Ultrasound results....are you ready?

So when Ben got home from work this morning,I hauled him off with me to the get an ultrasound. And the results you've been waiting for?....Well, that depends on if you're ready to hear or not!
Here's what we learned. The baby is measuring to be closer to 37 weeks than the 36 I was judging. That's kinda good news. The other part of that is the tech estimates the baby to be just shy of 7 lbs now--and still has time to grow more. Boy, can you tell I'm looking forward to delivering another 10 lb baby! And the other exciting news? As of today, the baby is presenting breech--as in bum first. Not sure how I like that news. I don't know why I'm so scared of a C-section, but I'd rather deliver a 10 lb baby naturally! We'll see what's the option when I see the Doctor on Monday.
And of course, I'm certain that you all want to know if it's a Pink or a Blue future? Well, how do I break the news gently.....Um....The truth is ....We still don't know. Silly little baby! It's not a matter of not seeing, it a matter of not being able to see because the umbilical cord is still running between the legs. This baby is a good secret keeper! Even better than me! So, now you know as much as we know. Hope you're not terribly disappointed. And if you are, you'll have to get over it. (that's what Ben tells me, anyway.)
Merry Christmas...And God Bless Everyone.

A mother's influence...

(just a note for non-mothers or moms of children who are no longer toddlers and don't remember---You can not be in the bathroom/shower with out company if you have a toddler)
So I shaved my legs in the shower this morning (yes! I can still reach to shave! Yeah!) After I was done, I was standing in front of the mirror to complete my face ritual when William parked his can beside me. He rummaged around in "Dad's drawer" before coming up with a razor (yeah, Ben does have them--even if he doesn't use them....) then I watched him methodically raise his leg, lift his pant leg and proceed to 'shave' his little leg. (thankfully, it still had the cover on the blade) I couldn't help but laugh! Apparently, someone was watching me when I wasn't aware. And apparently, Mom's do have a strong influence on their children--even little boys.
Shhh, don't tell. Someday he'll grow up and be embarrassed that I caught him 'shaving'. But I'm his mother, and it's my prerogative to share, at least for now.

a good belly laugh with mom's of boys!

I was blog lurking and found a lead to this thread. Sorry I don't know a fancy way to post it, but hopefully you can find the link and have a good laugh. I'm sorry to/for you mom's of girls. This is the fun you get to miss out on!
http://theblogfrog.com/psearch/ViewThread.aspx?threadID=3169&blogID=104191

Two sides to every story

There is this blog that I've been following. I don't like to admit to being a blog-lurker, but I am--on several blogs. They are the kind that help inspire you, encourage you, and remind you (ME) of the things that really are important. So back to this blog I've been following. http://mytricuspidatresia.blogspot.com/. Paul Cardall is an amazing pianist (he's also LDS). He's been waiting for a heart transplant for over a year. What an amazing story his life has written! I saw his wife has posted today that he has recieved a heart. And as he has posted (I guess this has been on his mind alot) many times how that heart is a bitter-sweet blessing. It brings a new birth for him, but means that another family will be mourning the loss of a loved one. It makes you look at life in a new light.
Congratulations, Paul, on your new heart. Our prayers for an un-complicated and full recovery for you, and prayers of comfort for another family!

the pics you've been waiting for...

Yes, we have news to share. Our family is growing. Unfortunately, I can't tell you if it's going to stay BLUE or if there will be some PINK in the mix. But beleive me, I'll let ya'll know as soon as I learn!

Not my favorite, but it is a close-up of the head.

Baby due January 21st 2010

the care and keeping of children....

Tonight for FHE, we had a discussion about the care and keeping of children, broke the news to the kids, and thought things were going beautifully. About 15 minutes into the conversation, Joshua turns to Andrew and says, "Wait, Mom's gonna have a baby?" Does he do the same thing at school? How much of life is that boy missing!! Maybe he IS blond.

William--the little boy

 

4th of July BBQ

 

Ben made some delicious ribs (St Louis style with KC sauce) for the holiday weekend.
William was a big fan! (as were the rest of us, but I didn't take pics of the rest of us eating...)

The power of Chex Mix and corn squares

(I know, it's about time for a new post, and you'll probably be disappointed with what I post, but get over it! I'm posting!)

I hybernated with a book today. I grabbed a bag of Chex Mix and headed to my room to read. I had a few minutes before William found me. ...then he discovered the bag of Chex Mix. He stayed busy for nearly 1/2 hour meticulously picking out the yellow (corn) cereal squares and putting them in his mouth. If he pulled out a brown (wheat) cereal square, he'd offer it to my mouth. If he picked up a cracker, or a pretzel, or a bagel chip, he'd try to feed it to me. But if it was a yellow cereal square, it went straight to his mouth!! I had no idea a kid could be so pickey. It's not like the pieces taste that different. But he didn't want anything to do with any of it--unless it was a corn square!
Silly boy.

LOL

Ben and I were looking thru the ads this morning. There was one that had a variety of Orchids on sale. I said to Ben, "Would you like some orchids?" and he replied, "More kids? Don't we have enough?!" I started laughing and he just looked at me. "More kids? Isn't that what you said?" he mocked. .... oh for heaven's sake! I love his sense of humor!

Michael...

Michael has learned the amazing power of combining letters---words!He's been reading everything, and writing everything he can. He's perfectly content with a book or a pencil and paper. Yesterday, he was working on his homework-writing down his sight words. After a few minutes, he brought the paper back to me. He'd written down Mike and Mice and wanted to know which one spelled 'Mickey' (that's his nickname). He was disappointed to learn that neither one worked, that instead he needed all those extra letters. He told me Michael was good enough...

dinner-time conversations (the boy version)

Though I'm tempted not to share, this is a sample of life in a house of ALL boys!
As we are finishing up with our Sunday dinner (Ben wasn't home yet, it was just me and the younger boys) Andrew pulls out this Rubik's puzzle toy and he was 're-shaping' it. Joshua says (and not quietly) "That looks like a toilet!". I'll admit, it caught me off guard. And in all seriousness, I wanted to say (loudly) in return, Josh, we don't need to talk like that.. But instead, I figured, If you can't beat 'em, join em. So our conversation carried on and we expanded our 'toilet' vocabulary to include other words such as commode, throne, WC (water closet), squatter, and toilet (that's with the French pronunciation...)
What good table conversation, wouldn't you say?

Gratitude 4 the Temple

Today I'm grateful for the Temple. I'm grateful for a young man who had the faith (and courage) to offer a heartfelt prayer in a grove of trees. I'm grateful for a loving Father who called a prophet in our dispensation. I'm grateful for the restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and also the restoration of the Priesthood power. I'm grateful for my family. I'm grateful for the saving ordinances which are performed inside sacred temples of God. I'm grateful for Eternal Marriage, and therefore, Eternal Families. I'm grateful for the beauty and peace we find in the temples, after which we pattern our own homes. I'm grateful for the Temple.

sunshine and songs

There is sunshine in my soul today.....Here in Chicago, we had the most beautiful, wonderful, sunshiney, spring weather today! I don't know exactly how warm it got (and I'm too lazy to check the weather on line) but it was warm enough to wear shorts and love it! (not me, of course. Too pastey!) I'll bet it was mid 70's though.
Sunshine and warmth do something from the inside, out. From a gospel perspective, I was reminded of this one teaching appointment we had with a neat woman named Charisse. (Lori, remember Charisse? hope I'm spelling her name right) I remember her asking us about the Book of Mormon, How did we know it's true? I can honestly say at that moment I felt the Spirit stronger than any other time in my life so far. There was a warmth that permiated from deep inside my chest all the way out to my finger tips, my toes, and the top of my head. It was followed by 'total body pricklies' (words borrowed from Lori). Many times I've reflected on that experience. I still don't have words to explain exactly, but I can say I KNOW the Book of Mormon is true. And if it's true, everything else that follows is true. I believe that living without the gospel is like living in a Chicago winter with no furnace. And having a knowledge of the restored gospel is like living in paradise(but a paradise with a beach! like, I don't know, maybe St Croix?). But as wonderful as the beach is in solitude, it's not nearly as fun as enjoying it with someone special. The Gospel is made to be shared. "It isn't good to be alone, it isn't good."
Thinking of and missing my sisters again today. Thankful for all the wonderful sisters I have! (including you! blood-sister or not)

Energy, don't leave home without it.

Cub scouts it a big deal. It's the perfect chance to begin molding little boys into wonderful men. I'm still learning about Cub Scouts, but for what I've learned thus far, I'm a HUGE fan.
Eight and nine year old boys have a ton of energy! Boys alone can solve all sorts of problems. But get a group of boys together and all brains leave the group; what you are left with is a mass of expanding chaos!!! And we put them in dark blue shirts and call them Cub Scouts!...I love them.
So, the lesson I learned tonight is this; don't challenge the boys to an exercise dual. They'll win! hands down!!!
For those of you who haven't seen me for a while, I'm working to loose a lot of unnecessary body clutter! I'm making little bit and very slow progress, but it's progress none the less. And feeling as good as I do with my progress, I was feeling a little energetic tonight when we had Den meeting. We were talking about taking care of our bodies, feeding them good food, getting enough sleep, and exercising. I asked the Cubs 'who thinks they can do more jumping jacks than me'. (Did I mention they are all 8 and 9 year old boys, full of energy and the size of a sneeze?) I don't think I even made it to twenty before I was laughing so hard! I had to stop the fun and have one of the boys teach the others how to do jumping jacks. He explained that first you make an 'X' with your hands and legs. Then you make an 'I' with your body. Then you do it really fast! I'm giggling just thinking about it. We ditched the jumpin' jacks and tried basketball or running in the gym instead. I'd say that was a good option.
Maybe I can challenge them to stairs next time....

Our Father Has a Family

Michael and I had an interesting conversation this morning. I heard him singing a song we learned in Primary...."God gave us families, to help us become what He wants us to be. This is how He shares His love; for the family is of God." (The Family Is of God -words and music by Matthew Neeley. Published in the children's Friend, Oct 2008)
I asked him, "Micky, do you know that God love us so much that he gave us a family to help us and to take care of us?" His answer..."Yes, and he gave us Jesus too" I can't argue with that! And there's not much teaching I can add to that either. But I did testify that he is right. Our Father gave us families. And he gave his Son. He really does love each of us THAT MUCH! In-comprehendible to me.
I can't tell you how much I love talking about families in Primary. And how I love to watch my family grow. After 1 1/2 years, I'm really missing my sisters. Chicago IS far away! So, until I can give it to you in person (for anyone who reads my blog) here's a hug...{{{a cyber hug}}}

FHE rules

I look forward to Family Home Evening. Now before you get silly ideas that FHE runs smoothly at our house, let me set you straight! I've learned a few tricks that make it better that smooth or perfect. Kids need to contribute. They need to feel ownership. I've become a huge fan of FHE charts. Have I found the perfect one? NO not yet. In fact, since I change my mind frequently, I've just been creating them on the computer. We change every 6 months or so to a new chart. But for certain, I make sure that each child is responsible for something--from lesson, to conducting, from songs or prayers, to activity and treat. I want to create something that my children (yeah, even the oldest who has reached the age of everything being silly and un-necessary) will look forward to and enjoy as much as I do.
Another secret trick I picked up from our Stake Women's Conference was FHE rules. Here are the three most important (for creating the results I want)

1 Avoid Conflicts
2 Always schedule
3 Be consistant

Here are the secrets that these rules help with. First, by avoiding conflicts like arguments or addressing problems, the children (and family) will learn that FHE is a 'spiritual safe harbor' from the world. Children will want to spend time with their family, instead of secluded in their rooms. Essential relationships will be built and nurtured. Parents will become an active part of their children's lives. And children will become friends with their siblings. Save the problems and confrontations for Family Council time. It will help to part from the 'emotion' of the moment.
Scheduling can actually become a natural part of FHE. If all of the family is together, it's easy to grab a calendar and go over who's doing what, when. It's also a great way to get a heads up on the activities and commitments that everyone has going on. And my favorite--it creates a pattern for communication! (boys need help with that!!!)
One of my favorite phrases is (and I'm sorry, I don't know who said it) The best defense is a good offense. If we are pro-active, then we don't have to be re-active.
And consistancy... well I don't have to say much there. It's a matter of making priorities and creating good habits. And of course, it's heeding the words of our prophets. When FHE is consistantly held, the family members will become actively involved in creating the means to accomplish it. It creates a wondeful cycle.
Just a tidbit for parent's of the littlest angels. It still counts for FHE if you sit down and sing Jesus Wants Me For A Sunbeam and eat goldfish dipped in water (if you don't know what I'm talking about, make a visit to Nursery on Sunday!) There is a WONDERFUL resource for FHE (and families with children, especially as young as toddler aged) available from the church distribution center. It's a manual called Behold Your Little Ones.
So, there's my two bits and then some on Family Home Evening. I hope you find something useful in all these words.

William (in the news again)

 

Can you believe the eyes on this boy? I love the blue color, and they are so big! Even though he wasn't feeling his best, I still took the shot and here I am posting it. We are all feeling so much better!

...and it's Saturday...

Today our stake had a wonderful women's conference. There were several classes to choose from but we only got to choose 2 to attend. Have you ever been an kid in a candy store? The first class I caught was about family councils. Wow, do we need that! I was grateful the teacher explained how Family Home Evening and Family Councils are different. No wonder I've been getting frustrated with FHE! Anyway, I came away anxious to make some changes to our scheduled family time and start having Family Councils. I truly do love FHE and I want my kids to look forward to it every week, not just the weeks they are in charge of the lesson or activity.
So today, I'm grateful for great teachers, experienced mothers, and the Spirit to help me in this marvelous quest we call parenthood.
I'm also grateful for the weekend! (kids don't have school on Monday)

Friday's family fun night...

Today...well today has been a day! I had a wonderful time at the kid's school, helping out the PTO with some fun activities during lunch. And after school, we took off and went to the DuPage Children's Museum. (It's not the Chicago children's museum, but it's closer...and cheaper since we've got a membership) I really love being with my kids! Some days you wouldn't know that...I get stressed trying to spend time with them and get my 'chores' done too. I can't beleive how fast they are getting all grown up! I want to make sure I don't miss out on a minute of it.
I'm grateful for family.

Gratitude...

Ok, for any one who actually checks my blog, I'm sorry. I ask forgiveness. I signed up for Facebook and I haven't done much with my blog since! (FB has just been too much, too much fun, too much time, too many friends, too many emails...but I'm not giving it up!!!)
So I made a commitment tonight to start making regular posts. They probably won't have pictures, and they'll probably be rather personal (to me), but if you don't like that, then don't check my blog.
...so for tonight....
I'm grateful for the rain we've had today. It even came with thunder and lightning! Love that! And I'm grateful that Ben has a good job, and that we haven't bought a house yet...but I'm excited as we start looking at them. Yeah!
So there you have it. A long awaited post.
...until tomorrow...

more snow day

 
Will and Mick in the first 8 inches of snow

Snow Day

 
OK, so I'm a little behind....but who's noticed? (I have)
A couple of weeks ago, the kids were out of school for a snow day (and yeah, it happened several days in a row--either snow or cold) so we bundled up and went out to play. I snapped this pic of William discovering the snow 'first hand'. Too cute!

In memory of...

Today would have been my dad's 82nd birthday. Ok, really, it will always be his birthday. He passed away in 2003. Happy Birthday, Dad. Sure miss you!