When have you been the happiest?

This discussion keeps coming up in the house. On Sunday morning we were making lists of our top ten happiest moments. Surprisingly, the birth of my children didn't make the top ten. (What??? shock and awe insert here) Not surprisingly, none of my top 10 involved a purchase of an awesome toy or receiving an expensive gift. None of them were from my own accomplishments like graduating from college. What am I thinking? I know. . . just keep reading.

Most of my top ten happiest times in my life do involve my spouse and children though. The same goes for Ben. Interestingly enough, living in Germany, in a one bedroom apartment with no stove (our kitchen was smaller than our bathroom is now) was both number one on our lists. Yes, Ben still had to work every day, and Wiley still had homework packets to finish, but our lives were so simplified. Discovering a new park everyday was charming, the food delightful, and the company couldn't be beat.



Yesterday, I had another "happiest moment". I took Wiley out of school and we headed up to Park City to have ski lessons. (Ski lessons, lift ticket and rental are only $25 if you are a resident of Utah, killer deal, I know.) After our separate lessons I picked him up and he begged me to let him show me his skiing skills and tricks. We took 5-6 more runs together, stopping for a hot chocolate and a treat in the middle of it. Wiley was gleefully happy. I was overjoyed that he was loving this day with his pregnant mom. Just the two of us.



We arrived home to Dad and two happy girls, long after the sun had gone down and he still couldn't stop taking about his day on the slopes. The end of my day was made even better when Ben started taking about his many hours with the girls and he had loved his day as well. Although, this day doesn't bump my current top ten list around it certainly is up there on my list of "happiest moments".

Can you pin point your top ten?

~Gasp~


Wonder of wonders, miracle of miracles. Apparently, I am with child again. I've stopped wincing at the news. The shock and awe is starting to wear off. I've stopped thinking of all the ways I've ruined Eva's upcoming toddler years. I'm trying to think positive here. Eva and new baby will be such good friends, especially because they will only be 16 months apart.

I have a CRAZY summer ahead of me (the baby is due the week school gets out), with 4 kids being in the house you can bet I'm looking into summer camps and day camps. I've even solicited a few people for help with nannying (hopefully they can). Yes, I'm that desperate and unequipped to deal with such a number. 4 kids? What were we thinking. . . oh that's right, we weren't thinking, not expecting . . .

Statistically, families with 4 kids have a 75% chance that three of the children will be the same gender. It is not the usual thing to have all one gender or two of each. Very rare. Our family happens to fit the statistic because we found out that we are having another GIRL.

Our beautiful baby girl is going to join us the last week of May. I'm starting to realize that although I may have a lot of girl clothes, I might want to invest in more girl toys and perhaps decorate a room a little more girl-y. I'm already having dreams of dressing three little girls in matching outfits!


The other minor problem is that I have to find yet another girls name. We LOVE Eva Sophia's name, but we very nearly named her Claire or Clara. Which would have been a great next baby's name, but alas, my brother and his wife also loved the name and bestowed their child with such a beautiful name. But where does that leave me? Where do I find another awesome name? One that is not overly popular, or that can't be used against her at a later time in life?

So. . . let the name nominations begin. I'm taking names. We usually consult the genealogy lines but, let's face it, the good names are taken unless I want Ethel (which I don't). So please feel free to submit names for our consideration. What names are on your family tree?

p.s. I'm also taking suggestions of names of all girls 10 and older that will take my kids to the park every couple of days come nursing time.