Well Taught

In our family, we decided to focus on one trait each month that we want to develop more. With the new baby coming and me being a little anxious about how I'll get everything done, I decided that independence would be a great one for November. We talked about what it meant to be independent, and then whenever the kids would ask me to do something they could do themselves, I'd remind them about being independent and encourage them to do it themselves. Well, I think Carston really grasped the concept. Today after church we were all sitting around the table eating or looking at the paper. I was out of water so I asked him if he'd get me a little more-he's usually very helpful about that. This time though, he kind of looked at me for a minute and I could tell he was trying to figure out what he wanted to say. Finally, he said, "Remember about being independent?" So I had little choice but to haul my large self out of my chair and get my own water. My mom said that December's trait should be service.

Pictures from October-A little late

October is always filled with so many fun events. So here are some snapshots of the fun "Halloween" activities we participated in.

My Mom got these potato head pieces for the kids to decorate pumpkins with.

I love making these pumpkin people every year. I find myself laughing out loud as I glue on things and they start taking on an identity (and I was so proud that all the pumpkins came from my garden:)

We get together with some friends and family every year for "10-8" An invented holiday whose origins are based on a small experience of someone's friend. I knew I was fully integrated into the family when I started including the holiday on my calendar without any reminder.

Decorating pumpkins is something I love doing. I guess I get it from my mom because she stayed up late and carved her own after we all left! The kids wanted to carve and paint this year.

We always have an adult party with the Roberts. John and I took home the prizes for for

"scariest" and "funniest" costume. Check out the videos in the next post to fully appreciate the humor.

The kids were invited to John's office for trick or treating on Halloween. They came home with their buckets almost full!

Here they are in all their finery. And just so we're all clear, Carston is a clonetrooper, not a stormtrooper. Apparently there is a distinction that I wouldn't have noticed without him pointing it out. The weather here was so nice that the kids didn't even have to wear coats to go around. Macy was pretty excited about all the candy she was getting. She always had one in each hand and would go around to different adults to get them opened.

My Suspicions were Right

For the last few weeks I been telling John that I must be extremely huge because random strangers ask me when I'm due and act a little shocked when I tell them I have two months left. John thought maybe I was imagining the shocked part. Well, today at church I was walking down the hall when I passed the Bishop. He kind of looked me over and then said, "Now WHEN are you due." I told him January and he kind of gave a little grunt. "Yeah, I still have two months to go, " I said. To which his response was "Wow, you look like you're ready NOW." You have to respect men for their honesty I guess. At least that's what John says :) Anyway, it just confirmed that I am an extremely large pregnant woman. Maybe we'll have a 10 pounder this time.

When I Grow Up

Avery asked me today if she'll get to do the dishes when she grows up and is a mom. When I said yes, she started cheering. Later I heard her talking to Carston. She was telling him that when she grows up and is a mom she'll get to do the dishes, and make dinners, like peanut butter sandwiches, and play with him. Carston corrected her about being able to play with him. Obviously when she's grown up, he will be too, which means that he'll be going to work and won't be able to play. Kids are too cute.

Spoken by a True Man

I had a check-up today with the prego doc. He asked me if I was sleeping. I had to refrain from laughing. Although this man is quite experienced in delivering children, he has obviously never grown one of his own. Sleeping. That's funny.

Anti-Costco

So on Saturday, John and I found ourselves going to Costco without any of our kids. That is rare. Very rare. While we are walking in, I'm talking about how I'm craving something and I need to figure out what it is. I finally arrive at the conclusion that I want one of their chocolate dipped ice cream bars. I love them, but I never get them because we always have the kids with us when we go there, and it ruins the whole savory experience when I have three little voices clamoring on about what I'm eating and how they want some of it. So the whole time we were shopping and picking up groceries, I'm thinking about how good that chocolate-dipped ice cream bar will be. We head up to check out, and I'm scanning the signs at the deli because I don't remember how much they are. I don't see it. I figure they ran out of room for a picture of it. I tell John to pay for one while I run put something back. When I come back, John informs me that THEY DISCONTINUED THE CHOCOLATE-DIPPED ICE CREAM BAR! Are you kidding me? Have you guys had one of those things? It is the best possible chocolate with the best possible ice cream. I probably could have started crying with all the help of my pregnant hormones. John tried to console me by saying we could go to Coldstone (obviously he's never had the ice cream bar or he would know that nothing compares). Anyway, needless to say, I am extremely bugged with Costco right now.

Lovely Sunday

Sundays have been my hardest days lately. Which is sad because John and I use to talk about how they were our favorite. Church is right during Macy's nap, so we spend the entire 3 hours juggling her between us as we try to accomplish everything required by our callings. I spend most of the time wandering the halls, or carrying her and three bags full of stuff, and it doesn't help that I'm also carrying around our unborn child. Sometimes I just about start to cry because I am so completely drained by the time it is over. Add one or two meetings either before or after church, and then I get to come home right in time for Macy to wake up from her only 1 hour nap, and then we spend the rest of the day with a cranky mom and a cranky baby. But the fun didn't end there yesterday. Usually we go to Mom's for dinner, and I swear that saves my sanity. There is something about going to my mom's for dinner that recharges me-I'm so grateful to have that blessing. Anyway, yesterday instead of going to my mom's, we went to a dinner with all of John's extended family. So when I got home from church, I had to first clean up the disaster that appears whenever I'm gone for more than ten minutes, then I had to make food to take, get the kids ready, and head out. I like John's family, but the next 2 hours were mostly spent trying to keep sleep-deprived Macy from crying, or protecting her from a cousin who was currently going through a bully stage. John was giving a lesson that I didn't even get to hear because Macy was occupying my attention (she had already broken a decorative plate). I know I was irritating John because he could tell I was anxious to leave, so then I felt bad that I wasn't being a better wife. He is always patient and nice when we go to my mom's and never even hints that he wants to go. We made it home, got everyone in bed, and then had the aftermath to deal with today. How does Monday go when all three of your children are sleep deprived? It doesn't go very well for us. Avery had a meltdown while getting dressed and was on time-out before 10:00. Carston had a meltdown when he got home from preschool and we were trying to do our "fun" art project and went to his room crying. Macy had another one hour nap and spent the rest of the day whiny and clingy. And I wasn't any better because I used up whatever patience I had on Sunday. Taking all this into consideration, maybe it is understandable that I started to cry last night when John expressed gratitude in our prayer that it was Sunday and we were able to attend church. I had to ask myself if I really WAS grateful for this Sunday. I was going through the day in my head, thinking of all the stress and strain and difficulty, when my thoughts were brought to the lesson in Young Women's. That was 30 minutes of the day when I was not struggling with Macy or things that I needed to get done, and I was able to listen to Bro. Avery's lesson. The spirit that he brought as he shared the thoughts he'd prepared really touched me and filled me with gratitude for John and the life that we share together. My greatest happiness and joy and peace comes from him. And that wouldn't be true if he wasn't the good man he is, making the good decisions that he does. So, even though I don't enjoy most of the day on Sunday, that I sometimes dread it, I decided that the answer is yes. I am grateful for Sunday and the opportunity to attend church.

And I think it is really funny that this post is following my previous one :)

The Little Things are the Most Important

I love the little joys in my life. I love how Macy cocks her head, bends her little body over, and babbles to me until I respond. I love how Carston holds Avery's hand when they cross the street. I love watching John as he attempts to stretch and not fall over at the same time. I love how Carston randomly tells me he loves me. I love picking him up from school and hearing him yell goodbye to all his friends until they yell back. I love that Macy brings me dress-ups to put on her. I love how Avery always holds her little hands together. I love that Avery prayed for Carston's finger to feel better all on her own. I love how Macy stands up next to the TV with the other kids when it is their turn to sing the primary song by themselves. I love seeing my kids run up and give their grandparents a hug. I love picking tomatoes out of my garden to use for BLTs. I love how proud Avery is when she does her "homework." I love when Carston calls me into his room at night so he can show me something funny in the book he is reading. I love it when Macy gives me a sloppery kiss. I love that she gets excited and starts rocking out to the music in the car. I love watching John wrestle with all the kids every night when he gets home. I love watching Carston chase Macy around while she encourages him to come get her. I love that John helps Carston get ready for school each morning and drives him over. I love watching John do his little dances as he decides whether or not to buy some new clothes. I love that I get to spend every day with such wonderful people who are full of love and joy.

I've been struggling the last few days with all the conditions of pregnancy. I haven't slept for days, my own body is suffocating me, my stomach feels like it is being ripped to shreds, it hurts to stand up most of the time, it hurts to bend over, my feet are swelling, the heartburn is driving me crazy.... I could go on. My sister and I joke about how to respond when people ask us how we are doing. Do they want the answer where we're trying to think positively and trick ourselves into having a better frame of mind, or do they want the truth. Because the truth right now is that I'm running out of positive thinking. But something today reminded me of the truth. I was leaving a comment for a friend who just announced she was also pregnant. I was reflecting on the moments in the hospital when they have first handed me our sweet children. The feeling is so overwhelming, and each time I think about how I would go through it all, and even more, to get that sweet baby into our home.

A new take on "distracted drivers"

Today I had the pleasure of experiencing a first. I was driving on the freeway this morning. I started feeling sick. I saw a cup and thought, "Okay, if I actually DID throw up, I could use that cup." I wanted to have a plan just in case I needed it. You want to be prepared for every possibility. Well, it was a good thing I scouted out the cup because it was put to use (and then thrown away with the utmost gratitude). I couldn't get off the freeway fast enough, so I actually was throwing up WHILE I was driving. Now if that doesn't take skills. As unpleasant as it was, I had to laugh, because I am now part of some obscure statistic of people who have thrown up while they were driving.

The most UN-relaxing Vacation

We stayed in a beach house in California with most of John's family a few weeks ago. Two days before we left, I got really sick for a day (throwing up). The next night, John got sick. John never gets sick. Maybe because his mom fed him tofu pancakes growing up, I don't know. Anyway, I was shocked when he threw up twice that night, he has never thrown up in the seven years we've been married. But I expected he would feel better in the morning. He didn't. I hoped he would feel better that night, because we were going to drive to Vegas. He didn't. He had me drive most of the way there, which if you know John, that says a lot. So we made it to Vegas and stayed at a hotel. We were both cracking up as we walked through te casino. John was walking slightly ahead with our bags, and then there was me: an obviously pregnant woman carrying a baby with one arm, holding the hand of the three-child train with her other hand (we had my brother-in-law's 4 year old with us). It is times like that where I can't help but think that observers must think I have no other interest or ambition in life besides being a baby factory. Anyway, we got to California the next day. For the whole week, I kept expecting John to feel better. He never did. He was sick the entire week, which meant that I was acting as a single parent in a place that was not easily equipped to entertain all the kids. It was fun to be with all of his family, I really enjoy them, but I was pretty close to losing my sanity by the end. We hung out at the beach, saw Micah and Xinru, I went to Disneyland with Carston and Avery (and yes Breanne, I still hate it just as much as ever :), and the kids got in lots of cousin time (I think there were 12 kids there under the age of 10). Oh yeah, in the first hour driving back, we were stuck in traffic and had a child throw up in the car. Just another little tidbit that made me feel like I never wanted to go on "vacation" for a very long, long time! But I shouldn't end on a negative thought. Positively speaking, John actually bought some new clothes (after countless "shopping" trips where we come back with nothing :) He looks very stylin' in them. And now that is all I have to say about that trip.

This is Macy's way of coping with stress. If she is sad or tired, she sticks her finger up her nose. It doesn't matter if I pull it out, she sticks it right back up there. It is so funny right now. It probably won't be quite as humorous if she still does it when she's 14.

Left Behind in the Exodus

In one weekend, Heather went back to Iowa, Chelsey moved to Chicago, and my Mom and Dad went to Europe. I thought I would be okay when they left because there isn't really anything I can do about them leaving. But I'm realizing I have some denial coping skills. Chelsey was the last one to leave. She came over the night before and hung out with John and me for a little bit. When it was time for her to go I gave her a hug and she got in her car. As soon as I shut the door, I started crying. Then for the next few days, I couldn't figure out why I was so down (again, denial coping skills). Anyway, Heather and Chelsey, I love your stinking guts. You guys are the best sisters I could ever have. There has never been a time where you have not been building me up, supporting me and encouraging me in whatever I am doing. I can't imagine my life without you. I wouldn't be the same person. Maybe one day, we'll all get to live close together again. And Mom, thank heavens you are at least coming back.

Official Gardener

I am now an official gardener. I tried in years past to grow something, anything, and it never worked out. Regardless of what I sprayed, the bugs always ate it in the first few weeks (I wonder if I had that Japanese Beetle because I was so close to the affected area). Anyway, this year I enlisted the help of my 90 year old Grandpa. He said he had a spray that should kill everything. He came over one day with a bottle that had absolutely no markings on it. He sprayed the garden and some parts of the grass (I just crossed my fingers that our lawn wouldn't be dead in a few weeks :) After that, I laid down the black tarp stuff so I wouldn't have to weed (I HIGHLY recommend doing this, I never once weeded my garden), covered it with grass clippings, and got my plants in. I felt like a giddy kid as I watched them grow. I planted corn, tomatoes, red peppers, and lots of pumpkins. EVERYTHING grew! When I picked the first corn and tomatoes to use, I had to get Carston to take a picture because it was such a momentous occasion :) Excuse my appearance, I think it was a throwing-up day.

Brian Regan

John and I went to see Brian Regan at Thanksgiving Point. He is definitely someone to check out if by some miracle you haven't heard of him. We saw him a couple years ago in Salt Lake. I have never laughed so hard for such an extended period of time. My face was KILLING from smiling the WHOLE time he did his comedy routine. My favorite bit is still the eye doctor. Or maybe the pop tart. Or the "Map" song. Or.... You get the picture. It is hard to find a clean comedian, but maybe impossible to find a clean one who is as hilarious as him.

RUN!!!!!

Maybe this is why whenever the kids are pretending, Macy always seems to be the character they are either running or hiding from. And yes, when she had it on, she chased them while she giggled. She knows how to play her part.

Learned it from Dad

I love, Love, LOVE that this is how my kids fall asleep every night-surrounded by their books.

P.S. The title is complete sarcasm. John is the kid who would write his book report using the back cover because he didn't actually read the book :)

No More Olsen Girls....

Chelsey and Jared got married on August 8, 2008. We started the day at Timpanogos Temple . I am so grateful for the sealing power and the privilege we all have to be married forever in the temple. I couldn't help but think of my Grandma through all the wedding events. I just miss her, especially on occasions that I know she would have really enjoyed. Anyway, they had their reception at Thanksgiving Point by the waterfall. I loved how my mom and Chelsey had everything done up. It was very classy and elegant, and yet full of spunk. Kind of like Chelsey. It was fun to see everyone all dressed up in their formal attire, although Heather and I might hold a grudge against Chelsey. I don't know who had it worse: Heather had a baby 1 and a 1/2 weeks before the wedding, and I was 5 months pregnant. Chelsey kept joking about how she couldn't have planned it better--she got to be the skinniest sister at her own wedding! Anyway, I couldn't ask for anyone better than Jared to marry Chelsey. I'm excited for them to start a life together.

No love in this relationship

Who came up with the idea of lip syncs? Seriously. And why has most of the world continued to willfully participate in the illusion that they offer enjoyment to anyone?

Parents of a Kindergartner

Remember in the movies when the parents go to drop their little kid off at school? That was totally John and me today. It was Carston's first day of Kindergarten, and the whole family trudged along to see him off. Last night, I started worrying about how he would do, if he would be anxious or scared or not want me to leave. He struggled some with preschool. I felt like he had improved, but you never know. I decided to pray about it. It was a neat experience. Carston is reaching a time in his life where I can't meet all his needs, or solve all his problems, or constantly protect him. I can't always be there to reassure his concerns or ease his fears. I can't be there at recess to make sure he isn't sitting in the corner by himself. It's a little hard to accept, but I was reassured that Heavenly Father is aware of him and can help him in the ways that I can't. I'm grateful for that. Anyway, so the whole family walked into the school and he stood in line for his class. When it was time to go, he said "Bye" and followed his teacher to class with only 1 hesitant step (according to John). I was so proud of him and so relieved that things went well. I wanted to go spy on him in class, but John wouldn't let me :)

My Obvious "Secret"

I was trying to keep things quiet until after girls' camp (seeing as how it was against the rules for someone in my condition to go, and everyone kept telling me they'd send me home if they knew). It was a little difficult though because my condition was getting to be quite obvious.
I'M PREGNANT!
I'm 20 weeks along, and due the beginning of January. So if you haven't seen me lately with my blossoming bulge, now you know.

I Survived Girl's Camp

Me deciding to try a hot dog after going at least 15 years without one. I knew John wouldn't believe me, so I took a picture. I spit it out. I guess when you're camping things just look tastier.

Some of the Young Women waiting for the gus to go home.

Our wonderful hike.

I went to Girls' Camp last week. People ask how it was, and I'm not sure how to respond. Everything that I wanted it to be for the girls, it was. We were having some problems among them, and several weren't going to come. I prayed really hard about everyone being there because I felt that it was the place where healing would take place. All 28 girls went. All of them. I also had a devotional that I was really concerned about getting right (thank you to everyone who gave me stories), and the week before we went, there were so many instances where people made comments, and they were exactly the words I needed to use. I also felt impressed, back in February, to write a song for camp. I have never written a song in my life. But through a lot of prayer, I was able to get it done. I had 5 girls sing it with me, and it was such an overwhelming feeling to hear their beautiful voices singing about the truths that God wanted them to know in their hearts. It was another one of those experiences where if God wants me to do something, I can do it.

I am so grateful that I can turn to the Lord, and ask him for help in the details of what he wants me to do. I'm continually in awe of what a powerful instrument I can be when I decide that I will do whatever the Lord wants me to do. I fully believe that all things are possible when we work together with the Lord to do His will. I'm so grateful for everyone who watched my kids. I'm grateful for the other leaders who sacrificed so much to be up there with these precious girls. The Lord loves each one of them so much, and that love is reflected in the love that emanates from their leaders. They give so much and endure so much because they love them and want them to have happiness in their life. It is just amazing.

But aside from all the good experiences and love that was shared, it was still Girls' Camp. I didn't shower for the whole week (no hot water). I washed my hair three times when I got home and it still stunk. It was super hot. There were lots of bugs. I had to walk uphill to the "biffy" (who came up with that word) at least once every hour. I didn't get to see my sweet little kids. And I missed John. But it was still worth it.

Ugh...

Today is one of those days where I feel thoroughly inadequate for what is required of me. Who am I for the Lord to trust me with some of these things? I'm so grateful though, to have the Spirit to guide me as I make difficult decisions. I don't know how I would function otherwise. I just have to follow it and trust that I am doing the right thing. But still, sometimes there is just so much pressure.

The Last 30 Days

It's been a month since I've written. It has been on the list of things to do, but things have been crazy. Here is a brief glimpse of what we've been up to.....

Annual Rodeo with the Grands:
So Cute. My parents are the best.


Trip to California with the Olsens
This was so much fun. Heather, Aaron, and Hallie came, as well as my parents, Dustin, and Chelsey. I love my family. We went to the beach, Seaworld, shopping, played cards, did a little RockBand, went to a baseball game, drove an hour to the temple to find out it was closed, and had a ton of fun. Family, immediate and extended, is the the thing that brings me the most joy in life.


Macy Turned 1
Macy is walking, has 3 teeth, is our smallest baby (although the doctor said he thought she should be half her size because I was so short), loves to eat, can say "doggie", likes to open the wipes and stick toys inside, cries when her Daddy leaves for work, is very dramatic (John thinks we're in for it), loves her new baby doll from Grandma (originally only intended for Hallie and Avery, but her pout made Grandma feel so bad she bought her one too), starts to boogie whenever she hears music, and likes to snuggle.

The Fourth
Lots of fun with parades, fireworks, boating, and family. And yes, the picture of Carston with the headphones is exactly like last year's. He's doing better though, we didn't have to sit in the car :)

7 Years-And Itch Free
John and I had our 7 year anniversary. There are some emotions so deep and complex that attempts to put them into words will always leave you feeling unsatisfied, sometimes there are no words adequate enough. That is how I feel when I think about John.

I love you.

Avery is Three
Once again, I went a little crazy with the party. We had a princess and Knight party, and the best part for Avery was that everybody could come. Thanks to my mom who found the boxes for the castle the night before. It was really fun. It is hard to resist doing things when you know it will make your kids so happy. Here's a little info on Aves: She lives in her own world, John says she's really a girl now (when I asked him what he meant by that, he said he is understanding her less and less), she loves princesses-obviously, she always wants to have her hair down, and wear pink shirts with pink shorts, she knows uppercase and lowercase and their sounds (she couldn't get enough of the lowercase letters when they became the "babies" to the uppercases), she loves to color, she'll eat anything, and snuggles are the best part of her day.

Spontaneous Decision

I was laughing the whole time at the salon. No one knew I was there or what I was doing. I feel like a little kid who found the scissors and cut off their own ponytail, just waiting for someone to discover what they've done. I guess I'll see tomorrow if I will be living in regret.

Playing Catch-Up

Heather has been pestering me for new pictures. What can I say, life is busy. I keep thinking, "Okay, this week is pretty full, but if I get through it, then next week should be a little more laid back." That doesn't seem to be happening. I'm enjoying it though, so no complaints. Here are a few of the things that have been keeping me from blogging.

1. Our friends Todd and Gina, who have been in Alabama for the last three years, came out to visit. We had fun hanging out with them whenever they could. We had a bunch of people over for the day, set up two Wii game systems, and just kind of went crazy. This is John doing the hula hoop on the Wii Fit game. I totally could have beat his record if I didn't have to stop because of all his cat calls when I started swinging my hips. It was totally a plot to take out the competition :)

2. Carston FINALLY started T-Ball. He has been looking forward to this for years. He is obsessed with baseball. I was the big nerd mom who took my camera and video camera to his practice. That's right, it wasn't his game, but his first practice :) John is his coach, so there is an added bonus of something fun to watch. If you haven't been to a T-Ball game, you are missing out. All the kids race to get the ball, form a big dog-pile, and then fight to be the one who throws it to first base. They all hit the ball, and then move a base with each hit. Carston was disappointed with that part because that means he can't hit a home run :) Everyone was so nice to come to his game. Oh yeah, when they were getting ready to go to practice, Carston asked John if they were going to be on TV :)














3. Carston turned 5! I feel so old. There is something about that age that just officially turns your little kid into simply a kid-with no little attached. He wanted a pirate party so that is what we did. John and I really got into planning the party. I went dumpster diving for the first time so I could get the boxes to make the boats. I told John I needed something to put the sand in (digging for chocolate coins) so he made a sandbox the night before the party. We are a little silly, but it was fun to do it. I guess I'm feeling creativity withdrawals since most of the projects in the house are done :) So, we dug for treasure, had cannonball fights, walked the plank,did pin the treasure chest on the "X", and had a treasure hunt with a pinata at the end. It was a pretty fun party. Much better than the last one I did (which was a total bust!)