I've Been Blessed!

As most of you know, Dave and I have been blessed with the news that we are going to be parents. We're so excited, and yet very nervous at the same time.

Today (or yesterday-we're still in negotiations) marks the end of week 13, start of week 14. It's hard to believe there is a little teeny-tiny-einsy-weensy human being in my belly. I thank God everyday for the miracle he is letting us experience.

As of today...here's what I know...
"If you could peek inside yourself now, you'd see a baby the size of your clenched fist. As fetal development continues, your baby also has the coordination, strength, and smarts to wiggle his or her fingers and toes and even suck a thumb."

I mean really, how cool is that? It's a bit curious, however, when you really think about it. I just wonder whose fist they are referring to? Mine? Dave's? A Giant's? A dwarfs? There could be a lot of wiggle room in that size reference...oh well...just another surprise waiting to be found out. I can't wait!

The Newest Piece for the Basement Gallery

Here is the newest painting to belong in the ever growing basement gallery. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that one day, my works will actually be good enough to hang upstairs...but probably not.

Some More Tranlsations...

Here are a few more new words that I learned while we were visiting Dave's family down in West Virginia...

A poke = a bag ex. Please pass me a brown paper poke to put this in.

A slurry line= black piping used to take away dirty water ex. That slurry line is used to get rid of the coal debris.

Ramp=a wild onion ex. Benjamin went up the mountain and picked some ramps.

Hill=Mountain ex. We need to go around the hill to get cell phone reception

Molly Moochers=Morel mushrooms ex. Benjamin also found some Molly Moochers up the hill that we can fry up for dinner.

Honey=Any person you are talking to, age does not matter ex. Hi ya Honey, how you doin' today?

Taters=potatoes ex. Ya'll want some fried taters for dinner?

Ohh...I have a lot to learn...

West Virginia Mountaineers vs. Indiana Hoosiers

A conversation between Dave (my very Hoosier Husband) and Benjamin (Dave's very West Virginian 18 year old cousin) as I sit by and try to figure out what is going on.

Benjamin: "Ya'll fond of ramps?"
Me looking at Dave for translation help
Dave: "What'd ya say, bro?"
Benjamin: "Ya'll like ya some ramps?"
Me now swinging back and forth like I'm watching a ping pong match, still trying to figure out what is being said and how we should respond.
Dave, with a quizzical look on his face..."One more time, buddy..."
Benjamin: "Ramps...ya'll like ya some ramps?"
Dave: "You mean like bicycle ramps?"
Aunt Jorehetta who is standing near by: "Honey, they don't know what no ramps are..."
Benjamin, who is trying not to laugh at Dave's bicycle ramps comment: "Ramps...you know, wild onions...right up there on that there hill..."
Dave, who is feeling very embarrassed at getting wild onions and bicycle ramps confused: "Uh, yea, sure, we like ramps."

It took me three days to even fully follow a conversation down in West Virginia. Evidently, there seems to be a huge language barrier between West Virginia Mountaineers and Indiana Hoosiers.