Hello, again....

Well,well, has it really been 2 months? I just want you to know that I have been in major conflict as to what to do with my time right now. Should I clean the kitchen or grab a little shut-eye or post a blog? My tired eyes are telling me to stop, but my heart is telling me to type. I'm feeling like I've neglected you for too long, our loving family and friends. I can't find the cable to our camera so you'll have to do with out pictures for now. Here is a low-down on the comings and goings of the Mag Clan since Thanksgiving:

1. Despite my complete denial for the first month, many tests, a doctor's appointment, and one ultrasound have confirmed that I am indeed 100% pregnant and will be due to welcome baby #4 in July. This is very exciting for us and the girls who want a baby brother BAD. I hope this time we can deliver.

2. December brought more snow to the Seattle area then we care to remember. And, of course, it came just at the height of Christmas shopping, when I needed to be out getting things ready for the big day and our trip to Philadelphia. Needless to say, we got it all done, and even enjoyed some serious sledding and snowball fights. Lesson to be learned: procrastinating Christmas shopping until the last minute only brings misery. Please remind me of this next September so I can get a head start.

3. Our much anticipated trip to Philly was not without its adventures. We were due to fly out Christmas night, but because of all the snow, we were delayed until the next night. We arrived in Philly Sat. morning and had a great weekend with everyone. And since Christmas is the season of giving, we decided to give everyone the stomach flu. Luckily, our last 2 days there were without incident and we have some great memories being together.

4. Shawn's new office will officially open next week. He has been working hard to get it together and it looks great! We'll have pictures to show later. Once it's up and running it will be nice to have our Dad back, who seems to be spending his spare time on the telephone with contractors, suppliers, new employees, etc. He's amazing how he can keep it all straight in his head. My head space can't quite hold half of a thought lately, so I am in utter admiration at his skills.

5. The girls are growing like weeds, I tell ya. Rachel reads like a speeding train, Brooke has some very intriguing thoughts about life that amuse us, and Kristina is learning how to communicate to us in her own special way. She likes to bang her head on something and then look at us and say, "Ouch". Funny. Or she'll have this intense conversation with us in jibberish. I love it. Her world is about to be rocked when the new addition comes, poor thing. Actually, it will be a good thing.

6. As for myself, I am constantly seeking refuge from the amazing mess that seems to accumulate at the hands of my children. I keep telling myself that someday, it will not be this way, but for now, I am in awe at their ability to create chaos. And it's not from toys. They don't have a ton of toys, and I'm realizing that they don't need any because they find very creative ways to play with other things. Here are a few examples:

-every container in the house becomes a bed for their dolls/stuffed animals. These "beds" are found everywhere-in closets, under beds, in the bath tub, on chairs,etc.
-the blankets for all of these "beds" are my dishtowels, washcloths, aprons, tights(used as a hat) and, yes, even baby wipes on occasion. What's up? We do have real baby blankets.
-any knick-knack or item of decor is fair game according to my children. Flower arrangements, pictures, Shawn's dental awards(used as secret "tablets" to uncover treasures), boxes, candle holders, pots, my jewelry box, you name it, they play with it. And do they put it back? Of course not.
-paper, crayons, tape, glue...these are all items that seem to find their way into every corner of the house. My favorite is a "B" that is written on the wall in pencil, and then it's crossed out. Because crossing it out would hide it from me. Love it.

And where have I been, during all of these shinanigans? One of three places: head in the toilet, head on a pillow, or head in the refrigerator, desperately trying to find the food that will make it all go away.
Here's a question for you: If you could have any superpower, what would it be? Mine's a no-brainer. Power to have any food you want spontaneously appear in front of you whenever you want it. Tell me that would not be a hit among all pregnant women out there. Only in my dreams. What would your super power be?