Skype

Do you know about Skype? I think it has got to be the best invention EVER! It is a computer (excuse my rough description) program that allows you to "call" people around the world and have a video phone call...the best is that it is absolutely FREE!!
It all started when Dad moved to Dubai and we needed a way to talk without racking up the bucks. Dad found skype and we got started. When it all began, I only had a microphone and no camera and that first phone call was emotional. I hadn't seen dad in about a month (after having him in my home every 2 weeks this was tough) and seeing him on my computer screen was hard on me. Anyway, I got a camera and the rest is computer history!
Why is this so amazing? My family literally lives all over and it's tough with the kids. Before skype, Brenden would be so shy the first couple of days when visiting with family. Now we can chat with them every night and stay so connected. The evidence is the excitement my kids radiate when it's time to skype with family. We skype with grandparents at least once a week and friends monthly. It has become a normal part of our little life.
To those of you with family out of state or just a little too far down the road for frequent visits, I highly recommend skype! It has saved my emotional life on more than one occasion!

Newest addition...

Today was my 18 week ultrasound and it was amazing!! I never get tired of seeing that little baby on the screen. All is well! Baby has all of its organs, it's spine is lovely, and its heart was beating wildly! The baby moved constantly during the screening, much more than Bren or Annie. I can't wait to have this little one in my arms!!

The Visit

Last weekend Sandy and dad came for a short visit. I'd like to say it was a great visit BUT I really didn't see either one the entire weekend! It was not a bad visit by ANY means, well to really appreciate the story you need some background information....

The house that I love is in need of some TLC to say the least! We bought this house from the original owners who built/bought this home in 1956!! There have been minor updates to it, but the majority of the home is still from 1956. It is a great little home and I really love it BUT could love it more if there were some improvements made, say about 10 years ago!!!

So, the plan was for Dad and Sandy to stay in the "guest room" in the basement and use the "good" bathroom upstairs with the rest of us. Dad, being the dad that he is, suggested that he'd clean the basement bathroom (I have refused to step into the place) so they could be out of our way. I, not one to turn down a free cleaning, agreed. So, here's where the story takes a laughable turn. Dad was cleaning and stepped on the threshold of the shower and the ENTIRE thing broke apart. Long story short, dad spent the entire weekend trying to repair the shower and make it livable. The good news is Troy has decided to rip it all out and really fix it (yes, scary)! Plus, Brenden got to spend some quality time helping Papa work in the basement. This involved multiple trips to Home Depot and out very own power saw (I don't even know where the closest hospital is yet)!

Dad also hung blinds in all the bedrooms, hung my curtain less rods in the living room, and managed to keep a smile on his face. The best part is that dad never said once that my home was a mistake. He's been so completely supportive as my little family continues on our journey. I love you dad more than I can express (another post I'm sure)!!!!