Preggo update....

I figured that I should probably update this with a picture of the ever growing front side--and some backside for that matter. I will keep that view to myself. :) I am just shy of 31 weeks out of 40. This pregnancy has certainly been a challenge with the timing. I still sometimes forget that I am pregnant--I know how could I with that up front!?! I feel pretty good as far as pregnancy goes. Nothing spectacular to report, just getting bigger and bigger! This baby is however probably the most active of all of them. I dont' know what this little person is doing, but I think they are training for a marathon already! For the record and a reminder I am due June 25th. So I think that is about 63 days or so away.
I love ice cream. This is not a new fact, but it is something that I have decided I am not holding back on. I only have 2 more months to enjoy what I can, when I can. I will be the first to admit I have eaten cheesecake on more than one occasion for breakfast. :) I figure I resist all those temptations when I am not pregnant, why not enjoy them when everyone thinks that gaining weight is cute.

Starting to sink in...

Being in the military we have had many oppurtunities to say good-bye and see ya later. Today was the first time I actually cried about leaving ND. It was quite a moment since I had just told Mike a few days ago that I was becoming use to having to say good-bye. We love our families, but tears have ceased to appear when we are leaving them the last few years. I guess you just get use too it.

The kids went with our respite worker and friend, Orlayne, today for there last full day with her so that I could finish up garage sale stuff. She came and got them this morning at 7:30 and took them until about 5:30. We get respite hours through the state because of Mason. I know, most parents would kill for free babysitting. We are very fortunate to receive that hours we do and have met some great people because of it. Orlayne has been with us for just about 3 years. WOW!! Time flies I tell ya. Anyway, my children LOVE Orlayne. I wish she could see the glow in their eyes when we say we are going on a date and Orlayne is coming. Carter also has an added bonus because she has a son Mason's age who comes and 'helps' watch the kids now and then. Carter LOVES Alec as well. Carter gets to play guns, swords, and all those boys things that he doesn't have an opportunity to that often. He always comes home tired, dirty, and happy after playing with Alec for a day.

It is an added treat when they get to go to Orlaynes house. We can't even tell Mason he is going until the morning of or he is all bent out of shape. He is ready to go as soon as she walks through the door. Her husband, Mike, is also wonderful with our children and it has been such a priviledge to know this great family here in ND. I had Orlayne take the camera with her today so she could take some pictures with the kids. I saw these and just was overwhelmed with what a blessing Orlayne and her family have been in our lives. She gets payed to watch my kids, but it has become so much more than that. They are really going to miss her. I will miss her insight and influence in my childrens life. Who am I kidding, I am also going to miss having such wonderful hands to trust my children too when I want to go on a date. :)

And thus ends morning seminary.....

Those were the final words spoken by one of my students on our last day. :) I actually ended teaching last week and have spent this week organizing and sorting. I learned ALOT by teaching the Old Testament. It was an experience I will never forget and might be tempted to teach again if ever given the opportunity. It was interesting having the 4 boys in the class and I learned ALOT about non-scripture things as well. I look forward to those lessons being applied when my boys are older. I had a good group of guys to teach and it was a pleasure doing so. I am officially still NOT a morning person. Maybe you just have to be born like that?
On another note. Our plans for our move are coming so fast. It is like someone hit the fast forward button and forgot to come back to hit play. We started our garage sell today and will continue tomorrow. We actually sold most of the big stuff and just have alot of misc items that will be donated if not sold. I am still getting worried about whether or not we will sell our washer and dryer--what to do if they don't sell? Someone came today that had just got here and had just bought a set and had them delivered yesterday. Both of us were bummed about that. Myself because that is $400.00 I could have had and she because it was $400.00 she could have saved. How timing works, bummer. Out packers come on Monday and start the two days of packing, then Wednesday they pick up the boxes. Thursday our smaller shipment gets packed and then it will be the sign off day until we get to England!
I hope everyone is having some well deserved spring weather like us--it is so beautiful outside. My kids are covered in sweat, dirt, and just outside stuff--I LOVE IT!!

Mason's field trip.

All the first graders in Mason's school went on a field trip yesterday and it was so fun that I was able to go. When it comes to helping out in Mason's classroom I have to avoid being there. He completely loses his 'mode' if myself or dad are there in the classroom. He doesn't mind if we come on field trips, so I love these chances. Mason loves 'his kids' in school and is a friend with everyone it seemed. The classes went to the Uof Minnesota in Crookston, MN. They were able to see the horse arena and stables, and other farm life on the campus. I figured that everyone knows what animals look like so I didn't include those pictures.

Being taught how they give the horses a bath. I love seeing Mason just being part of the crowd--it is the best thing ever. He has come a very long way in the last couple years and you can really tell he is getting more mature.

He decided that he was done walking with Ms. Santiago(his para--and a absolute wonder with Mason) and myself. He went and grabbed the hand of one of his many girl friends and continued the walk to the dairy farm. I am told he has about 5 girls he gravitates to at school. NICE!! :)

Mason would see, and then go. Not much for the story as to why something is how it is. You will notice my child is the only one without a coat--he gave it too me before we left. I got in my van to follow the bus and then some other moms asked if I wanted to drive with them. Leaving the coat behind I accepted the offer--great mom am I!! Good thing Mason didn't care and it actually was like 50 something degrees. Just a little windy. I felt pretty bad about myself until we found out that one of the teachers forgot her classes lunches--my coat problem didn't seem so bad after that. :)

Kids being Kids

Carter needed his picture taken before he left to play soccer with his friends--that would be pretend soccer. We still are failing miserably at getting him to call it football. He is so interested in soccer and we will be looking into getting him started in England. That would be why the calling it football would be so important. :)

Carter and Taylor have been playing so well together all morning. It has been great--yes I just probably ruined it.

Thought I should get a shot of Taylor's new bangs. These were not intentional AT ALL. In fact her bangs had just reached that point where I could finally pull them back into her hair. Well, one bathroom break for mom later she had found scissors and taken a few chunks out of her head. The damage was minimal--thank heaven!!! :)