Mr. Popular

When Trent needs to put his feet up after a long day of work, it looks something like this.

I am so happy that my kids love their dad, I have very few requests from them when he is home.

Also from this week: Henry as Buzz Lightyear (He puts it on himself!)

And finally, what Tucker said to Charlotte as we dropped him off at school this morning: "Do you think you can be a good girl for your mom today while I'm gone?" Man, it was hard to keep myself from laughing out loud. What a doll.

You may or may not have heard about this

Last week Christian and Stephanie Nielson were in a very serious plane crash. They are a young couple with four children under the age of six. They are in critical condition. Stephanie has third degree burns covering 80% of her body and Christian has third degree burns over 30% of his body. The recovery will be very long and very expensive.

If you are able, please consider contributing to this fund that will go directly to the family. http://www.nierecovery.com/

Today, several websites are auctioning off items for their benefit. Go here to see the comprehensive list: http://www.designmom.com/ .

Updates about Stephanie and Christian here: http://blog.cjanerun.com/

Anniversary Weekend

My lovely mother took our kids overnight so Trent and I could celebrate our anniversary by going to a resort! The views and pools and alone time with my husband were priceless, but we were pretty disappointed with our room, considering what we paid for it.

Here are some pictures of us at my mom's dropping off the kids. My face and body are plenty round and I will be glad when my body stops increasing in size.

And also, how cute is this guy?

Stupid idea

So after picking Tucker up from school, I had the foolish idea that we should go somewhere besides directly home. I thought we would visit Trent at his office and perhaps even find some frozen treats on the way there to take. After calling him I found he was not at the office. We were already headed that way though and there is a Joann's fabric by his office so I decided to go there. I did have the double stroller, so I thought we could swing it. Holy Crap! The kids were being loud and generally unruly, but I was determined to look at fabrics. I found 2 that I actually liked, that were ridiculously priced at 9 dollars a yard and finally gave up. But I did need some ribbon and fabric bondy stuff so I grabbed that. Tucker was being AWFUL. Running off, yelling, fighting, all very uncharacteristic, but I have found that he acts that way after a long day of school. So after waiting in line to buy my 5 dollars worth of merchandise I got rung up only to discover that my wallet was not in my purse. I walked to the car fighting tears.

7 years!

Today is Trent and my 7 year wedding anniversary.
I don't remember all the details of our wedding day or what was said in the ceremony. What I do remember is the wonderful, overwhelming feeling that had me bawling. Knowing I was being sealed to the man I love for time and all eternity and that I had never wanted anything more.

The seven years since that day have not been perfect. We have had our arguments, our complaints, our annoyances. We have also had something else. Commitment. I don't doubt that we will still be together and in love in 50 more years and I am so blessed to have that feeling. I am so glad that I married such a wonderful man and I look forward to all the years ahead that we have to share.

Tucker said yesterday, "Mom, I think you picked him because he looks handsome."

That was definitely part of it. Happy Anniversary to my handsome looking man who makes me laugh, smile, ooh and aaah. My man who can fix anything, will eat anything, who is the most athletic and strong, who loves kids and kids adore him, who is tidy and organized. I love you sweetheart, thank you for the beautiful roses.

Company Retreat '08

So Tucker had a lot of fun his first day at school. He did tell me that he was "worn out" a lot after though.

Over the weekend we had a great time at Trent's work's company family retreat. Each year they put us up for a night at a nice resort with fun water features and take us out for a nice dinner. I love Trent's company. All the guys there are great and their wives and families are just as fun.

We enjoyed a lot of time in the wave pool, lazy river, and the splash pad. I didn't have my camera out much around the water, but did get some pictures at dinner.

Kindergarten!

I can't believe my baby is in school!

Mon, Tue, Wed

Monday I was feeling particularly nauseous and tired and my sweet friend Chellie brought me dinner! It was delicious and such a treat to have the night off of dinner duty. She even included paper dinnerware so I didn't have to clean up. Plus, she brought cupcakes and rice krispy treats that we've been enjoying all week. Thanks Chellie!

Here was Trent's clever solution to keep Henry's hands clean during sucker time on Monday.

Then it was time for all the boys to get haircuts. It was Henry's first one. I was sad to see his cute hair go, but man he sure has a darling round head.

Tuesday all we managed to get done was a quick trip to Target. It was terrible. The kids were not cooperating.

Wednesday was long. My cute friend Cassi and her husband own a hair salon and said I could come get a free haircut, if I didn't mind being a teaching tool. I was more than happy to oblige. My wonderful SIL Dusti let me drop off the kids while I got my hair done. Then I ran back there, ate lunch and had to run off again to get Henry checked at the doctor, he hadn't been feeling well or sleeping well and I suspected an ear infection. The older kids didn't want to leave yet, so she let me go to the doctor with only one kid, which was great. Sure enough Henry has a double ear infection (his first one) and we were able to get the appropriate medication.

That has been my exciting week thus far. I have high hopes of seeing Mel and Gracie today and possibly getting Charlotte's new (to us) bed(click on link to check out bed and tell me what you think) tonight!

Hey thanks

I have enjoyed the fun name feedback so far! No, I am not really going to name my baby Pumpkin. As a matter of fact I think the bottom 5 names on my list probably won't make the cut.

I have 7 weeks left to go and have been thinking a lot about delivery time. If things go as quickly as last time I may not have an epidural again. I can handle that if its going quickly. The nice thing about no epidural is no catheter, no numb legs for hours, no side effects, and no huge needle in your spine ( not that I ever really minded that part when I wanted drugs). I liked experiencing the birth. I find the idea of induction strange because your body never goes into labor naturally and I am so grateful that I haven't had to have a ceserian.
My sweet SIL Andrea is being induced with her second baby this Friday. Cool birthday, 8-8-08. She has bigger babies and the doctor suggested her induction. She was also induced the first time around. So that makes me think, hey, that's pretty convenient. No calling up the in-laws in the middle of the night to come watch the other kids, you get to have actual plans. Maybe that's not so bad.

Anyway, my acid reflux is out of control and I feel pukier than ever. I also think I look huger and uglier than in all my other pregnancies and so I'm not liking that so much. On the other hand, I still have a lot to do before this little girl comes, so I am not in as big of a hurry as I was with my other babies.
So there it is. All the stuff on my mind that no one else cares about. Sorry for the snorathon.

more name talk

Since Trent has little interest in discussing baby names I am counting on you all for feedback. Tell me your favorite, least favorite, first impression, kind of kid that name brings to mind, or give me some new suggestions.
Some of these names Trent has already crossed out, but that doesn't mean that they might not come back into the running.

You already know these three.

Lucy
Leila
Amelia

Now what about these.
Josie
Violet
Paisley
Daphne
Lola
Wendy
Frankie
Pumpkin (Charlotte's suggestion)
Tabitha
Bridgette

Let it all out.