How things work

Abbie: I have a baby in my body. Do you want to hold it?
Brady: Is it out now?
A: Yep
B: Did it pop out of your tummy? Did it just POP!?
A: Yep
B: Do you have a tummy now?

Ready for a Change

Carl will be returning to school to get his PhD. Where, we don't know yet. Carl has applied to 3 schools. If none of those pan out, there are 4 more to apply for in March....or May...I forget which. Either way, we are moving. Even if we stay in Jonesboro for reasons only known by God, we're anticipating a move out of this house.
I am SO ready. I ready to move on to the next phase of life. It's not going to be an easy one. Just like I (thought) I knew this phase wouldn't be easy. It's going to be even tougher than this. Why do it? Well, if Carl gets his PhD now while we only have 2 kids (and then maybe one more) it will be "easier" than doing it later. See, if upon completion of schooling he does not go directly into teaching, as is now the plan, but gets a different type of job, he'll still have that PhD to fall back on should he lose his job. He'll gain life experience in his field of study. That should help him get a teaching job. I think this will better than feeling the need to go to school when our kids are older, and there are more of them that depend on him, his time, and his money.
I should relish and enjoy the time we have left here. Instead, I feel it should happen more like removing a bandaid: quickly.

Christmas Chain

I was listening, or reading something about how people typically count down the days to Christmas. This led me to want to count UP the blessings we have, especially those at Christmas time. A Paper Chain was made of red and blue construction paper. Each day (or almost each day) we took a few minutes to think about something we were thankful for, hopefully that related to the season. Here is what was written down:

1. Family
2. Friends
3. Time Together
4. Jesus
5. Singing Carols
6. Decorations
7. Jesus' Birth
8. Scriptures
9. Food on our shelves
10. Caroling Family Home Evening
11. Abbie
12. Daddy
13. Giving gifts
14. Mommy
15. Brady
16. Comfort
17. To Give gifts
18. To Receive gifts
19. Learning
20. Work
21. Toys
22. Animals
23. Joseph Smith
24. Love

What the Heckasheesh?!

I haven't blogged in 6 months?!? LAME!!!!! As a courtesy post, here are some photos....

Thanks Breanna Olson for taking our beautiful family pictures. We love them.

Our #2 has Turned 2!!

We had Abbie's 2nd Brithday Party this weekend.

 Since it's summer, what better way to celebrate than a water party?

 Unfortunately the Birthday Girl was feeling under the weather. (Lesson Learned: A happy healthy Birthday Girl is much more important than a fresh birthday cake and $6 in balloons.) She watched the rest of the gang have fun. And have fun they did!!
 

See the guy on the right? He didn't stay there very long.

 

He and Carl let their inner children come out and had a pretty decent water war.

Another successful homemade birthday cake! As we were looking at pictures of cakes, Abbie chose a "pink butterfly." Her favorite part was the fruit snacks. Those were Carl's idea.

 Abbie and her balloons and presents.

 She was STOKED to find fruit snacks in one of her presents! Her reaction was hilarious! She was very kind and shared some with the other party guests.

Abbie hit it big in the dress-up department this year. 2 Grass Skirts, 6 Leis, One Fairy Headband (not pictured,) 3 pairs of Sunglasses, a Glitter Baton and a Fairy Wand.

This was possibly her happiest moment the whole afternoon. Well, second to finding the fruit snacks.

Carl snagged this photo of Brady testing out the birthday goods. Brady is running away to his room to hide!

We got this from Grandma Julie. Abbie loves to help sweep the kitchen.

Peek a Boo!!

Abbie (and any other children), I promise to reschedule your party if you aren't feeling well. It's more important to me for you to enjoy your day. We love you. You bring sunshine into our lives.

Brady turned 4 this year on February 17!

He chose a football field cake. He helped me make it accurate by reminding me that the goal posts are yellow. Thanks Bud.

He was really exited about his cake!

 We played "Make a Field Goal"

Brady got 3 points! We had some other very good attempts.

 One went FAAAAAAAAAAAAAR left. I think Lissette should stick to cheering.

 After the game we had hot dogs, chips ad apples for dinner.

 Pretty Party Girls

 The Cooks

The Party was a TOUCHDOWN!! Brady loves his "football" helmet!



Along with all the other great gifts he received. Thank you to everyone that attended and sent loving birthday wishes.

Happy Birthday to my First Born, the Older Brother - Brady

Face Blog Update

In case you were wondering.....my face has improved A LOT!! I longer feel like a 400 lb woman who has "only" lost 100 lbs, leaving her smaller, yet still obese. No, I'm almost at my "goal weight." Things have returned to normal. Now all that is left is waiting for all the excess skin to shrink (what I really mean is dealing with scars, pits, and dark spots).  But until I can do fancy treatments, I'll keep exercising, drinking lots of water, eating "cleaner" foods and getting enough sleep. That seems to be the prescription for a lot of lifes ailments.