Jack Loves PopTarts

I mean, he really loves them. He would eat them everyday if I let him. He has been making his own breakfast for about a year now and he is in a pop-tart and hot cocoa stage. So basically he gets all sugared up then I send him to school...

He did go through a butter wutter stage, which is basically toast with peanut butter on it. He will eat cereal, but no milk on the cereal please! That one baffles me.

Two Weeks to go...

This month is really flying by it seems. I am doing pretty well getting all my shopping and such done. Nate has been a huge help this year and has gone to the mall with me the past two weeks in a row. I like when he comes with me because I am much more efficient. Also, I finished shopping for the kids last week while Bella was at preschool. She is just too old to shop in front of this year and it seems I get much more accomplished in the morning, so I am grateful for preschool.

The kids went to see Santa on Saturday. B actually sat on his lap this year, she has been terrified of him her whole life, but still wants to make sure he knows what she wants, poor kid. But this year she decided to be brave so she could protect Sophie. She asked him for Lincoln logs, which was a bit of a surprise. Jack asked for Lego's, which I expected. After Santa we went to eat at Red Lobster, my first time. And I actually managed to eat some fish-I am usually not a fan. While we were there the snow started coming down pretty heavily and it took us over an hour to get home. The kids were pretty excited, nothing like playing in the snow. I am sure Nate was just thinking-man, I am going to have to shovel. But we woke up the next morning to find our driveway and walk all shovelled, we have some very nice neighbors.

I had sharing time yesterday in Primary. I actually kind of like doing it, but always feel a bit relieved when my turn for the month is over. We also had our Primary teacher appreciation dinner last Friday and it was a blast. We only had about half the teacher show up-about 25 or so-but it was a lot of fun and the food all turned out great. Sometimes I am overwhelmed with a primary this large, but everything always seems to go great and everyone gets along really well.

We took pictures outside yesterday of the kids for our Christmas card. The above picture is from yesterday, but not the one I chose for the card. I can't wait to get them to see how they turned out! Nate thought I was insane taking Sophie out in the cold, but we went super fast and she was inside with him until right before I snapped the picture. Everyone survived just fine.

Last night we watched the Amazing Race and Jack's favorite team got philiminated. He was a bit devastated. For some reason Bella has picked Ronald and Cristina as the team she likes. They are a father daughter team where the father is not so nice or considerate of his daugther's feelings. I am hoping she is not catching all of that, but is just imagining herself and Nate going on the Amazing Race together. I picked the goth couple early on. They came in second last night, so hopefully they will keep moving up.

In other news, LOST season 3 comes out tomorrow. Nate and I have been watching this pretty much from the beginning and have gotten to the point that we had a little party with our in-laws last year when the season began. I find that LOST is something people either love, hate, or have no idea what is going on. I am totally buying it tomorrow with much relief that there will be something we can sit down and watch in the evening. We only have basic basic cable, and the writers strike is starting to effect what's on. I kind of like watching the older Leno every once in a while, but on Saturday night we found ourselves watching the most ridiculous movie called Night of Terror. It was so bad we couldn't turn it off. So LOST will be a welcome diversion. That and all The Office DVDs. After all-the strike seems to be here for the long run.

Smiles!

Sophie has been so smiley lately. She smiles at Nate whenever she sees him. She smiles when I aim the camera at her, which makes me think she may be an aspiring ham! She smiles at the kids when she sees them, and she smiles whenever she wakes up. It's so adorable, and most of the time her smile is too big for her face!

It seems like we have entered a really busy time of year. At least there is more to do than I seem to have time for. Sometimes this is good, as it causes me to really prioritize what we should be doing this time of year and what we should be focusing on. I am trying to really set down and figure out how we are going to spend our time between now and Christmas with what we want to do and what we need to do.

Sophie has her two month check up tomorrow, and I must say I am not really looking forward to the shots. I can't believe she is already two months old and it seems she is growing so fast. When Jack was a baby it seemed to last such a long time, and Sophie's babyhood is already speeding by. She is really coming out of the newborn stage and becoming really aware of what is going on around her. She has started to pay attention to toys, mostly just to look at them, but she will bat and try to grab one every once in a while. She is also awake a lot more during the day.

Saturday we all went to the jewelers to get my stone tightened in my wedding ring and Nate bought me an anniversary ring. I really love it and am a bit surprised how tickled I am by how lovely and sparkly it is. We had been planning on getting one someday, it is so nice that someday has arrived! Bella loved looking in all the cases in the store and was enamoured by all the sparkly things. After the jewelers we went to the mall and did some shopping and went to Cold Stone-yumyum!

Last night we went with the Glovers downtown to Temple Square to see all the lights and such. We have done this every year for the past several years and the kids all have a ball. Well, after we planned for the night we realized the First Presidency Christmas Devotional was going on, so there would be a lot of people and a lot of traffic. We decided we would just get there right after the devotional started and leave just before it ended. Logistically, it seemed easiest to have Nate and Jeff drop us all off next to the temple, have them park the cars and come meet us in the visitor center. That way, we wouldn't have to walk with all the kids as far in the cold. Shelly and I and the kids waited and waited in the visitor center for quite a while. Jeff showed up and said the nearest parking was miles away, and for us to take the kids through and meet up with them on the other side, and to be quick about it because the devotional was going to end in a few minutes. So we hurried across and they picked us up. We had not factored in that we wouldn't be able to find any parking, they have knocked down the two downtown malls and their parking structures, and with the Christmas devotional, everything else was really full. So this will be the year they just played chauffeur while Shelly and I rushed the kids through. Nate and I laughed about it all the way back to their house. We then had cocoa and cinnamon rolls and the kids exchanged gifts. It was really a fun night despite the parking.

This isn't the best picture, but it's pretty silly on Bella's part. This is my first turkey. It weighed 21 pounds could feed a small army. It turned out pretty good thanks to Brad's telephone help and no one got sick. So I count it a success. Really, Nate and I made a joint effort at putting Thanksgiving dinner on the table. He helped get the bird ready, I have a little trouble with raw meat that still resembles its animal form. Then he took care of Sophie all morning while I prepared the stuffing and potatoes. He set the table and did a lot of the clean up as well. I must say, I am a bit sore from peeling 10 pounds of potatoes and chopping onions and celery. We had eleven people for dinner and way too much food. I realize on Thanksgiving every year that I am not a huge fan of Thanksgiving foods. I can attribute this to the eight or ten times I had the flu on Thanksgiving while I was growing up. I think I just associate it with being sick. But everyone else seemed to have had a great time and finished off the evening playing Encore. If you haven't played Encore, you totally should. Marsha got it for me this year for my birthday and we have been playing it at family get togethers ever since. Basically you have to sing songs associated with a word or phrase on a card. And you go back and forth with the other team until on team runs out of songs to sing. The best part about it is the kids can play and have fun if they want to. Also, Nate's family is full of people who will sing shamelessly for the most part without regard to being in tune or self consciousness. This makes the game super fun and I am always sad to see it over.

I woke up the day after Thanksgiving around 5:30 to feed Sophie and decided I would run to a few stores after that. I figured everyone would be asleep, so I may as well get some shopping done. I wanted to go to Target, but the closest parking space was my house, which is miles away. So I ran over to Kohls, they had been open for hours already, so it wasn't as busy. I shopped for Bella and got stuff for Jack's stocking and was home by 8 o'clock. We went to see Enchanted all together around 10, then to IHOP for lunch. Enchanted was cute, tons of references to other Disney Princess movies. I have been waiting for a princess movie ever since Bella was born. Don't get me wrong, I love the Pixar flicks, but I remember how much I loved Ariel when Little Mermaid came out and wanted another princess flick for my girls. Silly I know because I was thirteen when Little Mermaid opened, but I have always loved Disney, still do. When we got home I lay down with Sophie, intending it to be just a few minutes, and awoke a few hours later. I must have been pretty exhausted to sleep like that, so it was good, but I always feel really groggy after naps.

So now I am on to the Christmas shopping rush. I have made a list, I just need to start getting stuff done, time always moves so fast on this side of Thanksgiving.

This is the only picture of Sophie on her blessing day where she is not crying. She fell asleep at church and was awakened unexpectedly, so she was pretty upset. I have plans of putting her back into the outfit and taking some pictures, but the best laid plans..... Bella is wearing the dress she wore at my cousin's wedding. She is really funny about picking out her clothes each Sunday, it is the only day she has a definite opinion on what she wears.

Our ward had a DI drive this past weekend. Usually I completely forget about these things, or don't want to poke around and find stuff to get rid of, but this time, I decided to be an overachiever. It all started with a nightstand. We only had one in our bedroom, so I had my mom bring one down when Sophie was born. I had been using one of those magazine stands with a light on it on my side of the bed, and really wanted some drawer space. So she brought down the nightstand and Sophie was born less than 24 hours after she got here. Needless to say, I didn't make the switch before she was born, and everything slows down after you have a baby, so it didn't get made till last week for the sole purpose of the DI drive. Well, after that happened something clicked in me and I started filling bags and boxes for the drive. I went through all the toys in the house and got rid of several Rubbermaid bins of toys that hadn't been played with in ages. As well, now I have some paranoia about the whole lead in the paint in toys made in China. I mean, Sophie is totally going to be putting things in her mouth, and I am sure the statue of limitations has run out on testing most of the toys that belonged to Jack as a baby. Also, I realize it is pointless to store Jack's outgrown clothes any longer. I have started sending some of his outgrown stuff off to my sister-in-law, who has four boys younger than Jack, and giving some of it away. I mean really, if we do have another boy, it will be years and years of holding onto stuff before he can even use it. And Nate pointed out, I will want new stuff anyway. So I have really pared down and got rid of a lot of stuff. It felt so freeing! I think sometimes we can really be affected by what we own, and if we hold onto a lot of things just in case, it really brings us down. A month or so before Sophie was born, I cleaned out my sewing room and craft stuff. I had some projects I started before Jack was born. Let's face it, I am not going to finish something that has been around that long. So why keep it. I sent Nate with a carload then to the DI, and it felt so good. I think with Christmas coming up, I really want to be organized and get things to a manageable level. I just want fill our lives with experiences rather than things.

Date Night

So Nate has been really making an effort to spend extra time with Jack and Bella since Sophie has been born to make the transition easier. And to take some of the pressure off me and give me full time to recover. We usually do tons of fun stuff together as a family in the fall, and let's face it, a newborn slows things down a bit. So a few weeks ago he and Jack went to a BYU football game. They have also gone to a few local high school playoff games. We have been waiting for something fun for him and Bella to do and on Friday, I found it. I was heading to the Rack in Sugarhouse and heard on the radio they were giving away tickets to see Enchanted tonight. The giveaway was about two blocks from where we were in the car, so we zipped over and picked them up. B was so very excited. She called Nate and asked if he would take her on a date. And then she began to count down the days to when they would go. She woke up this morning so excited knowing tonight is her date with dad and that in bonus to that she is seeing a movie a full week and a half before everyone else can go. I love how she is excited to spend time with her dad and how he loves doing fun things with his kids! I can't wait to hear how the movie was when they get home tonight, and plan when I can go! I totally want to go! But in the meantime, Jack and I will probably play a mean game of Monopoly and eat left over sweet and sour chicken, which is the perfect night for him and me.

In other news, I have been hugely busy with Primary. The end of the year is a giant organizational challenge. We have to restaff teachers, figure out classes, plan great to be eight, priesthood preview, and the meet your teacher breakfast. We think we will have eighteen classes this year, which is less than last year by one. We do have three Sunbeam classes again, which is a big challenge. But even scarier, in 2009, we will have 45 sunbeams coming into primary from nursery, meaning by the end of the year, we will have almost 60 kids in nursery! Yikes! However, all this is easier, because we have done it before, the first year was truly frightening.

My mermaid and soldier...

Last week went by in a bit of a whirlwind. I really procrastinated making Bella's costume and didn't finish it until Tuesday morning. I had all these intentions of having it done before Sophie was born, but that didn't happen, and so it was a bit of a scramble. Luckily she didn't know I was working on it up to the wire, it would have been tragedy had she had to settle with last year's Cinderella dress. Jack on the other hand was pretty easy this year as nothing he is wearing is handmade by me. He wanted to be a soldier with full weaponry and ammo. I nixed that and made him into a medic and filled a bag with ace bandages and alcohol wipes for him. He seemed pleased and went along with it pretty well.

On Tuesday we had a ward trunk or treat. It was put on by the primary, so I spent most of my time directing and leading other kids while my own were left to fend for themselves. They did pretty good and followed my directions despite thinking they were silly. I had Sophie with me, so no danger there. Before she was born I made her a little ladybug coat to wear, well, my amnesia about how small babies are, combined with the fact that she is smaller than the other kids made for a giant ladybug coat that may fit her next spring. However the massive amount of fabric ensured she was nice and toasty warm.

On Halloween it didn't snow. This is the first time in the past several years that it has actually been pretty nice on Halloween. Nate took the kids trick or treating around the neighborhood and I handed out candy. We only had about 50 trick or treaters, so a really low year. I suspect it's because we are near the end of the block. But the kids had a great time and lasted just over an hour before Bella decided to call it quits. She really isn't into having the candy, and she only likes a few kinds, so the fun of it wore off and they were home just after 7.

Nate blessed Sophie yesterday at church, so I spent the end of the week getting ready for that. So the house feels really clean right now, well, the main floor and the lower floor, all bedrooms are a disaster. It was a really great Sunday, Sophie's blessing was beautiful, and I managed to bear my testimony without turning into a puddle. We had everyone over for hoagies afterward. It was a great day.

Now it feels like we are into the swing of the holiday season. My kids ask every year why there are no Thanksgiving decorations before the Christmas ones are out. I usually cynically tell them Thanksgiving isn't a money making holiday. But I do plan on scaling back this year and enjoying the holidays, so maybe the cynicism will disappear.

Sweet baby

Sophie is such a sweet baby. She is just starting to smile on purpose! It is incredibly difficult to capture on camera because the smiles are gone the instant we commend her on smiling. I stood on the scale with her a few days ago, and I think she is almost 10 pounds now! She is growing so fast. And last night she slept for almost six hours! So I am totally on a sleep high today, that is the most consecutive sleep I have had in a month! I am sure it isn't going to be a regular thing yet, but I will take what I can get. I can't believe how fast the last month has gone and whenever I look at her I think how fast this is going to go by. Then I see Jack and how big he is, he is almost up to my shoulder now, and realize how fast it really does go by. I am grateful for each moment I get to spend with these kids, they are so amazing!

I am getting antsy to start planning our next family vacation. We did go to California this past summer and had a great time, but as Isabella told me, it's not really vacation unless you stay in a hotel. And though I didn't tell her so, I am inclined to agree with her a little bit. We took it really slow in Cali because I was so pregnant and the drive was a bit more exhausting than usual. So it feels like it has been a long time since we have all been on a vacation. The kids of course want to go to Disneyland, which I am always up for. Jack mentioned that he would like to go to Yellowstone. I am up for anywhere. After all we won't be going anywhere till after the new year, and at that point Sophie will be even easier to travel with. I am a big fan of travelling with babies actually. I just pop them into the baby Bjorn and off we go. They are not prone to wandering off, and they have no opinion on where we eat or what we do. Everyone gets good breaks while the baby is nursing, so no over tiredness from me driving everyone to see as much as possible. I carried Bella in the Bjorn until she was 16 months old actually, and it really was my preferred way to travel. This is Bella at about 6 months old when we went to the Oregon Coast. Another thing I love about the Bjorn is how toasty it keeps baby when the weather is cold.

So, if anyone has any suggestions as to where to go, I am up for them. We are good with both road trips and flying vacations. I just want to start planning to go somewhere, so we have something fun to look forward to and work toward as a family....

Where's the kid?

Last week was Red Ribbon week at Jack's school. He loved it because each day comes with a theme of how to dress. Usually he and I negotiate over what he wears. It usually doesn't go well. I don't want to stifle his creativity, but there are some fashion choices I just can't live with. Socks and sandals, monochromatic, red pants and orange shirts. I admit, I am not the most fashion forward person myself, but I feel it is my job to not let my children look completely goofy. I don't mind letting them wear capes or crowns or any dress up stuff really. I even spent a day shopping with Bella while she wore Tinkerbell wings. I find that kind of fashion eccentricity a bit charming really. Anyway, I digress, the last day of red ribbon week was wear red day. Luckily Jack owns red pants as well as a red shirt. But the main thrill for him was that he matched the sheets on his bed. Maybe I should only buy him well coordinated bedding.

Sophie has been enjoying her swing. So much so, that I manage a shower everyday! Yay! She hit one of the toys the other day with her hand and Bella got all excited. From the beginning Bella has had a vision of sharing her toys with Sophie, so I think she can hardly wait for that stage to begin. I am anxious to see if she is just as excited when Sophie actually wants to play with her toys.

Pumpkins!

We went to the pumpkin patch yesterday to pick out our Halloween pumpkins with the kids. This is really the earliest we have ever made it there. Usually we are rushing around at the last minute to get there and then we end up in a rush to get them carved and ready to go. In fact, a few years ago we didn't even carve pumpkins, we just colored them, we were that late. Anyway, we thought we better go sooner rather than later in case the weather turns really cold and we don't want to take Sophie out in the cold. It was a lot of fun. We came home with a lot of pumpkins and the kids wanted to carve them right away. I told them we needed to hold off for a few days so they will still look good at Halloween, plus, if we hold off, we will have a built in FHE activity.

After the pumpkin patch we went to Fuddruckers for lunch, and the kids and I ran a few errands. I bought the kids some chocolate milk on the way home and Bella spilled some on herself in the car. I thought it was mostly gone at that point, but when we got home she rushed in the kitchen holding the chocolate milk, fell down and we had chocolate milk everywhere. Jack started laughing so hard he could barely speak. He said the bottle spun around in a complete circle, and sure enough, the ceiling and all walls were covered in splatters of chocolate milk. It took Nate a long time to wipe it all up, and we are still seeing traces of it, mostly in the stairway-how did it get that far!

I am still not quite finished with all the Halloween costumes, I am hoping I can be productive this week. I am starting to get used to our new schedule and feeling more recovered, so I am aiming to finish up some projects this week. In other family news this week, my Sister in Law got engaged! I hear she may get married in April, though I have no confirmation of that. Also, my cousin is expecting and due in June! So lots of fun ahead!

Lovely Baby

Sophie is such a sweet baby. She really doesn't get too upset about anything. She is calm and pleasant and just likes to hang out with all of us all day long. She doesn't get put down too often. Even though she doesn't sleep much at night, she is so pleasant while she is awake. And being that my mom is still here, I get a pretty good nap daily and am not feeling the exhaustion of it all yet.

We have been so blessed and taken care of by our ward and neighbors. We have been brought so many delicious meals and so many cute gifts. Nate's fellow coaches even sent some cute outfits and a bouncy seat! It has been so nice and everything has really given me an opportunity to just hold the baby and focus on her. I realize those days are short, before I know it she will be up and about, so it has been lovely to just hold her and get to know her.

We had parent teacher conferences for Jack yesterday. They went really well, he is doing really well, he has 100% on everything they have done so far. He really loves school and has a great attitude about everything they do. His teacher seems like she is enjoying her first year teaching. And she seems to not have any drama in her life, which is nice. His kindergarten teacher was great,but distracted by her wedding a lot of the year. And I also liked his first grade teacher as well, but she had a really difficult year in her personal life. So I am hoping this year will be all in all uneventful.

Nate met us at the conference with his glasses covered in tape. A kid punted a football and he was talking to another kid and got clocked. His glasses are totally destroyed. I thought he was joking at first because they had a football banquet they spotlighted the coaches at. I figured it was a joke about him being a computer programmer. But no joke and we will be off this weekend to get some new glasses. He has needed a new exam so it's really not too bad. He did have a few cuts around his eye as well, but no permanent damage.

Sophie is here!

She's here! Sophie Evangeline was born on Wednesday the 26th! She came weighing 7 pounds 9 ounces and 19 inches long. Smaller than my older two-which I think is strange, but I'll take it. She's sweet and adorable and everyone here just really really likes her! We came home from the hospital on Friday and have had a good transition coming home. My mom is here-she got here Tuesday night-and is really helping out and doing a ton of stuff. She and I and Bella went to my doctors appointment Wednesday and I told him I thought things were beginning. He kind of laughed and told me to make an appointment for next week any way, just in case. Well, we left from the doc's and went to IKEA to shop and next thing I know, I am having contractions every five minutes or so. I figured they would stop if we ate lunch, they didn't. So I had my mom bring me home, we tried to call Nate on the way using her OnStar-and it didn't understand me! I couldn't believe it, it kept giving me instruction to say his number then it would repeat it back differently that what I said. It is comical now-but at the time I felt a bit panicked I must say. Luckily he was home when we got here. He was going to leave in about 10 minutes. But I changed his plans for the day and instead had him take me up to the hospital while my mom and Bella stayed behind waiting for Jack to get home. We got to the hospital at about 3:30 and I was already at a 7! Yikes! But there is relief in knowing you won't get sent home! So we were there just over two hours before she was born. I know it sounds fast in hindsight, but at the time, everything felt like it was moving very slow. So far, we have had smooth sailing. I am still a bit loopy from my pain meds-so I am sure this whole post seems scattered, but such will be my brain for a bit I am sure! I feel so blessed and so amazingly lucky to have this new little girl. She is so sweet and I can't believe how in love with her I am. I can never express how thankful I am for my little family and how much they mean to me. I can't imagine that I have ever done anything to deserve a sweet husband like Nate who takes such good care of us all, a dear son like Jack who is my constant helper and example, and sweet daughter like Bella who just wants to let everyone know she will be their friend, and our new little Sophie who has us all mesmerized!

Laundry

Today is a huge laundry day here. I stripped all the beds and am washing all the bedding and blankets in the whole house. I love the feeling of newly washed sheets and blankets! It was sooo cold in the house this morning, that I really just wanted to wrap up in a blanket fresh from the dryer as it were. Then I realized if I was cold, everyone else in the house must be freezing. So I got up and sure enough it was under 55 degrees in the house! We just turned the air conditioner off and I was thinking we would have a week or so before needing the heater, but alas, no. There was frost all over the car this morning when I walked Jack to school, and that was nearing 9 o'clock! So all of the sudden it seems I need to evaluate my methods of keeping this new baby warm. I think I had a hard time visualizing cold weather with and infant because it has been so warm. I think the area I need to really jump on is little hats and socks. I really didn't use those with J or B, and I am not sure where I am with either.

My mom is going to arrive sometime later today. The kids are ecstatic! Bella keeps asking why it is taking her so long to get here. She must have amnesia about the ride from here to Oregon. My mom hasn't driven here herself since Bella was born, so I am sure it will seem like a long day to her as well. I spoke with her yesterday and she is bringing half her house, so I have been trying to make sure there is enough space for her to bring it all in. She is going to be here for 2 and a half weeks, so I am sure she wants to prepare for any eventuality, and be comfortable while she is here. She is bringing me a new nightstand. I have been using a magazine stand with a lamp coming out of the top and really wanted something with drawers, so she had one on sale at the store where she works and the price was right. I am thinking we will go to IKEA tomorrow to find a lamp to go on top of it.

My room is still a bit of a disaster. Nate noted that we still haven't brought the pack n play up from storage. I figure at this point he may have to put it together himself anyway, so I am not all that worried. I did wake up this morning to some fairly painful contractions, but I could tell they were just warm up ones. But maybe it means we are getting closer to the real thing. I still have a list of stuff I want to do, and last night I dreamed about making banana bread, so I may add that to my to-do's today.

Ready for the Weekend

It seems like it has been a busy week here and everyone is ready for a lazy Satuday. Little do they know that I have big big cleaning plans they will need to assist me with-bwhahahahaha. We have to get the bedrooms all organized and neat before my mom gets here. She will be here on Tuesday, so we have plenty of time to get everything put away and done since the big room switch. I also need to make a space in my room for the pack n play to go. Right now there is a huge pile of clothes that need to be hung up sitting where it will go. I have just been lazy about hanging them.

Jack finished up swim lessons yesterday. He passed and moved to the next level! Yay! I knew he was doing a good job, he is really starting to swim! I love watching him do the backstroke, he forgets to alternate arms quite a lot of the time, but still manages to get from point A to point B.

We also had a soccer game last night, Thursdays are busy. Jack did really well at all the stuff they have been working on in practice, passing, getting to the middle. He is having a ton of fun and is sad the season is just about over. I can't believe the season is just about over. It went by so fast this year. Of course, Nate has taken him to more practices than I have, so I haven't put in quite as much time this year. I can't believe Bella will be old enough to play next fall! That seems crazy!

Nate's team lost their game last night-so that was sad, we are hoping the varsity does better tonight. He will be ready for a lazy weekend for sure! They are just starting Region Play, so these games really count, and it would be a great confidence booster to win a few this year.

I have been sewing a lot. I bound a quilt, made the kids some pillowcases, made a few bibs and finished up a few projects. I also made another knit gown with a matching blanket and burp rag. I would really love to get a serger one day. I love sewing on knits, but my machine isn't the best for it. I also cleaned out some fabric and old projects that I realized I am never going to finish. I had Nate take them all to the DI before I could change my mind. Why keep things around that I have lost passion for I figured. And it feels so nice when the sewing room is organized.

Coach Miskin

The kids and I finally managed to see one of the games Nate coached this past Friday. The other ones have been away or we have had a soccer game to get to. This one was against Pine View, and Lehi didn't win, but it was super fun to see him out there. Can you believe those kids by him are fifteen! I tried to get a lot of pictures, but most are of him with his back turned. I didn't want to be super conspicuous and dart out on to the sidelines to take pictures, I don't even see parents doing that. Hopefully I can get a few more pics before the season is over though, I want to document the football coaching career.

I did finally get some good shots of Jack's soccer game. He has the splint on his right wrist as you can see. I don't think it is bothering him really, but I am insistent on him wearing it while he is playing soccer, I don't want him to land on it and break it. Sometimes it is hard to not make him wear full body armor all the time actually. The kid really puts his whole body on the line all the time. I love this action shot I must say. I haven't been as bold about getting soccer pictures this year either. I am afraid if I try and crouch by the sideline I will fall and not be able to get up.

Yesterday Nate did a ton of stuff around the house, he mowed the lawn, did some dishes and loaded some stuff under the house that needed to be put away. He also played in a ward football game, helped clean the church, and made sure the Lehi Stadium had gotten picked up after the game on Friday-his team is responsible for that. I went to the grocery store, made sweet and sour chicken, and made a knit baby gown. Both of us were pretty tired and slept pretty well. It was a pretty busy Saturday, but it felt like we got some good things accomplished.

We have been watching Season three of the Office, getting ready for the next season. We only have three episodes to go! I can't tell you how much this show cracks me up. Nate laughs at how hard I laugh. Last night was the attack on Jim from Roy, the bat in the office, and the inappropriate water mark, and safety training. I don't know why I am so amused when they throw the watermelon off the roof onto the trampoline and it bounces on to Stanley's car. And Jim catching onto Dwight and Angela's secret relationship. Who all knows about this, and what scandal will ensue as a result! Very excited for this next season to begin.

Busy Thursday!

Thursday seems to be our busy day of the week. It makes it kind of nice because before you know it, the day is gone and much has been accomplished. Today I have already been visiting teaching, done two loads of laundry, cleaned the sewing room, put together the car seat, and done a load of dishes. I got Jack off to school-cold lunch today. Bella went to Preschool and Nate worked. We still need to go to swimming lessons, a soccer game, pack meeting, and get homework done. Hopefully I will get a few more loads of laundry done. I would like to change every one's sheets and bedding this week. And I need to wash a few baby things so they will at least be ready to go. I did put together a plastic bag full of toiletries to take to the hospital so Nate won't have to locate the extra shampoo or nursing pads.

On Tuesday, Jack sprained his wrist at soccer practice. We thought it may have been broke because he was pretty teary and in pain. He is usually pretty focused and views injuries as an inconvenience. So we visited Instacare and they said no breaks or fractures. I was relieved to say the least. Poor kid, it's his right hand, so he is having trouble writing, and he really fights me on icing it during they day, but it is such a relief we have no cast!

I had my weekly doc's appointment yesterday. I am more dilated and effaced than last week, so that is good. And he said I am at a +1 station. I had to look that one up when I got home, you would think I would know what after three kids. Basically it's a scale that goes from -4 to +4, when you are at a +4, the baby is crowning. So, I guess it is good to be on the plus size of the scale. But all in all a pretty uneventful appointment. I would guess we have a few weeks to go regardless of what he says.

After the appointment, Shelly and I went to Old Navy, Babies R' Us, Jason's Deli, Sears, and Sam's Club. We managed to do all this and I got home well before Jack. I picked up the car seat for the baby at Sears. That was one of the major things I really needed to take care of and I feel a sense of relief now that it is done. Now if I can get the upstairs organized, I am sure I will feel like I have nothing else to do before this baby is born. Good thing the upstairs is a huge disaster. I am sure it will take more than two weeks to put it all in order.

I do have a lot of sewing stuff I want to get done, but if I don't finish it all, I don't. Everyone will survive. And I have some little projects that won't take long to accomplish, and some big ones that are almost finished. So I am sure they will occupy me.

Nate and I got Season 3 off the office on DVD and have been trying to watch it before the next season begins on the 27th. We are almost halfway through, so I am feeling optimistic about that. However, there is a huge chance watching it will throw me into labor, I laugh so much that I have those pesky Braxton Hicks contractions. There were some episodes I missed last season, and I can barely breathe for laughing. We both are speculating how this new season will go, I mean, they can't have Pam and Jim really get together at this point really. They need that relationship to drive the show. I must say, I can barely wait to get to the episode with Pam's beach speech though, I recall it was great.

Anyway, better get organized so Jack will have all his stuff together this afternoon, and none of it will be sitting wet in the washing machine. Though I never have failed to have all his gear clean and ready to go on time, he is pretty sure this will happen. I need to put him in charge of his own laundry if he's so worried about it I suppose.

Favorite Things Swap!

I love getting packages in the mail and this one is fabulous! Crystal set up a favorite things swap with all the bloggers she knows and it was so much fun. She had me and sent me some lovely lotion, which I desparetly need right now due to my skin being stretched to its limit! A fabulous spatula-I always need these-I have a tendancy to lose them-where I don't know. Some minty lip gloss, which I am so excited to try. A new kind of mascara I haven't tried before-I love new makeup! And I think my personal favorite-some bright and fun knitted washcloths! These are so soft and lovely-I can't wait to use them! Thank you so much Crystal! It was like having Christmas at lunchtime here today! I love all the tags she had attached to each thing, very cute.

Finished!

I always feel a bit relieved after my turn at sharing time in Primary. This time, I felt even more relief, not my turn again until November! And November seems a long time away at this point in time.

Really, it shouldn't be too big of a deal, I only do sharing time once a month, but it seems like I crash and burn more often than not. And, it's just one thing to check of the long long list of things I must check off before this baby is born, which is bringing the most relief.

The list includes a huge amount of sewing, things that may or may not get done. Cleaning the whole house really really well. Pretty sure this will happen, I have some other things that motivate me here. I really want to get the carpets cleaned, but I am not sure if this will happen before or after baby. We have a lot of soccer, football, and school things to do in the mean time. There is the Primary Program, a big trip to Costco with my mom, at least one more dinner with Nate's family. I need to buy a car seat, and I would like a baby monitor. I need to get some onesies-how do I have none of these. I need to wash a few baby clothes. I now have some diapers and wipes at least-due to my lovely friends who had a baby shower/dinner with me last week. That was a ton of fun and they all got me so many cute cute things! Anyway, there is more on the list I know, but it is getting all rambly and I feel a bit overwhelmed as I look over it.

Jack scored his first goal of the season last soccer game! I am so excited for him. It feels good to get at least one a season under your belt. Nate and I both missed it, but we got a pretty good play by play. I think the kids could be a sports announcer if he wanted to. He is always doing play by play with the pros whenever we watch a game of anything anywhere. Nate's sophomores won their game on Thursday as well. I feel so happy when they win and his defense does well. It's pretty much like having another kid in sports! And the varsity team won their game on Friday night, breaking a two year losing streak. The kids and I went to this game and had hot dogs and hamburgers. Bella liked the hot dog, didn't like the game.

Bella started preschool this week. A few other moms in the neighborhood and I are getting our kiddos together and rotating. She was pretty excited, it's only once a week for two hours, but I can tell she loves it and feels like such a big big girl. I think it will help her to have something of her own to look forward to each week.

I had my first in a series of weekly doctors appointments this past week. When you get to your third pregnancy, these appointments are just annoying. I am fully aware I could walk around dilated and effaced to a certain number for several weeks. And I know that any new aches, pains, or symptoms are likely to be met with the response-you will feel better when the baby is born. I really like my doctor, and the tech is just a sweet thing, and with your first baby all these appointments are exciting. But now, I just think of them as an opportunity to go see my friend Shelly and go shopping up north. That alone makes it worth the trip.

Booties!

I found a pattern for these on stardustshoes blog the other day and really wanted to make them. I had some leftover scraps from my freshcut quilt that I couldn't bear to throw away, so I pieced them together and then used the pieces for these. They are lined and the soles have some super soft terry cloth in them. I plan on making all sorts of these know that I know how easy. I just need to make the pattern a bit bigger for bigger sizes, these are 0-6 months, but I think my kids usually have big feet, so I may go bigger. But I love the way they turned out and how very tiny they are in person!

We met Kim and Elsie at Applebee's on Saturday. They are down on vaca this week. Jack and B loved Elsie, they talked about her the rest of the evening. It was a ton of fun catching up with Kim! Elsie is a little pixie of a thing. She is really a good baby. Kim updated me on the latest baby gear, it really has been a long time since I have carried a diaper bag or bought a diaper for that matter.

I did go to Target today and get Isabella a booster seat. She was very very excited when I brought it home. It is a very bright hot pink and has crowns all over it. On the back it says Very Important Princess, she is thrilled. I scored double because I brought Jack home the latest Magic Tree House book. He is probably half way through it by now! I love that he loves to read.

I can't believe we are already at Labor Day in September. We didn't do a lot today really which was kind of nice. Nate let me sleep in! I got up at past 8:00 which has been a rarity these days. I must say, sleep isn't really going so great. I don't really know how many times I get up in the night, it could be just once for all I know. But I am really sore in the hips and round ligament. So I feel like I sleep restlessly. And I keep getting attacked by heartburn in the middle of the night! It seems so rude, I have tried taking tums before bed, but it doesn't seem to matter. I suppose it means I am just running out of room, which is true. My grandma asked if I was carrying high or low, well, I am so short waisted, there is only one place for this kid to be and that is right out there. I don't think anyone would be able to tell high or low at all. She is still quite a wiggly baby, so I know she has some room, but not much.

We are embarking on a very busy September. Between soccer, football, swimming, school, and the primary program, we have something almost every night. So I suppose today is kind of our last lazy day for a bit. I also have a list of my own stuff to do along with everyone else's, so the time will probably pass a bit too swiftly. If only I could move a bit more swiftly.....

Almost Finished!

We did the big room switch last night. It was quite an ordeal to maneuver everything in the hallway upstairs. Nate's brother came over and helped us out. So now, the painting is done, the window blinds and curtains are up. I need to switch closets and discreetly make some unplayed with toys disappear.

Also last night Nate BBQ'd. It was probably our last of the summer as we ran out of charcoal-yes I know we can buy more, I just know we won't. We had hamburgers and corn on the cob and some spicy potato wedges. It was very very yummy. And for dessert we had fudge bars and creamsicles. I have a new thing with putting whip cream on my fudge bars and letting it freeze a bit. I realize this is probably a crazy pregnancy thing, but it is soo yummy! I think my body may just need some extra calcium, but why not make it fun at least.

This is a crazy picture of Bella at the end of soccer a few weeks ago. She loves it and has so much fun. She wanted me to sign her up for football as well, but the babe is due the week it starts, so it seems like something I shouldn't commit to. I love that the tee shirts they hand out are so huge, it cracks me up to see all these kids looking like they are running around in nightgowns. I think she kind of wants to play football because she knows her dad is coaching. They are very interested in going to his games and seeing what he has been up to. His sophomore team had their first game last night and won!!! The score was 43-0. I felt such a sense of relief for him, not that winning is the most important thing in the larger scope, but that his defense delivered so well. The team really hasn't won any games for the past two years, so it will hopefully make a difference in their confidence and they can play with some heart.

I think I have figured out a solution to my frustrating downloads, if I remove the memory stick and just put it directly in the computer, it seems to work. So, I just need to remember to always use the memory stick in the camera.

This is thus far the best picture I have of Jack playing soccer this year-we have the bulk of the games yet to go-so I am not too worried about it. He is number 5 this year, the jeresey's are reversible to purple or white. He really loves to play and has a ton of fun. I have been having him play sans glasses for the time being, if he does want to play as he gets older I will really need to locate the Bono goggles though. This picture is a bit unrepresentative of how games really go. Usually there is a mob of kids wrapped around the ball, knocking each other over and migrating around the field. It is really fun to watch and last night was breezy and cool, so even more fun for me.

Bella and I went to IKEA and got some curtains for her room yesterday as well. She loves IKEA, it is so very funny, she thanks me again and again for bringing her there. I let her choose from a few different sets of curtains and she picked the ones I really liked, which amazed me a bit. We just need to get the furniture moved and the rooms will be switched. I love the way the paint turned out, and I think she will love her girly room. I need to take Jack to IKEA so he can pick out a few things and get a new storage system for his toys, but I need Nate to carry everything into the car and into the house. So that trip will be later on in the month I suspect. I can't believe it is nearing the end of August already. And that school has been going for a week. Second grade seems pretty cool so far from what I hear!

Painting
I am taking a break between coats of paint in the girls room. I am kind of covered in paint actually, so I guess I am letting that dry as well. Isabella has been helping a bit, she uses a tiny brush and paints below me while I do the high parts. I let some paint drip on her leg though, and that has distressed her a bit. I have one wall that I can't start on yet because Jack's bed is still up against it. The crib and dresser are pushed into the middle of the room and I can barely squeeze past everything. I am thankful my SIL sent me some of her maternity clothes that she is no longer going to use, I designated one shirt to be the paint shirt, and I have a pair of my own old shorts that seem to fit well enough to get by. I forget how messy I am!

We went to a fun family picnic last night up north. The kids had tons of fun and I love anything that involves dinner already being ready. It was nice and relaxing and good to catch up with everyone. I miss our old ward sometimes but am grateful for the camaraderie our group of friends still has. The BBQ pork was lovely and hit the spot, and if I stand up after I eat, I don't get heartburn as easily, so that was really a plus to dinner in the park.

We did have a bit of a catastrophe last night after we got home though. We have a medicine cabinet on our bathroom wall that has decided to come off bit by bit, well the back separated from the frame last night and is now hanging from the wall all by itself. Poor Nate was dealing with this and seemed none to happy about it-who can blame him! Anyway, I think we may have to bring in some drastic measures and cut into dry wall at some point, we are giving each other a few days to think about it and come up with a rational solution. In the meantime, I really want to get the room switch done this week, and as much as I can unaided. I don't want to drag it out and be rushing around in the end here. If Jack's bed gets moved, I can get the paint on that wall done quickly, it's just that Jack's bed is very very very very heavy, and last time required three adults to manoeuvre it, so we will see, I need to find some helpful neighbors....

On another note, today is the first day of school. You would think that this being our third year, I wouldn't get so emotional about it. But summer really goes by too fast and I miss Jack and how helpful and sweet he is. I love that he loves school and really is excited about it though, I hope he has that his whole life. He gets out in about an hour and I can't wait to hear how his day went and what fabulous things he is going to get to do this year!

Downloading pics

So, I have a Kodak Easy share camera that I usually like quite a lot. But the past few times I have tried to hook it up to the computer and download pics, it won't let me!!! I usually have to spend an hour convincing the computer and the camera they are indeed connected and that they do have all the appropriate software to recognize one another. I am not sure if I rather try a new camera or a new computer at this point, but I just want to hit the easy button on the dock and see my pics, really is that too much to ask? It seems like peripherals really have not been perfected yet.

We had a busy week last week. We met Jack's new teacher on Friday, she is new, just out of college and seems really enthusiastic. He is really excited about his new classroom and all his new school supplies and such. I am so grateful he loves school and learning. It makes it much more fun that he wakes up every morning ready to go and excited about the day.

We are also in Jack's soccer season, which is a blast. Most of the girls on the team are a little bit bigger than the boys, they are at that age where they will be taller for the next few years. Anyway, everyone on his team seems really involved and into the game, which is fun to watch, though I also enjoy watching the kids who do cartwheels and sit down on the field, only when you are little can you get away with that. I think I just enjoy watching them play sports in general. And, after an hour of constant running, my does that kids sleep well-I love soccer!

I started the big room switch, I have moved out all the toys and painted some of the room. The window had a place that needed to be fixed, so I had to wait while my Spackle and sealant cured for 24 hrs. But I think I can finish it all up this week. I like the way the green is looking on the walls, and I can envision some other things I want to do. The blinds in all the bedrooms don't work well, so we bought one new set, and will probably buy another before this is all over. I was going to go for some very cool cordless blinds, but alas, out of budget for now. I need to get a new toy storage system for Jack. I have one picked out at IKEA, but need Nate's help to get it home, so he and I are planning to go. I also need a new shower curtain, some storage for under our bed and a few other odds and ends, so it will be a big trip. I am excited about finally doing something with the kids rooms, we lived in apartments too long I guess, I finally feel like I have permission to make permanent changes.

I quilted two baby quilts last week as well. I have finished binding one and need to start on the other. My list of to-do's is long and I see that time is getting short, so I suppose I need to kick it into high gear nesting mode to accomplish all I have planned. I have most of the stuff for Isabella's Halloween costume here, I just need to put it together. I just made Jack decide this weekend what he wants to be-army man, I need to go to an army/navy store and see what is available there, I can make some of the costume but not all. I am just relieved he has at last commited to something doable, his other choice was the solar system, which would have been creative and fun, but too dark for trick or treating, and too involved for a mama this pregnant.

August 12, 2007
Shopping
Last night was a huge sale at one of my favorite fabric stores, Pine Needles, in Gardner Village. I have been busy, so I wasn't sure I would make it, but had been planning on going. Last year, my SIL Jessica was here and we went with other SIL Alice and had a fabulous time. There was karaoke-yes I love karaoke-there were games and prized and all sorts of fun things. I was a bit nostalgic about it but knowing I was going alone and not planning on spending a lot of time didn't have too high of expectations. But when I got there the power went out! How is one supposed to pick out matching fabric in the dark!?! I wandered for a bit thinking it would come back on, but when it didn't, I headed out to Kohl's to do some school shopping.

The evening improved from there on out actually. I found tons of stuff on sale at Kohls for the kids this fall. I got Bella 2 pairs of shoes, both 70% off and Jack some jammies and shirts. And a few other odd and ends of outfits. They had a Colts jersey I really considered getting for Jack, he has been a Colts fan for the past two or three years and really wants a football jersey. I debated back and forth, so I still may, or I may save it for Christmas. Then I headed over to TJ Maxx and found an adorable outfit for baby girl and a sleeper, and some ballerina jammies for Bella. I also got some toys for their hospital bags and another long sleeved shirt for Jack. So overall, the evening went well considering the start it had. The kids despise school shopping with me. Jack is really getting to the age where he needs to come and try things on though. He is tall and skinny, so pants are a bit of a challenge, I am grateful for adjustable waists, and he is on the cusp of changing from the little boy sizes to the big boy sizes...sigh, how did he get so big so fast!

I didn't get home till kind of late which caused me to sleep in a bit this morning, that felt really nice, I have been up at 6 for days it seems. Only one more sharing time to go til this baby is born, I have been counting it that way, and I have a lot to do still. I am almost finished with her Halloween costume and blessing gown. I need to finish one of the quilts I have made for her and start on Jack and Bella's costumes though, and switch the kids rooms. If anything else, the time passes quickly and I never run out of things to do!

August 10, 2007

Well, I have a ton of stuff to do, I really need to get the kids rooms switched in the next few weeks. I have been chipping away at it, I think I just know it is going to be a couple of difficult days, so I am avoiding really doing it. And, I have begun a lot of sewing projects that I want to work on instead, so that is distracting me. Then of course the regular stuff I have to do like pay bills and the dishes, and the never ending laundry. I must say, I am enjoying the new washer and dryer, they work much faster than the old set, I don't even think I had noticed the old washer was slowing down, but it was.

The kids and I had a busy week. Tuesday, Jack had an appointment with a pediatric opthamalogist. He has a lazy eye that was diagnosed last year, but it has been there since birth. His eye doesn't drift or droop, so it's not what you would picture, and no one but a doctor would notice it. So he has been in glasses since last fall and we went to a follow up. The eye has improved a bit, he will still be in glasses for the next several years. The boy is so hard on glasses though, I am seriously contemplating putting him in goggles like Bono or something, I can't even mention how many times he came home from school with broken glasses last year. Anyway, the doc wants to see him again in 6 months. He looked at B and says she looks fine, but to have the new baby checked when she is 6 months old because it runs in families.

After the doctors appointment, we ran a few errands around Salt Lake. I still miss all my places I used to go when I lived up there. We found the brown minkee fabric I was looking for at fabric center on 90th. Jack spotted it and was very excited to drag me over to it. He does great shopping if he has a mission or knows what we are looking for, but if no list or just browsing, he is a terror.

Wednesday, I had a doc appt.. My friend Shelly watched the kiddos while I was there, no new info, all is well with me and baby.

After the appt. we took the kids to see Underdog. Totally a kids movie and they all enjoyed it very much, I almost fell asleep, but that seems to happen when ever I sit for more than a few minutes these days. It was a nice lazy day though, we relaxed and chatted and the kids played.

I found out today that fall swimming registration begins tomorrow, I really need to get the kids in. I have tried all summer and the levels they need are full, so wish me luck, I'll be up early tomorrow trying to get online and get it all in.

Tonight we are going to go watch Nate coach. I think he is really excited about and I am looking forward to seeing him in action. I feel so happy for him that he is getting to coach and do something he loves. He may be tired a bit more, but it's thus far worth it!

Kim has tagged me, so here goes!

Jobs I've Had:

I have been a janitor, a secretary, worked at BYU catering, painted houses, worked at Jo-Ann's, and been a mom. That doesn't look like very many all of the sudden, but the secretary stint was about 8 years, so maybe that helps, and I guess that still qualifies as my longest job.

Places for a Weekend Getaway:

We always make our weekends extra long and go to Disneyland! I suppose we could go to Las Vegas, but we never do. I know a ton of people that go to St. George, but again, we never do, and I don't know why we would really. I think I would like to get into the weekend getaways that involve airplanes.

Movies I can watch over and over again:

Ever After, Pride and Prejudice, Pirates of the Carribbean, Star Wars. I watch movies when my babies are fussy in the night, sometimes it takes several nights to finish one, sometimes not. Nate is coaching football, and we don't have expanded cable, so I find I watch a lot of our movies over and over again. Now I love all my Disney movies and am greatful when the kids pick those out, however, never buy a Barbie movie, they will drive you batty.

Guilty Pleasures:

Beauty and the Geek, making giant chocolate chip cookies and putting a giant scoop of ice cream between two. Seriously, why have I not always done this when I eat cookies, this is really the way to go. MASH reruns, I don't know if I have seen the whole thing yet, but I watch anyway. Buying silly things on ebay. Fat quarters.

Places I've Lived:

Boise, ID; La Grande/Island City, OR; Provo/Orem, UT; Midvale, UT; Chesapeake, VA; Lehi, UT.

Places I've been on vacation:

Oregon Coast; Hawaii; Disneyland; DisneyWorld; Canada; Washington D.C.; New York; Philidelphia; Northern Idaho; Dallas; Snowflake, AZ; Bay Area; Bear Lake; Seattle.

What I thought when I first saw Nate:

Hmmm, this one is hard because I met him a few weeks after my dad had died, and I don't really remember, plus, for a long time when I knew him I had other boys I was with, so I think I remember thinking he was a safe guy to be friends with. He did wear kind of crazy clothes.

If I am in a jam with Nate, tactics I use to get out of the doghouse:

I have a tendancy to think I am right quite a lot of the time, so I will probably argue my point or make it seem like to disagree with me is lunacy! I must say I have been working on this undesirable trait, overconfidence only gets you so far. So I have been trying to do better and being more humble and listening.

Favorite Foods:

Peanut Butter and Honey Sandwiches, Chocolate milk, chicken caesar salad, ribs, sourdough bread.

Websites I visit daily:

Ebay, MSN homepage, babycenter, I visit the blogs I read every few days, along with old navy and gap.

First Kiss Location:

The guy's living room.

Places I'd rather be right now:

Hmm, that one is hard, I am getting a bit uncomfortable physically, so everywhere I go is a bit uncomfortable. I think the best place would be in a pool, then I would feel a bit weightless for a bit. I am really having a great pregnancy this time, but let's face it, I am getting to the uncomfortable place of things for the next few months. I would like to be somewhere that is a balmy 70 degrees as well.

People I Tag:

Crystal-you are the only other person I know that reads this, but I can't recall if you have been tagged recently. If anyone else that I know does read this and has yet to start a blog-here's your chance!

Oh-the picture at the top is me on my birthday. Jack took the camera and decided he would take all the pictures. Most of them cut off some part of me, which is a Miskin photography trait. We were looking at the few baby pics of Nate that exist, and none are complete, all of them have him cut in half somehow, usually half his head. I myself am not a great photographer, but I try.

August 3, 2007

Last night was book club night for my ward. We read 'The Train to Potevka' by Mike Ramsdell. It was a quick read, pretty good. I am always interested in the Russian connection because of Nate. Anyway, there was lovely chocolate cake, ice cream, and hot fudge sauce. Very Yummy. It was a nice relaxing evening for me.

I am working on a blessing dress for baby girl. I decided to do some silk ribbon embroidery on some dupioni. It is turing out really well. I also made tote bags for the kids to fill with goodies to give them at the hospital when the baby is born. Soccer for Jack and Tinkerbell for B. And I made some headbands for Bella and I from Heather Bailey's website, she has a free pattern that turns out very very cute. And I made them from her freshcut fabric, so all the better. Clearly I must have been in a sewing mood yesterday.

Nate and I have our 10th anniversary on Sunday. Marsha is going to come over tomorrow to watch the kiddos while we spend the day at the temple, dinner, and maybe the movies. We have agreed no gifts, after all, we just bought a washer and dryer last week, so we should just consider that. After all, it is something we use everyday, we need, and I am very greatful for.

We are also getting together with all the inlaws on Sunday for a family dinner. This will be the last birthday dinner for a while, everyone seems to be in the spring except for me and Roger, then we have a gap until December. Anyway, so a busy weekend ahead.

I had a new washing machine delivered today, the new dryer came last Friday, so it was sort of silly. They both died within a very short time of one another, but not close enough to be at the same time. The same delivery guys that brought the dryer brought the washer and were amused at the whole thing.


I have spent the morning moving all my old blog posts over here. I am not sure how to bring pictures over as well, so I will have to do a bit of experimenting and insert random pictures throughout.


That picture at the top-at least I think that is where it will appear is of the bike I got for my birthday! Well, as this blog move has taken up much of the morning, I should get going on something productive.

July 27, 2007
More stuff
Well, I thought I could get all of our recent events in yesterday's entry, but it was getting so long, I decided to break it all up.

Monday when we got home from vaca I was really tired and just wanted to sleep really, but as we had no food, I had to go to the grocery store. On the way I pass Sonic, on the Sonic sign there is a thank you to a soldier named Nathan Barnes. I know who this is and feel a bit of concern about it. He is the brother of a sister in my current ward, and I know he has been serving in Iraq. She and I are in a book club together and we always chat about him and I find what she has to tell me really affects how I feel about this whole war. And it opens my eyes to things I don't have to see. Both my grandfathers served in World War 2 and both my grandmothers can tell stories about sacrifice and rationing and how the war rivited the whole country. It bothers me a lot that I can go about my daily life while making very few sacrifices for our soldiers who are fighting this war. In the evening we went to the primary presidents house for a primary presidency family BBQ, and we found out Sgt. Barnes had been killed. I feel so sad about this. From all accounts he was doing what he wanted to do and being who he wanted to be. But a family has lost a son and brother, and that brings this whole thing so much closer to home than it has been before.

Tuesday was my 30th birthday! It was really a great day. I went to RC Willey and bought a new dryer in the morning. Ours has been in and out of service for the past month, and I really wanted to take care of it before baby girl comes. Now, I know shopping for a dryer sounds really boring, but it felt so nice to just go in and buy it and not be too stressed out about it. The RC Willey guys acutally just left, so in a few hours I am sure I will break in the new dryer and see how it holds up to our massive amounts of laundry.

Anyway, back to the birthday. When I got back from RC Willey, Nate and Jack had 30 presents wrapped and ready to open-holy cow-30 presents. It was so much fun, we let Jack have the camera to take pics, so there were a variety with my head cut off. The presents ranged from water bottles, letter openers, candy, Lehi Roller Mills mix, The Office 1 & 2 on DVD, books, candles, all sorts of stuff really. A microwave cart and some shelves, a cooler, some little closet lights. Basically I am guessing Nate went through the aisles at Target and just started filling the cart with things he knew I would like. Both the kids made cards, they always tape change to the cards because Jack says, everyone likes to get money! I got cards in the mail from family and messages singing Happy Birthday on the answering machine. We went to Salt Lake and saw the Glovers home progress, went to Gardener Village, to noodles to eat, the mall, and Cold Stone. I really dragged the fam around actually. At Gardener Village I got a cute baby outfit and a pink and brown ladybug wrist rattle. We got home and had Cold Stone cake, red velvet with cake batter ice cream, and relaxed until dark. Then we walked down the street and watched neighborhood fireworks and chatted with neighbors. It was a really good day. I am so blessed and so greatful for my family and the love we have and time we share.

Wednesday was off to the doctor. Everything is still going great pregnancy wise. The kids and I stopped and looked at car seats, we need two new ones. Thursday was Itty Bitty Soccer for B, which she loves and it sooo fun to watch! Then the dryer this morning. I am always amazed at how every day gets filled. There is a lot to do in the next 9 weeks, and I must say I can't tell if I have the time to accomplish it all or not, but I won't be bored. My next big task is switching the kids rooms and doing some painting. We have a baseball game and family reunion tomorrow. Greatfully, the baseball game is at 9, so before the massive heat wave. And I am going to pack our reunion lunch in my new mid sized cooler!