i haven't blogged about this yet, as far as i can remember (pregnancy brain is throwing me for a loop), but yesterday was Brian and my 14th anniversary. really, i can hardly believe it has been 14 years since we promised ourselves to each other. in so many ways it feels so new. i know this sounds corny, but staring into each other's eyes still hasn't gotten old. he still thrills me. but in other ways it does seem like we've been together a long time. there is a deep satisfying character to our relationship, a comfortableness that only years of sharing life together can bring. i am so thankful for that man.

since we'd already celebrated with a three night getaway last month, and then got a weekend without the kids last weekend, yesterday seemed rather anti climactic. but i wanted to make it special somehow. i made a spice cake with cream cheese frosting, cooked a roast, something i rarely do, but that Brian enjoys, made rosemary bread, and fixed some other good foods. over dinner we told the kids some of the funnier stories from our wedding and reception, and then Brian and i went for a walk around the neighborhood while the kids stayed home and played rough and tumble games on the trampoline.

for mother's day this year Brian bought me a couple of charms for my James Avery charm bracelet. i've had charms for all the kids, but John. so one of the ones he got me was a little boy, and the other the baptism symbol charm (a seashell) to link with John's charm to represent his baptism. so for our anniversary he had them put on my bracelet for me, and also added another, an open heart. he keeps me set with JA jewelry.
Brian has been saving up for a long time for a nice pair of boots, so i got him a gift certificate for Shepler's. he was able to get him some nice black calf skin Lucchese boots. i'm glad he did. like most husbands and fathers, he never spends money on himself. i've felt so guilty having two nice pair of boots, while he just had those work-man kind of boots.

we cuddled up and watched the baseball game together. seems like that's how we celebrate any and all anniversaries: watching sports together. and no, i don't mind. i actually prefer it to any other form of entertainment.

today i had a doctor's appointment. nothing new to report really. i must be nearing the end. i'm starting to feel worn out, and i've pretty much ceased to gain weight, topping out at a total of 22 pounds gained. i did test positive for GBS, so unfortunately i'll be hooked to an IV while in labor. being allergic to or sensitive to two of the antibiotics they generally give complicates things a little, too, but i'm sure it'll all turn out ok.

we took our school work to Northwest Park yesterday afternoon and got a lot done. i let the kids play for a couple of hours while i did lesson planning. i've got us planned out for several weeks now, at least for most subjects so i'll not have to worry about that once Hazel gets here.

well, gotta run. things to do and people to see.