Decisions...Decisions

Alan has decided that he thinks it would be fun to wait to find out what the baby is. When we told our parents that we were expecting, my Mom told me to wait to find out. Alan's friend Uncle Sly a.k.a. Scott was trying to convince me yesterday to wait and how cool would that be. Our Relief Society President, Michelle Dean overheard us talking and said that I should definitely wait, and how cool it is to have them say, "It's a _________!!"

I just don't know if I can wait. I have never had a desire to wait. I don't really like surprises. I like to plan my life. But this is my last one. It would probably create a good story, one that would be different than any of the rest of the birth stories. (All of my kids love their birth stories) And he (she) with the most stories wins.

But the real question is, could I wait, knowing that I have the opportunity to know, to plan, to pick names, to anticipate, and to talk about it with my kids. I can't even believe that I am toying with the idea...that just proves that I have gone crazy and that this pregnancy is messing with my mind!! I did tell Alan that if we were to wait to find out that he would have to commit to two names, both a boy and a girl name. We really have only ever agreed on 5 names that were picked out when I was pregnant with Hannah. Only Eden's name was changed slightly from the original. It was going to be Eden Segovia, instead we named her Eden Kathryn. Although we were going to change it completely, but that is another story all together. We only have a boys name left which Alan is unsure about. With having to commit to 2 names, it might make him want to find out.

If you would like to vote and put in your two cents on what you think, we would love to hear your stories and opinions. We are scheduled to have our ultrasound the morning of November 20. Who knows, maybe the baby won't even cooperate. Wouldn't that be my luck if I decided to find out!

We're going to a Ball!

Marie-Therese Gown GIVEAWAY !!!!!!!

Hey Lynette, this is your next project!! I expect Bryn to be wearing it within a fortnight!

For all you sewers out there, or people who appreciate the time and effort it takes to make anything beautiful, Take a look! I can't believe that anyone would spend so much time, money or energy on a dress that they will only grow out of.

Foreign Diseases

This morning while we were getting ready for Church. I told the kids that Alan had gotten a disease while in Germany. Alan played along so nicely, it's wonderful when you can work together as a team. He told them that it was called "DOG JAW". I told them that he has a bump on the side of his cheek and asked them if they wanted to feel it. Of course they did.

When they were all feeling for the lump he very suddenly started barking like an attack dog and snapped his teeth. They all jumped about a mile. It was hilarious to watch! We all got a good laugh from it!

None to be found

To follow up with the drama in the Boss household....I never found the underwear and honestly I have no idea where it could have gone. Thank heavens for a washer and dryer in the house, as I was able to wash the two pairs that I found so that he had a clean pair to wear the next day while I was at Target buying more. This may end up being one of those unsolved mysteries that will continue through time to boggle my mind.

Being pushed over the EDGE

Since Alan left for Germany last Friday I have done at least 2 loads of laundry a day, in fact I think that one day I actually did 4. Even after a weeks worth of clothes we normally only do max of 5. I was trying to rid our house of sickness before it spread through everyone again by washing all of our bedding and towels and clothes and blankets and everything else I could find to wash. So with everything associated with fabric cleaned, I have a hard time believing what happened tonight.

I had Joseph jump into the shower tonight in preparation to get ready for bed. After the shower he came to me and said, "I don't have any underwear." I just rolled my eyes and asked "did you check your drawers." "YES!" Frustrated, I went and checked, no underwear. So I checked in the clean load that I hadn't folded yet. None. I went downstairs to make sure that I didn't miss a load. Nothing. I thought...this is nuts, how can he have no underwear? I have less than one load of dirty clothes which has one pair of Joseph's underwear that he just took off and that's it. Where have they all gone? I don't understand where all of his underwear have gone. I started saying that we had a underwear thief. Peter said, "Who would steal underwear?" Exactly my point!

This has never been an issue until this weekend. I started going through everyone's drawers and closets looking for the missing underwear getting more and more angry. My poor kids. I ended up putting Peter and a devastated Joseph to bed without any underwear on because they started being rowdy and quite frankly I couldn't handle them or anything else anymore. This has totally and completely pushed me over the edge. And why, I ask, would something so small push me so far? OK it wasn't that far to push but still it is something small and inconsequential. It has nothing to do with eternal life. It is underwear for crying out loud!!

After I had given up and was done feeding Eden a bottle I went to lay her down and to say goodnight to Hannah. I looked at her and said, I don't understand where they could have gone, what he has done with them? I have never in my life talked to Hannah about a problem that isn't hers. I am usually telling her not to worry about things that don't concern her. She looked at me as though I had truly lost it. I quickly came out of my stupor, told her 'never mind,' kissed her good night, and left the room. I have gone through everything I can think of that could possibly be housing these underwear. I did end up finding one more pair. But how in the world have we been surviving on 2 pairs of underwear for Joseph? We haven't!!! There must be more! I know there is. I don't do laundry that often. And I am going to get to the bottom of this. Hopefully, my foul mood will dissipate and I will look at this more like a challenge that I will conquer!!

Albuquerque, New Mexico

Eden and I went on a fun trip together to see my brother Travis and his family. It was fun hanging out with them and getting to see their three adorable children. My only goal was to win their hearts so that I could forever be their favorite Aunt. Sorry sisters and others aunts, but I think I have won!!

We planned my visit over the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta which was unlike anything I have ever experienced. It was amazing, in fact it was more than amazing, it was breathtaking, delightful, fun, fascinating, like nothing you have ever seen before. Words don't describe it and the pictures do it no justice. Wherever you turn you see balloons being blown up or laid out getting ready, or a whole pile of them in a row waiting to launch. You can't capture it all. I sure tried, just to give my family back home a little taste of it. Anywho I will spare you the 200 pictures that I took and give you just a glance at what was there. If you ever have the opportunity to go, I would highly recommend it, especially if you have a brother / son who is living there and you wouldn't have to worry about parking or a place to stay (hint, hint, this is especially true for the Drake Family!! For the rest of you, I am sure he would give you a good deal!)

I am glad that I went so that I could experience just a glimpse of Travis and Jamie's lives. I loved their home and their kids are adorable and so sweet. Their back yard is fabulous, because you never have to mow or water it and it will be forever green (it's AstroTurf!!). Plus Travis built a fountain. What a wonderful couple! What a fabulous family!!

As a bonus (the whip cream on my ice cream sundae) I got to see my dear, sweet, wonderfully fabulous, very missed friend, Karon. It was so fun to see her and her 3 adorable kids and to hear about their life in the desert of a state New Mexico!! It was as though we still live down the road from each other. She looked so good, and was the same spunky Karon with another kid in tow. Funny how that happens! It was hard to see her go, knowing that it would be a while before I saw her again. Thanks Karon for a fun day!

My baby is all grown up

Today Hannah turned 9. It is so hard to believe that my baby girl can be that old. It just seems like yesterday that we brought her home from the hospital, and here she is in 4th grade. What a sweet girl Hannah is.

She is:

• always willing to help her friends, teachers, and family.
• so fun to be around and loves to have little followers (thank goodness!) that she can boss around.
• always making up games and stories and always has something to say.
• adored by her brothers and they want to spend as much time as possible with her.
• an excellent reader.
• a ray of sunshine in our lives!
  

All Hannah wanted for her birthday was an American Girl doll. She chose the "look like me" doll with blond hair, blue eyes, and fair skin. And of course we had to have her ears pierced as well. She was so delighted and has be including her as one of the family. She named her Eliza.

Happy Birthday "B"! We love you and are so proud of you! May all your wishes come true this year!