We're changing...

....FROM A FAMILY of FIVE to

SIX

Talk about a complete surprise. We are still reeling in from the shock, but at the same time excited for this sweet little addition to join our family.

It is funny the way we found out. Ben had just left for his deployment and I thought that all the emotions I was going through were actually just the body geting ready for mother nature's "gift". Then you just kind of realize that something else is going on. At first there was complete shock, then a realization that while this wasn't part of "my plan" in regards to children and spacing (AND DEPLOYMENT) this really was part of a bigger picture. Really, this sort of thing could have happened at any time-- we really aren't that way with planning our babies-- but THIS TIME we find out during the most interesting YEAR of our lives? That is what makes life so fun, these crazy moments when you aren't sure how you are going to do something that can be really hard, but at the same time knowing that your Heavenly Father really knows how capable we are to make it through whatever lies ahead of us, and  how HE is there to help us along the way.

Did I mention that I am very excited? I go through different emotions everytime I find out I am pregnant. It is usually a cycle and I just slowly move along through them all until after a while of letting it sink in that I really start to feel excited. I am just funny that way. But here I am--- Excited right from the start. When I did go in for the pregnancy test the boys were all tagging along with, it was a fun summer field trip to the clinic and Cael said "I hope it is another brother" and the doctor said "you already have two brothers, this is going to be a sister" and ever since that time Cael really has been cheering for the PINK team. We will just have to see. Two more weeks and my 18 week appointment will can officially fnd out, as long as eveyone cooperates during the ultrasound.

So this baby is going to be born in a German Hospital with a German doctor (who is really great) and we hope that Ben will make it back for the birth the first part of April. He will most likely get his 2 week R&R right around that time, but you never can predict when babies are going to be born... so we will just have to wait and see. Again not something I can control so we are going to let it roll. That also means that Ben is gone duing the ENTIRE pregnancy-- YES you can bet he is going to owe me big time with foot and back rubs for the rest of my life!!

While I am journaling this all down I have to say that I have not been sick, pregnancy sick, thus far. The first trimester was the "shock,sleep, and meat" phase. Realizing that my body was changing a lot quicker than remembered, going to bed right after putting the boys to bed which was sometimes around 8:30 or 9, and also wanting to eat roast beef, chicken, eggs, or anything else that contained plenty of protein. You know as I am writing this down I realize that I pretty much enjoy eating anything right now--- so watch out refrigerator- I am on the prowl!

Well, that is all for now. But wait-- if there is anyone who would love to see Germany and take care of a new mother between April and May just let me know--- Yes I am pretty serious. We will work out the details but as I think about it, the spring really is a lovely time to see this part of the world, BUT MOSTLY to see a new tiny baby :) (hint hint- wink wink)