Dear Portsmouth

Please clear a recovery room for me so I can have this baby.  I know there are supposed to be hundreds of deliveries this month, but I would really like a room TO MYSELF!  Hurry too please, my body is falling apart! Thanks

      Janice

It's Autumn time!

Er.... well, weekend at least.  Today was a GORGEOUS day - one I hope will repeat itself many many times in the months ahead.  However.... this morning's events.... I would rather NOT repeat so much. I got a call from my OB clinic saying that my midwife was sick and they would have to reschedule me.  The soonest they could get me in to see ANYBODY is monday, so.... if this baby is still sitting tight by then I guess I will see someone new for a day and hopefully that will be the last time I go to the clinic before this baby is born.  I will be 39 weeks come Monday and I do not wish to make a 40 week appointment!

Every morning we walk to school, the children think it is SUPER important to reach the van first so then they can reach the stroller first (which only Hunter rides in anyway).  Well, Melanie wanted to be sure she was first I guess for some reason and shoved her brother out of her way so she could run and make it first to the van.  NICE! There was definite skid time on the concrete - the poor boy looks like Rocky Balboa! (I took a picture as documentation and will post it asap - pretty much to remind her for the rest of her days of what she did to her little brother... out of selfishness)  My sweet boy, all dinged up on the left side of his little perfect face.  I had to walk to and from school with the humiliation that comes from people/kids looking at your child's face and thinking "Yikes!  Ouch!"  - and then glancing up at you as if you were the obvious culprit.  I so badly wished I had a sign that read:  "Handiwork of big sister".  Obviously, having half your face scraped raw hurts, so once we returned home... Hunter quickly got frustrated with his predicament and needed some quality time with me. We sat together for about a half hour or so enjoying the time we had together.

Thankfully my husband had a VERY short day at school today and he was able to join us not long after we had gotten home from taking the girls to school.  We went out to lunch together and got some errands accomplished that have been needing to be done.  More checks on our lists!
Once we got home, I tried to stay on top of some housework and decided that soup would be the perfect dinner for our first Autumn day.   Which soup you ask?  Potato soup - and a stinkin good recipe at that!  It is a family favorite!  I am so stinkin excited for the beautiful weather to stay - I hope it does this year - so I can enjoy it to the fullest!

Hair's done, house is "clean", come on baby!!!

Last night was the "finishing" touches to getting me pretty much ready for this baby to arrive.  I have been trying hard all week long to get this baby here (cleaning, mopping, walking, etc) and nothing so far.  I got my hair re-highlighted last night (thanks so much Stacey!) and got a nice little trim too to freshen things up.  Initially I did have grand plans to get a pedicure and at least have my nails be a decent length (chronic nail biter) - but those haven't happened.  Not that it matters much, my feet will be covered with socks and I would probably only chew my nails out of boredom waiting in the hospital for us to be cleared to go home anyway.  I've been getting things done around the house and I'm pretty much to a point where it is as clean as it can get and be fairly easily maintained while housing 3 children 6 years and younger.  Dusting done, carpets vacuumed, floor swept, kitchen in order, playroom - well..... it's a playroom, upstairs and bathrooms all in decent order.  Now, we just need a baby! This whole ordeal has been such an emotional roller coaster for me. First we pleaded the route of "most convenient" while the hubby was still on leave and my mother in law was already at home with the kids, and the weekend was approaching.  Then, my sweet doula got sick - now I'm sick, she's on the mend, and another weekend is approaching.  BUT, hubby will still be in school one more week - so that leaves me in charge of the drop off and pick up of the girls (which is quite complicated actually).  Drop off is easy enough - sign Julia in.  Pick up for the two are separated by 35 minutes! When it's almost 100 degrees outside, it makes it hard to wait around to get my 1st grader from school.  Add a newborn.... yeah, you get the idea.   Then... my doula also happens to be pretty talented with a camera in her hand and was asked to photograph a wedding at the Washington D.C. temple NEXT weekend.  Not really sure when this little one will arrive, I hope that it is soon - but it also seems that no matter what day that is.... things will probably be CRAZY! 

Patience

Yeah, let's just say I don't have a large supply of it nowadays.  I'm really trying, but being super huge with child and trying to be kind all the time gets old fast.  However, our sweet and all knowing Father in Heaven is giving me no other option than to be patient at this time.  How I love these life lessons sometimes! Argh. I get the blessing of practicing patience in waiting for this child to come into the world.  Waiting for a baby to show up is probably one of the most frustrating things in the world at the end of pregnancy.  Being a military spouse, at this particular military hospital, no inductions until 41 weeks.  Hmmm.  I am definitely NOT 41 weeks and I really hope Heavenly Father has mercy on my poor soul so that I don't have to still be pregnant at that time.  I see it as a little "unfair".  There are so many people with inductions or c-sections scheduled BEFORE my due date that are due AFTER me.  Unless I go a week overdue, I do not get the luxury of picking the day my child arrives in the world.  I get to roll with the punches.  There are so many women having their babies - I really just kinda want to get mine already, you know!?  So, for now I am doing my best to exercise patience.  I am also trying my best to have enough faith to leave this in the Lord's hands and trust it will all work out.  That's what I'm gunna do - and I'm sure everything will turn out fine whenever the baby decides to show.

The Handsome 2 year old!

My little guy turned 2 today.  For those of you that don't know about my family, I am one of THREE girls.  No brothers AT ALL.  Which naturally means of course that I spent most of my entire childhood/teenage years asking for a brother.  Sometimes, I even asked for an OLDER brother.  If my parents ever fulfilled that wish, I am sure it would have been VERY uncomfortable for my mom.  Needless to say, it never happened.   So, I pushed that desire on into my married life.  I wanted a son.  A boy for my wonderful dad to get to be a grandfather to.  Take him fishing, camping, etc.... all those wonderful guy things.   Our third child was the winner.  I was SO excited to be a mother to a son!  I didn't know how to take care of one because I never had that opportunity before, but, I was going to figure it out.   The day that I had my little man, the nurse in my delivery room said, "you love all your children, but your son will be your heart".  I wasn't really sure what all that meant at the time, but I do now.  There is something so precious about the relationship between a mother and son.  I love my guy to pieces and really wish I get to have another someday.  I love my girls, please don't misunderstand, but..... that nurse was right..... he is my heart.  There are times where he gets into things or does something he shouldn't, but he brings so much joy to my life!  He's funny, smart, and extremely loving.  We are so blessed to have him be a part of our family and I know his daddy is really excited for the years to come.  LOVE YOU BUDDY!

Contractions

The past couple of days have been full of 'em!  As if I wasn't already completely and totally uncomfortable at this stage in pregnancy with all the added "beat up" parts of my body starting to fail me.  I am just truly miserable right now.  UGH!  I keep praying that as soon as this baby is fully developed, it get here as soon as possible please!  This poor mother can't take another 3 weeks of throbbing veins, a sore pelvis, pinching pain, and contractions.  Last night they were around 10 minutes apart.  They didn't hurt, but, I was definitely hoping they would end up waking me with the need to go to the hospital early this morning.  I NEED TO HAVE THIS BABY NOW!!!!  Part of me is worried too that the school my husband HAS to attend in order to be qualified to do his next duty station will not be too excited about the idea of my husband missing a day of school for me to have a baby.  This is another reason why I think I may be contracting already (OUCH! shooting pain as we speak!).  Maybe they aren't going to be nice about it and my only chance to have him around is to have this baby this week.  I'm not really sure, but.... I really really hope this baby comes soon.  Maybe I should give up on my "vote" of the day I would like to deliver, and start focusing my prayers to help this baby come when it's father can be there and be of the most help to the rest of the family without interrupting work duties.  I think if it means I get to go earlier than my hoped for day, I can live with that, right?!  Earth is ready for you baby!! 

Two down, one to go

At last!  The first day of school!  This morning when I woke up, #2 was already up and getting dressed in her clothes for school.  She was so excited to be starting school!  Last night we gathered everything we needed to get this morning started off without too much problem.  They still needed to help make their lunches - and they did a pretty good job with that!  As they marched off to school today, #2 took the lead as usual. She was far ahead of the pack as we trekked in the muggy weather to the school.  After we dropped her off at her class room with her BAGS of school supplies, we started the trip back to the house with just Little Man in the stroller.  He started looking around and asking for "Na!?" (#2).  He couldn't believe he was all by himself -  poor little guy was missing his buddy!  When it was time to go pick up the girls, I told him we were going to get "Na" and he got excited, ran for the door and grabbed his shoes.  It was the cutest thing to see how much he wanted to see his sister.  Unfortunately, the weather for the rest of the week looks to be the same: MUGGY - so instead of sending them to school in jeans, we'll be going in shorts.  I am pretty sure I'll be praying pretty hard for some fall weather to finally show up so we can enjoy the outdoors a bit more.  It's September for crying out loud!  Let's get some apple pie weather started!

Destructo-girl - First Day of Pre-K!

Little Momma - First Day of 1st Grade!

WAKE UP CALL!

Lately, I have been trying to get my home in order so that when the military (well.... housing more specifically) decides to spring "Hey, we have a 5 bedroom available.... you want it?  Great, you have two weeks to move" scenario, I am ready to roll!  In trying to "clean sweep" my house (not completely there yet of course) and I have seriously contemplated tossing the BINS of pre-pregnancy clothes I have.  That may shock some of you that I technically have that many clothes since I mostly wear t-shirts and jeans.  By t-shirts I mean very BASIC, possibly 10 year old ones.  Yeah.... bad, I know.  So, I am looking for a "make-over".  I will be a mother to 4 children soon (hopefully really soon) and it's about time I swallow my age (almost 27) and start dressing like a mother.  No... "mother" isn't supposed to be read, "frumpy".  I am going for a feminine look with a sense of basic style (I am no fashion guru) that makes me look presentable and nice.  Here's the kicker.... I need some help from you who peruse my blog on occasion.  Where do you buy your clothes?  What are your favorite stores for sales (shoes, clothes, bags, etc)?   As I lose this weight after baby (and I WILL lose the weight this time around) I want to have some things to look forward to and get excited about.  Bye bye scruffy teenager sports shirts, hello decent looking mother of four!

Coming to a Close

LONG and BORING VERSION: 
Summer is coming to a close a lot sooner than I anticipated this year.  It has been really crazy to think that the whole summer is just about gone.  In a month school will be starting for my two oldest and I just can't believe it!  One will be in 1st grade, the other in Pre-K (thanks to her Oct birthday).  I have got to admit that I am also looking forward to it.  All of you out there that said my girls would be the best of friends being 15 months apart?!  Um.... sorry, but you were wrong!  They couldn't be bigger enemies!  They have been fighting constantly this summer (with a little bit of getting along) and I am beside myself with what to do with them.  Thankfully the heat took a break yesterday and blessed us with a BEAUTIFUL day where the girls could play outside for a little bit in the afternoon.  It was great to be able to send them out for a little and not worry about them coming in with bright pink faces and sweat everywhere.  This 100 degree heat index stuff is just too much!  Not to mention I haven't been able to get Melanie to write much of anything and Julia doesn't have any interests in learning anything other than the letters to spell her name.  Not really sure how that will pan out for them once school starts.  Really hoping their smarts show up when it's time to get to work!

With summer coming to an end, that means this pregnancy is too!  Man, I couldn't be more relieved about that either! There are quite a few pregnant ladies in the ward at church that have been suffering through this heat with me all summer long.  Soon, we will be put out of our misery - hooray!  I started taking the deep water classes at the Y again in hopes of re-creating my "miracle" with Julia.  I am really shooting for a pretty short labor this time around.   I do have to admit I am a little concerned though - with the discomforts I have had lately, I am hoping that things will go well once baby decides to join the family.  This little one has been the most active baby by far and I am really hoping that she doesn't end up being breech of anything of that sort.  Look at me.... blah blah blahing away on the blog.  Goodness gracious!  Who wants to read my ramblings?!  Probably no one.  So..... how about I just summarize....

Short Version:
 The summer is almost over for my girls and I haven't been able to convince them to do too much school work in preparation for the new year.  With school almost starting, it also means it's almost time to have this baby!  I couldn't be more excited about that - this pregnancy has been no picnic.  This baby is the most active and I have had the most "complications" this time around.  REALLY not looking forward to possibly needing to do it again.  The sacrifices you make for your children I guess.  HOWEVER, I AM going to find a way to get a little "cosmetic" surgery on these scary veins once I'm all done - a small reward for the trouble I've been through.  Here's to a quick labor and some peace and quiet once school starts!

Turning 6!!

Our oldest turned 6 today, I cannot believe it!  Little Momma is definitely a smaller version of myself in a lot of ways.  Many of which I am at times not very proud of I'm afraid.  It is a humbling reminder of the many things I really need to work on - that is for sure!  She was so excited all day long and made sure to tell EVERYONE she saw at church (and out of church) that it was her birthday and she was 6.  The things she wanted for her birthday?  Blue purse, makeup, ONE barbie, and some jewelry.  She did get some of those things, but we stuck to the more practical things..... new bike helmet (the dog had gotten hold of the last one a few times too many and she was outgrowing it anyway), backpack for school, and some school necessities for her upcoming year in 1st grade!  Thank heaven for grandparents!  Her grandparents knew the key to her heart and got her some bath and body works things as well as a little bit of jewelry.  Thank you grandparents!!!  We are very happy to have her in our family.  She is so grown up sometimes!  You will find her mostly lending her siblings a helping hand and trying to act "big".   She is very happy about going to first grade and in being the big sister to a "new baby sister" this fall.  I just know she is going to be a GREAT help!  Happy Birthday, we love you!!!

Final Chapter for Harry

The time is quickly approaching for the last installment in the Harry Potter series.  I am pretty excited about the release of the final movie this next week.  Maybe if I can convince some friends to go with me - I might even stay up for the midnight showing!  Either way, I'm going to be seeing the movie next week sometime.  Really excited to see how "Hollywood" finishes off the story.  Those of you who haven't read the book yet, there is still time!  Pick it up and read it real quick - I know it's thick... but you won't be able to put it down!

pregnancy can be weird

This pregnancy has really been unlike any pregnancy that I have EVER had.  Granted, I've only had 3 other ones.  So, my experience is quite limited.  I was pretty sick in the beginning up until almost 20 weeks.  "Morning sickness" didn't last all day long nor was it just in the morning.  Some days I would feel sick in the morning, others in the afternoon, and then still others I would just feel awful at the end of the day.  I have been pretty exhausted during this pregnancy too.  I'm grateful that my first two children (daughters) gave me all the stretch marks I seem to need - however, these last two pregnancies (my son and the current baby I am carrying) seem to want to damage my veins in this 9 month long process.  My son I'm not extremely mad at, since the vein damage was minimal.  This child, (claimed to be a girl), however is doing a number on me.  The worst part?  I still have 11.5 weeks left! That is WAY too much time for more damage to occur.  I must say no matter what gender ends up being delivered from this maimed 20 something year old body of mine, there are FANTASTIC names picked out for him/her.  DESPITE THE FACT I WISH I COULD GIVE IT SOME AWFUL MIDDLE NAME - maybe I could give them a second middle name that is truly awful?   Whatever this baby ends up being, it'll have one great name for sure.  Oh, and this baby has been SO active this pregnancy.  I can only slightly compare it to the amount of movement I felt with #2 (Julia).  Lately, I am still tired and really don't feel motivated to eat much.  It is really a strange feeling.  What pregnant lady wouldn't be thrilled about food?  Yah, I know.  This pregnant lady can only get slightly excited about some fruit.  I know the salad hanging out in the fridge should get consumed before it goes bad, along with the leftovers..... but I am really not motivated.  I just want to lay down and sleep - for like..... a week!  Then maybe get up and have a smoothie, followed by some fruit salad, maybe a snack of watermelon, and finish off the day with more fruit salad.  How I love fruit salad!  Oh, and the heartburn I get from eating ANYTHING other than fruit is awful!  That's enough to keep a lady away from the table for sure.

As a HUGE side note though, I am kinda hoping that this desire to only eat fruit and not go after the really bad stuff for my body..... is going to keep my weight gain LOW.  So far I have gained 15 lbs and I am trying to fight that dial from moving up too much higher.  For the next 11 weeks (hopefully less) I will be keeping my fingers crossed!!

Our Little Man

Ok.... so besides having the "sweetest girl" for a daughter, as well as a daughter whose eyes will literally knock your socks off, I have a truly amazing little boy.  Basically, I am just an extremely blessed lady at present.  Before any of you get the idea that I am saying my life is perfect..... NOPE, my life is definitely filled with challenges.  Sometimes those challenges come in the form of my great little blessings.   Lately, I am just really grateful for the great blessings I have and want to share why I think they are so amazing.  Our little guy still doesn't say much at almost 22 months old, but he most definitely seems to understand more of what we are saying TO him each day.  I am constantly amazed by how much he understands and how his personality is developing.  He can be quite the whiner at times - usually it is for his mom.  There are times the boy just wants to be held and no one but mom will do.  He does prefer to fall asleep on his father though - if he has to fall asleep on someone.  He must really enjoy nursery too (thank you nursery leaders!!).  Singing songs and reading books are things he really enjoys doing.  When we are in his room, he'll grab a book, and back up to sit down in your lap for you to read it to him.  It is the cutest thing ever.   Then, he'll try the hand motions to certain songs we sing as a family.   Another thing he really enjoys is "wash hands".  He likes hand sanitizer and will say "aash hands" each time he wants to (which is generally one after the other after another).  The boy's hands are clean at least 80 percent of the time!   Keela ("dog-dog") is also another favorite, he'll give her hugs and kisses many times throughout the day.  Little man doesn't each much, but could drink fluids all day long - water (sometimes), juice, gatorade, chocolate milk, orange juice, all the great things in life.  He is ALWAYS thirsty.  His diapers prove it too!  Hunter also has a great love for shoes.  He puts on pretty much anyone's (including his dad's size 13's)!   sunglasses and purses, baby dolls, he really enjoys anything!  Now remember, he has two big sisters - so cut him some slack.  Hunter really likes balls though (a true boy).  Anytime you make him laugh, he'll get the hiccups afterwards.  Oh... and he loves dancing to just about any kind of music.  What a great little guy, huh?  I know... I am really really blessed.

Scout Camp

So the hubby is off at scout camp and I am here with the kiddos and the dog.  I am really proud of him and the work he has been doing with the scouts.  He hasn't really had any experience with being a scout master before this year, but he had a blast as a scout and I really hope this week has been fun for him.  He is definitely the kind of person that will go and do (unless it is chores around the house...=) ) what needs to be done.  See a need, fill a need basically.  I talked with him late last night and he said pretty much all of the guys there at scout camp this year are first time campers.  WOW!  I guess the older boys went and did a high adventure thing (sailing) a few weeks back. I didn't realize that he was camping with a bunch of first timers!  I hope that the boys end up having a pretty good time and that they all come home a little smarter and better prepared to become men.  I can't wait until my hubby gets back.  Being pregnant with 3 kids to tow around is definitely the pits when you are alone sometimes!

I know the sweetest girl....

For those of you who know me (or at least read this blog every so often), I kind of rag on my second born sometimes.  I don't want any of you to get the wrong idea about her, she is a great kid, a WONDERFUL kid.  My qualm is that she is a BUSY/CURIOUS kid.  That is where we run into trouble with raising her.  This post isn't going to be dwelling on that part though, so.... forget you read it, ok?!   My second born has got to be the sweetest, most genuine person that I have EVER met.  My best friend can give her a run for her money..... but as far as kids go..... my daughter is definitely the sweetest person on planet earth.  She has a huge capacity to love, give, and be kind to those around her.  She doesn't intentionally run around hurting people or treat them rudely.  Most times she does that only with her sister, and after being provoked at that!  Her nature is to love, not hurt and that touches my life each and every day.  The circumstances in which she arrived here in our family were not the ones the hubby and I wanted for her to have (not the right timing), and as such she already had kind of a tough arrival.  She is the gem that comes from adversity.  She is extremely intelligent and a huge blessing to our family.  I recently received a letter in the mail stating that she was accepted into the Pre-K program at the elementary school down the street for this fall.  I am so excited!  I think she will do well in school and it wouldn't hurt for her to learn a little bit of control, right?!  Plus... it'll give her mommy a chance to be at home with just one child for a couple weeks before the baby gets here.  WE LOVE YOU JULIA!

Aunt Jocey

4th of July - before fireworks at the Bay

Sparklers in the backyard when Mom mom and Pop pop came

Fireworks at the Bay - it was a nice night for it!

We had the chance to "kidnap" my little sister, Jocelyn for almost two weeks of fun beginning the end of June.  The girls were so stinkin excited to go pick her up 3 wednesday's ago.  We decided to meet half way between our houses to cut down on the driving time and hopefully on my end.... the whining children.  It was great to have her here.  We got a chance to go to the bay, McArthur Mall, see Cars2 at the theaters, and just hang out.  I feel bad that our weeks weren't more "action packed" but with a house of 3 kids and a dog that sheds..... you kinda got your work cut out for you!  We also tried getting to the community pool a few times to only find out that the pump is STILL not working (it has been at least a week straight!).  Honestly.... the nerve of some people in 90-some degree heat!  We have had quite a few thunderstorms as well lately.  Definitely makes for some really creative ideas on what to do.  Can't really play outside without sweating like crazy, then, if it's pouring down rain and thundering.... pretty much an inside day.  Ugh.... this summer hasn't been the most accommodating, that is for sure.  I would have loved to see more beautiful days (i.e. 70s, breezy, sunny).  Thank you for coming to hang out Aunt Jocey!  I was able to get some stuff done without the kiddos that I would have had to ask for help with from someone else if you weren't here.  LOVE YOU!!

Father's Day and a Birthday

Yesterday was Father's Day (I hope you all remembered).  It also just happened to be my best friend's birthday as well.  First, I'm going to talk about Father's Day though.

Ok.... so I know there is a a shortage of super awesome dad's in the world, although I am happy to say I wasn't one of the girls in the world that got shorted.  I most definitely have the most amazing dad in all the world.  I know a lot of you really do believe yours is the best, and I'll let you pretend all your want! (just joking with you.... I am sure there are a lot of dad's that are just perfect for THEM)   Even though I do this pretty much every year, let me tell you why my dad is just perfect for ME.  Growing up, my dad had the kind of jobs and callings in the church that allowed him to drag his little girls with him if they wanted.  I have countless memories of delivering news papers at super early hours of the morning with my dad - learning how to toss those babies out the car window and have them land in a decent place so the subscriber could find them!  No, I wasn't the kind of helper that chucked the paper in the bushes like you see on the movies.... if I did that, my dad would kindly pull over, and have my get out to fix the problem.  My sister and I would also go to early morning seminary with my dad a lot growing up.  He taught seminary for a little bit and we loved waking up really early to go with him.  At that time, it was held at the church building, in one of the sections of the multipurpose room (cultural hall/gym).  We would peek over his shoulder on scripture chase day and run to our favorite seminary students and tell them which scripture it was.  Afterward, most of the kids went to the highschool not even a mile away.... so my dad would pack 8 kids (including my sister and I) into our Buick Regal and drive them up to school.  I remember laying across the laps of quite a few seminary kids until we got them to school.  Some days we would stop at the donut place just behind the church - that lady that worked there always said the same thing to us.  (she was oriental)"Oh..... you are so cute..... have some donut holes"  My sister and I got free donut holes every time we went (yet another perk to going to seminary with my dad).    Mostly we just loved spending time with him.   While he served court papers for a good chunk of our childhood/teenage years  we would often go with him if we had a day off or half day of some sort.  It was neat going to the "City" with him (Baltimore) to pick up more court papers and drop off receipts of delivery.  There were many people who knew us and saw us grow up for a few years.  He liked to try to lose us in the maze at city hall sometimes - but we always knew where we were going.  My dad was pretty good at hiding out though.  I learned a lot about my father's kindness in those trips.  There were many homeless people near where we would park downtown and my father would leave some of his lunch with them whenever he could.  Another thing we really enjoyed was going to the Orioles games.  When we first started going, they actually had a decent team, but, we're fans..... so even though the players aren't the greatest anymore..... we still enjoy going to see them play and remember the good old days when they actually won games and had Cal Ripken Jr.  (haha)   My dad always had his family as his priority.  He did a lot of service too which sometimes interfered with family time, but he always tried his hardest to be at our games, meets, choir concerts, band concerts, etc.  There are very few that he missed.  Our dad was/is our number one fan.  I remember once someone asking if my dad ever yelled at us.... you know what?  He NEVER did.  His voice could get serious sounding and his spankin's would hurt for sure.... but he would never yell.  One look from him with the following words, "I'm disappointed in you" could break a girls heart for DAYS.  He was goofy/funny/corny too which is a girls worst nightmare sometimes but always guaranteed to put a smile on your face too.   I will never forget how he would mimic the looks on our faces when we were angry or mopey and we would laugh it off and get over it.  We realized how ridiculous we looked and how much of a waste it was for us to be feeling down.  He believes in us, he taught us that we were special, important, wonderful daughters to both him and our Father in Heaven.  And....You know what?  We believe it too!!

Now... on to my best friend and her special day.  I could say so many things about Erin and how she is the most wonderful person in the world that could ever be your best friend.  Words cannot express how much she has been a blessing in my life.  I moved halfway through high school, and for anyone who has done that.... you know it stinks and it feels like your life is over and as a 15 year old, it pretty much is.  She befriended me the FIRST day of school in my new high school and we have been friends ever since.  She saved me from a very bitter last two years of high school and made it full of fun memories and good times.  I was determined to hate this new place we moved to and to not have any fun.  Boy am I glad that Erin came along.  She is an amazing person - pretty much anyone who knows her could tell you that.... I know I'm not revealing a secret or anything.  We went off to college in separate parts of the US and I honestly thought we might not be able to keep in touch as well.  I am so happy to say that despite going to different colleges, getting married at different times in our lives, and living in separate states hasn't kept us from keeping in touch.  I wish I could go out on girls nights with her more often and definitely see her more often, but I know that she is just a call away if I ever need to cry or vent about anything.  I have called on her a few times to just cry too!  She always seems to know what to say to help me feel better and strengthen my faith when I am going through trials.  I love her and her family more than they will ever know.  She graduated college (something I am still striving to do) and is an Elementary School teacher and an amazing one at that.  I know that the children she teaches will be forever grateful for her and will hold her on their top teacher list for the rest of their lives.   I don't think I could ever touch as many lives as she has being a teacher.  She is amazing, and her students are lucky to have her.  She got married to a great guy almost a year ago and he has no idea how truly lucky he is to have her in his life.  I am sure that their lives together will be wonderful and that he will learn a little more each day about how wonderful I already know she is.  Thank you Erin for always being there for me and for all the wonderful times that we've had.  I hope to see you real soon and I hope you had an AWESOME birthday yesterday!   You truly deserve the best.

Ever Feel.......

Like your body can't take much more of a beating before it is utterly DONE with childbearing?  I mean done in the sense of just flat out giving up..... no more delivery, this body is tired.  I definitely have been a little worried about that lately.  I'm stuck in a really hard place.  The need and want to do some sort of exercise, but restricted to swimming almost exclusively.  Gravity can be a really awful thing sometimes.  I will just chalk it up to bad genes..... it's my ancestors fault I have issues with my veins, not mine!   Too bad they don't make zero gravity bubbles for expectant moms to float around in the last 3 months of their pregnancy. Hmmmm... maybe I'm on to something.   Oh, which brings me to slightly better news.  I am 26 weeks.... TODAY!   Starting my third trimester finally and really trying to keep those pounds off.  If anyone has ever successfully controlled their weight gain during pregnancy, lend me your advice PLEASE!  I hope I don't have 13 more weeks to go.  I know the time will just fly on by due to the summer months.  Every summer - about the end of August, I think to myself..... wow.... where has the time gone?  Seeing as it's almost July.... time is going to be my ally for this pregnancy.  I did have a dream the other night that I gave birth to a boy instead of the supposed girl that is said to be developing in my utero.  Only time and a birthday will tell.


That the biggest mistake you ever made was allowing the husband to buy an updated video game console?  By updated, I mean going from an outdated Xbox to the newer version?  Pretty much the silliest thing I have done yet (other than buy him the xbox 7 years ago).   What is it with guys and video games?  Vicious cycle, I tell you.  I guess you can also tell when you've been married for a while - the husband plays video games while you head upstairs to go to bed.  The next day, after work, the husband heads to bed and you continue to take care of the house, kids, responsibilities (basically the same as a deployment) - then he wakes up after you pester him enough times and is up all that night on the xbox because he slept during the day.  Honestly.... I think it's just messed up.  Now.... of course if you turned the tables a bit and said it were me crafting all night and then sleeping during the day when the hubby got home, then up that night crafting again.... there would be NO problems with that.  At least I would be creating..... just like President Uchtdorf counseled the women of the church to do.  I would have a product to show for my time and efforts, something to hang up in my home or gift to another.  Whoever came up with the idea of video games really belongs behind bars..... right along with the guys that waste their time playing them.  Arghh.   Or maybe a life of servitude doing all the chores a stay at home mother has to for the rest of their lives?!  I think the second option would definitely be time better spent.  =)

Mommy/Daughter Date

This past Saturday, I got the opportunity to take my daughters to see RIO at the $2 theater on base.  Since my little man is desperately trying to become a "terrible two" and doesn't yet sit through a movie - I figured we would save the $2 bucks it would cost to get daddy in only to end up taking little man out and enjoy some time with my girls (all 3 of them!!).   So what if one of them hasn't been born yet?  It was still an outing where everyone on it was a girl.  I am still incredibly tired and really haven't seen the "nesting phase" come yet.  I am really hoping I am on the verge of that one, because I have a sinking feeling I am really going to need to de-clutter and prepare for a move.  Needless to say, I started falling asleep during the movie.  Mel was tired and wanted to sit in my lap (what is left of it at least) and I started passing out. Julia of course was glued to the movie and turns to me and says, "Mom, I LOVE this movie!" - that kept me awake for a few minutes.   As the movie was coming to an end (and I was nodding off) Julia leans over to me and says, "THEY JUST KISSED!!"  to which I snap my head up and say, "Oh no, really?!"  Wow, really boring rendition of what happened during our outing, but pretty much wraps up the experience.  Both the girls really liked it and I have to admit it wasn't bad.  The only thing that really bugged me was the guy cast to voice "Blu" the male Blu Macaw in the movie.  I just couldn't get past how annoying his voice was - they should have gotten someone else.   Harsh?  Yeah, I know.... but I am entitled to an opinion, right?   I really enjoyed the time with just them  (aside from when they were picking on each other) and look forward to doing it again sometime. 

Memorial Day outing and Today's "mishap"

Yesterday, after getting a very rare treat (after the kids woke up and went downstairs -by themselves I might add) the hubby and I slept until 10am!!  Yikes!  That made our day start later than expected, which found us stuck in traffic on the way to the Williamsburg Outlets.  We spent a couple hours there (and a little bit of money) sweating like crazy people in the 90 some degree weather.  Parking was awful, but our "treat" was some carmel corn from a vendor there.  We decided to eat out as a late lunch/early dinner thing and had a great meal at TGI Friday's.   Afterwards we were able to come home and have a little bit of time to relax from the day before sending the children off to bed. 

Today's crazy fiasco (so far) was spending a little bit of time out back playing with bubbles and the sprinkler.  I cannot see the entire yard due to the shed being in the middle of our yard, so when Julia snuck off, I thought she was playing in the water again.  Until she rounded the corner (I was blowing bubbles with Hunter) with dirt coming out of her mouth - to which I asked if she ate some and she OPENED her mouth showing a tongue COVERED in mud!  She had it on her hands and her face and I lost it.  She went straight inside to wash - got a nice spank or two and was thoroughly lectured.  She got to spend more time thinking about it in her room too.  Almost 5 years old and STILL eating dirt.  The girl can't eat a decent lunch, but she can "lunch" on the dirt in the backyard.  Real nice.  I am so grateful my son hasn't done it....yet. =)