Here comes sissy.

Maybe this is two posts in one day.  But, this one deserves it's own post.  We were so happy to be able to share this news with our family this month.  And we really couldn't be more thrilled.  Can't you see the excitement in Eli's face?

We kept this one a secret for longer, because I was nervous since my last miscarriage.  But, what can I say, you get to a point when you have to let the news out, because, lets face it...my hips don't lie.  Seriously, they don't.  I think they might be expanding by the minute!

...and August flies by.

This last month was so busy.  At least, that is what everyone always writes when they haven't written anything in a long time.  It was filled with house-hunting, a family reunion, surgery for dad, and announcing some news for our little family.  Here are some tid-bits from it.

Ben's parents were up in Austin for 2 weeks from Panama.  So, it was a great cause for a family reunion!  We were so lucky to have family come from Washington, Utah, and North Carolina to spend time with us.  Eli just soaked up all of his cousin, aunt & uncle, and grandparent time.  It was hot.  But, it was a hot blast.

We just about melted into hot lava at the dinosaur park.  But, the kiddos (for the most part) seemed to love it.  This just happened to be Ben's birthday.  We followed it up with a yummy lunch at Rudy's bbq.  And, yes, I forgot to take any pictures of Ben on his birthday.  Happy, Birthday, Ben.  You are a real gem for putting up with me!

We all went paddle boating or canoeing on lake in Austin.  It was beautiful, filled with views of downtown...if you went far enough down to see them.  You see, I have been having this wish to go paddle boating with Ben & Eli for a while now, and I can say that it is checked off the list, and we won't be doing it again.  It was hard work (and Ben did most of it) to paddle our little legs and control Eli from climbing all over the boat.  But, he was simply adorable in his life jacket, if I do say so!

We happened to see this dude doing a little yoga in the park.  Cool.  Keep Austin weird, right?

We went to Cabela's outdoor store, which actually was a fantastic activity.  It was full of animal exhibits, and aquarium, and a shooting gallery...AND it was indoors and air-conditioned!  Good times for some dude-bonding stuff!

And, then, we had an "Everyone" Birthday Party.  This was my sis-in-law, Janae's, idea since we are never together for birthdays.  The kiddos loved it.  Complete with cake, pinata, bunnies, ladder ball, and water balloon launching.  Eli looks so grown up hitting a pinata.  Slow down, pal!

I had to go to work, but Ben & Eli joined the rest of the family for a trip to the state capital.  Kids will be kids.

And, oh, there was so much more!  I didn't manage to get picture of the family talent show.  Eli did some impromptu somersaults, after seeing the other kids dance.  When my niece, Grace, found out I didn't have a talent, she so kindly signed me up for "hospital stuff".  So, I put a toilet-paper made cast on teddy bear Truffle's broken leg.  Good times!

Thank goodness for family.  Janae and Nathan were great to open their beautiful home to the chaos.  But, it was the best chaos we could ask for!  And, we can't wait for November when Ben's mom & dad will move back here!  Yay!

The day after we left there, we went to check on my dad who had a hernia surgery.  He had to just stay one night, but we welcomed him home the next day with happy voices.  Since it was mom's birthday, too, we sang a great medley of "I'm so glad when Gramps comes home", "Happy Birthday, Mimi", and "We love you so much".  And, we definitely do love them so much!

 And, one last thing.  I love that dad's allergy bracelet says Sunny Delight.  It is true.  That junky juice makes his throat close up.  But, it was pretty funny!

639 Loma Vista Circle

Our house in Mesa, Arizona sold.  Hmmm.  I thought I would feel total relief, and I do feel glad that it frees us up financially to look for a home here in Texas.  But, with it, I feel a sadness.  This was a great home for us...it was our home.

In that house, I visited for dates with my husband-to-be, and chatted with him & his roommates, falling in love with him more every day.

In that house, we came home after our honeymoon, and started our life together as Mr. & Mrs. (This did involve me replacing some of his decor with mine.)  But, it ended up being a nice blend of B&L.  It was a great surrounding to gather with friends for game nights.

In that house I came home from work eagerly to find Ben to show him my positive pregnancy test.  Eight months later, my water broke in that same room!

At that house, I knew that my patriotic husband would make sure to have our flag flying outside on every Veteran's day, Memorial, day, Independence day, and Election day (and any other day he was feeling like it).

In that house, we brought our darling baby boy home and learned how to be parents.  Eli sure did mark his territory back then peeing on the couch almost every time we changed his diaper.

In that house, Eli made it through each first year milestone, making us more and more proud with every roll, laugh, crawl, and Frankenstein step.  And, when we celebrated his 1st birthday, we were proud of him, and with ourselves for making it through the first year!

It was a great home for us.  Our hearts are filled with memories of that place. Tears crawl down my face just thinking about it.  We left some great things behind, along with some really great people.  But, thank goodness I took my two favorites along with me on this crazy ride.  For now, home is where Ben & Eli are.  So long, 639.  I'll miss you.  And, I hope the next family loves this place as much as we do!