It's A Girl!

Well... we've known our little angel is a girl for some time now, but I had the ultrasound tech check one more time during our level two ultrasound today. We are definitely still having a girl and we got some really awesome shots of her little body! I know she looks a little bumpy in the Ultrasound photos, but you can still see her little nose and mouth very well. All of her parts and organs seemed to be perfect, and we are so thankful!

I am just beginning my sixth month of this pregnancy and it feels as though time is flying by. Reality is starting to set in now. You would think I would be totally prepared for bringing a new life into the world; as this is our third child. I must admit that I have been somewhat lost in a blissful state of ignorance. For one thing, I sleep very well now. My children are past the age of consistent night waking, although we have the occassional nightmare or night-time potty break. They are very early risers, so we don't sleep in much, but I typically sleep through the night, which is every mommy's dream. I know sleep deprivation, I promise. I need no reminders. Unfortunately, I was reminded of that knowledge during today's very active ultrasound. She doesn't seem any less active than my other two little rambunctious angels.

The other item today's ultrasound brought to my remembrance was the complete and utter miracle that is parenthood. (Forgive me as I try to put this into words...) As intimidating and overwhelming as motherhood can be, I am intensely thankful for this gift from God. I am completely in awe that He is entrusting another of His precious children into our care. As I looked at her sweet face on the monitor today, I thought of how much closer I feel to my Father in Heaven because I know what it is to love another being so fully. I truly believe that we can come to understand Him and His plan (if even by a miniscule fraction) more deeply by partaking of the bittersweet (but ultimately glorious) blessing of parenting a child. I am so amazed by His plan- by His mercy- and by this precious life living within me.

Happy Valentine's Day!

I worked really hard to try and get some pictures of my sweeties on Valentine's Day.... Daphne was less than cooperative, which is sort of a personality trait for her. This is a picture of us in my classroom after all my little preschoolers went home for the day. She loves to come to my classroom and play.... Here we are at the Sand & Water Table and I am trying very hard to get her to smile. I am actually only including this photo so you can see the cuteness that is Daphne in pigtails. When I was pregnant with her I imagined a little girl with brown hair and brown eyes... Needless to say I was a little surprised by her cotton top! Every day, at least once, I turn around from doing laundry or cooking dinner or ready a storybook and my breath is taken away by the sight of her blonde curls and hazel eyes- I can't imagine our little girl any other way!
This is Isaac with his very meticulously decorated Valentine Box. I spent much of the last two weeks helping my kiddos write names on envelopes and decorate various odds and ends, which gave a whole new feel to Valentine's Day this year. It was a little exhausting, but fun and memorable! Isaac was very careful as he decorated this box. I brought home lots of die cuts, stickers, glitter glue, and markers, sort of expecting to see something the "glitter monster vomited out of his mouth" (Thanks, Matt Mulkey!). But then I was reminded of my sons need for order and symmetry. If I had gotten a complete shot, you would see that Isaac had to have one of each decoration on each side of the box. One cupid, one large heart, one flower sticker, one circle sticker, and one carefully- drawn heart in each corner. He was so cute!! I don't think he'll be a creative artist, but maybe an architect or something..... time will tell.

Happy 6th Birthday, Isaac!

Here is my six year old boy! (Note the cupcakes in the shape of a six.) We celebrated at home on Sunday afternoon and he was so excited. All he wanted on Saturday was to go to Sonic for dinner, and so we did. As we left, he said, " That was the best birthday ever!" I guess he just needs a corn dog to be happy. It says a lot about his sweet character- Isaac is so easy going and easy to please. We did inform him that he would actually have a cake and presents the next day! Isaac and a chocolatey Daphne!
Isaac's cousin, Corbin has his birthday the day before Isaac, so we celebrate their birthdays together- and they certainly don't mind. Corbin generally refers to Isaac as his "best buddy" and they were so great about sharing turns and sharing the spotlight.

Snow Snow Snow

You know, I really do love where I live the great majority of the time. But not in February. I have yet to enjoy a February in the last seven years. December? What's better than a white Christmas? Spring? Glorious- "You fill up my senses like a mountain in Springtime". Summer? Flies by too quickly- Autmun? Gorgeous and Breathtaking. There is a certain melancholy that comes over me every February, and here it is again. You never know how snow swamped you are until you find yourself literally giddy over 45 (count 'em) degrees. Today and yesterday were in the upper forties and I felt like singing Rocky Mountain High as I drove home. Tomorrow it is supposed to snow again- but Ienjoyed the break- and seeing my driveway again. Anyhow- here is a picture of me- now five months along I guess. Note the scene out the window. Early in January, my wonderful friend Carole and her family visited us. It was so great to be with her and Daphne LOVED fussing over Baby Hunter. Here they are together. Hunter didn't love the snow much either, I might add. Aren't they cute?

I know, I know, I am becoming the forever apologetic late poster- but at least I am posting I guess... Anyhow, Matt's family celebrates Christmas on Christmas eve every year. It is a wonderful, festive, and spiritual experience- here is Daphne with her candy cane head dress! Isaac and Matt waiting for the gift opening hubub!
Daphne and her cousins presenting a special musical number for our Christmas celebration!
Isaac gleefully opening his castle from Nanny and Papa!

We had a wonderful time and I was extremely thankful to be over my morning sickness enough to enjoy Marsha's fabulous Christmas dinner. Thanksgiving was pretty traumatic with all of the delicious food around and with all of the roller coaster antics taking place in my abdomen. We had lots of singing and laughing and joyous festivities in commemoration of our Savior's Birth and went home thankful and happy!

YOGA

I have a Yoga video- I really love to do Yoga- I have just found it is too hard with my small children. It doesn't have the same relaxing effect when your preschooler comes and sits on top of you. Anyhow, Isaac's new favorite pastime is "doing some yoga" where he watches the video and tries to imitate all the poses. Every few minutes, he asks me to pause the video so he can take "three deep breaths". On this particular occasion, he was able to engage his sister as well. It's one of the cutest things I've seen in a while!

Anderson Family Christmas Party

Matt's Family (The Andersons) have a Family Christmas Party every December and we were able to have the kids go and meet "Santa"!! They were really excited and we had a lovely time!

December Snow Day!

I know I'm behind again- Sorry abou that! This December has been a complete blur! I'll try to add a few posts to back track... Here is the snow man Matt and Isaac made a few weeks before Christmas... It was over 8 feet tall!!

SNOW DAY!

We had our first big snowfall on Friday and Saturday- the kids were so excited to play in the snow. Matt woke up early with the kids and finished putting together his basketball hoop (which he got for his birthday). Isaac was "helping" him and got a little too involved, and Matt finally said, "Isaac , just don't touch anything right now!" Isaac went over in the corner and began crying. Matt said, "Isaac, what's wrong?" and Isaac said, "You're not helping me to be like you. When I grow up I want to be just like you." Matt felt sufficiently rebuked and figured out a way for Isaac to "help" some more.
After the basket ball hoop assembly, we got the kids in the snow clothes, and went outside. Here are some pics: This is the snow fort Matt built for the kids...

It's a snow woman!!

Snow Balls!

Chicago

I was able to attend a conference for the National Association for the Education of Young Children in November. I went with 2 other teachers and colleagues and learned a great deal from the experience. As the date for the trip approached, I became more and more worried about leaving my children, but I couldn't get my airfare back, so I continued with my plans. Matt was wonderful with the children while I was gone (I've gotten quite a few compliments on how well Matt did Daphne's hair!) It was hard to be away and I missed my family, but seeing their faces at the airport made the whole trip worth while.
My plane arrived home early, so I walked outside and met Matt and the kids at the van. I opened up the side door and Isaac jumped right up and hugged me- he was so excited. Daphne was just sitting in her seat saying "Mommy" over and over again as tears welled in her eyes. I finally said, "Come here" and she ran over and hugged me. Matt came around and kissed me and I gave the kids the presents I got for them. They were so excited! As I got them buckled up and shut the door, I turned around and a man nearby said, "Well that was almost sweet enough to have another one! That was great to see."
I don't know if I will ever go out of town without my children again, but I will never forget seeing their faces (and my husband's) when I came home. I don't think I could possibly love them any more than I already do, but perhaps, absence really can make the heart grow fonder.

Halloween

I know that I have been positively horrendous for not posting in such a long time. I'm very sorry- life just gets away from me during the school year! But here are some belated pictures from Halloween: Isaac was Buzz Lightyear and Daphne was Princess Aurora (Sleeping Beauty).
A profile of the prettiest princess in the world!
Isaac and Matt at "The Enchanted Woods", a special Halloween evening at the Treehouse Children's Museum.
Isaac and Daphne with some of their cousins. A few High School Musical Characters, a firefighter, a knight and Yoda!

2 Birthdays and An Anniversary

Okay, I know I have been a phenomenal slacker at posting for the past month! I apologize- we have just been so crazy it seems. In the past few weeks, we celebrated Matt's Birthday and Calvin and Marsha's 40th Wedding Anniversary as well as Matt's grandmother's 88th birthday.
Matt's parents, Calvin and Marsha at their surprise Anniverasry Party this past Saturday:

The Cake....
We celebrated Matt's Birthday over the past few weeks and the kids had a wonderful time- you would have thought it was their birthday- they were so excited for him. Matt had a meeting on the evening of his birthday and we stayed home and made snickerdoodles and birthday cards and surprised Matt when he came home. The kids were so funny and Matt was definitely surprised.
Matt and his birthday cake made of Caramel Corn!
Matt and Isaac describing Isaac's carefully created Birthday Card:
Isaac and his cousing Zach with crazy hair! :)

Daphne at the party!