Memory

Lately I've realized something. Nothing makes it past Jesse. He's too smart. These are just a few recent examples.

(Jesse and his cousin Maren)

- Yesterday morning Brad promised Jesse he would bring a treat home from work. He forgot, but Jesse didn't! Brad had to turn around when he got home from work an hour late and go to the store for a treat. Brad likes to make promises to Jesse to get him to do this or that and Jesse never lets him get away with anything. We ask him how he remembers and he says "my brain works good".

- A few weeks ago we told Jesse Brad's work was having a coloring contest for little kids and he should go in it. Well, I forgot about it. Brad forgot about it. But then yesterday Jesse said to me "remember I have to color a picture for the contest?" Oh yah!

- The past few school days Jesse has worn his boots to preschool and I keep forgetting his indoor shoes. So on Friday I said, Jesse, next time you need to remind me to bring your indoor shoes to school. Of course I forgot again, but thank goodness for Jesse who on our way out the door said "Mom! My indoor shoes!"

And finally the kicker:

- Yesterday when Brad was taking a long time getting home I said to Jesse in frustration "where is daddy?"

He replied, very calmly, "I don't freakin' know where he the heck is."

Haha! Oooooooops! How were we supposed to know he was listening? :S

First Snow Day

Can I just say, I love love love snow. I think it is one of God's most beautiful creations.

Breanna asked to play in the snow and I was so excited about that. I told Jesse to get his snow pants on, he didn't want to, so I said, well it's either outside or in bed. He went to bed. As you can see, I feel very strongly about my kids' outside time. Breanna went out and had a great time. About half an hour later I went into Jesse's room, dragged him out of bed and got him dressed in his snow gear myself. He went outside and had so much fun he didn't want to come in. He could stay out there all day if he had someone to play with and Breanna comes in the second her hands start to get a teensy bit cold. My kids have played outside more in the last few days than they have in a long time. It makes me so happy. I can't wait to take them sledding! I just wish I could get out there and roll around in it with them. I can't, though. I have no coat or snow pants that fit. Look at how happy Breanna is!!

Speaking of beautiful creations, look at this little boy. Beautiful inside and out. I swear he's in overdrive all the time. But then at night when Brad and I go to tuck him in he's always asleep with his scriptures open beside him. Last week was the primary presentation. Jesse was all over the place as he stood in his chair-bouncing, twisting, leaning this way and that way- but he knew all the words to all the songs and sang loud. Really loud. But in tune! He has a very nice voice.

See my puffy red face reflected in the mirror? Yes I am in my underwear. These kids are ready for church, but I didn't go to church today. Even though I wanted to. I am the never-ending pregnant woman. I look like I'm ready to have the baby by the time I'm 6 1/2 months. You can imagine the comments I get at 9 months pregnant. Like, when are you going to have that baby? It makes me uncomfortable just looking at you! I've never seen a belly like that. You must be ready to pop now! Girl, when are you due? Is it twins? Etc. Etc. I just couldn't bear it today, or to wear the same dress I've worn for the past 6 Sundays in a row. Yes, the mumu. Brad said to me last Sunday: "That dress is a bit...played." Yes, yes it is.

I am trying everything to hurry up and have this baby. Today would have been perfect. Alas. Just one teensy contraction? Please? I was overdue with both of my other children. Jesse 8 days, Breanna 10. So I'm envisioning myself missing 3 more weeks of church. Or going next week and listening to this from everyone I see in the hallway: "you're still pregnant??????????" 

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH! :)

A Bit More Grateful

This morning I woke up to a beautiful thing. The familiar sight of soft white snow covering the ground and resting on the branches of my pine tree, reflecting the orange light of the street lamps. It's a comfortable, sweet picture to behold.

Makes me think of this:

Our new favorite thing around here? Brad takes the kids outside and plays "No Bears are Out Tonight" Last night after Family Home Evening I was inside cleaning up supper and baking the cookies (thanks, Alyson!) and all I could hear was the laughing and screaming of the "villagers". Then a few minutes later Jesse came in crying. He was scared. Breanna wasn't scared but she pretended to cry anyway. They went back out and when the cookies were ready we all ate them together. That night I sat in the rocking chair and read Winnie the Pooh. It was a pretty perfect evening.

I love coming downstairs to evidence that my kids are playing:

I also found a park right by my midwives...

That has a merry go round!! Yay!

My kids are so lucky to have Grandma's house and lots of cousin friends!

I have a week and a half until my due date. Could be any day! That is if I was normal, which I'm not....it will probably be another 3 weeks, which is almost a month, if my other labors are any indication. And yes, I get rude comments at the grocery store. Ahhhhhhhh!

A week ago I wrote a long complaining post, but as you can see I really have nothing to complain about. I am surrounded by family, friends, and a church community who care and are there to support me. I deleted it when I realized I was being kinda pathetic. BUT I'm not gonna lie....I wish I had

Nothing.

To.

Do.

This is a picture of me eating a caramel apple and wishing I had nothing to do. Brad loves to take flattering pictures of me, as you can see. In it, I am wearing socks and sandals, because none of my shoes fit anymore and I can't bend down to tie my running shoes. My fingers are too swollen anyway and I have pregnancy carpel tunnel. My maternity clothes are too small and I have spilled on my shirt, right on top of my belly. So charming. Thanks, Brad. Someday I'll make a montage of all the flattering pictures Brad takes of me. Also, the flattering video. His favorite angle? Camera right in my face, angled upwards, usually while I'm eating.

Have a happy snow day!! :)

Breanna ballet

I'm not sure if you can really call this "ballet" but she sure loves it and I sure love watching it!!

Halloween

Because we are so stinkin' creative around here I thought I'd post our Halloween experience so you could ooo and aaah and think to yourself, I better step up my game next year.

Just kidding! But really, we did have fun even though we didn't do the traditional trick or treating. I like holidays because they mean family time and traditions. I looooove family time. We had a little party on Friday night, carved pumpkins, danced to Halloween music, decorated cookies and watched The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. My kids did well during that scary movie, but we were cuddling them really close :)

Our handy Brad carving the pumpkin with a suspicious light glowing above it.

Mmmmm icing....

Wow aren't we good.

The Bride and The Ninja at Trunk or Treat. 

The Ninja kicking some butt!

Our pumpkins.  One is Tinkerbell. 

Now my kids are exhausted and have had too much sugar, but no time to waste, we're on to the next thing(s) and I'm not even close to being ready for all of it. And why is it that every Friday my house is clean and every Monday it looks like a tornado has blasted through it?