Esther loves to pray at mealtime and bedtime. We don't always understand what she is praying, but she is faithful and the cutest part is that she often follows her prayers with the line "Jesus is coming" in a very sincere voice. We don't know where she learned it, but we love to hear her say it. I always reply, "Yes, Jesus is coming." We're to have faith like a child, you know.

My good friend from Kentucky and her family were here to visit Tuesday evening and Wednesday. The first night they had dinner with us. She has three girls of her own, so we sat all the kids at the dining room table while we adults just ate in the living room. Well, Esther was sitting between two of the girls, both of whom she did not remember. To Esther they were complete strangers. While everyone else began eating their dinner, Esther just sat there tight-lipped and glancing around. Twenty minutes later when everyone was done and had left the table, Esther, finally sitting alone, began to eat her food. And she cleaned the plate. She did loosen up by the end of the evening, and we all had a wonderful visit. Yesterday we went to Frontier Texas! which is located here in town. It was really interesting and kid-friendly. It told of the history of this particular part of Texas through film, artifacts, and art. Saul and Esther had no problem staying with us. It was great!

Last night I had my first Pampered Chef party. My friend is a consultant, so I hosted a party for her. There really are some fantastic products in Pampered Chef. Chad and I both like to cook; me mostly out of necessity. Therefore, most of the products really appealed to me. I only had three people show up, but I have a couple who want to look at the catalogs. I love looking at the catalog!

Today I think we will do a little shopping. I just noticed that Bed, Bath & Beyond has a clearance sale on sheet sets. I need to get some for the kids. Then we will just mosey on through the rest of that shopping center afterward. Stores like Old Navy, Ross, and others are there. Have a good day!

Wow! It's been almost two weeks since I blogged last. I guess I sort of checked out there for a while. I think it is partly due to being pregnant and tired right now and partly because of the homework that I have to do as part of my bible study class. Anyway, I've missed it!

Earlier today, I tried to take a pregnancy test at the local health unit. The doctor who delivered Esther no longer delivers babies, so I had to find a new doctor. The new doctor requires that I bring in proof that I am pregnant, but it can not be a home pregnancy test. That is why the kids and I made a trip to the unit this morning. I had called yesterday to find out the procedure and was told "I think they do a blood test." Okay. She thinks they do a blood test. I arrived this morning during the designated hours and entered the nurse's office. She proceeded to ask me how many periods I had missed and since it wasn't two yet, I would need to do a blood test. The stipulation for that is that you could not have had any relations with your husband seven days prior to the test. If only the woman on the phone yesterday had given me some details! Anyway, I said I would come back in a couple of weeks because I wasn't in a rush anyway. My first appointment with the doctor is not until April 17th. Well, the nurse strongly encouraged me to do the blood test when I return, but I told her the urine test would be fine with me. She frowned at me like I was a 15-year-old schoolgirl. I left. It struck me as silly that she would want a housewife and mother of four to take a blood test for proof. Seems unnecessary to me. Either test will show proof of pregnancy. Meanwhile, the kids behaved themselves very well out in the hallway. Saul didn't like the idea of waiting out there, but Abram told me as we left that Saul tried to be defiant by not sitting in his chair like he had been told to do. However, when a lady walked out of the office, he quickly found a seat! She didn't even know he was supposed to be sitting down. I thought it was funny! He's not so brave yet.

It is much cooler today than it has been in over a week. Still nice, though, mid-sixties and sunny. I was able to get the kids to church on time yesterday for the evening meal without having Chad's assistance. It is so much nicer when he is with us. We sat at one of the kiddie tables. Obviously, we don't do that normally because Chad would never be able to fit his knees under one of them. I did so last night to give Saul and Esther some freedom and fun, and also so that I wouldn't feel obligated to try and talk to any grown-ups while attempting to keep the kids in line. After we ate, I also was able to get them to their individual classrooms and still manage to arrive at my destination with a few minutes to spare in which I could chit-chat with my friend before the session started. It's so nice to have friends. *Especially the ones that I can stay on the phone with for three hours! Whew!* My friend here in town and I are getting closer all the time. We took our daughters to watch a play Sunday after church. It was nice... and spontaneous. Chad has really made an effort in the past year to allow me to do things spontaneously with my friends. It has been so nice. I really try to allow him the freedom also to participate in things that come up suddenly. Actually, it is pretty easy for us to do so since we get to spend so much time together on a regular basis. I look forward to him getting home this evening. We had a nice talk last night before we went to bed. He had made good traveling time and was able to have a relaxing evening. I hope it goes as well today since bad weather is forecasted for the midwest. I have to run a few errands now, so I'll be signing off.