Temperature is rising in North Carolina!

The most peculiar thing came to me in the mail two days ago. I knew it was from Alexis because she emailed me asking, "have you got anything odd in the mail?". My response, "Ummmm, no." She didn't say anything else after that, but of course the wheels in my head were just a turnin'. So every day I was looking in the mail for something "odd". It never came. Then she told me that it was sent to her house first. So Tuesday it finally arrived.

I opened the manilla envelope and this is what was in it:Yes, a newspaper. My first thought, "So, Alexis wants me to know just how hot it is in North Carolina. Okay . . . she has lost her noodles . . . " and I laugh. But I figure there has got to be more to this than just telling me how how NC is right now. So I start flipping through it and suddenly I know exactly why she sent it to me.

I stick "it" up on my fridge as I'm laughing so hard and saying "oh my gosh, this is so GREAT!" all the while my kids are just blank staring at me. So I put "it" up on the fridge because Neil was going to be arriving home from work shortly. I wanted to see how long it took him to notice it. Do you see it? Do you? Do you?So if you know me, and Alexis knows me quite well, you would know how much I love Clay Aiken. And lucky duck Alexis lives in the same town as he! Raleigh, NC! I hate her. (Only kidding!!)

A few summers back we went to see him at the Indy State Fair. It was the BEST TIME EVER. I need to find pictures from that. We had the greatest time eating fair food and walking around like teenagers (without any children!) anxious to see "our guy".

Clay really rocked. What an amazing singer he is. He doesn't have to put forth any effort to belt out a perfectly beautiful song. He even sung a few covers, one of them being You Were There by Avalon. That was amazing. And it was then that Alexis and I really fell in love with this man. He was a Christian and was not afraid to show it. Plus, okay, he is a little cutie, too.

And here it is close up:So what did Neil say when he finally saw it? Well, he passed by it a couple times and then suddenly I hear "What is this?!" And laughing and being silly like Neil can get, he says "how gay. You two are so gay." He knew it was from Alexis, 'nuff said. Yes we are dorks, but I admit it, so call me whatever you want to call me and I'll probably agree ;c)

Thank you AJ! What fun!!!

The stork plans to deliver again!

Blogging frenzy for me again, I know. I can't help it. I've been away too long and have too much to talk about! So bear with me on these days when I have time to blog. I may go overboard, but well, you have missed me, right?

I have some of the most exciting news ever! My brother-in-law and sister-in-law are preggie again!!!!
Look, a baby bump is emerging!

I knew it when we were on vacation in Georgia. Actually, that's when I found out. It was a sweet moment as Michelle said, with some tears in her eyes, how hard it was flying out there because she had to use the puke bag for the first time. But what a great reason to have to use it, right?! When I was sick, it was always a refreshing memory, like a reminder from God, that my baby was safe and growing perfectly inside my womb.

It was funny, because when it was known to me, Brad couldn't even look at me. I think (knowing him and knowing his brother --- my hubby! --- and how they act) he was afraid he'd cry. He was pretty excited, I could tell.

And talk about excited, so are WE!! We get to be an aunt and uncle again and my kids get to have another cousin to grow up with and share memories with. And come February, I will have a new niece or nephew to hold in my arms! I am selfishly wanting them to have a boy because Noah does not have any other boy cousins and I don't have a nephew, and I so badly want one! But of course, if it's a little girl, nothing can stop me from buying more frilly pink things or passing down something of Maia's.

I so hated knowing when it wasn't told to others yet, because I wanted to tell!! But I think I did a good job at keeping that secret safe. It's funny though, how some things you just want to shout to the world :c)

Congrats again, to my very special brother and sister. We love you guys so much and wish only good things throughout this pregnancy, once baby C is here and forever more. Oh I love babies! And oh how I love my nieces! I can't wait for one more. See you in a couple months! Give big huggies to my favorite little niece. And Maia said to tell her "El-la" hi :c)

My dandy surprise(s)

The house? Yeah right. I'm not even holding my breath for that one. We're just sitting back for a while and seeing what happens . . . trying not to freak out. We talked about it tonight and know it will happen in all the right timing. Not our timing, but the right timing . . . we know it.

Anyway, my surprise is . . . the book I won a few weeks ago from Erin . . . I got it today! And I should not have been so surprised when there were additional treats in the box, but I totally was! It absolutely made my day sparkle. She is the greatest person.

Let me take you through my neat-o package . . .

First I see my package and knew it was from her because of all the cool Canadian stamps and stickers! Noah kept asking me "What's that?" "What's in there, mommy?"
And first, in there was a package of Canadian KETCHUP chips . . . isn't she the sweetest most thoughtful person ever?! She knows Val!
And then staring at me saying "eat me, eat me" were 3 yummy chocolate bars, none of which we have in the states. Well, we have Kit-Kats but not in this packaging or as big as this one!
And there, underneath the candy lay the book I won! I was so excited over the sweet little "extras" that I forgot to take a picture of the book by itself in all it's glory! But trust me, it's there and it's looks absolutely fabulous! Erin said we could have any book we wanted, and she had just bought a handful of parenting books for herself soon before the contest started, so I asked her to just pick me out her favorite! I love to read self-help books (this one is on Parenting and listening to your child) as crazy as that sounds! It looks really really good and I hope to start it this weekend! (Note the word "hope"!!)

Then, my favorite thing of all . . .

The prettiest, most creatively made bookmark for me.

I know she had to have made it because she's artsy like moi :c) She even picked out some of my favorite colors and hand wrote a beautiful little note that said "Val, Thanks for the sunshine you bring to my life! Erin"

I just have to say, 1) there's nothing in this world quite like a hand written note. I love love love them and cherish 'em every time I receive them, and 2) there's nothing like something hand made just for you and 3) there's nothing like a friend that you meet coincidently (but remember, there are no coincidences and I believe this 110%!!) online who you feel like you've known forever . . . who helps you remember just what life is all about.

Thank you, Erin :c) xo

Surprises for me!

I got a great big (did I mention great?) surprise today! But, unfortunately, this has to be continued . . .

(hehe, bad bad sneaky Val!)