34 week update

Saw my midwife yesterday, and I'm still measuring a week ahead. Praying that it holds true! I am so DONE with being pregnant right now. :)

Even though I have plenty to do to keep me busy until then, I'm sure. There's a room to paint pink, and lots of sewing to do. And the crib needs a fresh coat of paint too...

It's time for nesting!

This week I've been working on getting the house settled and rooms moved around. The Marshalls moved out last weekend, and so now it feels like our house is just huge! The boys are so excited to be back in their old room again...Simon kept saying, "Thank you, Mommy, for my bed. Thank you! I looooooove it." He was very into the details as we were moving everything back in - arranging things and neatly stacking toys in the closet. He is so very different than Ethan - it is interesting to see his personality come out.





Yesterday when he woke up from his nap, he came over to the couch to cuddle with me. He laid his head on my belly, hugged me, and said, "I love my baby sister."

So sweet.

And then he asked, "Can I teach her how to run faster than Ethan when she comes out?"

I am just so curious how she will fare in this house full of boys - will she be a total tomboy???? :) Because honestly, the two brother dynamic is so different than just one. If the boys are apart, they are so much calmer. We notice a huge difference when Dave or I take just one of them along on errands. But put the two of them together, and there is immediate competition of some sort...to see who can be the loudest, the silliest, the strongest, etc... it is crazy!

And I know that it's only the beginning....

Girls Night

Sonja and I left all the guys and kids at her house, and met Kelly and Tanya for dinner and a slumber party. Haven't done that in awhile! We had a great time catching up. These are my GIRLS!

TGC Kids Club Skate Party

It's been a busy week. Somehow between play dates, parades, midwife appointments, skating parties, and life in general, we found ourselves on our way to Oklahoma! It's just a quick visit, just time enough for Brittany to find the perfect prom dress. So we'll be home sometime today, I think.

We just enjoyed a waffle and fruit breakfast, and now Ethan and Grandma are playing Guess Who at the table, while Si eats some yogurt. Life is good.

St. Paddy's Day Parade

We decked out in green, called some friends, and headed downtown. It was surprisingly warm for March - 80 degrees! We all got a little sun, I think.



















Fun times!

Ahhhh, Friday night. I love the beginning of the weekend - it's just so full of promise.

Mine started early this week, since my niece offered to watch the boys for the day. I was able to meet Dave for lunch and do some shopping all alone - a rare treat! And since I had the time, and Dave is always saying I should, I called and scheduled a pregnancy massage in the afternoon. Oh my goodness, I cannot believe how good I feel now. She did something to my left shoulder (in the back, she kinda pushed on my scapula and the muscles around it) that moved something... and instantly a lot of the pain I've been feeling went away. Just the other night I was crying to Dave about how I really don't know how I can make it 8 more weeks like this (or more!)... I have been so uncomfortable that I felt like I was loosing my mind!

We're sitting here, vegging, and I'm telling Dave about my massage. "Ok," he says, "you should get one every week."

Hahaha....what a sweetie. Probably not going to happen, but still sweet of him to say!

Only if need be

In my Bible reading plan this morning, 1 Peter 1 & 2 were on the list. George Farber mentioned vs. 6 and 7 in his last message on Sunday, and I have been thinking about one little phrase ever since.

"In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ..."

I am so glad the Holy Spirit prompted Peter to include that phrase. It reminds me that there is a purpose behind each difficult moment that we find ourselves in, and really, having that perspective on things allows us to relax a bit and let the Lord do His work in us, as hard as it may seem at the time.

You know, most everyone I know is going through some difficulty right now. Every story is different, but the pain and heartache are strikingly similar.

In this world you will have trouble...


It is not for nothing. It is only if need be. The Savior does not take these things lightly. These hard times must be absolutely necessary to our growth, so that our lives bring praise to Him in a way they wouldn't otherwise.

Cling to that truth, no matter what situation you find yourself in today.

Today the boys have been vegging out with Ezra, who is finally old enough to sit with them and enjoy their company! So fun!

I spy

....way too many Lightning McQueen cars. And is that 2 Ramones and 2 Snot Rods? How do we get multiples of these things?????


I caught Simon in his room today, lining up rows of cars....and counting them. He counted to 15 before he noticed me.



I love this cutie!

Thankful for the day

Today I am thinking about this that Hope wrote, and thinking about all I have to be thankful for. This is really such a good exercise, because honestly, there is so much! The Lord has given me much more than I deserve or need.

I'm thankful for...

• the ability to wake up at 7 am and be wide awake for the day (a special thing that happens to me during my 3rd trimester, haha...but of course I'm about to die by 6 pm).
• a wonderful, encouraging MOPS meeting this morning - good friends, yummy breakfast food, and such convicting, inspiring thoughts from our mentor moms (and a few pops) about raising kids, discipline, and marriage. I am so thankful for those who have gone before me - and especially those who are willing to share their wisdom (even when it is intimidating). We appreciate it so much!
• lunch in the park with sweet friends - best little buds for my boys to play with, a mom for me to chat with, watching the whole gang of them climb all over the stone animals in Gage Park, the simple pleasures in life.
• tired-out boys who don't give me trouble at naptime. A trip to the park is always worth it!
• sweet, little boy laughter - I look out my bedroom window to spy them giggling together in the backyard, dressed in various superhero dress-up, saving the world, one stick at a time. :)
• 80 degree weather in March, so I don't in the least bit mind sitting in the driveway to watch you shoot baskets, Ethan, no I don't...
• watching brothers give high fives as they make imaginary skilled plays, showing off their basketball prowess.

Have I mentioned that I love these little boys so much? The Lord has blessed me much more than I deserve, and my heart is thankful.

And there are a lot more blessings in my life too...I'm just a little distracted by all the cuteness going on right now. :)

Pregnancy update

About a month ago when I was sick with a throat infection, I called my OB office to try to get an appointment....only to find out that, as of that day, my OB was no longer at that practice. They didn't give any details, and still won't....and believe me, I've tried to get the juicy details out of them. Everyone gives me the same scripted answer, they don't know why he left, blah, blah, blah...

Yeah, right. :)

So now I'm looking for a new doctor. At least I have a few weeks, right???!

I met one of the new physicians in the practice a couple weeks ago, and she was really sweet. I liked her a lot. She was really engaging and easy to talk to - and I felt more free to talk about certain things because she's a woman (I have gone to a male OB-GYN for a loooong time...why is that again???). The only thing is, because my doctor left unexpectedly, she was asked to start several weeks earlier than she was planning to - because she has a 6 week old newborn at home, you see (her first).

Ummmmmm, I honestly feel sorrier for her than I do for myself. She's not even sleeping right now! (And that begs the question, do I really want an OB who isn't sleeping????)

Oh, and the other thing? I not sure, but I have a feeling that we are about the same age. Either that, or I might even be OLDER than her! Now that is just a bizarre feeling...

So today was my 30 week appointment, and I opted to see one of the midwives in the practice. It was a great visit - and I'm kinda leaning towards staying with her. And she's definitely older than me, so that helps...

On another note, my hemoglobin level was low at my last blood draw (28 weeks), so a few days the office called and told me to buy some iron supplements. Ugh...I am so not taking those. I can't even get down the prenatals most of the time right now. Let's just say my gag reflex is a little sensitive.

So I tried some black strap molasses on the advice from the lady at the health food store. Big mistake. A tablespoon of that nasty stuff is waaaaay worse than a big pill. Jessie, why didn't you warn me???? :)

So today I'm going to research some alternative ways to get more iron in my diet. Any advice for me? It needs to taste good though!

Another fun fact - I measured 32 weeks today ... hopefully I will go early!

End of the season thoughts

Last night we went to the Upwards basketball awards ceremony, along with 500 or so other proud parents and grandparents. It was way too long to be crammed into a gym, but still so fun to watch Dave's kindergarten team on the screen during the season video.

Over the last few months, Dave has said repeatedly that he will never coach basketball again (read: kindergartners are not too skilled yet in the coordination necessary to play this sport and it kills him!), but I am hoping he doesn't really mean it. He did such a good job. And just about every parent on his team commented to me on his patience and work with their boys. By the end of this season, every single one of them had improved. And that is saying something!

It is so good to be done with it though, at least for awhile. Ethan is already talking about what sport he wants to play next. As we devoured icecream last night after the event, his eye caught a karate studio out the window and across the parking lot. Now he can't stop talking about taking karate lessons.

Dave told him that we'll think about it....at least it wouldn't require Dave to coach! LOL

Lots of hard things in life seem endless when we're in the midst of them, but looking back we see the benefit of the journey. It's a perspective issue, I guess. When Dave started the season with these young, clumsy boys, he almost instantly regretted signing up for the job of coaching. Of course, he is committed to being involved with our kids and their lives and spending as much time with them as possible, so coaching their teams is his plan.

But what had sounded so fun and noble in the beginning, quickly became a huge, undesirable task. Why do this? It's too hard. What is the point anyway?

I find myself there far too often - we probably all do. Eager to begin to obey the Lord, but loosing strength to follow through.

His daily appointments, while they may seem so hard at the time, do have a planned end. He, of course, knows what He is doing, and when the "season" is over, His purposes will be better seen. When its all said and done, and our perspective isn't so clouded by the endlessness of the task He asks of us, we can focus our eyes of faith and catch a glimpse of what He was doing all along.

And there is help to be had along the way. I'm so glad of this...

Elizabeth Elliott writes, "Sometimes a task we have begun takes on a seemingly crushing size, and we wonder what ever gave us the notion that we could accomplish it. There is no way out, no way around it, and yet we cannot contemplate actually carrying it through. The rearing of children or the writing of a book are illustrations that come to mind. Let us recall that the task is a divinely appointed one, and divine aid is therefore to be expected. Expect it! Ask for it, wait for it, believe that God gives it. Offer to Him the job itself, along with your fears and misgivings about it. He will not fail or be discouraged. Let His courage encourage you. The day will come when the task will be finished. Trust Him for it."

My husband, of course, finished his task. And I think he would say now that he is glad he did. I think. :) The rest of us looking on were so thankful for his perseverance anyway.

As a wife, mom, and woman of God, there are so many hard tasks that have a seemingly crushing size in my life. Sometimes I cannot actually fathom getting through them, much less getting through the day.

I am too quick to forget that His appointment brings His help.

When I remember to ask for it, to run to Him first when the task at hand seems insurmountable, then I can say with the prophet Isaiah,

"The Lord God will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded, therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed."

The thing that is appointed for me

A little update on our life, since it's been awhile...

Simon turned 3 on Friday - 3!!! He had the stomach flu at the beginning of the week, so we were thankful he was so much better in time for his party at Chuck E Cheese on Friday with a few friends. Afterward, we enjoyed a little play time with his cousin Jacob - which is always fun.

Ethan had his last basketball game on Saturday, for which we are all eternally grateful. Getting up at 7:30 am on Saturdays mornings for the past 2 months has been killing us! But he has been improving a lot, thanks to his dad's patient coaching skills and lots of practice... and we were all pumped to watch him score in the game this week. He got the ball about half court, dribbled right up to the basket, and without hesitation, threw it up there. We were so proud of him!

I hit 30 weeks today - time is flying, and we will soon get to meet our daughter! Sometimes it really catches me off guard, the fact that we have another child coming into this world. But every evening I am oh, so aware - she is moving around a TON!

We've been spending the weekend at the Bloom's, while they are out of town. Unfortunately (for me, and them too), I came down with the dreaded stomach flu yesterday. From what I remember, it was horrible, but I honestly don't remember much. Dave ran home to get my zofran, but never could find it...who knows where I stashed it 10 weeks ago when I was still using it. I am sure I probably should have gone into the hospital, but I was so out of it that nothing like that even crossed my mind.

But today is a new day, and I feel quite a bit better. Just really sore. And lots of contractions, so I'm trying to drink, drink, drink.

And Dave is bleaching every surface in this house. And washing all the sheets. :)

A friend posted this on her blog recently, and I keep going back to read it again. Thought I would share it here.

Disappointment ~ His Appointment


"Disappointment -- His Appointment"
Change one letter, then I see
That the thwarting of my purpose
Is God's better choice for me.
His appointment must be blessing,
Tho' it may come in disguise,
For the end from the beginning
Open to His wisdom lies.


"Disappointment -- His Appointment"
Whose? The Lord, who loves me best,
Understands and knows me fully,
Who my faith and love would test;
For, like loving earthly parent,
He rejoices when He knows
That His child accepts, UNQUESTIONED,
All that from His wisdom flows.


"Disappointment -- His Appointment"
"No good thing will He withhold,"
From denials oft we gather
Treasures of His love untold,
Well He knows each broken purpose
Leads to fuller, deeper trust,
And the end of all His dealings
Proves our God is wise and just.


"Disappointment -- His Appointment"
Lord, I take it, then, as such.
Like the clay in hands of potter,
Yielding wholly to Thy touch.
All my life's plan in Thy moulding,
Not one single choice be mine;
Let me answer, unrepining --
"Father, not my will, but Thine."

Edith Lillian Young

"For He performeth the thing that is appointed for me:
and many such things are with Him."
Job 23:14

We are resting in His appointments today, and trusting Him for those to come. It may not always be easy, and often our frail human strength gives out - but He picks us up and puts us back on the path again, time and time again.