february birthdays

My sister is the best. It was so great to have her and her sweet family here this weekend. The cousins played together perfectly and we celebrated 4 birthdays and an anniversary. Kate was thrilled to be 5. While opening her presents she kept yelling, "You are the best parents ever!" Thanks to Grandma Janie for their awesome birthday cakes with a treasure in each slice. They were a huge hit.

Another hit was Grandpa Dug. Dash was attached at his hip and couldn't get enough of grandpa's race cars. Dash kept saying, "He's my buddy." My dad also took it upon himself to go grocery shopping, make us all a homemade thanksgiving dinner and clean it all up. There aren't many men out there like him and we feel lucky he is ours.

Ella's Baptism

Since we had 2 weeks to kill with no baby we decided to have a baptism. Ella turned 8 on Saturday and my parents and sister's family came as well as some sweet friends from the ward.

The fabulous Susan Lybbert helped Ella sew her dress. Ella chose the pattern, cut it out and did a lot of it herself. Grandma Janie sent some white shoes and scriptures, Grandma Anne had some special jewelry, and we were set.

It was short, very sweet and low key. Kyle did a great job and Kate said the closing prayer. I think Ella had a perfect day. We were proud of her for making such a big decision.

"He that is baptized in my name, to him will the Father give the Holy Ghost, like unto me; wherefore, follow me, and do the things which ye have seen me do." 2 Nephi Ch. 31

11 days and counting

Sometimes you have to be really foolish to become wise. I foolishly thought because i am having constant contractions and am pretty much a handicapped person I could have my baby on Friday, but nope. 11 more days. i will admit there was lots of crying on friday but we are trying to regroup.

So in the meantime I guess we will celebrate four birthdays, my sister's wedding anniversary (they are coming to visit), ella's baptism, and our favorite holiday, V-day! Also, Kyle is celebrating the arrival of his bouncing baby kawasaki.

Trying to be grateful I'm not dead! And forgetting how much pink comes along with a baby girl. So fun!

kyle also brought me flowers and vacuumed the house. true love, i tell you.

things i want to remember

February is the best month of the year. As we are getting ready for the new baby there are a few things I want to remember . . .

I want to remember the magic of watching my little family grow up and the privilege of watching them create, imagine, explore and play.

I want to remember how being settled is like tapping into a well of happiness. How even on days when all I accomplish are laundry and vacuuming I am smiling because we are content and this is home.

I want to remember how grateful I am for those promptings and instincts in your life that tell you to take an unexpected path: like moving to the middle of nowhere; like purchasing a home that wasn’t your ideal; like tackling something as crazy as homeschool.

I want to remember how it felt to watch my sweet husband take care of our three-year-old who had the flu. How Kyle made them both a bed on the floor and was so patient for hours on end. I tell you, that experience was up there on the list of moments I knew I married the right man.

February is the month of love. We love all of you and can’t wait for baby # 4 to join in all the fun.

bathroom remodels

Here are the three bathrooms we remodeled. They aren't decorated yet but at least they are done. We kept the cabinets in the kids' bathroom but other than that new tubs, tile, fixtures, cabinets, countertops, electrical, toilets, etc. It was a lot of work but we are glad it is done. And one thing about remodeling in the country: it isn't always about finding your favorite things but just finding something in stock and available.

There is also a frog that lives under our house. It makes little noises at us all winter and finally he came up through a vent and Kate caught him. But because it was winter Kate and Kyle let it go back under the house so hopefully he can live until spring. A little weird but maybe a funny story to look back on nonetheless.

our front yard and a little snow

sometimes it's just too much to stay indoors!

i guess it's time to sew a few things

Ella is sewing her baptism dress and I can't find any nursery bedding I love. So it's time to sew. Well, really, it's time to learn how to sew and then it's time to sew.

Ella and the baby are going to share. Aqua and pink are the colors of the day. Hopefully in five or six weeks I will have something worth posting. Also, I am on the lookout for a really feminine, really cute name if you have any in your back pocket. I told my doctor to pay attention to all the babies he's delivering and find me a cute one.