Aleah's obsession

Aleah has a habit of smearing food and other things on her hair. We have to watch her closely at the dinner table or something like this(pictured above) will happen! Three days ago Lisa found her in the bathroom with a big glob of Vaseline in her hand. She told Aleah "no no" and turned to get a towel. Aleah threw her hand up as fast as she could and smeared the vaseline all over her head. We tried washing her hair with three different shampoo's and it still won't come out! I even tried using dish soap...

Does anyone know what get's vaseline out of hair?


Dad blow drying her hair to get the volume and curl back:


Aleah is 20 months old now and talking in full sentences (three to five words at a time). She counts 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 9, 10. She sings "twinkle twinkle little star" all the time. She loves to play with her brothers as well as push, hit, scream and throw things at them. Anytime she's upset it's Kyle's fault. One night I walked in around 10pm, she had been asleep for a couple hours. She rolled over and muttered, "Kywle NO!", then fell back to sleep. Poor guy!! He's so sweet to her all the time! She loves to eat. She eats more off her plate then the boys plates combined. She also loves to get dressed up. When I get her clothes on, she'll say, "peretty or "cuuuuute!"
She enjoys reading books, taking baths, running (esp. away from parents), jumping on the trampoline and running through sprinklers. She has a little rasp in her voice and fun fiesty personality. She is the sweetest, cuddliest little girl! She loves to climb into bed with me play picaboo, get tickled and be silly. She gives us the best hugs and kisses. We can't get enough of her!

Braden's Preschool Graduation

Braden had a great school year and made a lot of great friends~most of them from our ward. His teacher said he was good example, very athletic, good listener, quick learner and never does anything half way. She informed me that he was the reason she did not quit doing "Prize Box" halfway through the school year! I was very happy to hear this! To get prizes the students must do something good like be quiet, put supplies away, raise your hand before speaking, answer a question correctly, etc.

A few of my favorite preschool yearbook pictures...


First day of school


Last day of school

Braden grew one inch this school year. He is 3 feet 9 inches tall at the end of school.

I enrolled him into Kindergarten, Shane and I met with the teachers and took a tour of the school. It's new and has a big library where we can check-out children's school books. I am hoping he get's into the dual English/Spanish class so he can learn to speak Spanish!

final thoughts before I deliver

Shane summed this pregnancy up for me last week when he said, "It still hasn't hit me yet that we are pregnant. It is so unreal." It's gone by so fast. One minute we learn i'm pregnant and the next it's d-day?? Where did the time go!

Where I live the hospitals will not allow me to VBAC(vaginal birth after cesarean), even though I've already had two. Sad huh? But it is legal to birth at home with a midwife. That's okay because birth is a normal life event. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else but in the comfort and privacy of my own home with those I love around me.

I know that I am not the most suitable candidate for homebirth. I am physically what my grandma calls "a delicate flower," and she is right! However, the Lord knows my strengths and weaknesses and will help me in all ways if I pray and exercise faith.

Today it is all hitting me that soon I will walk through that painful valley...but I am still at peace and know that whatever happens is the Lord's will and he will get me through it. It is through my weakness and infirmities that I have learned of Him and seen his mighty arm work miracles in my behalf. My birth experiences has helped me come to understand and know personally, that the power to do anything comes only by His grace.

It's so easy to forget that this life is a test. It is human nature to constantly seek for comfort & stability. But we can lose out on so many blessings when we do this.
I pray that the Lord will comfort and sustain me through the birth.

Mother's Day Surprises!

I had a very memorable Mother's Day this year! Braden woke up at 6am and decorated the living room with pictures he had colored and drawn for me at school and home. He waited for me to wake up (which was 7am) and promptly and sweetly wished me a happy mothers day and gave me a hug. Then he told me to close my eyes, took me by the hand and walked me over to the table and couches. I opened my eyes and saw all the beautiful things he has made at school all lined out and organized! After we looked over all of his beautiful drawings he told me to sit down. He brought me a beautiful vase he made at school with a purple flower pen. He truly wanted me to know how much he loved me and wanted this to be my special day! He has been talking and planning Mother's Day for a week. My heart is so full.
As soon as Kyle woke up, he presented a purple heart shaped pillow and wished me a happy mothers day! He hoped to sing a mothers day song but we could not come up with one. He thanked me for being his mother and gave me a hug. He's such a thoughtful boy. Aleah told me she loved me all day long! Shane treated me like royalty and presented my Mother's Day gift right after church~a sweet card and a beautiful new mirror! It is the perfect gift. I love my family!! They bring so much joy and happiness to me!

We finally moved into our house this week. Our ward family has been so helpful. We appreciate them! My sister Lisa has been here for a couple weeks helping us move and taking care of the kids while I tried to keep my puffy feet up. I am so thankful to her for all she did for us. I could not have survived this move without her! She got this whole place 80% unpacked and semi-organized for me, ALL the while helping me tend the kids. She is coming back soon to stay for awhile and be with me at my birth and beyond. She told me she "hasn't missed any of my births and is not going to miss this one either!"
My mom provided us with meals that included dinners and dessert, and gave Shane and I a very generous gift. Mom, how do you always know what we need no matter how big or small, then provide it? You are amazing!!

I've noticed toward the end of all of my pregnancies a trend. I suddenly become an ornery perfectionist. Does anyone else go through this phase? How do my loved ones put up with me when this happens?

Pictures of our new home...

We are enjoying our house. We have a big back yard that is all grass, roses & flowers! (It is hard to find a home for sale here with a yard like this). Inside the house, the finish work is gorgeous. The house is all one one level, something I learned that I prefer after building the other home. It also has a 15-20 ft. storage room!!