Ultrasound

After 1 1/2 hours at the doctor today, we FINALLY left with a SEALED envelope, stating the gender of sweet #3! The baby decided to curl up in a ball and not cooperate, during the first ultrasound. Thankfully, the tech agreed to let me drop back in, after meeting with the doctor, to try one more time. The second time, she knew immediately! In fact, she said: "I'm 100% sure I know what you're having. You can have my first born if I'm wrong!" So, once she handed me the envelope, I dropped it off at a friends house who has a cake business and tommorrow we will "reveal" the gender, with either a pink or blue cake!

More importantly, we had a perfect little heart, brain, spine, and kidneys. The baby looks great and so far, seems to be a healthy, bouncing, baby _____??  Feel free to take a guess! We have only had two people of everyone we have asked, to suggest this is going to be a girl. Family and friends are feeling somewhat blue this time. Brad is one of the two people that believes this is a girl, and I am really feeling rather boy'ish this go round'. We shall see! We can say it until we are "blue" (no pun intended!) in the face, but we really don't care either way. People will always think Brad is dying for a boy and I will always get the "three sisters would be amazing" comments, but the truth is the truth and the truth is that God knows what we need, better than anyone else and that is where we put our trust. We are just thankful for another healthy, little bundle of joy!

Lake

We've been to the lake with friends all morning ~ our first lake trip together! More pics to come!

Baby Shower!

My bible study girls ROCK DA' HOUSE! They had a surprise baby shower for me and Shannon last night at Nonnah's and it was F-U-NNNN!!!!! Shannon is 32 weeks and I'm almost 18 weeks!These girls love em' some babies and have beautiful hearts for the Lord. I'm so blessed to be in a small group with each of them!

Oh....not really sure why my eyes are WIDE open....I think I was just super surprised!!

Friends

Our friends, the Palmers, dropped by on the way to the beach today. We loved having them over to play with us! Louisa and Carlie are playing too, but apparantly were

steering clear of the camera!

Weekend Review

Ahhh, another fabulous weekend with the Perkins clan! I love weekends, especially in the summer! Ok, where to begin? We'll start with Pooh Bear, a great place to start! We took the girls (yes, we braved it with both of them!) to their first, real movie on Saturday afternoon! We went to see Winnie the Pooh, and it was adorable. Addie had her purse and her snack and was ready to go! Carlie enjoyed the previews, part of the movie, her snack and walking in the lobby!

When we got home, we grilled out: marinated chicken and veggies and made homemade mashed potatoes!



Let's back up to Saturday morning. Our good friends, Lily and Charlotte celebrated their birthdays together with a Candyland Party! We had a great time!

Here's Carlie sitting on mommy's baby bump at the party!

Sunday night, Brad and I had a wonderful babysitter keep the girls so that we could have date night! One of Addie's dance teachers came over and they had a blast. Meanwhile, we were enjoying Bang Bang shrimp at Bonefish Grill!

This morning, we spent time with friends at Edventure playing the drums:



Hope you enjoyed your weekend!

Week 18

Started Week #18 yesterday:

-still wear my Sea Bands and take one Zofran for nausea everyday

-crave french fries dipped in ranch dressing and Mango Pineapple smoothies from McDonald's

-still feel tired most of the day

-felt a tiny flutter only ONE time, about a week ago

-still haven't told the girls about their new sibling

-feel like it's a boy but wouldn't be surprised if it were another girl

-have been nesting for weeks now, wanting to clean out the whole house

-thrilled to hear the heartbeat a week ago, at 158bpm

-feel blessed beyond words that I am carrying another sweet miracle

"Continue On", by Roy Lessin

CONTINUE ON

A woman once fretted over the usefulness of her life.

She feared she was wasting her potential being a devoted wife and mother.

She wondered if the time and energy she invested in her husband and children would make a difference. At times she got discouraged because so much of what she did seemed to go unnoticed and unappreciated. "Is it worth it" She often wondered.

"Is there something better that I could be doing with my time?"

It was during one of these moments of questioning that she heard the still small voice of her heavenly Father speak to her heart.

"You are a wife and mother because that is what I have called you to be."

Much of what you do is hidden from the public eye. " But I notice."

Most of what you give is done without remuneration. "But I am your reward."

Your husband cannot be the man I have called him to be without your support. Your influence upon him is greater than you think and more powerful than you will ever know. I bless him through your service and honor him through your love.

Your children are precious to me.. Even more precious than they are to you. I have entrusted them to your care to raise for me. What you invest in them is an offering to me.

You may never be in the public spotlight, But your obedience shines as a bright

light before me. Continue on. Remember you are MY Servant.

Do all to please me.

by. Roy Lessin