This and That

So - your mouth may be on the floor right now. Being that it has been over 6 months since I have posted anything. Definitely NOT because nothing has happened. EVERYTHING has happened and then some.

I do want to apologize. Mainly to myself! There are a lot of things I'm sure I have forgotten - my problem, is I feel unless there are pictures to post, it isn't going to be fun for any of YOU. But honestly, this blog is for ME. I am pretty bummed - for some reason when we installed our new Microsoft Word program (the latest) it has screwed up our camera and our camera will not download pictures. So, we have over 6 months of pictures just waiting to be downloaded =[ Very sad!

So, I will make this quick and when I get pictures, I will post more about them later. But, just to recap:

Braxton turned 7 the end of September. We had a fun little family party with him. He loves the show WIPEOUT and so, I made him a "wipeout" birthday cake AND had made an obstacle course in the backyard. We timed each family member and the one with the shortest time got a prize. I'm pretty sure it was candy. Then every other family member got a prize (more candy) for being a participant. It was pretty fun!

November 5, 2010 was an AMAZING day. I'm not exaggerating. David, me and Malachi were able to be sealed in the Bountiful, Utah Temple. It was such a great day. I am so thankful that we are a family and that we will be together forever. It was so wonderful to experience the sweet spirit that our little boy brought to the ceremony. I'm not sure if he was just in awe of the pretty chandelier hanging from the ceiling or if he could see some family members are on the other side - but he kept point up toward the ceiling and smiling. It was such a great time for us and a wonderful memory. (Wish I could post pictures!!!)

A few months before we were sealed I had quite a few impressions that we should start thinking about adding to our family. David and I had talked and figured that, yes, the time was probably quickly approaching, but had no specific feeling on when exactly. Just that the time was near.

After our sealing we discussed it again and thought that the time was definitely approaching. I guess, our little one was anxious to get here, because November 29, 2010, I found out we were expecting again. Even though, we knew it was going to happen soon, we had no idea that it was going to happen THAT soon. We were quite surprised - but anxious and excited too.

We had a wonderful Christmas and told the kids about our new arrival on Christmas Eve. Oh yes, I also celebrated my 29th birthday in December as well. (Can't wait to be 30. I know, I'm weird!)

In February David celebrated his 35th birthday! He requested carrot cake with cream cheese frosting. It was delicious! I also made him homemade Cafe Rio chicken burritos and I just have to say that it was mighty swell food! Seriously, I'm so surprised that it turned out as good as it did. The salad dressing and the rice was my favorite part. My mom was able to stop and eat with us (she was headed through town) and she even like it too. So, I give myself a pat on the back for that one.

We found out in February that Braxton had Bronchitis. About a week or two later David went into the school doctor and found that he had a very severe sinus infection. Then, a few weeks later, Malachi and I were both told we had walking pneumonia. I had been feeling like crap for a VERY long time - but I had attributed it to being pregnant. We all got on some STRONG anitbiotics and felt better! It was amazing the difference once I felt better. Lucky for me, I had gotten over the "morning sickness" - so at least I didn't have that to deal with on top of everything else.

Ayla seemed to be the only one who escaped the "bug". She did feel sort of sick for a day or two - but it never turned into anything that we had. I'm glad for her because it really was awful!

It was either the end of February or beginning of March - but David was called to be the 2nd counselor in the Elder's Quorum. I don't want to complain too much for fear of being struck by lightning, but BOY is he busy! I can only imagine what the Bishop's wife must feel like. Between work, school, and his calling he is gone many nights. I miss him! However, I am thankful that I am married to someone who is willing to serve in the church. I have seen our family benefit greatly through the blessings we've been receiving. I am very proud of him for doing so much for our family and for others!

Ben turned 7 in March, too! Six months out of the year, we have two boys the same age. We got Ben for just a few hours on his birthday, since it was a school night. We just had a family dinner, really. We promised him we'd do something funner once we were together again. However, the flu bug then decided to hit our family! I honestly think it might have been the roto-virus. It was AWFUL. Nothing quite as fun as having "pukes and shoots" at the same time. Poor little Braxton. He was so sick. For 8 straight days he was having bathroom issues. We did get the throwing up under control on the second day - but man, alive! We (okay, I) did a lot of laundry that week. Then, on about day 5 or 6 for Braxton, Malachi out of nowhere "blew chunks". Who knew a little stomach could hold SO much? Wow! So, then Malachi was sick throwing up for about 3 days. Luckily it wasn't all day long. He'd only throw up two or three times during the day. But, he had bathroom issues as well. I think he was all cleared up in about 6 days though. So glad it didn't hit him quite as hard. I was worried sick that I would get it - but luckily, I avoided that as well! Whew!

So, that is our last six months in a VERY small nutshell.

OH WAIT! Forgot my favorite part. I won't go into a lot of detail here. I'll do a different post about it. But on April 1st we found out we are having a baby girl! I was so excited I almost couldn't make it out to the car. I felt light-headed and strange. I am so thrilled to have a baby girl! I can do her hair and dress her up! I dream about the day we go on a mommy/daughter date and get manicures and pierce her ears. (I'm thinking about 8 years old) Who knows! Who cares! It can just be done now.

David was a little shocked to say the least. He, of course wasn't sure, but felt pretty strongly that it was a boy. He was so happy for me though. It was really sweet.

We of course, played an April Fool on Ayla. He went and picked her up early from school. Told her in the car that we had gone to the ultrasound appointment (we didn't tell ANYONE we were going. We didn't know until the day before) and that we found out we were having another boy. Ayla was of course bummed. She is feeling quite out-numbered. He told her to get her feelings out while she was driving home. He told her I was also having a hard time and was quite disappointed and didn't want to make a big deal about it in front of me.

While they were gone, I went and got a "girl" outfit that I had bought just a few days earlier (just in case) and layed it on her bed. I then wrote a little note from the baby girl and told her that (the baby girl) appreciated her waiting patiently for her arrival, but that she couldn't come until her 3 older brothers had come first. Then she said I can't wait to see you in a few months!

Ayla flipped out! She was so confused. She came down the stairs with tears in her eyes and we said, "April Fool's." Her response, "Which is the joke? That it's a boy or a girl?" It was pretty sweet. When we finally told her it was definitely a girl she was so happy! It was fun.

Okay -- So THAT is the last 6 months in a nutshell. =] I will definitely post more soon ... but without pictures.