Cali

I don't know why it's taken me so long to post about this, I kept wanting to post a picture.  Since Heidi had a perfectly good one, I stole it and now I am finally posting!!  Then in the back of my mind I'm thinking I did post about it, just without the picture, so who knows.  ANYWAY!

Misty had another batch of kittens a couple months ago (much to my dismay... we are procrastinaters when it comes to spaying our pets), and out popped this cute little Calico kitten.  I had always wanted a calico kitten when I was little, and she was so sweet and calm with the kids, Erika loved her, all kinds of good reasons, so we decided to let Erika and Noah adopt her together.  Kind of goes against all the rules we've had in the past about pets... oops... but so far they've done a really good job of caring for her.  Even the litter box.  She is really cute chasing her mom around and wrestling and then cuddling with anyone who will pick her up... she's a sweet little kitty.  Erika loves her :) 

Things to Remember week of 7-19-15

SUNDAY SCHOOL
Our Sunday school lesson was about Christ's Atonement today.  It was such a great reminder of our Savior's love and how much he really must love us.  I had a lot of thoughts about the things that have been stressing me out lately and decided that I've been looking at things wrong.  I had a little change of heart and was able to repent and talk to Heavenly Father a little about it all.  Feels a lot better.  7-19-15

BOOK OF MORMON
I finished the Book of Mormon!!  Felt like it had only been a few months and I was right- it was back in May that I finished it last!  Wahoo for me.  Makes me happy.  I have been really into it lately and it's been difficult to put it down.  I love that it's on my phone and I can just open up my scriptures whenever, wherever and read.  Feels like a really good thing, especially right now when sanity is not within close reach.  I love that I can feel the Spirit when I read.  I love that I have faith that the things that are written in that book came from God and that they are the things he wants me to study.  Feels good.  I started reading it over again and when it said in the introduction that if you want to learn more about Joseph Smith's History to read the Pearl of Great Price, I realized it's been a LONG time since I ready the POGP.  I think it was that year at UVSC when I took the class.  So I started reading that.  It's so short, I'll be right back to the BOM asap.  It's nice to feel on top of this area of my life.  I usually do horribly when I'm pregnant, so this is a blessing.  7-19-15

CRICKET
Nate's friend brought his dog for us to dog sit on Sunday.  I'm not happy about this.  Let's see if she survives living here with me.  Buddy was pretty cool, barking at her when she would jump up on me though!  Makes me feel like Buddy knows I like him and he likes me, we just have a mutual agreement that we not hang out with each other.  Kinda nice.  7-20-15

33 WEEKS
So, I am PRETTY sure that we will be delivering on the 1st of September which is a Tuesday, so I'm rerouting my weeks a little to accommodate the new timeline.  I don't know why that makes more sense in my mind, but it does.  Helps me to say I have six weeks left when there's really only six weeks and not six weeks and three days.  Plus with all the adjusting Dr. Thackeray did with my due date- who the heck knows how far along I really am anyway :).  Jk.  I'm ABOUT 33 weeks :).  It feels good to say that there are only six weeks left.  But at the same time, that still feels kind of far away.  There's a lot to get done before then, though, so I'm hoping we have enough to keep us busy and it goes quickly.  The pelvic/pubic bone pain continues.  It's not my hips this time like with Jack, so thank my lucky stars for that, but it seems like these new symptoms- the ones that show up only for one pregnancy- are the hardest ones for me to overcome.  This one is really painful.  It's nice that it only shows up when my bladder is "full", when my bowels are "full", and when I'm contracting.  But unfortunately, those things happen quite a bit.  It's hard to lift up my legs most of the time too, which is definitely a bummer.  Walking is less enjoyable.  And that's been bad because I'm not as active as I would like to be still.  I'm not sure how to overcome these new symptoms.  I wish there were answers.  There's also this other new thing, this weird pain right where my appendix was.  I assume it's scar tissue just pulling and stretching, but it burns like no other!!  Makes it hard to do anything while it's hurting too.  It doesn't last more than 10 or 20 minutes and it's usually just in bed at night, but UGH, it's painful.  I don't feel AS nauseated anymore, but the d7-2islike for food hasn't subsided.  Food is just not my friend right now.  It is getting harder and harder to prepare meals and want to do all that stuff.  Which is bad.  I can't get over how many people are asking about her name!!!  Why does everyone want to know so bad?  I mean, I get why my kids and family want to know, but random people at church??  Seems funny almost.  I've been getting a lot of crap about it though, which just seems strange.  Is it really that weird that we are not telling people?  I guess I could just lie and tell them we don't know what we're going to name her- ya can't really argue with that.  But then I've gotta hear suggestions too... suggestions are only fun when you ask for them.  I just don't like to put the name out there this early on.  Her name really is growing on me though.  I almost call her by it all the time :).  I especially love her middle name.  It's been really special to me lately.  I'm so excited to meet her.  I hope she is excited to come.  I had to give the kids the "let's try to have the Spirit in our home, so that she can be more comfortable here" speech recently because the fighting seems to have reached a new level.  They're doing much better.  I appreciate them so much.  The fact that they find that an important cause means a lot to me.  They are so good.  They've all been praying for her to be getting ready to come and that her body will grow like it's supposed to.  It's so cute.  I hope she really is doing okay.  She moves around enough that she should be, but ya never know I guess.  I pray for her nonstop.  I hope she makes it here when she's supposed to and in one happy little piece and that she gets to stay for a while.  Bending over is difficult.  7-21-15

"NIGHT GAMES"
Tonight for YW/YM we were supposed to play "Night Games".  Which seemed funny since it wasn't dark out.  But it ended up being a pretty fun activity up at Castle Park with a fire in the fire pit, hot dogs and marshmallows to roast.  We did play a grueling game of sardines through the wooded area near the creek, but that ended up kind of bombing.  It was an interesting activity.  Felt like there was a pretty extreme separation between the adult leaders and the youth.  It makes me sad that the youth all have these leaders who don't care to get to know them by spending time with them.  Kind of a bummer if you ask me.  There were a few leaders getting involved, but for the most part, the youth were on their own.  It's a bummer too because a lot of the YM leaders are brand new!  Seems like they should be trying harder than anyone.  Same with a lot of our YW leaders.  Bumbs me out.  The youth deserve better.  That's all I have to say about that.
Oh!  But I should mention, my cool little Charity and Kelly went around the neighborhood to all the less-active and new non member's homes and invited them all to the activity!  It was so cool!  I'm so proud of them and their outgoing natures to be able to do that.  Made me happy.  They got the new girl who is not a member to come and were able to get to know her a little better, as well as the less-active girl and her brother!  Cool stuff.  I couldn't be more proud.  They're much braver than me.  7-22-15



PIONEER DAY
We had a really fun weekend celebrating the pioneers.  It was great because Nate had all the days off with us.  We spent some time at the carnival on Friday.  Heidi joined us.  That was pretty fun.  I wish it hadn't been so hot and I wish the lines weren't so long.  I spent a lot of time in line with Charity for the Bungee Jump, so I didn't get to see everyone else doing their fun rides.  They all had enough tickets they should have had fun, I think they did :).  I love just being there.  It's a fun atmosphere like Heidi said.  Erika wanted to make sure she did the pioneer booths, which I thought were too much like Nauvoo to give them a second glance, since we just did all that, but my kids LOVE that stuff!!  It's fun that they do, I'm glad.  Noah made sure to get a prairie diamond since he's lost his from Nauvoo.  After the carnival we stopped at the store and grabbed some food for our BBQ.  I think we're allergic to shopping right now, we haven't been for our bi-weekly grocery shopping in about a month and a half.  My bad, really, since I've blocked all food and meal planning from my mind... hopefully I get at least some of my like for food back when this baby comes out.  Otherwise, we're in trouble.  I was doing so good planning out our menus and such... oh well.  Anyway- We had Heidi, Sarah and her kids, and Steve over for some BBQ.  It was so much fun!!  I wished Brent, John and Jauslin could have been there, but it was a great time!  We said goodbye to everyone and tried to turn on a projector movie but failed miserably- apparently our speaker is broken... hopefully Costco will take it back.  Instead, we walked up the street a little ways to watch the fireworks that we'd heard weren't being let off this year!  We actually got quite the show from SEVERAL angles.  This is a prime spot for the big fun fireworks.  Since we'd promised the movie earlier, we ended up letting the kids turn on a movie too, which was crazy since it was 11:00 at night!  It was fun to see Bad Hair Day, the movie the girls have been raving about and actually got the boys to enjoy it as well.  Not too many movies are everyone approved.  Happy Pioneer Day!

7-24-15

Divine Signatures

As I grabbed the big box of speakers out of the back of the car, the table top (the octagonal one we got from Adele seven years ago finally did it's time with us... we got rid of it this weekend... I don't know why we are so sentimental... but it was a good reminder of the blessings we received when we got back from AK- just saying- back to my story-) it slid out of the back and slammed right into my abdomen.  The lower part- where my baby resides!  Hurt, but mostly I was worried about my baby girl!  I was pretty worried, said a little prayer and texted Nate to do the same, but it wasn't long before I felt her move.  I like it when that happens because I don't worry as much.  I know she's still moving around in there, thus, she must be okay.  I'm grateful for that.

At Kelly's party, thanks to the waitress spilling the drinks, they cut our check in half.  I was so pleased to have been able to feed us all for so little!  And with money being just a little tight right now, it was such a blessing!  Tender Mercy. 5-29-15

Only minutes after I started worrying about having a baby and the strain that puts on these kids (I hate to admit it but I let satan do that to me sometimes), Noah came up to me with a cute little tender mercy.  He had cut out a heart and wrote, "Welcome Home baby sister, you make our house shine!" As a little sign to hang up for when she comes home from the hospital :).  Tell me that's not the sweetest thing you've ever heard!!!  From the one who has had the least to say about this baby.  I was so pleased, almost cried.  I love being a mom to these kids.  5-31-15

The garage door has been acting up again, not opening all the way, right away.  It's not too big a deal, you just have to help it up a little, but this morning, when Kelly and I were going to the temple, it opened right away!  Kinda strange, but immediately it felt like a blessing for doing what we were doing.  Made me happy :).  6-2-15

It was a little bit of a tender mercy that the Laurels invited us to their activity.  I needed to be reminded how relaxing and fun YW can be.  It's been a tough transition with the Beehives.  Don't get me wrong, I LOVE the Beehives and not just because half of them are mine.  It was just a much needed social outlet for me.  I sure love those girls.  They're a lot of fun to be around.  I keep wondering if life really does get harder.  I almost feel like I'd choose now over teenage years anyday.  Not sure.  6-10-15

At Girls Camp, I felt almost good at least 80% of the time!!  It was so awesome!  No pain, no contractions, so nausea!  It was nothing short of a miracle.  I was able to sleep at night for the most part and didn't need to walk the 300 yards to the bathroom.  All things considered, I felt pretty good.6-27-15

I can't help but feel constant love from my Heavenly Father every time this baby moves.  It's constant reassurance that she is there, and okay.  I don't think I've ever had such constant movement.  And anytime I get the slightest bit of concern, Heavenly Father blesses me with some movement.  I don't even have time to really worry.  It's been such a blessing.  I can't help but feel like Heavenly Father knows me and knows that this is a tender mercy.  One that has made this pregnancy doable.  Such a blessing.  6-27-15

Having a rough day on Tuesday, exhausted from early temple trip and produce, and I was really just not feeling any kind of motivation at all.  I kept trying to take a nap, with no success.  But something happened around dinner time.  I was able to pull myself together, get up and take care of about four loads of laundry that had built up.  From there I was able to clean up a few other rooms with messes I had been avoiding for a couple days.  It was awesome.  I felt a new sort of rejuvenation.  I can only assume it was with help from my Heavenly Father.  I made sure to thank him.  It's not everyday I get a little boost like that.  Without even asking.  It was a huge blessing.  7-14-15

We were supposed to have our new Beehive Presidency set apart today, but the President wasn't there, so we had to reschedule it for next week.  I had been planning on teaching for just a few minutes before the Bishopric would have come, but I ended up needing to stretch out my five minute lesson into a full 40 minute lesson!  I felt like a lot of the things I thought of and was able to present to them were promptings of the Spirit.  It was nice.  We ended a few minutes early so the girls all got to talk a little.  That was okay too.  7-19-15

Things to Remember 7-12-15

PRIESTHOOD
I can't give a lot of detail, but today was a special day.  I just want to bear my testimony of the power of the Priesthood.  Specifically the power of the Priesthood through Priesthood leaders.  We had a special experience with the Bishop today and I just felt so much love and so much support from him.  Bishop McGrath and I have had our moments.  We've even butt heads a little on a few things :).  But the great thing is that he is our Bishop.  He loves us.  Because of his calling as Bishop he loves us.  And it's a special kind of love.  It's so obvious.  I just feel so blessed to have leaders who have been called and set apart by Priesthood Power to lead us.  It's such a sacred thing.  The Power that he holds to bless our family and give us direction is just incredible.  Maybe this doesn't make any sense, I'm not feeling like sharing ALL the details, they're sacred.  But what a cool experience.  I just feel so thankful for Priesthood leaders, Priesthood blessings, and the Power that Heavenly Father has allowed us to have here on earth to bless our lives.  It's just awesome.  There.  I'm done.  7-12-15

BACK TO THE FUTURE PARTY
My mom has been planning this party for weeks... the big day finally arrived.  We all got together at Heidi and John's for movie, fun BTTF food, and good company.  It was a good time.  I was really glad that Steve and Jauslin came!  I miss them.  It was a lot of fun to see the kids enjoying Heidi and John's attention as well :).  I should post the pics Heidi sent me.  I loved Jack's reaction while we were leaving.  He says, "John. weev. me?"  He says that a lot when someone leaves now.  So I said, "No, actually, John is staying, WE are leaving HIM!"  He got the saddest look on his face and said, "My. weev. John!!!?"  It was adorable.  I loved the hugs and kisses goodbye too.  He really loves Heidi and John.  Jack appreciates people who make an effort to get to know him and give him the time of day.  Everyone else is.... well.... not worthy of his lip kisses :) HA!  7-13-15

TEMPLE TUESDAY
We only had three YW at the temple with us on Tuesday morning.  Kind of a bummer of a turnout.  I opted out of doing the actual baptisms.  Mostly because I am so uncomfortable in the clothes now... not sure if that was a good enough excuse or not, felt sorta guilty, but I did enjoy the spirit there while I sat and waited for the girls.  Camrie had brought a huge stack of family names so they each got to do 10 names.  Pretty awesome.  5:00 am comes mighty early these days... I hope I can keep this up for one more month!  7-14-15

PRODUCE
Kinda hated produce this week.  The truck was about 3 hours late, didn't finish sorting til around 12:30.  (although I did have GREAT help from my kiddos!  I have no doubt we'll be able to continue doing this even through the c-section recovery)  Then I had two people basically stand us up.  Very frustrating.  I think I want to switch to paying BEFORE we order.  Otherwise, I'm going to go broke saving money on produce.  And I was EXHAUSTED for the rest of the day!  7-14-15

SCHEDULING
Went in for my Dr. appointment Wednesday.  It was mostly uneventful, but Dr. Thackeray let us choose the c-section date!  So he is in the process of scheduling that.  Hopefully the 1st of September works for everyone!  For some reason they had my due date written down as the 15th, which doesn't fit with my LMP OR the ultrasound.  I believe the official due date was supposed to be the 10th ish.  Then Dr. Thackeray changed it, with my first ultrasound, because of my "irregular periods", to September 5th.  SO!  That would have put us around the 29th of August for a delivery date.  Since we already have an August birthday, and because it just feels right, we were going to stretch it to the 1st of September.  So hopefully they can swing that!  It feels like it's getting closer, that is a good thing.  But then when I look at my calendar, it still seems so far away.  I hope all goes well with the scheduling and we don't have to move it back even more.  Ultimately, I guess she will just come when it's time for her to come.... sometimes you just don't have a say... but hopefully whenever it is, it all goes well and she is healthy and happy to be here :).  I found an adorable "newborn" onesie at the store on the way home... bright pink with big flowers... $2...  had to buy it.  She will look so cute in it :). 7-15-15

POOL PARTY
Nate was asked to provide his smoked Pulled Pork again for the ward pool party.  Turned out to be a big hit!  So many people have expressed an interest in buying it from him and the need for him to sell it!  Very flattering!  There weren't even any leftovers to speak of!!  Which was different compared to last year.  Pretty cool.  The swimming was a lot of fun too.  The kids loved it!  I opted out of the swimsuit wearing part and just sat on the side cheering on all the diving board jumpers and divers while chatting with Heather, Stacy, and Rhonda.  I had a good time.  Kinda wished I could be in the pool, but the price I pay for that every time... not quite worth it.  Next year.  I should mention that Erika went off the diving board for her first time!  Kelly learned how to dive off the diving board for the first time, then taught Charity.  Bradley did his first flip off the high dive!  holy moly!  And Noah even took a turn on the diving board!  Very cool!  Jack went down the slide- that was his dangerous feat that I almost had a heart attack , and Luke just had a lot of fun playing in the safe, shallow end :).  I was glad Nate was in the pool with them.  He made some progress too, not wearing a t-shirt over his ripped new bod!  He really has been working so hard to shape up and he looks great!  I wanted him to show off his heard work!  I'm proud of him.  7-15-15

DATE NIGHT
Nate and I finally got to go out!  It's been way too long.  We went and saw Jurassic World at the AMC theater and now I don't think I will ever be able to go to another theater again.  They have reclining chairs- SOOOOOOO COMFY!!  I had been so worried that I wouldn't be able to sit through a whole movie with how uncomfortable I get, but there wasn't a single discomfort the entire time!  It was awesome :).  The movie was great too.  Couldn't help but think about Brent and his old obsession with Jurassic Park.  Took me back :).  I think we'll have to wait until it's out on DVD to let the boys see it even though I think they would love it.  There's some parts I want to skip for them.  7-17-15

OFF
We spent the rest of Saturday playing with Heidi and John, resting, catching up on some of our shows, cleaning up, and fighting.  No kidding, my kids were SO OFF that evening!!!  It was AWFUL!!  We had to have a long talk.  It doesn't happen too often, but when it does, it's really just too much for me, especially right now.  Hopefully they can get their act together.  7-18-15

32 WEEKS

This gets a post of it's own because I didn't want to put it on the Nauvoo trip post.  32 weeks is always kind of a relief.  I think it's because I've had two sister-in-laws deliver at 32 weeks and their cute boys are perfectly fine.  I guess I move out of my premature baby worrying stage.  I think it would still be more than a trial trying to take care of a new baby that's in the NICU or something, but at least I feel like they would stand a chance at this point.  Whatever frosts my cookie I guess :).  I still have my worries, but this is a good week to hit.  I'm getting more and more anxious for her to get here.  I want to see what she looks like :).  I'm a little anxious about getting things done with the bedroom situation, but that will have to happen when it happens I guess.  I have a tendency to rush things and mess them up, so I'm trying to be patient and let things happen as they can.  I want her to have a bedroom but she won't really be needing it til almost December, so we're good.  Anyway.  the pregnancy symptoms are pretty much the same.  I am so relieved that I survived our road trip.  That ended up being a really good thing.  Very relaxing.  I felt almost good during that trip.  Which makes me think a lot of my symptoms, the nausea especially is more stress related than anything.  In fact when we got some bad news while ON the trip, I had a day or two where the nausea was more prominent, that was my sign.  I'm trying to keep myself calm.  Trying to practice deep breathing and focusing on the good things to help with that.  Seems to be working.  It's really annoying though, that certain stressors even exist and that I can't seem to get rid of them.  Just weird I guess.  I start my every two weeks visits this week.  Going back on Wednesday.  This is when things start to feel like they're actually happening.  Kinda nice.  We only have seven more weeks at this point (assuming we are still good to go September 1).  I see a light at the end of the tunnel at least :).  I feel so much support this time, I have heard very little criticism about us not using birth control and such.  Fewer jokes.  Maybe that's the benefit to number 8.  They figure we've heard them all and cut us a break.  I don't know.  It's been nice, I have to admit.  I can't believe we will be a family of 10.  Sounds like a lot :).  I was looking at a picture of the last supper and had to count the people in the picture because it didn't look like enough to be 12 disciples.  But sure enough there were 12 people plus the Savior.  Made me laugh to think that I don't think 12 people looks like 12 people :).  I do that with my kids all the time.  Wondering who's missing even though everyone is there.  Just doesn't feel like that many anymore.  I love my family.  I love my kids.  I am so blessed.  I hope this little girl realizes what a blessing it is to be born into this family with all these awesome siblings.  I hope she can feel our love and excitement for her to come and be a part of it all, already.