Some time away..

This may be my last post for a while, or it may not. I'm not sure when our internet here will actually be cut off, or how much time I'll have before we actually move.

We're finally packing up, and just about finished with the summer! This is the last week for Jerrod, (YAY!!) and we're hoping to be heading back to Idaho on Monday! That's if I actually get packed this week while Jerrod is gone working. Unfortunately, either our baby or my body seems to have other plans for me, so the packing is slow going.

This summer has been good for us. Though not quite as good as we'd hoped, but we should have sufficient for our needs while Jerrod's back in school this year, so that is a huge blessing. We're really hoping this is our last summer doing this job, but we've hoped that several times, so we'll see.

So hopefully next Monday, we'll load up our van to start our trek west. Once we get to Idaho I have a way too long to do list, and way too little time to accomplish everything that needs to be done. We're hoping to arrive back by the 6th. My due date is one month 4 days later. After getting to Idaho we still need to~

*Get a locksmith to let us into our storage unit. (Thanks hun for putting that key "somewhere safe..")
*Get the key, and move into our new place.
*Set up utilities, and internet.
*Set up the kids bed, possibly buy new mattresses..
*Buy a bed for mom and dad.
*Get rid of as much stuff from our storage unit as possible, so we never have to move it again.
*Meet with our Idaho midwife (for the first time.) and then subsequent weekly visits.
*Buy everything needed for a new baby, as we'd just gotten rid of our baby stuff a couple months before finding out another was on it's way. I don't even remember what all you need? Diapers, wipes, onesies? (We do have a crib and some clothes..)
*Plan and arrange everything for Sariah's baptism on the 13th of September. (Everyone's invited. It's at my parent's stake center. If you need more information, give me a call.)
*Get her special baptism gifts.
*Get Jerrod started in school, and his new job.
*Get enough groceries to make and freeze as many meals as possible before the baby comes.
*Get the house clean.

So, as you can see, by the end of September, we'll be completely out of energy and money.

Luckily, my babies (and my body) in the past haven't been ready for early arrivals. (Sariah was induced early, Essi was induced 2 weeks late.) So, hopefully this baby waits to come. (I can't believe I just said that! I've been ready for this baby to come since I found out he was going to back in February. It's not been a pretty pregnancy.)

So.. Half of me (Probably my physical half.) is hoping that this little man makes his debut in time to become a Virgo rather than a Libra, or worse, a Scorpio. (A Virgo would have him a little more than 2 weeks early, Scorpio would have him a little less than 2 weeks late..) I don't really care what his sign is, I'm just anxious to be able to walk again, sleep on my stomach, and feel like my body is mine again. (Though I'm expecting that to take a while after the baby.) The other half (the half that's read about preterm risks, and the other logical parts of me, so maybe not quite half...) thinks it would be great to wait. Then I'll have more time to finish my to do list.

So, I'd love your well wishes and prayers. Also, a word of advice. Never move within 5 months before or after having a baby. It stinks.

Childhood Dream Come True!

Peaches 'n Cream. Barbie.

Can I just say that I've wanted one of these since I was like 5. I thought "Peaches n Cream" Barbie was the best. I loved her dreamy peach dress, and her shimmery bodice, and the cool versatile stole, that you can use in 8 (at least) different ways, her big mother of a ring, and matching earrings. The girls who had peaches n cream barbie were THE coolest. I think my grandma had this one, or maybe my cool cousins. Or I could have just dreamed it. Anyway, she was always my favorite.

Tonight my wonderful husband brought me home a Peaches n Cream Barbie. He got it from a man he worked with, his wife (now deceased) collected Barbies. He told Jerrod to grab one for both of his girls, but he being the sweet husband that he is, got one for me instead! (And I, still having that 6 year old girl inside of me, really don't plan on letting my kids play with her.) It is still in the box unopened. I can't decide whether to keep it unopened, or get her out, and show the girls how cool she is. But, If I let them play with her, it'll only take about 10 minutes for her to be naked and headless.

So, should I play with her, or keep her in the box and worship her?

Oh, and does anyone have a vintage Optimus Prime laying around that I can get for Jerrod? LOL!

Trista ~ Willkommen daheim in den Staaten!!!

Tomorrow my sweet sister returns from her 18 month mission in Austria/Germany! I'm so excited to see her again! (But, totally bummed that for me it won't be for another 3 weeks or so, even though she has a layover at the airport SO close to my house!!) Anyway, welcome home Trista!!

***That's what my title is basically supposed to say, Welcome home to the States.. But, I'm not entirely sure if my translation is anywhere near correct. That's just what the German/English translation gave me. But, I wouldn't go around saying it just in case.

Well this just ticks me off. Okay... sort of.

At the same time, it really just sort of makes me laugh. Hard.

~From Mosiah Chapter 4~

"16...ye will administer of your substance unto him that standeth in need; and ye will not suffer that the beggar putteth up his petition to you in vain, and turn him out to perish."

"17 Perhaps thou shalt say: The man has brought upon himself his misery; therefore I will stay my hand, and will not give unto him of my food, nor impart unto him of my substance that he may not suffer, for his punishments are just—"

"19 For behold, are we not all beggars? Do we not all depend upon the same Being, even God, for all the substance which we have, for both food and raiment, and for gold, and for silver, and for all the riches which we have of every kind?"

So, a few weeks ago, we'd gone out to dinner as a family, and were feeling quite blessed. As we got to the stoplight at the end of the exit ramp (heading home) there was a homeless man on the corner with a cardboard sign, saying he was a veteran, he was homeless and hungry, and would work for food. As we didn't have food to give him, (which is what we normally try to do, so the money doesn't get spent on alcohol or something.. I know, judgemental..) we decided to give him money. He looked like he hadn't had a shower for a long while, he had a long beard, and to make the scene even more tragic, he had a tracheotomy. Jerrod was feeling somewhat generous, so handed him a larger bill. (Well, more than a couple ones, and less than 20.) He thanked us through the hole in his neck, I teared up (I'm pregnant. I do that a lot.) and we were on our way. I wished we could do more for the guy, but drove away feeling good in a "offer up your substance for are we not all beggars" kind of way.

So fast forward. Jerrod was getting home from work one night, and saw a guy looking a lot like this same guy coming into our luxury gated apartment complex. (Not bragging, his company's paying for it, and apparently the apartment's advertising committee and I have differing views on luxury. But, they are still pretty nice, and cost more than what they're worth.) So he sees this guy coming in, and wonders if he's sneaking in or something. Then as he's talking to a couple guys in his office, he finds out that there is an apartment here where 4 of those guys are roommates. They pool their money together, and work the corner in shifts! Mr. Tracheotomy is one of them. They were telling Jerrod's co-workers that they're upset if they don't make 30 bucks an hour! (So, I guess if things don't work out with Jerrod's job, it's good to know we've got a fall-back. I bet with his winning smile, and rugged good looks, he could make more. Especially with women in their 40's-60's, they love him. But that's another blog post entirely.)

Half of me is thinking, "Grrr." The other half is laughing hysterically. I guess it's just my gullibility, and my tendency to think that everything is just as it's portrayed. I like to think the most innocent thoughts possible about everyone. Jerrod often laughs at me for doing this. (For example, he assures me that it's highly unlikely that ABC's Bachelors and Bachelorettes are just staying up all night eating Oreo's and playing Scrabble in the Fantasy Suites. I no longer know what to think, though come to think of it, I've never seen an Oreo package or a Scrabble board, but who knows what they can do with all this fancy schmancy video editing these days. I also have a hard time believing that married movie stars are kissing "for real" other people on screen. I always try to see how it's staged. After seeing some nasty tongue on screen while super sleuthing, I've had to concede on that one. Ga-RoSS!!) So anyway, I of course thought this poor man really was homeless. I felt so bad for him, I was wondering where the closest homeless shelter was, and if he'd really have enough for some meals, etc. etc. I am glad to find out however that he did indeed have somewhere to sleep that night. (Rolling eyes.) I just hadn't realized how close it would be to us, we could have given him a ride home.

So, what I've learned from this is that I'm far too gullible. So if anyone has some nice Arizona oceanfront, apparently I'm in the market.

I do feel that King Benjamin was on to something, and I would do the same thing over again. I know that in so many ways, I too am a beggar, and I'm grateful that the Lord sees fit to shower his mercies and blessings continually upon me. Truly.

But still.

Retraction

A retraction is a public statement, either in print, or by verbal statement that is made to correct a previously made statement that was incorrect, invalid, or in error. The intent of a public retraction is to correct any incorrect information.

The term retraction carries stronger connotation than the term correction. An alteration that changes the main point of the original statement is generally referred to as a retraction while an alteration that leaves the main point of a statement intact is usually referred to simply as a correction.

Anyway, all that stuff I was saying about how fantastic my kids are/were... Um, yeah. Forget it. They're just like everyone else's. Sometimes they are fantastic, and I was sort of starting to like it and get used to it... Other days, um, yeah. How long until I can justify sending them to bed? And HOW does a bedroom get so messy just 2 days after I helped completely clean it?!?

Happy Birthday Sariah!!

Eight years ago, on August 12, 2000, at 7:27 am, (after 24 1/2 hours of labor) you joined our family. Ever since that first moment of birth we've been amazed at this "old soul" who'd joined our family. You've always been our little grown up, right after birth, instead of crying, but still fully aware, you just kind of grunted your hello to us. Even as a baby, you'd sit quietly during Sacrament meeting, would let me spend hours doing your hair, started sleeping through the night very early on, and your favorite music was "Rejoice Greatly" from Handel's Messiah.

You've continued to be a very easy kid to take care of. Sometimes I feel like you're more of a parent to me, reminding me to do what we both know is right.

I'm so excited for you that you are turning 8!!! You are such an amazing kid! There are so many things I love about you, and so many ways you impress, and inspire me every day.

I LOVE...

*That you hate Hannah Montana!

*That you love bugs and slime as much as you love princess dresses and dancing.

*How you are such a great big sister to Essi, you're so patient with her, and you do such a great job in including her in everything. She's lucky to have you for a big sister, and she's right to adore you.

*How you always want to do the right thing. I love how even if there's something you'd rather do, you'll choose what you know is right, without needing any reasons other than you know it's right.

*That you willingly do chores, and jobs around the house.

*That you're a little bookworm and that you consider books friends.

*That you can read books way beyond your years, and understand them and discuss them.

*That you've got great taste in music!

*That you try to obey even when you sometimes don't want to.

*That you go to bed when I tell you to.

*How you share your stuff with Essi.

*That you'll read Essi stories.

*How you'll "mother" Essi when I'm not around, or even if I just need a nap.

*How you're always inventing things.

*All your "crafts."

*How great of an artist you are.

*How you love to learn anything new.

*How excited you are every time you discover or learn something.

*How you always want to make presents or art for people.

*Your ideas to make money.

*Your ideas to "go green."

*Your missionary ideas, and how you encourage mom and dad to do more.

*How you try to see the best in people.

*How quick you are to forgive.

*How you'll seem so grown up and mature one minute, and then remind me that you are still a sweet innocent loving little girl the next.

*How you make me want to be a better person, and a better mom.

*How your thinking and ideals are far beyond those of most 8 year olds. You want to change the world, and I believe you will, one person at a time, just by being yourself.

Thank you for being our daughter. We love you so much, and we're so proud of you. We're so lucky to have you as part of our family, and we feel so blessed. I hope you have a fantastic birthday, and that 8 is a great year for you! Thank you for being you Sariah. I love you.

Why do they have to grow up?

Like a lot of moms, I've had that lament, and with each clothing size I tearfully pack up the clothing that will never fit my child again. I felt like with each item I was packing away my memories, not a ratty old jumper, or church dress.

As my oldest approaches her eighth birthday, I've discovered one of the reasons why our children growing up is truly a magnificent thing. (Also, why having a girl first is such a blessing.) As kids age, they start to get useful!! Who knew?

I remember we used to accuse my mom of having so many kids so she could have slaves. At the time it seemed plausible, looking back, it's laughable. There's no WAY my mom (or any mom) would have gone through what she did with us, for the minimal (very very minimal) amount of chores we did, which would have been infinitely easier for her to finish herself, in a fraction of the time, and with MUCH less headache. But, she wanted us to learn to work. She was a good mom.

Anyway, I've had a vastly different experience. My eldest seems to have a delightful defect in her makeup which makes her even more fantastic. I'd like to take this moment to brag. (Also to gloat that she's apparently missed the "parent's curse" where they say in a moment of rage, usually with clenched teeth "I hope you have a child just. like. you!") Anyway, Sariah seems to think that obedience is expected of her, and that helping around the house is just part of being a family. Then after I thank her for her help, she'll turn around and thank me for being such a great mom, and tell me how much she loves being a part of our family. So yeah. Brag. Brag. Brag, and more Brag.

(Before you get too jealous, I'm fearing that Essi will more than make up for the parent's curse (to the 10th power), and it's already quite obvious that these two children do not have the same tendencies when it comes to obedience and helpfulness. Also, she's at a phase where she's telling me a couple times a day that she doesn't like me, and that I'm "da wurst mom in da wurld!!" Yeah. 3 going on 13..)

Back to my brag blog. I have not had to do the dishes more than twice (if that) in the last three weeks. On top of that, I only have to ask her once to do it, and then they are done. Sometimes, I'll forget I've asked her to do them, and then I'll come back into the kitchen and she's already finished. (This is the opposite of how I was as a child. My poor mom would have to ask us over and over all day long if we'd done whatever chore we were supposed to have done that day, and we would have never started. (Except for Trista, she'd do it.) But, my mom was the queen of follow up. For weeks sometimes, and we couldn't play with friends till we were done. (I didn't play with friends much as a kid.))

Not only have I not done the dishes, I've only made maybe 3 of the last 50 peanut butter sandwiches that have been made in our home. She'll also lovingly make lunches for her dad, a chore I quit about the time he and I got married, and I'm happily gifting to her. (Hey, he's happy, she's happy, and I don't have to do it! It's a great thing... unless she decides to pull a prank on him for teasing her about her crush on Indiana Jones... but that's another blog entry altogether.) She'll clean her room, find Essi's socks, and she's recently started vacuuming. Granted, she's eight, and she doesn't do as well as would be expected for BYU cleaning checks, by Nancy the Nazi, (We probably shouldn't have called her that.) but hey, it's good enough, and I'm not the one doing it.

Can I just say that this is FAN-TAS-TIC!?!? It is!! This totally makes up for them growing out of the cute 2T outfits! I'm loving this growing up thing. I'm really looking forward to the day where I no longer have to change diapers, cart kids around like they're glued to my hip, or worse ~ in those (heavy) carseats, buckling them up and unbuckling them every time they get into the car, loading them into grocery carts, or finding my three year old hiding in the middle of a rack of clothing when I didn't put her in a grocery cart.

As we're having another baby in October, and he most likely won't be our last, (after all, I've got to breed myself some more slaves) I've still got a while before we're out of that stage. But, I'm thinking, as my older kids get older, maybe I can pawn off a bunch of those other non-fun jobs on them, and just spend time cuddling the sweet baby! Bwa-ha-ha-ha-ha!! (So, part of me feels guilty for thinking this way, a bigger part of me feels guilty for admitting I've had these thoughts..., and a bigger part of me still is really excited about the possibilities!)

Anyway, so yeah. Cherish your kids, love them while they're young, it's such a short time, and so brief, and you'll miss them when they've all grown up. At the same time, you can also enjoy the fact that kids growing up isn't as bad as it seemed!