I love Fall

This fall has been so beautiful. We have had absolutely gorgeous weather. 50's in the day and in the 20's at night. I love it. We haven't had the crazy wind so typical of our area this year. So our fall colors stuck around for a long time. My fabulous friend Nancy has taken my children to the park so many days so I could have a break.
We've enjoyed some wonderful days at the St. John's park with our Home Schooling Friends. The kids have played kickball and relay races. I have loved being able to be a part of it all and NOT on bedrest.
I had a lot of fun putting together preschool and kindergarten home school  curriculum for Thanksgiving and Christmas. I used up all my ink putting it all together! Plus putting together Christmas gifts for extended family.
I got to go see a movie with girlfriends last week and go out to dinner.
Abby and Rachel both had birthdays and we took them out for lunch. Rachel chose Arby's for her birthday meal and we made Pumpkin Shakes for desert. Abby chose a local Mexican restaurant and then had a mint chocolate chip blizzard.
I put together some freezer meals for after the baby and lots of yummy pumpkin bread for breakfasts.
I've had bursts of energy and days of complete exhaustion.
Made a cover for the baby's car seat. I was so nervous about doing this, but it worked out in the end. 
Lots of trips to the doctors, Dentist appointments for all the family. 
Jacob found a kitten in our woodpile and made it part of the family. Even Winslow thinks it's cute. And after some persuasion, our orange cat has decided it too likes the kitty.
I've been putting together Christmas so it could be all done before Baby's arrival. *and we finally have a name decided on. Halleluiah!

I tried to burn the house down by leaving a pot of beans BOILING ON HIGH while we were at church. Thankfully, I remember after sacrament meeting and not at the end of church. Raced home to find the entire house filled with smoke. Three days of cleaning everything in the house, including, but not limited to, ceilings, walls, light fixtures, light bulbs, furniture, carpets, bedding, curtains, clothes in every closet, cabinets, floors, and more, and we are finally getting most of the smell out. Every time I think we have gotten rid of the smell, we leave and come back and there it is. Hopefully people don't think we've taken up a new habit! The smoke damage was quite extensive. We have been incredibly blessed with friends who have come and spent hours helping clean, watching children, washing laundry, bringing in dinner and treats, and fixing my clothes washer when it started leaking!!! I admit there were a few times when I felt so overwhelmed by the task at hand. And Winslow was super sick through the whole ordeal and unable to really be of help (Fever, coughing, miserable Daddy, no fun!). I have been so blessed by all the helping hands.

Thanksgiving Day was eventful. The turkey wasn't all the way dethawed so lunch turned into dinner. I did make rolls and pie ahead of time. We watched the Macy's parade and football. Had a whole bunch of contractions and then nothing.... Abby and Rachel helped make the green bean casserole and the mashed potatoes. And I was so glad to have a day of relaxing!!
Today we got to go visit with my brother Matt and his wife Alyssa and their kids. Can I just say I love my siblings and their spouses. I have the best family ever!

We are in the final countdown for baby. Dec. 3rd is our c section date. We'll see if baby decides to wait that long or not. I'm planning on him waiting. But everything is all ready to go just in case he decides to make an earlier entrance. The kids are excited. David thinks the baby's name should be Alcoa. What!!! 4 year olds always have the most interesting things to name babies. Thankfully I am actually feeling less uncomfortable. I am trying hard to stay away from Winslow's cough. Coughs and c sections don't go well together. He's no longer contagious, but he sounds terrible, poor guy. Praying the family stays well.

Getting it all together, NOT!

4 weeks left until our scheduled c-section. In some ways I want this baby to wait until the scheduled date. The Biggest being that my mom can't come until then. In other ways, I hope he comes just a little early. The biggest being that I am just so darn UNCOMFORTABLE! How is it that I always forget how hard the last month is. Mentally, I just don't think I can do another minute some times. My skin is so so so itchy(love having dry skin and lovely stretch marks), my hips are so miserable, I can't breathe thru my nose (every night) and I get into my jammies as soon as possible every evening! And yet, it's worth it. Just uncomfortable. Right now I am trying to concentrate on Thanksgiving week. 2 weeks until the Monday of that week, when I will be 37 weeks. Then only 2 more weeks after that. We have been keeping busy and there is lots to do. I've been baking and stocking the freezer with breakfast and dinner items. Hoping to make things a little easier post c-section. We have a chunk of Christmas done. I still need to finish a few sewing projects this weekend. In between having Abby's friends over for her birthday. Last Saturday we had Rachel's friends over to make cupcakes. They had a good time and played an Xbox Dance game. Next weekend we are hoping to spend time with family.
I'm trying not to have an anxiety attack when I realize the things I haven't done yet. Most of them are Christmas, so really I need to relax.
I do have to say how THANKFUL I am to have stayed OFF of Bedrest this pregnancy. No drugs has been SO NICE. I tried hard to take it easy. I did have contractions on and off in the second trimester, but we were able to keep it to a minimum. I used a natural progesterone cream and that seems to have made a big difference. (This is also what I did when pregnant with Rachel...who we also had NO BEDREST with.) It has been so nice to be able to keep doing all the things that needed done on a daily basis.
I do have to say I am so tired, and despite the long to do lists I keep doing, Some days I would really like to just curl up and take a nap. No such luck. Some days I have to though. Any time I have to drive somewhere (more than a half hour) I am totally wiped out.
My two week menu is saving my life with meals though. If I didn't have it planned out, my family would totally be eating pb and j every night. 
This baby is a mover and a shaker. He likes to roll, which makes me a little queasy! We are still working on a name. We both have names we love, I am hoping we can decide on one that we BOTH like. Good thing we still have some time.

Halloween

Can I just say that Halloween is not my favorite holiday. Mostly because of the yucky stuff. I like the fun dress up and trick or treating is not bad, but I don't do scary.  So this year is a new tradition. We will be trick or treating at just a few houses of people we know, then we'll go to the high school choir fundraiser where they play games indoors in the warmth and light, and then come home to their own special bag of chocolate candy from mom and dad. Remember we don't live where there is a well lit subdivision to walk door to door to. I have enjoyed years past when we've had ward trunk or treats and people we know. And I love Fall weather! But scary stuff freaks me out!!! I'm a wimp sorry!
The weeks ahead are packed. Dr.'s appointments, 2birthdays, Thanksgiving, and a host of other activities. Hoping to stay busy, I am getting anxious and impatient for baby's arrival. Baby is still without a name. Winslow and I may just battle this to the bitter end.
My children have been super snippy with each other as of late. It is making me a little nervous for when the baby comes. I tend to have anxiety after I have babies, I like things quiet and calm. Hoping my older children will behave themselves!!!!

Of books and dishes

Jacob has been working hard the last few days. Not yet sure what has brought about the change, but I'll take it! He 's really been working on taking initiative. Earlier this week when I was so tired, he made sure his kitchen chores were done. And we had him babysit 2 nights this week. Both nights the house was clean and the kids were in bed. Last night the dishes were loaded and the big dishes washed. I asked Abby is she had done them, because Jacob has major texture issues when it comes to dishes. Nope, she said, she had a headache and went to bed, Jacob had totally done it all. way to go mister. Definitely tipping big for dishes done! I know he's a good kid, sometimes we just butt heads. It is so wonderful to be able to reward him for stepping up his game!
I took David, Rachel, and Abby to the library today. David picked out a book on Monster Trucks, Abby picked out Lewis Carrol's Alice in Wonderland, and Rachel got an Amelia Bedelia book. I am excited for Abby to be reading such a fun classic book. she has really picked up speed in reading. She read Harry Potter #3 in 3 days, Old Yeller in one day! I think she takes after her mother.
Rachel really surprised me this week. I found a fun book report sheet on Pinterest and told Rachel she could start doing book reports. The next morning when we got our school work, she brought out a Magic Treehouse book and read the whole first chapter!
Davis is now adding up to 10 in his head!!! He is obsessed with adding. I put together more math games and some beginning phonics for him this weekend, because oping just to keep up with is kid. He's only 4!
We are studying Joseph in the Old Testament. Gonna have to find a copy of Jospeh and the amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. I've been singing it in my head for days!
Winslow was a trooper and took me to 2 parties this weekend. Boy did I need the out time. Thanks Hun for going out of your comfort zone to indulge your social wife!!!!
Down to just over 6 weeks left until our c-section. easing baby clothes and putting everything together. Exciting and nerve wracking all at the same time.

A little rest

So I got a small taste of bed rest today. I've been feeling a little under the weather the past few days. Nothing major, just not 100%. And today my body said enough. I took 3 naps, one in the morning and 2 in the afternoon, and laid in bed all afternoon and evening. Thankfully, I had put dinner in the crockpot before I crashed :). David was very cooperative and took a 3 hour nap this afternoon on my bed with me, thus facilitating my opportunity for some rest. Feeling tired still, but not exhausted like before. And the thought I had was, I am already past the point of bedrest for both of my boys, and I am so tickled to be still up and running, even if not at full capacity! Nice to be able to take it easy for a day, but I am so glad not to HAVE to be down.
I'm also grateful for new jammies. I know it's simple, but I LOVE LOVE LOVE my new jammies. They are so comfortable, "they are my p.j.'s" (NACHO LIBRE). And at the end of the day when I feel like I could crawl out of my skin, they are so comfy. Worth every penny!
We were in Phoenix over the weekend and I had to laugh when Rachel said "I never thought I would be cold HERE!" I was just so glad that we were there for the cool front and gone before the heat returned. It was just one day there, so it was a fast trip. Winslow had continuing education, so I got to spend a few hours with my sister Tamara and a few hours with my friend Aimee. So much fun. The kids had a great time. They were so sad to leave.
We have just 7 weeks left until our c section. I am getting anxious. Of Course! Pulled out baby clothes and gear to see what we needed. DIAPERS. Ha HA, I have one package already, hmm that will last a week. Wow babies go thru diapers fast! The kids are all excited. I love babies!

So it's been crazy

We have been leading a crazy life.
Let me hit the highlights.

Home school is in full swing-meaning I feel like I have a full time job!!! This year has brought challenges and new and exciting adventures,.

go away big green monster unit. So fun!!!

David is loving our Mommy preschool and I am hoping to get 2nd semester curriculum written before this baby is born!

Finally finished our Stake Humanitarian Aid project! What a success! Over 50 gowns and kimonos were made and donated for our Infant Loss Bereavement Project.

Jacob has finished football season, and we loved watching him catch 3 touchdown passes the last game of the season!
 I am nesting so bad, which means so many projects. My friend Arina and I tackled my poor kitchen table and redid the top with some help from Winslow. It Looks SO MUCH BETTER! Then we tackled all the touch up paint spots around the house.
Mike and Kara came up and were a huge help digging out the back and moving my fence.

I have been crocheting up a storm to keep up with all the babies being born, makes me super anxious for our little one. And I've had quite a few sewing projects going on.

this is me at 31 weeks

Our second ultrasound (we had to have a second for making sure baby was growing right so they could officially schedule the csection) revealed we are having a BOY!!!
David is ecstatic, so are the rest of us. Winslow and I are still working on a name.
Staying off bedrest so far and being so happy about that. But still taking things pretty easy physically to help.

David finished his Last Soccer game and made a goal :) Plus he got a medal, and his team won the sportsmanship award. He is hilarious when he plays soccer. He is so happy, and so determined to get the ball.
The girls are both taking Dance and I am teaching 2 days a week piano.

Fall has arrived and we are wearing sweaters in the morning and evenings and the trees are changing everywhere.

We had a fabulous General Conference weekend. The kids cut out pictures of the prophet and apostles and glued them on construction paper with conversation bubbles about their talk's topic.

I am moving into the super tired, and poor sleep phase. So I am either getting the world done, or wishing only for a nap. Ha Ha Ha.

We've begun a new system of only going to the grocery store once every two weeks. I was super stressed about trying it, but it has worked. We have eaten Awesome food, and saved $$$ on our grocery bill. I am also making all of our bread and yogurt and Breakfast foods from scratch.
We've canned Beans, Apples, and Chicken. I've been filling the freezer full of snacks and breakfast things. Hoping to have a stockpile on hand when the baby is born. I need to start planning and making a freezer meal every week between now and then, so I can be prepared.
Christmas and Birthday gifts are being made and stored away as well.
So if you've called and gotten no answer, this is probably why!!!! We are crazy over here! HA HA HA!

precious moments in our crazy life

Life is crazy. Of course. Whose life isn't. We are having "home ec" this week. Canning, sewing, refinishing our kitchen table and more. So traditional school work has been set aside. Which is nice because the weather is GORGEOUS!!! 70 in the day and high 30's and night. PERFECT. The Red leaves of Fall are showing up all over town. We picked apples for Family Home Evening at the Coffelts. THe kids and the adults had a great time, and we have been making apple butter today. YUM! Tonight I will can it and the Apple Jelly. TASTY. Tomorrow, Arina is going to help me jump start my table redo. Awesome, because it is looking pretty sad. I will be glad for our routine again though.
This morning was precious. David loves to come snuggle in my bed with me in the mornings. He brought his stuffed puppy dog, climbed in bed and was ready to "feel the baby." One of my favorite things right now. (Rachel had already come in and had her turn! Once the baby was done moving and shaking it was time for morning prayers. David wanted to stay and listen. :) So as I was praying for each individual child, quiet promptings from David kept coming, "and me mom." "Don't forget David." Ha ha. He was so sweet. Hard to be the last one in line waiting for your turn for mention in the prayer. I loved it.