Costco is an aphrodisiac.

#21: For about 4 months now, we've been doing a monthly "family trip to Costco." Let me just say, it is amazing to me that I can fall in love with my husband at Costco. But I do. He sings to the kids, makes up funny games, and brainstorms with me so that I can get the best bang for our buck. It is the most fun I can have shopping without a new pair of shoes involved. When we get home, he unloads all the groceries and cleans out the fridge for me (probably my least favorite chore!). This past week when we went, he said "Babe, let me just say I'm sorrry I ever had you do this by yourself. Costco with two kids is a LOT OF WORK!" Ummm....thank you! Just wait until we have three. =) Totally spoiled, I know. But I AM so thankful I am not loading 50 lbs of dog food into my car by myself anymore.

#22: Last week my dear friend from college, Kristen, and her A-DORABLE baby Owen came down from Washington for a visit. Soooo great to spend 3 solid days playing catch up and loving on that sweet baby. The Babe (as Kevan is known among my college roommates) was awesome, fetching us girls food as we sat around talking, and offering to babysit so we could have some "grown-up" time in a restaurant. I love that he is so supportive of my my friendships, and encourages me to build up these relationships at every opportunity.

This list stuff is a little hard. I am realizing that there is a lot I love about my husband that I really can't even put into words. Or it would sound totally cheesy (probably risking that already). So, for everything in that category, let me just say this as reason #23: I love what God is doing in our marriage, and it is a wonder to me every day that it can be this great. It is only by the grace of God. Maybe one day I'll be able to explain that better. =)

Tomorrow is date day!! Heidi and Mike are watching our kids ALL DAY so we can have the day to ourselves. So excited! On the agenda: Antiquing at the Orange Circle, Jalepenos for lunch and Claim Jumper for dinner (thank you gift cards)!

Random Thoughts at 4 a.m.

I am up for two reasons:

1.) Kevan left for an earlier-than-normal shift for work, and I got up to make him breakfast and pack his lunch (ha ha ha...no! But I did manage to give him a kiss goodbye!)

2.) Today is my glucose test at 9 a.m. and I can't eat for 4 hours before that. So a snack at 4 a.m. seemed like the perfect plan. Is that bad?!? I am so pregnant.

So here is the random stuff floating through my head in the wee small hours:

• Every Wednesday night Ezekiel has Awana (a Bible Club for kids) at our church. It is a wonderful program and he loves it. But, I am not kidding, EVERY Wednesday night in the past 2 months something seems to come up that either keeps us from going or makes us late. People unexpectedly drop by the house (the past two weeks), a friend has a need (probably 3 of the weeks), or we are traveling out of town. It sort of makes me re-think my 3-year-old's weekly commitments. =) There is something to be said about just being available, because sometimes it's the best of life that happens in those last-minute interruptions!

• But....one of the side-benefits of Awana is that it gives me one-on-one time with Baby girl. (Kevan is gone helping out with the youth group at church.) Last night we had so much fun, just me and her. I just went along with whatever she wanted to do, and this is what our night looked like: We colored, and when she was done she held up her picture and said "TA-DA!!". Then we practiced her letters and colors on her Elmo laptop (not making great progress here, by the way. There is a distinct possibility my daughter is color blind.) Then we lined up a bunch of her animals and read them stories. Next, she brushed my hair and put a bow in it. Then she dragged me by the hand to look in the mirror and we sat admiring ourselves for a while (she kept telling me I looked pretty...love that girl). Of course, that led us to play dress up and she put a crown on my head (she was disappointed her princess shoes didn't fit me). Naturally, that led to dancing and twirling until we fell over. We ended the night with a talent show (Bekah won hands down with her amazingly energetic singing/dancing combo that went on for at least 10 minutes). That girl cracks me up! She is so full of life and personality...and she is SO GIRLY! I really cannot believe the difference between her and her brother! (When I play one-on-one with E, we usually race scooters, jump on the bed, and play chase around the house...all pretty funny with my big ol' belly!). Loved hanging with my girl last night.

• Back to my comment about people dropping by unexpectedly...This happens ALL THE TIME. I don't remember this from our Southgate days. Is it because we live so close to church? Is it because we have great neighbors? Is it because I tell people more often 'Just come on over any time!' and they actually take me up on it? Whatever the reason, it is WONDERFUL and I am so glad! But I will tell you what is NOT the reason: It is not because my house is always clean, or that my kids are always dressed (in fact, they are almost always NOT dressed, in spite of my diligence in clothing them every morning), or that I am all dolled up and ready to entertain (I have a recent compulsion with putting on my "comfies" as soon as I walk in the door). It is not because the candles are lit and the cookies are coming out of the oven...although you are likely to find a pot of coffee brewing. And it is definitely not because the floors are freshly mopped and the bathrooms are sparkly clean, because we did that yesterday and then 2 toddlers destroyed any evidence. Oh, how I want to be hospitable and to have others feel welcome in my home. And I'm sure the day will come when that includes a lovely presentation and fine dining. But today is probably not that day...and I am learning that true hospitality means being ok with the imperfections. It is truly comical to me how hard I work to keep up on my house, and how rarely I feel like it shows. So, I have decided that this is the Lord's way of keeping me humble and reminding me that this is HIS house to begin with! We bought it in a flood of gratitude for His provision, and we are committed to sharing it however he sees fit. And if that means welcoming friends in our jammies, then come on in!

Ok, posts to come: Doheny days, reason number 21 why I love my hubby (it's a good one!), and the story of our adoption journey (so far!). Stay tuned!