Fourth of July

Out of the last 5 fourth of July's that we have lived in Colorado we have spent 4 of them in Utah.  This year, since Katie was having a baby in late July, I decided we would go to Utah at the end of summer so we could see the baby.  It would be perfect - we had 2 weeks in between baseball and soccer, the baby would be born, and it would be Sam's baptism.  My kids were pretty upset all summer that we hadn't gone to Utah yet - but I kept showing them the date on the calendar (July 28 - August 8) and explaining my reasons.  Well... today is August 1st and we are not in Utah.  Jason couldn't come becasue he had school and some job interviews so I was just taking the kids alone.  Not a big deal - I have done it tons of times - true not 5 months pregnant - but I figured it would be fine.  Then, the day before we left I got sick, really really sick.  Jason got sick and many of our kids got kind of sick.  I didn't get out of bed for 2 days.  Almost a week later and I still can not stand up or sit up for more than an hour.  I knew I couldn't make the drive.  My family had scheduled to go to Falming Gorge while we were there - so it didn't make any sense to go late and on top of that my mom's kitchen is torn up (being remodleled) - so I think it worked out for the best that we didn't go.  Although my kids are very upset (especially Noah) - and I am pretty heart broken as well.

but... back to Fourth of July - since we were here we had to find some fun stuff to do.  As I mentioned earlier my kids were pretty upset we weren't in Utah - doing fireworks at Bills.  So I tried to find some replacement stuff.  Our city puts on the worlds lamest parade.  We went the other year we were here for the Fourth and learned never to go again.  They don't have one float, one marching band, one cheer leading or dancing team, no beauty queens - nothing.  All it is in different businesses in the city walk down the street holding a banner about their buisness or driving their car with a sign on their car.  The ONLY redeeming quality is that they pass out candy - but only to one side of the street (we were on the wrong side last year).  Well - the boys were not interested in going - and neigher were the girls (phew - got out of going) - until the night before at 9:00 pm their friend told them that there is a children's bike parade before and she would help them decorate their bikes - fantastic! (eye roll emoji) 

So I took the girls, we did the bike parade and watched the parade.

Although it was just as lame as always - I had fun with just the girls.  They don't remember Utah parades - so they thought it was a great parade.  I had a great morning with them.

There was one good "float".  This was the best of the parade AND it was our neighbors.  Our neighbor opened a tap house last year and they got the whole street to walk in the parade and help advertise it.  We respectfully declined - but it was fun to see all their friends in the parade and cheer them on.

Madison made a flag out of paper for her bike.

In the afternoon we went to a neighborhood BBQ.

And in the evening we went to our friends house (the Birches) for another BBQ and fireworks. 

I think we had a pretty great Fourth of July.

Summer baking

The girls have really gotten into all those baking shows on Netflix (cupcake wars, sugar rush, nailed it).  It inspires them to try to bake things by themselves.  It's pretty great.  

Sleep overs

My kids area always asking for sleepovers.  I still don't know how I feel about them.  I grew up having lots and lots and lots of sleepovers.  Sometimes in the summer I wouldn't sleep at my house for days in a row and during school it was almost every Friday.  I loved them - they are some of my most treasured memories and formed friendships that made me into who I am.  But... I also know how many BAD things happen at sleep overs.  I try to balance.  Who, where, when - sometimes the answer is yes and sometimes the answer is no.  I think the older they get the more and more the answer will be no.  Late nights are a good compromise. 

Well, one day I decided to make up for all the "no's" with a huge sleepover at our house.  The girls had 4 friends sleep over and the boys had 3 - that's 11 kids!  The girls spent almost the whole time in the (old) preschool playing with their American Girl dolls.  That is what they have done ALL summer.  And I mean all summer.  They will set up houses for them and play with them for like 10 hours every day.  It is intense.  The boys played a few board games and then x-box.

growing up

He did a pretty good job. 

pet show

One day for family home evening Megan, Madison, and Noah put on a pet show with their stuffed animals.  Jason and I were the judges and Brock was the audience.  They worked on it for days.  They really went all out including making their own trophy and judging sheets.  It was pretty adorable. 

Our contestants were Tracy, Pumpkin, and Campbell. The categories were prettiest, most tricks, fastest, and most able to find stuff.

Pumpkin won!

I loe this stage the girls are in (and Noah usually loves to participate also).  Currently they are working on Gertle's birthday party. (Gertle is Madison's stuffed turtle that looks more like a giraffe - so she combined giraffe and turtle to get his name).  They are going all out on this party and have probably worked on it for like 10  hours.  

movies

Jen took us all to Incredibles 2 one afternoon.  We had the theater to ourselves.

You may notice a pattern this summer with people taking us places.  My friends have been so kind and generous to us this last year and especially this summer.  It is awkward sometimes - they want my kids to come (or me) but they know that we just can't afford it.  I try so hard to not make it a big deal or awkward and assure them they don't have to invite us or go with out us - being poor DOES NOT bother me!  But usually they won't even ask - they just tell me, "we are taking you guys to a movie today... I already bought the tickets."  I am glad people love me and my kids enough that they want us to come that bad!  We have been blessed here in Colorado with great, great friends.

Sister Orro is back!!!

Sister Orro is a wonderful missionary from Australia who served in our ward in 2015.  She was the missionary who taught Krista the gospel.  She actually served in our ward for 8 months - so we all got to know her really well and love her. 

I knew about her coming for a few months - but we kept it a secret from Krista.  I got a picture of her knocking - but I didn't take one of the hug!!  I videoed it - but didn't get a  picture.  Krista was so surprised and it was wonderful seeing her again and hanging out with her and her mom for a few days.

Sister Orro (Bek) has had a hard time since her mission.  She is currently not active, but thinking of trying to be active again.  Her parents brought her back to her mission in hopes of sparking her testimony again.  I love her deeply and it has been hard for Krista and I to watch on Facebook as she has taken such a different path.  It really has broken Krista's heart.  I am so glad she came and we all talked very openly and shared a lot of tears and hugs.  I hope she goes back home with a renewed love for the Savior and desire to stay on His path.  I was a ward missionary for almost 3 years and we always have the missionaries over for dinner and member lessons and Bek was the best missionary we have ever had.  She has a wonderful testimony and knowledge of the gospel.  Her light is strong.  I pray she will find it again.  Regardless, she changed mine and Krista's life forever and I am so grateful she chose to serve a mission.

David and noah

David and Noah have spent some quality time together this summer.

This is decompressing after a long day at scout camp.

Deb (David's grandma) took them to Boondocks.

Krista took them monster golfing.

(these are in different months - funny that Noah wore the same shirt.)

It's a.... (facebook post)

 It's a boy!! We are so excited - and a little bit nervous, it has been 10 years since I had a boy. But we LOVE LOVE little boys and are so excited.

Thanks Hannah for the last minute cake. I am opposed to gender reveals... but it turns out my kids aren't. She threw this cake together this morning for us with only 2 hours notice. Isn't she amazing?!

I will post more about it later.  I just wanted to put my facebook post in here.

Phillip Miller Park

Our ward does park days every Thursday.  In the past this was a weekly outing.  As my kids get older a park isn't all that fun anymore.  We still go 2 maybe 3 times a month.  But we always go if its a "really cool" park. This is one of those parks.  They have this huge stair case up the side of the mountain.  I told the kids who ever went to the top I would buy them a frosty.  

The girls did it as soon as we got there.  There is no picture at the top becasue... I didn't go.  It was about 90 degrees and although I probably could have made it pregnant - it would have shot the rest of my day.  So I choose not too.  These girls practically ran the whole way.

We brought Zoe and Anna with us.  We hardly go anywhere this summer with out a friend or 2 to come along.  I don't mind.  I usually encourage it.  I always love taking other kids with us.  We also had a new family move into our neighborhood - Mark and Anna.  They are the same age as my kids (Mark right in between my boys and Anna right in between my girls).  It has been great having new friends and they are great kids and their parents are wonderful too. 

Noah did the stairs when we left.  Brock choose not too.

There is also a splash pad in the park that we did later that afternoon.

Baby bump

21 weeks today.  We find out tomorrow if its a girl or a boy.  I don't care either way.  Although I am kind of thinking I want a boy - but I kind of think it is a girl.  Either way it will be great!

A weird thing

A weird thing has happened this pregnancy which I can't remember happening in the other pregnancies.  I have noticed my body instinctually protecting this baby and putting its well being above all else.  I have had 2 experiences where I fell (not hard) - but my whole body instantly wrapped around my belly to protect my stomach from the fall. I was in a total state of shock for about a minute afterwards as my body and mind seemed to be assessing and still protecting the baby.  It was very strange.

Second, I have had a few experiences where I needed to help one of my older children (physically - like help them climb down from a tree, or help them through a river).  They weren't in immediate danger, but they needed my help.  During both experiences the child was going to fall (again - not far) - but my instant reaction was to not get hurt myself - so the baby would get hurt - instead of to help my falling child.  SO WEIRD!! (any mother would instantly risk getting hurt themselves to save their falling child).  After these experiences there was another instance where my child wanted to do something and wanted me to "spot them" so they wouldn't fall and I thought, "I can't, because I am honestly afraid my instincts would be to protect me over them" (and this was actually dangerous) - I just told them "no".  I have been trying to remember if I ever felt this in my last 4 pregnancies and I really don't remember ever feeling this way.  I have come up with 2 reasons why.  1) I am older and much more likely to fall and get hurt and not recover - my body maybe feels old and tired and is putting a lot more care and effort into this child.  And 2) when I was pregnant the other times my other children were toddlers and babies and still needed me.  My maternal instincts for them were just as strong for the baby - my body knew they all needed me.  Now that my kids are older my body is like "you have done all you can for them, lets focus on the one who is helpless".  Kind of funny - but it is so instinctual and reactionary - I can tell these instincts are coming from my core.  Our bodies are weird and amazing.

last day of school party

On the last day of school we headed over to our neighbors house for an ice cream sundae bar. 

telling the kids

Originally we had planned to tell the kids (and then everyone else) at 12 weeks.  But at 7 weeks I was going to Utah for women's conference and I knew I couldn't hide it from Krista and my mom  (nor did I want too).  So we decided to "go for it" and tell the kids before I left for Utah.

We decided to tell Brock alone and first.  I knew Noah, Megan, and Madison would be thrilled to have another baby.  They love babies and toddlers.  But Brock, he has never loved babies.  Even as a young child, he has just never been drawn to them.  He is responsible with them, and wants them to be happy, and if needs be he can play with them, but it is not something he loves.  On top of that I know he feels responsible for the younger 3 kids and I knew that he would now feel responsible for this new baby.  I wanted him to get a chance to talk about these feelings and feel heard with out the excitement of the other three drowning him out or making him feel guilty for having his feelings.  We also wanted to make sure he knew that he was not responsible for this new baby.  Plus telling him alone and first would help him to feel big and old and special.

It went great.  He did feel how I knew he would feel and the 3 of us had a great conversation.  The first thing he said when we said, "how do you feel about that?" was, "well, excited and nervous.  Nervous because instead of having 3 people to take care of now I have 4".  I love that I know my children.  He came to the announcement with the other 3 with a big smile on his facing feeling quite good about the fact that he was in the "know".

We sat in our living room and called a family council.  I said, "we are going to have a baby".  Immediately there followed shrieks and screams and jumping up and down from Megan, Madison and Noah.  Brock just sat there and smiled.  After a a minute or so of that Megan stopped and said, "wait, I thought you were too old to have a baby?"  I told her I was most certainly not too old to have a baby!  Then someone asked if it was a boy or a girl and we explained we didn't know, and then Madison pointed out that what gender this baby is shifts the votes.  You see, every vote in this house ends in a tie - either older kids vs younger kids or girls vs boys - in our house it doesn't matter  - it ends the same - 2 to 2.  This child is like a supreme court justice nominee right here - it will yield a lot of power and the kids know it.  The stakes are pretty high. 

From that time on I have almost completely disappeared to Megan and Madison - I am now something carrying a baby.  They talk to the baby, say good morning, good night, good bye, hello and everything to the baby.  They don't address me at all except to ask, "how is the baby?"  It is pretty adorable. 

As far as gender goes, we don't really care if its a girl or a boy.  We have learned both are pretty great.  When we look at the bigger picture (2 more kids).  I would like either a girl and a boy or 2 boys.  Mostly because we have wanted another little boy since we had Noah.  We know his name and we have waited for him to come to our family.  So if we have 2 girls... we might just have to have another.  ha  But if we have girl and a boy I would like the girl first because she will be closer to the girls in age.  The boy would be so far apart in age that it wouldn't really be like growing up with those boys anyways.  But... I don't get to choose and for that I am thankful.  We are just so excited for this new little addition and can't wait to see what our lives will be like a year from now!