Lately...

We've had so much fun lately! Steven has finally learned that my favorite date is going grocery shopping with him. Sadly, he has also learned that he detests these dates. He is such a good sport and this last time when we went together we got to take Sammy too! We had fun fielding all the,
"Oh, he's so adorable..." sort of comments. I told Candy that I will never take my child anywhere with hers, there is no way they could compete! Of course we were fully aware that people were puzzled as far as his origins were concerned..but we had such a fun time with the one-tooth wonder.

Sadly this last picture is the by-product of Costco ice cream overdose...

I think my favorite quote of the day was definetly an elderly woman who stopped us and told Sammy he was beautiful and then she turned to Steven and I and said, "Where did he come from?"

Just a few other things...

We are really enjoying Steven's calling as Ward Misson leader. We are learning so much about our ward and why the church is run the way it is. We are trying to think of ward-strengthening ideas and I thought I might open that up for discussion. We talked about putting together a play group for some of the younger mothers, and single ones, challenging people to have at least one family over for dinner they don't know...etc. We had a great experience on Sunday when a man Steven has been fellowshipping came to church all on his own. It was an awesome feeling and we are anxious for other ideas to keep the missionary ball rolling!

Also, a few posts ago I wrote about a young man in our ward who is very much like Tim in a lot of different ways. This week his older brother (who is also like the Timster) spoke in our ward. His talk was awesome and very inspirational. He spoke of how when we do all we can, Heavenly Father will make up the difference. Our favorite part was a story he told about playing with his bebe gun in the backyard. He was throwing things into the air and trying to shoot them while they were still midair. He however missed, and shot the back sliding door instead, breaking it.(Steven leaned over at this point and said, "Does that mean he was shooting toward the house...." His dad said that after he had given all the money he had to fix it, he would chip in the rest. I thought the images of the story were funny enough on their own, but Steven later told me that in Preisthood Ammon admitted he was actually practicing so he could be more like Annie Oakley. Awesome.

WARNING! PREGNANCY STUFF AHEAD...DIVERT IF NOT INTERESTED!

I went to the doctor today, and they told me that I am 4 centimeters dialated and 50% effaced. They estimated that if we had the baby today he would weigh about 7 pounds. I am so excited! Throughout the pregnancy there have been some problems with my blood pressure readings, and they told me today that if I don't have the baby on my own this week, they will probably induce me next week! We are so excited.

We hope everyone else is doing well!

Spring Cleaning

Anyone want to venture a guess as to what that weird thing is growing up my pantry wall? Well, for those of you who keep your pantry organized, you would never recognize it as an onion that was hidden behind all the tall baking stuff. I have to say that when I first saw it totally freaked me out. Time for some spring cleaning!

(By the way, please don't think we are total pigs...I promise that if I ever feed you or bring dinner it's safe!)

For Jackie...

I promised Jackie that I would try to take some pictures while the family was here this weekend for Kaden's baptism. So here are a few from recent weeks...

Steven's parents were having some trouble with cats in their backyard so Steven took the Troopster over to their house to hopefully trick the kitties into thinking there was a dog there. From what I heard it sounded like Trooper did a better job chasing children then cats, but he seemed to really enjoy himself.

A few weeks ago I took Candy's daughter Tori to play with our niece on Steven's side, Kora. They had a great time together, but I couldn't resist taking some pictures of the two. Visually they are completely different, but their personalities couldn't be more similar.

We had such a fun time with all the family here! I noticed after I uploaded all my pictures that I don't have any of the Brousseau's. The house was so crazy that I didn't get any taken. But just imagine them in spirit...

We were so excited to go see Tim in his role of "Team Manager" for the NIC basketball team. Way to go Tim!

Line wasn't feeling the greatest at the game, she fell asleep on Uncle Steve's arm.

Sammy had a really full day. Look at that face....

Crazed children...

A few days later...the Maile girls did the hula for a few of us...

Uncle Tyler came over and helped with reading duty. So nice to have him over...(hint hint Tyler.) Reading time was so much fun, and quiet...

I hope that this was what you were hoping for Jackie! We love and miss you guys.

I Heart Jared Nicholes

In our ward we have a very high number of kids with disabilities, 8 in our primary. It is definitely a challenge each week, but since I'm behind the piano it's usually not a challenge for me, but mostly for the primary presidency. One boy in particular (Jared) is my favorite to have around. After talking to Steven about it yesterday, I think I discovered that I enjoy his presence (and many) outbursts each week because it's very reminiscent of when Tim was little. The only difference is, I get to enjoy Jared and understand that he is just his own man. Whereas, when Tim was little, we were so close in age that his outbursts used to be embarrassing because I didn't think that people understood.

I have been enjoying Jared in primary for months now, and I thought it was only fair that I share some of Jared on my blog. Between Steven and I we have lots of favorite moments with him, but by far these are our favorites.

• In preparation for the Christmas program, Jared was asked to narrate a portion of the nativity play, and when his turn for the microphone came it squeaked. And into the microphone Jared says, "They've hacked into our microwave system!"
• When generally asked in primary when Jesus would come again (looking for the answer that no one knows) Jared raised his hand and said, "April 1st 2016 will be first contact!"
• Arriving at church very early (long story), I was sitting in the chapel when Jared and his brother and sister arrived. He had with him a very large souvenir newspaper that I assume he brought back with them from their Hawaiian vacation. (The headline was about the attack on Pearl Harbor) When his older brother tried to take the newspaper, Jared shouted very loudly, "Don't touch my tie, I don't have underwear on!"
• During a practice for our primary program, Jared brought with him half a broken fishing pole that he wanted to give to the chorister to use as a baton. He did, and she did, and then she gave it right back to him. There was a great deal of sword fighting and rifle shooting with the broken antenna. Both Steven and I were nervous that he might hurt someone else with the imaginative tool. Steven leaned over and asked him to give it to him. Jared responded very loudly with,"Are you threatening me?" and when I leaned over to get involved he asked me," Are you trying to take my personal property?" After which I told him he could put it under his chair or give it to me, which interrupted our practice for about 3 minutes while he decided. I wasn't fazed, Tim has done much worse, but when Jared and I were done negotiating the Primary Presidency looked like I had spun gold. It was awesome.
• One sharing time when the classes were split into a boys team and a girls team for a challenge, Jared announced repeatedly that he was the general for the boys team and proceeded to tuck his suit jacket into his pants and then retie his belt on the outside like a ninja costume, and he then beat everyone up.
• Yesterday in Primary his mother came in to check on things, and he told her that he had a headache and needed to go home. She checked his head and told him that he was going to stay. So, then he said his throat hurt. (Of course in a suddenly raspy voice) She told him that he had to stay. She turns to leave and he says just a little bit louder, "But, I'm constipated and must use the bathroom!" She turns and says, if you are constipated you don't need to use the bathroom, and again turns to leave. As soon as she is almost outside the door he yells, "Okay, then I have diarrhea!"
• This is my favorite one by far. Jared raised his hand yesterday and asked the Primary President if he could show the primary a Hawaiian dance he learned on his vacation. She told him she didn't think that there was going to be time, and that maybe the next week would be better. Not able to pass up this opportunity, I asked him to show me when Primary was over. It was awesome. He remembered everything they taught them, and was very handsome doing it. But the best part was when his sister came to look for him. He asked her to show us the dance she learned, which she was too embarrassed to do. So, don't worry, he showed us her hula too. Complete with hips and sounds. I'll never forget it.

I am so grateful to have grown up with Tim. Even though there were very difficult moments, I am so glad that I am able to interact with these other special spirits comfortably because I've been doing it since I can remember. Jared makes primary for me every week, I'm so grateful he's there. Can't wait to see what happens next week!

Around Here

Just a few things that are happening lately....

I was finally able to convince Steven to purchase a new pair of shoes. He's been wearing the same pair of New Balance sneakers since we were first married. (He recently told me he feels like he can feel the cement through them.) So, he searched and this was the end result. The same pair of shoes, but a much cooler "Kermit the Frog" green. On a side note, he finally gave into the expense and the next day found an old box that had his old mission piggybank in it from when he was growing up. Strangely the box held the exact amount of money he spent on the shoes.

Also, I am suffering. I have a very strange and itchy rash related to pregnancy. I was told by the doctor that 1% of pregnant women have the opportunity to enjoy it. It's called PUPPS, and they don't know what causes it, just that you will have it until after the baby is born. So, I've had it for about two weeks, and will get to enjoy/endure this for another 5. It's difficult to capture all the agony that the rash is, but just know it is everywhere and itches like bug bites. (Including on the bottom of my feet)

This week for FHE we had a night of pizza and playing Scene It, the Pirates of the Carribean version. The game was very interesting. I thought I would totally dominate but the game is very tricksy. It somehow knows to give all the easy questions to the elderly parents and the trick questions to the people who have actually seen (and thought they understood) the movies. My very favorite part of the night was when Tori was petting Trooper and she turned to her mother and told her that "Trooper's pants were very soft." Awesome.

This picture contains the aforementioned "Kermit" sneakers, the "soft pants" dog, and the huge desk that Steven decided needed to go in our room. We really need to communicate about this "nesting" stage better.

We are getting so excited for Kaden's baptism weekend. We can't wait to see the Maile's and the Brousseau's! It feels like we haven't seem them forever. Don't let either picture fool you, they are all insane.

Can't wait til you guys get here!

The Bag

Steven and I went into the hospital a few days ago for our "pre-admission" appointment. Basically, they try to get as much paperwork done before you come in to have your baby, so that when we come in Steven doesn't have to figure out all the paperwork. (That might actually be entertaining) By far the best part of the appointment was when the nurse reminded us to bring the car seat and some going home clothes for Cooper. In that moment everything really hit Steven who looked at me and said, "He's going home with us." Yes Steven. We aren't leaving our newborn here with this less then pleasant woman.

Anyways, I was just going to open up a forum and ask everybody out there what they take to the hospital with them, or what they wish they could. I packed a bag for Cooper already, but am not sure if it is complete or not. So, what do you wish you had thought to take for your hospital stay, and what does the baby need for that first trip home?
Any input is appreciated!

We're Bored

It's official. We are totally bored. It's the time of year when it definitely feels as if winter needs to be over, but the weather simply doesn't cooperate. We want to get outside and do new things! Hike, boat, not have our pants soaked halfway up our leg from walking outside...any of these things sound awesome.
Since the boredom, I have been doing boring things to try to make myself busy, only increasing the boredom. Today one of the "fight the boredom" exercises turned up something delightful.
I was going through old pictures on my computer and came across something that made me oh-so-cheerful.
Before I start this story, let it be known that I totally love my mother-in-law. She is the most loving and proper woman I know. I am only telling this story because I know it makes her laugh too.
One Sunday Marsha (mother in law) noticed a new family in her ward. After sacrament she went to them and introduced herself and chatted with them for a while, welcoming them to her ward.
Little did she know that during the entire sacrament meeting and her chat afterwards, she was still wearing her sunglasses and one of the lenses was missing.
I'm sorry, but as I picture this, it ALWAYS makes me smile. So, last year Steven and I were driving and I discovered that one of my sunglasses was missing a lense, so we seized the opportunity.

Hence...

Thanks Marsha!