Cakes

When we were in Montana, my good friend, Francine, asked me to make a cake for our friend Stacy's baby shower this past weekend. I was so excited, and had fun "creating" these individual cakes ( I ended up with 22). As usual whenever I make a cake(s), there were a few minor setbacks, but I was so excited how they turned out.



My good friend, Stacy (she's having a girl 1/31)

Lindsey and I eating delicious food!!

I think I had gone back for seconds when this picture was snapped....

Aloha, Chad

We just got back from taking Chad to the airport, and the kids are down for their naps...that's right and its not even 11am! We got them up at 5:30 and headed off to the airport, making a detour at Starbucks. It's wierd to think that in just a couple of hours, he'll be basking in the tropical Hawaiian sun while I bask in the cold drizzle of Seattle!

The kids and I are staying behind until 1 of 3 things happen: a) our condo sells b) our condo rents c) the baby is born. We're praying its one of the 1st 2 because April 14th seems far away.

Jackson is doing fine--he was just upset that he couldn't get on the plane and go to Hawaii. When we woke him up he jumped out of bed and his first question was "Can I watch movies on the plane?" Sorry, buddy. Not this time.... And, as soon as Chad went to board the plane, Jackson was asking to go back on the train.

Savannah, on the other hand, woke up and immediately started crying. The first day or two is always the hardest for her, and hard for me since I'm not emotional by nature. It takes alot in me to be compassionate and let her feelings run their course. This morning I give myself an "A" in that department (hopefully it will continue). Poor girl :( Good thing she'll be back in school tomorrow.

So, I have a question for all of you.....What are some ideas for activities to do with the kids in the afternoon/evening. I feel that time stands still every day from 4pm-8pm and sometimes, I swear the clock goes backwards, and the kids are in bed by 7:30! I want to do fun activities both at home and out in town. Any ideas would be great!

Montana

We spent 2 weeks in Montana over Christmas and New Year's, and I thought I'd share some pics.



Playing in the snow at the lake:



The lake from Grandpa & Grandma's living room window:



Christmas morning:


Savannah and her cupcake maker:

Jackson opening his shotgun from Grandpa & Grandma:

Drinking hot cocoa:

Ready for Christmas Eve at Church:

Sledding in the back yard:

Uncle KC and the kids:

Chad the bird hunter:

I know this is short, but with Chad leaving for Hawaii on Monday, we have alot to get checked off our list. My New Years Resolution this year with blogging is to blog more frequently! Lets see if I can keep up on it!

23 Weeks

I know it's been awhile since I posted a belly pic--Savannah and I tried to take a few, but they never turned out just right. Now that Chad's home, I had him take a pic--it's hard trying to "pose" at just the right angle. In this picture I look as stiff as a board! ha

I'm still feeling good and the baby's moving and kicking like crazy. No cravings yet. I have come to the conclusion that I am a "grazer" and have been munching lately on Christmas goodies. Unfortunately, I have developed an intolerance to milk, and the cookies just don't taste the same with water! My heartburn is alot better and I'm down to taking Tagement 1 or 2 times a week.

Matthew 19:14

Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."

As I look forward to Chad coming home tomorrow after being gone for a month, I realize we are all ready for him to come back....

Today the kids had an amazing amount of energy--both good and bad. One minute they were playing, the next fighting, and the next bouncing all over the furniture. I know the furniture issue shouldn't be one, but it's hard to swallow when you only have one couch and it's been ripped up a couple of different times. I lacked patience today, the kids didn't nap, and quiet time was a disaster. I feel all the consistency with obeying and manners has gone out the window (and yet I forget they are 5 and 3), and it makes me even more excited for Chad to come home and play with them. I have a hard time getting down on the floor and playing games, reading, and spending time with them. I don't know why. It's not like I am on the go all the time or have so much going on at home that I can't spend 5, 10, or 20 minutes with them. And, yet, I make myself the priority.

Tonight, they were in bed by 6:45. I don't think they've ever gone to bed that early before. I was enjoying the peace and quiet while reading blogs, when I read one from Mary Beth Chapman (Steven Curtis Chapman's wife), and was immedietly convicted. Let me share a portion of it with you:

"As I anticipate Christmas 2008, I have many thoughts flying through my heart and head. The last several days, my mind has not been able to stop thinking about Mary, the mother of Jesus. Pregnant and scared, knowing that the baby she was carrying eventually would pay the ultimate price of His life. How would I have lived differently if I knew that my time with Maria was going to be this short? Regretfully, I would have lived much differently. I would have purposely hugged and kissed more. I would have tried to memorize and lock away in my heart certain smells and smiles. I would have colored more and worked less. I would have laughed more and fussed less. Bedtime wouldn’t have become a chore to check off the list of things to get done. Instead it would have been more of an opportunity to listen about the day and offer whatever words were needed. The swimming pool wouldn’t have been too cold to swim in. The flowers in the garden would have all been picked, and definitely more ice cream would have been consumed!"

I am so thankful I have my children here with me and am even more grateful for God's unfailing grace and mercy and second chances. I don't want to sweat the small stuff and when its too late wish I had taken time to ENJOY my children more........

Jesus created them in HIS image and gave them the personalities they have, and I want to be more like HIM--letting the kids come to me and making them feel important, not second to Facebook.....although I am ready for Chad to come home!

You know........

You are pregnant when you.......

• Are out of breath from pushing the stroller from the parking lot into the mall!
• Go to Victoria Secret to buy a bra that fits, and end up walking out with 2 that look more like the Playtex Cross Your Heart Full Coverage Bras than the cute lacy ones on the mannequins.....But really, who was I kidding anyways?!?!

You are in denial about your pregnancy when you.....

• Purchase ANYTHING from Victoria Secret anytime during those 9 months!!!
• Shop for your Christmas outfit in the regular section of department stores, refusing to walk past the maternity section! Gotta love those stretch shirts and pants! **Take note--stay away from pleated skirts! Words cannot describe the shape it takes once you put it on**
• Try on an Audrey Hepburn style dress and actually contemplate buying it in a small size (in hopes of wearing it post-baby), not taking time to think if you can even sit down in a church pew THIS Christmas Eve without busting out the zipper or pulling a muscle or 2 in your belly (if I even have those anymore)! Did I mention it was expensive, too?!

And finally......You don't know whether or not to take it as a compliment or run to the kitchen for some pita chips and spinach artichoke dip when people tell you how good you look now compared to this summer before becoming pregnant........ I'm definitely taking it as a compliment!!! :)

All I have to say is thank goodness my feet don't swell or grow and I can wear cute stylish shoes--they will never betray me! Or so I hope.......

We are having.................

That's right! Another girl! Savannah is so excited to be a big sister with the exception of "Mom, she's going to come in my room all the time and mess it up and I'll have to clean over and over" and Chad's crunching numbers in his head for 2 future weddings!! haha He actually is very excited, but also determined to have some real MAN time with Jackson as they'll be outnumbered! As for Jackson--well, he thinks he has a baby in his tummy like Mommy, and tells me all the time his baby is getting big and wants me to "feel it move"!

We will be keeping the name a secret, and as of now, we haven't thought of too many names. Just like with the other 2, we probably won't settle on one until right before the baby is born. It gets harder with each kid!

***Just a note to family and friends that know my dad and grandparents--they don't want to know what we're having, so we're trying to honor their request. Don't know how long we can keep it a secret (esp. with us going home for Christmas--the kids might spill the beans). Please help us keep it a surprise for them. Thanks***

Belly Pic

A few have asked to see belly pics throughout this pregnancy. I haven't done this before, so this will be a new adventure.

Today I am 18 weeks, and have our ultrasound in about an hour. Chad and Savannah are THRILLED, as I have compromised and agreed to find out what we're having. We didn't with the other two (although Chad wanted to), so I figured it didn't have to be my way again. I must say, I will be really excited if we aren't able to find out--can you tell I really like surprises???

So, here's my first belly picture--this one was taken on Sat. night:

Ten Little Toes

We are proud to announce (drum roll please.......) that on April 14th, we are expecting the arrival of our newest family member! That's right, we're going to have a baby!! Although this came as quite a surprise, we are getting excited to meet this little one.

My dad and friend have mentioned to me that we better stop moving because each time we do, we end up adding to our family! Good point!
Right now I am 15 weeks pregnant, and finally feeling better. This has been completely different, as with the other 2, I had no morning sickness at all, craved milk constantly, and smells made me sick. This time around, I have heartburn like no other (thank you prescription Tagament!!!), can't tolerate milk, and haven't felt that great until 2 weeks ago. Amazingly smells haven't bothered me, but I still just lay around in the evenings, feeling guilty for being lazy (but not that guilty), and drinking tons of water to keep the braxton hicks contractions and headaches away--and yes, I need to buy lemons because water isn't tasting that great anymore! ha

As many of you knew, we were going back and forth with "my plate is full--no more kids" to "oh, there are so many kids that need a mom and dad so lets adopt". We were starting to go down the adoption process, but God has told me that His plans aren't always mine, so I'm going to trust Him on this one!

We really feel blessed that God chose us to be parents again, and are praying for a healthy, happy, Fruit of the Spirit baby. And, yes, this time we are going to find out what we're having. Chad has wanted to know with the other 2 and we didn't, so now it's his turn :)

Savannah prays daily to be a good big sister, and that the baby is healthy and Mommy feels good, and can't wait to get up at night to help feed! We'll just encourage her to enjoy being a kid, but I'll take the help during the day :)

Jackson is trying to figure out what's going on and keeps drawing pictures of me, saying, "Mommy you're big". Thanks Jax. :) He also says his baby tummy is getting big....

Well, hopefully now that my energy is coming back (I think), I'll get on the ball with updates....

I've Been Tagged

I just got tagged by my friends Sadie, and Marisa....actually I probably got tagged a few days ago, but I've been mentally "checked out" for the past couple of weeks. :)

1. I had surgery in Nov of 1983--I was almost 4 years old, and had an apendectomy. The wierd thing--I remember it all: doubled over in pain at home, taking a bath at the hospital prior to surgery, being wheeled into the OR, the Dr. applying the butterfly bandages inbetween my stitches, getting gifts, and my favorite--banana and root beer flavored popsicles!

2. I nannied for 2 different sets of triplets--the first was all boys, the second set, all girls. I also nannied for a practicing Jewish family and spent major holidays with them and learned alot about the Jewish culture, and even learned some Yiddish and Hebrew.

3. Although I grew up in Montana and in the great outdoors, I prefer being inside, and if I go camping, it's gotta be in a trailer! And, I only really like snow at Christmas. I do like to go hunting, though.

4. I am the oldest grandaughter on both sides of my family--one side has 16 grandkids, 7 great grandkids; the other has 20 grandkids, 12 (almost 13) grandkids, and only 9 of us are married so far.

5. I am a hypochondriac...yup, that's sooo true! Just ask Chad what my daily "diagnosis" is, or what I'm going to die of this week! I can only laugh at it because I know its so PATHETIC....

6. My brother and I are Irish twins-- we are 11 months apart and were born in the same year. My mom and one of her brothers are only 10 months apart!

7. I have a dream of either being a surgeon or an ER doctor someday. I've always liked when we went hunting of being able to help "field dress" the animals, and am fascinated with watching real surgeries on TV. Luckily I nannied for a Doctor family and was able to ask "cool questions--"what was the hardest thing you've had to amputate?", etc, and hear neat stories. Gross, I know, but fascinating all the same..

Now I tag Linda, Debbie, Stephanie, and Cheryl.