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!

Splish Splash

I love bathtub pics of the boys they are sooo cute! I know one day they will hate me for taking them but sometimes I just can't resist. These will make you smile! ;)

An exciting week!

This past week was very busy but full of so much fun! I had my 1st ultrasound, which just confirmed I have a bean in the oven. Another Chiropractic appointment which has helped me so much, regular visits and frequent back massages have helped my nausea. I have had 3 good days of little nausea...I am so excited to be feeling good!! It's something I had almost given up on experiencing! (Please excuse the disorderly pictures, I couldn't get them to move!)

Jim's parents flew in Wednesday night for Jim's graduation ceremonies. So we made breakfast for them Thursday morning and celebrated Jim's dads (Gordon's) Birthday Thursday night. Preston picked a truck cake which took some designing at home to make and Gordon requested Thai food...yum!
Jim walked Friday morning, it was so exciting!!! I am so proud of him! Wow, I can't believe we have both graduated from BYU-I with our Bachelor's!! Elder Neil L. Andersen from the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles presided over Commencement and spoke at the Convocation. Henry J. Eyring spoke at Jim's college Commencement he had wonderful and very inspiring words.
We spent the time visiting, shopping at Porters, bear world, cooking, playing outside, watching many favorite Disney movies, and playing with the boys! We had a wonderful visit, and were sad to say goodbye.

So I don't know if you can tell in the Bear World pics, but Preston bonked his head in the bathtub Friday night and had a huge goose-egg right between his eyes. He looked like a character from Star Trek! Poor little guy, the swelling has gone down but he now has two black eyes from the bonk!

This was also Jim's last week working at the office...which he is sad about. He now gets to work from home, which has been a huge blessing for me in preparing to move and needing extra nap time. ;)

We also were surprised to hear Darc and Li were in town, it was so fun to see them and Pearl, she is adorable!!! I wish their visit was longer and that we had more time to play...there is never enough time!

We had a wonderful Easter Sunday filled with Easter egg hunting, Easter baskets, and an amazing Easter dinner thanks to Staci and David!!!!! Staci cooked her first Ham from scatch, it turned out perfect and sooo good, I tried to help out with some sides, but she really did it all including a homemade Cheesecake!!! David is one lucky guy! ;) My contribution was pretty minimal with homemade strawberry shortcake, mashed potatoes, gravy, rolls, and salad. I had greater ideas for my part of Easter dinner but just didn't have the time...ah there is always next year!

Conference Weekend

We have a family tradition on Conference Weekend of doughnuts and chocolate milk. Jim usually gets up as soon as Preston wakes him at 6:30-7ish and heads to the store with Preston to get our tasty treats. We are not doughnut eaters, so they really are a twice a year treat! I personally am a fan of the cake doughnut and request those for myself, Jim loves the the chocolate cake with chocolate icing...he is the chocolate lover in this house! Preston now that he knows what he wants, always requests lots of sprinkles on any doughnut, but he usually gets the maple bar with sprinkles and he shares with Connor.
We always look forward to Conference and the council and inspiration we will receive. Usually we are able to watch all 4 sessions. Well this year our Realtor scheduled a showing of our house between 10-11am Saturday morning. *Sigh* Luckily we have a DVR! So we spent Saturday morning cleaning up the house and grocery shopping. I spent Saturday afternoon sleeping with the boys to avoid an afternoon of nausea. Jim and Dave went to the Priesthood session, in the meantime I made chocolate chip cookies and Tuna noodle casserole...mmm....sooo good...my grandmothers recipe! It hit the spot, I am very cautious these days about what I eat, it seems MOST things don't sit well.
Connor was very cranky last night, and woke us up at 1:30am crying, calling for "mommy". He is getting his top molars in, gotta love teething! Blah! So after oragel and tylenol, rocking, massaging, and bouncing almost 2 hours later I finally calmed him down enough to take some milk and cuddle with me. At 3:30am Connor was back to sleep and I was exhausted. I am exhausted on a regular basis anyway, ask Jim, if I have a chance I am sleeping! I don't know why this pregnancy I am so tired, but I feel like I have the flu and cannot get rested.
With Connor waking me up every 1/2 hour tossing and turning and then asking to watch cartoons at 6:30, its not a wonder that Sunday morning has been a challenge! Not to mention the boys make it difficult to listen. They usually play really well together, but then there are those days when they are out to make eachother miserable...they just pick and pick on each other. Almost as if they just can't stand to see the other one playing contently and must sabotage them. Yes, this morning is one of those mornings! After being up a hour Jim suggested I go back to bed and get some sleep after my restless night with Connor, I couldn't refuse the offer...ah sleep! At 7:30 I headed back to bed till 9...it felt so good, I could have easily have kept sleeping. Everyday I am thankful for Jim and for all his patience, tenderness, and help. Hopefully we will be able to catch Sunday afternoon and have a little quiet time to listen while the boys nap. I know wishful thinking, right?! ;)