We Have Grown (Again), and are going to Shrink (temporarily)

Well.  Let's just say, I don't get the World's Best Blogger Award.  But, in my defense, there is a LOT going on.  First of all, to "catch y'all up":

Wedding, check.
Move the newlyweds into their cute little home, check.
Aiden, and his Thomas trains and huge vocabulary, check.
Sorella Smedley in Italy, doing great and tearing it up, check.

Then, out of the blue, we get the news....

WE ARE GOING TO BE GRANDPARENTS!!!

Shiree is in denial, but Kallay is ECSTATIC!  Due in August 2013, it was not planned, and had a bit of a scary beginning, but progressed normally.  Whew!  A few of her least favorite pregnant moments:

*the "dumb ear".  Unfortunately, an inherited, very inconvenient plugging of the ear that is only resolved (and only temporarily) by bending over so that the head is about the same level as the knees, and involves looking and feeling more than a little bit foolish.

* the RASH.  Heaven help us, if the rash is not enough to nearly cause complete and total insanity!  This is the infamous (MORE than famous) PUPS rash.  Pups stands for "itchy, red bumps that will drive you completely crazy, leave you with bloody welts in the morning from having scratched yourself to the bone in your sleep, please don't let the clothing touch ANYWHERE on the rash or you go insane, and nothing helps it stop itching rash."  Another inherited pregnancy malady that will probably not go away until the baby is nearing kindergarten.  Sorry for that one, Shiree.  

* The all-important, right before delivery, tummy measurement.  MUCH higher number than she wanted, but as I reminded her, it will only get smaller from here!  :)

* Can't move, sleep, walk, sit, breath...  Every pregnant woman gets to that stage, and, thankfully, realizes that in the whole entire history of pregnant women, not a single one of them stayed pregnant their entire life.  :)  The end does come, and when it does.....

Ellie Michelle.  A beautiful, perfect, rosy girl with tons of hair and long piano-playing fingers, and a pouty lip that will be the undoing of her daddy (and grandpa) for the rest of their natural lives.  7 lbs 13 oz, 20 3/4" long, and gorgeous.  And I'm not just saying that because I am her grandma.  I'm sure that you agree.  I mean, look at her! 

Next very awesome news:

Stu has been called to serve in the Independence, Missouri mission, the same mission his dad served in 29 years ago.  Is that amazing, or what!?  Dad nearly passed out, Mom cried, and the family screamed when he read it.  Amazing in so many ways, and such a tender and personal mercy.  We are busy preparing him for his arrival at the MTC, since he has 7 weeks total from call to departure!  He is super excited!  He will get to see his favorite cousin, Alec, for about two weeks before he goes.  Alec has been serving in New Jersey, and has been a faithful, obedient example for Stu.  Departure: Sept 18.  Too soon, for sure, but I wouldn't have it any other way.  As with Jessica, we are so excited to have him serve, but so sad to have him gone.  We love being together SO much, and it is hard when we are apart, even for the really important, this is so right it hurts, unbelievably difficult but completely peaceful, times.  

Ta-ta for now!