november baby!!!

 Well the word is out :) We're so very excited for a new baby to come into our family this November! (My offficial due date in Nov. 4th). I still can't wrap my head around the fact that this is going down in 6 months...

This pregnancy has felt like a combination of my other two. I'm not spending all my time hurled over the toilet like I was with Talmage, nor am I going about my days completely nausea-free like I was with Charlotte. I'm nauseous/sick on and off (more ON than off). Around weeks 7-8, I got the flu and dropped 10 lbs. just from not feeling well enough to eat. And I still haven't gained those 10 lbs. back yet. I always trick myself into thinking I'm really hungry and want to eat something, but a few bites in I just can't handle it anymore. It's pretty much ridiculous. Welcome, welcome- second trimester!


We went in to hear the heartbeat today..I didn't feel comfortable announcing it publicly until we did. At the clinic I go to, they don't do 9 week ultrasounds so we haven't seen or heard anything yet. The nurse pressed on my tummy for 20 minutes or so and couldn't find one, switched dopplers, and still nothing. My anxiety/fear started to rise (it's been pretty off the charts high to begin with). Then another nurse came in, pressed harder -ouch!- and we could very faintly hear it. But there it was! I burst into tears and it was slightly embarrassing...but I was just so happy to finally hear it.

I have no idea what to expect as a mom of three, but I know in my heart that this baby will fit perfectly into our family :) Talmage is convinced he'll have a little brother- we shall see! If it is a boy and he's born on his due date- their birthdays will be 4/14/10 and 11/4/14. How cool is that? :)

Either way we will be delighted! I can't wait to see Charlotte be a big sister and have a real life baby to swaddle, kiss, and hold. She's already so obsessed with babies!

We can't hardly wait!

Easter weekend

We had a CRAZY busy Easter weekend this year. Probably because Jonathan's sister got married on Friday, or perhaps because T's first soccer practice was on Saturday...or maybe because after we squeezed in some Easter festivities at home and then drove to the coast to be with the family. And also because we stayed there for a few days and did a ton of MORE stuff that I can't even think of right now...

I'll post pictures of the wedding and other stuff later, but today is Easter and I just want to share with you all my testimony of the Savior.

On Saturday morning, we all woke up at 7 am- eager to get up and going and start the fun ahead of us. Before I let the kids out of their pj's, we all sat together and watched "Because of Him" on lds.org. That short two minute long video was just perfect. At the end, I had tears streaming down my face and told the kids "I know that Jesus Christ died for us so that we can live again after we die. I know we will be together forever- for all eternity- in heaven as a family. Do you know this? Because I do."

And ever so sweetly they both nodded their heads and looked intently at me with mouths gaping open.

I think I really needed to hear myself say these words. It's been difficult lately...I won't go into all that right now but every family has their ups and downs. We've had lots of both lately, and what I needed more than anything this weekend was to remember that because of Him, LIFE is possible- and so is EVERLASTING life.

Ever since my grandma passed away in October, I have been a basket case. If I hear someone's relative passed away, or drive by a cemetery, or sing a hymn that sets off those similar feelings- I just totally lose it. I've sought out therapy, was diagnosed with severe depression and anxiety, ordered prescription drugs, talked to my doctor and husband and mother multiple times...trying to fix this hurt. It hasn't gone anywhere, even after all that.

But when I think of my Savior...my beloved Savior, who made the ultimate sacrifice so that we can see our loved ones beyond the veil, some of that pain subsides...and hope fills its place. Hope, faith, and gratitude. I can never repay that debt to Him, not ever.

So, to lighten this post up a bit, here's our Easter pictures :) And no, I didn't take any pics of the kids getting their Easter baskets. I'm actually a bit ashamed of how over-the-top I went this year..lesson learned! They certainly do NOT need a dozen toys every year. I am ridiculous sometimes. No more presents until Christmas! (and maybe not even then...haha)

 We took these at the beach house we stayed at in Lincoln City. It was so wonderful there and we really didn't want to leave :)

Happy Easter, everyone!

tulip festival

On Talmage's actual birthday, we headed to the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival!

This is our third springtime in Oregon, which means we have now been to the festival three times! Every year it is wonderful and stunning in its own way- the tulips are always in a different place and everything is moved around. This year, we decided to go on a weeknight (Monday) because I had it in my head that parking would be cheaper and there would be less people. Okay, so it was less crowded- but still packed- however..parking was still the same. ha. After forking out way too much money to the parking desk, we found a spot way wayyyy in the back of the lot. As we started the long walk to the tulip fields, we noticed that this year the tulips were quite a distance from the gift shop and play area. In fact, it turns out there was a separate parking lot down closer to the fields....and even tractor-pulled carts to take people down and up (for a fee I'm sure). So, we began our hike as the sun set a little lower. We had about an hour before the festival was closed for the day- another factor I was unaware of. So- our favorite springtime activity didn't start out that great.

But as we got closer to the fields, the same thing happens that always happens. My heart stops for a few seconds as I take in the awe of the beauty before us. A kaleidoscope of colors that seems to go on for miles. It is truly the most beautiful sight. I want to throw my hands up in the air like Julie Andrews in Sound of Music and run through the rows of flowers without a care in the world. But, unfortunately..that's not allowed :)

I resorted to taking pictures instead! The kids were as in awe of tulips as I was, which makes the experience so much more special.

Mt. Hood in the background. Gorgeous.

An hour ended up being the perfect amount of time to see the tulips and let the kids play. And the weather was perfectly sunny and warm. We really lucked out on that one.

As per tradition,  Jonathan bought me four bunches of tulips to take home. I separated them into different jars and put them throughout the house, and every time I look at them its like instant happiness! :) Oh how I love springtime!