Level 3 ultrasound

I have been looking forward to, and dreading this event since the day I found out I was pregnant. There is nothing I love more than seeing my unborn babies. Every ultrasound is like the first time. It's funny that you can be so excited about something time after time after time! But I was also nervous. Scared silly is more accurate! I am always nervous before an ultrasound but this particular ultrasound was extremely nerve wracking to me. Because I am 'advanced maternal age' and because I have had 10 c-sections, I know that there are a million little things to worry about. Since before I got a positive test, I had a feeling I might be pregnant and I was already praying that if I was, to please, please let the placenta implant at the back of my uterus. With some of my last few pregnancies I had an anterior placenta and besides the risk of bleeding when they cut through it, I knew that there was an incredible risk of placenta accreta or placenta percreta. Worst case, but depending on what and where you read the chances are really high! So I have prayed, and prayed that the placenta would be in the back. I had a feeling it probably wasn't anterior because I heard the heartbeat so early, before my first appointment even. But still I was concerned. Also knowing I am well beyond when they start saying you are AMA... there are risks to the baby. Before we went to the appointment I asked Thayne for a Priesthood Blessing. I love my husband! I love that he knows me so well the he knew I would need one, and I love that he honors the Priesthood so much that he is prepared to give me one. The blessing was absolutely amazing. I felt like the Lord was talking straight to me. It told me what a gift this child was, that we had been willing to walk through the trials and that this ultrasound would be a witness of the Lord's hand in our lives and in this pregnancy and that we will find such great joy with this baby! Peace settled over me and while I was still anxious and a bit nervous to get the show on the road, I was very excited! The ultrasound tech wasn't awesome, but definitely wasn't terrible. She was at least willing to talk... I asked her where the placenta was and she said in the back of my uterus. I felt like jumping up and down and screaming for joy... all I could think to do was say "Thank You!" to my Heavenly Father for answering that prayer!!! We then went on to see a 3 vessel cord, 4 chambers of the heart, no cleft, 2 kidneys, liver good, brain good, spine good, 10 fingers, 10 toes, no markers for downs, although we know that this is no guarantee we are taking all of the good news we can get. Thayne asked how we would handle it if the baby had downs... I said the same way we handle all of them... love him! But so far everything looks wonderful! He has Thayne's nose... like so many of our kids do. It always makes me smile when I recognize the nose in the ultrasounds since I love his nose! :) Then the doctor that reads the scan came in to go over it with me. I was really grateful that we didn't have to wait to officially hear the results. She said everything looks AMAZING! She then asked me to go through my pregnancy history. It seems she also thinks I am a freak of nature and that I have defied every law when it comes to pregnancy and c-sections. Thayne and I were both very happy with our conversation with her. We mentioned that we were concerned at another 37 week or earlier delivery and we wondered about me staying in Salt Lake for a week and trying to get closer to 38 weeks. She said of course we need to talk to my doctor but she wouldn't recommend it. That at this point delivery at 36 weeks may even be best... that the risks of carrying later than 37 weeks are likely not worth it. I asked her thoughts on steroid shots since every doctor I have talked to say that past 34 weeks they aren't effective and aren't used. She said it was funny that I asked, because there is actually a study through U of U right now that is trying to determine if steroids are worth it later in the pregnancy, as in 36 and 37 weeks and that she would make a note to my doctor to recommend getting me in the study. I was so excited about that. She said either way she would send a note to my doctor recommending we go forward with them anyway. I have had 3 vertical uterine incisions. I know that going beyond 37 weeks is not worth it... but as a mom I want to do EVERYTHING possible to give this baby the best advantage starting out! I told her I was relieved about the placenta being in back. She was actually shocked that I knew the importance of that and that I knew so much about accreta and percreta. As we talked she said that most paitents don't know as much about risks/benefits and that she really had nothing to tell me that I didn't know... of course she doesn't know the smart friends I have on my large family and uterine rupture boards! :) She told me again that whether it was chance, a blessing or what but that I defied odds and that obviously she can't tell me odds when it is apparent that I beat the odds constantly. I told her it wasn't fate, and it wasn't beating the odds, it was a true blessing that we have prayed constantly for! I know that anything can happen... bad things happen everyday... but I DID see the hand of the Lord through the ultrasound and I recognize the great blessing we have been given. This baby is a miracle! The gift of this pregnancy is a miracle! We have been given a gift! I was promised during the first miscarriage that if I was willing to walk through the pain that would come, and learn what the Lord had for me to learn, that He would bless us with a healthy pregnancy and that I would be able to carry that baby to term... I will hold onto that and trust that the Lord doesn't lie... EVER. I will do my part and He will do His! I can't thank my Heavenly Father enough!!! I will forever look at this baby as a gift and a miracle! We have had so many in our life... but I won't take them for granted! I look forward to talking to my doctor now and going forward with making this baby as healthy as possible. We grabbed him a few more little pairs of pajamas and a cute little pair of shoes and I look at them and just want to hold this little man. I love to see how cute the kids are when they see the little clothes and how excited they are! And the funnest part of it all is that while we got to see the 4 chambers of the heart, he kept putting his hand up in front of the heart so they couldn't get the pictures they needed so we get to go back on April 8th and see this sweet baby again soon!!!

The Castle!

Thayne and I knew we had to go to Salt Lake for my level 3 ultrasound

and it was early so we decided to go the day before.

We needed to get to Costco and do some shopping too and looked forward

to going the day before.

I also decided to surprise Thayne with a nice room...

though in the end I couldn't keep it a secret!

We decided to get a room at the Castle Creek Inn...

a Bed and Breakfast that I hope to stay at again very soon!

We stayed in the King's Lodge room...

The whole experience was absolutely terrific!

We went to the temple first.

Such a nice way to start out the day.

Then had lunch in the cafeteria at the temple before heading out

SHOPPING!

We hit Costco and the mall.

In the mall we walked past Motherhood Maternity.

Thayne told me to go check it out and see if I wanted anything.

A youngish girl came up as we were looking at some pants and

asked who we were shopping for, a daughter or somebody else?

Thayne says, "Me, we are shopping for me!"

I laughed... the girl looked confused.

I am pretty sure had she really looked she would have noticed MY maternity shirt.

I hope she would have known...

Thayne says he is teasing and that he will sit in the comfortable chair outside the store.

And told me to have fun.

Hmmm... at first I thought perhaps I look too old to be pregnant??!!

While I am looking this girl asks if she could take the things I picked to try on.

She said she would put them in the changing room.

When I go into the room there are STACKS of clothing.

Weird.

She tells me she picked out some of her favorite things for me to try on.

Only she brought in size X-LARGE pants.

Again... hmmmmmmmm!

Well, I am trying on my selections and she is standing outside of the curtain

telling me she has some more shirts for me to see.

She is talking to me like she thinks I am having my first baby.

Why would someone assume that?

First she thought I was shopping for my daughter

(which of course I will be pleased to do)

but then she thinks I am a first time mom.

Nothing in between???

She asks how far along I am.

I say 19 weeks and she says how exciting because next week I can find out the sex.

I tell her that I found out 3 weeks ago that we are having a boy.

She is shocked that I knew!

Then asks about names but before I could say anything she goes on to tell me how

hard it is to pick out names.

I finally give up...

I tell her we have a name, and that this is my 16th baby!

Gasp!!!

If I thought it was bad before...

she didn't stop after that!

She went on and on about how she thought 6 kids was a lot and she was having 6 and

is it even possible to really have 16.

It seems to be possible...

but what do I know???

There are 2 other women behind the counter talking to me now also.

We were talking about how cute the clothes are now...

so much different than what I had when I was pregnant with Garrett.

I said it would be a shame to not be able to wear these clothes again after this baby.

And the girl pipes in and says,

"Oh, I have a ton of cute maternity clothes I wear all of the time...

and I don't even have kids yet!!!"

Okay, never mind... this explains everything!

She had no clue that I had a cute maternity shirt on because she wears maternity clothes

and isn't even pregnant...

she must assume we all do!!! :)

It took me 45 minutes to get out of the store.

Not because I wasn't ready and didn't want to leave...

this poor girl just couldn't talk and ring me up at the same time.

Every time she started to tell me something new she stopped working

and talked.

I kept glancing out at Thayne...

possibly hoping he would see and come and save me???!!!

She told me about her first conversation with a mall cop...

told me she told her husband shew wants 6 kids...

told me I really should subscribe to a parenting magazine just for the coupons...

told me she couldn't believe I had 15 other kids...

and still I waited.

I got some cute clothes...

but I think we will hit the OTHER mall

and the OTHER Motherhood Maternity next time!

We went to the Outback for dinner.

We laughed, we played pool in the room.

We laughed mored...

We talked and enjoyed every single second of being able to just hang out!

The Inn had movies and treats...

Sugar cookies with powdered sugar frosting in Thayne's words...
"Exactly like yours!!!"

They were delicious.

The jetted tub... awwwww... HEAVEN!

It was lighted and the lights would change going through the colors of a rainbow!

It was just a fun day... fun to be with my best friend. Fun to have nothing to do

but be together.

Fun shopping.

It is just fun to be with Thayne!

Can't wait to do it again!

I am so grateful for amazing kids who not only 'let' us, but encourage us to go

and to know that they are taking care of things here is such a blessing.

We are very blessed to have such amazing kids!

Thanks for all you did to make our get away possible!

Tanner and Kassi... happy birthday to you!

Another year, another year older...

times 2!

Tanner is now 21.

Kassi is 17.

Yes I realize that they are holding the wrong pan of brownies.

They thought they were pulling something over my head by doing it.

I just let them do it to make them feel smart!

Happy Birthday!!!

I was thinking that these two kids,

both born on the 6th of March,

4 years apart

both caused me some serious fear on the day they were born.

I had been in labor for days with Tanner.

When he was finally born I finally got to hold a baby first,

only to have him stop breathing.

It was terrifying, to say the least.

The life flight, the trip to Provo from Price and the fear of what would happen.

I remember just watching him for hours once we brought him home.

I love that boy so much.

I guess he isn't much of a boy now.

But I still look at him and see the little boy who stole my heart

and has always made me worry just a little bit more than normal.

And while he teases Kassi a lot,

he thought it was so awesome to get a sister for his birthday.

And the night she was born it was another emergency,

another time of uncertainty.

When I was pregnant with her I would lay awake at night and feel her moving

and imagine the little girl we were so excited to be meeting.

I felt like I knew her so completely before I ever conceived her

and could feel her personality long before she was born.

There were times in the next 3 1/2 weeks after her birth that I wondered if I would

even live to raise her.

I had bled internally for so long that I shouldn't be alive.

The doctors were amazed.

I would hold her, too weak to even walk from the the living room to the bathroom.

But I would look at her beautiful face and dream of who she would become.

She is so vibrant. So amazing! So fun!!!!

I love being around her because she makes life so exciting!

I feel blessed for all I learned because of them.

Every experience in those times taught me faith, and hope...

and I learned incredible love.

Happy Birthday Tanner!

Happy Birthday Kassi!

Thank you for the joy you have brought to my life.

Thank you for making me laugh!

Every year since we have lived in this house we have taken their picture in front of the fridge on their birthday... they always complain about it, but I think secretly they like it!!!

They are just... FUN! I love to see them laughing and enjoying each other's company!

Glad we didn't put 17 candles on the brownies... it took her long enough to blow the two out that were on there....

Little miss drama queen...

I love a Sunday like this...

I know that we often get out of, what we put into our experience at church. No, not often, that is just how it is. But some weeks it seems like I go through the motions of church and come home knowing I went, but didn't get my cup filled like I should have. But for whatever reason, maybe someone was trying to tell me something today, church was amazing. Well, the parts I was there for. I brought Kailee home early because she got hit with a horrible migraine before it was over, but I was so glad to be in Relief Society and Sunday School. I have been rereading a series of books that I really like... it is The Great And Terrible series and I just started book 1 again. A sentence in the book really stood out to me as I read this morning... "Each was alone in his battle to find the worth of his soul, each alone in his battle to make the right choice."

Then in Relief Society the lesson was taken from a talk given by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf called Of Things That Matter Most and I was asked to read this quote: "Some people can't get along with themselves. They criticize and belittle themselves all day long until they begin to hate themselves. May I suggest that your reduce the rush and take a little extra time to get to know yourself better. Learn to see yourself as Heavenly Father sees you - as His precious daughter with divine potential."

With Kinzee just getting her Young Women Medallion, and me deciding to work on getting mine, since I didn't have the opportunity as a young woman, I was thinking about how it teaches our girls to recognize their divine worth but I was also thinking about how many women do not recognize their own divine worth and how can we teach the girls if we don't know it for ourselves. So the Relief Society lesson was so amazing to me, to hear other women share their perspectives and their ideas on how to recognize their self worth. It is great to hear of others who are working to be the best that they can be also. One lady that I love and have always admired shared something I have thought about before, but she talked about how she married young, started having children right away and kind of put herself in the corner, locked away her hopes and dreams and took care of everyone else. I think that as women we kind of nurture everyone except ourselves sometimes... but I learned many years ago that if I don't fill my cup, I can't keep filling anyone else. Though I admit that I am better at it now than I used to be... it has taken me many years to apply what I already knew, and sometimes I still forget and have to step back and re-evaluate! She shared that she finally talked to someone that told her that wt.e are commanded to love thy neighbor as thyself, and how could we possibly love our neighbor if we don't first love our self? It's true. We often do not take the time to be alone with ourselves... to know who we are, and to love who we are. I think we all are our own worst enemies and judge ourselves to harshly. Yet I think that often we aren't doing enough of our best. It's a fine line to walk.

President Uchtdorf said: "Let’s be honest; it’s rather easy to be busy. We all can think up a list of tasks that will overwhelm our schedules. Some might even think that their self-worth depends on the length of their to-do list. They flood the open spaces in their time with lists of meetings and minutia—even during times of stress and fatigue. Because they unnecessarily complicate their lives, they often feel increased frustration, diminished joy, and too little sense of meaning in their lives.

It is said that any virtue when taken to an extreme can become a vice. Over scheduling our days would certainly qualify for this. There comes a point where milestones can become millstones and ambitions, albatrosses around our necks."

Isn't that the truth... we feel like we have to be busier in order to validate who we are. I guess I need to continue to evaluate my life and see where I can improve and where I need to slow down and cut back.

Sunday School was just as wonderful. We talked about being a disciple of Christ. As we studied Matthew 6 I enjoyed the ideas of how we can better be disciples of Christ. The list included giving charity and service privately. How often do we hear about the 'good' someone has done, but it's those that go about doing good without the praise of the world who are being true disciples. Another is that we must forgive in order to be forgiven. I think the fact is that we all must forgive, regardless of if the other person deserves it or not (because let's face it, it isn't our place to decide!) because if you hold onto your anger and pain, it destroys your own soul. One that I love is that we need to be more concerned with our spiritual side than the wealth of the world, that we need to seek the kingdom of God rather than early things. And that we should serve God, not wealth. We see every time we turn on the TV or listen to the news those that are seeking wealth, or using their wealth for the most vile things. It is frustrating to see how the media idolizes people who are completely crazy... being involved in all kinds of sick and evil are getting air time but you rarely hear the really good! I don't want to hear the latest star ranting and raving about his treatment because he is a drug addict. I especially don't want my kids to think that this is okay!

Being a disciple means we judge righteously because let's face it, we all have to make judgment calls. But first we need to look at ourselves and see where we can improve ourselves first! The thing our teacher talked about was there is no wiggle room for sin. How many times do we all justify our little sins? Or how many times do we justify our UNrighteous judgment?! Too often! I think judging righteously means we are giving people the benefit of the doubt. I had a conversation with a daughter about a lesson they were given in church and she said that she felt like the teacher was looking at them and trying to insinuate that they were somehow doing something wrong. I told her that first, if you are ever teaching a lesson you can't have the spirit with you to teach if you are trying to 'correct' someone else, but also she had nothing to feel badly about because that particular lesson was one that they live faithfully and fully... but that she needed to give the teacher the benefit of the doubt and believe that she was not trying to do anything other than teach them about a concept that everyone needs to know.

The greatest thing is that as we recognize who we are, our own worth, we can weather the storms of life. And life seems to be full of storms, of being tossed and thrown back and forth. I always want to have the peace even in the middle of those storms. Too many people try to say that being a disciple of Christ is hard. It isn't hard... life is hard... doing the right thing is easy. Trusting, knowing who we are is what gets us through the hard things life throws at us and keeps us still smiling, and still standing when things crash down around you! I had a friend that always said she couldn't handle it if she ever lost a child. She was adamant that THAT would be too hard for her to handle. We had the conversation many times.... I remember telling her that I never wanted to say out loud what I could or couldn't handle because I didn't want the Lord to show me exactly how strong I am. I think I would rather say that with the Lord's help and with a deep understanding of the gospel of Jesus Christ that I could get through anything. After all, the purpose of this life is not to get out of it alive... the purpose of life is to get BACK to our Heavenly Father and be able to say to Him, "Thy will be done." I want to hear from Him when my life is finished, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant." I have a long way to go... but I am not going to give up!!!

I love being Grandma!

I am still very much mom... in July I will be a 'new' mom all over again, so it sometimes seems strange to have one little guy calling me mom, and another calling me grandma. But, I love it!!! I love it when he comes in the house and yells, "Grandma!" and comes running to me. Last night we went out to dinner with Garrett, Tiffany, Jace, Cait, my cousin Jason and Shalum and Candice. And Gabe. He saw Thayne and me walk in and started reaching for us and saying hi and trying to get to us! It melts our hearts over and over again. Tonight Tiffany and Garrett were able to go to a concert in Wendover so we have Gabe here. He is SO fun. I was holding him and telling him, "Gabriel loves Grandma!" And he would repeat, " Gabriel loves Grandma!" and then clap! He says Grandpa too. Well, actually he pretty much says anything we say! It is so amazing to watch him grow. Just like it is watching my own kids. But then I guess he is mine too, right?! He saw Thayne eating Red Vines and demanded to be put on my bed to get to him, grabbed it from him and says, "Treat!" He keeps climbing on things and I told him he is crazy and he laughs and tells me "crazy!"... being his grandma is just the most amazing thing! I thought it melted my heart to see Thayne with his babies.... but I think, if it is even possible it is more amazing to see the love he has for his grand baby! And I am constantly amazed at how Nate is with him. Well, not just Nate, but ALL of the kids. They love him and are so good to him. Jace constantly scoops him up and plays with him. The little boys love to brag about their nephew and the girls think it is just great to be aunts. Nate is so protective of him and loves to take care of him. Being a grandma is just as amazing as I heard it would be... except most people say it's great because they can spoil them and give them back. I haven't got to the point where I am glad to have to give him back! Love this swett little boy! Love that he sometimes just has to climb on my lap for a hug and then he is off again. I love that he knows in this house everyone thinks he is wonderful. Isn't that the most important thing in life? To know that you are loved and wonderful?!

Thayne asked him where grandma is, and he looked at me with this face and said, "Right there..." Buddies... watch out world when they get a little older!

Nate wanted to hold him... he had other plans!

Treat..he stole it from grandpa!

Holy Toilet Paper Batman...

Well... I made Thayne go to the grocery store with me today to make good on the rain check they gave me while the toilet paper was on sale. Funny... they had this on for half price and didn't order nearly enough for the demand the ad brought! Because who WOULDN'T want Scott Tissue for $6.39 rather than the normal $12.99? AND... some of us go through so much that we don't allow the really 'soft' stuff in our house. We want to make it as uncomfortable as possible so they only use what they need! :) No, in truth this stuff lasts much longer than the other stuff you can buy! And in our family, stretching the toilet paper as far as possible is a positive thing! Sadly... for the grocery store, not for me, we cleaned them out. Took every last one they had on the shelf and the display in front. And you canNOT believe the looks we got from people as we pulled up to the cash register with 2 carts overflowing with TP! Between this and what is in the house... we have our year's supply of toilet paper. How cool is THAT? We won't be able to eat it... but it is every bit as important as the food I am thinking! And as Thayne pointed out, it is biodegradable! He had to put up a new shelf today to protect our investment from little rodents... or children who think they can use MY food storage to tp someone's house or something!!!!

New Beginnings

Every year the Young Women have a New Beginnings program to welcome the incoming young women to the program. I love the young women's program. I love what it teaches our girls. That they are beloved daughters of Heavenly Father, and are prepared to come to the earth at this time for a sacred and glorious purpose! They are taught that Heavenly Father has blessed them with talents and abilities to fulfill the purpose they are sent to earth to fulfill... their DIVINE purpose.

The personal progress program helps the girls set goals to be the best that they can be in their lives. To be examples, to serve and to grow to become the best that they can be... to fulfill their divine purpose! It says in their personal progress book that as they learn to accept and act upon the Young Women values in their life, they will form personal habits of prayer, scripture study, obedience to the commandments, and service to others and that these daily habits will strengthen their faith in, and testimony of Jesus Christ and will allow them to recognize and develop their unique gifts. By living the Young Women values, which are faith, divine nature, individual worth, knowledge, choice and accountability, good works, integrity and virtue... they will stand as a witness of God at all times and in all things, and in all places.

The Personal Progress program is an amazing program that the girls work on from the time they turn 12 years old. The whole purpose is to prepare them to receive the ordinances of the temple. They set goals for each of the 8 values and work towards experiences that take them closer to the Savior. After they complete the program they are recognized for completing it and receive their Young Women medallion. This is a BIG deal... kind of equal to boys earning their Eagle Scout award. It prepares them to be the amazing women that they were born to be!

Kinzee earned hers last night! I am so proud of her. So happy that it is something that she strongly desired, something she worked hard for. I am grateful for the young woman that she is. For her love and devotion to her Heavenly Father. And her devotion to her family. She is such a good friend and wants her friends to be happy and be the best they can be too. I am so grateful to have her as a daughter. As a friend. She is so happy, so upbeat. I love that she is not afraid of sharing her beliefs, sharing her feelings and standing up for what she believes is right. She is a friend to the underdog. It was a neat experience to see her receive her Young Women medallion!

Keep up the good work Kinzee Jo and don't ever forget who you are! The wonderful thing about the gospel is knowing that we can do our best every single day and then when we fall short, get up and start over and keep moving forward! What a gift to know that! What a gift to have a program like Personal Progress that reminds them of their divine nature and of their eternal worth!

These young women are such a blessing to me. I think that they teach me far more than I could ever teach them. I am grateful for their friendship. I think that it is a mistake to think that we can't be friends with our children. Joseph Smith said that we teach correct principles and let people govern themselves. I think that is important to remember as parents. At 16 we are not going to be teaching them anything new. If we have given them a foundation early on, then we can, as their friend, continue to add experiences to their lives that will prepare them to be amazing adults. If they are given a firm foundation when they are young, then they will have the respect and love for me, as their mom and they will feel secure enough to share their feelings and experiences. I wouldn't want to force my will on them, any more than I would want someone else's will forced on me. I tried to teach them when they were small what was important to me, I tried to live what I taught and even admit that I often fall short, and then stand by them as they gain the same experience for themselves! The Young Women program is something that adds to those experiences. It gives them opportunities to grow and learn and serve! It gives them a purpose for reading the scriptures. As they read the scriptures they learn to know the Savior, and when they know Him, the learn to love Him and want to be like Him.

Congratulations Kinzee!!!! Don't forget to continue setting goals and don't ever take your eye off the prize! Love you to pieces!!!

What beautiful girls... inside and out!

Poor dad... has 3 more girls to go through having to put the necklace on. He is really going to have to get and WEAR his glasses so he can see the tiny little clasp! Good thing he has a great sense of humor even about himself!

Trying not to cry as I tell Kinzee how much I love her and how grateful I am for her in my life! She is amazing!!!!

See what I mean about beautiful girls!

Sisters... through thick and thin... and fun, and laughter, and loud music!

Trouble.... times three! They always have the BEST time together!

Eeeekkk... Kailee looks a little crazed!

Kalli has some great examples in her big sisters!

Ummmmmm... yeah!

4 of my favorite girls!

Garrett is 24...

I am not possibly old enough to have a 24 year old son...

am I?

I didn't forget Garrett's birthday (2/26)

I was just trying to get to his baby pictures and didn't manage to get them scanned...

until just now!

Happy Birthday son!

I can't believe 24 years ago I held him in my arms for the first time,

looked into his eyes and saw heaven there.

I can literally close my eyes and see the moment they handed him to Thayne

and I thought the buttons on Thayne's shirt would pop off because his chest popped out

like the proud daddy he was!

After days of constant pain,

after the threat of a c-section...

this 9lb 10oz beautiful baby boy came into the world

and fulfilled my every dream.

I had wanted to be a mom for as long as I could remember.

I don't remember ever wanting to do anything else.
I had no back up plan...

I just wanted to be married and be a mom.

We were so happy to welcome him to our home.

We felt like we were the richest people on earth,

simply because we were parents to this little boy!

It is now so amazing to me to see another little boy,

with these same eyes,

run into the house and call me grandma!

I pull him into my arms and it takes me back through the years

and I relive the joy I felt then,

all over again!

May this year bring you wonderful things, Garrett...

may your dreams all come true.

And may you find the same joy in your little boy,

that we have always found in you!

Happy Birthday!

We love you!!!

3 months

6 months...
One year old!

18 weeks...

I popped...

And am thrilled about it!

I can't believe that in a few more days

I will be half way through this pregnancy!

I will deliver at 37 weeks

and I think that this time is going too fast almost!

I am trying to enjoy every wonderful second

of having this life growing inside of me.

I hate to think it is my last time...

but let's face it,

it may be.

But I am liking that I don't look like

my stomach is just fat...

now I can pull off the maternity shirts.

And I love to shop for maternity clothes.

I have to say that the clothes they had when I was pregnant

with Garrett

are not the same as the clothes they have now!

I need to stay off the internet because it is so easy to just

push the enter button and have more clothes on their way!

I can't say enough what a gift this baby is to us.

A miracle... a blessing... a joy beyond words!

Wacky Wednesday...

"Be what you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter

and those who matter don't mind."

In honor of the birthday of Dr. Seuss the kids had wacky Wednesday

at school today.

At first they wanted me to put their hair up on the top of their heads,

like Cindy Lou Who.

But they decided they wanted to just make it crazy...

And Kalli did her hair, her friend Kaitlyn and Kami's hair.

I love these girls!

They are so fun, so sure of themselves and so happy!

"A person's a person, no matter how small."