Big investments...

Ten years ago, F invested his hard earned money into a truck. This said truck has served us well. It has driven countless miles (not really countless, at least 106,000), taken trips from Lake Powell to Yellowstone, hauled many moving boxes (mostly others), pulled boats and atvs - and occasionally other cars. Sadly, it gave up as it was driving up the canyon pulling our little boat as F and his brother were headed to go fishing. The next Monday, F received the bad news that the engine was done for. Our options were to replace the engine, or call it quits. We chose the latter. F was (and still might be) in mourning for his first love. Our truck was lovingly named "Mater" by the kids. When we had it towed back to our house it was definitely Tow-Mater. We were down to one car that fits our family. Our plan when we had the baby had initially been to buy a vehicle to replace the truck later this year. Well, that plan was out the door and we began our search. After looking online in the classifieds, visiting a few of the local dealerships, all we could find were used cars that were top of the line and more money than we wanted to spend. We really did not need the bells and whistles of leather seating, dvd players, and all the extras - not to mention most of them had high mileage. Finally we ended up at a dealership in the next county over and found just what we were looking for. We test drove it and loved it. After price negotiations, we got the price down to where we wanted it and drove home with a new big rig for the family. So without further ado, introducing "Prime" named after Optimus Prime because of the color and size. We couldn't be happier! Except we are sad to see have to sell Mater.

For FREEEE?!

Last night, soccer was cancelled for K due to the large amount of rain that had fallen from the sky that day, but the Family Night that was put on by the city parks & rec and the fire dept. was still on. The had it at the park K plays soccer and has a skate park. We loaded up and snuggled up for the cooler weather. We knew that at this particular event there would be bike helmets for purchase ($5!), and they would also be raffling off a number of helmets. The first thing we did was got 3 tickets for the kids and entered the raffle. We were going to walk to the pavilion to purchase some helmets, when we noticed the raffle was about to begin. They read off a number of numbers. Low and behold, we had not one, but two of our tickets called. After the raffle, we headed over to the pavilion, sized the older two and myself for bike helmets. In L's words, he has a "cool red helmet." Up until this point, he had not had a helmet of his own. I also got a "cool red helmet" and K got a purple helmet - all for only $5. We spent some time learning about fire trucks from the firemen and L was excited to see all of the tools they have, he even (with help) held the fireman's axe. To our advantage, the rain had discouraged a number of people from attending, but there was still a good crowd. After the second raffle, and our third number not called, we headed home. We are now ready for summer riding!

Overheard at Our House...

are some gems from L. He is a thinker and learns quickly. Here are some examples.

In most of his prayers he includes,

"Please bless us to know what is right, and what is really right."

Most recently he added, "Please bless us to follow God's plan."

and last of all, over dinner the other night, he explained to us in detail how a fountain we had seen that morning in our local home improvement store - worked. He told us how the water comes out through the lion's mouth and also the three spouts, travels down to the bottom, where it is sucked up and starts over. (not his exact phrasing, and the fountain was not running). I asked F if he had told him about this, in which, he had not. I asked L how he knew all of the this.

His answer,

"I just knowed it."

He keeps us on our toes.

Happy, Happy Birthday, K!

7 Things We Love about K:

1. She is sensitive and kind to everyone.

2. She is loving toward L and Baby B.

3. She plays the piano very well.

4. She is a great reader and student.

5. She works hard.

6. She is a big help around the home.

7.She is a great example to others.

K just recently celebrated her 7th birthday! She was (and always is) so excited for her birthday. This year, we were prepared. I had mentioned to F that K's birthday was coming up, he reply was "We need to figure out what we are doing." My answer, "We've have all of her presents already." Knowing we would be having a new baby in the house, we got all of K's presents before Christmas when we were already out shopping. That's how it is most years. Whatever she doesn't get for Christmas, we give for her birthday. It has made things a whole lot easier, especially this year. For her birthday, we took her out to dinner the night before to the restaurant of her choice, The Mayan. We had a great table right in the splash zone of the divers. F's sister came along with us.

For her birthday, K requested a Rapunzel from Tangled birthday cake - specifically asking for the tower to be on the cake too. I was in for a real challenge, but I always love the outcome. I searched the Internet for pictures to help out for weeks before. I finally found a few pictures to help out. I really do think it turned out nicely - for an amateur cake decorator.

F's brother, his friend, and sister came over for dinner before the rest of my family came over for presents and cake and ice cream. K loved being surrounded by her family, but if you ask who came over for her birthday, she'll say, "My cousins." She loves to be with them and they all have a great time together. We gave K some new shirts, a Tinkerbell movie, the game Scrambled States of America, and a large Disney art set. L gave her a few new Littlest Pet Shop pets. From other family, she got a Strawberry Shortcake Manicure set, more clothes, and a kit to make Friendship bracelets. F's parents were island hopping in the Caribbean during this time, so they came over later that week when they were home and had recovered from jet lag. They brought K a doll from St. Lucia, some clothes, nail polish and hair clips that change color in the sun. Now for a few sunny days!

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Hi, Honey. How was your day?

That's a loaded question. Especially when you had the Tuesday I did.
It started off pretty early in the morning - how about 1 am. I was up with the babe until 2, then hubby was up with her from about 2-3 am, which I then took over until almost 4. Back up a 3rd time at 5, then I was finally able to get about 2 hours sleep.
I got the kids up and K ready for school. Because of the snow and the cold weather, I have been driving down the block and around the corner to take K to the bus stop. This day, it was treacherous since the plow had not made it down into our subdivision. We got to the bus stop and the kids waited, and waited, and waited. About 10 minutes after the bus was supposed to be there, a lady drove by to tell us the bus had gotten stuck at the stop just before ours. So, I faced the roads and drove K to school.
A little while later, I had fed Baby B and just as I was lying her down, everything I had just given her was out and all over the bed. Luckily, I was holding her, so I tilted her to the side and was able to keep it off of her. I got the bedding off and rinsed before L's friend came over. We had set up a crib in K's room and that is where Baby B took her morning nap.
About an hour later, L was in the bathroom and starts freaking out. This was accompanied by sounds of flowing water. Which was the toilet over flowing. I ran and grabbed some towels to clean up the water and also spent time trying to unclog the toilet.
The afternoon was fine, especially since L went to a friends house and Baby B & I were left alone. After L came home, my niece and nephew came over. We love having them over on Tuesdays. When it was time for K to get off the bus, I looked out the window and watched. I can see when the kids are walking down the street, but no kids. I kept checking and still no kids. Finally, I packed Baby B in the stroller, got shoes and coats on the three other little ones and away we went. As we got to the end of the street, no bus. We continued to wait. Our neighbor came down the street looking for her daughter. I tried calling the school to find out where the bus was, but no one answered because it was after hours for them. My neighbor called the district and found out that a child on the bus had been pushed, hit his head, and passed out. Because of this the bus couldn't leave the school and the fire dept. & an ambulance came - delaying the bus. As we found this out, the bus finally showed up. About half an hour late, but glad everyone was taken care of.
The last and final thing - probably the smallest of them all. Dried toothpaste on L's carpet. He said it was on his blanket and got on his floor. Next time I hope he will tell me.
It was quite the day. I'm tired us thinking about it. Good news though, Baby B slept better last night and we had not problems with the bus or big messes. Some days though....

Baby B

Just over 2 weeks ago, we added a new member to our family - here to be known as "Baby B."

Because I don't like entries that include "too much information," I will list some highlights of the day.

*Elected to be induced 2 days after due date, night before was having lots of contractions.

*Mother-in-law came to our house to take care of the kiddos.

*Arrived around 7:30, by 8:30 I was getting my IV - nearly passing out twice.

*Delay getting started until 9:30 b/c of IV incident.

*Labor for 7 hours with little progress before deciding to get epidural and water broken.

*After all that, within 2 hours, Baby B was born!

*Dr. called her a "chunker." Which was correct since she weighed over 9 lbs. She was born with chubby cheeks and a double chin!

I was relieved the day was done, and she was here. F's family brought K & L over to the hospital later that night and they were able to see their new baby sister. With how big Baby B was, I am certainly glad I chose to be induced. I wouldn't want to know how big she would have been, had I waited any longer.

L ended up with a cough that night and the kids were kept away while we were in the hospital. Our families were so wonderful to take the kids for us. For the next week, we kept L away from Baby B. He was so good to stay away, and since getting better, he loves to touch her head and hands, give her kisses and hugs - of course, after he has washed his hands and asked. He is such a sweet big brother.

K has been wonderful as well. Her first day back to school after Baby B came home, she cried because she wanted to stay home with everyone and not go to school. Almost every moment she is right next to Baby B, wanting to hold her, kiss her, and play with her. I have to tell her to leave Baby B alone so she can sleep. Lately, K wants to go to bed when Baby B does. Yesterday, K helped me change Baby B's diaper and get her dressed, K's going to be a great helper when Baby B gets a little bigger.

As for the hubby. I couldn't ask for a better man. He was home for the first two weeks, which was wonderful. He would help out in the middle of the night if Baby B was fussy, plus he was up early with the kids and got K off to school each morning. He took L on errands, did the laundry, made meals (mainly lunch because our neighbors and families have brought us dinner), and watched Baby B so I could catch a few minutes of sleep. Our routine has been disrupted, but we are slowly making a new one.

Baby B is a calm, beautiful baby. We are all so glad she is a part of our family and love her to pieces!

Tra-di-tion....Tradition!

Since about high school, I have been out on Black Friday to do some shopping. It all started with socks & poinsettias at Fred Meyer with my mom. I guess you could say I was her shopping cart side kick. I would push the cart, while she battled the crowds at 6 in the morning. The last few years, it has grown for me to getting toys and gifts for the family at different stores. Some may say this is crazy, and more will think so after reading what this year was like.

It all started on a cold and wintery Thanksgiving evening. My sister and I had made our list of items we were seeking and the stores in which we hit. Our first stop was going to be the midnight opening at Wal-Mart. We didn't get there right at 12, but shortly thereafter. We had to park quite a ways away. When we got into the store, all the carts were taken and filled by hundreds, if not thousands of people already in the store. After fighting through crowds and grabbing the few things we needed, Mel had got into a line and I looked around a little bit more. The lines were endless....yet we made it through. Just as we were heading out the door, with our purchases being checked against our receipts, Mel says, "I've got to see this." As she said that, three employees ran past us. We step outside to watch the employees run after some kid who apparently had shoplifted. I don't know if they caught him, but I sure wouldn't have been running through the icy parking lot at 1 am! Mel and I went our separate ways to grab a little bit of shut eye before our 4 am appointment at Target -this is where the fun begins!

I couldn't sleep, but what I did get was filled with dreams of strategy and how we could get in a get what we needed efficiently. This time, we were at Target about 3:40 am. As we walked to the entrance, we found it to be a long, long, long line to get into the store. We decided to wait it out in the car and return closer to opening time. At minutes before opening, we took our place in line, behind three teenage boys wearing their flannel pajama pants, parkas, knitted hats and 2 of the 3 were wearing cowboy boots...wish I had a picture, they were lovely outfits! It took about 15 minutes to walk the entire line and get into the store. Mel and I set out to get our purchases. First, I picked up a razor scooter, then an easy bake oven, some glove/hat set for the kids, and went to find a pyrex set I had been eyeing. When I got to the pyrex there were only three left, so I tried to juggle it in my arms...did I mention I did NOT have a cart?? So, then I was ready to get in line which sent my back to the place I started on the other side of the store. When I got in line, there was a man taking pictures of people in line...I don't know if I became one of them, I hope not!
The pyrex set was so heavy, I put it on the ground and began to kick it forward as we crept along. Target had the line weave all through the grocery section and I was in line a long time before we even hit the groceries. The man who had been taking pictures had seen my overflowing arms and attempt to scoot my items took pity on me and asked if I could use a cart. I told him it would be great. A few minutes later he returned to the line with a few carts, gave one to me, and carts to others in line who needed one. What a nice man! Saved my day. My sister came and unloaded her things into my cart and dashed off a few times to look around more or exchange things she had found. It took forever to get throught the line, but much easier with the cart. When we did make it to the end, Target had blocked off the check stands with boxes of items that were on their Black Friday Sale. One of the large stacks of boxes were pyrex! I wish I had know after all that struggling and kicking around the pyrex! Could have saved me a lot of hassle and strength!
We made a quick stop to Toys R Us and then on to Smith's Marketplace for socks and pillow pets. I was not a fan of pillow pets and was not going to get them for the kids, but caved. Smith's had them at the same price as all the other stores, but their's came with a $5 gift card to Smith's, that was good enough for us. We ran into some friends along the way, one at Target and Smith's. Just as we were getting ready to leave Smith's we ran into our Mom - there to get some socks of course. We made it back home around 9 am. F and I went through the purchases of the night, figured we were set with most of the stuff we needed for Christmas and I headed off to bed for a few hours sleep. Whew...can't believe we survived.

Oh, did I mention I did all of this while being nearly 8 months pregnant?? I must be crazy.