It's life, Jim, but not as we know it!

Hello again everyone!

Time for an update!! :) It's been a few months, but much has happened. We've put an offer in on a house, and currently are just waiting for final approval on our loan. Pray for us!! We're so excited about this house, it's amazing, and has space enough for many visitors (hint, hint!!).

In case you missed the big announcement, Josh and I are expecting another baby! He or she is due September 28th, and everyone in our house is excited! Ben especially so, as he asks during every prayer to keep the baby healthy, and that if the baby comes out that it won't die. Sweet and macabre at the same time, I know. :) We find out if it's a girl or a boy at my next appointment in May! I went to the doctor today, and got to hear the baby's heartbeat again, which always makes me feel better during these first few months. I always wonder if the baby's doing okay in there, because I can't feel anything, but hearing that sweet, steady pulse from my belly (yes, it's officially a belly at this point) reassures me that everything's okay.

Ben is so funny! He's got the wildest imagination. He's currently obsessed about volcanoes. Luckily, our house and our car have Volcano-proof buttons! Hee hee! It reminds me a little bit about the time that he was afraid of skunks taking over the world. He can tell the best stories! He keeps me very busy, which I don't mind. At the park he loves to dig for buried treasure (is it wrong that I don't have the heart to tell him he probably won't find anything?). And he really is a good big brother, which makes me happy.

Claire is just amazing. She's become a mini-me a little, telling Ben just what he needs to be doing. She makes me laugh too- she's always asking if the baby's still in my tummy, and then she says that we need to get it out! She loves coloring, painting, drawing, and is still SO excited to go to school! Potty training is going better and better, just waiting for the day when she's finished! She loves Ben, and wants to do the same things he does all the time, which is cute! She loves riding her tricycle, but is rapidly outgrowing it! She loves to tell jokes, even if they don't make much sense. She's much easier occupied than Ben is, but definitely not any less busy!

Josh is all that I could possibly ask for in a husband, and I love him so much! He's been such a huge help every day, and he works so hard. He makes me laugh, and the kids are always so excited when Dad's home! Ben and Claire can't get enough of rough-housing with Dad.

We're all still getting used to this warm Arizona weather. Being able to swim in March is a little weird, but good! I can tell that Spring has sprung here, because the bunnies and the lizards are back, along with the birds that wake me promptly at 5:30 AM by singing right outside our window. The bugs are back, too, which I'm not so excited about, but can handle. And I really can't complain about being able to take my kiddos outside every day- we love to ride bikes (well, they ride and we walk), go to the park, and just enjoy the sunny weather we've been having.

We really enjoyed General Conference last weekend- there were so many things that made my spirits lift! I love hearing from our Prophet and Apostles, and all the leaders of our church. What a wonderful blessing it is to learn and grow in the gospel! And my kids listened too, I don't know if they paid attention, but that will come later. I always hope that I'm getting enough good habits installed before they go out in the world and pick up the not-so-good ones.

Until next time! :)

Thinker

I’ve been reflecting today on the past year. . . Okay, I reflect a lot. And project a lot (probably too much, Josh would say, ha ha!). But this month particularly, I’ve realized just how quickly this year has passed. We’ve gone through trials, and learned so much as a family. We’ve adapted, changed, and learned to love others in a whole new way. It’s been a fresh year, full of new challenges and lessons. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the journey, and eye the years to come with anticipation!

My children are growing up! I love watching them together, listening to them chatter and play, tell each other jokes, finish each others’ nursery rhymes, and sing songs together. I love talking to them, getting to know each of them, and learning how they work things out in their minds. I love putting them to bed at night, feeling their arms squeezed tight around my neck, and knowing that no matter how good or bad the day was, tomorrow is a new one and I get to spend it with them. I love how Ben has taken it upon himself to be Claire’s teacher! It’s so cute the way he explains to her how to use the bigger words in his vocabulary (usually the ones he just learned yesterday). And Claire just drinks it in- she loves playing with Ben. They’ve both become independent, strong-willed little people. They are tender hearted, and make me smile so much! I am amazed- Ben is turning 5 in a couple of weeks, and Claire will be 3 a few days later. It seems like only yesterday they were brand new babies, and I was holding them for the first time.

I get to share these two sweet kidlets with Josh, who I love so much. He is such a good person! He is grounding force when I need to be grounded, he is so smart, and he keeps me in good humor. I love telling him about the funny things that happened during the day, and also the not-so-funny things, which he always helps me through. He’s my best friend, my confidant, my companion, my love.

I’ve also realized that I’m getting old. Granted, I’m not terribly old, but I’m nearing middle-age. It’s strange that I can look back to just a few years ago, with an ever-so-slightly more wizened eye upon the things that I’ve said or done. It’s true what they say: hindsight really IS 20/20. Thinking over the past has driven me to a decision: I am giving up regret. It’s such a useless, wasteful emotion. There are things I’ve said and done that I really wish I hadn’t, but looking back and feeling bad about it doesn’t help at all. Instead, it makes the present seem lack-luster. When filled with regret, rather than drink in the moments that are happening now with vigor, I become robotic, and surge through the present while dwelling unhappily on past things unchangeable. And so, after 27 years, I bid regret farewell, and guilt adieu! I’m moving on, and determined to enjoy precious time!

Sorry so serious-- I'll dig up my sense of humor for my next post. . . :)