Plugging along...

Twenty-eight weeks on Sunday...
BABY Boy is treating me well. A top-rated pregnancy... now that's really saying something. Anticipating welcoming him into the world soon.

Why go to church??

This was an email sent to be by my friend & neighbor Wendy Jones. Thanks Wendy.... I think it is the point illustrated by the story that brought me to tears rather than the pregnancy!

Why Go To Church?

A Church goer wrote a letter to the editor of a newspaper and complained that it made no sense to go to church every Sunday... "I've gone for 30 years now," he wrote, "and in that time I have heard something like 203,000 sermons. But for the life of me, I can't remember a single one of them. So, I think I'm wasting my time and the pastors are wasting theirs by giving sermons at all."

This started a real controversy in the "Letters to the Editor" column, much to the delight of the editor. It went on for weeks until someone wrote this clincher:

"I've been married for 30 years now. In that time my wife has cooked some 32,000 meals. But, for the life of me, I cannot recall the entire menu for a single one of those meals. But I do know this.. They all nourished me and gave me the strength I needed to do my work. If my wife had not given me these meals, I would be physically dead today. Likewise, if I had not gone to church for nourishment, I would be spiritually dead today!"

When you are DOWN to nothing... God is UP to something! Faith sees the invisible, believes the incredible and receives the impossible! Thank God for our physical AND our spiritual nourishment! "When Satan is knocking at your door, simply say, "Jesus, could you get that for me?"

Our newest exciting news...

Thanks for the reminder to update, Becca!

♥ We are expecting baby #3 on August 22, 2010!
Currently 11 weeks along...

Alexa is 6, Ashlyn is 4, they are excited! I think they will be more excited as time goes on... They had a hard time believing it was happening to their family! Alexa's comment was the most amusing to me... When she had me alone, she said "But mom, we haven't been asking for a baby" I told her that her dad & I had been asking. She pleaded for the truth: "...Reallly Mom? You've been asking????????", "After i told you not to?!" I quickly replied "Well yes, but you said your reasoning was that you didn't want to have to share a room"... "And babies last longer than not wanting to share a room!" OMG... What a crack-up! "Really Mom? You've been asking???" I think she will come around! Although, she doesn't want to share a room w it! Ashlyn says she wants the baby to "sleep in a crib in her room" and when it cries in the night, she will "carry it into our room for us!!" I thought that was soooooooo sweet!! Thanks Ashlyn! ~Oh how i would love that!

Two potential babysitters!! Two Baby entertainers in training! - Yea.

Three kids and outnumbered! Let's hope we have a good game on! Starting now! The August due date will be HOT but is a great time for birthdays so I have that going for me! For now my survival technique for feeling good is eating every 3 hours and 10 hours of sleep plus naps! I know that can't last for long but it keeps me feeling good, thinking positively. To be quite honest, I am a little freaked out by the sound of all those #s adding up on the 7th!! (My August Birthday!) ~Trying to hold those years well......!

Princess, Barbie, Hello Kitty, Hawaiian Luau Birthday Party!!

Happy Birthday yesterday Ashlyn Nicole!

THIS is remarkable! LOVE it.

http://www.utah3d.net/GalleryTempleSquare.html

Shopping www.com Style!!

I threw out my mags. & wanted a reference to some nice toy shop & etc. catelogs!
Kids:
http://www.lillyskids.com/ 800-545-5426 *Personalized toys & gifts
http://www.mindware.com/ 800-999-0398 *Brainy toys for kids of all ages
http://www.mytwin.com/ 800-469-8946 *The just-like-me doll (discounted pricing before Oct.)
http://www.americangirl.com/ 800-845-0005 *Follow your inner star. Just like you dolls.
Historical characters. 8 yrs.+
http://www.sb-kids.com/ 800-444-2147 *Sensational Beginnings. Toys & tools that celebrate the
wonders of childhood
http://www.ttgo.com/ 800-987-4454 *Toys to grow on
http://www.constplay.com/ *800-832-0572 *Constructive Playthings (52 years!)
http://www.kaplanco.com/ 800-334-2014 Kaplan Company: The Early Learning Company
(For schools & teachers: Curriculum, furniture, play)
http://www.backtobasicstoys.com/ 800-356-5360 Games, hobbies, wooden toys, the works
http://www.hearthsong.com/ 800-325-2502 Unique create toys, sewing, wood, games & art
http://www.etoys.com/ 800-488-7789 Childhood Dreams Delivered. Commercialized toys &
electronics, big doll houses
http://www.orientaltrading.com/ 800-228-2269 Fun products for every occasion! Holiday gifts/crafts
http://www.woodensoldierltd.com/ 800-375-6002 expensive Children’s Specialty Clothing
http://www.poshtots.com/ 866-767-4868 The most extraordinary children’s furnishings in the world ($)
http://www.hannaandersson.com/ 800-222-0544 mom n me children & adult clothing/shoes. Fun, bright
http://www.bodenusa.com/ 866-206-9508 Mini Boden: Kids clothing

Local kids Shops:
http://www.lakeshorelearning.com/ 800-778-4456 @ 5480 South 900 East (801) 268-2224
The Red Balloon Toy Store @ 2033 East & 33rd South, also in Sandy, & American Fork
(Coupons by mail)
The Alphabet Station @ 33rd South & 13th East

Other Sites:
http://www.zuca.com/ 800-799-6548 The only customizable luggage you can sit on!
http://www.discovery.com/ 800-938-0333 the Discovery Channel Store. Engaging & innovative items
http://www.paragongifts.com/ 800-657-3934 Seasonal products & gifts
http://www.exposuresonline.com/ 800-222-4947 *PHOTO …..albums, frames, storage, cards!

Clothing & shoes & products:
http://www.zappos.com/ 800-927-7671 Free ship. & 365 day returns. Shoes, bags, accessories & clothing
http://www.onlineshoes.com/ 800-786-3141 Free shipping & 90 day returns. Shoes & bags
http://www.sahalie.com/ 800-458-4438 Fun outdoor clothing & products
http://www.normthomson.com/ 800-547-1160 Clothing and gifts

Maternity:
http://www.motherwear.com/ 800-950-2500 Confidence, comfort, & style for breastfeeding moms

Kitchen-oxoxo & Home & Office:
http://www.williams-sonoma.com/ 800-541-2233 Tools, recipes, décor, your high-end kitchen resource
http://www.crateandbarrel.com/ Love it!
http://www.potterybarn.com/ Love it!
http://www.ikea.com/ All the fun - minus the cost

Scrapping:
http://www.weronthenet.com/ 801-539-5000 We R Memory Keepers
http://www.heidiswapp.com/ Affortdable scrapping with all the style

Booze Ooze

Hand Sanitizer can be a danger to children if ingested. Check it out @ Snopes.com: http://www.snopes.com/medical/toxins/sanitizer.asp

Taking a good marriage to the next level

I am considering checking this out: http://www.thetwoofus.net/
Six-week online relationship coaching & education. Intimacy regulation classes & couple retreats available as well.

Surviving on Mother Mercies~

"Childbirth can be one huge metaphor for motherhood. We “labor” day in and day out, moment by moment—scrubbing, brushing, wiping, flushing, buckling, holding, washing, folding—it’s a wonder more mothers don’t drop dead from pure exhaustion! Heavenly Father knew how challenging motherhood would be for each of us—physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually. So He sends us “mother mercies.” You know the moments—the ones that sneak up on you and make you smile or laugh—or teary-eyed."

"Look for the Mother Mercies in your own life. I promise they will pop up everywhere—when your toddler trips the alarm at the library (like mine did) or when he pours pop down the bowling alley lane (yes, mine) or when you find your envious child stripped down to his nothings at the park, staring longingly through the fence into the city pool (Whose kid is that? Oh, it’s mine). The Mother Mercies are always there. Don’t miss them!"

Contraction: Baby spits up.
Mother Mercy: Three-year-old cries in alarm, “Mom! She’s spilling!”

Contraction: Five-year-old climbs on counter to find sweets.
Mother Mercy: He explains he was simply finding desert for “Family Home Ming-Ming.”

Contraction: Patting your squishy tummy left over from pregnancy.
Mother Mercy: Patting your baby’s squishy tummy that you got in return.

Contraction: Feeling overwhelmed and grumpy.
Mother Mercy: Oldest child says sweetly, “Mommy, if you say a prayer, Heavenly Father will help you feel better.”

"Who knew that doing something so hard could bring me so much happiness? And just like the finale of childbirth, I’m hopeful that this mothering thing—this exhausting labor of love—will someday bring us joy we could never comprehend was possible."

This came from an article Angela M. sent me entitled Surviving on the Mercies of Motherhood by Whitney Permann (LDS Living 10May08) It makes sense to me!

Charity, Looove it!

"One of the greatest challenges we face in our hurried, self-centered lives is to follow this counsel of the Master, to take the time and make the effort to care for others, to develop and exercise the one quality that would enable us to change the lives of others-what the scriptures call Charity." --President Gordon B. Hinckley

Toothbrushy Ashi!

Wowzers.
This girl is fiesty!!

Try to make her do what she don't want to do and seeee what flys! Not a tantrum, not from Ashi.

One, she is so great to listen to directions & understands no. But she is also a tease. We call her "Tickle-Tackle-Ashi!". (She has a one-track Ashi mind!)

Two, she is an excellent communicator. If there is one thing I would say Ashlyn has a knack for it is speaking & comminicating. (She's is not really shy with people, in fact she has conversations with adults & kids alike. I will post about her first conversation with her first preschool teacher on her first day of school!) It's not like she can't get a word in edgewise when you try to brush her teeth & when she has a different idea & intentions! She don't give in. I really hope this serves her well in life. Born hearty! She is. I love this girl!

Back to my point, so Ashlyn will let me brush a little for each tactic i use. A favorite is a guessing game. I hum a song trying to distract while i brush & she can't speak until she guesses the song. That's one worked great for Lexie Lou.

Back to my point... Two teeth here & there once a day just ain't cutting it! So, to illustrate what i found to be the MOST effective.... A picture is worth a thousand words, right?!



















FYI: For those parents serious about getting the job done, no hassle... An effective technique is to let your child lay down on their back on the floor between your legs, let them hug your legs with each of their arms underneath a leg. If they refuse to open their mouth, you can plug their nose. It works!

Oh! The Creations I find!!

Here are some of Lexies Lovely Creations that I have found over the last year or so about my home....

 
My Lovely Lexie!

 
This artist's medium includes: Crayon, Glue Stick, and Rocks on Ultra-White Paper!

 


Plenty of What-cha-ma-call-its!

 
...and Thingys!



So, when I put out the Halloween bowl, it looked like a bunch of Pixie Sticks surrounded by candy & toys, but when I walked by later on... It was all Pirates & Tough Guys staring back at me!


Alexa dug up all the rings she could find to adorn this kitties tail.


I am guessing that it took me 20 minutes to untangle these hair accessories!

Plastic "Beads"~ The final design is ready for "I-Ron-ing!"



Homemade High Chair for Baby Molly!



The Lovely Ladies, their Dollies & the Care Bears dined together at lunch time!









Alexa loves to work with Playdough and Colors. Here are a couple of her treasured pieces which I snapped a shot of before they got canned (Sorry Lexa!) Her Artwork is always full of patterns. She uses Crayons, Pencils, Pens, Markers & Paints. Included for lots of Texture are Stickers, Yarn & Jewels. Projects are always popular at our house.







This one is of MOM!! "Woo Hoo!"



And Last but not Least this is one of my faves! Amazing, really. Of course Ariel is a sticker but how cute this simple presentation turned out! She asked me to draw a rock for her. My first attempt was portrait style. That wasn't quite right & she got mad that i drew a mermaid bc she just needed the backdrop for her sticker. I drew the second outline & she colored it in & added Ariel. Fancy Shmancy. I just like that she uses her imagination to create what is in her head. She's very particular that way!

Alexa: Suprise! Birthday Girl.

Miss Alexa starts planning her next Birthday party the day after her birthday each year! She will turn Six in four months! Naturally plans change a bit from time to time. There has been a recent shift from wanting a party at "Chucky Cheesus" Pizza & Playland, to having a "family birthday party" held at Disneyland!

For her last Birthday, all Lex wanted was a surprise party... It's all about the party for her, all about planning her own party...(And, sooo funny that she had her "Surprise" party all planned out!). Her final details were made the week before & finalized the night before which made planning a little tricky for mom. The last thing she was doing before bed on the eve of her 5th birthday was making lists for the next day!!

I am happy to report that I got everything right: Balloons, friends, presents, decorations, cake and of course the SURPRISE!! Well, all but the theme... She wanted a "Ballet Party". I didn't know what that meant at the time- she wanted Ballet Decorations! But she did come home from school on March 31st to find friends waiting for her, so all was good! Feeewwww! A year's worth of anticipation, all used up in one day! Hopefully it met her standards!

Shop till you drop!

This year i shopped the day before Turkey Day like it was Christmas Eve. For like 7 hours straight & then lots more stops on the way home. The day opened up for me & then likewise, the night. How wonderful is that?! (Thanks to Becca & Dan, Comcast & the U vs. Y game. Once was enough for me. We ALL had our game on, my shopper-self included!

It was very refreshing... Not too early in the year, not too late. I am way ahead of my usual game. This will be a simple Christmas, which helped! And it will also be a Themed Christmas as almost all the gifts my girls have expressed interest in (mostly Alexa-- anything that is cool to Alexa is COOOOOL to Ashlyn!)are Artsy & Craftsy things. They want to Build, Make & Create!!

In close second-place this year is Pretending. Dollies, Ponyville, Polly Pockets, Littlest Pet Shop & Barbies!

While out shopping today...

Sometimes I like to listen to my conversations with my girls from an outsiders perspective... They make me chuckle!

Today while I stood in line for the check out, Alexa & Ashlyn shopped the jewelry in front of me. Ashlyn came to show me a pair of turquoise stone earrings:

"Mom, look at these!"
I responded: "Wow! I was looking at looking at those too, they're very pretty. We're not getting them today, they are for pierced ears".
Ashlyn: "Can i get my ears pierced when i am seventeen?"
Mom: "Yes, you can"
Alexa: "Mom, can i get my ears pierced when i am Six instead of Seventeen???"

I don't think there has been a discussion about any ear-piercing at a specific age, that was random. I did purchase a pair of $2.00 dangly sequin earrings for Alexa at that same store a month or two earlier, which she really wanted, made her very happy! She is worried about any potential pain involved in the ear-piercing gig. However, Alexa does turn six in four months (and she's counting!). So I can't wait to see about it!!

Andi says:

...that emerson wrote:
"BREAK THE MONOTONY - DO SOMETHING StRaNgE AND ExTRaVaGaNT..." and she loves that!

I don't know that everyone can appreciate this quote or thinking quite the way Andi does, but I do!!

Here is another wonderful Andi Quote: From the Play "Wicked":

"People come into our lives for a reason, bringing with them something we must learn, we are led to those who help us most to grow, and if we let them, we help them in return!" --I love this.

Andi, I am glad you came into my life! Thanks for your example of Charity, Determination, and Love for Life! Its one thing for me to say that: it's "all about DOing", an Amy M quote. But it's another to watch others in action! You've got a good kind of "fight" in you. Keep it going!

Give me your two cents!

Germaphobe or 2-second rule? SomeWHERE in between?

MAGIC: What is it in your life?

Aren't we ALL like our mothers, for better or worse?

Decisions based on logic or emotion?

Being who i want to makes me feel?

I'm anxiously engaged...

...In a good cause!

Yuuummmmmmmmy!

Alexa is not a fan of chocolate. Who'd have guessed? She must be missing more than a few of my genes. But lucky for me, cause she shared some of her Halloween treats with me! It doesn't get much better than THIS!: NEW Dark Chocolate Almonds, Large at Godiva.com

Yes. I'm One of those Twilight People!

Check out this entertaining attire! Edward & Bella premiering Thursday Nov. 20th at midnight!! See you there! Official Twilight t-shirts & Twilight fan merchandise & apparel