Duct (Tape) Tales

Does anyone remember that cartoon called "Duck Tales"? I have the tune stuck in my head right now, Duck Tales, woo - ooh . . . everyday that I've been (something), Duck Tales, woo - ooh.

Ok. I'm stopping.

Anyway, what inspired this title and post -- Allie recently went to the dermatologist to see about having a couple of warts on her fingers removed. We were in there for no more than 15 minutes and it was $108. And that was just for the dr. to prescribe this really expensive medicine to put on. So we went to Costco to pick up the medicine. The dr. said we could ask for 5 packets or something like that and it should do the trick. SO . . . . we asked for three packets to start with and it was going to be almost $90 for those, but then the pharmacist came back and said they actually couldn't split the box up, you had to buy it with TWELVE packets. This cost almost $300. So Ethan and I thought, no thanks. We decided to call the dermatologist back to see what other options there are.

I happened to read an article in a mom magazine the same night that talked about how duct tape removes warts. So I went to Walmart and bought the "pinkest" tape I've ever seen.

Both Allie and Emmie are in love with it now. Of course. They love band-aids, why would this be any different? So I just put them to bed, and Emmie was so excited to get some duct tape too. I let her have a piece. So far I think it's been on her foot, knee, and finger.

I hope this works . . . in the meantime, I'm wondering if the dermatologist will give me a refund?

Oh, here's a quick shot of Emmie's playdoh creation from today.

When she said, "Mommy, I made an elephant!" I just had to get a picture. I really have no idea how it's an elephant, but she says the two little parts sticking out on the sides are the arms. :)

Monday

Yesterday was a big day. We had a visit to the midwife and . . . .

We're having a BOY! We could not be happier. Allie put it best when she said, "Mommy, our family is perfect now!" She's really happy for Ryan to have a little brother.

Yesterday we also flew out here . . .

. . . to Indianapolis. We were supposed to get in around 10 at night (their time) but actually ended up here around 1:00 in the morning. Our not-so-wonderful airline switched terminals on us last minute, then we loaded on a plane, sat for at least an hour and a half while they tried to figure out a problem with the plane (one engine was idling faster than the other), and then unloaded us and sent us to another terminal and another plane. It was just delightful.

I love the hotel we are in. We are actually sleeping in a real train station . . . in a rail car! It feels so different. You can actually feel vibrations from trains passing through while laying in bed. I'll have to post pics later.

* * * Some sweet and funny comments from our kids: * * *

Emmie, yesterday, when asked what she wanted to do when she grows up --

"I want to wash windows."

Hmm, not what we were expecting!

And Allie, when we told her we flew up above the clouds, asking us (seriously) --

"Did you get to see Jesus?"

Robbed . . . again

So Ethan's full gas tank was emptied early this morning while he was having breakfast with the guys from our home team. This happened last fall too, but that time it happened at the church.

What's the deal? Has this happened to anyone else? It's like he has a sign hanging on his Jeep saying "please siphon me!"

Aaaghh . . . I'm glad everything we own belongs to God. He'll deal with the dumb thieves.

I Can't Live Without My Internet Service!

Perhaps I am being a bit dramatic, but we didn't have our internet for almost two weeks and it almost killed me. I felt so cut off from the outside world!

What's been going on:

* my Bible was baptized this morning when Ryan put it into a tub I was running for Allie. We have been drying it all day with a fan without great success

* learned that Allison has always thought the word "turtle" was actually pronounced "churtle". She was SO surprised when we were reading to see that it started with a "t"

* reading the book "The Heavenly Man" -- it's about a Chinese guy known as "Brother Yun". I have been so inspired to live a life that shows a passion for Christ. This guy prayed for months just to get a Bible; it was precious to him. I don't want to live in persecution but there is definitely something to say about the way it changes your relationship with Jesus.

* discovered digital scrapbooking. I still have no idea what I am doing but am happy to be able to do it from the computer. Less mess.

* actually get to go away with my hubby! We are flying to Indianapolis next week. More about that later . . .

* misplaced my camera. As I often misplace everything I own this is no surprise, but it does make for a boring post.

That's all for now!

Trying Something New

I've never tried painting a portrait. This was my attempt. Does anyone know who this is supposed to be?

It's About Time

I am a horrible, unworthy blog writer. Any decent blogger would have posted by now.

Good. Now that I have that out of my system, here's what we have been up to . . .

Promised birthday pics --

Ethan surprised me bigtime with this wonderful easel. I have sure enjoyed using it. He knows I am inherently lazy, even when painting, so he got me an easel I can use while sitting on the couch watching movies with him. Very clever, honey.I just adore the storage for my brushes. The man thought of everything. :)

As many of our friends know, we have shared custody of this beautiful mutt. My parents are at the coast this week so we have had a little extra fun and fur in our lives at the moment. The girls saw a dog tutu at Walmart today (not kidding) and begged me to buy it. I considered it, if only to see the look on my dad's face when they came to pick her up, but at $8 a pop decided maybe she's already spoiled enough.

Lastly, have I mentioned recently how much I LOVE yardsales? Oh, how I LOVE YARDSALES. They are my balm of Gilead. The first one the girls and I went to this year turned out to be a winner. We got this lovely piece of art:

for, drumroll please . . .

ONE DOLLAR!

Who could resist that? I'm sure it's very famous. I'm just waiting for the people from the antique roadshow to knock on my door and offer us a fortune for it. But I won't sell it, because I'm sentimental.

Haha. Who am I kidding? :)

So my dear husband says, "You should paint stuff like that!" I told him "sure, honey". It only takes a *tiny* bit of talent, right? Ha.

Question . . .

We cleaned our garage on Saturday and for some reason, I can't find my maternity clothes! I know I let some friends borrow some . . . by any chance do any of you remember where they may have gone?

Thanks ahead of time. :)