Best Night Ever!

Last night we had a Girls Night In. Our good friend invited us over to her beautiful new home for a night of treats and chick flicks. It turned out that they had a little surprise! After eating they pulled out a bunch of gifts for the new baby. I can say that I am not surprised very often but this was a HUGE surprise. I got some really cute and thoughtful gifts and I am so grateful to my amazing friends!

I sat at the table last night surrounded by some of the most amazing women and mothers I have ever met and I felt so blessed. With all of the moving we have done in our marriage I have not really been able to make many good friends until now and wow have I got some good ones! So thank you ladies for the best night ever. I can't remember the last time I laughed so hard. You are the best!!!!!

Ethan's Last Day!

We left the house very frazzled this morning. It was a rush of making lunches, kids not getting dressed, finding coats for the chilly morning and on and on. And then it all changed.

It was Ethan's last day at preschool and they got to spend the day at the park. It started with an award ceremony where each child got a special award from their teacher and a little gift. Ethan got an award for obedience. As he stood there next to his teacher the rush of the morning was gone and I was so proud to watch my son and realize how much he has grown this year.

In the last conference Elder M. Russell Ballard gave a talk where he said, "The joy of motherhood comes in moments." This morning was one of those moments. Motherhood is not always rewarding or pretty or fun but this morning for a brief moment in the park on a beautiful day it was.

I feel very blessed today that I have been allowed to be a mother. Thank you Ethan for being the boy that you are and for all you teach me. Thank goodness for mornings like today!

Memorial Day

What a great weekend is all I can say! The weather was BEAUTIFUL and we had great fun with friends. The day started with a great home town parade and ended with a fun B-B-Q that included yummy food, fun games, and friends. I sat back yesterday and watched as everyone was playing and socializing and really felt like I was home. I looked around at everyone and felt so blessed to be in such a great town with so many great people. Thanks to all our friends that made the day so special!!!!!

FALSE labor - A REAL pain!

So last night at around 3ish I woke up to a not so great feeling. I have been having stronger contractions this last week but this one by far was the worst and woke me up out of a deep sleep. I brushed it off and snuggled back down into my covers to go back to sleep. Well not long after that another one hit and then another.

On the 3rd one I decided to wake up Charlie. This is how the conversation went:

Me: I think something is going on

Him: Who is awake and where are they (he thought one of the kids was awake)

Me: No...not the kids the baby...I am having contractions

Him: Well, you need to lay down and relax!

Me: Ummm...I am laying in bed and was asleep how much more relaxed do you want me to be?

I had to laugh at this point because I could tell I was having a conversation with my husband who was still 1/2 asleep. I mean did he think I was up at 3 o'clock running a marathon or something?

So I spent the next two hours laying wide awake in bed with all the thoughts rushing through my head of how I don't have a bag packed yet and who am I going to call and on and on....I woke Charlie up each time I had a contraction and he would jot it down and quickly fall back to sleep. I am always amazed at my husbands ability to sleep through such an event but I guess he was REALLY tired! After two hours of pretty regular painful contractions they stopped!

Don't get me wrong I am glad they did but man what a crazy night! I hope there are not too many more nights like last night until it is the real thing because that was quite the roller coaster of emotions.

So now instead of laying my head down and trying to get a few more winks I am blogging and then off to the grocery store to throw together a meal for a new family in the ward we invited over for dinner. Do you think they would be impressed with frozen pizza????

This little piggy....

This little piggy went to the day spa
This little piggy didn't stay home
This little piggy has red toes
This little piggy had fun
And this little piggy went Yeah, Yeah, Yeah all the way home!

So for mothers day Charlie sent me to the spa to get my toes painted. It was such a nice morning and such a nice gift considering I can't reach my feet anymore. Do you think I can keep them looking this nice for the next few weeks? I hope so...but if not maybe I have an excuse to go again! Thanks sweet husband for being so thoughtful!

Take me out to the ball game!

So I just got home from a great day at the ball park with the kids. I knew that there was a morning game today but I did not mention it to the kids until this morning when I was sure I was feeling up for going. I threw some blankets and snacks in a bag and I headed to the ball field ready for some fun mommy-kid time. I figure I don't have too many more days ahead of me that I can just throw everyone in the car last minute without too much planning. The weather was BEAUTIFUL and I really had a great time with the kids. We ate "baseball" food and sang take me out to the ball game and danced and just had fun together. I hope I can get in a few more days like today before the new baby arrives!

Miracle Worker

This is one of my FAVORITE products. This stuff has removed stains from things that I never thought would come out. The other day Abby came home from school with pants so dirty I thought I may just have to trash them. I ran them through the wash twice without much change. Then I pulled out my secret weapon. I sprayed this all over and let them sit for a bit and washed them again. They came out spotless! I love this stuff. If you have a stain give it a try!

On your marks, get set, go!!!!!

This weekend we signed the kids up for their first big race. It was a 1 mile fun run/walk. We prepared with the kids over the weeks doing several mini races in the neighborhood when the weather was nice. Ethan was funny about the whole thing. Every time we talked about the race he would say how he just wanted to watch and how he did not want to see Lou E. Loon (the Loons mascot) and on and on. He seemed really nervous about the whole thing. Abby and Morgan seemed really excited.

Well race day arrived and the plan was to let Abby run with Charlie and I was going to walk/run with Morgan and Ethan. About 30 seconds into the race Abby was throwing a huge fit and crying. Morgan about 5 minutes into the race was whining for ice cream and saying she was bored. I started to think we had made a mistake signing up for this thing. Then the funniest thing happened.

We hit the half way mark and Ethan out of nowhere took off! It was like someone lit a match under the kid. He ran the rest of the race without stopping. I could see him the whole time but I kept calling his name trying to get him to slow down but he was determined. I was worried that Charlie would not be watching for him at the finish line because he would be looking for me. Sure enough Ethan hit the finish line and Charlie had no idea he had even finished the race. It was all pretty funny that the kid who had no interest in the race had the most fun. I think Ethan has more races in his future! I was so proud of him.

We ran the race with our good friends. I loved this picture of them! It was nice to have another mom to walk with. Let's just say starting an exercise routine when your 9 months prego is not pretty. We both were able to laugh at our out of shape bodies and are determined after I have this kid we are going to get into shape. Right Steph?

This is the kids cooling off after the race. It did not last long though. Ethan got a hold of a muffin with walnuts in it and started to have an allergic reaction and race #2 began. Charlie ran to get the car and I stayed with the kids. Our friends we were with ran to see if there was a first aid station that may have some medicine. That set off a chain of events including an ambulance and someone calling 9-1-1. I quickly informed them that we did not need 9-1-1 or an ambulance! Just then Charlie pulled up. We threw everyone in the car and rushed to the pharmacy got Ethan some medicine and all was back to normal. Let's just say we were all a little tired by the time we got home.

Here is some video of Morgan crossing the finish line!

Hooray!!!!

I just got home from my new doctor and I was so excited I had to blog about it. I just had my first appointment with a new OB/GYN practice even though I am 31 weeks. I had some unexpected things occur at my last office that until that point I thought I was happy at so I decided it was time to make a change but I was very nervous since I am so far along.

Wow! What a blessing...this place was AMAZING!!!! Ok, so I know I am not super picky at this point but they had everything I was looking for.

First, every staff member has always been super friendly and happy. I have been to some great practices before but have run into grouchy nurses and staff members - not here.

Second, I showed up and there was one other woman in the waiting room not 15 like most practices. I filled out my needed paper work and they called me right back. The nurse immediately came in and sat down with me and was so kind and understanding and friendly.

Third, after the nurse was done I waited maybe 5 minutes before my new doctor came in. He was quick and efficient but took a seat after he was done checking the heart rate and stuff and let me ask any questions I had. He had great answers for all of my questions. He was nice and clear to understand and has 3 children of his own and seemed very understanding of our situation. Overall, I really really enjoyed him.

Fourth, my hubby came along to this appointment to check out the new office and he was equally impressed. He really liked the doctor and was impressed with how efficient they were and loved that we did not sit in the waiting room for 45 minutes before my name even got called.

Fifth, and this is the best news I have heard in 7 months......I CAN GET AN EPIDURAL!!!!! Did you hear me?????? I had to ask 2 or 3 times just to make sure I heard him right. Now he did have to give his warnings like well if you are delivering in the elevator you are not going to get one...blah blah blah...but given a normal delivery he assured me he saw no reason why I should not be able to get one! Anyone who is familiar with the back woods hospital out here knows that up to a few months ago an epidural was NEVER given unless you had a c-section so this is BIG news.

I know this is a funny thing to blog about but it is something that has been weighing heavily on my mind and I am so thrilled that it went well. Time will tell if my future visits go as smooth but I am very hopeful that this was a great choice and if anything I wish I would have started at this practice to begin with.

I am on cloud 9 and am anxiously awaiting my friend-the epidural!

3-2-1 blast off !!!

We took the kids to the planetarium over spring break and it was great. There was a nice man there that did a demonstration of a bottle rocket and gave out instructions on how to make your own. Ever since Ethan has been asking to build his rocket. So this morning we tried to find random parts around the house to build it since it was Sunday and we did not want to go out and buy stuff we had to try and make what we had work. So I have posted two videos of our "great" attempt at a bottle rocket. Somehow I think we will need to revisit this little project at a later date!

First fire of 2008

Anyone who knows us knows that we LOVE our fire pit. Well yesterday we finally had nice enough weather to enjoy our first fire and it was wonderful! The kids jumped on the trampoline and we had hot dogs and s'mores and sat around the fire soaking up some sun. I have been waiting for a day like this for a long time.

2 Toots Grill

I found this great little place to eat in Downers Grove where your food comes to you on a little train. Once I heard about it I knew we had to go! The kids had SO much fun. I think it will become a tradition each time we head out that way now.

Here is some video of the train!

Having fun with Grandma and Grandpa!

Morgan and Grace

I got some cute shots this weekend of Morgan with her cousin Grace. These two had such a
great time together.

New kids pictures

So here is my most recent attempt at trying to get some cute pictures of the kids.

Good luck Dad!

I had an extra Easter treat this weekend. I found out that my dad was in town so we had the chance to visit with him before he heads out to Utah for his treatment. The kids were so excited to see him. It was a great afternoon and I am so glad I got to see him.

So dad, here is to wishing you best of luck on your treatments and a speedy recovery. I thought these pictures would bring a smile to your face.

WE LOVE YOU!

The city I love!

Downtown Chicago never gets boring to me. Each time I go I feel the buzz and excitment of being there. I love the beauty of this city and all the memories that rush back into my head of all the fun times I have had there with friends and family.

This Easter we headed to the city to visit the Field Museum. I am glad that we went it was such a great day in the city!

This is a picture of the kids being scary in front of SUE.

These were some amazing totem poles. They were so tall we could not fit us and them all in the picture.

Easter

We spent this Easter in Chicago with family and it was a great trip. This is a picture of the kids finding the letter left from the Easter Bunny. Our Easter Bunny hides their baskets and they have to find them. We had to wake Morgan up...Abby and Ethan could not wait any longer. It took her a second to come out of her sleepy state but she was excited for the hunt to begin!

This is Morgan on our easter egg hunt. She had a blast!





Ethan finding his eggs!


Abby and her basket. Grandmad lets each kids find 10 small eggs and one large egg all filled with candy. There were so many grandkids that we had to send them down in different age groups. The kids had such a great time with their Grandma and Grandpa and cousins!

Spring ahead - or not!

So, we awoke this morning ate breakfast and got ready for church. We were a little rushed but made it to church with just a few minutes to spare. When I arrived in the parking lot I thought it was odd that no other families were walking in. As we walked down the hall and got closer to the chapel I wondered, "Why the heck is someone giving a talk already?". A nice man sitting on the couch in the foyer could see my confusion and said, "It is daylight savings time."!!!!

Yes, thats right....I have lost my mind. I had reminded my husband earlier in the week but somehow totally forgot about it last night and this morning. I then ran into my friend in the hall and explained to her what a goof I am. She got a good chuckle at my expense....I laughed at myself as well and blamed it all on the baby.

I am starting to think that between the screamin dill pickle chips and the obvious loss of any brain cells I had left I should consider myself lucky if I manage to make it these last 3 months of pregnancy without gaining 50 pounds and forgetting my childrens names!

I must be pregnant!

So I arrived home from my girls weekend and found these in my pantry. A clear sign that a woman had not been doing the shopping for the last few days. I thought, "Screamin dill pickle, yuck!". Well the other day I finally thought I would give one a try...... I'm hooked! Seriously what kind of person would put these in their body?

The good thing about them is that they are so strong it is impossible to sit down and eat half a can. One or two chips at a time is satisfying enough. I do admit to the fact that I did crack the can open this morning at 10:30 and I must say the baby goes nuts when I eat them.

Thanks to my dear hubby...he has created a screamin pickle monster!

I Spy Bags

So I have been thinking about trying to make these I spy bags for awhile, and I finally did it! I know you can buy them but I thought it would be fun to make some on my own. It took some trial and error but I think I got it. I could not figure out how to sew the clear vinyl, it just kept getting stuck in my machine. I called my mother in law who is fantastic at sewing and she gave me a great tip that worked like a charm! They turned out pretty good and the kids have had a ton of fun playing with them. The plan is for them to be a quiet church toy that they only play with on Sunday but I could not resist letting them dig into them for a few days.