The Happy News

After a couple of false starts, it's really happening. Baby #3 is on it's way, kicking it's little leg buds and waving it's arm paddles. I had an ultrasound today, and honestly I didn't know they moved that much when they are so little. It was fun to see, and mostly a relief to see an actual baby in there and a heartbeat...and the wiggling was the icing on the cake.

This is the sickest I've been with any of the pregnancies, and it's been a bit rough, but I've been grateful it's been such a strong pregnancy. Every night I really look forward to going to sleep because it means that I will be unaware of my stomach for 8 hours. Hooray for sleep.

Now, I know you're not really interested in that, so I'll tell you something you do want to know. The due date is December 29, so it will be a Christmas time baby. Being a December baby myself, I swore I would never have a baby anywhere near Christmas, but after the false starts and struggles to get this baby here, I'm just grateful. I'll just have to find ways to make it's birthday special and fun.

2 Years Old

Bridget turned 2 yesterday, and it was a fun day. David's Mom came down for the day, and we had fun...even Bridget, although I don't think she really understood what was going on. Jacob was a lot more excited than she was. He came into our room first thing and excitedly told us that it was Bridget's birthday.
Bridget was terrified of the candles and buried her face in my leg. She wouldn't even look at them until they were safely blown out. She is afraid of all new things.

Jacob kept insisting that Bridget wanted a butterfly cake for her birthday, and so that's what she thought she needed. My birthday cake skills are seriously lacking, so I decided to make cheesecake cookie cups with butterflies make out of candies and cookies instead. It was easier.

Jacob "helping" Bridget open gifts.

Playing with the puzzle Aunt Molly gave her.

She got necklaces and a tutu from both Grandma and Grandpa Strong, and Grandma White. She is so ecstatic about having some girly things finally, she has taken to wearing everything at once. It was a good day in her little life.

We've Been Found

We've successfully evaded David's father for 6 years, but he's found us at last. His father is not a good man, in fact he is a con man. He actually did several years in prison for fraud, and was less than a stellar husband and parent. We have had a policy of non-response to his letters that come forwarded to us several times a year, but the other day one came directly addressed to our house, and another one to David's work. I guess he's learned how to use the internet now.

I have to admit that I was pretty unhappy to see his letter, but I guess the worst that would happen is that he would show up one day asking for money, and David and I have already discussed the answer to that request. No.

His letter got me thinking about the cast of characters that are in our families, and how they are a lot more interesting that characters you could make up in a story. People are interesting and very surprising at times, and worth getting to know. I think every family has it's cast of characters, and the few that make you wonder if they are really larger than life like they seem to be...or more to the point, where did that branch come from on the family tree?

Families are interesting aren't they? Maybe what makes them so interesting is that you can't leave them. You're always a part of them and connected to those people whether you like it or not. Maybe the trick is to smile, shake your head, and keep being a family anyway. (Or tell your father-in-law if he steps one foot on your property you'll call the police.) Whichever works.

Arches

We created some arches to separate the front room and the eating area. I really like the feeling of not eating in the front room anymore.

Grandma White's Visit

David's Mom came and visited us for a few days. We took her to see the City of Rocks and a couple of caves near here. She was a really good sport to go everywhere with us, and we had a great time.

We saw a sheepherder's wagon being pulled up to the hills. I'm amazed they still use these.


The City of Rocks

Teapot Cave

Another shot inside Teapot cave. It's called teapot cave because you enter in through the "spout" to get to the inside, which is round and has a hole at the top like a teapot. It was so interesting, and I was really surprised to find ferns growing on the bottom. I didn't expect that since it was out in the middle of the desert.

Asparagus Hunting

Asparagus grows wild along the ditch banks here, and this year I've decided to go asparagus hunting. I took the kids this morning, and we had a great time. It's been so long since I've just been traipsing. I used to do it quite a bit in the pastures next to my Grandparents' houses when I was a kid, and I walked all over the mountains when I was single, but life got very busy once I got married and had children.

It was so nice to slow down and pay attention to the growing things around me and to bring my kids with me so they could start to gain a love of being out in nature. I think I need to make more time for traipsing.

Anyway, I got a bundle that was probably 3 or 4 inches in diameter, and we stir fried some of it for dinner. I have to tell you that fresh picked asparagus wins hands down, and I'm going back again in a few days to pick some more. I'm hoping to freeze enough so we can enjoy some in the winter.

Grandma Strong's good advice

A couple of years ago we were down in Utah for Martell and Katie's wedding, and we were visiting with Grandma and Grandpa. David asked them what advice they had on raising children since they'd done such a good job with their family. Grandma said that if you don't have a good reason to tell your children no, tell them yes.

That advice has really stuck with me, and I try to do that with my kids. There's a lot of times as a parent when my kids' requests are inconvenient, or I'm tired, or I know it's going to make a huge mess. Those are the times I remember Grandma's advice, and so I do it anyway.

Grandma has a lot of wisdom, and after practicing her advice I can see why she said that. I find that my kids are happier, they're spending less time watching TV, and I'm spending more time with them. They also respond better when I say no, because I try to say yes as often as I can.

Yesterday Jacob asked me first thing in the morning if we could make cookies with the cookie cutters that day. My first thought was that it was going to be a huge mess, but then I remembered Grandma and so I told him we could. Yes, it was a huge mess, but the kids had a wonderful time and I had a fun time watching their happy faces and having time to interact with them.


Thank you Grandma for such wise advice.