Happy Birthday Molly Ann!

Our Molly turned the big 5!  She was ridiculously excited for her birthday party(meaning we had been talking about it for 6 months, seriously, I had to make a rule finally that we would talk about all her "plans" after Halloween, because it was getting to be too much).  Anyway, I think after all the hype, she still had a great time.  They earned their cowgirl(and cowboy) attire by participating in the "apple catch"(the game morphed from bobbing for apples to apples hanging on a string because of some logistics), barrel racing(or garbage can racing), lasso the pony, and horse, horse, pony(duck, duck goose...but Molly changed it to horse, horse, unicorn minutes before the party started).  They had a great time we think...and I am still laughing at how much ALL the girls became obsessed with the Snow Queen outfit that Logan got her.  

We sure love our Molly.  She is generous, smart, kind, loving, a great big sister, sensitive, and wants to do what's right.  I have especially been proud of her as she started into school, and is learning to read.  She is growing up very quickly.  Crazy stuff.

Happy Halloween

We went trick or treating at Sea World today.  When I told Molly, she asked, very genuinely, "Are we going to trick or treat for fish?"  :-)  Pretty cute.  Garrett of course wanted to wear a hat to be like the very scary pumpkin head in "The Little Old Lady Who Wasn't Afraid of Anything" book.  But we didn't have a top hat, so he resorted to Dad's ski helmet.  :-) The song they are singing is from some I taught Molly's kindergarten class, and Garrett has picked it up too.

One of those Pregnant Days...

I have been so grateful for my husband lately, and his loving and caring soul.  His children love him...Garrett is a little obsessed with him.  When Sam is around, Mommy needs to "go away."  He makes dinner, he does dishes, he does laundry, he wakes up with Garrett who has been waking up at infuriatingly early hours, he takes care of the bills...and I think that is the only reason pregnancy seems even possible.  And it also doesn't hurt that he tickles my back until I am asleep every night.  Mostly, I just know he loves me.  People talk about "angels on earth." Well I married my angel...I lucked out.  

Moving on to the story of the day.  I was kneeling on the floor "watching" Garrett build his very tall tower.  But I was more looking off into the distance...with obviously not a very happy look on my face because Garrett asked me, "What da matta Mom, what wong?"  I responded that I was fine, just a little sad today(mostly exhausted cause he keeps waking up too early, and it makes me sicker during the day...I left that part out).  He then came over and gave me one of his kisses and his snuggle hugs.  He went back to his building and a few minutes later, he very thoughtfully asked, "You miss your mommy and daddy?"  (Then I thought, yea, it would be nice to have them around for this) :-)  But I really thought...oh good...Garrett is just like his dad.  He has his thoughtful and caring little soul.  Well...after this great moment, I read a great quote that I will share, cause I don't want to forget it.

"There is in every true woman's heart, a spark of heavenly fire, which lies dormant in the broad daylight of prosperity, but which kindles up and beams and blazes in the dark hour of adversity." -Washington Irving-

My little ones crack me up...

I went to Molly's class to do a Halloween singing time today.  All these little girls before I left were asking for play dates with Molly(b/c I keep telling Molly that we will do that soon...I am not sure I can put it off much longer...when I am sick, I feel like committing to very little).  The singing time was fun.  And other than my Molly running up every few seconds to hug my leg, I think things were totally under control.  :-) We'll see if her teacher lets me return.  

Garrett and I were playing with his cars.  As he was taking his little farmers out of the tractors, he started playing make believe.  But instead of it being in first person.  He was telling it in 3rd, like a narrator from a book.  "Fawmer Gawwett said, "Can I hewp you fawmer Mowwy?"  "I need my Mommy" said Fawmer Mowwy.  "Oh NO!  I need to hewp you Fawmew Mowwy" he wondered?  He has no idea what "he wondered" means, but uses it excessively.  This went on for quite some time.  I am definitely looking forward to the next "story."  Hey...that shows he is at least paying attention when we read to him. Right?  :-)

When I read this blog years from now, I hope I can remember the smile this put on my face.

A whole new world...

The last few weeks, Garrett has started requesting his "goodnight song" and it just happens to be "A Whole New World"  from Aladdin.  Long gone are the little primary songs that touched my heart each night.  Now he wants a love song.  Now there are two things about this that are hilarious...one, he has only seen the show maybe once or twice(don't get me wrong, he has seen plenty of shows..especially since pregnancy hit hard), but not a lot of Aladdin.  So it is so funny to me that he requests this song.  The second thing that makes me laugh each and every night now, is hearing Sam sing it.  He actually stays on tune pretty well for him, only changing keys a couple of times...but he belts it out.  I mean, he sings it with real feeling.  Think, "Don't you dare close your eyes." and add some real feeling to it.  Anyways...anything that can make me laugh now a days is fantastic and that is just one more reason why I love Sam.

My first appointment

I had my first appointment yesterday, and the due date was officially set after they measured the size of the baby.  March 19th!  Here we come!  Molly and Garrett are both excited(well Molly will be excited if it is a girl) and Garrett just keeps lifting up his shirt asking me to feel the baby in his tummy.  As I saw the little one inside of me all comfy and cozy, legs a movin, and heart beating strong, I was reminded of the miracle.  This little life growing inside of me, preparing to join our family, with no idea of what is really in store.  I feel great gratitude, and great responsibility.  Both sometimes overwhelm me, and it reminds me of Elder Ballards counsel: "Pray, study, and teach the gospel.  Pray deeply about your children and about your role as a mother.  Parents can offer a unique and wonderful kind of prayer because they are praying to the Eternal Parent of us all.  There is great power in a prayer that essentially says, "We are steward-parents over Thy children, Father; please help us to raise them as Thou wouldst want them raised."   He also says that the "joy of Motherhood comes in moments" and this little moment at the doctor's office is one of those "moments."  It is also one of the only moments you get in the first trimester.  So as He sends us another one of His little ones, and as much as I pray to be strong during this nausea, I pray more deeply to be a good parent.  

Garrett and his Mom...

Garrett and I have had a lot of quality time together since Molly has started school.  Yesterday we went to the beach and he laid on this board until a wave would get kind of close and then he would hurry and stand up.  I am still not sure if he has watched the surfers enough and he wants to try to "pop up" so he can surf, or if he is just scared of the wave.  One finally took him and he "surfed" until he fell down.  I had to take a pic of him b/c he was SO patient as he waited 10-15 minutes for the tide to come in.  The other highlight of Garrett right now, is he is saying these really long prayers(he says thanks for all the stuff he sees in the room...mom's blankent, the hot dog, the fork, Mollsy,  etc...")  So after an especially thoughtful prayer, we all said "AMEN" with a little flair.  He responded to that by taking a bow.  Yes, a bow, a very deep bow.  A flair for the dramatic, this kid.