Update on me!

I haven't posted forever! I've been a bit busy...

Life is good, but man! Is it hot!! I swear all I do is sweat (I know the visual is appealing :) Everyone say a prayer that Ben can handle a tearful, emotional wife. I'm getting so funny about things. I'm not near as ready as I should be for this baby, but really I must have a problem. The nesting instinct hasn't really kicked in this time around. I have everything I need, it's just the motivation for putting it all together. I guess I figure it will all work out.

I went to my appointment this morning and I am 4 centimeters and 80% effaced. That's normal for me to walk around like that. Until I am having regular contractions I don't consider myself in actual labor. When it does start, I have to hurry though!

I guess I better go and start, you know, washing some clothes or something. Maybe I should pack a hospital bag? LOL!

I'll post a big fat picture of me soon!

Crazy Summer Days....

There have been some changes around here lately!

My body is getting increasingly HUGE! By the end of the day I am so tired and I start to waddle. Ben thinks it's endearing and I think that it sucks :)

We are enjoying summer! My sister in law came over one day and totally laughed at my chore charts, daily schedules and structured activities that I have planned. Come on people, are you really surprised? It's my OCD and perfectionist self coming out in rare form. Where did I learn to pay attention to detail? I can't pin point it exactly, but certain members of my family carry the trait well. We are a club. The other members, they are on a different team. The team that doesn't care about every little detail and won't have a full blown breakdown if something isn't planned.

Ben is changing jobs. He is currently in the middle of transitioning from one to the other, which has made life crazy. We haven't seen much of each other lately with our callings pulling us some nights and Ben working so much. He just left this afternoon for a camp out in Nevada with his Young Men's group. Sunday night/Monday morning he leaves for L.A. to finish up and pass off his current projects to those who are taking over. The new job is for a company in Orem that works with financial software. They have been "recruiting" him for a long time and the timing just felt right to us! It's an amazing opportunity and has a few perks that I will enjoy. He'll be working from home 2-4 days a week, which will be SO NICE after I have the baby. His opportunity for growth is immense and if we all know Ben, he will jump in there and put everyone on the efficiency wagon.

That's all for now...wish me luck this week without a husband :(

Happy Niner, My Love

Rachel will regret giving me access to her blog the minute that I embarrass her, so read fast!

It's true that Rachel and I knelt across an alter nine years ago today. The image of my angelic wife smiling at me is burned into my mind - I'll never forget it, not ever.

Our song was "You Had Me from Hello" by Kenny Chesney and the reason it's our song is because it's my song to her. Yeah, it took Rachel a little longer to come around and stare fate in the eyes. I knew that this girl was going to be mine after our first kiss, which I distinctly remember thinking, "Oh boy..." immediately before. Anyway, Rachel completes me, she really does. I'd be a big pile of goo without her discipline and planning!

So it's been nine years and here's to nine more! I think I'll only see my wife grow in virtue and capacity. She continually amazes me with her tireless pursuit of perfection. She works so very hard to keep everything running smoothly and I cannot thank her adequately.

Rachel, I love you, happy anniversary!

Happy Anniversary to us!!

I just can't believe how fast time has flown by! All the ways we have grown individually and as a couple.

Indulge me for a minute. I must publicly share my feelings about Ben. Even as I type, I know he will be embarrassed by this post, but guess what? That's too bad! :) See what a good wife I am?

I am so proud of my husband. He has been nothing but generous and outstanding in every aspect of our marriage. He is an amazing father and so much more patient than me. He balances me out in almost all areas. He is a honest, hard working man. I can honestly say he has never raised his voice to me or spoken to me with an ounce of unkindness. How? I don't know! I can't say the same for me. I have depended and cherished his ability to bring the Spirit into our home, to quietly reprimand me when I'm not the best. I don't know how he does it, but he motivates me to be better because he is better. I will stop now, but I needed to get this out of my soul.

I am so grateful that we were sealed in the temple and are forever linked if we are faithful to our covenants. What a journey it has been. It's hard to imagine what our lives will be like in another 9 years...(Princess will be 17!!! AHHHH!!! :) It's the best choice that I ever made and I'm so thankful for a Heavenly Father that knew the potential that we would have together. Love you babe!



This is the only picture I have in my computer right now...pre-digital age!

Ikey is 2!!!

Has it really been 2 years already? What did I ever do without him?

Ikey was a really easy newborn. I don't know if it was just that I was in a good place mentally or more tolerant to sleepless nights, or if it was hard but his little smile and dimples made me forget!

Ikey is strong willed, outgoing, rambunctious, active!, and so so curious! He is always thinking of something to get into or explore. He doesn't have much to say but he ALWAYS lets us know what he's thinking!

I was in labor with him for about 2 hours. I had him Au natural!



His antics always make us laugh













Yesterday we had a memorial day BBQ/birthday party for Ikey and his little cousin Jacob who was born the day before him.



Here's a picture of them side by side in the hospital. Ikey is on the left, Jacob on the right.

It was fun to have family come to eat and play. We had cupcakes and ice cream. Ben, his brother's and sister Janette along with the nephews had a trampoline trick contest. How many of you are sore today?? :)

I can't wait to see what the next year will bring us...we love you Ikey!

Princess's Baptism Pictures

It's taken me a while to get these up! It was such a special day. She was baptized on her actual birthday and that was really special! We are so proud of you Princess!









Princess and her primary teacher

My sweet Princess...

Princess turned 8 a few days ago and I feel there is so much to tell about this little girl! She has always been sensitive to the people that surround her. She is curious about life and automatically thinks of others feelings. She is quick to laugh and giggle. She is spunky and learns quickly.

When she was little she would snuggle and need to tell us from a very young age all about the littlest details in her life. She is wonderful at explaining what she is feeling in her heart. She also has the ability to sense what others are feelings.

She loves bugs...as long as they aren't in the house! She loves when her brothers want to play whatever game she is playing. She is excited if they will be as excited as she is about the game, although that increasingly isn't the case, what with G-man having an opinion lately. Why can't barbies play with transformers? It would be a perfect world if that were to happen.

We remember when she was a baby she would burrow her body against yours, and want to be close. She's always let me do her hair however I wanted. When she was just getting her hair in, we would put little bug piggy tails in and we would call her "K"-bug.

She always reminds us that her toys have FEELINGS too! She was always concerned about her toys and if they felt lonely.

She has never been scared of strangers. In fact, if she doesn't know you, you are a likely target.

She still likes to be tucked in and we're happy about it!

She is a wonderful reader and is starting to love to read the scriptures. She also spells well and almost always gets 100% on her spelling tests at school (I get to brag :)

There is so much more to this girl that I'm not able to put into words. We love her SO much and couldn't live without her.

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