I knew it.

I knew I wouldn't be able to find time this week to sit down and write out the stories I wanted to share.

But, we're 3 days away from a birthday celebration for my Riley & Avery.

And here I am.

It all started on a crisp, cool day in early November, 2002.

Eric and I left the three kids home with Rit and Deb so we could spend the weekend in Connecticut with his cousin and his wife.

I knew I was pregnant and I had just recently found out I was pregnant with twins.

We split up on Saturday.

The girls would head to Marshalls.

The boys would hit up Friendly's, then hang out at home watching movies and sports.

Just as I was (almost) beginning to enjoy browsing the belts and hats, I felt a sudden GUSH of fluid.

This wasn't just an ordinary gush of fluid.

It was gush enough to soak through my clothes and leave an enormous puddle on the floor around me.

I was in shock. I didn't move. I didn't blink. I'm pretty sure I didn't breathe.

A woman with a store smock and name tag ran up to me and put her hand on my shoulder.

"Honey, what happened? Are you OK? Are you pregnant?"

I just stared, wide-eyed, and nodded my head. "With twins."

"Oh boy", she said in a huff. "We have GOT to get you to the hospital! Are you here with someone?"

I explained to her that I was there with my friend Elise and that I did NOT want anyone to call 911.

She explained to me that she was a retired high-risk obstetrics nurse and that she WAS going to call.

I apologized for the mess and carefully made my way toward the restrooms, grabbing a pair of men's pj pants on my way.

After changing, I went to the service desk and had Elise paged.

After paying for the pj pants, we headed back to her house.

I called Eric on the cell and told him what had happened.

Something the retired nurse at the store didn't know... I was only 12 weeks along.

We didn't go right home to NY. In fact, we stayed a day longer than we had originally planned.

Thinking back, I can only marvel at my response: calm, cool, collected.

Peace from God that passes all understanding.

At least that is what I remember. I'd love to hear what Elise can recall from that day.

To be cont'd.

The kids have been texting Carson's old number these past few days. Pretty funny that they thought "wrong number" was just him being smart and not literally "the wrong number".

Thank you to Joshie, who recently put his thumb in my back to whip up some yummy Korean food. The kids and Eric really enjoyed Dak Bulgolgi last night and now Jap Chae is on the menu for tomorrow night.

Kailey is talking more. Her siblings have nicknamed her The Boss.

Bradley has decided that he absolutely LOVES math.

Timothy is gearing up for hockey. Not the interscholastic kind that takes over your life and your pocketbook, mind you. He has big plans to join in the pick up games at Pine Street Arena. Until school gets out for Christmas break (when his friends can join) he'll be working on skating from 1:45-2:45 everyday at public skating. In his opinion, this is a dollar well spent. The poor kid is heartbroken now that he is too old to participate in sports through the school. It killed him this fall to see all the other boys block and tackle. My guess- he'll be changing his mind about baseball and soccer. The two club sports he is still allowed to join will seem much more tempting as football and lacrosse fade away.

ESL is on hold until the spring semester starts back up. We had great students, great classes, great snacks, and great conversations and activities outside of class. A big thank you to all who joined in the effort!

Looking forward to the From the Heart Christmas Party on December 18th. It's always fun to reflect on how God has grown the business and the families who work there. FTH is blessed because it's Foundation is rock-solid and the men who work there realize that "a good name is better than riches" Proverbs 22:1. I'm in charge of making the Tirimisu. I'm giddy even now just thinking about dipping those ladyfingers!

Celebrating our business is fun. Celebrating friends & family is fun. But celebrating the birth of my Savior is just exciting beyond words.

Joy to the World, the Lord is Come!
Let Earth receive her King.

I love living in New York.

Although I'm not that kind of New Yorker, I'm actually still technically a New Yorker.

I love this state.

I love the warm, sunny days in summer.

I love the crisp, cool days of fall.

Warm pumpkin muffins and brightly colored leaves clinging to their branches for just one more day.

I have learned to love the snow and cold and ice in winter, although I have yet to ever downhill ski.

I love the Yankees and the Big Apple.

I love the Adirondacks.

We don't have cotton or jasmine, but we do have lilacs and wild mustard and daisies.

And our evergreen trees are GORGEOUS.

We don't have to worry about poisonous spiders or venomous snakes.

All we really have to worry about is how we can balance our go-go-go mentality with a little bit of that wonderful southern hospitality those faraway states boast. Sometimes a New York minute can be brutal on ones soul.

So, as much as I LOVE NY (just like the shirt says), I could really use a little Georgia Pecan Pie right now.

Or maybe some Texas BBQ.

Or even a little Tennessee Sweet Tea.

Maybe I just love the good ole' US of A.

Yeah, that's it.

The Fourth is right around the corner.

The one thing I know about TJ Maxx is that in order to find those great buys you've been dreaming about, ya gotta have time.

I ran to Massena after the lacrosse meeting today, thinking I would have some of this "time".

By the time I took the kids back home, drove to Massena, picked up the few items I needed from BJ's, and then made my way over to the mall, I had 20 minutes.

I rushed in and headed directly to the SKIRTS rack.

"Attention shoppers. The store will be closing in 15 minutes. Please make your way to the register. Thank you."

Well, in case I had been wondering how well I could shop under pressure, I now know.

I snatched a couple skirts off one rack, grabbed a few shirts from another, and raced to the front of the store as there were several other ladies headed that way, too.

As I stood in line, I looked at the cart ahead of me. It was piled high with red tagged items. Pretty shirts and snazzy summer dresses. Silk scarves and cool capris.

I turned to examine the cart behind me. Yes, just as I thought. LOADED with treasures. Fun, strappy sandals, funky sunglasses and beach bags with matching towels.

My heart cramped.
My stomach turned.
I wanted to gouge someone's eyes out.

WHY do I have to be THIS bad at fashion?
WHY do I hate spending money on clothes?
WHY do I not care AT ALL that the shirt I'm wearing is too casual for the skirt I matched it with?
WHY do I have a daughter who cares about the things I'm clueless at?
WHY is Skogs so far away when I need her here with me, helping me to not pick out the same shirt that I already have 3 of and to not buy 3 of the same "new" shirt in different colors just because it's the right fit and price?

Hmm...
I don't want to think about the possible answers to these questions.

I just want to go on the chefscatalog site and buy a new knife.
I think I will.

Good.night.