Almost There

After excruciating back pain and a couple rounds of either food poisoning or a random flu bug that's been going around I am pleased to say that I'M ALMOST THERE! A few more days and our little boy will be joining our family.

I know that giving birth is just the beginning to a whole different set of challenges, aches, pains, and sleepless nights, but seriously... I've done it before and having the baby in your arms makes all of that extra stuff tolerable. While you're pregnant and miserable you just have to keep praying that it will be over soon.

My appreciation goes out to all of those who have helped me out in so many ways so far and to those who will be there to help over the next couple of weeks. As much as I want to claim I can do everything on my own, I can't. I can only try and then turn to those around me for the extra push in the right direction or whatever else it is that I need.

This is a funny video of Brooke getting stuck in the hamper. It's amazing how fast everything is alright when she realizes the camera is on her. So cute!

Summer Party

Mike's work had a big summer party with a BBQ, water slides, a petting zoo trip, and a theater for just us to watch the last Harry Potter movie. It was great to be able to take the kids with us to a movie and (even though they jabbered a lot and had to go potty 4 times) we were able to be together as a family all day.

Eryn's favorite of the day was the water slides.

Brooke was ok with wearing a swimsuit, but would not have anything to do with the slides or getting wet.

Brooke LOVED the animals at the farm petting zoo.

Obviously MY daughter. She walks right over to the big cow statue and says, "Pretty cow!" and pets it. She was super excited to go outside and see the real ones.

The girls were able to ride the ponies!

We tried to help Brooke because she's so small.

But, the kid took to it and didn't want any help. Natural cowgirl!

I think she was even shouting at the pony to go faster.

My favorite of the trip to the farm. Ahhhhhh, so cute!

I'm so glad that Mike is able to work for a company that hosts fun family events like this! We all needed a day together and each of us had something special to enjoy throughout the day.

Random Eryn

For those you who aren't facebook users, you've been missing a good hand full of random Eryn quotes lately. She is the queen of the unexpected and a bright and shinning example of how kids really have a mind of their own and only they know how it all fits together with the rest of the world.

- Mike was watching Independence Day with the girls the other day and when there was the destruction scenes with the ring of fire surrounding the White House Eryn says, "Look! Fire for cooking hot dogs!"

- She went on a Daddy Daughter Date with Mike to see the new Transformers movie. While watching the movie, Mike asked her, "Do you like the movie?" Her response..."I LOVE unicorns!"

- While working on the computer the other day I was bombarded with an interesting conversation that went like this...

Brooke: Mommy, I PINK!
Me: Errrrrrrrryn!
Brooke: So pretty! (As she dances around the room.)

Eryn: It wipes off with a wipe, and soap, and water, maybe a bath.

Eryn had colored her with a pink highlighter.

- She was pretending to sell ice cream to Mike and this is how it went...

Round 1:

Eryn: What can I get for you? You want two scoops?

Mike: Sure, I'll have one scoop vanilla and one scoop chocolate.

Eryn: Ok. But you have to give the vanilla to mommy.

Round 2:

Eryn: What can I get for you?

Mike: I'll have one scoop Rocky Road and one scoop Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough.

Eryn: (While looking up in deep thought) Uh, are those ice creams?

Round 3:

Eryn: What can I get for you?

Mike: I'll have one scoop Neapolitan and one scoop Chocolate.

Eryn: (Thinking about Neapolitan) Uh, we are all out of that flavor.

Life with Eryn is never dull. She has too much energy, too much excitement, and too much love for everything around her. As challenging as she is, I wouldn't trade her or change her. I love her just the way she is. Random and out there while full of life and interest in everything.

Life and Death

As the time grows closer to my due date I'm drawn deeper and deeper into thoughts about life and death. The miracle of life is a beautiful thing. Having a baby is truly a blessed event. Living life everyday is a challenge and has to be in order to earn our way back to Heaven. Death, though bitter sweet, is a part of the process. Knowing that there is more to our souls than just this frail existence helps me to know that there is comfort even for those we have to say farewell to for awhile.

Yesterday in Sunday school we were discussing the Atonement and the Resurrection of Christ. I couldn't help but think (and even mention in class a few times) how difficult it would have been to be a disciple of Christ at the time he was crucified and see His body die and then how unbelievable it would have been to see Him alive again only a few days later. He told them it would happen, but since it had never happened before would I have believed it really was Him immediately? Having been taught to recognize Him my whole life and that He does, in fact, live still I'm certain that I would believe it now if He were to appear.

Instantly knowing, trusting, and having the faith to believe in the larger plans of our Heavenly Father is a true gift from Him. I pray that we all have the faith to fall at His feet or onto our knees and use the power and strength inside us that He has given us to keep going through our lives. We are not alone, ever.

Baby Shower Saturday

I am having a Baby Shower on Saturday at my church building from 2-4. I did register at Target for some bedding and have acquired a bunch of clothes from a couple of friends. I mostly need bedding and toys or books that are more boy related. (Eryn's all ready worried that her brother is going to try to play with her Princess stuff.)

It should be a nice afternoon get together, so come and check it out! : )

What Could Make My Day?

What could make anyone more happy than to hear, "Mommy the ants are tickling me!"? Seriously, we were in the living room. Yep. I know that I've been a little lax on running to sweep the floor, mopping, and vacuuming (since our vacuum now hates us again), but still... I didn't think we were to the point to an invasion!

Eryn, Brooke, and I managed to kill around 40 or so ants. Then we had fun cleaning up the floor, emptying the vacuum, and after a nice little talk about why there are bugs in the house hopefully the problem will be on it's way out. I'm also going to have to buy a spray to spray around the floor boards and in the basement to help prevent any others from coming in.