My Pumpkins

I have looked forward to the day when I could decorate my porch with some mums and pumpkins for Fall. I have had these on display since October and have thoroughly enjoyed the aesthetic pleasure they have brought. But now, we are approaching the Winter months and their moment has passed. So now I think I will transition to a tasteful wreath hanging on the front door. Unlike my neighbors, I subscribe to the "less is more" school of thought. My neighbors are more of the "how many inflatable, lit-up, santa-reindeer-snowman monstrocities can I fit in my yard" persuasion. To each his own.

So to close out the fall decorating season, here is one more picture of my first porch pumpkin.

27 Going on 13

I still feel 13 most of the time. I am amazed that I am allowed to be married and have a job and own a home and have a baby because, inside, I so do not feel like a grown-up. Should I be worried? I mean, I am turning 27 in 3 days, but it feels like I am really just fooling everybody. Ha! You just think I am a grown-up! I'm really still in junior high worried about what people think of me and looking forward to the day that I can drive a car (It still amazes me that I have a license sometimes...just to show you the depths of my inner struggles.)

I look at my husband (and I look at my belly!) and I realize that, regardless of how it feels, growing up actually happened to me, but for some reason, it doesn't feel the way that I thought it would. I'm not sure what I was anticipating. Maybe that's part of the problem. Maybe I was thinking that you change from "you" to a completely different person when you grow up and so when I stayed "me," I got confused. I'm just an older, taller, slightly more informed version of me at 13. Scarlily the same, scarily different.

Viola Swamp

This is me right now. If you have ever read the book Miss Nelson is Missing!, then you probably recognize this character. And if you ever hear a teacher (probably of the elementary kind) say that "Viola Swamp" had to show up today, this is to whom they are referring. In the book, Miss Nelson has had it with her class full of unruly and disrespectful children, so she "leaves" and Miss Swamp is her substitute. Of course, Miss Swamp is Miss Nelson in costume, but the kids don't catch on and go on a frantic search for their real teacher because Miss Swamp is mean and takes away their recess and makes school no fun at all. After a few days, Miss Nelson is able to "return." The children are so happy to see her and their behavior is 100% better.

So for now, Mrs. Rives is gone and Miss Swamp is taking over for a few days. Hopefully, I will be able to return soon.

Wedding Flashback

Although it has only been 16 months, it feels like forever ago that we got married. Our good friend Ari took our pictures. I've added her website to my list of links. She does beautiful work and I would highly recommend her to anyone who is looking for an awesome photographer!

20 Weeks!

I am officially at the half way mark. I have been feeling Asher move a lot lately so this has been a really neat time for us. He still isn't moving enough to have that weird "Alien" experience where you see your stomach moving and other people can actually feel it, but it is good to know that he is making his presence known, even though it is just to me right now.

And as long as we are on the subject of babies, I again will go on the record and say that Dirk and Kathy are having a girl...and that will be confirmed when they get their ultrasound next week.

One more thing, yesterday, November 1, was the beginning of birthday month. I do not feel that one day is an adequate amount of time in which to celebrate fully, so I begin the festivities when the month begins. So we are on the coutdown to November 18, when I will turn...27! It is sort of like Hannukah, but without the menorah. I would like to receive a present each of the 18 days. Sometimes, I accomplish this by purchasing my own gift, and I am fine with that. I'm not talking major giftage--just a gesture...some candy, a tasty beverage of some sort, a magazine. Then, on the big day (again, November 18,) we culminate and I release all restrictions on size and cost. So feel free to jump on in and participate...I don't mind at all.