Happy Halloween 2013

This year for Halloween was pretty much the same as last. Zachary took the kids out to trick or treat and I stayed home to hand out candy. There was no way I was going to go waddling around the neighborhood.

Micah wanted to be her favorite princess.

Belle

Lily wore the costume Micah wore last year. We're not really sure exactly what it is though. Some sort of witch with wings.

Little Witch

Alyssa's friend, J, went trick or treating with them this year.

Alyssa expressed many many times last year and this year that she wanted to be a vampire.

Vampire Enchantress

and her friend, J, was a punk.

80's Punk and the Vampire

Once the sun started to set, Lily got scared and came back home. She was just fine staying with Mama and helping me hand out candy. Every time the door bell would ring, she would run excitedly to the door and say, "Open Mommy!" She had to see what all the other kids were dressed up as. The other girls had fun too. They came back with buckets full of candy and started stuffing their faces after I checked to make sure the candy looked safe.

A Baby Story: Miss Nolee

It occurred to me that I don't really have it written down my experiences with pregnancy and birth for my children. I think I documented the best with Miss Starr since I did have the blog, but the others there's nothing but a brief journal entry. So, little miss nolee-bee here is what I remember from your pregnancy and birth. Please forgive the holes. It was a long time and with each one of your siblings births, my memory has taken a beating.
I was very young when I found out I was pregnant. It took me a long time before I really came to terms with the fact that I was having a baby. I rarely got sick with you. I remember one instance that I felt nauseous. I was at a friends house and just ate a delicious turkey and swiss sandwich. Then, I felt light headed and laid down on their bathroom floor for a few minutes until I started to feel better. That's the only time I can remember having morning sickness. The rest of the pregnancy was pretty easy. I didn't feel very uncomfortable. The only problem I did have was swelling. My hands and feet would always be swollen because of the heat, but I don't recall being that bothered by it. I tried to take care of you as best I could. I stopped drinking caffeine completely. I stayed away from people who were smoking. As for diet, well that was different. I ate whatever I wanted. Hot dogs at least 4 days a week and Wendy's Spicy Chicken Sandwiches almost as much as the hot dogs. Oh, and tons of watermelon. I could eat a whole seeded watermelon in 2 days. SEEDED. The HUGE ones. I gained about 40-50 lbs. Stretch marks were everywhere. Big purple zebra stripes covered my whole belly and were trying to wrap around to my back. The day of the ultrasound was so exciting. I couldn't wait to find out what you were. A girl! My sweet little baby is a girl! I never really gave much thought into adoption, but I had never thought what I was going to do once you came either. After seeing you on the ultrasound screen, I knew that you were my baby and I wanted to protect, keep, and love you. I felt so much love for you. The most love I had ever felt for anyone. You are my baby.
The day of your birth was just a regular summer day. Sometime that afternoon I started having cramps, and when I had cramps when I was on my period, I would eat. So, I made us a hamburger. It was a delicious hamburger. I remember it clearly (obviously I really really like food). It had sauteed mushrooms, swiss cheese, and bbq sauce. The cramps didn't go away after eating so I took a warm shower, and tried to take a nap. The cramps were getting worse and to the point I couldn't handle the pain sometimes. So, I grabbed my hospital bag and started to go downstairs. Papa asked me what I was doing so I told him I was going to have a baby. Papa freaked out and stopped listening to anything I was saying and shoved me and Nini in the truck and we headed to the hospital. I kept telling Papa we needed to go the 3rd floor, but again Papa was not listening to anything I was saying and took me to the emergency room where they told us to go to the 3rd floor. Once we went up, they had me change into hospital gown and call to register myself. I didn't like how they treated me. They treated me like I was a dumb kid, which I kind of was, but patients shouldn't be treated that way. I did not have a good experience at that hospital and will probably not ever go there again. Anyways, Nana was at work, but Papa called and told her what was going on and she came as soon as she could to be with us. My bestest friend Casey came too. The rest is kind of a blur. I got an epidural and sat around for a while until they started telling me to push. Then you got stuck! The doctor did 2 episiotomies and 2 suction cups. You were born with "horns" from the suction cups. I had 4th degree tearing. Once you came out they gave you to me and as I was looking at this beautiful baby, it hit me. The horrible urge to vomit. I yelled for Nana to take you and for something to throw up in. I puked and passed out. I was in and out of consciousness for I don't know how long. I remember saying goodbye to Casey and asking Nana to get me some chapstick. Then when I woke up again, the room was empty and I was alone. A few moments later, a nurse came in to move me to a different room. I must have continued to pass out because she kept making me smell those awful smelling salts. No one told me that babies could be in the room with you, so after they came to have me feed you, I would send you back to the nursery. It would have been nice to know that I could have kept you with me the whole time except when the tested you for jaundice and you had it bad. They kept you under lights to help. I wasn't doing so well either. They did blood work on me too, and found out I was very anemic from losing so much blood when you tore out of me. I guess they didn't think anything from me telling them I was freezing even though it was the middle of summer and I had several blankets piled on me. Anyways, before that, they were going to send me home without you, but because I needed a transfusion I was able to stay longer with you.
I love you so very much

You're HUGE!

I get asked frequently how far along I am or how much time I have left of my pregnancy. A cashier at the grocery store asked if I was due any day, and when I told her I had another month she asked if I was having twins. Comments like that don't upset me, but it makes me wonder how big this child is that's sitting in my giant belly.

I'm HUGE!!! I look like I'm ready to pop and I feel that way too.

Count your blessings

When upon life's billows you are tempest tossed, 

When you are discouraged thinking all is lost,

Count your many blessings;

Name them one by one,

And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.

So amid the conflict, whether great or small,

Do not be discouraged; God is over all.

Count your many blessings;

Angels will attend,

Help and comfort give you to your journey's end.

This hymn has been coming to my mind at least several times a day for the past week. I've been feeling so over burdened lately, and the Lord has been reminding me with this hymn that these burdens are actually blessings. Since I've realized that, I'm happier. I'm not going to complain. The Lord has given me the opportunity to serve others and I need to not complain or feel burdened by it otherwise I will not receive the blessings he has for the good works I've been given the opportunity to do. 

I've also decided that I'm not going to allow the negativity to continue to be present in my life. Lately there have been things come up that have been making me feel awful. I know Satan is working hard to ruin the happiness that has come to my family. He has been working very hard to make sure my family doesn't succeed in our goals. So, I need to step up my game and my defenses even harder. I'm going to purge myself from all the things or people that do not contribute to my life in a way that makes me happy. I won't necessarily be cutting ties with people I currently have relationships with because people change. I'm just going to put a little bit of distance from myself/family and the things that will not help us grow closer to Christ.

First Day of School 2013/2014

Alyssa all ready for school

Lily had to give Alyssa a hug before she left on the bus

I forgot my camera/phone when we took Micah to the bus stop. So, we didn't get a shot before school, but after school coming home from the bus.

#4

We have been talking about what we would do if we got pregnant and weren't around our family for a while. Well, we finally got our chance.
We're so happy to announce baby number 4
Malakai Zachary Andrew
aka Mr. Baby, KaiKai, Baby Kai

estimated arrival date: November 28th, 2013

We knew we didn't want to tell family right away. We were thinking maybe after the 1st trimester to not even saying anything to anyone and going to visit family with a new baby. We decided on a happy middle. A double fun surprise. Not only are we having a baby, but IT'S A BOY! We sent out cards and emails to close family and friends.
For some of our Fort Bragg family, we threw a Gender Reveal Party.
(Sorry no pictures. I was exhausted and completely forgot)

My sweet Kai, I love you so much already. We have been waiting a long time for you, and I can't wait for the day I get to see your little face.

Busy Week

A lot happened this past week.

Lily and I went to the Asian Pacific Festival

A few of the young men in our ward were dancing.

We made a long trip to Oklahoma to visit family and...

This crazy kid made a new friend.

I think we're going to have to find her a rocking horse. She absolutely adored that horse. It was her "baby".

...celebrate a wedding

Taylor, the little flower girl.

The wedding was rushed since there was a tornado coming.  We hurried up with the ceremony and  reception , then headed down to the basement of the church to wait and see if we were all going to die.

After all that craziness, we're ready to relax and have a nice Summer Break.

Happy June!

Tired Baby

When Lily is tired, she's not like most kids. She does not get grumpy and ornery. 

She gets obnoxious! She will try and do everything she can to get on your nerves. 

 Her favorite thing to do is bounce off of everything and jump all over you.

She gets super loud and hyper.

Spring Break and Easter

Lily had an Easter party with her homeschool group.

They ate some snacks, watched an Easter Veggie Tales movie, and ran around looking for Easter eggs.

 Lily loved her bunny mask. She wore it for the rest of the day until she broke it.

 She was pretty sad it broke, and we weren't able to fix it.

During Spring Break, my family made the long trip to come visit us. We went to the mall and had to go into the Disney Store. 

They had a game set up for the kids to play "Wreck It Ralph". They'd put the big Ralph hands on and knock the "building" down.

 And like all champions, they received gold medals.

After the mall, we went out to eat for Britni's birthday dinner since we weren't home to celebrate during her actual birthday. I asked her where she wanted to go and this is her reply, "Do you have anything like Red Robin?" "Yes. How about Red Robin."

Emma decided to let everyone know that she had a busy day and was tuckered out by pretending to fall asleep in her chair at the restaurant.

The Easter bunny came and made a visit at our house. He even left behind all his infamous bunny poo!

 These little girls were just not into posing for pictures.

Micah also had a birthday while they were visiting. We had a my little pony cake, ice cream, and presents.

We also went to the Aloha Safari Zoo in Cameron.

 There were lots of ponies

 and goats.

 Also, a ton of peafowl just roaming around.

It was an interesting zoo. 

We weren't able to go to the beach since the weather was not ideal, but maybe one day they'll come visit again and it won't be raining or cold.