The stars at night are big and bright........

Deep in the heart of Texas! So its a bit late but we got to spend 10 fun filled days in the big "D" this month and let me tell you it was an adventure. My sister was celebrating her 10 year anniversay--quite an accomplishment and was heading to Europe for her own big adventure. Owen, Brett and I plus their 5 little ones were going to hang out together in dallas and hold down the fort, as my mom would say. Now back in January when they asked us if we could swing this I honestly thought "sure I can do that no problem" fast forward a few months later and I am pregnant and thinking ok divide and conquer, just as long as we don't have a repeat from the last time I did this. Imagine breaking the garage door and getting into an accident with in the first 24 hour period, not so good. So after many gallons of milk, bread by the loaves, 3 boxes of toaster strudel, diapers by the bags and laundry I don't know how we finished. I am in awe of what my sister does every day day in and day out. She has wings and maybe some help of the three good fairies from Sleeping Beauty. I had a great time, 6 babies and 10 days of seeing my husband. I told him I hadn't seen him that much since before we got married. While there we drove to Lewisville about an hour and a half away to see Aunt Sandy and her ranch. Now when I heard ranch I though sweet a few horses possibly some cows, the kids will be excited. When we drove up to a 800acre+, 125 horses and counting plus countless heads of cattle I realized everything really is bigger in Texas. There had been rain for the past few days and with the ranches breeding schedule, we had one day to drive out to see what we could. I am glad we went, and bless Taylor's heart and bum for being such a good sport. We all got to see 4 baby horses and 3 baby cows plus some big tractors, atvs, and Rufus the dog. Aunt Sandy was so sweet to all the babies and by the looks fo the pictures they all had a good time besides the fact that we all had that lovely ranch smell to deal with on the ride home:) Texas was great and I miss the Hopkin kiddos, they are little dumplings. Brett kiddingly said to me while the babies were playing " Lets take little LULU home with us, I really like her" to which Whitters replied" OH no Uncle Betttt we like her, take someone else!" We all got a good luagh after that!Owen asks where they are by name daily and if he can go see the dogs, good ol landry and big boy riggs( ps he is deathly afraid of dogs and wouldn't go near them unless brett or I held him so I don't see a family dog in our future anytime soon). Texas was good to us and I am more thankful for what my mom accomplished with 8 of us than ever before! To all you moms of multiple children - Carry on! and get yourself a good mattress:)

Happy News

Owen is going to have a new sibling around October 16th. He is super excited and has been so funny at my Dr appointments. If you ask him if the baby is a little "brudder" or a little "seeester" he'll get the sweetest look on his face, crinkle up his nose turn his head and say a "bebe" He'll answer brudder or seester, with names for each. After talking to my Dad, who puts John in every baby's name, Owen told me "I like johnny mama", "baby johnny is my brudder". When I had my first ultra sound Owen and Brett came along. I had figured I was about 8-9 weeks along but after the ultrasound tech made a few measurements we were told I was already 12 weeks. Owen saw his new little sibling on the big screen and yelled out "that's a baby", I cried. We are excited for a new little addition boy or girl.I am still in a litte bit of shock, there are days when I feel I am barely hanging on with one little guy. Brett is taking the same stance he did with Owen and will not discuss names until a week or two before I am due. No worries I've got the boy and girl name covered:) Over the next two weeks we have Brett's brothers' wedding & reception, flying to TX, watching 5 little dumplings for a week,Brett's finals, flying back from TX(can you tell I am worried about flying for some odd reason), and having our 21 week ultrasound to find out whom will be joining us in October. Just thinking about all the laundry and planning everything involves wears me out--- I need a nap

PS Brett and I had our anniversary in April-- time has flown by we sometimes feel as though we have been married for 15 years with everything that we have experienced. His surgeries went well and his kidneys are functioning again. I got our EOBs from the insurance and about fell over with shock at how much everything cost.But Brett is healthy and that's what matters. He also is pretty good at keeping a secret and got us the sweetest camera for the anniversary. I don't know where to start with it but watch out blog the pictures are a coming!