: Target to buy toys

Q: what do you like to play?

D: umm, Skip-Bo.

B: Imaginext Men, Cars 2 EYES,

Q: what do you like to do outside?

D: play football.

B: play outside. Play basketball.

Q: what do you like to do with daddy?

D: wrestle with him

B: tackle!

Q: what do you like to do with mama?

D: make cookies

B: help you get your smellys (Scentsy) ready

Q: what do you like to do with brody?

D: play Thomas.

Q: what do you like to do with dylan?

B: play toys with him

Q: do you know bible words?

D: not yet. No, not yet. When I am six I will know my bible words.

B: yes, I do.

Q: what do you do when you are four?

D: PLAY!

B: play some games like “who it is?”

Q: where do you sleep?

D: In my plallet.

B:  in my bedroom all night. We go to Mommy and Daddy’s room when it is 4 again.

Q: what food do you most like to eat?

D: cookies

B: My favorite dinner place where I get food is Rosa’s.

Q: what do you like to drink?

D: Orange Juice

B: cranberry. Cranberry juice.

Q: where do you go to school?

D: at Abilene.

B: The 3 yr old class.

Q: who are your teachers?

D: Miss Julie.

B: Miss Julie and I don’t know.

Q: can you count?

D: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,-28,30-38,40, 41, 42, 43,40-40,45,50-56,78,5ie-1-5ie5

B: 1-29. Now what? (30) 31-39 Now what? (40) 40-49 Now what? (50) 51-59 Now what? I think 100.

Q: who are your friends?

D: I just like 2 boys. I don’t know.

B: DD, Peter,

Q: who is in your family?

D: Mommy, Daddy, Brody

B: Mommy and Daddy and DD

Q: what do you want to do when you get bigger?

D: Play and sing really loud.

B: Play with Dad.

I'm a BIG KID NOW! Interview with a 5 year old

Q: what is your name?

D's A: Dylan Mercer

B's A: Brody Mercer

Q: what animal do you like?

D: Oh, uhhh…I like elephants. But usually my favorite animal is Monkeys!

B: Monkeys, and Bears. I like Monkeys and Bears because I like bananas and I like Bears because I like them roaring.

Q: what is your favorite color?

D: My favorite color? Oh, I have 3 colors: red, blue, green

B: BLUE! Blue is my favorite color!

Q: where do you like to go?

D: Like to go? I like to go to the toy shop and buy some toys.

B: to the yellow pepper place. (Moe’s

Q: what store do you like to go to?

D: Ooh. Store? I like to go to buy some clothes at Old Navy.

B: The Toy Store @ Little Rock

Q: what do you like to play?

D: Like to play? Oh! Legos!

B: Legos! Little Legos I really like to play dress up. I like to be a knight.

Q: what do you like to do outside?

D: I like to exercise!

B: play sand table

Q: what do you like to do with daddy?

D: I like to go eat dinner with him. I mean Lunch.

B: play tickle monster!

Q: what do you like to do with mama?

D: color pictures

B: just cuddle with her

Q: what do you like to do with brody?

D: I like to play with him. What do you like to play? Legos

Q: what do you like to do with dylan?

B: I like to play ipad with him. We both play our ipads.

Q: do you know bible words?

D: Bible words? I just talk softly and quiet. I don’t remember them.

B: Nope! Uhh, Great Joy!

Q: what do you do when you are five?

D: I like to take care of baby.

B: I like to hold Baby Sister. I’d like to her to hold my finger.

Q: where do you sleep?

D: I sleep in my bed.

B: in my bedroom!

Q: what food do you most like to eat?

D: oh…CHIPS!

B: Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches!

Q: what do you like to drink?

D: I like to drink lemonaide. No, water.

B: Something that has fruit in it. Fruit Punch.

Q: where do you go to school?

D:I go to my own one.

B: I don’t know.

Q: who are your teachers?

D: Oh, I can’t remember. My brain is turned off so I can’t remember!

B: Miss Angie

Q: can you count?

D: 1-19, 21, 22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30,31,32,33,34,35

B: 1-10, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28, 29, 30, 31,32,33,34,35,36,37,38,39

Q: who are your friends?

D: Aiden, Adassa, Caden, Mat, Baylor, Bentley, Brent

B: I’ll just say one friend. Mat

Q: who is in your family?

D: Mommy and Daddy. Michael and Leah

B: Mommy, Daddy, and Dylan

Q: what do you want to do when you get bigger?

D: I want to sing songs on my trumpet.

B: Be a policeman!

37 Weeks and Birthday

Then: Feb.22, 2008

37weeks

The BEST day of my life!

The Day we became The Mercers

Now: Feb. 23, 2013

37 weeks

(only 2 weeks to go)

Clearly, I grow kids out. As far out as I can go!

The singleton difference is she is in the middle only.

The boys were out, wide, and way high to way low.

Not all heroes wear capes!

So it is finished.

At 37 weeks pregnant (just 2 wks away from her delivery date) we managed to squeeze out a FUN,FABULOUS, FIFTH birthday for 2 very special boys!

They told me what they wanted-Brody wanted a policeman birthday and Dylan wanted a fireman birthday. They also ha other great plans, but I was able to simplify!

This was the simplest birthday I have ever done for them. It was VERY HARD to let it go. But it was also VERY HARD to even do what I did! Seriously, y'all- I was on the floor tracing a poster size badge and had to have Michael trace the bottom side because my belly wouldn't allow me to bend anymore! (Then I couldn't get up off the floor!)

Even with the simplicity, the boys LOVED it! They were sooooo excited! It was so different then the past parties because they actually were not to embarrassed for the Happy Birthday song and enjoyed all the details of the party!

Bonus: Our party pals ran the party. They had the cupcakes, ice cream, napkins, bowls, table cloths, lemonade, and a whole lot more energy than me! It was awesome! Just the kind I party I needed this year!

  

  

 

My Valentines

I love my special Valentines!

How about you?!

Almost like Christmas Morning

Sunday we had our shower for Sister. I brought the boys with me as my "muscle." They did really well and were excellent present unwrappers. In fact, they were so quick and fast I felt sorry for my poor hostess that was frantically trying to scribble down the gift! (Also the reason I had no time to snap more than 2 pictures. Sorry, Sister.)
It was too cute to watch the boys excitement over these things for Sister. I think one of my favorite comments was by Dylan when he pulled out a dress. " Ooh a pretty church dress!" lol!
She is already a special part of our family and we haven't even met her. Even All the art pictures have had Sister in them!

Notes from the Underbelly

We are fast approaching Mar.7th!

As I was laying in bed, I thought I would jot a few notes about her.

Every night she gets the hiccups. Every. Night.

She really likes it up high in the belly. My belly button hurts so bad. I have all this extra room and skin that the boys stretched out on the sides, but she wants none of that! Right in the middle with her rump in the air!

She likes my nightly bath routine. Always puts on a show.

She's pretty chill morning till lunch.

She always gets excited when she hears her brothers' voices. It's so neat! I always will get a roll or movement when they start talking. They like to read to her. We have been practicing "Thats not my Princess."

Looking forward to matching this personality with the sweet girl!

Prediction: I think she will be a lot like Brody. A busy body!

Then and Now

I'm just 5ft 1 with a very short torso.

My babies go oooooouuuuuuttttttt as far as they possibly can!

It's the only time in life when I'm working the bare midriff because all my shirts got short...or my tummy got huge!

Either way she's growing and so am I. In at that stage where you just feel so fat no matter what.

And now for a little comparison:
36 weeks
Black Dress, 2 babies, a high and low; deep and wide belly, and a young 26 year old bod

35 weeks
Sweatpants, 1 baby, a wide load, and an old --- year old body

Expect the Unexpected

So I'm just a few short weeks out from having this girl! So naturally, I find something new to panic about almost every night.

Side Note: Were you more emotional and anxious with a girl? With the boys, I remember just being so happy! Like rainbows and gumdrops all the time...for 9 months. The girl pregnancy has brought quite a different experience. But my life is also quite cray-cray so maybe that's part of it, too.

I started to think about her birthday. We are planning on sending the boys to school and seeing them on Day 2 when I'm off the meds and out of recovery. And then my heart got a string pulled. I'm going to miss them! And I KNOW that I'm not going to feel up to 2-5 year old visitors right away, but my heart sure will miss them. Not to mention they get scared when I'm in the hospital. When I was last there for 5 days they came up just twice and I just sent them to the nurses' station for popsicles bc they were too scared to come too close to me.

This whole "adding to the family" is really stressful. We had instant family and never had to go through the addition things. And I can't imagine it differently.
I guess that's why I'm nervous about the whole 4 to 5 thing. Clarity isn't something I have had an abundance of so I'm not sure what I'm really nervous about.

Just the unexpected is waiting for me. And it will be my reality!

Random thoughts from the Underbelly

Nothing much new here except the mountain of tasks to complete...We are making progress.
I even got to cross things off my list here.

37 days away from Sister's Big Arrival. Am I ready? NO!

I am still prepping items for the big consignment sale in a few weeks. Currently I'm at 120 items and have 2 more piles to work through. (I swore I was done with big sales like this and in the move I found more of the boys clothes.)

The Christmas Tree is still up. Jan. 31st deadline is fast approaching. I'm hoping I can do that tomorrow once I get all these clothes entered in for consignment.

Seriously, ATT? I'm not interested. I said that when you knocked on my door in the middle of the afternoon. As you continued to try to sway me for whatever it was...I'm still not interested. I do not feel bad for being rude after I said the 3rd time I was not interested and then promptly shutting the door.

The b-day party is just around the corner. I am letting a lot go. We are using what they provide even if it doesn't match. It is what it is. And I'm letting my 5 year old party planners call the shots. Letting it go...

I love a good party!

I have a dilemma! I love to plan parties for my boys! I love celebrating them and this very special gift I have received!

I think they got that from me because they have LOTS of ideas on their party, too.
This is such a big birthday and I really want it to be special!

So many Factors have me nervous that it won't be special.
1. I'm having a baby 2 wks later. I'm going to be 37 wks pregnant at this party. Ha! Let's get real-they will have to roll me in!
2. Bc I'm so close to the baby coming, I booked their first destination party @ the gymnastics place. Fun=yes. All the unique party decorations or coordinating with their theme=no.
3. They supply cupcakes with rings. What?! No precious Lindi cake?!
And invitations. Fill in the blank and be done. Totally fine, but takes away all the creative fun that I enjoy.
4. We still are "new" here and are working to establish friendships. Will any of their new friends come? And with winter birthdays we have dealt with this every year: Will the boys be healthy? Will the guest be healthy?

I am just struggling with letting all the details I love so much (and they do,too) go or just doing it anyway. It's their 5th birthday! I don't want sister's arrival to take away from this very special celebration !

Decisions, Decisions!

Home Goals 2013

Just read a blog and thought about my list.
Ha! Just about everything is on my list and I am pretty sure it will take till the year mark to actually get to the list given all the transition and busy winter we have!
1. Moving dump zone turns into Baby Nursery
2. Finish the basic plan for boys' room
3. Hang up all the art, frames, ect.
4. Finish having the house painted.
5. Pick a carpet and have them replaced.
6. Get boxes out of master bedroom! Paint end tables and upgrade from a box to an end table again! And get new bedding for bed. ( I really had hoped to be able to get a new bedroom set complete with a king size bed, but this move didn't go so smoothly and ate up all my extra $. Phooy. )
7. Re-unpack & settle guest room

All these goals have like a million dollar price tag and a million sub-goals to complete.

Guess I need to get to work! Who wants to order some Scentsy? Because that's my budget now. ;)

Well see what December looks like!

2012 Jeers and Cheers

1. Jeer/Cheer: Michael accepted a new job in Arkansas. Jeer for having to move and leave Abilene. But, cheer: After 13 full time years in youth ministry he was really excited to have this new opportunity to be a preaching minister.
2. Cheer: We sold our house in 4 days...while we were out of town! I cleaned it and then we left. Best blessing! And quite the change from the 14 mo and 4 day sale from the last move!
3. Jeer: Michael started his job in Arkansas while we finished the school year in Abilene. We missed Daddy, but the 3 of us became experts at flying to visit him! Such big boys!
4. Jeer: My body completely revolted by March. The whole 30 diet helped me identify the triggers and although food has become really hard for me ( food is so social, y'all! It's impossible to go to lunch with friends or have a meal @ someone's house.) I'm thankful to not be in so much pain.
5. Cheer: After 4 years of the thyroid yo-yo, my Hashimoto disease is leveling out!
6. Jeer: the hardest transition: Nothing went or has gone smoothly. Our life basically blew up. Still trying to get through the mud. (p.s. Texas and Abilene, I miss you!!!)
7. Cheer: say, what???!???? I'm finally pregnant in the mist of all the transitions and chaos! There's my promise of 2012.
8. Cheer: it's a girl!
9. Cheer: Getting to spend a lot of time with my bubbas. We are the 3 musketeers! We have been through it all together. This move has been way easier with the joy and light they bring to my life! 4 has been so fun-their vocabulary and conversations are deep at times or super silly at others. Either way, I'm smiling. Their love and compassion towards me as I have been sick and even towards others warms my heart. I know 2013 brings a new sibling and Kindergarten and I am enjoying every second with my bubbas.
10. Cheer: 9 years of marriage and 13 years of being together with Super Dad, husband, and friend. This year (at least half of it) I have had to rely on him for everything! I'm sure he's ready to have his wife back!

Even though it's been a challenge and at times quite rocky through 2012, it really has been a year of healing, renewal and finding promise.

I only have been diagnosed with new 2 diseases/health issues this year. I know to some that sounds discouraging, but after 2011-"the year of the loss" for me it's a step in the right direction. I spent so long in the dark tunnel searching for the end, a glimmer of hope and light. She arrived this June. I don't know what 2013 holds, but I have been dwelling and listening.
For this new year I am claiming as my word:
JOY

A Texas Size Christmas!

* a beautiful, snowy drive to Texas
* lots of awesome family time even though it was quick
* blessed with gifts aplenty
* a real football bowl game in the Texans stadium
* Ikea and other shopping
* our favorite Texas treats- Pappasitos, Lupe Tortilla, Whataburger
* time to be still as a family
* 30 week milestone!!!!

Sister sure was trying to make a Texas appearance with all the contractions I was having! But she's gonna have to wait and embrace AR on her birth certificate!

So, who's going to put away my Christmas? I'm thinking Christmas through the month of January is a-ok!

Snow!

We woke up the next morning to a foot of snow! It was magical!

White, fresh powder...

You would think we were living in Colorado!

Nope, just Arkansas and for the first time in 80+ years to have snow on Christmas.