Boys and their Toys

Both the boys are always completely fascinated by all Grandpa's toys up at his shop--and mostly because its a guy hang out, complete with grease, dirt, tools, and stuff. Preston always talks about going to see Grandpa to get a ride on his orange tractor. Now that we are just down the hill from them we visit daily. Preston asks to see Grandpa from the time his eyes open in the morning till they close at night. He keeps telling me he lives at Grandpa's house. The last visit Preston laid his eyes on a International Scout my dad had been restoring for David. It is a Wine color and beautiful, it was love at first sight for Preston. Of course Grandpa told Preston it was his if he got his Eagle Scout. Preston kept climbing in it, pretending to 4x4 it. The deal he had made with each of his own sons. So now all Preston talks about is working on his Scout in Grandpa's shop, it is really cute. Connor is much more interested in the motorcycles. He goes from one to the next climbing on top and pretending to ride with all the cool sounds motorcycles make. So Sean and I take turns riding Connor around on the dirt bikes. He is always disappointed when the ride is over. It is so fun to be so close that they can enjoy their Grandparents daily!

Surprisingly the boys have not had a hard time adjusting to their new rooms, I kept preparing myself for a fight every night at bedtime, or children up throughout the night. They both have always been dream children at bedtime, going without a peep. They have done great, which has been a huge blessing for me, I need all the sleep I can get these days.

The BIG move

Well we made it...it was stressful...and I was really sick most of the time...but with lots of help from family and friends we made it to Portland without any problems. Jim ended up driving the U-Haul alone that is a long boring drive, Dad hauled all the Harleys and dirt bikes alone, Mom rode with me to help with the boys, and Sean drove the Ford alone, I felt for the guys because 12 hours is quite boring...especially for Sean without A/C. It was a caravan for sure, we unpacked on Sunday. The "new house" is great and I LOVE the location. My favorite thing is the large deck! We have lived in Idaho for 7 1/2 years, I had forgotten how much I LOVE the smells of Spring in Oregon...the green trees and foliage everywhere and most of all the rolling hills. I just can't wait till I am not prego to really have some fun! To have family so close is awesome, its hard not to feel rushed to visit everyone like we are just visiting. The boys love seeing their grandparents...and ask daily to go visit. I love being near Sean to...its been too long. Jim's parents surprised Jim yesterday with a "welcome back" gift of a new BBQ. We BBQ a lot, we left our wonderful BBQ in Idaho with Dave and Staci, so they could enjoy BBQing with their friends. We are going to build wonderful memories here, I am so excited! I am not nearly finished unpacking...but getting there...it feels so good to be here and I am thankful that we are starting a new chapter in our lives. This fall with be full of changes with Jim starting school and the new addition arriving. I have a feeling this year will fly by...I better blog often!

Look out for the F-ing 4's

We were warned, its not the terrible 2's you need to be worried about it was the 3's and definitely the 4's...I think I recall the exact quote was "the F-ing 4's"well I am hear to say the 3's have tested our patience but I am really worried what the 4's will bring!

Preston has always been a dream child, tender, sweet, gentle, really laid back, don't get me wrong he is full of it like any other boy...but not like Connor! Lately he has been talking back, won't come when I call him, is instantly off into something he shouldn't be, and really picking on Connor. I think what happened to my mild mannered boy who has always been easy! Then I think, "Oh crap we are approaching the F-ing 4's". I don't think anything Preston can do will even compare to what we will face with Connor...I am a little-- okay a lot scared! We can put Preston in time-out and he is crying and instantly apologizing to get out. For some reason I just don't think "time-out" will work as well with Connor but only time will tell! I love my Con-man, as feisty and ornery as he is...he is so fun!

Happy Mother's Day

On those exhausting days when I feel defeated and I have said, "No!", "Stop", "Don't Hit", "Don't push", "Go to the Corner", etc., so many times I sound like a broken record...I have to stop and take a time out myself and remember what a special blessing it is to be a mother!

"You have nothing in this world more precious than your children. When you grow old, when your hair turns white and your body grows weary, when you are prone to sit in a rocker and meditate on the things of your life, nothing will be so important as the question of how your children have turned out ... Do not trade your birthright as a mother for some bauble of passing value ... The baby you hold in your arms will grow quickly as the sunrise and the sunset of the rushing days."

President Gordon B. Hinckley

I am so grateful for the wonderful Mother's in my life.

For my own Mother, for her shining example, her devotion, kindness, love, patience and tenderness. She is my best friend, I know I can always call her for advice, a good cry, a great laugh, and I love that she always supports me and makes me feel good! There is something so comforting knowing your Mother is always there with a listening and loving ear. She helps me see the whole picture and does it with such love. I have been blessed with a wonderful Mother...moving home is something her and I just can't wait for. We both decided years ago that if I lived in Portland we both wouldn't get anything done we would be off playing too much...well yeah for playing!

I am grateful for my Grandmother's, Euleta and Barbra, who I am so close too. They have had a huge influence on me as a Mother. They both are so loving, supportive, accepting, hard-working, and amazing cooks! They have taught me awesome qualities to have as a Mother and I hope to be like them. I notice all the time little things that I do that is like them, or hear their voice in my ear on why we do things this way or that. More than anything I have loved how positive they both are...their excitement for Life is something I always want to have. I have countless memories with them and hope to have many more...they are amazing Mother's!

Finally I am grateful for my Mother-In-Law, Joclyn. I feel very blessed to have another Mother in my life that is so different from my own. She is always planning a family outing, making each experience a great one. I love that she is adventurous and is up for anything! Last summer I loved seeing her take off on our ATV for a ride with Jim through Kelly Canyon, or the summer before that driving many hours up to Montana to mine for Sapphires. I love that she loves the Coast and good food. Some of my favorite memories with Jim's family is spent at the Coast...enjoying Chowder at Moe's. We both share a love of Quilting and I have to say that if it wasn't for her I wouldn't be making my Christmas Stockings! Her and I are different but our differences make me appreciate all she has to offer and teach me.

I hope to be like the Mother's in my life...they are all amazing Women and most of all Mother's. They have all made huge sacrifices for their families and are amazing examples to me. I love you all, thank you for being my Mothers and Grandmothers...I am so blessed!

**thank you Mindi for the quote, I loved it!**

Elder M. Russell Ballard on mothering:

"There is no one perfect way to be a good mother. Each situation is unique. Each mother has different challenges, different skills and abilities, and certainly different children. The choice is different and unique for each mother and each family. Many are able to be “full-time moms,” at least during the most formative years of their children’s lives, and many others would like to be. Some may have to work part-or full-time; some may work at home; some may divide their lives into periods of home and family and work. What matters is that a mother loves her children deeply and, in keeping with the devotion she has for God and her husband, prioritizes them above all else."

"Recognize that the joy of motherhood comes in moments. There will be hard times and frustrating times. But amid the challenges, there are shining moments of joy and satisfaction."

M. Russell Ballard

“Motherhood, is near to divinity. It is the highest, holiest service to be assumed by mankind. It places her who honors its holy calling and service next to the angels.”

Elder Russell M. Nelson

Saying Good-bye

I have been busy attempting packing...packing is a chore in itself but then to try to pack while dealing with severe nausea has been a challenge. I just decided if I am not heaving over the toilet then I better be packing...yeah it has been interesting! While packing its fun to reminisce, mostly I can't believe how much our family has changed and grown in this home. Jim and I moved here and the house seemed so big because it was just him and I, then Preston can and we were introduced to the beautiful and challenging world of parenting. All my dearest memories with my new babies are in this home. As our family has grown the house has seemed to become smaller...and there never seems to be enough space. I have loved my walks to the park all summer long, watching my boys play and grow, beg to ride the carousel, get soaked in the water park, free lunches, and endless laps around the park trying to get that baby weight off. I love seeing the temple from my front door, living on a dead end and having great neighbors. I am so grateful I graduated with my Bachelors and have an awesome education. I am so very grateful for all our wonderful friends that we have made here...many of them have already moved or are currently moving...so it really is our turn! ;)
This home has been a wonderful place to start our family...I will miss all the memories that are here in this home. I know I will cry when we leave...but oh my heart is so excited and thrilled to move next week! To build new memories in our new home and start a new chapter in our lives. I feel overwhelming blessed and grateful for my boys and for Jim. We are great together and I love that he is so supportive of me. He is a wonderful, attentive, husband...nothing is better than being married to your best friend!
I am not a pack rat, I enjoy a clean, organized home. I have filled the back of the Yukon with even more things that we can live without. I just can't believe I have packed 50+ boxes and am close but not quite finished. Jim has been in Portland the last few days getting everything in order for our move and my goal was to have us packed less the things we have to use until Friday.
I want to thank everyone that has helped me so much while I have struggled through this pregnancy. Today the boys saw David out mowing our front lawn and of course were so excited...they love the John Deere and they LOVE Dave. So Dave let them climb on and took them to finish mowing, about 45 min later, I hear the mower getting closer and look out the window to see two little boys completely asleep one under each of his arms as he tries to steer the lawn mower to the front door. It was adorable! I ran for my camera but of course the battery is dead, great!

It's A GIRL...maybe?

This week I had to go into the docs office for 2 liters of fluids, some more anti-nausea medicine, and a shot of B6. As I was waiting I picked up one of the many "pregnancy"magazines that litter the waiting room table. There was this advertisement about a new product called Intelligender, that predicts the sex of the baby as early as 10 wks. I mentioned it to Jim when I got home and he was off to Walgreens to give this test a try. This morning I took the test...it was like taking a pregnancy test...anticipation and a little anxiety. The full 10 minute wait before reading the result seemed to last forever...

The result....IT'S A GIRL!!!!!! Ok, so I know its not 100% accurate (90% is close enough) but they have loads of testimonials. I am just going to have to wait another 6 wks for my ultrasound to confirm...but we have chosen a name (Sophie) and are hoping a little pink is in our future! I am so excited that I want to shout it, YAHOOOOWEEEE!!! :)

Jim's comment...he says he is nervous about having a girl because she will make him do dumb things, and things he may regret! My dad thinks its sweet justice...he laughs and laughs!