Essie's First Haircut!

We went to Fillmore this weekend (more pictures to come). All of my siblings were going to be there, so we couldn't miss it. While we were there my sister Kara gave Essie her first haircut! It was really just a trim, but it made a big difference.

Before church fun

This past Sunday we were all (mostly) ready for church and still had time to spare. (We still ended up rushing to get out the door...why does that happen?) The kids were playing outside, so I took a few pictures of each of them while their faces were clean :)

SOCCER!!!

Fall soccer is in session and we love it! I have so much fun watching Thomas out there on the field...probably because he is having a blast and it rubs off on me. I tried talking Thomas into doing fall baseball instead of soccer, but he wouldn't hear of it. I thought it would be good for him to try something different, but I guess if he is enjoying this, I'll let him do it.

Waiting for the kickoff...actually that's probably football terminology:) The first soccer game I ever watched was the first one Thomas played in, so I don't know what things are called.Go, Thomas, go!

Throwing in. Jackson is our team's ref, so that is him in the orange shirt standing behind Thomas.

Thomas is a very aggressive player. He always runs hard and loves getting right in the middle of the action.

Sometimes I think he is a bit TOO aggressive. Here he is trying to take the ball from his opponent. Is it legal to do it like that? In the background, Jackson has a mixed look of worry and pride :)

After the game is over, Thomas always says he wishes it could go longer. He really loves it, and we love watching and cheering. Nicholas can't wait until he turns 5 and he can play too.

Happy Birthday Thom-o

First of all...is that how you would spell that nickname? Tomo, Tom-o, Thom-o??? Well...that is what we call him 80% of the time. Quite a while ago...at least a year if I remember right...somehow the subject of nicknames came up. Thomas was asking Jackson and I about our and other people's nicknames. He decided he wanted a nickname. We started throwing out different ideas. He firmly turned down Tom and Tommy (while I silently rejoiced). When someone suggested Thom-o he immediately settled on that. It stuck and some of his friends who have heard me calling him that, have picked up on it. I think it fits him.

I was very lucky to have captured these few pictures of Thomas' 6th birthday. This was the day of the miscarraige and I was right in the middle of it. Heavenly Father was watching out for us, though, because I cramped and bled severely all morning and afternoon. Then, right as the party was starting the cramping stopped and the bleeding slowed. I was able to help and participate for the entire party. Nothing more happened until 30 seconds after we tucked the kids in to bed for the night. What a needed and comforting blessing.

Earlier in the week, Thomas helped me make rubber band guns for his friends. They had a blast running around shooting each other. Actually I think the main targets were Jackson and his brother Judd (who came to help on short notice...thanks Judd!). Thomas has such great friends and they had a great time together.

Happy birthday Thomas!!!

Thanks!

Thank you to everyone for your kind words and encouragement. We are doing very well and feel peaceful and happy. I have yet to blog about Thomas' birthday which was a few weeks ago. Jackson and I just went out for our anniversary dinner last night...our anniversary was the last week in August...I guess we are just running a couple weeks behind on everything around here.

Nicholas just started preschool (a rotating mommy preschool). I was the teacher last week, so tomorrow is the first day he goes to someone else's house. I will have two hours with only one child...what freedom!!! I have lots of plans...not many that include much fun for Estella...mostly lots of errands that will be much easier with less children involved.

And a picture...

Sad News

We are no longer expecting a baby. I found out Friday morning that the baby didn't have a heartbeat. I passed the baby Friday night and am feeling good. I have had bits of bleeding for about three weeks now. I went in twice and the baby was fine both times. I had more bleeding and some cramping Thursday night. At that point I just knew inside that it was over. So I wasn't surprised Friday morning.

Even though I am sad, I feel at peace. Looking back at Friday (which was crazy because it was Thomas's birthday, which included bringing cupcakes to the classroom and throwing a birthday party) I see so many 'tender mercies'...small blessings from Heavenly Father that made a big difference to me. I feel certain that Heavenly Father is aware of me, my feelings, and my needs.

On a happier note, here are a few pictures from the past few weeks...

Thomas at school on his first day of Kindergarten!
Uncle Jake and the boys on Nicholas' birthday. I love how they are looking at Jake like, "How does he get those muscles to pop out of there?"

Showing the big rocks they are going to throw into the stream. You have got to love Essie's tie-died onsie and three-sizes-too-big tap shoes!

Nicholas' birthday party. Some of the boys getting ready to have an airplane throwing contest.

Yum!

Happy 4th birthday my sweet sweet Nicholas!