For The Two Lindas on Mother's Day

These are the two Lindas:

My Mom in Law aka Nani and my Mom aka Grammie.

Aren't they beautiful? I love these women. They both have taught me so much. The first word I thought of when thinking about these amazing women is strong. They both have had their fair share of trials in life. Yet they have always persevered and come out on top. They have led very different lives and although they both might complain about their aching bones and how their getting old, they are still among the strongest women I know.

Nani lost her sweetheart over four years ago. We worried about her and wondered if she would be OK on her own. Well, she showed us that there was nothing to worry about. She has done so well. She has spent her whole life using her sewing and cooking talents to help those in need and continually goes to the temple to serve. She has a giving heart. She has raised 9 kids, one of them being Lee. For her to have done such a good job raising Lee, she has got to be quite an amazing woman, right? Well, she is. I will be forever thankful to her for one of the best gifts I have ever received-My hubby.

Grammie has had plenty of reasons to say "Why Me?". Yet I have never heard those words come out of her mouth. She is so positive and thinks of every day as a blessing. Her whole life has been spent doing things for others and she wouldn't have it any other way. That is one of the things I love most about her. Everything that is good in me, my mom put there.

I love these women and am so thankful for their neverending examples of goodness and strength.

Happy Mother's Day, Nani and Grammie!!

and thank you for the beautiful gifts...I will send pictures.

Not Meant To Be

Tomorrow I am going in for a D & C.

I knew it.

I knew things were not quite right with my pregnancy.

I am grateful for Mother's intuition.

I went in to get checked out.

There was nothing to see on the ultrasound.

But my body still thinks I am pregnant.

I could have gone for months like this.

Of course, I am disappointed.

However, things happen.

I was prepared because I "just knew".

I am glad it happened now and not later.

My kids are rocks.

I tried to help them understand.

They know it will still happen.

It just will take a little longer.

But it will be worth the wait.

We are so excited for that day.

I am so thankful for this experience.

It helped me realize just how excited I am to have another baby.

The Best Book I Have Ever Read

Are you in need of a good read?

Well even if you aren't, I have a book that you MUST read. I am not exaggerating when I say it was the best book I have ever read. It was so good that I am still thinking about it and it has been two weeks. When I finished the book I just sat and cried. I cried because it was sad. I cried because it was moving. I cried because I didn't want it to end. I have read several books since and I can't stop wishing I were still reading this one. It is called the Book Thief!

This book is a Nazi Germany historical fiction. That is all I will say about it because you MUST get off the computer this instant and go get this book. Put whatever book you are reading on hold because The Book Thief cannot wait!

As soon as you read it you have got to tell me what you think. I'll be waiting...

Positive

Well people, after three negative pregnancy tests, it turns out I am pregnant after all. Man, all this up and down stuff has really been playing with my emotions. It was cute and exciting at first. Now I am thinking "What have we done?" I know that is just a stage. Don't get me wrong, I am actually very excited. But I am nervous about announcing it so soon. I just knew that we could not keep it from Emma even if we tried. That girl has a knack for knowing every one's business. And once we told our kids it would be out in a flash. So, we are announcing it with me being only 5 weeks along.

Here is how we told the kids:

We called for a family council and asked them what they thought we were going to discuss. They all thought we were going to talk about a summer trip to Cali. Then Eva blurted out, "You're having a baby!" I paused for a minute, trying not to acknowledge what she just said. I mentioned that I actually had some bad news. This bad news would effect either Ben or Ella. I said that one of them is going to have to share a room with a new baby pretty soon.

They all started screaming and shouting for joy. It was a moment I will remember forever. I glanced over at Ben and noticed he wasn't participating. He just had a blank stare on his face. I asked him what he was thinking and he proceeded to tell us with a heavy, quivering lip. "What if it's another girl?"

I told him that was a possibility, but to think about Beau. Beau is his cousin who has four sisters and no brothers. I reminded Ben that when Beau found out about Sadie being a girl he cried and cried and was heartbroken. But now he loves Sadie and wouldn't trade her for anything. If it is a girl, at least he'll have Beau to lean on.

Ella has already told me her opinions for names if it's a girl. Brittany or Ethany. I am surprised her choices aren't Kaypree or Kaisha.

Emma's hoping for either twins or a baby with special needs.

Eva just can't stop smiling and saying "I can't believe your pregnant!"

Lee, of course, is THRILLED!

Now, I just have to wrap my mind around the fact that it is going to be a Christmas baby...

Rut Be Gone

I just remembered something that has helped me get out of my rut. How could I forget such a thing?

*

*

While I may be a chubby, crippled, babyless, slob, I was the school tetherball champion in third grade. Noboby - I mean nobody - can take that title away from me. I know you all were worried sick about me. You can now rest assured that I have found my mojo once again.

Rut

So much for National Happy Day - I am now in a full on rut.

This is what my countertops and sink have looked like for far too long...

I can't remember the last time I saw the bottom of my sinks. This is what my laundry room has looked like for far too long...

My poor kids wine and complain that they can't find anything to wear. I wonder why.

Spring cleaning? What is that?

On top of my house being a dump, I finally get excited about having another baby only to realize our baby making skills have proved unsuccessful thus far. Granted, it has only been two months but it never took me more than that with my others.

Because of said baby making frenzy and my no good, cotton pickin, *&^$%* shin splints, I will not be running my 1/2 marathon next month.

Not only am I not running at all right now, but I am twenty pounds up on the scale than I was this time last year. That hurts, especially with summer so close.

I need to get out of this rut, but how?

Any suggestions?

National Happy Day

Today is National Happy Day. Well, maybe it's not really National Happy Day, but by golly it should be. In fact, every day should be National Happy Day. Just think how much different the world would be if everyone was a little more happy.

Last Friday I went to pick up my kids from school. School had just dismissed so there were many cars picking up their kids. I was waiting to make a left hand turn into the school parking lot. I couldn't go because there were so many cars. Apparently the mom behind me wanted to go straight and I was in her way. She proceeded to honk her horn over and over at me. There was nothing I could do. I was patiently waiting for my turn. She was not. She was causing a scene and everyone was staring. I was sad. She was mad at me for something I could not control. The time came for me to go so I was able to finally get out of this mom's way. She zoomed past me blaring her horn in the process. If I would have looked at her I probably would have seen a certain finger looking back at me.

I did nothing wrong to this mom yet she chose to vent her pent up anger toward me. I happen to know that this mom has a lot going on in her life right now and so I am choosing not to take offense. If I had her life I might want to be angry too. Nevertheless, it still made me very sad. And thinking about her being angry when her kids got in the car makes me even more sad. I can't help but think with my sometimes childlike brain that if only that day were National Happy Day, maybe this mom wouldn't have gotten so angry with me.

I am taking it upon myself to declare tomorrow National Happy Day. I'd love it if you would participate with me. We can smile our little hearts out, hug until our arms fall off or say "I love you" till we go hoarse. I think it might surprise us just how contagious being happy can be. And if you choose to participate (which I hope you do) don't forget to let me know how it goes.

A Spiritual Feast And An Easter Feast

Happy Easter!

What a fulfilling day we had.

There is no better way to start off Easter than by watching Conference. I have never felt so edified after a conference than I did after this one. After each talk I thought, "Wow!"

In the past few months I have felt the power of the adversary trying with all his might to poke and prod at our family. I have even seen him win a few battles against us. So to hear of the importance of strengthening our families over and over again really hit home for me. We desperately need to tighten our armor a little tighter and band together a little closer. Satan WILL NOT win. I have received my guidebook on how to help bring my family to righteousness and exaltation. My guidebook is the April 2010 General Conference!

Along with the spiritual feast we all took part in, we also had quite an Easter feast. We went up to my parents house who always have plenty of food. This time it was buffet style so we could eat all day long. That is my Heaven.

This year the big egg hunt expanded to more than 400 eggs to find between 9 cute cousins. This is something my kids look forward to all year long. It is right up there with Christmas. Here are some pics...

Thank you to Grammie and Papa Rex for making our day "Eggstra Special"!

Ben Seven

Last week, on the 18th, Ben turned 7!!

We celebrated by taking the family to Boondocks.

The kids LOVED the Go Carts and the Bumper Boats. If they had it their way, we would have stayed outside the whole time on those two things. It was just way too cold for us old, crochety parents.

You can tell by this video that Emma wasn't having any fun at all. (wink)

I think Ella beat us all in bowling but it was fun. She said, "I think I found my new sport". Most of the time we spent playing fun games. We laughed and made fun of each other and had a blast!



On Saturday, family came over to help us celebrate Ben's birthday, again.

The kids always have so much fun with their cousins.



The only thing that Ben wanted for his birthday was a basketball hoop. He dreamt about it and wished for it. Well, his wish was granted. He has been out there every day since.

According to Ben:

Favorite Color: Red

Favorite Number: Infinity

Favorite Drink: Lemonade

Favorite Food: Pizza

Favorite Game: Wii Sport Resort Basketball

Favorite Animal: King Cobra

Favorite Song: Eye of the Tiger

Favorite TV Show: Batman

Favorite Movie: Lord of the Rings (with Lee's editing)

I feel sad when: no one plays with me

I feel mad when: somebody's mad at me

I feel proud when: I win a game

I feel scared when: I have bad dreams

I like it when my friends: play Wii

I like it when my teacher: has us play games

I like it when I: have fun

On the weekends I: go to the cousins house

During summer I: go to Cherry Hill

At school I: do Math

I am good at: basketball

I wish I could: be powerful

I am special because: I am a good boy

What makes you laugh: When Dad does funny faces

If you were a parent for a day, which rule would you get rid of: doing chores

What do you want to be when you grow up: an actor

Do you think it would be hard to be a mom or dad: Yeah, totally. that's an easy question.

Why: Because I have to tell them what to do and if they don't do it, then, yeah.

If you could have a magical power, what would it be: to freeze bad guys

What is the best thing about being 7: that I can type faster

What is the best thing about being YOU: that I'm 7!!

I love you Ben!!

You are such a good boy. Your happy, go lucky personality makes me smile every day. I love that you love life. You are a good brother to your sisters. I can see how much you love them by the way you treat them. We are all very lucky to have you in our family.

Thank you for being YOU!!

The Little Mermaid According To Ella

This is the story of The Little Mermaid, according to Ella...

"The Little Mermaid"

"Little Mermaid and...what's that guys name again Dad? Oh yeah Flounder. Little Mermaid and Flounder saw a boat - a pirate ship boat."

"Then the shark tried to eat Little Mermaids boobs...oops, I mean belly button."

"Then the shark got stuck and Flounder spit at him (spbbpls) like this."



"Little Mermaid said, 'You're my hero. You're mine forever.' "

"And everybody said, 'Yea, Flounder! Yea Flounder! Yea, Flounder!' "

" Happily ever after. Amen."