Reese "selfies"

Brian got me a new camera for a late Birthday present, and I think Reese figured out how to use it even before I did because I found these classic self portraits on my camera roll. =) 

Reese's 4th Birthday!

For Reese's 4th  Birthday we took the boys to Chuck e Cheese to celebrate.

I still did not have a working camera -so this picture that came with one of the rides is the only momento.  Reese is such a sweet sharing boy, if he noticed a kid watching him play a game, he would offer the (random strangers) kid a ball or token so they could have a turn next.  The other day when I went to pick up Reese from preschool, as he was waving goodbye to his class, a little tiny red headed boy ran up and hugged him super tight and gave him a kiss on the cheek.  I'm not sure what exactly that was all about, but I do know that Reese's kind compassionate nature and big heart make him a good friend to have.  Now if we could just get him to be a little nicer to his younger brother...

"Reese's talk"

A speaker in Sacrament meeting said "In a recent talk..."
Reese looks up at me with bulging eyes.
"Reese's talk?  Reesey talk next Mom?"
(Sometimes he refers to himself in the 3rd person)
Smiling I asked him, "Would you like to give a talk?"
He looked very undecided and didn't answer me.
I was just grateful that for a moment he had quit squirming and was attentively gazing at the speaker.

Evidently by the time Primary rolled around he had made up his mind, because when they asked who wanted to give the talk in sharing time the following week, Reese raised his hand.  When I came to pick him up in his Sunbeams class he proudly showed me the sticker on his shirt, and said "Reesey talk!"
(My camera is broken, so a scanned image of the sticker is the best I can do.)

The following Sunday, Reese sat in the primary chairs up front with a sweet smile.  When it was his turn he held up the picture and tried to repeat what I whispered in his ear.  I didn't think it was likely anyone could understand what he said since it was in such a low mumbling timid voice, but Edward was in the front row and he said he understood some of it.  :)  I was very proud of Reese's willingness and courage!

Why Mom?

Hayden goes through the same ritual at least ten times a day.  It starts out like this...
"See owie Mommy?" (meaning the scar from where I had my appendix out)
So I let him lift up my shirt and peek at it.
Then..."See baby Mommy?"
I nod, and he pulls my shirt up further to see my big baby belly.
Then..."See boobie Mommy?"
And that is where I draw the line.  So I tell him, "No, you don't need to see that."
"Why mommy? Why?"


We had a speaker in Stake Conference that was talking about respecting our garments, and he said if we walk around in the privacy of our home with our garments uncovered -that is not showing proper respect.
So I turned to Edward and asked, "What if you walk around naked? Is that also frowned upon?"
I guess I need to change my hillbilly ways -can't just throw my boys in the tub when we get home from the pool, and strip down and jump in the shower two steps away anymore.

Baby Girl!

We are expecting baby #3 and it's a GIRL! 

I'm about 24 wks -due in Nov.

I was having some pain on the lower right of my abdomen, and after talking to my baby Doctor and reading in my baby book I thought it was round ligament pain.  It had bothered me for several weeks if I moved suddenly or coughed or sneezed, but became significantly worse while in Page visiting my Parents. We were all sleeping on an air mattress and Hayden had inadvertently kneed me in the abdomen, so I figured I had further bruised those pesky round ligaments. My Dad and brother Brian gave me a priesthood blessing the following morning, and though I had planned to drive back home that day, I decided to postpone our departure.  That night around 10pm, the pain became so constant and unbearable that I decided it couldn't be pregnancy related (was worse than labor pains) so my brother Buzz drove me to the ER.  My mom was working at the hospital that night and so my Dad called her to let her know I was coming in.  Turns out my appendix had ruptured.  That hour in the hospital waiting for a diagnosis and the subsequent pain medication was the most excruciating agony I have ever experienced.  I found that running my hand under a trickle of water in the sink, and focusing on the feeling of the water on my skin helped somewhat relieve my mind from focusing on the pain.  And I prayed lots! Anyway, to make a long story a little shorter, during the ultrasound the tech thought I was having a boy, which surprised me, because since I was just 13wks my Doctor has been 99% sure it's a girl.  So when I got back home to the valley and they did the big ultrasound I was pleased when they reaffirmed that yes, it is indeed 100% a girl =).  I am so excited to have a daughter and feel a very sweet spirit from her already.  And I'm very grateful to my family for all their help.   My Mom got to be my nurse while I was in post surgery recovery, and my Dad and brother's watched my boys the days I was in the hospital.  Then when I got home my husband and church-ward spoiled me some more with dinners and care.  I've healed quickly, and am so grateful my sweet baby was ok during the the whole ordeal. 

Shark teeth

We took the boys to Peter Piper Pizza.  After helping them win 200+ tickets -the only thing Reese wanted from the prize desk were these "sharky teeth" (which cost a grand total of 15 tickets).  He loves wearing them, and the other day he tried eating a whole bag of doritos chips "cookie-monster-style" with them in.  It was the grossest funniest thing ever.

Thank you!

Hayden was playing in the backyard with a paper airplane I made him.  It got stuck up high out of his reach, till a gust of wind blew it free and it floated back down to him.  He says "Oh! Thank you wind!"