Happy Valentine's Day!

Our Valentine's

Happy Valentine's Day! We hope you have had a wonderful, love-filled day with those you enjoy being around the most. Even though we never buy one another Valentine's day gifts, flowers, or go out for an expensive meal, we still try to show one another how much we love each other... not only today, but everyday! We did celebrate it with some strawberry milk, heart shaped PB&J's for lunch, a nice steak dinner that daddy cooked on the grill, some conversation hearts and some Valentine's Day punch! The kids did write out and pass out some Valentine's (they filled them out over a month ago, so they've been patiently waiting for today). They were so excited to hand and mail out those Toy Story, Princess and Minnie Valentine's!

Papaw Hoover

                                

September 12, 1929- February 7, 2012

This week we had to say our good-byes to our sweet Papaw Hoover. I am so blessed that I have been able to be around my grandparents so much, all 4 of them, and that my children have been able to spend so much time with not only their grandparents, but also their great grandparents. My grandpa has been sick for a little while now, but it wasn't until just a few days before he passed away that he became very ill. So, even though it is so hard to let him go, we are all glad that he didn't have to suffer long. Our Mamaw Ollie, his wife of 56 years, has had so much strength through all of this, and to watch how she cared and loved him for his last few days and hours on earth was so special. She has always been a loving and dedicated wife, and it was very obvious that they truly loved each other. I am so glad we have the promise to meet him again one day in Heaven, and I am thankful that he is no longer in any pain. Until we meet again.... we love and miss you, Papaw!

http://www2.wataugademocrat.com/Obituaries/story/Howard-Hoover-Phipps-id-006928

The Big Ultrasound!

Baby Clifton #4!

Yesterday we went in for our last, "big" ultrasound. Eric was able to come with me, and my mom had come with us to Jackson's ultrasound, so we asked my mother in law if she would like to come to this one. When we asked Jackson and Ansley if they wanted to go with us and watch the baby on a tv or stay somewhere else, they didn't even have to think for a second about what they wanted to do. They were so excited to see their new baby brother or sister for a few moments on a tv! (Elsie came along, too, but she hung out with Grandpa David and Uncle Marshall outside). While laying there and watching our sweet baby move all around in my belly, I thought to myself, how can I make sure I never forget this moment. After seeing how incredibly fast my other three have grown, and knowing this is probably our last baby, I want to make sure I treasure every single moment. Even those moments that don't seem so pleasant at the time... like the sleepless nights late in the pregnancy (especially when I am a week past my due date and still pregnant), I hope I can remember to enjoy those kicks and movements while the baby is in my belly, because I know it is something that I am going to miss dearly after he/she is here. When the baby is here and has his/her days and nights mixed up and wanting to stay awake at night, I hope I can remember to not get frustrated that I have to hold my sweet baby in the middle of the night and sing "Jesus Loves Me" or "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" over and over again, because before you can barely blink they are 4.5 years old and you are having to think about kindergarten! 

Sweet Baby Feet!

So, some special moments during the ultrasound... when it looked like the baby was waving at us; when the baby yawned so big; the little grin it gave us; when Ansley came over and sat on Eric's lap to hold my hand during the middle of the ultrasound; Jackson giving me a hug during the ultrasound; being there with my wonderful husband, sweet mother in law, Winkie, Jackson & Ansley; and of course just watching every movement of our precious little baby. I was measuring 20 weeks and 2 days, which puts my due date around June 17th (ish). (So if this one is anything like my other 3, that means we can expect him or her at least a week after that!) The baby was weighing in a 12 ounces! Yeah! :)

Picture of the Baby Grinning                                                                              Baby's Face 

Now the big question... is it a boy or girl?!?! I wanted to wait, like we did with Elsie, and let it be a surprise until the baby is born, but Jackson has been telling everyone that he is having a baby brother (and has even convinced Ansley that it is a baby brother). So, we didn't find out the sex yesterday, but I did have the ultrasound technician put a picture and write if it was a boy or girl in an envelope just in case we decide to let the kids know definitely if it is a he or she (and Tiffany since she wants to know the most! ha!). If we open that envelope up, we'll let you all know! :)

Baby's Leg, Body & Head

Fingers