Key item found!!!

After picking up Hope today we headed to Walmart for a few last minute items to take to the hospital...low and behold...there it was a light blue beanie in just the right color! My friend Missy is pumped today becasue the dealership finally located her GMC Acadia...I think my $5 light blue beanie may pale in comparison but we are both as excited about our finds! Miss-I wish you were here!

Winding Up

As I try to relax these last days I have not been very successful, but I am OK with that. I feel better when I am under pressure and trying to get a lot of things done at once. Who would think that the one thing causing me the MOST stress would be a need for a boy beanie? Goodness sake alive! Our kids have this thing for skulls-it all started with Andy a few years ago. At first I was against it, then I realized that it is just a skull so I of couse embrace it and buy them all things when I see them. Heck, I even tried to buy Aaron tennise shoes with skulls on them the last 2 days-no luck. Anyways...I bought a boy and a girl iron on skull a few months ago so I needed a beanie for each. I realized that plain white is impossible to find so I started looking for a single blue one and a single pink one over a month ago. I was being too cheap to buy a variety boy pack and a variety girl pack as they are like $7 a pop. I gave up and went to once upon a child and made a purchase there but the girl one was small and I wrooy that it won't fit so Alex talked me into a girl pack. The boy one then looked too worn so I bought a boy pack and it is the wrong light blue so now what do I do? It is Monday...I give up and will make do with what we have-I know, I know isn't this insane? (Shut up Beth)

The kids and I ran around and shopped today from 1-5:30, I am pooped. When we got home we played games, had dinner, folded and out away laundry and then Aaron took a bath. I left them all home in bed watching Beauty and the Beast and went to Krogers. Now I am done for the night...just need to cut up a watermelon...Until next time...much love to you all.

Oh and anonymous if you happen to fall upon my blog again BITE ME!!!

complete...almost

Well Andy's here safe and sound. Normally at this point the excitement for summer would be just about ending, but this year it's just beginning. The small doses are nice to spread around. Why oh why do I need to be awake at 4:21 am? I am not all that thrilled with this business. We got lots done yesterday that was on my list. Today we need to get Andy some shirts and tennis shoes-he only brought 6 shirts and hiking boots. He is so freaking big, 6'5 and so handsome. I am so blessed. Please pray for our friends Kenny and Amy Timmons as they are going through a difficult time. 3 more days...wow!

Are we "all" ready

Aaron and Pa

Daddy and "Macho"

Going home

Big brother and sister

Aunt Krissy, cake lady and one of Aaron's favorite people

Why oh why did I EVER pick this outfit? God help him!

I am pretty sure this was Ash's first diaper change

Little worm

Taken at Mom's right before we went to the hospital

Good morning!

Little love bug!

ONE of my absolute favorites!

Aaron and Mamaw's hand

Now known as Papa T-Rex

The countdown is going so fast and I am anxiously awaiting Wednesday. I don't have that "how am I going to love another baby like I love the one I already have" worry-yet and I pray that I don't get it. What I do have is that worry of "how is my Papa going to adjust to a new baby". Tonight Aaron asked me to hold him while he fell asleep and he has NEVER done that. When he wants to cuddle it is with Daddy, not Mommy. They are definitely cuddle buddies-every morning he wants Alex to cuddle with him in bed. It is one of the most endearing memories that I will always have of them. I wonder how he will react when the baby comes home and I wonder how he will react if it is a girl, because he definitely wants this baby to be a boy. Friends in the past have had older siblings that wanted a fish (Nemo) or a Tennage Mutant Ninga Turtle so I am just trying to be thankful that Aaron wants a baby, he just wants a boy so he can be a brother. He talks all the time about the things he is going to be able to do once he is the "big brother". It seems that he believes that once the baby is born he is going to be a BIG brother liek Andy and will be able to just about conquer the world. He definitely has good role models in Andy and Ashley and I know that having them here is going to be more than a blessing for all of us. I keep looking back at pictures of him in the hospital trying to wrap my head around how in the world the past 3 years went by so fast. It seems that just yesterday we were awaiting his arrival and here we are with him being 3 and awaiting the arrival of our newest addition. So above are some of my favorite pictures from Aaron's arrival.

Enjoying the time

This has been one great week here for me. I have been trying to take it easy and split up relaxing with working as well. I have been able to stay up late on the phone talking to friends about anything and everything and then sleep in a bit. I have made breakfast, lunch and dinner every day for the kids and Alex which makes me most happy. Just playing that (even if for a brief time) stay at home wife/mom role makes me happy and makes my heart smile.

We had a prayer service for a family at church last night which was incredibly awesome. There was so much love in the room from our church family that was showered upon the family in need...It was great.

My family is still dealing with devastating news and a difficult situation so please continue your prayers.

Our friends Heidi and Steve finally hit their 13 week mark in their pregnancy and let their "cat" out of the bag to the world, which is exciting. We will have another new addition to our small group family in December-exciting!

Ashley has adjusted to summer in Ohio. She has become friends with a few of the girls from our Sunday School class that we happen to love so it is great! She has been hanging out and helping out...we will give her a chore list this weekend.

Andy gets here Saturday so she is SUPER excited about that. I cannot wait for him to see the basement and his new digs!

The basement is done-essentially. The carpet is laid, paint is done and the furniture is downstairs. The whole furniture situation didn't work out to the "plan" but that is OK-I will have patience and in time it will be exactly what we wanted...ok what I wanted. It looks awesome and I think that we will get way more use out of it than we ever thought we would.

I feel great for the most part, just pregnant so I am a little slower walking around. I definitely feel and look better that I did when I was at the end with Aaron. I had the realization yesterday that technically my water could break at any time or something and Lord knows I DO NOT want that to happen! I would just like to show up on July 1st and have my c-section like we are scheduled for. Just keep your prayers for a safe delivery and a healthy baby!

Until next time-much love to you all!

prayers needed

There are often times I wonder why people are the way they are. How people can hurt other people, especially children. Life is full of so many ups and downs but we somehow adapt. This past week my family has been faced with a beyond terrible situation and prayers are needed. Some need them more than others and there are different types of prayer needed. I ask that if you read this and you are a "prayer" that you put my family in your prayers, each for their own specific need.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AARON MICHAEL RODRIGUEZ

My little Papa turns 3 today! Hip Hip Hooray!!!

One more day...

Today is my last day of work-Ahhh! At this point I am ready so that I am able to spend next week getting everything ready. We have a lot to do this weekend getting the basement finished so we will be busy. Aaron had a rough day today. He got in trouble for punchign Will square in the nose. Denise said it was the best right hook she has ever seen. Boys will be boys but my goodness! Anways...I am spent so it is time for a bath, sytycd and bed time! Much love to you all!

To Anonymous

Bite me!

A great weekend

Wow! I cannot believe it is over, yet I am so thankful it is. Here is the low down...

Youth group Friday night we had get this 17 kids! Is that freaking awesome or what? It was so amazing when we hit 4, then 8, then 12 and they just kept coming. It was an awesome night of fun and a great lesson from Rob. We love to have the kids here so much and enjoy sharing in their lives. They all love the Rodriguez backyard so it is quite the combination!

Saturday was Aaron's party and WOW! There were so many people here that love my son so much. It made me feel so incredibly wonderful-I just cannot explain. Almost our whole small group was here, family and really good friends-we had 48 people here folks! It was amazing! Thank you SO much from the most bottom of my heart to those of you that came and celebrated the BIG day to us. I know that some people think I am crazy for planning such big parties for a child, but I simply don't care. Like I told Aaron-his birthday is the 2nd most important day of my life-just behind the day I married Alex and I always want his birthday to be special. The people that really know me don't question it and do what they can to help out...the true friends in life. You know who you are-THANK YOU & I LOVE YOU!

We skipped church today-OUCH! I feel bad, like I am going to be punished. We still had guests and we were all so tired that I couldn't do it today. Colleen and the boys left around 11 (I think) and then Alex took Ashley to camp around 1. I headed to small group where we had great food and amazing conversation. They had a little shower of love for Baby Rodriguez which was awesome! I truly love our small group and just feel that we are growing so much together in our walks. Not to mention in babies as well. It's good to have people in your life that share your Faith and can support you in the good and bad times. We are really excited about Ashley going to camp. It was hard for Alex to give up the week, but we both know that when you put Him first everything else falls into place. My husband is a good man-always putting everyone else before himself.

Now...it's bath time and then rest time. We are on the home stretch folks! I am SO freaking excited. I cannot wait to meet this little one and bring him or her home! July 1st...here we come!

Oh...and Gallagher...I cannot wait for Wednesday doll baby!

Work! Work! Work!

Is it just me or does it feel like that is all we do sometimes? Get up, get ready, go to work, come home, dinner, clean up, bath time, clean, do work work, go to bed. Are you kidding me? There is too much to do, not enough time in the day. I'm trying to focus on what is important, but the reality is that it is all important right? I think we need a bigger house with more space, but the thought of cleaning anythign bigger is enough to make me want to barf! Maybe if we downsized it would be easier? I know that I just need to pray for God to help me relax, but hey your prayers won't hurt at this point either! Good night!

Baby Update

Happy Wednesday! Went to the doctor today and got good news. My blood pressure is still good-Thank you Lord! Only gained 2 pounds-woohoo!

Absolute Randomness!

Oh...it's almost Tuesday at this point. Yikes! Today was busy at work. Mom picked up the kids and took them to the mall in search of a one piece bathing suit for Ashley. She is going to church camp next week and needs a one piece. Do you have ANY idea how difficult how hard it is to find a non skanky one piece for an 11 year old. Holy cowaunga! After 6 stores we found one at Meijer and one at TJMaxx. She also got a few shirts yesterday at Once Upon a Child and a dress today for church. Aaron came home with a pair of orange crocs that are TO DIE FOR!
The basement is on its way. Alex and Chimmy made quite a bit of progress this weekend and we decided on carpet. We are all exhausted here. The weekend was really busy with basement activity and playing with Kelsey, Xander and Katie.
Krissy got Aaron a pool for his birthday and we had to exchange it for one without a hole. He opted for a plain one so he could also get some whales and sharks to put in it. We will get it all ready for Saturday.
I am super duper excited for the party. Missy and Colleen are making the trek with their boys so Aaron is excited for them to be here, along with Ben and Will and his church friends. I think he may be a little sweet on Gwen and Julia so we will see what the day brings.
Ahhh-I am off to bed. I am exhausted. I've been working for a bit from home tonight as I have summer hours on Friday. YES! That is so exciting. Much love to you all!

Summer is here!

Today officially starts our summer because Ashley gets here. Ahhh! Our family will soone be back to normal and we will then be able to bring home this little one to fit right in. It is so hard not having Andy & Ashley here all the time, but at least we are blessed with really easy transitions when they arrive. It has alwasy been like they never really left. There is always the sme routine-airport, home, I sort clothes and put them away, we go to Mom's and then we end up at Wal-Mart late Saturday night because they need something for church! I am telling ya, it never fails. We will see what happens this year.
Once the boys wake up Aaron and I will be making banana pancakes and then we are heading to look for carpet for the basement. After that Alex is going to work on the basement and me and the boy are heading to Timmy's graduation party. Yikes, I really did say that! Alex will meet us after he puts in a few hours downstairs and then we will go to the airport.

Last night was our first youth group and it went well. There weren't many kids but for the 1st week I will take it.

I am excited for Aaron's party next week. He is very stocked about his friends coming over. It will be interesting to see how he does with his "groups" of friends. This year he is more aware so the mixing of sorts will be fun. He will have his small group friends, Mommy's old friends kids friends and Ben and Will. He's confused becasue Missy and Colleen and their boys are spending the night, but no one else is. I cannot wait to see the cake-I am never allowed at my Mom's Friday night I have to wait until the party to see it! I cannot believe he will be 3 this year-woohoo! Anyways...have a wonderful weekend! Much love to you all-well most of you that read this anyway!

A special prayer request

Good evening friends! I am requesting prayers for a member of our church family. Scott Paur will be leaving home for training and then going to Iraq on June 15th. Scott and Rachel have been married 10 years and they have 6 children: Timothy, Samuel, Elizabeth, Thomas, Nathaniel and Anna Grace who range from 15-6 months. They are active members of our church and live in our neighborhood. They obviously have a tremendous amount of support from our church, but I am requesting your prayers as well. Please keep them in your thoughts!