Swollen Piggies

Welcome to the last few weeks of pregnancy. This is when I really start to get swollen and uncomfortable. I was talking with a friend over the weekend about my Spa experience and she mentioned how her sister-in-law painted her toe nails a little bit before she gave birth. How when she was in labor she looked down and thought, my feet look good. So I thought to myself, what a good idea. So I clipped and painted my swollen piggies on Sunday. I tell you what, that was no easy chore either. Now, when my feet are up in the stirrups I might look down at my feet and think the same thing, " At least my toes look good." I know it's not the most attractive picture, but I wanted it documented. Now you can see what my feet look like with the weight of my world on me. It's not pretty.

Funny Boy

Yesterday we were at Grandma Penny's house celebrating Quanah's birthday. Brent had gone out and bought him a cow flashlight. We had to keep telling Beckham to not say anything. We didn't want the surprise to be ruined. So as Quanah is opening up the gift Beckham yells out, " It's not a Cow!!!" Oh my word, Brent and I laughed so hard. Could he be any cuter? I don't think so!!!

He will be Missed

Yesterday President and Prophet Gordon B. Hinckley passed away. It was a bit of a shock. I new it was coming, but like most of you, I had no idea that his health had gone down so quickly. I am so grateful to Pres. Hinckley. For his emphasis on Temples, Families and Mothers. I always felt so lifted up by his encouraging words on Motherhood. It made it easier for me to make it day to day. I am grateful for his endless energy and humor, and the many lives that he touched throughout the world. I will never forget the times I was able to be at General Conference or Women's session of Conference and experience him enter the building. An instant quiet and hush over that huge building was amazing. Sometimes people began to sing " We thank the oh God for a Prophet". That always brought me to tears. I loved how he would wave his cane in everyone's direction, as an acknowledgment. I know that he was a prophet of God and that his words came straight from Him. I will miss seeing him at General Conferences and hearing his inspired words.

That Dog

Yesterday when Annika came home from school she was giving loves to Roman. I bent over the island to watch her for a minute. I heard her express to Roman, " You make me so Happy!!!" How can I get rid of the dog now. Not that we are going to, yet. But to hear her express out loud how she feels was so sweet. I guess at one point I too liked the dog. And these pictures document those brief moments when I was happy to be around Roman. He was a very cute puppy.

Weight of the World

Last night , due to the extreme generosity of my great friend Amy Huhtala, I got my first professional full body massage!!! We joked, 6th child, first massage. It was a wonderful and relaxing experience. I have to say that my favorite part was getting my feet massaged. Thinking about that this morning I had several thoughts come to my mind. Hope you don't mind me sharing them with you.
For me, I carry the weight of my world in my feet. The weight of trying to be a good wife, good mother, sister, neighbor, and friend. Each night my feet hurt under that weight. My feet get sweaty, swollen and sometimes very stinky. Then I thought of the pioneers. Their feet carried them across mud, snow, frozen ground to make it to a better, safer home. In Christ's time women's feet were dusty, dirty and probably very callused. Which then made me think I my most favorite picture of the Savior. Which is of him cleaning the feet of the disciples. He got down on his knees and took their dirty, dusty and callused feet into his hands and washed them clean. How wonderful it must have felt to them to have the Savior wash away some of their weight that they felt. To me this picture depicts what the Savior is all about, Love, Humility, and Service to all mankind.
I will always carry the weight of my world in my feet. But I know the Savior is there to help wash some of that away, and to help carry that burden.

What will she look like

I was looking through some old pictures of the kids when they were just babies. What photos I have on the computer. It made me wonder what this little girl in my tummy is going to look like. Will she look more like Hannah and Beckham. Or will she closer resemble Isabel or Annika. The anticipation is killing me. I'm so glad that I am excited for this little one to get here. I'm sure you all will be glad when she arrives so you can stop reading about all the "What if's". Can you guess who is who? Boy do I have cute babies!!!!

More Dreams

Apparently I'm not the only one that has been having dreams lately. Beckham came downstairs the other morning and asked me if he was still 3. I told him yes, thought that was strange and went on with the morning. Later he came back to me and told me this, " Last night I had a dream that Daddy told me to wake up, I was 4 and I had a new little sister." It's amazing to me how well Beckham expresses himself to me at just 3, almost 4. He is so aware of everything around him. It will be interesting to see when this little one decides to join our family. It is so close to Beckham's birthday. I hate the feeling of not knowing the exact date. Having to go into labor on my own heightens my nerves.

Ready or Not

Over the weekend I felt the biggest rush to get things ready for this baby. Up until Saturday she didn't even have a place to sleep. I went to Shopko and found a Pack-n-Play with a bassinet for a great price. While I was there, I found an ottoman that was on clearance from 79.99 to 13.99. I have always wanted an Ottoman with my babies. So I snatched it up and bought the last one they had!!! I put together to bassinet and set out her things she got from the baby shower. It so much fun to look at all the fun things she received. I still have a lot to gather up for her. But we're getting it there. And ready or not, here she comes!!!!

4 weeks left

The other night I had the strangest dream. I looked down at my tummy and saw through my belly my babies feet and hands, they were perfect. Then all of the sudden I pulled her out and could see those perfect, little, pink hands and feet. I held her up to my shoulder and saw her face and hair. When I was done looking at her, I put her back into my tummy. Strange, I know. But I've had a lot of strange dreams this pregnancy. I know I was just dreaming because this baby had brown eyes and brown hair. I can't wait to see what this little girl looks like. I had Brent and the kids try to take a picture of me. I didn't get one good picture. I still posted them because I thought some of you would like to see how big my tummy is getting.

Annika's fun Moment

Over the weekend Annika's first grade teacher, Miss Murray, was married. She gave invitations to all of her first graders to come to the reception!!! Annika was so excited to go. When we went through the line Annika got to take a picture with her teacher in her "Princess" dress and was even able to hold the bouquet. What a fun moment for her.
There is a sub-story to all this as well. Annika's twin, Isabel begged and begged and begged to go. I told Isabel, this is a special time for Annika and it's Annika's teacher. She still insisted on going and got dressed for the occasion. So I relented and let her come. The one thing that I feared most happened. After we had gone through the line this is what Isabel had to say, " She didn't even look at me. It was like I was invisible. This thing is dumb." I had to continually remind her that it was Annika's teacher and not hers. Oh the injustice of it all.

Whoops!!!

I had a moment at the fabric store where I wish I hadn't of taught my youngest son the proper word for his body parts. We were waiting for our fabric to be cut when Beckham realized something and said, " Mom, I don't have to hold my P---- anymore!!" I quickly said, "shhh, that's great." I couldn't figure out why he would say that until I went to post this. When he went from diapers to underwear he couldn't leave his P---- alone. Always holding onto it. We were constantly telling him to stop. I'm pretty sure he had realized that he didn't do that anymore. Silly little man.

My Little Sunbeam

Beckham hit another milestone. He is now a Sunbeam!!! I can't believe it!!! He was so excited to go to church yesterday that he got himself dressed. I just had to take a picture of where he put his tie!!! I finished helping him get dressed. He is so adorable, I love having another Sunbeam. Last Sunday Brent searched and searched the house to find him a belt.

Baby Shower

My Amazing friend Amy decided several months ago to throw me a shower. I told her that was not necessary. Even though I gave every stitch of baby things away. It felt silly having a shower for my sixth child. The shower turned out great. All my favorite friends and family were there. Minus a few other relatives. I really appreciate everyone's generosity and love for me and my baby!!! I can't wait to get our little girl here. Thank You Amy for throwing me this shower!!! You are the greatest!!! The quilt you see pictured was made by my Aunt Gaye!!! Love it!!!!

Sweet Isabel

The other day Beckham crawled onto my lap, what lap I have left. I asked him if he wanted to say anything to the baby. I encouraged him to say a few things. Isabel was listening in and squeezed herself, as she often does, in between us and had this to say," Baby, I am so excited for you to get here because I know you are going to be so cute." Then she went back to playing. Out of all the kids, I'm pretty sure Isabel is the most excited for a new sister. Quite the opposite of her older brother. I know she is going to be my biggest help. I am so grateful for her sweetness and thoughtfulness.

Pinewood Derby

Brent/Jaren had a great time putting together their pinewood derby car this year. It was a little sleeker then 2 years ago. Brent bought this iridescent paint which made the car really cool. Jaren had a lot of fun racing the car, and he had several turns to race against the other boys. I missed most of them. Since I am a Den Leader, I was stuck dishing out nachos and popcorn. Jaren came in 3rd overall. Last time, he had the fastest car of them all. He was still super excited about coming in third. Way to go Brent, you did it again. Now he has to wait until Beckham turns 8 to create another one!!!!

Oldest Brother Blues

We were at Mike and Donna's for a fairwell FHE for Brooke. I think this makes the 2 or 3 fairwell we've had for her. Donna was asking us several questions on family. She came to the question " How is your family changing in a few weeks? " Jaren's quick reply was, " getting another annoying little sister!!" Oh the whoas of being the brother to 4 sisters. Even though he might act like he can't stand them, I know deep down inside he cares and watches out for them.

Hating whacked out Hormones

This afternoon I was watching A Baby Story on TLC. Which I should just completely stop watching right now. A woman had just had a c-section and delivered a little girl. They brought the baby over to her, the baby recognized her voice and began to cry. And I suddenly burst into tears. I can't believe that I am going to be the mother of 6 children. I can't believe that in 39 days I will be giving birth again. I will be holding a small, fuzzy, soft, baby girl. It's so stinking overwhelming to me. And these hormones are making things worse!!!

From Heaven

Yesterday, Beckham was being fussy about his pants. He's been doing that a lot lately with his clothes. The littlest amount of dirt or wetness and he rips them off and puts on something new. Yesterday, it was his pants. He couldn't find any new ones so he just went around without any. I asked him where he got his legs from. He stood there for a while not knowing how to answer that question. Annika was there for the whole exchange and answered the question for him with this, " From Heaven."

Reflection

As I was posting all our goings on over the Christmas Holiday, I couldn't help but realize how everything we do is propelled by tradition. For a while there, I didn't think I'd have any traditions for my children. But it all starts with the Christmas quilt Dec. 1st, and continues with home made ornaments, progressive dinners, Edward's Christmas Party, Christmas Eve pajamas, Christmas Day biscuits and gravy and a little newer tradition of the kids spending the night at Grandma Penny's on New Year's Eve. There are many more mixed into the big ones. I am so grateful for traditions and the extra special feeling it gives to the Holiday Season. As hard as it is sometimes to juggle two extended families, it is so great to be able to spend these special times with them. Thanks to everyone who made this Holiday Season an extra special one!!!!

Isabel's New Look

Isabel failed an eye-exam at school. I pushed it aside, not thinking it too important. Well, upon a visit to the pediatrician and the optometrist Isabel is quite near-sighted. Poor thing, takes after her mother. At least she looks adorable in her new glasses. She was so excited to get them, and talked my ear off all day long about the whole thing. I'm just glad she can see better now. Mow, for those of you who have had a hard time telling Isabel and Annika apart, you should have no problems.

Christmas Never Ends

Due to it being our year to spend with the Weiss' we had an extra celebration with Woods'. The Sunday before Christmas we headed to Mike and Donna's and exchanged gifts over there. Again, the kids had a great time opening presents and enjoying the feeling of receiving. Which, let's face it, as a kid, that's what Christmas is about. After opening gifts Donna made scones and we had a hot chocolate bar. It was some good and yummy times.