The 4 Perry's

It's been awhile...but...

We have a reason, if you haven't heard yet! Baby Perry #3 is on it's way! Due to arrive on December 15th! Emma is thrilled and thinks it's unfair that we have to wait so long - Gabe really has no clue what is going on yet (he just says "baby" whenever you mention it) - Paul is very excited and in super task mode to get the house ready - and me, I'm a lot of things: thrilled to be pregnant again and to get to nurse another child, scared to death to have 3 at home until next fall when Em starts kindegarten, but relieved as well that I won't be losing her to school in the same time space, and in awe of God's movement in my life, both good and bad in my eyes - all good in His as all of His intentions work for good. I am so thankful for the new life growing inside of me and anxious to see the things He will do in me and my family through this miracle!

Here's a product of baby's pending arrival, already - Gabe in a big boy bed!!! It's his first night tonight! He's a little apprehensive of it - he wanted his blankets from his crib and nothing to do with regular sheets and blankets! He's going to be a big brother! He's supposed to be the baby!

a post...a post...I should really post....

Here's this year's March Madness card, for all you basketball fans out there!

I've gotten away from this for quite awhile now. Life stuff, I guess. I've been considering just writing more of my thought and posting fewer pictures, but can't quite get my thoughts clear enough in my own head to be able to then reproduce in writing. I should, though, it'd probably be good for me! It's been a long 9 months in our household! We've been trying to figure out the swing of a new job and one paycheck a month = many "discussions" about money! I, personally, am in the midst of big stuff with God - learning to be loved by Him (while not feeling entitled to His love and grace) and letting that be enough. It's interesting, to say the least. The kids are growing so big and amazing. Emma and I had a conversation about sin the other day - it went something close to this:

As we're loading up in the car for preschool....

Emma: Mommy, why do I have to share when sometimes I really just don't want to share?

Me: Good question, Em. I guess I'd just say that God wants us to have kind hearts and that all of the things he gives to us are His anyway, so He wants us to be giving with them.

Emma: Well, what happens if we don't?

Me: (thinking, Holy Crap - how do i answer this one?) Then it's called a sin and that's when we do what God doesn't want us to do and we break his heart.

Emma: Oh, what happens then?

Are you kidding me? So, I proceeded to tell her all about Jesus dying for those sins, while trying to encourage her to not use it as a copout! She just amazes me how her little mind works. She is as beautiful as ever in my eyes and is doing great in school and is loving her new swingset!

Gabe is huge! He had his 18 month check-up on Friday and he weighed in at 30 pounds and measured just over 3 feet tall! His doctor says he's about the size of a large 2 year old or a small - average 3 year old! I knew I was hauling a load around here! He's not talking a lot, but his comprehension is phenomenal. He signs well and grunts or just plain physically moves us to know exactly what he wants or needs! He's such an active kid - he must fall 3-4 times a day and every time I'm thinking to myself, "This is the one - the trip to the ER!!!" Thank heaven we're not there yet!

If you made it this far, thanks for sticking with us! We'll post again soon!

Pajama Day at Preschool!

Last week brought pajama day at preschool for Emma. She was so excited all week! She wore her purple cheetah pj's with her robe - but was very nervous that no one else would be wearing a robe. I encouraged her that it's okay to be different - but when we got there and she saw no one else in their robe, she asked me to take hers home. Bummer. It's so hard to want to show her that she doesn't have to be like everyone else, but not let her get hurt from being too different. Thankfully, she's God's and not mine - keep telling myself that. Only He can provide her with the love and protection she needs to survive in this world and I'm merely a (very fortunate) vessel He's chosen to aid her journey.

After Bath on a Cold, January Night!!!

Love this picture of Emma and Gabe, all wrapped up in their towels! Gabe's new favorite thing is smiling for pictures, but he just yells out "cheese" or his version of it and sometimes his face doesn't necessarily come out looking like a smile! Hope you're staying warm!

Emma's Birthday Weekend!

Emma turned 4 on Thursday the 4th! Whoo Hoo! She had a great birthday, kicked off with our regular tradition of donuts and chocolate milk at Hy-Vee. Then she headed to school for her first day of extended hours and lunch at preschool! That was some excitement! In fact, she just yelled down that she can't hardly sleep for how excited she is to go back to school tomorrow! Then we had dinner and opened some presents - her prized Barbie guitar, as pictured! She is a rock star! And then on Friday, she and I embarked on a trip to Chicago with two of our closest friends and their daughters for the wedding of one of our babysitters. Farrell and Andy had a beautiful wedding and were gracious enough to invite Emma, Jaeda and Shawna to be a part of it. The other pictures are of the three of them all dressed up and hanging out in our hotel room for our girls trip! Oh, there's also a shot of us mom's hanging out rooting on our Chiefs with an itty bitty TV all dressed up - too bad they choked! But hey, we're die hards! They all did so amazing - that's alot of driving and alot of waiting (as Jaeda so eloquently put it) for one weekend and three little girls! I was impressed with them - plus they're all 3 such little beauties! It was a great way to celebrate Em's 4th year of life!

Christmas 2006

It was a beautiful Christmas spent in our neck of the wood this year! Emma and Gabe were at great ages for everything that comes along with Christmas - Paul and I were at a place to truly marvel at the gift of grace God sent in Baby Jesus on Christmas so many years ago. I can't believe it's over and we're set into 2007! The calendar sure looks a lot less crazy, that's for sure - what a welcome break that will be! We were set to go to Monett over New Year's to visit Paul's family, but two super sick kiddos kept us home and in the house! They were both tested for the flu - negative thank goodness! However, they do have something viral that carries with it a high fever, ear infections and pinkeye! Woudn't you love to be at our house?! Anyway, that all came after Christmas, so here's the pictures we have from the holiday! Emma and Gabe are setting out their cookies and milk for Santa in the top left. Emma dictated a note to Santa that said, "Dear Santa, I love you. I think you are the best sharer ever." So cute! I saved it! The next shot is of my entire family on Christmas Day, plus Dara's boyfriend, Wladimir. He was a great addition this Christmas and even participated in our family's "found" gift exchange! That was a feat! Emma and Gabe each got three presents from Santa on Christmas morning - pictured is Gabe's favorite - his "baaball" goal. My grandparents had made me and Dara a Barbie house when we were very young and my parents kept it and I redid it and gave it to Em this year for Christmas - she is loving it! There's just some shots of the kids on Christmas Eve and Morning in their new p.j.'s and then one of the two of them with Dara and Wladimir. Emma loves her Aunt Dara, but Wladimir quick won her over! The last shot is from today - it just cracks me up of Gabers! He is so hysterical right now! I'm sure we'll post more this week as our baby girl turns 4 on Thursday!!!