Parker Family Fair

We had a nice time at the Parker Family Fair this morning. It was a great event with lots of free food, jumpy houses, booths, music and skating (8 track, my Sisters skate shop, had all of their ramps set up)

Its strange to realize that this was our last Saturday with only 2 kids. This time next week will be very different.

We love living here in Parker and this is just one example of why. Its just such a great community. The focus on these fairs is based around emergency preparedness so there were lots of booths from Firemen, Police Officers, Etc. They even sold 72 hour kits, car kits and other such things. It was really neat to see.


Dillon is such a stud. He was skating these ramps like a pro and he's only 7!!

snow cone time

they weren't fancy but they were free and the kids loved 'em!

watch out Parker

my little cutie

They look like the sucker gang or something.

funny kids

Just wanted to post a few of the funny things the kids have said and done in the last couple of days. I need a blog all its own to keep track of this stuff... we all know how hilarious kids are and I just dont want to forget these little things.

I found a bridal portrait of myself  and took it out to show the kids. And to stare at day and night, wondering how I was ever that tiny and didn't enjoy it! 

Luke saw it and said, "Mom, you look like a princess!"

I was thrilled with his description and said, " you think I looked pretty?"

"Well, not a pretty princess."

"O' you don't think I was beautiful when I got married?"

"No Mom.... you kinda' just look........ medium."

I laughed and he said again, "do you even know what medium is?"

"yes Luke."

"ok.... yep, you're just medium Mom."

Yesterday Luke was trying to get Ella to play Light saber's. This is a regular occurrence at our house. Luke insisted that he be Yoda. He was trying with all of his might to get Ella to be Padme , she had other ideas.

"Lukie... I'm Princess Yoda!"

He eventually let it go since that was the only was Ella was going to participate. And Yoda and Princess Yoda had a nice little battle.

Last night Ella was playing with her little Care Bear's. She was playing so thoughtfully with them. It was time for them to go to sleep and I overheard her telling all 5 of them that it was story time and then bedtime. She read each of them a story, gave them a kiss and told them to have good dreams. I got up a few minutes later to use the restroom... what a rarity! And I about died when I looked on the steps. 

Each Care Bear was indeed asleep in their bed. The "bed" was a book, half opened, with a soft little bear nestled between the pages. It certainly looked like a mattress and a bedspread. 5 books, 5 Care Bears and Ella's imagination. 

She's going to be such a great Big Sister.

Entry of a tired, hormonal pregnant lady

****WARNING*****

(lots and lots of self-pity and complaining ahead. feel free to skip this entry if you aren't interested)

Dont judge me too harshly but I have something to get off of my chest. 

I do not enjoy being pregnant. There... I said it. In fact, being pregnant is something I pretty much despise. Don't get me wrong, I thank my Father in Heaven for the blessing it is to bear my own children. But that doesn't mean I like it.

I hate the beginning. Rather, I hate the beginning after maybe the 8th day. Thats when the excitement factor has started to wear off and I get sick. 

I hate feeling nauseous from sun up till sun down. I hate throwing up in the morning before I've even gotten a chance to eat anything. I hate feeling like I am so tired that I can hardly do the simplest daily tasks without passing out from exhaustion. 

I eventually get annoyed at all of the moving and jabbing that goes along with sharing my body. I miss the way it feels to take a deep, un-altered breath. I get headaches and heartburn. My sciatic nerve feels like it is on fire. My feet and legs start to feel as though they are going to give way with all the weight. And I hate that I can not sleep at night. I don't even attempt to go to bed until almost midnight anymore because laying there for hours, constantly re-adjusting my heavy, perturbing belly, just infuriates me.

At least with a newborn who is up every couple of hours I can get uninterrupted, comfortable sleep. Even if it is for only a hour at a time, I'll take it. Its more than I am getting now.

Yes, I can honestly say I do not like being pregnant. I imagine everyday how I can not wait to be done with this. I will gladly take on these hard upcoming newborn months, she'll be out. And with that comes cares and concerns all their own. But she will be on the outside and I couldn't want anything more in the whole world right now.

So don't judge me too harshly. I chalk it all up to sleep deprivation and the inability to regulate my breath. Though its all true.

And yet, even at 9 months pregnant, I am still excited about having another one...... someday.

( i promise the next entry will be more positive and upbeat!)

on a side-note Ella said the funniest thing. I was about to read her a story for nap time and as I had her scoot over to make room for me in her twin bed she stated, "Mom.... you're so huge and big!"

I loved her honesty. This is why I do it all!

more than just new shoes

Today we dropped Luke off at School, decided to skip Ella's nap, so unlike us, and took Ella shopping for new shoes.

Im guessing it was the fact that Ella had her Mom and Dad all to herself. For a few hours she was the star of the show. It was calm. And she came alive.

The entire 3 hours of shopping and eating lunch were spent with this sweet angel. She was funny, charming, cute and a great listener. I felt like I was out with my teenage daughter as opposed to my 2 1/2 year old. We chatted and laughed the entire time.

At lunch she put her arm around me from behind, looked into my eyes as she smiled and said, "Mom, I wish we were always best friends."

I smiled and said, "we are best friends... forever, Bell."

Ella grinned, rubbed my back and thanked me.

It was the perfect outing with my pleasant, grown-up girl. I couldn't help but get a little sad for just the slightest moment, knowing this was probably the last time it would just be Ella and us. And yet, in the same thought, I couldn't help but to get excited about more great memories eating and shopping with my two daughters. 

And she is still going crazy over her new shoes. She hasn't taken them off in 3 hours. I guess the trip was a success in that regard too.. though the shoe's became so secondary.

Guessing game

I thought it may be kinda' fun to see what people's guesses were for Olivia's weight and length.

Now remember, I have a long torso and looks can be quite deceiving on me.... I have had a 9 1/2 lb. baby!

I'll go first....

8 lbs. 5 oz.  20  inches long

And Daves'.....

7 lbs. 4 oz. 19 1/2 inches long

There may even be a surprise for anyone who gets it right...... I'll bet you're excited to play now. If you want to see a recent pic before committing there is one 2 posts down from 2 days ago.

They're back!!!!!

Welcome Home Mom and Dad W.!!!!

Today is the big day we've all been so excited about. Mom and Dad are on a flight home from their mission to Geneva Switzerland. 

We have been so blessed by their service and couldn't thank them enough for giving us the opportunity to live in their home and to spend so many months with GG. We never could have imagined the blessings that have come from it all. We know we would not be here, in Dave's PhD. program, without their desire to serve. I know our lives would be so different. 

Thank you Grammie and Grandpa for your righteous examples to us. Not only now but always. You can always be relied upon to be emulated. We're so grateful to be your family and for our Children to have such amazing and good people to have in their lives. You have unwavering faith and an indestructible testimony. We love you and cant wait to see you.

We are so proud of you!!!!

I cant believe all the things that have happened in the last 18 months. I especially cant believe how much the kids have grown and changed. Thank goodness for ichat. The kids have really loved chatting with Grammie and Grandpa over these many months. And I know they will excitedly run right back into their familiar arms.

Luke now

Luke 18 months ago

Ella now

Ella 18 months ago

Dear Olivia

Your Mommy's belly with 13 days left to induction date.

To my sweet baby girl,

I can not believe that in less than 2 weeks I will be holding you. That you will be on the outside rather than the inside. That I can finally look on your little face rather than feel your big kicks and jabs all day long.

In so many ways it feels like yesterday when I was taking that pregnancy test, sure that I was not pregnant that month... maybe the next. I watched the test and no line appeared, I was not surprised. Then, before bed, I peeked into the trash can. There, on that little white plastic rectangle,was just the slightest second line.  I immediately took another, though it had only been a few hours. And there it was, the barely darker, pink line that would change our lives. I was indeed pregnant. And I couldn't stop smiling.

The beginning was scary with you. It had been 3 months since I miscarried, something that made it almost impossible for me to get too excited. I was just so aware of all the things that could go wrong. And even a little numb still. Then the news of lowered progesterone came. I was devastated. It was happening all over again. I started medication. Levels went up... and then down. They put me on higher dosages. Levels went up... and then started to lower. After a few more up's and down's, many blood draws, and a lot of expensive progesterone (thank goodness for great health insurance) things were steady and we all felt hopeful. I was so grateful that even all the sickness I had didn't seem too bad, I needed to loose weight anyway :)

All of that seems so long ago. Back then the end result seemed so far off. And now, here we are. We made it. 

You have been to many Dr's appointments, gone to Europe, already attended your first Girls Camp, moved to a new state and are now ready to start the real adventures. Namely Luke and Ella. 

We are all so excited to meet you. Your Brother and Sister ask about you every day. How much longer? what color will your eyes will be? They discuss the ways that they'll help you to stop crying, who will sit by you in the car, and how they'll kiss you when they hold you. Our lives are filled with Olivia excitement.

I still cant get over how much you can love somebody you've never met. But I do. And I will love you for eternity. 

Love,

Your Mommy