Gosh, I love my sisters.

I must say, before I start, I have been reflecting a lot upon relationships that are meaningful in my life lately. My husband, my son, my sisters... to name a few. Fortunately, Spencer is taking a short nap again (because our loud neighbor woke us earlier), so I have a few minutes to express my thoughts again.

My sisters are AMAZING.

I'm fortunate to have my sisters not only be sisters, but also be two of my closest, dearest friends and confidants. Yes, indeed.

I am currently 28.

Samantha (or Sam) is 17.

Allison will be 13 this year.

Those are some pretty big age differences from me, obviously. But, despite that, and despite the fact that we live a few hours away, and despite the fact that I did not live with either one of them for all that long before I grew up, went to college, and got married... we're close. We're tight. We're three peas in a pod, some might say.

My sisters and I have a lot in common. We all love to read. We all love to create art. We all love music. We all love taking and editing photographs. We do that one a lot when we're together. We all love LAUGHING. We do that one even more than taking photographs when we're together. Gosh, we laugh so much. Sometimes, Jake gets to laughing just listening to us laugh. I've been known to laugh so hard I couldn't breathe. Or I'd tear up. Or I'd almost pee my pants. Or, when I was pregnant with Spencer, laugh so hard I'd gag and throw up. Yes. We love to laugh. About the strangest, smallest, most random things sometimes that no one else would really understand or think funny, but hey, they're hilarious to us!

I'm blessed to have these two lovely ladies in my life, and I love that our interests and passions are fairly similar. Especially when we are able to spend weeks together at a time and are able to capture so many moments and memories on camera. I was looking through photos of the three of us and our adventures earlier. I won't lie, I teared up. It's so easy to relive those cherished times when we take turns being behind the lens. We capture our smiles and so many other facial expressions that when I look through the photos, it's almost as if I can hear my sister's laughter and voices in the room with me. Gosh! That's SO FREAKING WONDERFUL.

In this entry, I have included a few photos from one of my favorite "shoots" together, just a few days before I found out I was pregnant with Spencer in February 2010. We were having a blast in the snow in the backyard. I've also included an older one from 2009, just because I like it.

When I moved on to college, I was very, very sad to leave my sisters behind. I felt like I was going to miss out on the majority of their childhoods. The majority of their lives. Somehow, we made it work, and while I miss random every-day things, I feel like the important stuff I'm able to be a part of, whether it's by phone, online, or in person. I'm thankful for that!

When I moved to Sioux Falls with Jake in 2009, I felt like I was abandoning them. Leaving them so far behind that I would barely ever see them, and that they'd lose touch with me. I felt like they'd hate me for not staying. I almost refused to move, actually. It was one of the hardest decisions I've ever faced. But, I had a heart-to-heart with them, and they assured me I was crazy (in nicer terms) and it wouldn't hurt our relationship. It'd probably strengthen it. Even as "little" as they are compared to me (though they'll BOTH be taller than me next week probably, Sam already is), they're so wise when it comes to matters like that.

They're so helpful, too. When they're around, they help out with Spencer, now that he's here. And, recently, over Christmas break, they pretty much cared for him non-stop, as well as helped with the majority of the housework, and helped quell my sadness and frustration with basically being bedridden with sciatica. My little sisters did! I was beyond blessed to have them here when they were!

I like to think I'm some sort of inspiration (haha, maybe that's one big high hope) and role model for them, in at least some way. I hope to be. I hope to be leading a good example for them.

I can't wait until I can see them again. Today, especially, for some unknown reason (most likely, I guess, the photographs I was looking through), I miss them, and I want them here right now. But, I know that's not possible. I'm hoping to see them in a few weeks, if possible.

For now, I think this shall be all.

In summary, I love my sisters.

All the single Golden Girls...

My dreams aren't always exciting. Sometimes, they're terrifying. Sometimes, they're confusing. Sometimes, I wake up thinking they happened in real life.

And... sometimes, they're just comical.

For instance.

I had a dream...

I see an iPhone text-message conversation going:

Bea Arthur: Now put your hands up, up in the club!
Betty White: Just broke up. Doing my own little thing.
Bea Arthur: You decided to dip? And now you want to trip?!
Betty White: 'Cause another brother noticed me.

And then.........

Bea, Betty, Rue, and Estelle hop into my field of vision. They're in the middle of the local Goodwill, apparently shopping for an ugly sweater party. They're holding a TON of hideous sweaters, kicking their legs, humming, and singing "uh oh-oh, uh oh-oh-oh-oh-oh, uh oh-oh."

That's right, these feisty ladies are getting their dance on!

Then then, they throw their sweaters at me, and one hits me in the cheek with the clothes hanger on it, and it hurts, and I yell "NOT NICE!"

And... they start singing, "If you liked it then you shoulda put a ring on it. If you liked it then you shoulda put a ring on it. Don't be mad when you see that he want it! If you liked it then you shoulda put a ring on it."

Oh crikey.

And then Betty gets all up in my face, singing verse two, while the others are doing some sort of geriatric version of Beyonce's famous dance.

Yup. I woke up with "Single Ladies" stuck in my head, and I cannot get it to go away.

Bollocks!

Oh, and for those of you who may have imagined those fine females in the really skin-tight black unitard thing that Beyonce sports....

fear not.

They were wearing kelly green stirrup legging pants, and their typical matronly blouse type shirts. It was much less risque.

So what if people watch.

Tonight, while I was "jamming out" to Amy Grant's "Baby, Baby" in the aisles of Hy-Vee, I realized something...

...lately, Spencer makes me "dance like nobody's watching," as the phrase goes.

Nobody but him, anyway.

I was prancing and bopping, singing and squeaking, making faces and all sorts of bizarre acts while jamming out to the tune, putting on quite a show.

Hy-Vee, mind you, was pretty darn busy.

And I didn't care. Spencer was squeaking and laughing at me. He was all about his heart-melting toothless grins. He was flashing those pretty pink gums at me, what seemed like second after second.

So what if the other shoppers occasionally glanced my way and laughed.

I just didn't care.

I tell you what, I am NOT a great dancer. I'm not a spectacular vocalist. I sure as heck am not one who likes to perform for the masses. But tonight, I might have been. I caught people looking.

The glances from others and possible judgement for being ridiculous were well worth it to hear that joyful giggle.

Just thought I'd share.

Now Accepting Applications:

I've decided that it would be fantastic if I could get myself a 1950's cliche housewife. Either that, or a maid.

I am very happy to be back working, spending time with my dear friend, Jillian, and her son, Grayson, (and her sister Brieanne and her husband Robert, too...) as well as providing some income for our family so I don't feel as worthless as I did while not making money.

But, it comes with a price.

Jillian and I, today, were discussing Spencer's new crying habits, and how they are probably a product of many things: ear infection (which seemed to start it all, though it was probably just the timing of that coinciding with the next parts), going to daycare, me working, and a change in our routine and schedule.

I know from experience working in an infant room that babies going to daycare for the first time have a bit of a shock and hard time adjusting (generally). I don't know why I expected that to be any different for Spencer. Just because I am going to daycare with him as a provider doesn't mean that it's different for him. He just doesn't have to adjust to a new care provider as that role is still mine. But, he does have to share my attention with others, just like those in other daycares would. He doesn't necessarily get picked up every second he cries (not that he did while I was on leave, let me tell you!), and sometimes he has to wait a little longer than usual for feedings. He has to sleep through more noise. You know, various things like that. So, that might be part (a big part) of why he's been fussier lately. I'm hoping he adjusts and gets back to his jolly little self.

Anyway, now that I'm working outside of my own home, I'm (obviously) not at our place much. So, while I divide up my attention during the day, it's just as divided at night. That means that over the course of a day now, SJ gets less of my focus than he ever has before.

That's why I decided tonight I could use a housewife or a maid.

When I come home, between oh, say 6 and 10 (sometimes I stay and visit), I not only am trying to have one-on-one quality time with my precious son, but now I have to use what little time I have left of the day to do the things I normally spread throughout the day (while giving most of my attention to Spencer and also trying to remember to eat and use the bathroom and such). So, I come home and want to just cuddle and play with him, but I also have to take the dog out, feed the dog, do the dishes, wash the clothes, clean up whatever messes are left behind, eat supper, and get ready for bed and if I'm lucky, the day to follow.

That's a lot to do on my own in a few hours.

I feel horrible letting him cry in his chair, or swing, or on the floor while I wash dishes instead. What I really want to do is lay down next to him and make him laugh and smile at me. I can't always do it. It often breaks my heart. I hate listening to him cry, knowing that he would stop if I'd just hold him. But, I can't always hold him! Ack! It's torment!

Anyway, so, I'd like to accept applications for my 1950's houswife or maid. Please provide two references and your own uniform. Thanks! Haha.

It's a Boy!

The secret is out.

We're going to be having a son this fall (hopefully late October/early November)! We're absolutely elated.

I don't feel bad. I felt bad when I let the secret slip to Jake.

Yesterday, I was at work, and a 3 year-old informed me that my baby was taking my first name as it's last name. The child's lead teacher had told her that I had a baby in my tummy, and she asked the name. So I told her, and she said something along the lines of "So, his name is ****** Nicole." I asked why, and she informed me that my baby had to have a last name!

I came home from work and updated my facebook status to say that a 3 year-old told me that my baby was going to have my first name as it's last name.

The first response was, "hahaha! That's funny!"

The second was from my dear husband, who did not realize what he had said, until I pointed it out to him 14 hours later, after I had logged into facebook and saw the excitement unfolding after it. He said, "so.... Spencer Nicole it is? Well... it could be worse."

Yes, he had let the name slip, along with it, the sex of our first child.

I got the giggles really badly, and barged into the bathroom asking him, "Do you know what you did 14 hours ago!?" I told him and then told him he had better call and tell his parents before someone else did.

So, the secret, as I said before, is out. I thought I'd be more bummed, but I'm not, at all.

In other news, as I don't know if I've said this before, you can see my belly move when he kicks or punches. It's crazy cool. And I'm 24 weeks along today.

(Not so much) Golf Queen.

In honor of Independence Day, or rather... it being a day when both Jake and I were at home and had no plans, my dear husband took me out on a date day.

We started off at home, naturally, and were pretty lucky that Tarah (my cousin), made breakfast for everyone. It was delicious! After, I got all purdied up... well, maybe not, but I did wear a skirt and straighten my hair.

Jake took us first to Barnes and Noble. We like to go there and just peruse books, find something that strikes our fancy on any given day, enjoy a little Starbucks treat, and chat. Today, I looked at books of Ireland, as I have a strong desire to go there sometime.

We shared a piece of white chocolate raspberry Cheesecake Factory cheesecake. Superbly delicious!

We spent a short time shopping at Wal-Mart for a few necessities, and driving around town with the windows rolled down in his truck, which, despite my lack of passion for driving the truck, and the fact that I'm not a huge fan of the bumpy ride, I quite enjoy. I think I mentioned on my old blog how riding in his truck reminds me of one of my favorite songs, "Power Windows," by Billy Falcon.

We then went out for dinner at my favorite restaurant, Hu Hot Mongolian Grill.

Then, we went to the new theater in town to see a movie... only... we couldn't decide on any to see that were within an hour of the time in which we arrived (we didn't plan ahead), and so we just looked at the marquee a while and left. I think the people at the box office probably thought we were nuts, but hey, no big deal. After calling the other theaters in town and realizing they had basically the exact same shows at the exact same time, we gave up the movie idea.

Then, the best surprise of the day... Thunder Alley! Yay! It's a place with Go-Karts, Human Foosball, some other stuff... and my favorite activity there... MINI GOLF!

I've noticed I often start off a round of mini golf really strong. And then.. the second hole, and each consecutive... not so good. But I tell you what, regardless of my score, I thoroughly enjoy it! Jake totally kicked my butt, of course, both rounds. I did better the second round by 15 whole points, which was fantastic, and got a hole in one! The only downsides to the mini-golf: mosquitoes, and my skirt. Yeah... squatting down to get my ball was probably a treat for anyone who happened to be looking. Of course, I didn't realize it right away, so the entire first round I was more than likely (at least almost) flashing whomever was in the area. Ah well.

I am pretty sure I laughed more today (for various, mostly unknown to me now, reasons) than I have in the entire previous week. I do remember laughing hysterically when I told him one of the theaters in town reminded me of the movie musical Zanadu which I think is a horrible excuse for entertainment, and he loves it. And, I told him how Robert Pattinson is not only creepy, but not hot, at all... unless you count that he's hotter than Richard Simmons. But beyond that, not so sure what I thought was funny. I just know the day was great.

Laughing is (one of) my favorite activities.

It occured to me (today, and on many prior occasions), that I like to surround myself with family and friends who have a great sense of humor (individually, and collectively). Laughter is one of my favorite noises, and also one of my favorite activities.

Now, I don't seek out people who are funny, it just seems that I think all of my closest family and friends have moments of pure hilarity.

My wonderful husband makes me laugh on a daily basis. Often, it's fits of rolling laughter and school-girl type giggles where my voice gets really high and squeaky and I can't catch my breath.

My sister, Samantha, who is spending most of the summer living with us, is also one who can get me giggling. And Tarah, my cousin and dear friend, who lives in our basement!

I name these three in particular, because they all live in my house.

Anyway, today I got the giggles for no apparent reason, while my sister and I were driving through a parking lot. Giggling lead to coughing. Giggling lead to gagging. I rolled down my window afraid I was going to vomit all over the place, and pulled up to a stop sign. And as I did, some older lady in her car, coming toward us, was laughing and looking at me with a huge grin on her face. Glad I could spread some joy.

There's no real reason to this post, other than to say, I like laughter.

Happy Thursday.