cake pops

I made Christmas Tree Cake Pops yesterday. They turned out SO cute, no?? :)

funny {a}

mom: are you ready for some breakfast?
{a}: yes
mom: do you want some eggs?
{a}: no, I don't like eggs.
mom: yes you do...

about 30 seconds later:
{a}: what you doing?
mom: making eggs
{a} oh! I love eggs.

little bits

We were Pac-Man and the ghosts for Halloween this year. {A} was Pac-Man, {K} was Clyde the orange ghost, {a} was Pinky the pink ghost, {k} was Blinky the red ghost, and I was Inky the "dead" ghost. I had been "eaten" by Pac-Man.--hense why I was in white...

{A} FINALLY lost his first and second teeth on Nov 27 and 29th. The tooth fairy brought him $2 the first night and she FORGOT the second night! eek! So, I snick back down and made it work a few minutes later. Out of guilt, he got $2 for the second tooth, too! He has been taking piano lessons for over a year now, and recently played in a Monster Concert.

{K} is LOVING his little neighbor friend. On Thursdays, when they come home together from kindergarten, he usually announces to the friends mom that he is coming over to play after lunch. He then marches himself over to her house to play.

{a} is BUSY! She is in to EVERYTHING! She turns 3 soon, and gets to join her brothers in primary at the first of the year. Crazy!

{k} decided to roll over yesterday. He finally figured out how to roll from back to front. He doesn't particularly like being on his tummy once he's there, but he tolerates it for a little while.

hodgepodge

ok, LOTS has happened in the past 2 months. Hold on for lots of pictures.



First, first day of school. {A} is in 2nd grade, and {K} is in morning kindergarten. He was so nervous. But, after about 3 days, he TOTALLY settled in and has done wonders! The next two are of {k} in his blessing outfit that I made. The booties are from my Moms beighbor that has taken a liking to me. She is from Uzbekistan--I am SURE I spelled that wrong, but I thought it would be fun to have him wear them at the blessing.

Next, {a} actually fell asleep while leaning on the chair...

{k} at almost 3 months old.

{a} Little sis decided she wanted to wash her feet, only she didn't think to pull up her pants.

I was going to post on this when it happened. {a} wanted to play a game, so we did. She is getting so interactive lately.

{a} I absolutely {adore} that she loves to wear these goggles. and she wears them all the time!

{K} and {a} playing super heroes.

{A} was chosen as Citizen of the Month for Sept.

{a} I LOVE her sense of style. She wore this flower to the store the other day, and got more giggles out of people... :) She is 2 3/4 years old here.

{A} at 7 1/2 years old.

We were taking pictures of each other.

This is one of {K} upset because, well, I don't know why... :)

Smoothie 'staches.

{A} was so excited. He got to go with Dad on a scout overnighter, and this time he got to wear a "real" backpack.

{K} wanted me to take his pic with the pumkin. He is 5 years old.

{k} at 4 months old.

Blessing Day!

so we blessed {k} today. It was nice! DH did a wonderful job. The only glitch is that 3 of the 6 people that were planning on being there were actually there, on time. Which is proof that it really doesn't matter who is surrounding, it only matters that the ordinance was performed. My grandma, aunt, grandpa, DH's mom, and sister, and my parents came to join us. DH, my Dad and the bishopric member were in the circle, our friends from Burley got their RIGHT after it was over, our friends from 2 miles away got there even later, and my brother didn't even make it at all. All because we apparently have a difficult building to find... :) Most importantly though, we appreciate their effort to be there. They were all able to come for lunch at our house and visit, which was nice. Thanks to all who joined us for a great day! Thanks to {J} for grilling, {J and R} for the veggies, {C} for the chips, {D} for the hamburger patties and thanks to mom for all the goodies you shared too! Also, I will make mention, that I made {k}'s blessing outfit. I am quite proud of myself.

update

so, here's an update. DH is recovering nicely. His leg looks really good now compared to 4 weeks ago. The bruising has gone down, and the scars are getting lighter. Just a couple of scabs left... He is walking with crutches and has a walking boot on. He is allowed to put 50% of his weight on the hurt leg, and in 2 weeks he will not have to use the crutches anymore. He is getting bored--and anyone who knows him knows that this is not hard to do for him... :) You can see he has a rod in the tibia and a plate on the fibula. and screws in both. :)

{k} is also doing well. I weighed him last week and he weighed 13lbs. He is 6 weeks old and is starting to smile at us. He is such a good baby. He eats well (obviously since he has gained 4 lbs already) and sleeps well too. I just wish I could solidify a daytime routine--so far as start time goes... That will be the next goal for us.

{A} has done very well in swim lessons and is making nice progress on the front crawl, back crawl and is now learning the breast stroke. I think he is ready for school to start back up-- or atleast I am ready... :)

{K} is getting excited for kindergarten. He turned 5 last week and got just what he asked for. Thomas the Train items! James and Thomas. He gets to go shopping with g&g {H} this weekend and told me that he wants to buy his very own track. (Even though {A} had some, he wants his own...)

{a} is BUSY! She is one I need to watch all the time. She tends to get into things that she shouldn't. Especially the kitchen cupboards looking for something to eat. We are taking her into an ENT next week. I think she needs her tonsils taken out. She has not been sleeping well, is tired all the time, and snores at night. Sounds to me like they need to come out! Also, her brothers had theirs taken out at 2 1/2 and she is now 2 1/2.

Sounds like a good time to add one more thing to my plate, don't you think? :)

We found her like this at 7pm last night. Guess she was tired... :)

That's an update on us...

getting bigger!

we had our first checkup yesterday and besides all the poking and cutting, we weighed our "little" guy. He has gained an ounce and a half! That makes him 9lbs 4 oz! He is now in the 95th percentile for a guy his age...

And, he is eating like a CHAMP!! My milk has begun to regulate, and {k} let me sleep last night, so it has been a good couple of days. Happy Friday!!

he's here!

Baby #4 {k} was born Friday at 4:35pm. I went in for a shceduled induction, and while waiting for the antibiotics to work, and for the Dr. to break my water, it broke on its own at 1:30pm. By 3:30 I was fully dialated and ready to push, but alas, I had to wait until after 4:15 for the Dr to be ready to catch my boy. 2 contractions, and 4 pushes later, he was born. 9lbs 2.6 oz. Big guy! We are home and all is well. Thanks for all the well wishes. If I didn't text you and you would like to know his name, you will have to call or email me privately. :) I will post pictures soon. Maybe in a few days.

not sure why I am posting AGAIN...

but here goes... I am getting nervous. So nervous that I couldn't sleep from 1:45 to I don't know what time after 3am. I just laid there, and then I took up reading my "what to expect" book on the couch. That seemed to have done the trick, cuz I finally fell asleep.. But, my word, you would think this is the time that I NEED my sleep.

I am also getting excited too. I can NOT wait to meet my little boy.

I have really loved being pregnant, but I also can NOT wait to get his feet out of my ribs. :)

one week...

I am set to be induced next Friday morning at 10am. I can't wait! I don't remember being THIS ready, or this ANXIOUS about the other births, but this one, I am. I have been given strict instructions to lay low this weekend, but come Monday, I will be NESTING! I have a list a mile long that I want to get taken care of before baby comes, and while I know they wont all get done, I plan to give it a valiant effort trying to check everything off before next Friday. :)

36 weeks, 2 days

I can't believe we are almost there! Yes, I am getting excited, and yes, I am getting anxious. I am trying to focus more on the anxious than the excited because I don't want to be TOO ready when the day comes. I am trying to enjoy all that this pregnancy offers me. (Even the fatigue). I am almost "ready" when it comes to the house. I need to put the crib away and pull out the cradle. I need to wash the carseat and I need to pack my bag. But then, really? Do I NEED to do any of those things? Nope. They can honestly all be done either at the last minute, or not at all until the baby comes home.

We have finally narrowed a name down to 3. I feel good about that actually. I was in a panic for a few weeks there, because I really had NO idea what names I even liked. I couldn't find anything that sounded good to me. So, I borrowed a baby name book from the library and honestly, I went page by page writing down ALL the names I didn't hate. Then I emailed the 25 or so names to DH and had him choose the ones he liked. He sent back 3. Which seems kinda harsh, but I knew he would probably do that, and it certainly has made it easier since then. We are now both letting the names marinate until the baby is born. Then we will talk about it again. I am pretty sure which of the 3 I want, and I am pretty sure DH will choose the same as me, but I am not going to worry about it until our little bundle is born. (apparently we have up to a year to officially choose, so I have PLENTY of time :) )

{A} is almost done with 1st grade. I am AMAZED at how well he is reading! He even mentioned to me the other day that he really enjoys reading. YEAH!!! I love it! I love that he wants to read. and doesn't fight me anymore. He is also doing very well at piano. He has his second recital coming up, and yours truly gets to accompany him. I am a little nervous!

(K) graduated from preschool this week, and they had a little ceremony to celebrate the end of preschool. He did VERY well, considering he could have chosen to be a stinker and not participate at all. He stood up there, with his hands in his pockets at kinda mumbled along with the other children. It was cute.

{a} is 2! and boy, do we all know it! She tells anyone who will listen that she is 2, and holds up 2 little fingers--it's quite cute. She is talking up a storm, and I love that we can understand almost everything she says. She certainly knows how to hold her own with her big brothers. She weighs 30 lbs and {K} weighs 35 lbs. She is feisty and silly!

Well, that's about it for an update on everyone. Wish me luck, I have 4 weeks left.

32 weeks

Only 8 more weeks. I CAN MAKE IT!!

so we had our RS Bday dinner last night. I say, it was a success! Considering we had all of about 3 weeks to plan it, not bad! I was totally in charge of the food. We had chicken salad Croissants-yum!, and Bear Creek Soup-double yum! We had about 15 sandwiches left, and about 55 people. There was quite a bit of soup left, but how do you know how much soup to plan for?? I certainly don't know. The food got rave reviews, so I feel good about it. I had lots of help--thanks ladies!! and it was so nice that I could actually sit down and enjoy a meal with my friends! Now, on to the next adventure.... whatever THAT is. :)

Just a quick thought to say that we will all miss you {L}. She was a dear friend of mine--we served together in the YW. She had a heart of gold. She made a blanket for {a} when she was born, and I think of her everytime we use it. Love you {L}. Your family did a wonderful job at the service today. My prayers are with them!

why??? Why is it that when I take the time to set up that stupid v-smile is it that a certain 4 year old then YELLS at me because it is not doing what HE wants it to? and, why does he YELL at ME when I can't make it do what HE wants it to? why???

well, hubby and I went out for a "romantic" dinner to Golden Corral and then to the Home Depot and Lowe's. I know!! You can't get any better than that!! But, then he dropped me off at home, and took another quick trip to Home Depot for lightbulbs, and surprised me by stopping at WAGS and bought me a Slap Chop! :) Only a gal like me could get excited about something like that. OH! and he bought me some Junior Mints. So sweet! :)

HAPPY V-DAY, DH!!! I love you with all my heart, and I can't wait for another 11 1/2 years!! :)

drum roll please.... :)

well, I guess now is as good a time as any. Yes, I am pregnant. I am 21 weeks along today. We are expecting a boy--which was the drama in an earlier post. I was convinced this baby was a girl, so it took me a few days to be excited to have a boy. I had early morning sickness, but now I am smooth sailing. I have been very fortunate to have easy pregnancies, and I hope this one goes equally as easy. I am due June 16th. My DR. has promised I will not go late, since he is leaving for vacation on the 17th. :) The boys are excited, and {a} could care less. :)

I don't really have a good picture of the baby, so you will have to live with this one instead. You can thank my photographer {K}. :)

If you have any name suggestions, we would appreciate it. I wont tell you the name we chose until the baby is born, but I would like any ideas, we seem to be stumped. I think girl names would be easier. (Maybe we should share ideas, Cara???) :)

I was visiting with my dad yesterday and he requested "MORE POSTS" on this here little blog of mine. I am totally convinced that there are only 3 of you out there in blog land that actually care whether I post or not, so I request with a full heart that you comment to let me know that you are really out there and that you do actually care if I post or not.(picture big head growing bigger with every new comment-tee hee)

So, he wants me to share that DH and I bought a new camping trailer this week. It is 27 feet long, has a queen bed in the front, and bunks in the back--a twin over a full size. There is a couch, table, kitchenette, and bathroom. It is perfect for us! I can't wait till we find a free weekend to take it out on her maiden voyage!!

(Just for you Dad. :))

so as I contemplate this "change" in my thinking, I was struck by a post from another LDS gal who just had baby #3 here. I think she has a wonderful way of words, and I love the way she mentions that she "chose" to be in this situation--and that she is loving every second of it.

mixed feelings. I just learned something wonderful, yet it's disappointing to me. So, I guess that's why I learned about it today and not later... :)

Happy Monday...

making progress

I think I have made progress already on my ONE LITTLE WORD. I am finding that I am a kinder person lately. I need to thank my HF for little inspirations to work this one this year. :)

#3 bragging rights--that counts for something, right?

so my dad offered up a challenge to all his kids to beat him in the football bowls that have been going on for the past couple of weeks. I quickly went on thanksgiving afternoon and, honestly, haphazardly picked out teams I thought would win. I looked at the percent of other people that had chosen each team to win, and most of the time went with the higher percent team, and a few I went against the grain and chose the other team.(ahem, BSU!!!!!). Well, dad reported the results today.

I earned #3 bragging rights. :) I chose 58% correctly. Which, I might add, was the highest percentage in our family. Ok, so there were only 4 of us participating, but still...

and, I was #1 for a day in our local papers rankings!! Yeah me! But, alas, dad and my big bro beat me overall. You know, if Georgia Tech and Texas had won--like they were SUPPOSED to, I would have won, I think. So, until next year, I will take #3 bragging rights and say, "Hey! Not bad for a GIRL!!" Tee hee.

thanks dad, it was fun to brag for a day. :)

ONE LITTLE WORD

So, I have decided. I have taken much thought this year to what my ONE LITTLE WORD would be. This has been a difficult, yet easy decision. (If that can actually be)... First, I knew what direction I wanted to head, I just wasn't sure which word would best be THE WORD to help me remember my personal goals for this year.
So, without further ado---

WHISPER Whisper \Whis"per\ verb
1. The act of speaking in a quiet voice.
2. To prompt secretly or cautiously; to inform privately

So, my goals for the year are, one, to consciously choose to speak in softer tones. I have decided that yelling is to only be used when actually necessary. Crazy, I know. Second, I hope to be in a place spiritually so that I can hear the spirit whisper to me.

I challenge each of you to choose ONE LITTLE WORD for yourself. I love how it makes me actively think about something that I need to improve and then to take the time regularly to think about that word and the goals associated with it and what I am doing to better myself.

eta: ok, so update on yesterday. I snuck a set of paper dolls for {a} and nothing for the boys. {A} did great! He basically just sat there. {K} was BORED!!! He layed on my lap and kept telling me he wanted to go out and get a drink. I swear, that kid is a broken record. I pulled out the paper dolls for {a} after I was done wrestling with her and I have decided that maybe 2 is too young for a little girl to appreciate the fine art of paper dolls. All she wants to do is stack all the clothes on top of the doll, and then SHOVE them all back into the bag. She really doesn't understand that if you bend the dolls or shove them into the bag that they wont be pretty, fun dolls to play with next week. Oh well. She bonked her head about 5 minutes before the end, so I took her and {K} out in the hall and then to the bathroom. All in all, I think it was a much better decision than I ever imagined. So, I think we will try it again next week.


now that we have "late church". (Late being 11 at our building) I have extra time on my hands to make blog postings... YEAH. (insert sarcasm here) I would really rather be just finishing sac meeting right about now than being here WAITING to go to church. DH has decided that the kids don't need toys to entertain them during sacrament meeting anymore. We'll see how THAT one goes today.

Also, I am still pondering my ONE LITTLE WORD. Getting close though, narrowing it down...