Everything is AMAZING...

And nobody is happy.
I saw this on Facebook.
I LOVED it. So I had to share!
Let me know what you think!

Slump...

I am in a major slump. I hate to admit it, but... I am. I have motivation to do absolutely nothing, except maybe eat! I have been this way since we got back from Disney last month. It's almost like a depression in a way. Like, "Oh, now we are back to real life!" Bummer! I can't say my house has ever been in more disarray than it has been thise past month. I try to pick up the pieces, I try to make it presentable... but I just have that "Bleh!" feeling. I need to snap out of it pretty dang quick. If the house isn't tidy, I ain't happy!
We have had a hectic couple of weeks. Doing what I don't know, but boy have we been busy. Between taking Jaker to and from school twice a day, taking him to swim once a week, and of course reading and homework everyday, I have quite a bit of time occupied... then you add in all the house work, running errands, grocery shopping, etc, it's almost like the days need an extra hour or two.
While we have been super busy, we have had some fun too. The kids had a playdate with their fave friends Ashton and Ransom. That brightened up their month. They keep asking when we can go see them again! They also had a playdate at McD's with Ethan and Logan and of course that was a huge hit... but other than that, their schedule is pretty full... at least Jaker's is.
Sometimes I feel bad because he doesn't have much of a social life being in school all day. I feel guilty because his playtime during the day isn't much since he has two schools worth of homework. The homework is fun of course, but it's with mom and dad, not with his buds. I know we are doing the right thing for now. He is thriving like it's no ones business. His teachers are impressed, and he is doing well.... maybe I am just a worry wart!
Anyhow, that's our life in a nutshell!

Meet my li'l Dinosaur...

I made this cake for a friend of a friend. I have had lots of fun over the last couple of years making cakes, not only for my family, but my friends too. My good friend Brandy, referred her friend to me, and I was given the challenge to make a Dinosaur cake. I looked online, and found the cutest ideas. I decided 3-D was the way to go! Check him out....

I had a great time making this cake. It was a challenge, but only because I had never done it before, but I sure had fun! The boys loved it too. I think having cake in the house with Jaker, could be compared to having an alcoholic in a liquor store... sometimes it was a bit tough for Jaker to resist the urge to have a taste or two.... Thank heavens for Cupcakes!

Super Speed...

Today has been one of those days... You know the kind... the ones where you run around like a chicken with your head cut off. You race to get everything done by a specified time! Then you get to that specified time with a HUGE sigh of relief! You finish the event you were working towards and then realize... Wow, why was I so stressed out about this???
Today I was prepping for having dinner ready for the missionaries. I don't know why I was so stressed about it... but I was pretty wigged out about it. All day today, I have cleaned... cleaned the bathrooms, mopped the floors, vaccummed, folded laundry, ironed, straightened, and then straightend yet again (I do have two sons you know!), prepare a meal, and then of course teach P.E up at Jaker's school. It was CRAZINESS. I was so worried about the house being perfect, about the meal being fabulous, that I didn't realize just why I was doing all of this... almost like I was just zoned in on the tasks to be done, without realizing the purpose.
When the missionaries showed up, (super cool guys by the way) Jaker and Jokester were so excited. Jaker's eyes lit up... like, "Wow, you're a MISSIONARY!!!" We have talked about missionaries to Jaker, he knows that his daddy served a mission, and of course they learn about missionaries in Primary, but wow, having a missionary in the house... now that is COOL! I am glad I had the opportunity to have the missionaries over. I am sure the children scared them away for a while, but it was a good experience nonetheless!
The other bonus is,.... Hey... My housework is done for tomorrow! YAY ME!

First Photos....

Last week was an exciting week for our family. We had our first ultrasound of our li'l bun in the oven. It was a great experience. Turtle and I took the boys with us and they got to see their new sibling. Jaker was the most excited. He was absolutely positive that we were having a sister. Joker followed Jaker's suit, and was also pretty certain that we were having a baby girl.

I was pretty sure we were having a son. I have always felt that I was going to have my own little team of line backers. Turtle, well I am not sure what he thought, I am pretty sure he thought it was a boy as well.

As I laid on the table, I was amazed, just as I was with the boys, at the beauty of this child. It is absolutely amazing to see this little person moving all over the place. We saw every part of this baby and everything looked great! SUCH A BLESSING! As we watched the ultrasound on the screen, the Sonographer said, "Do you want to know the gender?". Of COURSE I thought! I am not one for surprises. With the boys, I was pretty sure I knew what they were since they were in perfect pose to show us what they were. This baby was no different, but I wasn't sure what the gender was. That's when the sonographer chimed...

"IT'S A GIRL!!!"

Justin and I looked at eachother with a look of "NUH UH!!!" I was really surprised. We are all so excited for a little girl to soften up our house. I am sure the sea of pink and lavendar will be lovely in our house! I am looking forward to sharing all the fun things I had with my mom and still have. The sewing, the shopping, girl talk, all the good stuff! I know the boys will be happy with a girl.

As of today I am about 18 1/2 weeks along. I am feeling good for the most part. The biggest challenge I have is INSOMNIA! What to do people do at 3am? I find it to be the perfect time to catch up on all the shows that are on my DVR. I also get to watch some documentaries that I otherwise would never know existed... and of course who doesn't love spending a couple of hours playing Solitaire on their cell phone! Good times! Here is a picture of me as of today! Jaker is the photographer!

Come, Come Ye Saints....

Yesterday as Turtle and I sat and watched conference, Mo-Tab sang this song. I have heard this song a gazillion times before.... no really a gazillion. It is actually one of my favorite hymns. Why? I don't know, but I have always enjoyed singing it, and listening to it is fun too.
As I sat there, I really paid attention to the lyrics of that song. Now, I know that the pioneers went through a lot, okay, sheer Hell, I know that. But I never realized just how strong they were til I paid attention to the verse which states:
Why should we mourn or think our lot is hard?
’Tis not so, all is right.
Why should we think to earn a great reward,
If we now shun the fight?
Gird up your loins; fresh courage take;
Our God will never us forsake,
And soon we’ll have this tale to tell,
All is well! All is well!
I don't know why this verse hit me with such an impact this weekend, but nevertheless, It Did. So many times, I find myself in my own little pity party. Poor Me, so and so is angry with me, why can't my family work issues out etc. etc., but in the grand scheme of things my trials are so simple and meager compared to what the pioneers endured. Burying their young, spouses, family and friends. Experiencing the worst of weather conditions, not to mention the labor they endured.
These people were amazing. Just had to share that!