Round 4

Michael and I found out a few weeks back what we are having.  I am very sad to type its a boy, but not as sad as I was when I first found out.  I am warming up to the idea.  I never thought I was having a girl I JUST WANTED A GIRL!  But alas, it is not to be. 

I am so thankful that I understand that the universe is not out to get me but that I have a wonderful Father in Heaven who knows what I need and what is best for me and my family.  He seems to think it is a boy and I will not argue with that. 

I am almost 23 weeks along and have gained around 10 - 12 pounds and am feeling really good.  I am really starting to show and it won't be long now before I will be forced to put maternity clothes on.   I am still rigging my current clothes to make it work but even that is getting uncomfortable.  I had a little girl tell me in church yesterday that everyone knows I am pregnant now.  I asked her why and she replied, "because you are so big now and its just going to get bigger."  Such sweet little children...I remind myself.

I pulled out all the baby stuff last week and washed them and set them up.  I think this is the earliest I have done this but I like it.  I think it helps me visualize and see that very soon we will be having another one...plus, I think it helps the kids transition better too.  Instead of hitting them with a lot that last few weeks they will have plenty of time to get used to all the baby paraphernalia laying around.

The kids are doing so good.  Cole and Carson are both pulling all A's and loving school.  I am so pleased with them and how they are developing.  Morgan is starting to get a little more feisty but she still shows so much love and affection that its okay. 

Halloween 2011

Halloween was fun this year!  We were busy. 

 We kicked off our celebrations this year with going to the zoo a week before Halloween to experience a night tour.  That was definitely interesting and I would do it again.  The kids liked it too.  The highlight was hearing the lions start roaring, which was a little unnerving for sure!  (I LOVE this picture everyone has a cute expression. )

 The following weekend was the Excelsior's trunk or treat for the scholars.  It was held at the drive-in and was FREEZING!  We were lucky enough to get to park by our friends the Anderson's. 

I had to post this of Cole because doesn't it just show such emotion and drive.  I can almost see him saying in his mind "I am going to get so much candy and nobody is going to stop me !"
As a side note he was something different each night we dressed up. 

This is from our ward's Halloween trunk of treat on Monday.   Here is Morgan, our little princess, with her friend Brinley.  Are they not so adorable?!

 Morgan and I trying to stay warm at the ward's party. 

Right after the ward trunk or treat we ran out to our friends house and went door to door with them.   Where we live our neighbors are too far apart so this is not possible.  I think next year we will not do so much candy I am still picking up wrappers all over the place!

We did a ton this year for Halloween and the kids had so much fun. And to me that is really what it is all about. I LOVE my kids and I LOVE the holidays. I hope they can remember the fun we had together as a family. 

And now we get to focus on Thanksgiving and then Christmas!!! Too much fun I can't wait.

Family Fun

It is either a feast or famine over here when it comes to visitors and this particular trip was a FEAST!  It was awesome!  We had my Grandma Clydene and Grandpa John come with Harley and stay till Sunday. Then Cass and the kids came that same day and stayed till Saturday AND my parents even came over for a few hour visit...all on the same day! 

The kids picture just makes me laugh...I really tired to find one where all the kids looked normal but this was as close as I could get.....(I would make those faces too if Cass was my mom....I don't fault
Bella or Maddie!)

 It was fun having them come before Halloween so we could do fun crafts together.  The girls made really cute pumpkins.

I have never had my grandparents come and visit for a few days so this trip was really special for us.  Grandma and I tried to keep the kids busy and Mike and Grandpa managed to get golfing in.   It was a little tricky without our kitchen up and running but Grandma and Grandpa were so easy going it didn't even matter.  And the kids played so good with each other.  I love seeing all the cousins running around and having a good time.  We will miss them till we see them again.



Conference

General Conference
 I had the kiddos by myself that day and really hoped that I could make it a special, spiritual, experience for us all to listen to the prophet.  I want more than anything for the kids to really gain a testimony of Heavenly Father and what his plan is for us down here.  So I thought by making them conference books, bribing with candy, building our own "tent", and getting a special breakfast prepared this would equal their cooperation and attentive listening during conference.  How do you think that went??

As expected.....down in flames!   I really need to be more realistic and plan more strategically if I want them to gain the objective (a testimony). 

Lesson's Learned
 Lesson #1:   do not give candy to small children and expect them to sit, color, and play nice with each other. 

Lesson #2:  I can not expect the Spirit to be there if I am threatening them within an inch of their life!

Lesson #3:  Bring down my expectations by 1000% and maybe I won't be so disappointed if it doesn't go my way. 

Lesson #4:  I cannot control the Spirit and when He wants to show....so I need to just do my best to create the enviroment (working with the people and things around me) that would be conducive for a special experience to happen.

Besides all that, I got what I could out of conference with the attitude I had.  I started out strong..failed in the middle and ended strong.   However, the Lord still saw fit to give me answers to some questions I had going into conference.   A few days later in my personal study I felt the answers come and then was just filled with such gratidue that he would even bother with me after my "little explosion" over the weekend. 

My testimony is strengthed on the fact that we all have the most loving, most forgiving, and most gracious God!  He is really there to teach us and help us if we will let Him.  I love him and believe with everything in me as long as I keep picking myself up and really trying, I will be with Him again someday.