Snapshots of Life Lately

This is my yippee for the third trimester photo! And Owen being a boy even though I portray him as a crafty goo goo doll.

I saw my new Doctor yesterday and he was so great and I feel happy to put him in charge.

Seriously feel this babe kicking all the time!

Heartburn after eating the slightest thing.

Feeling large but able to move and get around just fine.

Out of breath at times from the pressure on my ribs.

All of a sudden, time is flying by! Is it really mid-March?!

Owen just as excited as ever. He told me the other day that he wants "two beds tower and I will sleep on the top and Joel with sleep on the bottom."

"My brother will sleep in my room and when its dark I will hug him"

Owen really wanted a photo of him and his friends. He is dying for playmates and gets so excited over the prospect of people in general.

 "The neighbor will play with me and Clyde."

"Remember Oliver and I threw legos down the stairs. "

"That girl was playing with me at the slide".

"Kami and Danny were here for firty-eight days."

"I'm so happy to see Jaeger."

He needs a play group or preschool because it is going to be a while before Joel will be "fun." But I still think he will enjoy helping out with the baby.

We bought some newborn clothes for fun! Owen is always wanting to pick out toys for Joel and I told him to wait till he is here, but then these cute, TINY outfits were clearanced so we took them home and Owen keeps touching them and talking about them :) He also said we should buy watermelon shoes like Lily's, for Joel. haha. 



Last weekend we got sick of the routine of work, work, work so we headed out for a drive and hike. There was a 3D target shoot near Weiser and it was fun to be outside and see what "animal" we would encounter. Owen's favorites were the T-Rex and Big Foot. Fairly cold but no wind so it was refreshing.

Thank you!

You are all so nice! It helps to write things out, that's for sure. Joel is the baby boy we are having and get to meet in three short months :) sorry I haven't kept you up to date on the info, it's hard with 9 sisters, Kaycee didn't know it was a boy for a while, oops.

Happy Now

Sometimes I get mad that all I do is breathe, eat, and sleep work. But then, all I have to do is look at Owen and he tells me that I'm his best friend and he gets this big smile and tells me we should go shopping. Or he asks if its light outside and can we go to the park?
Sometimes I get discouraged when a nasty customer complains or leaves negative feedback in my shop; Can't you see I'm trying people! I will fix it. But then, Kent comes home and gives Owen a big hug and kiss and smiles at me. Then I get my own hug and kiss and forget about work for an hour or two as we make dinner, talk about Owen and Joel, and help each other around the house.
Most the time I get embarrassed that I wear old scroungy clothes, chipped nail polish, glasses and don't answer the door when someone knocks. Hey, its probably a sales person or a girl scout or visiting teachers or someone else from church. Oops. But then, all I have to do is remind myself that this is just my season to work and contribute to my family. That I don't need to spend money on myself or wear cute clothes at home when they will just get paint and dust on them. I can smile when I hear the cha-ching sound of a sale and how I have made something that is a little too successful and one day I can slow down and do it part-time.
Sometimes I get sad when I go to a Relief Society planning meeting (they rope me in because I never go to the activities voluntarily) and the ladies are all chummy with each other in their clean house and shared experiences. Or when I force myself to ask if the chair is taken by one of the ladies in RS and they smile but share thier hymn book with the lady to the right of them. But then, I get to go pick up Owen and the teacher tells me how adorable he is and as he tells her thank you, she puts her hand on her heart and says: How precious! I smile inside and out and make sure I tell Kent two times, because those two boys are my best friends and they like to sit by me and we have shared many wonderful experiences together.
Sometimes I am humbled when I think about what great health and love we share as a family and extended family. I am humbled when I think about the good times I share with Owen and Kent and the Barnes and Stringham families. And then I get excited to think about holidays, weddings, summer and new babies! Then, I can be happy even though things aren't perfect. Then I can be happy for what is accomplished each day and I can look forward, but not pine, for new seasons and new oppourtunities to experience trials and joys.