One addition to the family before the much anticipated addition comes in a few weeks!

Saint, has enjoyed being the only dog but we continued to feel he would be happier with a buddy.

So after many months of waiting for the right timing and the right dog - God put us together.

Last week we found a Great Pyrenees, named Petunia.

We knew after reading her story on petfinder that we were interested in her.

After we talked to the nice folks at Zeus' Place in New Orleans we were 90% convinced she was the right one for us.

We met "Petunia" on Saturday and we were convinced that she was "our girl." She answers to "Tiara" better than she did to Petunia.

She is a year and a half old and so the "hard part" of getting a new dog isn't an issue.

She is potty trained, crate trained, calm, and laid back!

She chews appropriately or drops it when asked to.

Saint who is equally wonderful is used to having been the "puppy" of the bunch in his previous home and the "only" here for over a year. So he doesn't know what to do with the "new puppy" that dwarfs him by 3 times in weight and about 5 times in body size.

We are already working on the finishing touches so to speak with Tiara.
So far she has proved an absolute joy!!!
The biggest challenge: getting her to realize that a thunder storm is no big deal.

Thank you Lord! You have answered another prayer in the Sodini family prayer requests.

Human baby update: 33 weeks and counting. We are waiting to meet you little one!

Baby...

Can I just say I am ready to have this miracle!

31 weeks and counting! Anyone care to join me in praying that our newest angel will come closer to 37 weeks than 42 weeks? All prayers always welcome!

Oh, by the way, I am finally showing. At least when I wear the right maternity tops. Most of the time I just look big not pregnant.

Chris got to go HOME to Michigan!

Chris got to spend time with most of his family!!!

His parents, Beth and Fred are both enjoying our niece drawing pictures.

Jen was very happy to see her dad, sister, and grandma and grandpa!

The girls, Bekah and Jen cooking for Chris and his parents the night he arrived!

The whole reason for Chris' trip:

Our oldest graduated from Midland High School :)

We could not be more proud of Rebekah!

She has put in so much hard work and grown up so much!
Rebekah we know that you are going to make an excellent chef!

We love you, Bekah!!

Dad, Mom, Mia, Josiah and Baby

God Always has a Purpose

We just don't always see it right away. We began our day at 0400 thinking that we were placing Chris on a plane to Michigan. After a curve ball or two and several changes in course we have arrived at a place of peace. I believe we have both grown today. Thank you Lord! You, Lord, have guided us and directed us and kept us on course. You have taught us to go with our gut- not because it knows all but because it heard You and understood your course. Thank you, Lord.

Your son is driving home to Michigan. We both know that this is your plan. We are not second guessing ourselves we are moving forward in faith.

We still don't see your purpose in today's events. But we do see the light for the step we are on. Please bless my sweet husband and our girls and his family this weekend. Have thine own way.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:

Everything but the kitchen sink...

goes into an evening that happens once every year or two. This particular evening came almost exactly 18 months after the last one of this kind. So we did everything from eat dinner together, to celebrating birthdays to swimming.

My Mom and Dad - have been married 37 years!

The original 4!

"Papa" and Josiah

Josiah, "Nana", Mia and Me

Mia and Grandpa

For not intending to get wet-I was soaked~!

We had a blast!

Mia showing off for Grandma.

Both of the kids got comfortable enough to put their faces underwater!

Josiah is our fish but this was huge progress for Mia.

Rob's day was made when he got to play with his nephew.

Josiah is pretty happy about it too.

All in all we had a beautiful evening! Short and sweet!

Have a beautiful rest of your vacation- Mom, Dad and Rob!

We love you!

"Mom, when will you teach me to mow?"

"When you are dressed appropriately and we are mowing."

So as you can see the very next time Daddy mowed she was dressed appropriately. And so was Daddy~!~! In our house "dressed appropriately" means wearing long pants (preferrably jeans) and tennis shoes and socks or in Daddy's case work boots.

Of course the lesson included the basics: when the mower is running you only touch the handle!!!

She did great!

Tot School

I think it is safe to say Josiah absolutely loves Tot School! ~not to mention having his picture taken! He wants me to read "cocoon" all the time and he loves to follow along with the book's predicatable pattern, counting what the caterpillar eats and of course the cocoon and butterfly parts! Our friend gave us a life cycle set for the caterpillar and that just makes him love the whole thing even more!

I am sorry I waited so long to start doing things like this with the kids! But you know what ...

that just means that the possibilities with the new baby are absolutely endless~!~~!

God is so good!

I am amazed at how pieces begin to come together when you are not even trying! Once you start doing this kind of thing you find materials all over the house. He loves to have me write "Aubrey" on anything and everything. He loves using magnets on cookie sheets. He wasn't too sure about the spagetti noodles in the parmesan (sp) cheese dispenser (an empty plastic seasoning container of any size with holes 1/8 of an inch wide or bigger may even work better).

The best parts of the whole process are his enthusiasm and Mia's joy at being able to teach him all kinds of new things.