Snakes and Snails, and Puppy Dogs Tails

On Monday, I dropped Elley off at school and told her to ride the bus home. Little did she know I would pick her up early and we would head to the doctor for the 20 week scan. We picked up Molly from preschool and started to drive to Elley's school. At one point she asked where we were going, and we just said that we were picking up Elley. They both had no idea what was going on.

I went in to get Elley. When she walked down the hall and saw us, she smiled and asked if we were leaving to go find out if the baby was a girl or a boy. We weren't going to tell them until we actually got to the doctor but the girls were on to us. So we told them right there at the school. YES!! We're on our way to find out if these girls would get a brother or sister.

Ever since becoming pregnant, I never had any strong feeling one way or another. I was extremely sick in the first trimester and continue to get nauseous even now from time to time. I started taking Unisom and B6 regularly from the start, and it seemed to help. I still take it, I'm scared not to. Smells were the worst. One evening, we went to Costco and the amount of different smells put me over the edge. The tires, the bakery, the produce...I just couldn't handle it. I threw up on the way home. My children saw me throw up so many times, they thought it was just a normal part of my life. 

I was never this sick with any of the other pregnancies, but they did seem to get worse with each one. I never thought that because I was so sick it could be a boy.

I always assumed I would have 4 girls. Was it because it was all I knew? Was it because thats all we had already? Was it because there are 13 grandkids on Adam's side and 11 of them are girls? I don't know. I would of been so happy if this one was a girl. We have all the girl clothes, the girls could share rooms, and we already knew what we were doing. The girls were excited we were having another baby and they always talked about it being a girl. I hoped that if this baby turned out to be a boy, they wouldn't be disappointed, then I thought...who am I kidding, it's a girl.

On the way to the appointment I asked the the girls if they had any last guesses. Everyone in the car said GIRL except for Addison. I think Adam and I were just prepping ourselves for another girl. So many thoughts and emotions filled my heart and soul as we drove there. 

I sat in the waiting room anxious and excited. The girls played in the toy room. I can't believe it was 20 weeks already. This is the last baby for us so I was trying to savor the moment and then my name was called. Adam rounded up the kids and we headed down the hall to the ultrasound room. The room only had 2 chairs in it. Adam had Addison on his lap, Molly sat in the other chair, and Elley stood by the bed. 

The tech asked if we wanted to know the gender if we came across it? Yes!!! This is it!! The first picture that came up was of his heart. She said baby was in a good position to get pictures of his heart and so we stayed there for awhile. She was so nice explaining to the girls what she was taking pictures of and all the parts of the baby's heart. At one point I said, "that looks like a girl heart to me." Everyone kind of chuckled. Then the tech moved the doppler and this is the next picture we saw.

I think I might of gasped and said, that's a boy or is that a boy!? I just remember that that one shot took my breath away. I never thought I would have an ultrasound picture like that. Then the tech said, "yep, that looks like a boy." I started crying. It was amazing to think that our little peanut was a BOY. I was in shock. Elley got me a tissue, then Addison got me a tissue. The tech commented on what sweet girls I had.

The girls didn't say much, I think they might of been in shock too. I think they really wanted a sister but are warming up to the idea of a brother now. By the time they meet him Im sure he'll have them all wrapped around his fingers. Watch out baby brother Arnold, you have 4 moms. :)

Adam is on cloud 9. He finally has a SON! 

I still, 3 days later, find myself pinching myself. Still in shock and still giddy with joy. I can't wait to meet this boy of ours. it's going to be one long hot summer, but so worth it. Time to get rid of pink and start buying blue. I will miss dresses and bows and a different pair of shoes for every outfit, but what a fun way to finish up our family. I love this baby boy so much already!!

The rest of the ultrasound was perfect. He is perfect and is scheduled to arrive late September. Can't wait!!!

Finishing up the Year

I decided to just finish up 2013 so I can move on. Big this are happening with our family with the girls getting older and accomplishing new milestones.

Starting in October, Adam went away to post academy for work for 10 whole weeks, only coming home on the weekends. What a crazy long 10 weeks that was!!! We would occasionally meet up for lunch or dinner or a quick "hi" before bed but for the most part, I was a single parent for 10 whole weeks. I'm glad it's done, and so proud of Adam for making it though too.

Molly and Elley each played indoor soccer this fall and loved it. I loved that to was indoors!!!

Molly's birthday was in November. We made rainbow cupcakes for preschool, she got her nails done, and she got to go to McDonalds for lunch before preschool. It was kind of a low key year since daddy wasn't around.

My 3 girls

Thanksgiving was fun, Grandma and Grandpa came to visit and Adam had Wednesday-Sunday off, which was a nice break!!! We also went and saw Frozen, which is a favorite among our girls right now.

Molly had a Christmas preformance for preschool.

And then there was Christmas...

The night before, all in their matching jammies.

Addison got her Brave doll 

 Elley got a jewelry box full of jewelry with a gift card from Santa to Claire's so she could get her ears pierced.

Molly got the Molly American Girl doll

I got this beautiful picture of a poinsettia that Elley made at school for me. 

The day after Christmas we went to Logan for a big family get together with the family. We had lots of fun, but the highlight of the trip was this awesome gym Kerilynn rented for us to all play in.

We also had our family gift exchange, lots of yummy food and a trip to Temple Square.

Well, that wraps up 2013. We are excited to welcome 2014 and all the changes that will come to our family.

Watering Eyes

A few Sundays ago, my 3 girls asked if they could watch The Testaments. Surprised, but mostly excited that they chose this movie, I put it in. I watch it to but for the first half I was doing dishes and trying to pick up a bit. I really sat down and focused on the movie about half way though. At one point during the crucifixion, Molly looked really worried and I wondered if this was too much for her. She said, "mom, this is really sad, why were these people so mean to Jesus?" We talked about how these people may not have known that Jesus was the Son of God. She again said, "that really makes me sad."

At the end of the movie a man that has lost his sight was brought to Jesus as He was appearing to the Nephites in the Americas. The man who had lost his sight was one of the main characters in the movie, the one who all along had such great faith in the Son of God. He knew that Jesus would die, be resurrected, and come to visit.

This man was brought to Christ and Christ healed him restoring his vision. The next scene is the once blind man looking into the eyes of Christ. Its a very powerful moment in the movie.

Molly looks up at me with tears streaming down her face. She said to me, "mom, my eyes are watering and they won't stop." She quite clearly is crying I scooped that little 5 year old girl up and let her cry on my shoulder. What a tender moment that was. I may have even shed a tear or two. It was one of the most tender moments in motherhood. I took the opportunity to teach Molly more about the Spirit  and how it works, that each of us feel it differently, but that she was most definitely feeling the Spirit. Heavenly Father wanted her to know that Jesus is the Son of God, our Savior, that He has been resurrected, and that He makes ALL things possible.

I love the gospel of Jesus Christ! I love teaching my kids about a loving Heavenly Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and that we can know these things, without a doubt, by the Spirit. The gospel of Jesus Christ is the only way to true happiness in this life. I hope and pray that I will have many more opportunities, that I can look and find them, to teach my kids the truthfulness of the gospel.

Halloween 2013

With Daddy being gone at training this Halloween, we didn't do our annual neighborhood/friend party. That was sad for me. I love Halloween and love getting together with friends. This year for sure…if Daddy has it off.

This last year we kept things simple. The kids, of course, had their parties at school and we even went to a local carnival a few days before. But on the actual night of Halloween, we went to a haunted house, (Molly's request) had some pizza with friends, and then trick or treated around the block. We had a good time, just low key and lots of candy!!!

Us at the haunted house 

My 3 princesses 

A Sprint Triathlon 2013

I can now say, 'I've done a triathlon'…a sprint one anyway.

I had a friend talk me into it. 750 meter swim, 12 mile bike ride, and a 3 mile run. The run…easy peasy! The bike ride…I could handle it. The swim…I'm gonna die!!! Those were my thought exactly and thats exactly how it went down. 

I had to work hard on my swimming. I'd never really swam before, except in the summer for fun. It's hard! The breathing, the form, the water. During training, my fastest time was 21:00. Race day I got 18:39. I was so freakin proud of myself!!!

The triathlon was a little different. We did the swim the night before the bike and the run. I kind of liked that. I was so nervous about the swim anyway, it was nice just to focus on just that. Then, the next morning, you started your bike ride when your swim time came up.

My friend Jill who's run every race with me except for one. I think she might be my race partner for life!!! And also, another friend Angie.

I do have to say that this was the funnest race I've done! I still love running but the change of pace with the triathlon was so fun!!! I defiantly want to do another one…maybe even a longer one! :)

A Flash Flood

As I try and catch up with all the pictures/events that I have neglected to blog about, I'm having a hard time picking out my most favorite. So many memories but I'm waiting to be caught up so bad.

We had a flash flood this past late summer. It was so fun and so sudden. The rain was coming down in sheets. It happened right as I put diner on the table. It was so loud and the girls were getting so distracted, and honestly…so was I. :)

So, what do we do...

WE PLAY IN IT!!!!!!

Everyone was outside in amazement at all the rain. And I think the kids were amazed that I actually let them play in the water, durning dinner, in their clothes. Why fight it? How often do we actually get beach front property?

4th of July 2013

I know, I know…this was like 7 months ago, but it was such a fun weekend I have to post something about it. I'm still trying to catch up and we had such a fun summer that I can't pass it by without a few posts.

4th of July we went down to Utah to visit Uncle Nate, Aunt Shelli, Jordan, Dallin, Sydney, and Emily. We had a blast and thankful now that they live closer to us so we can visit more often!

We ALWAYS have great food when we get together!!! Fish Tacos, homemade tortilla chips, avocado cucumber salad and dips for our chips. It was heaven!!!

We also took a trip down to SLC. we went to Temple square and City Creek.

I lOVE the Temple! 

On the way home, we stopped to see Kerilynn and her family. We met up at a McDonalds to let the kids play. Then, we let Elley go back with Kerilynn for a little cousins trip. It wasn't planned and I was really nervous to let her go, but she did it!!! She had a hard time a few nights and didn't want to stay for as long as we had planned, but for her first time away from home without mom and dad, i'd sad she did great!!

The last two pictures were just a few days later. Elley was still in Utah and these were taken the night before Molly cracked her head open. The last pictures of her perfect forehead. Although, even though she's got a pretty crazy story and scar, I still think her forehead is perfect.