Family Vacation 2012....coming soon.

 

So I am currently in St. George UT and on our way to AZ tomorrow.  I have hundreds and photos and lots of fun memories in my heart.  Can't wait to blog and share some of the joy.  Here is a picture we had taken at Temple Square in the family history center.  Love this little fam!!

Happy Day!

The Watkins had planned to have a fun pool day to celebrate Father's Day this year.  So we had it Sat. instead of Sunday.  This made it fall on June 16th which is our oldest daughter Samantha's birthday. Samantha would be ten years old today.  We wanted to do something simple but fun to celebrate her birthday.  So we bought some balloons and had all of her cousins write little notes and draw pictures to "send up to heaven."  Our kids were really excited that she would get "balloons on her day!"
   

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weston was just drawing the last bit of his picture when his balloon popped.  He was super sad.  We taped it together and sent it up with Cicily's balloon.  It said "Dear Samantha, I miss you.  Why did you have a hole in your heart?  Love Weston."

Aubrey's balloon

 

We sang happy birthday and let the balloons go.  I was doing really good today and feeling at peace about the whole thing...until then.  I couldn't sing because I just miss her so much and I felt like we have missed a lot more than birthdays with this sweet girl.

So I cried.

 

 

Watching the balloons fly in the sky...I feel that she really does know how much we ALL love and miss her.  I know she loved her little love letters from home. 

Weston started crying as they flew off and said..."I miss my sister sooooo much mom."  He is such a sweet soul and talked about her throughout the day.  He told me tonight he just cries easy when he misses things.

When we got home from swimming we ended up just writing little notes on our feet.  I don't know what started it...but it was fun and the kids loved their "secret note to sis."



Aubrey

Weston

My little blessings!

 Today was a Happy Day.  I will always have a hole in my own heart for our Samantha Lee...but the Lord has been good to me and our family and we know it.  I know we will see her again.  What a great thing to look forward to after this life.  In the mean time...I will be grateful for all I have.

Daddy Time

 

One thing I LOVE about Jake's job...is sometimes he can work from home. So the other day, for a little break in the day...he decided to make sugar cookies with the kiddos. They had so much fun making the dough and rolling out the different shapes. They were delicious too!  I love that Jake can cook and that he likes to be with our kids. TWO awesome things about my honey. Love you Jake, and I appreciate all you do for our family.

"Lotsa... Lotsa!"

So this is a very random post I guess. Spencer used to say "lotsa lotsa.." and that is what you are gonna get!  A while back Jake bought me another camera that is smaller and easier to throw in my purse on the go. So here are some photos I got off of it today.

Here we have Spencer playing with our 2 pet anoles. We had them for about 6 weeks, but got tired of buying crickets and I felt like they smelled bad. So one night we decided to let them go roam in our garden and live outside. We haven't seen them since. Haha I know they are safe but we miss seeing them.

So this is our new SUMMER GAME BOARD. I love it. Jake spent hours making this. It is about 2 feet by 3 feet. It is set up to be just like Mario Party. The kids can earn spaces by being good, doing chores, not fighting...then there are games planned and awards through out. We started today and hopefully they stay as excited as they were today to "behave." Spencer ate dinner with no fuss...it was AMAZING! In the end, we should end up camping, swimming, bowling and other things. Should be fun this summer.

This is a sneak peak of the crib bedding for our little one on the way. I am making it myself and kind of dreading the project, but it should be fun once I start.

So here is a story... I got a note from both Aubrey and Weston's teacher that they would be getting an award at their upcoming award show at school. So Tuesday I went to see Weston get his award. I figured it was for his grades (he got all A's!) Well, I got there and the awards were for attendance and 100% homework. They never called his name. So I assumed he would be getting the last award. The Principle called it a "Citizenship Award" and there was only 1 boy and 1 girl chosen from each class. She said it was for kids who were exceptional students, kind, respectful and just all around WONDERFUL! So here I am thinking he will get it...and I am beaming, but they didn't call his name. I felt like I was gonna cry. Not for me, but for Weston...he knew I was there and looked so confused. Anyway, I thought there was just one award per grade, but there was one per teacher...so then they called his name. I actually started to cry, because Weston (we love him) can be so hard sometimes... and I know Jake and I are hard on him.  But we see how wonderful and bright and kind he is.  It was just so great to see that his teachers see it too.  Weston we love you and you are a WONDERFUL kid. It just made me happy to see him so proud of himself. 

 

So the story doesn't end there. Aubrey saw his award that night and was POSITIVE she would receive the same award the next day at her awards' ceremony. I again, felt nervous for her knowing that there is only one girl who will get it! I know she is a great student...but still. So Jake and I go the next day to watch Aubrey get her awards...and sure enough...she was chosen as the "Citizen of her class." Needless to say, we were very happy and proud of her and her brother. It was a good parent day for sure. The kids kept saying "We are so good when we are around other people."  We just need to work on that at home as well.

 

These next few pictures are of our celebration dinner for the kids that night. We had candlelight and "fancy glasses" and toasts all around. What a way to end the school year! I am so glad I decided to send them this year. Both Aubrey and Weston's teachers just seemed perfect for them. I was so sick the last few months with the baby that I am just super grateful that they were in good hands.

Gosh...this is a long blog entry. Bear with me friends and loyal readers. This picture is of the first day of summer break. We went swimming at Aunt Connie's all morning..then that afternoon we went to get free donuts for "National Donut Day." Thank you Krispy Kreme!!

This picture is of Aubrey and her friends at Logan's Baptism in Maricopa. Aubrey misses her friends so much from our old home. We decided to make the trek and I am so glad we did. I got to see a lot of my old wonderful friends as well.

Aubrey likes Logan so much...but seemed so nervous around him. It was precious!


Now, last but not least. Here we have Weston who pulled his own tooth last night. He was soooooooooooo excited! Most of his friends have already lost teeth so he has been wanting this for some time now. He looks cute!

The note reads. Hi tooth fairy. My name is Weston and I lost my first tooth today!

Sprinklers in May

Oh my.  I don't know why...but I find myself always taking pictures of my kids when they are wet...half naked and having fun.  I guess I just think they are cute that way. 
 

 

 

 Here in AZ it has been in the 100 plus digits all month.  Yowzers!

Slugger!!!

It has been so fun to watch Weston play his first season of coach pitch baseball. He (as always) takes it super serious and I think had even more fun in practicing with his DAD. We even went out as a family a few times and Aubrey and Spencer joined in the fun. It was great to see his batting improve and see him learning to field and catch. We love you Weston! You are truly AWESOME at sports!!!
The only downside was the games were HOT, HOT, HOT!  Most were at 1pm or 2pm...and we had most of them over 100 degrees!

 

Singing time!

So when I looked at my camera today I only had a few pictures and videos of the recent events.  Mostly just videos of my kiddos singing karaoke at home...then singing again in their recent school productions.  Weston was the BOY WHO CRIED WOLF and Aubrey was an elephant in her play.  They both did great.  I tried to upload the video and it didn't work...so I might just have to put them on youtube first...which is an annoying extra step.  So if they don't get posted...just know...they were AWESOME!
Speaking of awesome...my Mother's Day was just that. 

Jake woke up early and had prepared fluffy pancakes and homemade hash browns for breakfast.  The kids all had paper made gifts and crafts to adorn me with.  I didn't have to help with getting anyone ready and we made it to 9am church without any fights or problems.  Then my favorite part...2 beautiful kids singing in sacrament meeting.  Spencer didn't feel the need to go up and sing...he claims he will when he is four.
Later that day as I tried to load the dishwasher; Aubrey explained it was my day and that I should not "lift a finger" and so I went and had a nice nap.  Then that evening I had a wonderful dinner at Grandma and Grandpa Watkins.  Prepared by Norm himself...and dessert that was to die for!  Can't beat that!!!  I kept thinking how lovely my life is and how grateful I am to be a Mother. Have you ever heard the song that goes like this?
"When I grow up...I want to be a Mother;
and have a family
One little, two little, three little babies I can LOVE.

When I grow up...each sister and each brother;
will look a lot like me,
Four little, five little, six little blessing from above.

And I will love them all day long
and give them cookies and milk, and yellow balloons...
And cuddle them when things go wrong,
and read them stories and sing them pretty tunes.

When I grow up... I want to be a Mother and have a family.
Seven little, eight little, nine little babies I can love."

Well...this is the song that was in my head as I dozed off to sleep that night.  The one thing I dreamed of most as a little girl has come true! What a privilege it is to be a Mother.  I know so many who had this same dream and it hasn't come true yet for them.  This breaks my heart.  I wish we lived in a world where all the little girls who dreamed of being moms...could be so blessed.

 I love my babies that have been truly "sent to me from above".  I am grateful to be called their Mother. 

 

 

Gotta get more pics of this ever growing tummy of mine!  I still can't believe I am only 17 weeks.  Hopefully soon time speeds up a bit and the growing slows down.

T-minus 5 days and we get our ultrasound!  I cannot WAIT to find out what we are having!!!! Any guesses???

Laura Ingalls Wilder

 

 

Aubrey recently did an oral presentation about Laura Ingalls Wilder. It was kind of like a book report, but more about Laura's entire life.  She practiced and had her whole 5 minute talk almost completely memorized.  When she got down to actually doing it in front of everyone she read the entire thing.  I asked her why after and she said all the other kids read theirs...so she did too!  Either way, she was very cute, prepared and did it all by herself.  We are very proud of her.  I love how Aubrey excels in school.  It makes our job as her parents a lot easier and I feel blessed she loves to read and learn and be independent.  Love you Aubrey Jean!

Growing belly

Not the most flattering pics...

Honestly I am soooo SHOCKED I am showing so much, so soon...but there ya go!  This is what I look like at 14 and a half weeks pregnant with baby number 5!  Hopefully starting out big doesn't mean I will end up huge; at least not more HUGE than I usually get!  Thank you Weston and Aubrey for being my photographers.

I made it to....trimester number 2!

This made me laugh.  Which I needed today!

I have been wanting to blog for some time now about my feelings or thoughts about being pregnant.  However...every time I want to do it...I am worried it will be too depressing, or negative and I would really like to just stay positive and post about the FUN.. HAPPY ... GREAT moments in my life.  I don't really want to remember in all honesty my last few months.  The other day I had a "good day."  This meant I actually showered, did laundry and went the entire day without throwing up.  I thought...YAY I am actually almost in my 2nd trimester and the worst of it is over!! I should have blogged that day...

Because here a couple of days later I am sick as can be...bummed, lazy...nauseous and completely OVER this!!! I know I am absolutely no fun to be around.  I apologize to all who have seen me lately.  I have nothing exciting to say or add to any conversation. 

Unless you find it illuminating to hear about how I threw up the other day while at a stoplight.

I haven't actually done or thought about anything for weeks.  I think I only think about baby names..heartburn...and when I get to sleep again.  I read babycenter.com posts about other mothers who are suffering.. (this makes me feel better about my lot) then I rest...then I eat...then I am sick again. 

Spencer is being raised by the Wii and currently Mario Party 9.  My other children luckily have school and other things to keep them busy.  Jake and I are on speaking terms...but barely.  haha My "mommy guilt" is at a all time high right now.

There ya go.  The joys of being pregnant when your hormones are whacked and another couple of weeks of being sick seems like another couple of years. 

Hmmmm so much for this post staying positive. 

Let me try to salvage it. 

Aubrey is being super cute and loves talking to me about all things pregnant lady.  She currently loves to come up with baby names...usually girl ones.

I look at my other children differently...with so much appreciation.  I am reminded that I have done this before...because the reward is sooooo worth it! I see their beautiful personalities and wonder who else will join us.

I have seen amazing friends help without being asked.  Thank you!

I have been on Zofran this pregnancy and have thrown up less than I did with my first pregnancy.  This is by far the kind of pregnancy that I could have been SUPER sick and dehydrated like I was then.  I am grateful for that stupid drug.  (I say this...because some of the side affects are NOT fun...) but the pros outweigh the cons and I am grateful for that.

Time has slowed down.  This is usually not positive...but it does seem like I get to have a whole year that will drag on instead of fly by!!!  Time really does usually go to fast...so I will at least have that.

I have prayed a lot and learned that I am VERY grateful for the everyday health that I usually have.  I am grateful for the knowledge that at SOME POINT (hopefully soon) I will be back to normal.  I am grateful for my normal.

My husband has gone above and beyond to help...no DO the grocery shopping/errands.  The bulk of child care when he is around and the food.  Without him we would just starve I think.  Thanks babe.

That is all I can think of for now.  Please don't think that I am not thrilled to be expecting...I AM!  We tried for this baby for a long time.  He or she is very LOVED and WANTED and ANTICIPATED.  I know that wishing I didn't have extreme morning sickness...doesn't change it.  It is here and I knew it would be.  I guess that is one positive. 

So...to my future child.

I KNEW it was gonna be this hard.  It has been before...but I willing chose to feel sick everyday for weeks on end...because I wanted YOU to be apart of our family....forever! I LOVE YOU!!!