Today has been a much more productive day! Do you hear the freedom? No more cough syrups, no more of those awkward little dosing cups or syringes. I am still taking Sudafed, the real stuff, not the PE. Long story short: I am clueless as to this whole meth thing, that some meds are only available behind the counter, you know, the ones I need... I bought the Sudafed PE, my approved list said Sudafed, and that is what they had, I saw no card for Sudafed (no PE in front of it)... Peyton has been really active ever since I took a couple doses of the PE, and Merrill claims she is detoxing now. No worries, I have the right stuff (after going to two different stores). I thought I could be done today too with the meds, but I still felt that sick feeling in my head...
I got all of the Christmas cards done, ready for the mail tomorrow. That is an accomplishment for me, considering I wanted them sent out last week...
I also lay awake last night dreaming about my Hall of Fame entry for CK magazine. I have always wanted to do it, never have. I did enter the Scrapbooker of the Year contest over a year ago. $10,000 sounded really good, like enough to have a baby and a most of a new car. It was kind of a downer, not winning, but to see how much being SOY really entails, I'm so glad it wasn't me! (Like I had the chance...) So Hall of Fame... Brooke really got me thinking, and I read the rules in this month's mag and decided I'd do it. It isn't nearly as much work as I had to put into SOY (20 original layouts, product lists, color copies of all, a portfolio for them, and an essay...) this one sounds like much more fun too. So I've been dreaming about the details for my submissions...
Got a BIG package via UPS today. Although I have to say it's really Santa's deal and not so much mine ;)... Ashley got all excited when she heard the doorbell ring and then a quick knock. I knew what it was, I tried to distract her. I put off going outside to bring it in and then hide it until I had them distracted. I thought I did... Ash came up and saw me struggling to bring it in (it was a lot bigger and heavier than I thought.) she of course started to ask what it was. I kept telling her I really didn't know. She left and I tried to take it to hide it. Before I knew it, Lynn was right there, really excited. She asked what it was. I told her a package. She said, "Let's open it and see what's inside!" Thinking, creatively and on the spot, I told her that we couldn't, it wasn't ours, it was Santa's. She said, "If it's from Santa, then it's for us! Let's open it!" I told her that we were not supposed to open it, he sent it to us so it could be here for him on Christmas Eve, it was too heavy for his sleigh. She still wanted to open it. The only way I could get her to leave it alone was to tell her I was going to have to send it back and tell Santa that we couldn't keep it because she wanted to peek. That settled it. Then another question came. How do I know all of this? I told her that I talk to Santa, everyday just about, either on the phone or via e-mail. That seemed to satisfy her. She's been good all day since then too...

After having a day of feeling really crappy, I mean crappy as I lay on the couch most of the day, I have to say that I am thankful for two little girls who were really sweet and good to me!
For some reason (could it be a week of two sick little girls and little sleep???) I was wiped-out today. I managed to take a shower, and it took two more hours just to get decent afterwards. I lay on the couch for most of the day, Lynn getting me pillows and blankets, and even a bottle of water. She was the best at giving me kisses and gentle pats, asking me if I was okay. Ashley was great at not having any accidents (Yeah!) and snuggling with me, bringing me books to read to her.
I about lost it making lunch for them. Nothing sounded good to me, Lynn wanted only a peanut butter sandwich. A while later, I had a cup of cocoa... everything made me feel so nauseous!
I got a little pick-me-up from Darlene (mother-in-law) when she brought me a new maternity skirt and a couple of new tops. I felt dumb, as it was noon and my hair was still wet and wrapped-up in a towel, and my face was void of make-up (that's really kind of scary). But at least I was dressed! She is the early-bird type, ready to go around 7 am, so I can imagine what she was thinking when she saw me.
It was a nice surprise, I was feeling a little down the other day looking into my closet. I have a lot of short-sleeved maternity tops, not too many that are long-sleeved, for colder weather. I was in the mood of, "now how many times have I worn this?"... I feel like if it's Wednesday, chances are I am wearing the same outfit I was a week ago... So that was an upper for the day. I have already gotten "Happy Birthday" cards from some stores with a coupon (most of them non-maternity). Victoria's Secret might get used... pregnant boobs... Express I am tempted to go and use, so I have something to look forward to, maybe even a little motivation?
Hopefully things will go better tomorrow. I stopped taking the cough syrup. I think that was the culprit. I actually started to feel hungry. I made some Rhodes cinnamon rolls for a nighttime treat, Merrill really liked them :)... Now the only discomfort present is the heartburn, of course... that was one plus to not wanting to eat all day, it put the heartburn off.

I know I have gone on and on and on about the awesome ladies that I get to work with in Primary.... But I have to say that I LOVE Christie, Julie, and Jen. I love how we all seriously think the same way. I had Julie call me tonight before PIs, ask me a question that I really was going to call and tell them about earlier in the day (pregnant thing again) and she was already thinking the same thing. When I called, the other two, same thing, they were already thinking that way. I absolutely love that life is easier because I am so blessed to work with them!

Funny things...
Ashley climbed up on the counter and told me she was "birsty" (thirsty) for a piece of Lynn's birthday cake. She said this while licking her lips and rubbing her tummy.
Instead of asking me to put on her princess nightgown, she pees in her pajamas so I have to change her. (Okay, that one is not so funny...)
She comes up to Merrill and I, who are just catching-up on the day, having a nice conversation, and yells: "Do you want Miss Hannigan to come in here?... Then go back to bed!" She stomps off...
Maybe we've had the TV on a little too much in the evenings with the long weekend and all... Lynn turned to Mer and yelled, "Bertoli!!!" There's some Italian food commercial where a chef yells that name, the name of some frozen Italian meals.
Lynn popped off the arm of a cheap doll she got from a birthday party for a friend. She held the arm up in the air and asked us, "Does anyone need a hand?"
I told the girls the other day that they had been so good while I got some errands done, that when we got home, they could have some ice cream. We keep two favorites on hand: Bubble Gum and Oreo. I asked them which kind they would like, and named the two. Lynn immediately said Bubble Gum, and Ashley just looked at me. She said, "We don't have Oreo ice cream." And just so I could sound like a kid I said, "Uh-huh, it's in the freezer." To which she replied, "Nu-uh." To which I came back, "I'll show you, it's in the freezer." Her retort helped me to understand what she was really saying: "Do we have 'Blounder' (Blounder = Flounder, from The Little Mermaid) ice cream too?" I got it, Oreo = Ariel.

Just had a doctor's appointment. Did the "fun" glucose test... All is well. I am pretty proud, I've gained only 21 pounds so far... I feel like that is pretty dang good considering with Lynn, I hit this point at about 5 months! Baby Peyton is 2 and 3/4 pounds of it. Her head is measuring at 29 weeks instead of the almost 28 where I am supposed to be at. So we are a little ahead. Dr. Bierer is keeping the due date at February 22nd, even though my BIG ultrasound said February 16th... I know I'll probably start to go earlier than that anyway!
A couple of funny things the girls have been saying:
We get matching PJs every year for Christmas from Darlene, and Mer's and mine are exactly alike. Well maybe not exact size wise... We happened to be wearing a pair of pants that just happen to be the same, and the other morning Ashley asked me why I was wearing Daddy's pants, disgusted that I would be wearing his pants. This morning, Lynn asked me the same question! It's funny considering they have seen us wearing them at the same time, but they think they are his...
Yesterday Ash was having a bad coughing fit, like nearly throwing-up, and being really pouty about it. I told her that if she would just take her Mucinex, she wouldn't be coughing so violently. I asked her if she wanted to take it, of course, she said "no". She started coughing again, and getting upset, again. I asked her if she was ready to take it now to which she replied, "Well then, what are you waiting for?" Do you think she took it? No way.

Am I nesting already???
Today I got this crazy impulse to clean EVERYTHING.
I mean, I usually clean the house every week, but today... I vacuumed everywhere, moving beds and couches, removing the cushions, taking everything out of the closets and cleaning them too...
Even the whole kitchen. The cupboards inside and out!
Every stitch of laundry, sheets too, washed, dried, and put away.
Either I am nesting or this Sudafed has another side-affect!

The cake is done! A five year-old birthday, pretty much over. I'm kinda depressed. She's not supposed to be this old!

Last night was interesting. I ended up throwing the cake away, after Lynn coughed all over it, and it didn't look right anyway. I got the girls all ready for bed, meds and all, and sat and told Lynn all about the day she was born. I got ready for bed, and went to check on Ash, she had a pretty high fever, a little over 102. She had kicked all her covers off, and pulled up her nightgown around her armpits. She was sleeping like that. So I decided to take her temperature. 103.7! I was a little freaked. Merrill told me to give it a few, maybe she just got too hot. So I waited, went and checked again and it was 100.9. I fell asleep. Woke up around 2 to give her another dose of Tylenol, trying to keep this fever in check. A little after three, the weirdest thing happened, I was woken-up by the sound of candy falling off of the gingerbread house in the dining room. I got up to see if one of the girls were up. Ash was flushed. I checked her temperature, again, 103.9. I had just given her the Tylenol! I decided to go to Wal-Mart, one of those again, to get Motrin for her (I also bought more cake mixes:)). I got worried though. I had dosed her last at 2 and wanted to be sure it was safe to give her the Motrin so soon. I haven't had sick kids like this ever, but I knew to break a fever, I should alternate between the two meds. I just wasn't sure how soon I could give her the Motrin. So I did my own internet research. I thought to call Jen, from the ward, but I thought not to bug her. I wish I had. Everything I found said to not give them Motrin until it would be time to re-dose with the Tylenol. There went my plan to ease my worries. I took her temperature again. Still almost 104. I waited about ten minutes, hoping it would go down like it had before, and took it again, and then I did that about two more times. I couldn't sleep. Then all of the sudden I had a "duh" moment. What do I teach the girls? What do I teach the primary kids? When you have a problem and need help, PRAY. I did. I let myself relax for just a minute, it is hard to get up out of bed, and I went and took her temperature again. 100.9. I slept. I feel so dumb that I didn't think to pray in the first place, that I thought I could take care of it on my own! Let's hope that I was not too tired to forget this lesson!

I am trying to bake a birthday cake right now... Well, it has actually been going on for almost 2 hours now... That's what I get for trying to fulfill a 5 year-old's dream. She wanted a doll cake. I used the recipe for my pampered chef batter bowl doll cake. Let's just say that my mind isn't working well (there's that pregnancy excuse again...). I forgot to divide and bake the batter in half. So it overflowed, in the oven. I poured out half of it about halfway through baking, and I just pulled out the first half. It doesn't look right, unless the doll cake is supposed to be very sunken-in in the middle!
Lynn is feeling much better. She is up and playing, being herself with a little bit of a cough. Ash is at the "Lynn three days ago" stage. High fever, doesn't want to play, sleepy, sad. It isn't quite as bad, I think because her personality is different form Lynn's. She is just a little more easy-going than Lynn. Lynn is just mad and even offended because she is sick. The hard thing for Ash is that she's had two accidents today. I guess she's distracted at how awful she feels that she just can't get there in time. Poor thing!
I had to go to the store to get more Tylenol for the girls, more meds for Merrill, and two separate meds for me. That's one of the things that is made difficult in my condition, what works for Mer, and what I usually take too, I can't! I have to have "special" stuff. I swear that I set off alarms at the self-checkout with all of the over-the-counter drugs I was buying. Some lady who was working had to come and clear a bunch of stuff for me. Oh, did I mention that I have the cold now too? Not like the girls, and I want to say yet, but maybe if I believe that I won't get that awful cough then it will stay like this, just a stuffy head and a sore throat.

Today has been interesting. It all started very early today, 12:33 am in fact. Lynn woke up with that cough. It sounds like it hurts. Apparently the cough meds I gave her weren't helping, or the breathing treatment. Well, I guess they did, three hours worth of what should have been four hours. So I went to Wal-Mart to get something to help her get through the night, me too. I have forgotten how many strange people are out that late, grocery shopping and working. I used to work those hours, I don't think I was one of the weird ones... So anyway... After I search and search for what would be the best thing, I settle on a couple, one for nighttime and one for the daytime, make my purchase and go home. Lynn fell asleep, still coughing though. So I got her up and dosed her with some nighttime stuff. Works great. She slept until almost 11 today, with two separate naps that were two hours or longer during the day. Can you tell she's sick yet?
Not so great for Ash. She woke up about quarter of six this morning with the same cough. She cries when she coughs. I gave her some meds and snuggled with her. We slept, kind of, until about 9:30 when she woke up with a fever, sore throat, and still that cough! I had to investigate. I love the Internet. It sounds viral.
Bad news, I had to go back to the store to get cough syrup that acts as an expectorant, not suppressant, that means some crying. I can't stand to hear them cough, it breaks my heart! The store was CRAZY!!! I got what I needed and got out of there!
The girls have had an okay day. Tylenol and that expectorant are kind of hard to force down two very sore throats, especially when they know one of the pink cups does not taste very good. I am an expert briber now.
So what am I thankful for today? How has the Lord blessed my life today?
I was, no, am able to go to a store, that is close, and get what I need.
I am blessed to have the money I needed to get the medicine that I needed, both times.
I am blessed to be a mother who has the aid of the Spirit. When I pray in the morning for help and guidance, it is there.
I am blessed to live in the time that I do, that I can get on the Internet and see what I am facing.
I am blessed to have Merrill who is able to leave work for just a few minutes so I could run to the store, without dragging my poor, sick, girls along.
I know that there are people out there who don't have a lot of these things, and I am thankful that I do. These blessings, and more, have made it so that today wasn't as bad as I know it could have been.

I didn't blog last night, I was a bit too emotional. I found out the source of Merrill's headaches and sleeplessness.... ME! He told me about how stressed he was over having Peyton. He worries about being able to provide enough. He's especially worried about the car situation. I feel so bad. I don't think I can ever fully understand his fears, I am not in his position as a provider. I feel like I am relying on faith here. We weren't sure just how things were going to work out having Ash, but they did! That is the same attitude that I choose to have. We are doing what is right, and we will be blessed for it.

I now understand that when I think he's kidding around and being smart-alecy, that that is his way of expressing his worries and fears without making it such a downer for me. For example: The other night, I brought up how he doesn't talk to Peyton, you know, cutesy stuff, like he did when I was pregnant with Lynn and Ash. His reply, "Well, what am I going to say to her? 'Hi Peyton! I don't know how I am going to provide for you, how I will even pay for your delivery!'" I laughed, because that's how he delivered it, like a joke instead of a real worry. Today was a better day for him. I think that maybe it's because he finally told me how he really feels. I just feel bad that this whole time, I am nothing but excited, making things for her and decorating, going through all of the little girl stuff, just preparing for her, meanwhile, he's stressing-out.

Speaking of stress... Lynn ans Ash both have this cold. Nasty cough, sore throat, and Ash has a gross looking nose. Perfect way to celebrate the holiday, with a humidifier going, plenty use of Kleenex (and hand washing to follow), breathing treatments, and lots of drugs... I can't wait until the froggy/hoarse voices are gone and their sweet little girl voices return!

Good news... We finished quilting Peyton's quilt yesterday! We took it off the frames and I went and got the traditional eyelet lace for the edge! When she is finally here, I plan to bust out my own Strawberry Shortcake quilt from the old cedar chest, and have the girls and I pose for a pic with all of our quilts! I love it!

Ash took her baby everywhere with her today! She carried her around like she was the real thing, talking to her and singing to her. It was so cute. When I asked her what her baby's name was she told me "Peyton". It's funny because Lynn used to do the same thing, name her dolls "Ashley". When we ran a few errands, and the flurries started, Ash started singing, "Baby it's cold outside..." Can you tell who listens to the Christmas music around here?

I am so thankful for prayer!!!
I know I've said that things need to be taken care of, calling wise... I've been worrying about that and how to get it done. And today my prayers were answered when the Bishop approached me. It will all be better.
Lynn has a fever, again, and this morning she told me her throat was sore too. When she found out that that meant she couldn't go to primary, she said that she felt all better. Since when has there been a fight over her wanting to go? Anyway, she really wanted the kids to sing "Happy Birthday" to her. Once I told her that they could sing to her next week, she was okay. Merrill is still battling a headache from FRIDAY... I need a wonder drug for him.
My divinity last night:
First attempt: syrup turned into hard candy. I got a phone call, church stuff, while we (yes, a family activity) were cooking the syrup, and it went a little longer than I thought it would, of course... We got hard candy. I forgot to tell him to turn down the heat.
The second attempt we were more careful, maybe too careful... We cooked it, to what I thought was hard ball stage, mom tells me it was probably in the first stages of that but not to temperature. You are supposed to beat it in the beaten egg yolks, until the gloss leaves, about 5 to 6 minutes. 15 minutes later, it was still glossy. Ash and I enjoyed eating it with spoons. It was like marshmallow cream. Mer and Lynn thought we were crazy! I decided to just dump it out on a cookie sheet and see if it would set up. It did a little. It tastes just like it should, just not the right consistency. And now Lynn enjoys some tastes too.

Inevitable spiritual high today... had a baptism. After a little chaos (there always has to be some...), everything went well. I love my calling, but especially this part, you are guaranteed to feel the Spirit! No matter what else is going on in your life, you always feel it.
I cannot wait for tomorrow to be over with, though! I have all of my puzzle pieces put together, and I need to have the stamp of approval, if you will, stamped upon them. There has been so much that needs to be re-figured in Primary (and Scouts, oh and how!), and I've been ready and waiting... just waiting for that one phone call! FRUSTRATING!
We watched Evan today while Brooke took pictures for Ken and Promise. He is so dang cute! I love to see the different personalities in the kids in our family. He and Merrill played together for awhile and it was too cute. Merrill was trying so hard to get him to laugh out-loud. You see, when Evan is tired, he does this cute little inside chuckle. He wants to laugh out-loud but it's like he's just too tired. Merrill kept working at it but finally gave up. He is just such a sweet baby. I was hoping he might help me in convincing Merrill to go again (Yes, mom, I know that I am pregnant...) for a boy.
The girls are watching "Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer", again. We watched it last night and they both loved it so much! They especially love the "Thing". I've never heard Lynn giggle so much, she thinks his voice is hilarious! They also love that his favorite phrase is, "Aw, crap!" Which must be really funny since it is a garbage word in our house.
I am on my way to make divinity, I've had a craving. Let's hope it turns out, it is my first time doing it solo....

I am so thankful that our family is able to be together so much!
Today, the girls and I, went down to the warehouse and put up Merrill's Christmas tree. We had so much fun decorating it together. I love the small perks that come with the job he has and how close it is to home. I know of others, whose husbands have an awful commute and it isn't possible to stop in and have a snack or lunch with dad, let alone a visit just for the fun of it. Sure, in the springtime and summertime, we don't see much of him. Sundays are our only day, but it comes to times like these. The little things we are able to do and I know that is a blessing.
Tonight we had pizza for dinner and watched a movie. Ash snuggled-up to Merrill and told him how much she loved him. She then followed it up with, "I am going to marry you tomorrow, okay dad?" How could he turn that one down!

So I am thinking here, I needed to add another post here, one that is separated from my heartfelt one below...
I have been in a funk lately that I have been self-medicating with food. The other night it was a chocolate Haagen-Daz bar covered in dark chocolate, then some late night pumpkin pie buried in whipped cream, a few nights before that it was spaghetti with homemade marinara around 10 pm, another night a dark chocolate Dove ice cream bar (see how I love dark chocolate...), and last night... I know I mentioned Ben & Jerry's... I didn't come back to say that it ended up being the whole pint! I really love the graham cracker swirl in the strawberry cheesecake swirl ice cream. I just couldn't stop. Once I got all the graham cracker out, I rationalized that there really wasn't enough left to bother saving it for later, so I just ate the rest...
1 pint = 4 servings
1 serving = 260 calories
260 x 4 = 1040 calories (and that's if my Roy High School math skills are correct...)
So who wants an update on how much I weigh after my next doctor's appointment? (Which I should add will be conveniently after Thanksgiving...)
Oh, and yes, it helped me feel better, a little bit.

I am thankful for family and friends who share the same beliefs and values I do.
Watching, or just listening to the news, lately, it seems that everyone is so backwards. It makes me start to question if the decisions that I am making for myself and for my family are really the right ones. Once you turn it all off and separate yourself from it, you can think a little more clearly. You don't have so many voices and so many opinions telling you what is right. It's not always something major, sometimes it's what you should be reading to your kids, or how often, or what kind of foods they should be eating... I have to remember, that I have been given blessings that give me the direction I need. I pray, and I am given answers, or just peace of mind to let it be. Here's where the friends and family come in... I can have a conversation with one of these people that I am so thankful for, and they might share the same concern. Sometimes it is talked about at length, and we have come to the same conclusion. Sometimes it is just a mention of something that we believe, and you feel so much stronger knowing that you are not alone.
My mom and I had a conversation like this today while we were quilting. We talked about a lot of things. We both get emotional about everything, her being menopausal and me being prego just heighten it. But we started talking about the drought in Georgia. This whole situation in Georgia is something that I find so interesting. People are going nuts that a Governor would hold a prayer service for rain. Isn't it funny, that there are times when we need to be humbled, be reminded of who is really in charge, of who you should turn to when you have a problem? There are skeptics out there, saying that prayer won't help. I find it interesting that last night at the end of "Nightline", they showed a shot of the night sky over Atlanta, and it was raining. We both started to cry. I know that Heavenly Father loves us and that those slight showers were no coincidence.

I am thankful for two times of day, today.
First, when Merrill came home from work. He helps to bear the load of two, suddenly very hormonal, little girls. After trying to understand why they are freaking-out all day long, and why they seem to be on a roller coaster of emotions today, I am thankful for that wonderful time when he came home and I now have back-up.
The second time of day, I bet you'll never guess... BEDTIME. Right now. Yes a little earlier than usual, but I think I've had my fill for the day. I am trying to enjoy some Ben & Jerry's even as we speak.
Why is it that some days, they have an obstruction in their ears, that prevents them form hearing just about everything I say? Why do they take turns for who wants to go in a tizzy over the slightest unfair anything? I swear, I was never so hormonal. And here we are, adding a third ball of female hormones to the already volatile mix...
It's not all bad, and maybe I really am hormonal... Maybe that's why this is bugging me so bad today...

So here I am... Pregnant and enjoying a piece of pumpkin pie at almost 11 pm... Could it get any better?
While I am enjoying my slice of pie with LOTS of whipped cream, I am also enjoying the prospect that things will be a lot merrier this season around my home. My usually "Bah-Humbug" type husband has resolved to be a little more jolly this year. He told me that it just goes by too fast, and he wants to enjoy it more, for a little longer (you see, he usually gets into the spirit of things oh, say a week before it's all over...). He even says he wants TURKEY for Thanksgiving. This will be the first year EVER for that to be the main dish. He's been anti turkey for nearly seven years. Every other year we've done roasted chicken, spiral cut ham, or a tender very delicious chuck roast. So turkey is a big step.
The next step was to ask him if he'll be listening to his own music selection instead of Christmas tunes while we put up the tree on Thanksgiving day. He said he'll share in our joy, and listen to the Christmas stuff. He did note that he would not enjoy the "Beach Boys" holiday renditions, or the sappy songs like "Christmas Shoes". He always gives me a sideways glance with a smirk on his face when he hears the first few notes of, "Mary Did You Know?" It always makes me cry, but if he were a woman and had given birth, he just might understand!
Lynn was so cute tonight, singing to my belly, talking to Peyton. She would get so excited when Peyton would give her a wiggle or poke in response. She is already deciding what she'll say to her on their first meeting. She couldn't seem to go to sleep without her, "five musics". Merrill has been queueing-up five songs on his MP3 player for her to fall asleep to. He was at a concert tonight at Kilby Court (one that I really really REALLY wanted to go to, but the venue is standing only, really small, and my sciatic nerve was not going to allow me to enjoy it.) so bedtime was a little off for her. I told her I'd program some Phantom on my MP3, not her usual mix, so she could get her "musics". By the time I got it all done, she was out. Ashley meekly asked if she could listen to it though. She just grins. Doesn't seem to sing out loud like Lynn does. I did discover that there really is some of me in her, she's still, look wise, almost entirely Merrill Jr. (if he had had long hair at 3...). But she loves to enjoy some dark chocolate, and that's where I come in...

Okay, funny story...
I've been working on Merrill for more babies (yes, I know I am pregnant, but I feel like I have to get him used to the idea). So Lynn is sitting in his lap, I am working on Peyton's quilt, Ashley is standing by me.
Ashley: "Mom, what is this?"
Me: "It is Peyton's quilt."
Ashley: "Will she lay on it when she gets here?"
Me: "Yes. Do you think she'll like it?"
Ashley: "Yes! She"ll think it's so soft."
Lynn: "And after we finish this one, we'll make a blanket for a boy, if dad let's us have one. Can we have a boy next time dad?"
Merrill then asked me if I told her to say that, like I've recruited help...

So today, mom came and we quilted some on Peyton's Strawberry Shortcake quilt! I love that we get to do this together. I love that the girls get to be involved, that the same traditions and memories that I experienced with my mom and my grandma, continue on. Lynn even did a little bit of her own "quilting" on it... I am so blessed to have her so close, that we can do this, and that what is important to me, is just as important to her.
It's too much fun to sit and gab, have the girls tell us stories while they play underneath the quilt (just like Kevin and I did), and take snack breaks, and reading breaks... That was the best part of my day.
I ran over to Wal-Mart to get some pictures printed off for her and grandpa and grandma Wallace, because I went to do it Saturday and some crazy lady was at the kiosk for way too long to even note here. Let's just say that I was extremely annoyed and then even more so when I went to the "days" kiosk to find the CD ROM drive was "temporarily out of order"... I'll try to calm down so I can finish this... So anyway, I didn't get it done Saturday. So I thought I'd get it done today. I went, there was yet another crazy lady there, with a memory stick that holds a lot more images than the one I own. SHE TOOK FOREVER!!! And the other kiosk, which really couldn't have helped me in the fact that I needed them today, was still "TEMPORARILY out of order"... She didn't seem to mind keeping me waiting but when two other people showed up, she decided to get a move on. What was even more amazing was that her baby, sat in her car seat the whole time without doing anything more that babbling, I wonder if she was used to this, like if she has had to endure this process before... The girl behind me only had one disk, I had three, but I have to say they had only the images I needed on them, not 759 to sort through... SO, I let her go in front of me. The computer was so slow after that crazy lady with the memory stick. Do you want to know why? She printed off almost 200 pictures... Yes, I think that computer was a bit exhausted. Not to mention all of the editing she did...
So, I finally got my pictures selected, and yes, it moved like molasses for me too. I went back home, just in time for lunch that mom made, it was 2:38 by now, I have no concept of how long I was even gone. We went back together, as she had to go home and prepare the "early bird special" to feed grandpa and grandma, and I went in to get the pics so she could take them home....
Moral of my story: WAL-MART NEEDS TO GET MORE THAN ONE HALF-HOUR PHOTO KIOSK.
So do I sound pregnant enough?

What an uplifting day! After a little hectic Saturday, it was nice to have such a good Sunday.
Lynn had a birthday party yesterday. I thought it would be a pretty laid back day. Not so. Running all over, picking up things, going back because I forgot something, going back again later when I realize, thanks to Brooke, that we have a family birthday party for Kaitlyn and Dixon. That equals two gifts. I thought about it earlier in the week, so it's just that placenta in the way again. I dyed Merrill's hair, and mine, last night. He's been really bummed since he saw the family pictures with his gray hair. He's a lot happier now. His family even needed some pointing out to notice it. I guess it looks pretty natural. It's just weird to me because it's not HIM...
Today, correlation meeting, not too stressful getting there because we planned ahead last night... I had sharing time, which went really well, both times. Sacrament meeting was awesome. Both Christie and Julie spoke. They are so good. Hearing them just reaffirms that they are supposed to be in the thick of things with me. I love them!
Our family party turned-out to be a lot more pleasant than I expected! We stayed until nearly 10 pm, just talking. I think that Dixon's eyes were opened as to how the health care situation sits for us. Having more that one of his kids addressing the expense it is for their family helps to send the message home a bit better. The kids had a good time too, running around with Kaitlyn and Mikell, giving us a dress-ups fashion show. So often these kind of nights turn into talk about business. I hate it. There was a little business talk, how they are expecting Christmas to be a little less-than this year, but it was nice to talk about other things, to have adult talk.
I may complain about my family, but I really am blessed.

Gearing-up for Thanksgiving and Christmas, I am feeling a little stressed, hoping to do everything that I want to for my family, within reason, yet feeling so blessed realizing that I have so much more than others. I want my kids to learn that there are others, who don't have the little things that they think are just part of life. For example, grocery shopping yesterday, ice cream is just part of the list, as is bubble gum, sometimes. They don't realize that for other kids, that don't live too far from us, this is a luxury.
Merrill and I are talking about what we can do that would be memorable and a learning experience for them now. We are talking about doing "Toys for Tots" or maybe having them each pick a child from an "Angel Tree". I feel the crunch this time of year, but I know that we have so much more than we even need. I know there are others in my own family who could use the help. It just gets me thinking...
To bring it all home, tonight Merrill was pretty insistent that we watch 20/20 on ABC. I am glad that we did and that he also made sure Lynn was right with us. They were doing a follow-up piece on a story they did a year ago. Families living in a community (although it's hardly that, community sounds too nice a word to describe it) in New Jersey. These families are living in conditions that, I feel a little naive in thinking they didn't exist in our country. Kids with no homes. I mean NO HOME. No food. There was a five year-old who began kindergarten and had no clue what names of the three meals we should eat everyday were. He was lucky to get one. Families living in homes where there was no heat or power. Cockroaches running around like I could never imagine. Holes in exterior walls. Beds on the floor, or a whole family sharing one couch as a bed. How humbling! Here I am worrying if I can do everything I would like for Christmas! Lynn got it. She was shocked that the little boy didn't have food or even a bed of his own. She felt bad that he didn't have his own bedroom with his own toys. She started to understand that ice cream is not necessary to her survival. I am thankful that she understood at least part of it.

Big day in the life of a mom and a three year old!!! Ashley got to go and pick out her "potty toy"... She also got to pick out her own "big girl" panties! We occasionally still have the little accidents, like when she has her tu-tu on and can't get it off in time. You know, the things even Lynn still goes through now. Bot it's a lot better than spending the money on pull-ups, and the pain in the butt it is when you get to change one. All it took was to put her in the real thing and she took to it immediately! (There should be an angelic chorus singing "Ahhhhhhh!")
I also got my "wall" done. I updated the pictures, finally. I've really wanted to. Brooke took pictures of us for Mother's Day, I loved those, but was really excited to have fall pictures done of the whole family, yes, Merrill too. I still don't know what I am going to give him to make up for his hour gone from a Saturday... How am I ever going to talk him into updating them once baby is here? Well, I will have my body back by then (chica chica bow bow)... Anyway, they turned out so good! My wall is BEAUTIFUL!!! Thanks BROOKE PITCHER! (Her pictures are in the slide show, you can contact me for her contact info :) She said I better give her some credit!)
I just had to have a little talk with Lynn. Apparently, it is way too hard to stay in bed when you are almost five years old. Even when the punishment is no treats the next day. She thought it was way too strict. So when she got out of bed, and I reminded her of what the punishment was, she said, "Me an Ash are going to go to anew house." I showed her the door. Told her to go. She told Ash to, "Come on." Ashley wasn't moving. She said goodbye. Lynn said, "Maybe I'll leave tomorrow when it's light outside." I told her if she wanted to go find a new house, she'd better go now. She changed her mind, and we had a little talk about rules, consequences, how she is the big sister and example, how much I love her... Do you hear the sappy "Full House" music starting to play...

So I am really hesitant to add anew post. I don't want to cover-up my slide show!!! Brooke took our pictures on Saturday at Beus Park, and aren't they to die for! She gave me the disk of all the pictures (something like close to 400) yesterday, and I couldn't wait to show them off. I am so happy with them that I dang near cry every time I see them! Merrill is a little depressed at how gray he is though...
Yesterday was just an emotional day for me anyways. I read a story in the friend to prepare for today's primary activity, which went well :), and that made me cry. Lynn came to find me, saw me crying, made a funny face and said, "Never mind mom." Then I sobbed as I heard a man sing opera on Oprah, like how often do I watch her? Fluke I thought I'd check it out. It was so touching. He had a dream to sing opera, but felt that he wasn't good enough. As I heard his voice, I thought how sad that was that he was so good, and he still didn't have that confidence in himself! I wasn't the only one sobbing, everyone else in the studio audience was too. Then, I get the pictures, and then I make the slide show... I was just a little too emotional.
But my family sure is gorgeous!

So here I am. Blogging at a weird time of day... I am so thankful right now! What a load has been lifted off of my shoulders. As Primary president, there is constant change. Last week was full of a lot of changes that kept coming, constantly. I couldn't wait until Sunday was here so it could be over with! Was I wrong... More came. I started to get a sore throat Saturday night. I usually do that when I get stressed-out. Well, after getting home from church almost 2 hours later, I still had the sore throat, and some stress relieved, but replaced by more stress. It was a lot to think about. So after some prayer, I called my, well let's call them my "army of angels", aka. presidency. I okayed with all of them to have a meeting today to get some of this stuff figured out. After all, that is what they are supposed to be there for, counseling... After a night of dreaming about all of this stuff (in Ashley's bed mind you, yep, that too...), stressing, and offering a lot of prayers for help, I woke up this morning, with a clearer mind and my sore throat not as bad, good sign. I decided to make whoopie pies, to make the fact that we were meeting on such short notice go a little better (Jen loves them...). Meeting time. All are here. We get to it, I am so thankful they feel the same way that I do, there's that support, "I got your back" feeling I've talked about before. They affirm the way I feel, they even give me more insight! They are awesome. Change is good. I could only imagine what kind of "help" I would have gotten a month ago...
Oh, by the way, sore throat is gone, just replaced by heartburn, of course.

Stress...
That is the only explanation that I have. It seems that one day, things are crazy, you go to bed, and think, "It will be better tomorrow. Things will get taken care-of." Then tomorrow comes, some things might get fixed, but a whole bunch of other "things" get added. Now imagine three days of it. Not just everyday family home life stuff but church stuff too...
Yeah. I know that tomorrow will be better. I have my awesome army coming to help me work through it all. Oh, and prayer too!
Lynn and Ash are getting even more excited about the upcoming arrival of our little Peyton. They say in their prayers every night, "bless that baby Peyton will come out soon." Then I secretly pray, not too soon! But it's sweet that they are so excited. They talk about things that they want to tell her or do with her. It's funny that my tummy gets more kisses these days than my face!
Ash is doing a lot better with the potty-training. I had a feeling with her that it would take more time. It has.

I am so thankful for such awesome friends!!!!
I have great friends, some of which are technically family, by name only. But anyway... I have friends who are so thoughtful! They do things that make my life easier, they understand who I am, I don't have to say much about a situation to have them know how I feel. I get phone calls throughout the day, little thoughtful things. Something that I may be concerned about, and they have a solution. Something I have been looking for, and they are looking right at it at the store. I love having conversations where we both hang-up uplifted, even if it has been a hour, or more...
And it is an even greater blessing how we find one another. I used to say "luck" a lot. For example (I almost said "like"... I hate saying that, I sound like a valley girl!), "We are so lucky that we got our house here." It isn't "luck", it is a blessing, and I need to recognize it as that. I could say that it is luck, but I know it's a blessing, that I have the sisters-in-law that I do, good and the well, not so good...
Things happen for a reason and I am so thankful that we were blessed to find our home when we did and it is where it is. I am so thankful that these girls saw something is my brother or brother-in-law, and actually stuck with them! I think that if we, sisters and neighbors, were brought together under different circumstances, we would have chosen to be friends. They are just awesome! I love to surround myself with people who make me happy, and who make me want to be better at everything!

So here we are, Halloween is done. Tomorrow I'll throw away the pumpkins, pack up my ghosts and other decorations, not to mention the costumes... And then, I'll begin to really enjoy the fall!

Don't get me wrong... I loved the excitement. Halloween has got to be my favorite holiday... Well, I shouldn't say that. Any excuse to have fun, decorate, take pictures, and eat good food is my favorite. Especially when I get to see my kids so happy! They loved the day. I had to deal with some attitude and some added last-minute stresses (Grandpa called and needed some swing set models for an impromptu photo shoot...). They loved decorating cupcakes, we even squeezed in some nail painting to match their costumes! They thought they brought home so much candy, their bags were so heavy, to them... I loved seeing all of the primary kids come by. I didn't get many, but I loved seeing the ones I got to. Merrill said, "Of course you didn't see many, their parents wouldn't have them come down to the hood to trick-or-treat." He thinks we live in the hood...

Merrill was sad when the girls were both asleep in bed, and he realized the trick-or-treaters were all done for the night. He blew out the candles in our pumpkins, unplugged the ghosts. I could see the sadness in his face and I knew what he was going to say, "It's really all over!". He might really not like this time, he's sad that summer is really over, that all of the fun of Halloween is over, and "it's all downhill from here". He gets even more depressed once all of the gifts are opened Christmas morning. He loves having something to look forward to...

He'll really dislike that I'll probably have some Christmas music playing every now and then from here on out. I really love this time of the year! It's so cozy, with the change of the weather, burning scented candles, cooking something hearty all day long on the stove... I love it! I would prolong the season if I could. I feel sad to take down the Christmas tree, I love not having to deal with all of those pesky artificial pine needles, but when it comes down, I miss the whole spirit and atmosphere the season brings.

So tomorrow, November 1st... bring it on! I am ready for a change of season!