it's a...

BOY!

we just found out this afternoon.  everything is measuring great, now we just (anxiously) wait for september 30th!  

(sorry the scan is a little lopsided, whoops! - and yes, the top one is the "money shot" - the doctor added the "wow" to be funny...haha!  and below is a sort-of profile shot of our little man.  awwwww....he's already cute!)

we are thrilled - and both knew deep down this was a boy.  looks like the voters on the blog were correct, too!

easter

we spent most of the weekend with family celebrating easter, and it was wonderful!  we kicked it off friday night with the morrissey concert at the palladium.  jay has a "list," and this was one musician that was important to him to check off seeing live.  i personally prefer morrissey along with the rest of the crew - and am still going for a smiths reunion, but, i still had fun and got to see a lot of friends.

"baby" caroline, hunting eggs

saturday morning we were up and at 'em, easter-egg dying, hunting, and smashing (confetti-filled eggs) were a big player with all the link cousins and norman.  yes, it was norm's 3rd birthday saturday, so we allowed him to play with the kids, who wore him out!  so much fun. we brought carter and audrey, the two oldest tulsa kids, back to big D with us to spend the night, shop, and have some mi cocina...fun for them and for us!

dying easter eggs

carter and audrey - so tall!!

sunday was spent again with family, at church with the links and then off to brunch at colonial with the pritchards.  all good times and a fun-filled, family weekend.  what a reason to celebrate - He has risen indeed!

the gang

happy 3rd birthday, norm! (enjoying the confetti and kids)

this weekend was great - friday jay and i relaxed and had a nice date night - walked to terilli's, one of our neighborhood faves, and had a nice dinner on their porch. saturday i helped host a wedding shower for my dear friend, mary, with a group of WONDERFUL girls. it was a "LBD" shower, or "little black dress" shower. it was all oh-so-very-mary - all pink, all girls dressed to the nines - and lots, and LOTS of fun. then on sunday jay and i enjoyed the palm sunday service (i can't believe it's almost Easter!) and then a day out at the arboretum for dallas blooms with jay's parents. the arboretum is a little piece of heaven located about three miles from our house, on the other side of white rock lake.

the spread

the tasty beverages!

tiny V and me with the guest of honor, little mary...

some of the ladies...

dallas blooms

and to top off the weekend, one of my favorite days of the year, OPENING DAY! ahh, the ballpark, the fan-fare, i just love it all, from the opening with the soldier salutes and fly-over (tears!), the first pitch, the hot dogs, the brews (well, not for me this year, but cokes are good, too!) and a lot of sunshine and good baseball - it's just so fun! and to top it all off, the rangers started things off right, with a big win and showing some real promise...filling this fan's mind with anticipation for a great season?!? a girl can dream, yes? we had a great time, and were very thankful for jay's company box, it was kinda windy out there in the beginning...but nice to be able to finish the game sitting in the outside seats and sunshine. ; ) i can enjoy some spoils while i'm pregnant, yes? go rangers!!

fly-by = awesome

oh so patriotic...

i like the texas-rangers-"w" a lot, it looks good on the guy...he was so at ease throwing out the first pitch and seemed to have fun all day, even in the broadcast booth!

operation hope

yesterday i had the distinct honor of teaching middle school all day. you see, inwood (the bank i work for - for those of you that might not know!) participates with an organization called operation hope. through their "banking on our future" group, i was able to go spend time with ten different groups of DISD middle-schoolers and talk about budgeting, finances, and life in the 'real world.' what a fun day! i knew being a teacher could be rewarding, but i guess i never thought that being a teacher could be so much fun. what a nice change of pace from my usual job - and a reminder of how hilarious middle school kids are...what a true treat for me!

what started out as a one-day deal is quickly turning into something i really want to pour some time into - i'm going back next week to be a judge in their "business expo" - the kids came up with their own business ideas and are doing a full-day expo to highlight their work! how cool! anyway, if you are looking for a worthwhile organization to support and/or put some of your own volunteer hours into, i highly recommend it. not only is the material great for the students, it gives the teachers a well-deserved break and you a day to reach out to kids you might have otherwise never met. what a blessing!