Running Chatter

Turns out that it was simple to make and tasted excellent.  Chad raved about it and he’s not one that raves.  Want to try it?  Recipe, here.
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2.  Evenings

Our evening routine has changed.  The summer months lend themselves to outdoor play until dark and rushing in to take baths before tucking little ones into bed.  Now that it is colder and darker in the evenings, we find ourselves indoors with, what seems like, extra time.  We are enjoying the extra time.  The latest obsession in our home is a new board game we got Charlie for his birthday. 

The game is called Hedbanz and the kids LOVE it and eh, em. . . so do I.  We play it almost every evening and I think it’s entertaining (and challenging) for both children and adults. You can purchase it here.  Charlie informed me that we must have a “family game night” every night.  It really is the simple things, isn’t it?
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3.  Baby Stuff

Have I mentioned that November is the month of our due date?  Twenty days to go!  I had an appointment today and learned that I am now 2 cm. dilated and measuring 5 weeks small.  They did another ultrasound just to be sure that baby is growing okay and we learned that I have a very average size baby.  In fact, our little boy or girl is already above 6 lbs!

What?!  Ummm, can you recheck that, please? 

It seems that this baby is already bigger than Charlie and Chanelle were at birth.  Oh my. . . this makes me nervous.  Very, very nervous.  Somebody reassure me that it’s all going to be okay. . . please. 

This news did, however, help me understand why I am so uncomfortable all the time.  A big(ger) baby in a small(er) space makes for a tough time breathing, sitting, standing, talking, walking. . . blah, blah, blah. 

The question remains. . . will I go full term? 
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4.  Gratitude

If there is one concept, above all other concepts, that I want my kids to learn. . . it is gratitude.  My hope is that they will live a life of thankfulness and understand fully what it means.  I want them to understand that they are entitled to nothing, but that everything is a blessing. . . a gift. . . an honor.  From thankfulness to God to thankfulness to others I long for them to understand it.  One way we do that. . .

. . . homemade thank you notes. 

Some may think that these are outdated and old-fashioned.  I, however, think real, genuine, snail-mail thank you notes will never go out of style.  We don’t make anything extravagant.  Crayons, stickers, stamps, and some paper and my kids are learning that saying “thank you” is fun. 
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5.  One boy + One Girl + One Baby

I had a moment of panic today.  Fear about adding a baby into our seemingly very easy mix.  I’m sure that all of my fears are in vain, but they are real and they are persistent.  The unknown scares me.  We are no longer two on two.  We are outnumbered.  I fear someone feeling left out.  I fear not being able to handle it all.  The transition time is making me nervous.

If you’ve transitioned from two to three. . .what are the best words of advice you were given? 
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6.  Speaking of Gratitude

I just wanted to take a moment again to say thank you to each one of you who visit this space.  From those of you that I know to those that remain anonymous, this community has become an integral part of my life.  In a strange way, this space has become a safe place for me to be me, the real me, and to feel comfortable in my own skin.  Thank you for accepting my Chatter throughout all the silly, serious, and crazy parts of life.  I wish that I could give back to this community as much at it has given me.  I wish that I could send each of you a thank you note.  All I have, though, are simple words written in my corner of the world wide web and I want you to know that, if you are reading them, the words are meant for you. 

Thank you for being a part of our story. 
Thank you for encouraging.

Thank you for being patient.
Thank you for understanding.
Thank you for letting me be me.

Simply, thank you.
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Have a wonderful weekend and don’t forget to change your clocks!

Chatter Out. . .