New nickname, new books,new.....

So I went to the doc about a week and a half ago, just expecting a check up....some questions, maybe some blood drawn, chart my weight gain (which is through the roof. I must've set some type of record!!!!), and they would send me on my way. But no, I had a nice surprise. And even though I was alone and had no videotape to record this special surprise, it was still fantastic! (Although I shed a few tears because my sweet husband wasn't there to see it).

The doc took another sonogram to see the baby's heartbeat (which was a healthy 160 by the way!). I was more shocked than happy because I hated Randall not being there. He's never missed a baby doctor visit, and he had to miss this one. But as soon as the picture came up on the computer monitor, all woes went away. She was HUGE!!!!! WAY bigger than last month (maybe the explanation of the weight gain??? No??? Well, I thought I'd try!). And man was she putting on a show. Her arms and legs were just a-going everywhere! And this is how our little got her nickname!! The Doctor, Dr. Clemens, is actually the one who nicknamed our baby this time. She told me she looked like a little beetle stuck on it's back with it's legs and arms flailing in the air. So there you have it........Beetlebug!!!!!!

(And just so you know, we don't know if it's a boy or a girl.....it's just one of those feelings....and we've been praying for some pink!!)

As for the new books (you're gonna have to bear with me for a minute.....this might be a little mushy!)

My dear sweet "big sister" friend, Sloppy Jo, came out to visit us last week with her little Miah Jane. And putting Jo and I together is like an open invitation to open the flood gates. I can't speak for Jo, but for me, she's a "comfy place" where I can talk openly about my sister,Sherri.....she always has been. I just hope I can play the same role for her.....because I love my Sloppy Jo lots!!!!

Well during our talks she reminded me of the note I wrote to my sister after her accident. I promised her that I would do all the things she didn't get to do, and that Sherri will always be my pink and I'll always be her purple. Of course, Jo got it right away. Others would have to understand Sherri and I's relationship to get it. Well, Jo brought up the pink and purple "thing" and I realized I hadn't thought about it in a while. I haven't forgot, don't get me wrong. But I'll tell you what I have been thinking about lately when it comes to Sherri.....

Lately I've been upset. So upset that she's not here for all this. Because I really could have used her during everything. She was always the comic relief....the one who could make you laugh even when you whole-heartedly didn't want to. I can't believe my kids don't get to meet her in this life. I hate that she didn't get to "play aunt" because she would have been sooooo good at it!!! Seriously, she'd win competitions if they had any. They can't beg to go to Aunt Sherri's house. She can't spoil them with gifts-galore!! (Another one of her many, thoughtful talents). All those things that some take for granted, I don't get to share with my "pink" other-half.

Anyways, so a few days after Jo's visit I took one of my many trips to Target. While I was strolling through the childrens' books section I spotted them. Two books: One called "Pinkalicious" and the other "Purplicious." And get this, the authors and creators are SISTERS!!!!! I didn't even bother browsing through them, I just threw them in the cart, in fear that a cry-fest might occur. I was anxious with excitement to get them home to read. And yes, a cry-fest did occur. I'm not sure if we can get signs from those who have gone on before us, but I do believe God sends us signs all the time. Maybe he was relaying the message on to me for my sister. Like she wanted to tell me that she's still here and she is still a part of it all, just from a distance. So my kids don't just have an aunt, they have an Auntie Angel!!! And here's the lines from the book that tells me why: (remember, I'm purple and Sherri's pink.)

" "Pink is perfect," she answered. "Watch this and you'll see why...." She mixed the pink paint into the blue, and the frosting turned purple. "Pink is powerful," she said. "Look, it turned blue into purple."

Dearest Perfect Pink,

Thank you for so many times turning my blues into purple. Me would never be me without you!

I miss you somethin' awful, but will see you soon. Until then, try not to laugh at all my "goofs!" (I know you are, I can feel it!) I love you long time, and forever.

Purple