Wow-wee, it sure is dusty around here.

Yikes. It's been over a month since my last post.

The only other time that happened, I was in the hospital with a feeding tube jammed in my arm. Luckily my absence isn't because of anything like that.

It's been a combination of reasons really.

First off, that adoreable little puppy turned this place upside down for a while. For an incredibly smart dog (she can sit, stay, fetch and shake), for the longest time, that pooch couldn't figure out where the hell to pee.

So, from the time I'd wake up to the time I'd go to bed, I had to watch her like a hawk, waiting for her to show a sign that she was about to relieve herself.

We kept her confined to one room (not the office), so my blogging, email and Facebook time has been seriously compromised. I'm pleased to report that she is now fully housebroken. Hallelujah.

So there's that.

Then, I began feeling "off kilter." I was exhausted all the time and as soon as the kids would go to bed, so would I. And I'd sleep to the very last possible minute before getting up in the morning. Plus, after work, I'd give the kids instructions to wake me in 20 minutes so I could get in a quick nap before making dinner. I was in a perpetual fog -- sleepy all the time. I neglected housework, laundry and writing.

I chalked it up to seasonal allergies, but then, when I realized my period was late and I peed on a little plastic stick, I discovered the real reason for my energy drain:

I'm pregnant.

Yeah, you read right. Pregnant. Preggo. PG. With child. Knocked up. Bun in the oven.

And if you're trying to quickly do the math, let me help: That'll be 4 kids and 2 dogs.

Seriously, I'm so excited I can barely stand it. We're due around Thanksgiving and everyone -- especially the kids -- are a-buzz.

I finally emerged from my fog with renewed energy. (Thank God.) And am happy to report that I've skated through the first trimester morning-sickness free (again, Thank God.) and I've been feeling really good.

I hope to get back into a regular habit of writing. There's so much to share:

Mark and I are putting in long, sweaty hours converting our yard from a HGTV "before" picture to one that's worthy of an "after" shot. We put in a garden, planted grass in all the big, dead patches (who were these previous owners? The Addams' Family?!) and have started to put in flower beds. (I haven't taken pictures for a while either, and need to get some of the yard.)

Plus, Crowbar is in pee-wee baseball, which is the most hilarious thing I've ever seen. Every time someone manages to get a hit, it's like a keystone cops movie.

Mark's one of the coaches -- and do they ever have their work cut out for them. Not only are they teaching these kids the fundamentals of the game, they're also constantly instructing the boys to:

Stand up!
Put your glove on!
Stop building dirt castles!
Keep your hands to yourself!
Don't throw dirt!

The field is so dusty, the boys can't resist scooting their feet as they run, kicking up enormous Pig-Pen-like dust clouds that waft into the bleachers, causing the spectators to choke and sneeze.

Plus, my favorite part: My boy's team isn't sponsored by A&W's, Culvers, or the local car wash. Nope. We're sponsored by the local liquor store.

So fitting.

And finally, we've committed to be Camping People. We've invested in a gigantic tent, a propane lantern and have booked our first campsite for mid-June.

The kids have never camped before and I've only gone a handful of times as a kid. Mark's the true outdoors man. He practically grew up on a campground -- in fact, the very one we're going to visit soon. I'm certain that the experience will give me a lot to write about.

Yes sir, this is shaping up to be a fabulous summer.