Update

Madison lost another tooth on Saturday.Dan and I had planned a fun trip to Burghley House since we missed out on going last time we had planned it. I am thinking we are just not suppose to go....the car broke down. We got there alright, we even made it to the grounds...we were a little early so we figured we would drive through the cute town. BAD IDEA! The car just stopped while we were on High Street (it's like the main down town road) and Dan luckily got it started again and we made it to another tiny street. I hadn't switched our AA coverage to the Volvo yet, it was still covering the BMW so we had to pay a little to get the car towed. The car broke down at 11 and we got home at 6:40. Long day....here is what we saw for the majority of it....

Thanks to my fabulous friend Ryann, she picked up the girls even though she had her own kids to pick up on the other side of town. That relieved a lot of stress....THANKS again RYANN! I so owe her big time. Dan and I ate at a cute pub and had a tasty sandwich and we walked up and down the street a couple of times while we waited. Luckily it was a beautiful day....it could have been worse....it could have been raining and cold. We also had a man tell us, "that is impossible!!! A Volvo never breaks down." Dan and I laughed and told him here is proof otherwise. We were kind of bummed expecting this huge bill but luckily we got it towed to a nearby garage by our house and the man looked under the hood and figured it out right away. Some thing to do with the gas and timing...and the most it will cost is 100 pounds! Dan and I were thinking it would going to cost a lot more so we were relieved. Not that we can complain too much with our $1000 car. We had two guys look at it already and one knew in less than 1 minute what the problem was. That saves us money on diagnosing it....a little frustrating since we had already waited while the other guys tried to fix something they had no clue about. Oh well....perhaps my husband will listen to me next time he asks..."What car?" And I tell him let's just take the truck or BMW since we need the brakes fixed on the other car. Actually....in reality...it was good we took the Volvo...better it break down with Dan in the car then with just me and the girls. Basically....it all worked out just like Dan said....even though I disagreed when he said that right after the car broke and I stormed off.

It's a girl!

Ok...for sure this time. She likes covering up her bits (she's very modest) but it's more then clear she is defiantly a girl. The best part was that the lady showed us what Isabella's face looked like in 4D and she was smiling! I am thinking it was a, "HAHA Daddy, I'm a girl...I so had you all fooled." Hannah yelled a "YES!" Madison once again was a "NOOOOO! I wanted a brother!!!" Dan just held my hand while we were looking at our baby girl. I am beyond thrilled....I can finally shop and decorate.

Now Dan is convinced he wants a 4th kid....and he was so set on 2 kids. I am not so convinced but who knows....I never thought I would be this thrilled to be having another.

Hannah's prayer

Heavenly Father.

Bless the food.

Please bless Madison will be nice and listen and not talk back.

Please bless Daddy will stop playing his stupid game.

Please bless mommy and mommy's baby in her tummy and that she's happy.

Say these things, name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Assembly Day

Madison received her writing award today. She was too cute! She kept turning around and smiling back at me. I lucked out and got front row center. They only have these assemblies twice a school year and pick 5 kids from the class to get this award. She has improved very much with her handwriting and she wrote a couple of stories that got her the recognition. One was about her trip to the Hartford Church and the other a story about Princess Madison, Princess Hannah, Queen Mummy and King Daddy. Dan and I are pretty proud of our girl.

Saturday is the day...perhaps....

I had a 21 week check up today and asked the doctor where I can get a scan to find out for sure what this baby is since the last scan was not so successful. She gave me a number and I called and they are in Alconbury...15 minutes away unlike the one that is scheduled for May 19th that's 1 hour and a half away. The best part is...it's THIS SATURDAY! WOO HOOO! I'm just hoping this kid cooperates.

Hannah almost had a car hit her today....I just about died. She was holding a flower...paying no attention to anything and kept walking past the curb (she usually stops) and this car came speeding around the corner...so I yell for her to stop and I'm sure everyone heard me who was on the street...good thing...Hannah came out alive and not squished like a bug.

Oh and I also learned that even though I have been eating like crazy lately...I only have gained 2 lbs in 6 weeks! That was a relief...I was dreading the scale for the past couple of days.

Panic

Today I almost died....well not really but I was freaking out! The whole family was outside enjoying the weather. Dan and the girls were on bikes and I was sitting in the sun talking to my sister. I had given Dan this letter he needed to mail and told him just to ride his bike on up to the post box....so he asks Madison if she wants to go and off they go. I am busy talking away and realize there is no Hannah! I freak out and think...she probably just took off behind them without Dan knowing....so I take off in flip flops running looking for her. I don't see her...so I head back to the house and still no Hannah. I go back down the street where our street meets the main road through our neighborhood and see Dan and Madison but no Hannah. I freak out but then around the corner...there is Hannah pedaling away. I knew she was most likely with them but still worried since my kids never go past a certain point on our part of the road....our street is the shape of a "H" and we're on the lower right side so they stay on our "leg" of the street. We come home, I relax a little and then make brats for dinner.

On a happy note...Madison moved up another reading group and math group. Friday is an assembly where she is 1 out of 5 to receive an award for writing. Way to go Madison!!!

Loving this weather!

It has been so nice these past couple of days. The kids come home from school and go right outside after their snack. Serah and my front door are left open and kids come in and out. It's nice....the kids are keeping each other entertained and burning off energy meanwhile I make dinner with a few, "Oh that looks lovely," from the neighbor girls and I can sit down and relax while it's in the oven. The girls come in for dinner, and in record time they finish since they all plan to eat their food as fast as they can so they can all meet outside again. Tonight we made banana splits and that was even more of an incentive to eat all the food off their plates. Madison and Hannah went back outside to play and at 7:15 Dan calls them in for a bath...then bedtime! Just a reminder why I love my neighborhood so much.

Oh and while I was doing dishes, I saw Dan doing this:

and this (he calls it his jumping air running man...I think it just looks silly):

New friends...new car

Yesterday we had the neighbor invite us and the other neighbor we really get along with to a BBQ. We were both thinking it was just going to be us but no no...it was a whole crowd of people. We had a blast meeting all these new people, eating good food and telling crazy stories. I don't think any of us were sure were our kids were exactly but knew they were either at Serah's house, our trampoline, upstairs in the house we were in or outside riding bikes. It was a beautiful day minus the wind that was a little chilly. It reminded me of the BBQs we use to have....I'm thinking this is going to be some thing we do frequently as the weather becomes nice.

We also bought a new family car....well it's a 99 Volvo but it has more room then the BMW we have right now and looks a little better. And we couldn't beat a $1000 car that runs! It needs to be cleaned but that's what valet is for! It wasn't my ideal car but the price was right and we just couldn't pass it up.

Breakfast

This morning I came down starving and noticed by the sink were the raspberries I had washed last night. I thought...EXCELLENT! I can have Honey Nut Cheerios with raspberries. Dan wanted a bowl too. Hannah was sitting at the table and when I asked her if she would like the same she said, "No, I would like Cheerios topped with cherry tomatoes, please." (and tomatoes is pronounced toe-mah-toes.) I convinced her that probably wouldn't be as tasty as she thinks, so she settled for some fresh strawberries.

Oh and FYI....we have our TV hooked up to AFN now. We are progressing...slowly.

It's most likely a girl!

Yeah, I'm not sure how much I'm going to like this little girl. She made me sick the whole first trimester, she does everything so unlike my other two girls, I just still am questioning it just a bit. I am very excited she's healthy and everything looks excellent...so I can't complain. I will leave the complaining to Dan and Madison who were so set on this baby being a boy. Hannah yelled a, "YES!" after the lady said she was thinking it was a girl followed by a "her name is Queen Isabella." She is positioned completely different then my other two...feet towards the bladder, head towards the right side ribs and legs straight out. She needs to learn to bend those knees...otherwise we are going to have problems! She also is looking like a thumb sucker....NOOOOOOO!!!!! Madison and Hannah never sucked their thumbs and never took pacifiers so I just don't know. She was facing with her back towards my belly so the tech had to try and move her so she could see the heart. That took awhile and then when she went to look to see if she could see what the baby was, her legs were stretched out close together with a hand down there....it was like she was saying, "HAHA! You're so not going to know for sure, but perhaps I'll let you have a quick glance." So she let the tech have a quick glance and she didn't see any extra parts, so told us she would call it a girl. I told Dan we will just have to get one of those 3D or 4D scans done so we can go in again and know for sure....although, I'm thinking it's a girl now but who knows. I'm happy either way and so was Dan after about 4 hours of sulking....then he mentioned how he should get a little car to save money on gas and I told him, "yes, that's a great idea since we now have three weddings to pay for." Yeah, that killed it for him. No really, he's excited to have a baby around again...he just always thought he was going to have a little boy.

Less than an hour

and we know what we're having! Yippeee!!!!! It's finally Friday morning!

Just came home

We just came home from watching the Hannah Montana Movie. My life is now complete. And kudos to Dan, he was 1 out of 3 dads in the packed cinema.

Easter again!

Today, we got my family's package. The girls were so excited! They have been asking to go check the post office every day since my mom told them to expect something. Well today was the day and the girls squealed with joy when the man brought out the box. We came home and out came the scissors. The girls were super surprised to see that everyone had given them something and that they had envelopes galore to open. I was excited to see my butter chocolate egg. I was hoping Dan wouldn't like his but he tried it and remembered he liked them. Darn! Oh well...mine is half way gone and man...my tummy hurts! Hannah was super excited about Uncle Ryan's money he gave her....she can't wait to show Lindsey her teacher. Oh...I almost forgot! Baby Brown got their first present....thanks mom and dad for the socks! I forget how small they are. Shannon made some super cute frames with pictures of just her and the girls. Ryan gave them some money, my dad sent them a jar full of candy from the "Bishop's Office" since they can no longer run in there after every meeting and ask for it, and my mom made them cute bracelets and necklaces along with another bag full of candy. My girls are in heaven....especially with the Scooby Doo humongous lolly pop! Thanks guys!

Here the girls are going through their stuff.

Like father like daughter

Dan and Hannah are so the same. They have a sweet tooth that never ends. I come down stairs to see what the girls are doing this morning....Hannah is eating her chocolate hollow bunny for breakfast. She looks at me and says, "It's ok mom, Dad said I could just eat this for breakfast." I'm like nice. Madison then tells me how she is still saving hers. That is so me...except when it comes to the See's chocolate eggs my dad and mom always give us for Easter. I'm still waiting for mine in the mail...perhaps today. I've been holding out on candy for this thing since I'm sure it has like 10,000.

The girls are being super sweet this morning...I think it has something to do with going and watching the Hannah Montana movie tonight. They know I won't take them if they misbehave. Dan is really looking forward to watching it...HAHA!

And I have to mention....only 25 1/2 more hours until we know!

Plans change

Yesterday, my friend said she would watch the girls so Dan and I could have a day. Dan and I were excited and decided instead of going down to London, we would pick up the crib we had on old and then head to the Burghley House. Well, we ran out to Feltwell to get the crib, and then headed to the other base out there to look at the work out equipment they had. We found something but had to figure something out about it so we went and got Dan's haircut while we were waiting....That was the longest male hair cut I've ever had to experience. We went back, they only had the elliptical at the other warehouse and we wouldn't be able to buy it. So we left at 12:45, thinking we would so make it to the house by 3 which would be fine since they let the last group in at 4:30. Well, we hit traffic....like traffic you don't move because they close the whole freeway. We were in traffic for about 3 hours and we went probably about 3 miles. It was insane but we didn't have the kids so we weren't really stressed. We had looks since we had an assembled crib in the back of our truck....(we have an "unusual" truck over here) and Dan was blasting music and singing along. We stopped by an electronic store so Dan could get a router he needed and got take away kabobs and ate them at home. By the time we were done eating it was 7 so I went and picked up the girls who were beyond exhausted but woke right up and wanting to play outside with the neighbors. So we let them, and they finally came in around 9 so Grandma Nancy could read them a bedtime story. They were out in like 2 minutes. Even though Dan and I didn't have a super exciting day with fun filled events, we had a great time. Thanks Ryann!

Now to find a dresser and find out what we are having in 3 days so we can start decorating! Oh and the garage is not the new baby room....we just haven't taken it apart so we can fit it through the door.

Seriously???!!!

Dan got a new computer....

I think he likes it!

It's all good....he deserves it.

Easter Day

This morning was hectic but went well. I had a meeting at 8 so I dropped the kids at Kristine's so I could go and then picked up the girls at 9, came home, woke up Dan so the kids could finally see what the Easter Bunny had brought them and do the egg hunt. Dan went back to bed since he had worked all night and then the girls and I headed back to church. I started feeling not so good so after I went to the bathroom twice to vomit during Primary opening exercises....I felt bad since it was just Kristine and me, but I had to go home. I briefly ran through what I had prepared for sharing time. The girls and I came home, I took a short nap and woke up just fine. I now have dinner in the oven and now just waiting to wake up Dan in a little bit. Spiral ham, corn flake potatoes, peas and deviled eggs (luckily I watched my dad all those years making them and have mastered the recipe....Dan can't stop eating them). Not too much since we don't eat leftovers in this house (unless its my enchiladas or lasagna) and Jello jigglers for the girls since the "really really need them."

Oh...and HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM! You're the BEST mom like EVER!

Egg Coloring

This morning my girls came in and woke me up at 5:45 am to ask if we could color eggs. I wasn't too happy. I have been sleeping horribly and I hate being woken up. So after hours of the kids waiting and me threatening if they didn't be nice to each other and listen, they wouldn't get to color eggs, we did around 3. Dan was asleep but he didn't mind missing out on the egg coloring. I realized after we dyed them all that I hadn't taken any pictures...so these are a couple of them decorating them and with their eggs.

We got it!

Well not physically yet, but we have a crib on hold for us. It will be our first baby purchase. So exciting! It was the one we wanted but they were out when we went and looked at it. Today they called me and said they are no longer ordering that style so Dan called them and asked if we could just buy the one on the floor. They didn't want to since they don't like taking things apart but we said we have a truck so no need. YAY! Now I am on a hunt to find a dresser since there isn't a closet in the room we are making into the nursery.

Fun times

Yesterday the girls and I went to the Chatsworth House with my friend Ryann and her kids. We had a great time minus the trip home. Poor Ryann was sick and not a fun sick to be sick in the car with, kids were fighting after a long day, and the youngest was beyond tired and cried for about an hour or so. I just ignored it. I pulled over when needed and ignored the kids...well not my Madison since she was being a big booger....so I was okay on the ride home. I can't complain, we had about 8 hours of fun times. I will post pictures another day. I forgot my camera and Ryann had hers and took pictures. I'm excited to see the pictures since it was a beautiful day, beautiful country side and an amazing house....Mr. Darcy's house in Pride and Prejudice with Kiera Knightley.

And I must mention....8 days! Only 8 more days until we know what baby Brown is! We all can't wait. Dan took the whole day off so we could go shopping right after we find out. Exciting!!!

And I'm like the "Best Wife EVER!" I took my husband a latte and danish at 6 am even though I had to wake up my kids and I was not really wanting to get out of bed. It was his first night with the night shift which is 12 hours and he's been too cute by not wanting to sleep the whole day since the kids and I were home. Well yesterday we weren't so I thought it would work out and he could sleep all day since he was up until 5 am but he woke up at 10:30 am still. Poor guy...but he'll get it down.

Can we say EXCITED!

I had Dan give the man who does all the arranging of schools a call this afternoon to see if there was any room at a Church of England school we wanted the girls to originally go to in a little village called Abbotts Ripton. We were so sad last September when we thought we had a place for Madison but it turned out they thought she was in reception instead of Year 1. Well they have room in Reception for Hannah this coming up September but no room in Year 2 this September...but since Hannah has a spot, Madison will get in! Dan and I are thrilled. We can't complain about the schooling Madison has received at Hartford, but this school has small classrooms and a more personal setting. There are 11-15 kids in a class whereas Madison has 30 kids in her class. I like that much more...and Madison and Hannah have close friends who attend Abbotts Ripton so double bonus!

Easter Egg Hunt

Today on base there was an Easter egg hunt and activities for the kiddos. The girls had lots of fun. They both got their face painted and pretty much ate all their candy by the time we got home. And the weather was beautiful! Madison is not Mimi, she's a "Mermaid"


Butterfly HannahThe egg hunt
It was sad Dan couldn't make it but we still had fun. After we were done, we got Dan a sandwich and a latte to take him to him at work. The girls and I had gone in to BX and I caved and bought them pin wheels which they had so much fun with. We got to Dan's work and were a little early meeting him, so the girls went out in the parking lot and played....so cute especially when everyone is saying, "oh they are so cute!" We enjoy going out there and taking Dan some thing to eat, it kind of reminds me when we would meet up for lunch in Oak Harbor and eat on the beach....or in the car parked overlooking the beach since it would be cold or rainy a lot of the times....not that we stay and eat with or their is the ocean here, but the girls and I enjoy just saying "hi."

Child for sale...will take however much.

Seriously...well not really. Hannah has been going through this whinny, cries over everything stage and I just have had it. It's been going on the past 4 or 5 days and today I am losing it. Luckily my house is clean and Madison is being pretty good or I would be going super crazy! Today we went to a birthday party and Hannah just cried or told me no the whole time. Yeah, that was fun. But other then that I had a good time.

Hannah is a pretty good kid at school....yesterday though, Lindsey her teacher told me that she hit some one for knocking down her welly boots. Seriously????!!! Then when Lindsey told me she talked to Hannah, and Hannah does not like being told off, she starts crying saying, "But Beatrice knocked down my high heel welly boots." I am finding that in Hannah lately, you can't even tell her what she did wrong since first, she is crying and whining the whole time and second, she is always justifying her actions. This is seriously getting old!

And while I am typing away at this negative post can I just mention that I am like the worst mother ever! First off, Wednesday I missed the Easter Bonnet parade at Madison's school. It was at 2:45 and I was picking up Hannah and I'm freaking out since I'm thinking I'm super late since kids and parents are walking to their cars. I run up to the school and tell Ms. Morrell I'm so sorry and she says, "No you're fine." So then Madison comes and she says, "Mom! You didn't come to the parade. I was looking for you to show you my bonnet and you weren't even there. Good grief you are forgetful!" I felt so bad. So the next morning I got up early and made sugar cookies so she could frost them and take them to school. Well there was an after school activity that I didn't know about....well I'm sure I did but I'm a space cadet.....and so I pick Madison up and she's like well let's go to the fair mom. I have to break it to her we can't since I had already agreed to take Dan dinner at 4. So once again, I fail again as a parent. Madison looks at me and says, "It's ok mom, you are super forgetful and you should have written it down on the calendar, we will just have to go next year. Can you get me a chocolate muffin maybe then?" She's so awesome....so we get a chocolate muffin and go see her dad who she lets know how this whole dropping off dinner made her miss her Easter fair. So she not only made me feel guilty but her father too. At least I wasn't alone, right?

I'm done!

Usually I am on top of the tax return thing and have it done by the last week of January...this year....2nd of April. Oh well! It's done! And thank goodness Dan was in the desert for three months....the government thought we were poor so we got the EIC!!! Double YAY! So the return wasn't as big as the year before since he was in the desert like 6 months but I'm not complaining.