Breaking the Silence

It has been a long time since I last posted. I wish I could explain why, but some things just are better left unsaid. The last six months have been full of unexpected trials and joyous surprises. Those trials have included many hidden blessings, and Scott and I have gained greater confidence in our Heavenly Father and His Grand Design. Scott was able to finish a very difficult semester with A's and B's, and he finally landed a job the week of finals.

I am now 37 weeks along, and am in the waiting period of pregnancy. Safe to deliver, but still a little early to really expect it any day. Our little angel has continued to be a mystery to us, 4 ultrasounds without being able to determine its sex. We have a prankster on our hands! We suspect it is a boy, but will be delighted if it is a girl. The names we have chosen are Joshua Neil, and Lloralei Anne.

We have been living with my parents since February, thought now we face another move. The house my parents were renting has sold, and the new owners take possession on the 16 of July (my due date!) So we are trying to find a place as quickly and cheaply as possible.

Daniel just turned 4, and he is an absolute delight! He chatters away, and is starting to ask "why?" constantly. His imagination play is very strong, it is fun to see him act out his favorite parts of movies, or to jump around like a dancer. I am watching So You Think You Can Dance, and he still loves to copy their moves. He is all boy! Into anything male, he is all about sports, cars, superheroes, and dirt.

Tiana will turn 2 in August. She is still little for her age, but has so much attitude you don't quite notice. She is also talking up a storm, and has been stringing her multitude of words into sentences. She follows Danny around, and tries to copy everything he does. She also loves to dance, and it is so cute to watch her jive. She loves dresses and is finally letting me do her hair without immediately messing it up! She plays Danny's boy games, but adds a feminine touch that is so cute!

I am happy that they have finally reached the ages where they can play together. Hearing them laugh and giggle while they chase each other is music to my ears. I love it when Scott comes home, and I hear a chime of "Daddy!" He is their best friend and playmate, and they love it when he is around.

I cannot wait to see what the Lord has in store for us in the next 6 months. If the last 6 are any kind of indication, it will not be dull!

Validation of a Parent

The weekend of Nathan's wedding, Scott and I received a very pleasant surprise. While we were in the temple watching my brother get married, my little sisters had Daniel, Tiana, Faith, and Michael in the Visitor's Center. Chalae told us about the experience as we drove home after the wedding.

She said that he kept saying "Jesus! Jesus! Jesus!" and was worried he was misusing the phrase, when she realized that there were pictures of the Savior everywhere. Danny stopped at the one that had Jesus on the cross and said "Jesus died for me. But he is alive now."

The really awesome part was when they came to the big statue of Christ. "I love you, Jesus!" he said, "Please talk to me!" One of the sister missionaries heard him, and asked Chalae if she wanted them to turn on the sound. She said yes, and all the little kids sat enthralled while Jesus talked to them.

Scott and I felt so much joy. You try so hard as a parent to teach and love them, sometimes you wonder if it even gets through. We were so happy to hear his little testimony.

January Update

Wow, it sure has been awhile! My apologies. I have been so caught up with my growing baby, my toddlers, holidays, Nathan's Wedding, and finally the beginning of another semester of college for Scott that I haven't hardly had time to type an update on facebook.

We are now at week 14 in the pregnancy. I am very excited. We are past the danger of miscarriage, and fast approaching the 20 week ultrasound that will tell us who our little one is. This has been a remarkably easy pregnancy, even for me. I have hardly been tired, unless my little girl keeps me up at night. I have hardly felt icky at all, and that has been solved quickly by eating something.

Nathan married Cheyenne Vance on the 15th of January. They just returned from their Honeymoon. We saw them last night, it is so much fun to see my brother married.

Scott has started his second semester of college. It has been a hard one so far, especially because he was terribly sick for the first week and has been playing catch up ever since.

I think that is all for now, it is time for me to be doing something productive around the house.