Essie...the Messie Maker!

I swear only two minutes before these pictures, she was by my side! (Please notice that the counter is COVERED in a layer of pink sprinkles...somehow she took the little plastic sprinkling cover with little holes in it off and completely emptied the bottle)

Self Control

This was inspiring for me, and I thought I would share it.

"We can only control one thing, our own thoughts and emotions. Trying to control anyone else will always be a power struggle. Heavenly Father didn’t make us parents to control other people into goodness and self-government. He made us parents to lead our children to goodness, and self-government. If we focus on controlling ourselves and having the spirit of calmness with us each day will be able to share the secrets of self control we learn with our children too so that they are not captive by the emotional control of others either. We want success for our children and success comes much easier to those who know they are responsible for controlling themselves."



I don't know who said this. My mom emailed it to me and said it was from a talk she read. I'll ask her which talk in case anyone wants to know.

Differences

A nurse came to our house last Saturday to do some life insurance exams on Jackson and I. She was getting ready to draw Jackson's blood and told the boys she was going to use a needle to take some of Daddy's blood out of his body. Thomas yelped and quickly ran from the room. Nicholas came straight over and asked if he could watch. He had such a look of fascination on his face as she stuck the needle in and filled two different tubes with blood. He did the same when it was my turn. I didn't even want to watch, but he didn't look away or even cringe once.

I might have mentioned this before, but he even watches when HE gets shots. I find it so interesting that he has an inborn intrigue with needles and blood and medical things. It is so fun to watch these amazing children develop!

Hot Springs and Hot Pots

I had a doctor's appointment on Monday. It was so relieving to hear the baby's heartbeat! I am now just over 13 weeks and feeling a little bit out of the danger zone. I wish I could say that I am feeling better. I think I am getting some energy back, but I am still throwing up now and then, and feeling pretty nauseated much of the time.

Last week was spring break for both Thomas and Jackson. Jackson planned a fabulous trip for us. Monday, we rode the train from Grand Junction about two hours to Glenwood Springs. In Glenwood we stayed at the Hot Springs Lodge which included admission to the Hot Springs. Monday and Tuesday we spent every minute we could soaking in the water. It was perfect. Wednesday we rode the train back home.

The boys were fascinated with the train and the two hours flew by. We toured all the different cars. My favorite was the lounge car because it had windows everywhere...even on half of the ceiling. We ate lunch in the lounge car at a table and played cards for a while. The train was great!

Jackson gave the boys a few dollars each of spending money before we left. They spent it all on vending machine candy and they couldn't have been happier!

These are some pictures from a couple months ago that I never posted. We went to Fillmore for a weekend. A visit to Fillmore isn't complete for Jackson without a trip to "The Hot Pots."

Announcing...

...I have been absent from blogging for over a month! It is because I have been feeling a lot like Estella looks in the picture below. The reason for feeling yucky? You guessed it...we are expecting again. I am just over 11 weeks now, due September 19th. This pregnancy has been my hardest pregnancy as far as sickness goes...lots of throwing up...yuck! Also, I don't ever remember being this tired before. I have been taking a nap every day in the afternoon and then going to bed at 8:00...yes you read it right...8:00 EVERY NIGHT! That is why there has been no blogging...those were the two times I could do it: nap time and after bed time.

Even though I feel so yucky I am SO happy to be pregnant! I am extremely relieved to be past my previous miscarraige date of 11 weeks. This baby has been our most prayed for baby so far. The boys, especially Nicholas, pray daily for the health of the baby. The strongest prayers they have offered were several weeks ago when I was spotting and very nervous. Sometimes, if Nicholas figures out that I am feeling sick, he will immediately drop to his knees and pray that I will feel better. The faith of children is strong. I hope Heavenly Father doesn't answer every prayer exactly, however, because last week Nicholas prayed that I would have 16 babies :) I think one will be enough.

Here are a few pictures of Estella with her favorite bear. I was checking the light before a photoshoot and grabbed Essie as she was. This is the way my kids look most of the time lately...messy hair, mismatched clothes, and dirty faces. I think they are all still happy, though, and that is my main goal!