a good and happy day... Dropped Macy off at school today and, although a little hesitant, I think she was glad to be back. It gave me a chance to take Mike up on his lunch date offer. He took me to the East Texas State Fair for a gyro. I was so happy because there isn't one place in this entire city that sells gyros... and I love em! We walked around the fairgrounds for a bit, taking time to stop and watch the goats in competition in the livestock barn. We also saw some cute little baby longhorns in the cow barn. It was actually a nice, non-humid day.

After dropping Mike back off at work, I decided just to hang out at Barnes and Noble and study until it was time to pick Macy up. I ran into a girl from my class who excitedly announced her just-received GRE score. It was an awesome score and I felt really stupid until she told me that she had been studying for six months. I barely studied and still did okay so maybe I'm smarter than my score indicated. Anyway, after a few minutes of required the small talk with her I found one of those big, cushy chairs and settled in to finish reading this week's assigned chapter and, after doing so in only 30 minutes, I was able to spend over an hour leisurely browsing through the shelves of books just like the good ol' days. I felt relaxed and happy.

Later, I picked up Macy and after only spending an hour with her at home, had to drop her off at the neighbors and it was off to Ethics class for me. We discussed client informed consent and the like and fortunately, time went fast.

So now I'm home, Macy is asleep even without bebe (her blankie) which her and daddy forgot at the neighbors who just happen to have left shortly thereafter for Athens. We tried to trick her by putting another blankie in a pillow case but I think she knew better. She went to sleep nonetheless and Mike and I finished our night watching the presidential debate. But I won't go into that here because I do believe that politics probably shouldn't be discussed amongst friends. But I do hope everyone votes this year. I plan on it because, ashamedly, I haven't voted since 1992. I thought the rest of America would do it...

P.S. Mike says "Hi"

home... We returned home last night around 8:00. Macy was an angel and the 12-hour drive went flawlessly until we somehow managed to pull into Dallas at precisely 5:04 - Rush Hour!!!! Without that delay, we would've made it home in record time...

We enjoyed ourselves in Nebraska. The trip went fast and leaving was more sad for me because this time I have no idea when I'll be able to return. The drive was pretty uncomfortable even at this stage of the pregnancy. By the way, I've officially gained 28 pounds. With four months to go, this isn't going to be pretty.

Anyway, we spent all of our time back home with family. My sister, Monti, and her family were in from California and hosted a hay rack ride on Saturday. We got to see all of the family at once and I invited friends with the hopes of seeing everyone I could in a short amount of time, but unfortunately none of them were able to show up.

We spent Sunday in Omaha with Mike's family and on Monday (our second anniversary) and we celebrated with lunch at Lazlo's (an old favorite) while mom watched Macy. That night some family came out to mom's and we celebrated some more with Monti and Heath whose anniversary was Sunday.

So it's back to normal today. We returned with much more than we left with so today I take on the task of unpacking, laundry, re-stocking the fridge, etc. I'm really tired, but I must try to muster the strength!!!

fishes and snores... After lounging around all day on Saturday, we awoke Sunday knowing we just had to go do something. We decided to check out the Aquarium in Dallas. We also were anxious to give our new portable DVD a Macy check to see just how long she could focus on one movie in the car. Turns out it depends on the movie...

The Dallas Aquarium was neato, not exactly what we expected, but neato just the same. We saw lots of big fish, colorful fish, sharks, jelly fish, etc... Macy was good but halfway through we had to bribe her with candy to stay in her stroller. That trick usually works...

Once home we freshened up a bit and then headed to the Schwartz' for dinner. Hadn't seen them for awhile so it was good to catch up and, of course, Macy was out of control with the boys.

It was good to get home and relax in bed. Mike fell asleep right away and I wasn't far behind. I've been feeling bad because, just like last pregnancy, I've begun snoring and waking poor Mike up. He goes out to the couch, but usually comes back later to try, only to have to leave for the couch again. I've tried the breathe right strips and sleeping on my side and everything but I think between being stuffed up and being a tad bit on the heavy side, there's no fixing it until after the birth.

guests for the week... My sister, Beki, her husband, Zach and daughter, Emah, arrived early last Saturday morning at about 7:30 a.m. We weren't expecting them til later that afternoon so we were a little unprepared for their arrival. We had shampooed the carpet the night before and the furniture was all still bunched in the corner, but we got things straightened out in a hurry and were very happy to see them. Macy was so excited that she was running circles around the living room.

We spent Saturday relaxing and Bek and Zach caught up on some sleep. Later we took a little drive to the lake and stopped by the grocery store. That night we ordered the Nebraska football game on pay per view and had take-out bbq.

On Sunday we took them into Canton to experience First Monday Trade Days. It turned out to be a very hot and humid! By the time we left in the early afternoon we were all drenched in sweat. It felt good to come home and shower while Mike grilled steaks for supper.

Monday morning we had breakfast at the very busy Lake Palestine Campground Cafe and then went out on the boat. We swam a lot and Beki, Zach and Mike all skied. Beki and I also played with the girls on the big lake trampolene for awhile, too. That night, they drove into Lindale to visit Zach's cousins so Mike and I had that evening to our selves.

Tuesday Mike worked. I kept Macy home from school and we took our guests for Chinese lunch at the King Buffet. I then drove them around Tyler but had to be home in time to babysit my neighbor's kids. I had five kids in my care - ages 1, 1 1/2, 2, 4 and 5. Needless to say, it was a challenge to keep them all in one place. Especially when we were outside! That night I had class.

Mike took Wednesday off and we all went into Dallas. We ventured through the west end, mainly, and toured the JFK Sixth Floor museum, took pictures on "The Grassy Knoll" and had dinner at Joe's Crab Shack.

Thursday I took Macy to school and for the first time - she didn't cry! When I told her bye-bye, she just stood there holding her blankie and watched me leave. I peeked in the window on my way out and she was still standing there, just looking around. Then me and my guests picked up Mike for lunch at Pasados. When I picked up Macy later, her teacher said she smiled and had fun all day. She even took time out to give her teacher a hug and kiss for no apparent reason. She is so full of love...

Beki, Zach and Emah left that afternoon. Luckily, I had to rush off to class otherwise I probably would've cried and been sad.

It was nice having family for a week. Coming from a big family, it is a rare treat to have one person to yourself for any extended period of time. I enjoyed spending time with my sister and her husband and bonding with Emah while we put on make-up each day.

Today I feel tired and am just going to go with that. Macy is napping and I think I'll skip my workout for today since I've skipped all week. I'll start back in on Monday. Really, I will...

adjusting... I just dropped Macy off at "school" (I'm just going to call it that from now on cause it's easier than typing "parents day out" all the time). It's fall picture day and she looked so pretty in her little Burgundy dress, white socks and shoes with pink laces. She cried for only a couple seconds as I left and she actually looked quite content as I peeked through the window on my way out. Her teacher, Miss Tammany, was holding her while they watched another little boy play on the floor. I felt much better leaving her and my tears were few and fleeting.

But let me digress for a moment because I have failed to write about Monday, August 30, when an ultrasound confirmed to Mike and I that our little peanut is a boy. Of course, I knew I'd be happy either way, but having a boy to round out the family is such a blessing and I feel lucky. The thought of a little Mikey makes me so happy. Of course, if he's like my dad or brothers or grandpas or cousins that would be okay, too, because I've been blessed with wonderful men in my family and have married one, too. We celebrated after the ultrasound by lunching on cheeseburgers at Sam's Deli. My neighbor, Dawn, watched Macy because children weren't allowed into that particular office.

Tuesday night I had my first Theories class. Not much to report except for the fact that part of the final is going to be oral. Yikes, I've never experienced that before!!

Last night I was pleasantly surprised by a phone call from my friend C.Leigh. It was great catching up with her and we spent 2 hours on the phone. She's getting married in January so she had a lot to tell me. Unfortunately, I will be winding up my last weeks of pregnancy so we will not be able to go to the wedding.

Otherwise, I've spent the week getting ready for my sister, Bek, and her families' arrival to Tyler on Saturday. I'm excited for their visit and hope to keep them sufficiently entertained. I also pray it isn't deathly hot or humid.

Mike is leaving me tonight to attend a Cowboys/Chiefs game in Dallas so Macy and I will get to come home to an empty house after class. I'm not used to that but I'm sure I can handle it. I spent many years with those lonely nights. I'm sure I'll have plenty of reading to do.

And with that, I will start my day of working out, studying and cleaning. ta-ta.....