Miscellaneous summer...

The Ball family (and Jack) leaving for more deputation

Jack and his friends - Evelyn, Ellie, and Jacob

Matt's and my last hurrah before the baby...Duluth!

Falling asleep with Buzz and Woody

New friends - Emaleigh, Lauren, and Madison

Aunt Bek's new kitty, Cap

4th of July - ready for fireworks!

July is here!

We're finally in the month that I will be having Ava Jane! 18 days to go! And now I'm counting down days! We have lots to keep us busy, too, in the next couple of weeks with the holiday and some special days. So we're just down to getting the carpets cleaned, buying necessities, and making sure the carseat is ready. That kind of stuff. I signed my papers for the surgery yesterday, so we are ready in that way. Probably just one more appointment before D Day (Delivery Day)! I'm still feeling pretty good and energetic, so that is a blessing! With Jack, I was supposed to be on bedrest for the last 7-8 weeks of pregnancy. I didn't really follow it, and I was miserable! But this time, I have felt pretty normal and am able to do what I need to do; so that has been a big help. I remember a huge adjustment once Jack was born, so I am hoping that this one goes well and is a fairly easy, happy baby. I am trying to prepare for either one.

A huge answer to prayer is that our house has finally sold. We have been trying to sell it for years now, and it is a huge burden lifted! Praise the Lord!

So we are just enjoying the summer otherwise. The weather has been great this week! We are just keeping busy with each other, but also nice that school is out for visits with friends and family!

More of Jack

Jack likes to say, "Is that my daddy?" or "Are you my mommy?" Kind of gets embarrassing at the store though when he asks that of strange men. They probably think that poor kid doesn't know his daddy. Mostly they just laugh. But what else can you do? I guess we're heading into that embarrassing period in which they say crazy things.

He also has started saying, "Oh Nuts!" like Goofy or "Oh Bumpers!" like on Chuggington. Since we laughed at those, he is making up his own which can be interesting. Lately, it's been "Oh Fuffels!"

We had a couple of ladies from church over today looking at our new room for Ava. So they went into Jack's room, and he was very proudly showing it off. My favorite part was, "Do you want to see my underwear drawer?" They very kindly acted excited about it!

PS

I guess my plan to boost Jack's self-esteem worked since now he calls himself Super Jack and makes a superhero gesture when I ask him to do something!

Just Jack

Matt was driving to the game the other night with Jack, and I was coming later. Jack said, "Are we gonna see Mommy?" Matt said, "Yes, she is coming in a little while. Do you love Mommy?" Jack: "Yes yes yes yes yes." Matt: "Does she love you?" Jack: "Yes, but I'm not a very special boy." WHAT?!? He has said something like this before in which he has said, "Well, mommy, I'm not a superhero. I'm just Jack." I don't really know where that came from, so I have been trying to tell him the past few days that he is my special boy. So last night, we laid down in my bed for a while and talked about our day and I told him that he was special and my favorite boy, and he said that I was a special girl, too! HA! I don't think anything else in life is as important or as special as this time being at home with him. I'm very grateful for it and wouldn't trade it for anything. It's a good reminder when I'm running out the door and impatiently waiting for him to get the right toy or shoes on, too!

Happy Father's Day!

We had a great weekend celebrating Father's Day with Matt and then our Dads on Sunday. Saw Toy Story 3 at the IMAX on Friday. Jack was a little scared of the monkey, but we loved it otherwise. Then Matt wanted to go to Perkins on Saturday and also bowling. Matt preached all day on Sunday and did a great job. I always love hearing him. And then we had a great time with our families and friends the rest of the day. I'm grateful for my great father and that I married a great father for my kids! Also grateful to have married into a family with a great father!

4 weeks to go until our family changes forever! I'm getting a little more uncomfortable, but still hanging in there! I have actually enjoyed this last trimester - well, as much as you can enjoy it! I have had energy and am not swelling or gaining weight too much and am feeling her move quite a bit. So it's been fun in that way. Now looking forward to a relaxing week hopefully. We are hoping our house closes this week - this is the closest we've been to its closing! And then I will see Bek on Tuesday (she's been out of town) before they all leave for the weekend. Then a doctors appointment every week now, so there are a few things going on, but should be overall quiet. Sounds nice!!!

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