mommy question.

I'm going to get straight to the point.

I have never been a good nursing mother. There, I said it...not sure if it feels good to admit that or not...

At first (with Bryant) it killed me that I couldn't nurse him, I would even steal away to the mother's lounge and pretend...I hated feeling like everyone was looking down on me for "choosing" to bottle feed my child and therefore, ruin his growth and development. Every child since has lasted longer than him, but still not as long as I've ever wanted to nurse.

With Emily I feel like I want to enjoy this as long as possible. With her, it was the longest first 6-weeks (in a different way than it was with Bryant) because she ate all.the.time! (and still does) and it hurt like nothing else, she just didn't know how to latch properly. We finally made it past that, but ever since she's started sleeping 8-hour nights, which has about a month, I have noticed that she has been eating a LOT more often during the day. I am totally okay with that since I have an eat-on-demand philosophy, but after eating every 2 hours, by 4pm she is HUNGRY!! and I just can't seem to get my milk to stay up with the demand...even though I thought it was a supply and demand sort of issue.

So here's the question, does anyone have any tried and true methods for increasing milk supply and keeping a full child? She's almost 3 months old and she still eats as often as a newborn and for just as long. sheesh. Again, I'm not so good at this, so I don't really know or remember what's normal.

Any suggestions, theories, etc are welcome.

life goes on...

I started this post two days ago and got as far as the title.
Things are so fast paced these days and I rarely have two hands to use, I haven't even had time to email my sister back-she's in China for another 3.5 months, or fold the clothes that have sat on the couch for 3 days now, ew! At this very moment Jake is holding Emily trying to keep her asleep and I am erasing every couple letters because the girls are running around me and bumping my arms/fingers as I type. But at least I am getting something written, right? As for pictures, I need to buy an external hard drive to put all my pictures on as I've loaded the hard drive of both computers-yep! I take a lot of pictures, I just wish I was good with the obsession and I will soon be sharing those photos with you...
I had a fantastic time in Boise with my in-laws. I got great items for the kids and am now in the process of going through all the things we already owned and cutting back by two-thirds! We have so much crap and for some reason now that I have my own place I don't feel the need to hold onto everything like I have in the past. I know I will venture to Boise again for the quarter sale and can just get more items than I need and won't even look at the items I have so I'm just going to share with those that need them...YARD SALE!! (now if the weather would be good on a weekend, all would be well...)
Jake has two more weeks of school and then he is taking the summer off to vacation the brain, finish the basement and just be with the family on his days off! We are so excited! We have a few trips planned, but will otherwise enjoy our time home keep our yard, garden, and home as clean and beautiful as we can. I am so excited to get our garden planted and see the fruits of our labors in our very own yard!
The kids have had lots of fun meeting and making new friends. We've never had such an opportunity or maybe it's that Jake and I haven't ever really let them for fear that we would be moving and have to say goodbye...now that we are long term residents we are enjoying time with neighbors and ward members and getting closer to the families around us...we can't wait to host a BBQ or two or more! We LOVE hosting parties and making delicious food...all those recipes I have marked for entertainment can now be made and enjoyed, oh I'm in heaven just thinking about it!! Whenever the sun is shining and warm we take a gander around the neighborhood and enjoy watching our children interact with all those around us, it's very exciting to see our social butterflies blossom even more!
I have made quite a few friends myself. We've been getting together every week for a craft day while the children play. We even get together once a month without kiddos and enjoy each others company. I've made ribbon boards for all the girls (well, only two are completed, but I have the supplies for the other two...just waiting for two hands longer than a half hour...although I do anticipate learning how to make ribbon bows as well. It's great fun, I've never done anything like this before.
and now my 5 minutes is up...I have a screaming child (Lydia) because I won't open the makeup for her to use...oh the joys of motherhood...

Free time

In about 12hours I will be headed to Boise, just Emily and me, for a weekend of shopping fun! I am going with 2 of my sisters-in-law and my mother-in-law. This is something we've never done together before, but we are all excited to go to Other Mother's for their bi-annual GINORMOUS quarter sale! I am hoping to find enough items to replace the ones that are being recycled through the girls and have new "scenery"-if you know what I mean. I hope to find items to get us through the summer and early fall as the next huge sale isn't until october...we'll have to wait and see. By us, I really mean us. The store has added a junior/adult section so there are item for moi even! Which is exclusive to tomorrow, last time I found some great items in amazing condition (but I was too pregnant to appreciate them)-I hope to find some steals for myself even! This is an event I look forward to, but have never shared with so many people at once...this will be an adventure! It feels somewhat odd for me to just leave the kids with Jake and go, but I am so grateful that he is willing to let me go while he plays with the kids for three days. And while I'm there I will be doing some serious coupon shopping as well-I am starting to get the hang of this new found skill and can't wait to continue to grow our food/essential storage in a much more budget friendly way! I'm even contemplating starting a blog to share my finds...I know there are a lot out there that coupon and have the hang of it even more so than I do, but I feel the need to share the local deals and haven't really found anyone doing that...we'll see, but for now I will just share my findings here.
Sharing the Coupon Gossip here:
KMart is doubling coupons up to $2. You have to have their "shop your way" card to participate and you can only double 5 coupons per day, but if you can make it almost everyday of the week (that's left) you can still score some pretty awesome deals. I was able to find some great deals last night and only paid $7 ($1.50 was tax) on over $35 worth of items...dish soap, tampax, fabric softener, razors, and deodorant, which I think is pretty good for a newbie. Anyway, I hope to score some more amazing deals while in Boise this weekend...maybe I can get my in-laws to help me out and I can share some of the goods :)

Walgreens has a monthly coupon book found in the store. This month there is a coupon (located toward the back of the book) for $1 off Flexion pens/highlighters. They are regularly priced $1.19 a double pack of pens or triple pack of highlighters. With the coupon get them $.19 a pack! You can buy as many as you want with the same coupon as well. I went and got myself two packs of pens and one pack of highlighters and discovered a $4.50 rebate on the back (limit one rebate per household), when you buy three-HUGE money maker! It takes about 6-8 weeks to receive the rebate, so we'll see if it really goes through, but it's another great deal and awesome stock up since the coupon lasts through the 24th. I think I will be going again to get more.
Let me know what fun sales/coupon finds you've experienced and I'll try to keep up with mine a well...Emily is getting a little better at not needing to be held so much, so I'm slowly getting more done each day-but I'll try to post more coupon gossip regularly (I use the term loosely though).

Have a great weekend everyone, I know I will!!

Kids say the darndest things...

We were at a stop light waiting to go straight. The turn light changed to green and Jake started to go. I asked him what land he was on after he came out of his daze and we hear Bryant in the background...

"Land HO!"

We laughed so hard we cried...

Survival revisted...

In my last post I stated I had survived my first day alone with 5 children...then why haven't I posted in a good three weeks? There's lots of reasons actually, but to put it in a nutshell-I've survived barely hanging by the skin of my teeth (why do we have that phrase anyway??)

I'm not going to lie, five is by far the hardest number I have dealt with, but I"m realizing it's mostly because #4 really likes my attention is not very happy that she doesn't get as much. She has adjusted rather well and the other girls have really stepped up to keep her company, but there are those moments when she just wants me and I just can't hold her as long as she would like. It's very heart breaking. We do sneak in snuggle times more and more which is great for both of us.

In the meantime, I woke up this morning and realized it's been one month since Emily was born! Holy cow, it has gone fast. Mostly in part to all the events that have taken place in such a short time. Kayelynn turned FIVE on the 24th of February!! Bryant has started wrestling and we just had Emily's blessing on Sunday.

HAPPY #5 KAYELYNN!!!

castle cake, daddy created!

blowing out the magic number...make a wish...

the grin on her face here, is how it was all day long!!!

Happy Birthday sweetheart!


WRESTLE-mania

the one in the black and red shorts

getting tips from a dad/coach

EMILY blessing

she was not so happy to pose, she just wanted to eat :)

peaceful

our new family of 7!

she's posing with her new cousin, Sophia (on the right) and her new 2nd cousin, Kaitlyn (on left)

I have to say, I am so glad that we have such a loving and caring ward, they brought in many meals and it has saved me more than I care to count! I am so glad that people understand that my house is not going to be clean when they come to visit, especially the unfinished basement that has toys scattered from wall to wall in both directions! I am so glad that Emily is a good baby-even if she doesn't sleep in her bed during the day-that's what Moby wraps were invented for, mom's to use both extremities while still holding their baby!!

Survival

I officially survived my first day alone with 5 children, granted one is in school all day, but still the routine of life had to keep going and although I am beyond tired I still had to get up and keep with life. There were many tender mercy moments throughout the day that just kept me going and I'm truly grateful!
There were minor interruptions in the routine that threw us off, but we all survived and still wanted to be around each other by bed time, no one prayed for mommy to not be grumpy-I must have done a pretty good job. Lydia is still learning that I will be holding Emily a lot more than she wants and that I can't always have her just climb on my lap. She refused to take a nap today and by bedtime she was so tired and still wouldn't fall asleep. I was nursing Emily and asked Lydia to come sit by me so I could snuggle her while I took care of Emily, she immediately climbed next to me and feel fast asleep. Oh how I miss being able to hold her whenever she asks. We will get there I know. One day down...bring on another!

EMILY LOUISE

We finally picked a name! It wasn't even on our "list", Jake mentioned it and it just worked! (Jake's dad has always wanted a little "Emmy-lou"...we will allow this nickname only from her grandpa-we are not a nickname family, we have always wanted to name our children what we want them to be known as, so this will be a stretch, but for grandpa there will be an exception...) I am just loving her more and more each minute! It's so special the spirit a newborn brings into the home.
The kids can't get enough of her, now that we are home Lydia is doing much better with the idea of having a baby to share attention with. Lydia now has her own baby that she keeps with her at all times, but she is found often giving soft little kisses on Emily's nose or forehead, it is so sweet!

BABY

7am - arrived for induction

8:45am - midwife arrived to break water

10:30am - water finally started leaking, and I started walking to jump start contractions; checking in every half hour for baby heart beat.

12:30pm - contractions started hitting, rested

2:30pm - decided to walk again, only lasted 1/2 hour

3pm - at a 6 and going "quickly", finally got some pain meds, midwife arrived

4:30pm - meds wore off, "walked" in room-this was the real thing

5:09pm - 3-4 pushes later and she was out

8lbs. 14 oz.

19 inches

We still don't have a name...working on that...

She LOVES to eat!

She has two huge, adorable dimples!

She is very alert, and just trying to rest...I'm finding she likes to be on her side...

We are doing very well. Everyone is invited to see her next Saturday, Feb. 20th...I am having an open house for Miche bags-LOVE them (it's my new diaper bag) from 11am- 2pm...feel free to come browse the bags, coddle the baby and see our new home!

Thank you everyone for your love, support, thoughts and prayers.

On her way...

I had some seriously awesome contractions yesterday that started about 1pm. Jake suggested about 7pm that I call the midwife and get some advice since they weren't getting any worse with walking and they would pretty much subside when I sat (at least in any pain level). I finally got in touch with her about 8pm and her suggestion was that I stay home and try to rest through them, if not, then make my way up-in the mean time she said not to wait until my scheduled appointment today, but to come first thing...I went to bed at 10:30pm and only woke a few times to the feelings of contractions. I was more than a little annoyed. We made it to the doctor just after 9am (which is when they open) and prayed and prayed I would be at a 4 or better yet a 5, but seriously I am at a 3.5!!!!!! I wanted to cry and the midwife had joked that if I was still at a 3 that she might cry with me. She immediately asked if we wanted to wait a few more days or just be induced. Jake immediately answered with a positive induction! He skipped school today hoping we could go today and has work covered for tomorrow, but beyond that he can't afford to miss more school or work, so she went to call the hospital while I had a pretty good pity party and silently cried!
We are scheduled to go in tomorrow (Wednesday) morning at 7am to begin the induction, which for me has only ever involved them breaking my water. We have to call around 6am to make sure there is still a bed open, before we make the 20 minute trek.
So, as of now our newest addition is on her way....there will be updates tomorrow, keep checking here and facebook. There won't be any pictures right away, but we can surely give small details :)
Thank you all for your support and prayers through these months. We just can't wait to meet our little bundle (still without a name)...

7 days

I'm sure you are sick of hearing about this baby and I feel badly that it's all I have to post about, but seriously when you are planning for the arrival of a new little bundle there's not much more your brain or body thinks about. And then you add 4 children that are constantly adding to the anxious frenzy...

We have officially hit 39 weeks (I have not made it this far since being pregnant with Bryant). I have been having some pretty good contractions since about Wednesday night, but they are too random to make the 20 minute drive just to be told to go home. I have been getting really tired and nauseous feeling in the evenings and Jake has been really good at helping get the kids to bed while I relax (and usually end up falling asleep).
I have an appointment tomorrow morning and hope that the midwife can get something going this week since she will be leaving town Friday afternoon. This should be the week...haha!

We have been staying as busy as possible though. Jake is doing well in school, Bryant is jumping leaps and bounds with his reading, Kayelynn is teaching herself how to read, Sarah is trying so hard to spell her name, and Lydia is just sprouting with her personality daily!! There has been a slight air of tension in the home because we don't want to plan too much just to end up disappointing the kids, so we made Saturday a day away from home; we did a little shopping and then walked and walked and walked the mall. The kids were a little confused at first, but then realized that if we stay moving then maybe, just maybe, the baby would come out of mommy's tummy...when we got home they wanted to walk around the neighborhood too. I was so sore and we still had the ward adult party to attend.

We went to the ward party (Jake was kicking and screaming-it's so not his thing), which was a 70's/80's theme. And because I was part of the program-some of us were doing a lip sync-I stressed out on how to dress up (I hadn't planned to be there really). What on earth did pregnant women wear in the 80's??? No offense, but they wore seriously ugly clothing! I went to the DI and couldn't get myself to purchase anything, it was hideous. So I just put a few pieces together of what I own, and slathered on the makeup and put accessories on (not really sure I looked the part, but I tried). It ended up being a very entertaining night, the activities committee really knows how to have fun and the ward is very good at participating!

After all the dancing and walking Saturday I was sure it would trigger something, but Sunday came and went with a few intense contractions, but not enough to "count". Jake just text me that he has people to come in and cover for him today, if needed-too bad we can't just tell a baby when to come, they really just have to come on their own!

TO DO

So after the last post I realized that I had basically just written my to-do list in a very whiney and S.O.S fashion, not so...it's amazing what writing something down will do for the mind and spirit! I woke up the next morning determined to try and get something done despite the lack of energy I've been feeling.
I managed to get the laundry done, including folded and put away! That's huge for me...there are times when the laundry just sits in a pile and we all have to just search through it to find whatever item(s) are in need...not yesterday! It felt so good to go to bed knowing I got something accomplished from start to finish! I even went all out last night and made a dinner that I've never made before and surprisingly only one child wasn't impressed.
Yeah for to-do lists and the power of accomplishment!
So, although I totally burnt myself out yesterday I know I can accomplish at least one thing on my list each day!

you're looking...

PREGNANT!!!
All I have heard the last week is how horrible/miserable I look. I thought I was doing pretty good, but my belly is shouting how heavy it is by how much it's dropped closer and closer to my knees.
I went to the midwife today and heard only the most horrible news a mother could hear (especially one that has had a few kids)...still at a 3!! haven't progressed much, except that baby has come down into position again and that I look like I've dropped. All good signs, I suppose, but seriously! the "weight" is getting to me. At this point it could be a dragon baby and I would be happy that it is out of me. I have hit that time in pregnancy where I absolutely have no energy beyond the bare, bare necessities. Even some of those are sliding by. Laundry is piled a mile high, both in what needs folded and what needs washed. The dishes finally got done tonight, but only because I just couldn't handle it a second longer. The floor needs mopped and vacuumed and the bathrooms-I won't even go there! But you know, I just don't have energy. I hate to admit that, but it's true. Is that a sign??
However, a slight selfish part of me hopes this baby decides to stay in just a little longer now that she didn't come out today. I have a fun night scheduled for Thursday that I surely don't want to miss and I have a fun night Saturday that I would been seriously sad to miss. So, I've told her she now has to wait and come anytime after 9pm Saturday (she just has to give me enough notice to make it 20 minutes to the hospital). With all the contractions I've been having for the past two weeks, I just hope we can get things done quickly when the time arrives :) No more jokes from this kiddo, please.
Bryant came home today hoping with all his heart that I was at the hospital, he was disappointed for a few minutes and then has just kept saying that she can come any day. He's been a good helper knowing I can't do as much right now. The kids are so excited they have started to pray that the baby come out "tomorrow". They are too excited and Lydia can't help but join in the excitement, although she has no idea, nor will she like it. So, here's to "tomorrow"!!

a mother's intuition??

I think it's more like a mother's-wish/dream-that-needs-to-come-true-any-day-please...
Went to the midwife this morning...only at a 3, the baby has moved so much she's not even "locked and ready" anymore. The past three pregnancies I have been to a 5 by now for sure and felt less ready, what is the deal? After three in a row, almost the same, you begin to wonder if you aren't doing something right, but then I remember that it's all in time and this baby will come when she needs-not on my terms. So now I need to find something to occupy my time and try to not think of what is to come.
If nothing happens before next Tuesday, I'll be headed in again and hopefully with much more progress (wait, did I just say it would be on baby terms, not mine?? gotta remember that).

anything? anything?

set to the tone of the teacher on ferris buellers day off

Since about Thursday night I have been having on and off contractions that can get me down for the moment and then they subside-rather irritating. Well I woke up Sunday morning feeling just plain 'ol crappy. I was supposed to teach my primary class that morning so I decided to buck up and just go to church, that everything would subside like it had the past 3 days...half way through primary I just couldn't take it anymore. I went and found Jake in sunday school and told him we had to get home things weren't looking or feeling any better. We collected the kids, I ditched primary (with my teaching partner grateful she had decided to read the lesson that morning) and we were on our way home to decide if we should drive 20 minutes to the hospital or not.
I immediately went to my comfortable bed and laid down letting Jake take care of the confused kids. Within an hour things, of course, slowed down and I felt a little better throughout the day, I think thanks to a short nap. Jake didn't sleep well last night, hoping and praying that something would happen during the night and reacting to every movement I made-it was pretty funny.
Today I have been trying to be as active as possible to get contractions to do something. They have been pretty minimal until I started writing this post. I cleaned the basement-which was strewn with toys from one end to the other. I crawled and squatted as much as possible to get my body to react-all I have to show for it is a very, very sore back-my fault I suppose.
We made cookies, I did a few freezer meals, helped kids stay happy and do homework and nothing seemed to do anything. Then I went to change a diaper and BOOM! the random feelings of uncomfortableness have begun...I suppose we'll see what happens, but I'm pretty sure this will be the week. We'll know more after my appointment Wednesday morning (if I make it that far, Jake thinks I won't).
It's been a funny day, the girls have been asking over and over if the baby could come tomorrow or tonight. I told them they would have to tell her to come. Since we took them out of primary yesterday they have been super, super excited and confused why the baby hasn't come yet. As I was tucking them in tonight the girls noticed that I was acting a little differently and Sarah immediately declares that the baby needs to stop hurting me, when Kayelynn answers with "no, Sarah, the baby is trying to come out" They both looked at each other and squealed! It was too cute. They then told me that she could come tomorrow when everyone was done with school (which is after 3pm). I told them I would do what I could. So funny the things kids say.

Baby Update...

In case you are wondering, since I did mention that I was headed to the doctor today, I figured I would put up a little update.
I see a midwife, she gave me her phone number so I can call her when we leave the house on our way to the hospital as it is 20 minutes away, that made me think I am probably closer than I am admitting too. I am dialated to a 2 (whoopie) and 60% effaced. The baby is settled in place, as the midwife was unable to move the baby's head, she declared that the baby was "locked and ready". I am measuring only one week ahead, so nothing major...I feel bigger than that, but knowing how I've looked in the past I know I'm not. I have started to get swelling in my feet and legs, so there is some discomfort through the days, but really I'm doing quite well. I finally realized as I was leaving the office that truly I probably only have 2 weeks left, as the last three babies have come in the 38th week-yikes!
I will be going in next Wednesday for my weekly check-up and we'll go from there. I came home and started finding all the blankets, burp cloths and anything else baby and washed them all-I've been in denial that she really is coming this quickly. I just need to pack my bag and get the moses basket all plush with blankets and I'll be as set as I can be until she arrives!

Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire

This is one MEGA-post!

I said I would update like two weeks ago...there is a story, but not really the-dog-ate-my-paper type. I had to plug in the other computer (which, unfortunately I don't know how to do) and therefore had to convince Jake of the importance of this chore...to download all the pictures from since we moved in...and then put them on the jump drive to be able to share them with you...

So I finally convinced Jake to set up the computer the other day and I went to download pictures without a mouse (couldn't find it)-that was so not working, so after crying out of frustration and disappointment I told Jake he would need to find a mouse quickly! He borrowed one from a friend and so I went to download pictures the next day. Things were going great, I was getting happier and more excited-especially because I forgot about some of the pictures on there. Then I see a pop-up notifying me that my jump drive is full and I've only downloaded up until the Christmas parties at the girls' preschool which is where all the fun pictures start! So, here I am waiting to get another jump drive and finally biting the bullet and just sharing what I do have.

So there's the story...enjoy pictures!

our finished home, just before we moved in...

kids enjoying the last nights at the nasty, scratch that, humble apartment

BIRTHDAY BOY-7!!

he wanted the theme pirate...somehow he had lost the hook, eye patch and hat by the time this picture was taken...ha!

daddy's creation of the pirate himself

hope he made a good wish...

he made out like a bandit!

with money even!

one of the prize cars his sisters chose for him...adding to the massive collection

his "most favorite" gift...he couldn't stop gazing enough to even grin at the camera!

DECORATED HOME

we managed to get this put together just before the birthday party...6 hours before this room was all boxes! thanks Jake!

another angle

my nativity up high-safe from small and curious hands

GINGERBREAD HOUSE??

who needs a gingerbread house when they can have a fruity/chocolate pebbles train??? Jake and I went to his work party and since Grandma was the babysitter, they made this awesome train complete with snowy tracks. They had a blast and couldn't get over how awesome their creation was!!!

SNOW MUCH FUN!!

playing in the very, very cold in the backyard

helping each other create a small snow cave

finding something new every couple minutes...who knew a yard would be so much fun??

testing the waters/ahem...snow

and enjoying every single minute!!!

ELEM. CHRISTMAS PROGRAM

the first graders were snowflakes...

enjoying the "spotlight"

all M-Z first graders...the school was big enough we went to a local high school auditorium and they had to still split the school by alphabet to get the program to work correctly!

Bryant's select audience! It was so fun to watch the girls amazed with the performance and eyeing where Bryant would be as well as singing/dancing along with the students!

Until I get another jumpdrive, these are the pictures you get to see. We are doing well, settling in nicely, organizing the best we can with an unfinished basement-yet to be finished! {giddy}

I am surviving nicely. I have just under 30 days left and am starting to feel the drag of the days and the desire to sleep and sleep and sleep...needless to say there are many afternoons of cat naps. I will go to the doctor on Wednesday and see what/if any progress there may be. As much as I am not ready for her to arrive, I wouldn't be against an early delivery...I just need to find that last burst of energy to finish that "honey-do" list on my own-haha!

Good times

We had a fabulous Christmas, just us in our new house! It was PERFECT! Santa brought all the right things and there were just the right number of gifts and everyone was happy, excited and grateful for their newly possessed treasures. We had Jake home for a lot of the festivities and it was fun to be together for so many days.

We finally have internet arriving to our home within the next 48 hours and then the pictures will be downloaded and the addiction will be satisfied ;)

I went to the doctor just before Christmas and was told that I should only expect about a month before the little one arrives...I wasn't ready for that and am now just a little freaked out to get everything ready. Until today I didn't even have baby clothes at the house...now I just need to go through all the containers and sort out what still looks like it should and not-lol. We still don't agree on a name, so that is just going to have to wait until we are at the hospital and see her face-it usually does end up that way. Has anyone ever made freezer meals before they delivered and had enough to feed their family for a few weeks?? I would love to try that, but need some good ideas-if anyone wants to pass them on, I would be thrilled!

Bryant starts at his new school the first of the year and is pretty excited, he met his teacher just before Christmas and she will be AWESOME! I'm even excited. The kids are all loving the freedom of the space at the house and just keep themselves pretty occupied downstairs with all their toys rediscovered from storage-it's great, I've gotten a lot done, thanks too, to nesting.

Keep checking regularly after Thursday as we will have internet access in the home and will be more up to date on all things Thornock!!

Holy cow...

We have been trying to get internet into our home for the last 2 weeks, but for some reason it's taking forever and no one will explain the hold up...I suppose, at this point, it could be true that I could be addicted to the internet, but having no outside communication is driving me a little batty...seriously. Oh well, this is a great week to not have disruputions!! We should eventually get internet and then you will be able to enjoy some fun pictures of our decorated home, and fun activities we've been up to.

Anyway, onto a different topic...I just have to share this before I forget.
Sarah bore her testimony a few weeks ago. She had told Jake what she would say and then he went up to be moral support as she had all confidence that she knew exactly what she was doing.
She stood up there all tall and proud, looked around and began very clearly...

"ladies and gentlemen," {giggles all around}
"the church is pretty" she started looking around and quickly ended as she would a prayer
"bless us to go to grandma's tomorrow...amen."

It was so great to hear her pride in the church and to be officially known in the ward, as our records had just been transferred that day. It was great and she's looking forward to it another time, although we will be practicing a few times before she has another turn.

Time's flying

We are still here and momentarily disconected from internet and visual entertainment. That can change, however I believe we should be unpacked prior to its setup. (I as in Jake, this blog generated from my workplace.) The house is great. Waking up with warm forced air is a real blessing and to feel plush carpet under foot brings tears to us daily. There are many, many, many a boxes yet to move but with Bryant's Birthday party comming up they will be gone by Sunday. I have been working the last three days and this is frustrating to my dear wife and her pregnancy burdened body as she is unable to do much to move things and unpack especially with the kids asking where things are or needing entertainment. I will rescue you tomorrow my Love. (Funny how she won't be able to read this for another week and yet I posted it anyway) Thanks to all our friends old and new who helped with our moves both recent and past. Without all that support we would still be where we were the first time we moved. Future posts comming soon....

Time's ticking...

The house was finished as of Saturday, the 14th. There wasn't a garage door until yesterday, but otherwise everything was done, cleaned (in a man's version), and ready. The inspection and appraisal took place and then the appraiser never called to let the lender/realtor know that he had done his job so the lender wasn't able to request for money until today. We meet with her tomorrow to get the last minute details figured out and then we have to wait for the money to arrive-which usually takes about 5 days.

So, a fate would have it, we won't be able to close until the 27th, the day after Thanksgiving, and because Jake is scheduled to work that day we will be will be moving all in one day, the 28th (we have never done that before, I sure hope it can happen) so that I can get the apartment clean on the 30th and have our checkout by noon. It is going to be a long weekend, but we will finally be living in our own place.

I feel like I'm holding my breath until everything really happens and then I think I will just bawl my eyes out because it actually took place...when you have dream and it actually comes true it's hard not to just fall on your knees and cry like a baby all the while pouring your heart out in prayer!

We celebrated our 8th anniversary on Monday, the 16th...it was one of those days that we just enjoyed spending together with our children and reflecting on the few years that have passed before us. It was fun to discuss how it was that day and how we were feeling and acting prior to seeing each other. We just kept looking in each other's eyes and seeing what we saw and felt that day...it's amazing all that has happened in such a short amount of time and yet how much we've grown because of it!!

newlyweds!!

the best men...

the bridesmaids...

8 years later...

In the meantime, I think I'll share some pictures that we've taken while living in our temporary dwelling.

she wants to be sophisticated like her mom...she LOVES to try on our glasses...we just have to make sure she doesn't touch them-she has a tendency to break every pair she touches.

taken 8/11/09

shortly after we moved to the apartment we finally made it to the park and the kids LOVED the slide...I tried to get one of all of them sitting so wonderfully at the top, but they had too much energy to sit still-I think this turned out even better!!

taken 8/16/09

Happy #3 to Sarah-she had a fabulous day!

taken 8/26/09

Bryant's first day of school (which happened to be Sarah's birthday)

taken 8/24/09

Kayelynn's first day of preschool-next to her locker

taken 8/26/09

Sarah's first day of school, in front of her locker

taken 8/26/09

Lydia was so tired, she managed to get lunch in her tummy, but didn't make it to her bed before she zonked-my first child to ever do this...it was pretty funny.

taken 8/20/09

the kids and I made it to the zoo on the free day-my sister and her boyfriend met us there and took this picture-it's the best one we could get-silly kids

taken 9/26/09

this is what Lydia does when the girls are at preschool...gather every single doll in the house and watch Elmo's world...she was especially into being mommy this day, as she insisted on the accessories on the ears-it was so funny

taken 9/24/09

remember that tire that blew out on our way to Boise? well here it is...in the shrubs just after it stopped steaming.

taken 10/15/09

and the wheel that got all chewed up with the remainder of the tire...I still laugh when I see these pictures, I can't believe it really happened. I'm still so thankful Jake was the one driving

taken 10/15/09

what is that, you ask?? She and Sarah got into the lotion and decided to paint their arms, faces, hair and even the carpet-it was too funny not to take a picture.

taken 10/4/09

the initial culprit got caught...she's the one that can reach the lotion and the one that confessed that she painted her sister just like herself! oh the creativity in this one's head...

taken 10/4/09

While potty training Sarah, Lydia decided she wanted to test out the pullups too, but did not want it on her bottom...this was the way she wanted it! (she's mad at the "binoculars" she's holding, they wouldn't do what she wanted).

taken 10/20/09

this is a common site at our house...a book and a teenager laying on the kitchen floor reading aloud the pictures that she sees.

taken 11/12/09

She has now decided that the pullups aren't as good at the "princess chair"...she really, really wants to be a big girl like Sarah. Oh how I wouldn't mind having her potty-trained before the baby arrives...what a great thing that would be! (Bryant potty-trained himself like this and was fully potty trained by 18months-it could happen)

taken 11/6/09

Walking in her father's shoes (size 18)...I sure hope she doesn't get feet that big...I don't even think they make women's shoes that big!!

taken 11/1/09

found this wizard costume for a quarter...she wanted it on and then decided that she wasn't so sure...

taken 10/27/09

Kayelynn's ride on her uncle's motorcycle...she was so cold, but insisted on getting a big girl ride!

taken 10/25/09

Lydia was mad that she couldn't have more rides and longer...she loved having the wind in her hair. You could hear her giggle as they came up the road...it was pretty stinking cute!

taken 10/25/09

We have had a lot of fun memories in this apartment and can't wait to begin new ones in our own place! The kids ask daily how long it will be until we move, the excitement is spreading throughout...it's really fun to see how much they are understanding and enjoying this transition! Thank you all for your comments of love and support. We are grateful for friends and family, such as you in our lives.