Catch Up

Sorry it has been a while since I have last posted. I don't really even think I can say I have been too busy, just not a lot to blog about I guess.

THANKSGIVING
This year for Thanksgiving we were at our house and my whole family came. There were 17 of us (8 being kids 5 and under). Brandee blessed her baby boy the Sunday before Thansgiving so that gave us a full week of playing with family. It was a blast. I have been trying to catch up on sleep ever since. We got to meet my sister, Melanie's fiance, Rj. They are getting married next September because he is in the Navy and his ship is leaving in Jan for 6 months. Also, my brother came and spent the week before everyone got there with us, family in Salt Lake, and friends in Rexburg. Right before he left he sent in his mission papers. Then a day or so before Thanksgiving he comes up the stairs and reads a letter he had printed off his email. It told him that he was going to the Jacksonville Florida Spanish Speaking mission and that he would be leaving DEC 29th!! It was a little over a month a way. Everyone around the table just stared at him for a moment and then we exploded with claps and cheers and hugs. It was awesome. I am so proud of all the things my brother has done over this past year to get him to this point. I am so excited to have a brother out on a mission!!!!!

THE GIRLS
The girls are doing great. Each week we talk about how big the baby is getting. They are excited. A while ago we asked them what they wanted a brother or sister. Brookelyn said brother because she alread had a sister and Kira wanted a sister so that she could be like Brookelyn (who has a little sister). Anyways, Arik told them that if we had another girl then he was going to move out. So when people have been asking Brookelyn if she wants a brother or sister she has told them that if she has a sister her dad will leave her. (saying it with tears.) She has been so scared that her dad will leave her if it is a girl that she has been crying when people say, "What if you have a sister?" It got really bad and I was starting to fear for the safety of our new little one just in case it is a girl. I told Arik he had to sit down and talk to Brookelyn. He did and things are better now. She stills wants a brother but now her reasons have numbers. Like then dad won't be the only boy and we already have 3 girls, do we really need another one? Brookelyn also got her first report card! She is doing amazing. She is at or above level in everything and her teacher wrote on her card, that is well liked in the class and a pleasure to have. She always wrote that Brookelyn has mastered everything required of her so far. YEP PROUD PARENT!!!!

BABY UPDATE
I am getting a belly and have to remind myself that I am much farther along with this one then I was with the other two. At Christmas with the other two I was still throwing up everything I eat so I am looking forward to Christmas Eve dinner with excitement instead of dread. I also am uncomfortable and am starting to wear maternity stuff. Thankfully my sister just pasted all her stuuf to me. See by the time I really needed maternity stuff with the other two I was just wearing Arik's shorts and shirts. Since I can wear his pants then it caused a problem. So Brandee saved me and I am a little sad that I can no longer fit in my clothes. I know, I know, it is a good thing but this is the one thing I really struggle with while pregnant. I am not weird about my weight or anything it is the fact that people can look at me and know that I am pregnant. I know it is weird but for some reason it is one thing that really bothers me while pregnant.

We go to the doctor on the 20th to have our ultrasound. NO we are NOT finding out what we are having. We have been surprised with the first two and see no reason to change it now. We are taking the girls with us and they are excited to see the baby. I am excited that we are going before Christmas so that we can show pics while with family.

Other than that we are getting ready for Christmas. We will decorate the tree this afternoon when Brookelyn gets home from school (I will take pics and post them). I have all my Christmas shopping done and wrapped. I am just relaxing and enjoying this time of year because it always seems to fly!!!