Oh I Wish.....

Nothing is more American than seeing the Oscar Mayer Wiener Mobile. The boys and I stopped by and had a free lunch! Gotta love the good ole' USA!

Celebration!!!!!!!

This year, we will have a very exciting reason to celebrate July 4th......Drum Roll PLEASE.....We are going to be US Citizen's again! That's right- WE ARE MOVING BACK HOME! I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO SOOOOOOOOOOO SOOOOOOOOOOO excited! It happened very quickly and very unexpectedly. Erik got notice of a nice opportunity for him in his Minneapolis office to start in the next month. He called, they wanted him, and he accepted. All within two days! I'm BURSTING with excitement! I don't think I've stopped smiling in two days, since I've known this could be a possibility!

I'll miss Holland, especially my good friend Lynne, but the US is the best place for me for where I'm at in my life. I couldn't be more happy to deliver the baby in New Prague, and feel much more relaxed about it now. The boys are very excited to be back. Erik is excited too, but will miss the work atmosphere and his co-workers in Holland quite a bit. He loved everything about it...but a nice opportunity came up and he took it!

So, come next Friday, my flag will be flying a little higher and with more pride than ever. My Dutch residence card, and drivers License will be put away in order to start a new chapter in our lives back in MN, with baby number three on the way!

Still Having Fun!

Had some pictures taken at Target's Portrait Studio one afternoon at the last minute! They did a great job!
We are still having a great time in the US! The past few days, we made the rounds to see all of the kids grandparents! It's been great! On Monday, my mom kept the boys over night, and my Dad and I went to Milwaukee to visit MY Grandparents! They were quite surprised when we showed up. It was nice to have a few hours to visit with each of them, and NO kids to chase around! My time here is over half done... and going too fast. Now it's back to MN to enjoy some time there, and pack up. Then, it's back to La Crosse for the 4th of July and Riverfest, before we fly back on the 8th! My how fast a month zips by!

"Minnesota Nice"

Johnny and Curtis fell asleep on the couch while I was making dinner the other night. Kyle and I were shocked when I went over to ask them a question, and found this! If this isn't a sign of FUN, I don't know what is!

Curtis on top of the dirt pile in our yard. My Dad and Kyle are doing some work around our house this week, and I ordered a dump truck of dirt to be delivered. Who needs a swing set, when you have a dirt pile in your front yard!


Things have calmed down for us now. No trips to the doctor in almost a week. (Knock on Wood!) The boys and I are adjusted now. Traveling with the boy, them getting sick, and being pregnant was more tiring on me, that I anticipated. I had originally wanted to visit La Crosse, Milwaukee, and Appleton while we were in the States. Now that we are home, it's just nice to be HOME in Minnesota! The boys are loving it! My parents decided to come visit us again this week, so I didn't have to travel so much. As much as I want to go all over the place and see everyone, it's better for me this way. I'm just enjoying MN!

Anyways, here's an example of why I LOVE Minnesota! My neighborhood kicks butt! I love all the neighbors and the kids. It's the true example of "Minnesota Nice." Last night I was out in the culd-a-sac watching the kids play. I mentioned to my neighbor that I was craving a DQ Blizzard. Later that night, my neighbor went to the grocery store and then swung by DQ on her way home and surprised me with my FAVORITE Blizzard at 10pm! If that doesn't deserve the "Best Neighbor Award," I don't know what does!

Typical Katie

So, I've been in the States for just about 7 days now and I'm sure my health insurance company is "cussing" me out! I'm not sure why, because I've only been to the doctor 5 times in 7 days! Can you say, "THANK GOODNESS FOR URGENT CARE!" (It just opened in New Prague, and I'm their #1 customer already!)

It all started off with Johnny pulling on his ears and not eating on the airplane. An hour after we landed and he was crying at home eating, and I took him to urgent care. He had fluid in the ears. So, they gave me drops, and some decongestant. Day two, and he was up every half hour, total bear, and getting worse. So, into Urgent Care I went again....and this time behind the fluid, his ears were red. So, they put him on meds. Day three, and he was terrible. But, I was letting the meds work. Day four, and it was progressively getting worse. Finally, with my parents and sister here, and NO ONE being able to stand Johnny, I went into the ER with him that night. He had a bad ear infection and it was resilient to the antibiotics they had originally given him. So, the doctor, whom I sure thought I was a crazy, tired, pregnant woman, gave him a "miracle" drug. He slept 6 hours that night. Now he is back to his normal self...sleeping away.

Day five, and Curtis is starting to get naughty, and whining a TON. I keep telling everyone, that this isn't what my kid is normally like. By day 6 Curtis is driving us all crazy, and won't eat, ect. So, BACK to Urgent Care, I go- and sure enough, he's got an ear infection too! I think this doctor saw I wasn't about to leave without some good meds- that would clear it right away! She was great, and I already notice a difference on Curtis this morning. Put all that together with my OB appointment and Ultrasound on Monday and our insurance company is thinking, "That Damn Katie L. is back in the States AGAIN!"

Even with all the drama this past week, it's been really nice to just be "home"! Spending time with my parents and Megan and her husband has been great! It was a bonus to have my nephew here for a few days as well! The boys just LOVE to be home, and play out in the neighborhood with all the kids. It's going to be hard for me to go back, after seeing how much they love it here. Have I mentioned how much I LOVE AMERICA!

Johnny's Reaction

I told the kids today, that there were going to have a new brother. Curtis's jaw dropped and he was SO excited! Johnny on the other hand got SO mad at me and started yelling that he "JUST WANTED A SISTER!" I looked at Megan and told her to grab the video camera. Here's a peek at his reaction after a few minutes! (I had to post this, so Erik could see it!)

IT'S A...

BOY!

I am so excited!

What's New?

Oh, nothing much. Just that Saturday Erik turns the big 33, we go to the GOOD OLE' USA Sunday morning, and on Monday I have my ultrasound! I'm not excited at all if you were interested!!!!!!

First, Erik's big birthday. The boys and I will be making a cake and decorating the house for it. Curtis seems to think that AFTER daddy goes to bed, we should wake up and decorate the house for him as a surprise. Curtis doesn't know yet that his daddy is a night owl, and his mom can't compete with that!

I'm starting to get anxious about flying with the boys by myself. I know it will be fine, but it wouldn't be a trip with me, without being nervous before hand. I'm loaded up on 'crap' from the Euro (dollar) store to keep the boys entertained on the plane. The lady working at the cash register was probably wondering how someone could spend 20 Euros at the Euro store on a bunch of stuff that looked like nothing! She hasn't seen my dad and I hit the dollar store in the States together! This was NOTHING!

On Monday morning, I go to my doctor back in the States for my OB/GYN check-up. I'm excited about this, because I love my doctor and the nurses and staff back in New Prague. I'm OK with having a baby here in Holland, but would have LOVED to have it back in New Prague. (Shout out to the Women's Health Center at Queen of Peace Hospital!) So, on Monday, I hopefully will be finding out the sex of the baby, and finding out if it's healthy and all of that. Everyone keeps telling me, "Oh, I hope it's a girl for your sake." When I tell people I don't care, I TRULY mean I don't! Another boy would be great- as my two boys play together so well, and are best buddies already. Plus, I'm all prepared for a boy. A girl on the other hand, would be great too. Something new. Either way, it's a win/win situation- I just want a healthy baby! If your interested in my prediction, I think it's a boy. I haven't thrown up in a week and two days now. (Who's counting?) It stopped right around 17-18 weeks again! Same as with the first two pregnancies! EXACTLY! So, we'll see, and I'll post after I hear the good news!

Thoughts and Prayers

Pictures of my new nephew, Geramu!
Pictures of Cullen, my nephew.

My sister Ann Marie, and her husband leave on Wednesday for Ethiopia to pick up the newest member of their family. I can't imagine how exciting, nerve racking, adventurous, fun, and challenging this change will be for their family. Everyone is so excited to meet Geramu in just a few weeks. Please keep Ann Marie, Nick, Cullen, and Geramu in your thoughts and prayers during this time of transition. Here's hoping for a smooth trip, and an easy adjustment for the whole family!

***Another BIG thank you to all who donated items for them to bring with them over to Africa!***

/Few Pictures from the Weekend

Curtis went to a birthday party this weekend. Doesn't look like he is having any fun, does it?
Johnny and Erik feeding the seagulls.
Curtis, thinking that he is fishing, using a stick and no string or hook.
Johnny trying to feed the goats a feather.