I've been bitten....

....by the Spring Fever bug. The weather has been beautiful lately and it makes it hard to focus for more than about three seconds consecutively.

I was in so much pain (hips, legs, back, neck) that Brandon called around and spoke with several chiropractor offices and finally found one he felt comfortable sending his pregnant wife to. I had my first appointment yesterday.

Oh me, oh my.

I felt amazingly better by the time I left the office. I've neglected my chiropractic care since we moved here November 30, 2008! My hip and leg pain had gotten so bad that I couldn't roll over in bed without crying out in pain and it's been that bad for the entire pregnancy. Falling down the stairs with Xander in my arms had only irritated my back more. Last night was the first night I've been able to roll over in relative ease. There is still some pain, but it is a ton better. I have another appointment on Friday, so hopefully I'll be in tip top shape soon!

When I got home, though.. the fever had hit. I rarely leave the house on days that Brandon works since we are a one car (ahem van) family. But after driving to the chiropractor and back, I had a joy riding bug and an intense craving for Mexican food being eaten while sitting on a patio. We rushed to get out the door and load the kids up, but with Richmond traffic, by the time we got to the restaurant, the sun had gone down too much for a comfortable dinner on the patio.

After dinner, we drove around looking at some new to us neighborhoods. One thing is for sure, wherever and whenever we buy, Brandon will have a longer commute. I don't want a cookie cutter house on a tiny, steeply sloped yard with my neighbors right on top of us. So we'll have to leave the West End. It doesn't really bother me since we are now attending church and shopping south of the river. (Quick side note, when you are from Augusta, GA going "across the river" doesn't really bother you, you just do it without thought. Here people *gasp* because we attend church in another county and travel down the interstate and across the river to get there. You'd think it was *so far* away! In reality it's about a 20ish minute drive and we find better customer service out there.)

While we were out joyriding, Julianne loudly told her Daddy "We have to go home to watch American Yidol (Idol), it's boy night and Andrew Garcia is on!" Um... anyone else concerned that my 3 year old is OBSESSED with AI and Andrew Garcia? She can't name ONE of the female contestants "Mommy they really aren't *that* good this year!" but can name several of the male contestants. I have a feeling teenage years may be interesting with this one. ;)

Another funny story: Julianne was totally cracking us up after dinner and Brandon looks at me and says "Where did we get this kid?" Without missing a beat, Julianne announces "You got me from BJ's! I was FOUR DOLLARS, remember?" Dear child, we did NOT get you from BJ's (a warehouse store like Sam's or Costco.) God blessed my womb after several years of trying for you, baby girl. And since I was high risk, I saw several specialists weekly during my pregnancy and just ONE copay was more than $4. You are my most expensive child to date. ;) But you are SO loved and well worth all of the blood, sweat and tears we put into getting you safely here.

Dear Father, thank you for my children. They've each joined my life under different circumstances but in Your perfect timing. Thank you for the change in seasons, and the new green life I'm seeing outside. It makes my heart sing after a very long, rough winter. Thank you for the entertainment that each of my children provide.. and the awesome opportunity that you've given me to share the blessings you've given us. I love that you aren't a God of statistics. Statistically, the world says Brandon and I shouldn't be married still but we are. We are happy and pray for many more years together! Our diagnoses were supposed to make having ONE child difficult. And I'm now the blessed, thrilled mama of (almost) four here on Earth and two that are with you. Thank you for their personalities, Lord. They are all so very different and I'm sitting on the edge of my seat, waiting to see what you have planned for their lives. In the meantime, I'm thankful for arms that squeeze my neck for bear hugs, chubby hands that rest in mine, and sweet lips that give me kisses (even if they leave some slobbers behind) and all the funny stories...

~Steph