Missing in Action.....BUT for a Reason

I know, I've been missing in action, shortly after I promised I was going to stay caught up.  Ugh.  I always think about posting, but never get around to it and the thought of trying to get pictures on the blog is really what is holding me back.  I use our lap top for most every thing, but to keep it from getting bogged down all the pictures go on our PC which is so slow and can be frustrating to get pictures uploaded to blogger.  To add to the mess we have a lil miss who some how managed to make the internet not useable on the PC until some one has time (what's free/available time?) to figure out why it doesn't work.

So, not only has time and computer issues been holding me back, but I've also been lacking energy.  We are super excited to announce that Makenna will get the "big" sister title for the first time, and Denver "big brother" for the 2nd time; with those titles becoming official hopefully around the beginning of January!  We are already so in love with this little one that almost continuously bounces around in my stomach, even though all we know so far is that every thing looks perfect about baby and that its an active little thing.  I've always wanted to go through a pregnancy not knowing the gender of the baby and after some convincing, I got Evan's approval.  The kids are beyond excited about this new little one. 

Denver has been...hmmm...not even sure what to use for the word as no word seems to be fitting that's coming to me now, but we'll say he's been quite interesting with what he comes up with to say about baby.  He definitely wants it to be a boy.  Any time in the past we've asked him what gender a baby was going to be that some one was expecting he would always get it right, but he refuses to give me a guess of what he THINKS it is, just that he WANTS it to be a boy.  He also has kept me quite informed that my tummy is getting bigger and will NOT let me forget it.  Denver always wants to know how the baby is making me feel....sick, tired, needing to use the bathroom, etc.  He also loves it when I put his hand on my stomach so he can feel his youngest sibling bouncing around.  Denver is getting quite anxious for this baby's arrival and keeps asking how much longer til that baby comes out!  Also, a tidbit that I don't want to forget is we took the kids to our 12 week ultrasound, but didn't tell them what we were doing at the doctor's office.  As soon as they played the heartbeat Denver excitedly said "What's that?!", which Evan quickly responded saying your baby brother (grrr...not nice when one knows he wants a baby borther), and Denver immediately burst out saying "I did it, I did it Mom, I did it!".  Denver had been praying and praying and asking God for a baby, and he couldn't be happier that God had asnswered his prayer.

Makenna is excited to be a big sister, but hasn't had as nearly much to say about it as her big brother.  She has swayed from wanting a baby sister to a baby brother and now back to a baby sister.  At least one of them will be happy, right?!  At our 12 week ultrasound Makenna understood it was a baby, but didn't quite grasp it until we were pulling out of the parking ramp when I said to her "Makenna, are you excited to be a big sister?" and she immediately got super excited and belted out "I'm going to be a big sister just like Berkley?!".  (Berkley is one of Makenna's best little girl friends.)  It was so cute and sweet to see her excitement.  Both kids wanted to share their room with the baby, but especially Makenna.  We have moved the kids together into Denver's room in bunkbeds, so neither got their way, but I think Makenna is happy that the baby will have "her" room.

Putting these pictures in now will make my blog out of order chronologically if I add in things from the summer, but can't deprive you of pictures, right?  So here are 2 pictures from our 20 week ultrasound of our beautiful blessing from God.

This picture reminds me so much of Denver's 20 week ultrasound pictures.

BUT this picture reminds me of Makenna's.  Maybe baby will be a good mix of the 2 of them!

 

We are so grateful that God has chosen to bless our family with this new little addition and can't wait to see what God has in store for us.  We covet your prayers in the weeks to come that this little bundle continues to grow strong and healthy, that God prepares Evan and I as parents, to be the best parents possible for this child, along with Denver and Makenna to be wonderful siblings that may teach him or her things, learn from him or her, and that they can love one another.  We are anxious to see our little one in about a week, again on ultrasound.  I was diagnosed with placenta previa (which means the placenta is covering my cervix) and an ultrasound is needed to follow up to see if the placenta has moved (which does happen) and to make a plan from there.  If the placenta does not move this child will be entering the world by c-section, which would bring lots of extra "concerns/complications" as far as caring for Denver & Makenna when we come home, BUT something I THINK I'm completely okay with as long as it means baby and I are healthy!  We just ask that God keeps baby and I safe throughout the rest of my pregnancy, through labor and delivery, and that Evan and I can be at peace with whatever decisions we need to make concerning baby and my health.

And for those who think they need belly pictures, I FINALLY got some taken.  By the time Evan's home to take pictures, I'm too tired, and exhausted to even think of a picture of me, but its been bugging me that I don't have any of my growing tummy to show this little one some day so I set up the camera and timer and got some.

25 Weeks!

 

Rummage Success

As I promised, here is another post on another great rummage buy.  I've been looking at/for an attachable bike (to our bike) for the kids, since we got Denver his first bike.  Since Makenna was not ready to ride a bike though it was easy to just put both kiddos in our bike trailer (which also was a rummage sale buy several years ago), but now that Denver has achieved so much success with his bike he doesn't want to ride in the trailer and Makenna wants to do what her brother is doing, BUT she is slightly afraid on her bike.  (I think she's afraid she's going to fall over as her training wheels have a little more unbalance than I remember Denver's having.) So the search for a "Tag Along" or a "Trail Gator" began again.  When I was reading through some rummage listings there was a "tag along bike" listed, so I highlighted it, starred the listing and told myself I should be at that rummage right when it opens.  I had to work that night so I wasn't overly excited about getting up early, nor was I wanting to wake my sleepy heads, and have crabby kiddos all day, so I decided if its meant to be the kids will get up and we'll get there in time.  Sure enough, the kids got up early on their own, and we drove out there and found an amazing deal!  At first the lady made me 2nd guess myself as she thought Kenna was too little to ride on it and that it would be better for Denver, except Denver does great on his bike already, but if we wanted to go a farther distance this would maybe be good.  I decided I couldn't pass up the deal, as she was only asking $15, and IF Kenna was too little she'd grow into it.  So we bought it.  We got home and got it attached and went for a ride and the whole time Makenna kept saying "Mommy, this is so much fun!". 

Here's a picture of the kids with the bike attached to Daddy's bike.

Last Day of Preschool

Denver had his last day of preschool last Thursday.  It's been amazing for me to think back through the last 8 plus months, and all he has learned.  We worked through our challenges throughout the year, and have come a long ways.  The beginning of the school year Denver did great and loved school, and couldn't wait to go.  Several weeks leading up to our move to our new house he started really struggling with wanting to go and going, but after lots of determination to get through it, AND prayer we were doing pretty good by the end of the year again.  During our struggles with school we also found out Denver was working on making some new friends; it broke my heart that kids have to struggle with making new friends already at his age!

Being silly, walking in line to class for the last time.

We are so thankful for all the things Denver learned this school year, but especially for the growth and knowledge in his faih.  There have been many times where I've turned and looked at Denver in amazement that he knew what ever it was he just said and how amazing and pure a child's faith can be at such a young age.  Our hope and prayer is that his faith and knowledge continues to grow strong.

Denver had a wonderful teacher, Mrs. Korn, and teacher helper, Mrs Greco, whom Denver has come to love.  It was quite a dissapointment to Denver when he learned that he would not have Mrs. Korn for a teacher next fall.  I think it would've been hard for me too, but we'll still get to see her because she'll be Makenna's teacher this fall!  We are so thankful for all Mrs. Korn and Mrs. Greco have taught Denver this past school year.

Denver and Mrs. Korn

Mrs. Korn and Mrs. Greco put together a little booklet from the school year that included pictures Denver had drawn and some fun information such as how much he grew physically; this book will be treasured.  Denver grew 2 inches and 2 pounds throughout the school year.  He learned many Bible verses, songs, increased his knowledge on shapes and colors, learned his numbers and letters, how to write his name, and much more.  We are so proud of you Denver!

The front cover of the booklet.

The following is a picture I stole from a friends blog as I neglected to take my camera to Mother's Day Tea at school.  The 2nd to last week at school Denver had Mother's Day Tea, where he and his classmates put on a little program and had snack with their mother's.  The week before they had Donuts with Dad, and Denver was ecstatic to have his Dad go to school with him.  It was great to spend some time at school with Denver.

Mother's Day

We spent Mother's Day sleeping in, having breakfast together as a family, going to Church, lunch with my parents and Grandpa, naps in the afternoon, and a relaxful evening at home including a bike ride and ribs grilled by Evan!  It was so nice to have a relaxful day instead of running like crazy.

Lunch at the Falls

My two beautiful blessings from God that made me a Mom!

Denver and Makenna, I hope you both know how truly blessed my life has been being your Mom.  I couldn't be prouder of either of you and am so thankful that God placed each of you in my life.

Even though we didn't run like crazy on Sunday to fit in all of our special "mother's" in our lives, we hope each of them know that we love them and appreciate them so very much.  We are especially blessed to have each of our mom's in our lives, and how they are so willing to help us out, pray for us, and be a wonderful example to us.  Thank you, Grama Kim and Grama Verni.  Its also been such a blessing for me to have been so accepted by Evan's Grandma's, Lu & Billie, and to have them so active in our lives, especially now that my Grandma's can no longer provide those things to me except in memories.  We hope all of you Mom's, had a special Mother's day!

Denver's Fish

The fishing/boating trips have begun for the year!  Denver just can't get enough time on the boat and fishing with his Dad.  He would love to go every night, and if they are out on the boat I think he almost always out fishes his Dad.  Here's a picture with Denver's big catch of the night.

Reeling in another fish.

Family trip to the Brookings Childrens Museum

We took a little family trip to Brookings on May 9th.  The kids were so excited to go do some thing fun together as a family.  Unfortunately, we picked the week that the hail hit so Evan was swamped at the shop and instead of spending the whole day with us, he ran to the office in the morning before the kids got up, worked a little from the van on the way, and returned to the office when we got back in the afternoon.  We also picked to go to the Childrens Museum when it was packed full of kids on school field trips.  When we first arrived, Evan and I looked at each other and I think its safe to say we both wanted to run back out of there instead of dealing with the kids, but our kids didn't seem to mind and just kept "pushing" their way through the kids to see and do every thing.  We all had a great time, but we all were exhausted when it was time to go.  Here's some pictures from our trip.

Changing out the tire on a car....its like Dad never left the shop!

Moving pumpkins around with the wheel barrow.

Climbing way up high.  I think Makenna actually enjoyed this more than Denver as she spent quite a bit more time on it than him.

Working in a construction line.

Building with Daddy

The dinosaur that scared every one, but Mom....Dad and Denver took off running when he started roaring and moving.  That dinosaur has been on Denver's mind a lot and he talks about it quite often; he'd like to tell it off for scaring him.

Playing in the sand.

Playing in the water.

Painting, another highlight for Makenna.

Making some music...or should we say noise!

A break for lunch and picture with Dad

In the marketplace...loading vegetables, putting them away...

Putting vegetables on the conveyor belt

A trip to Cherry Berry before we headed home.  A good way to celebrate Papa Rodney's birthday from afar, right?  Happy Birthday Papa Rodney!  We love you!

And yes Denver and Makenna, I (Mom) promise I was there with you and I am a very involved person in your lives, your Dad just doesn't take pictures of me with you to prove it!

Picnic in the Play House

Papa David, Grama Kim, and Auntie Em, got Makenna, a table and 2 chairs, for her birthday, for her play house.  Denver and Makenna had great fun having a picnic for lunch at their new table and chairs.  Makenna was too hungry to pose for a picture!

And here's a picture of there cute little play house that I got on a rummage sale. 

I've found so many good deals for the kiddos this spring on rummages sales.  They are bound to have a fun filled spring, summer, and fall.  Pictures and posts of my other finds to come in future blogs!

Makenna's 3rd Birthday Party

We celebrated Makenna's 3rd birthday, on her birthday.  I think its safe to say we all had a fabulous day, especially the birthday girl.  It was so fun to be able to spend time with so many of our family and friends to celebrate our precious, little girl's birthday.  Makenna holds a dear place in our hearts and we are so thankful that God blessed us with her life 3 years ago.

Makenna's request was a Hello Kitty party, at the hotel where we had Denver's party, and soup to eat.  It wasn't too hard to fulfill her wishes.  I wasn't super excited to be dragging stuff to a hotel again for a party, but it worked out good as we still don't have a lawn and that would've meant kids in the mud!  She had an absolute blast swimming with her friends and all the love she received from every one who attended.

Here are some pictures of her special day, with statistics and information about her to follow when her 3 year pictures and well child appointment have been completed!

The completed Hello Kitty cake made by Mom

I'm reminded every year that its way harder to work with fondant in the heat, than in the "winter".

I had to break down and turn the air conditioner on because every thing kept "melting".

At first I didn't think I was up for the challenge of making Hello Kitty, but I decided I had to at least try, and I was surprised it wasn't as hard as I thought!

 Our BIG 3 year old in her Hello Kitty dress also made by Mom

I requested a picture with my birthday girl before we left for the hotel as I was afraid if I didn't get one then I wouldn't end up with one!

Some of Makenna's party guests (aka Great Grandpa Melvin, Papa David, Papa Rodney, Uncle Trevor and Auntie Lauren)

Makenna steering the ship

Going down the slide

Denver's at the end of the slide, and Evan's taking our nephew Jacob down the slide

 Couldn't leave out the facial expression as they hit the water!

Party Plates

Party Decorations

Hello Kitty Party masks, that were also made by Mom

Cousins in the jacuzzi tub.

Daddy in a Hello Kitty mask!

A Cinderella Barbie from big brother Denver!

Hello Kitty sunglasses from Great Auntie Dawn, Great Uncle Joel, and cousins Nathan, Chelsea, Alethea, and Mikayla.  It was a special treat for Makenna to spend her birthday with Auntie Dawn and cousin Chelsea all the way from Arizona!

Papa David and Auntie Em in Hello Kitty masks

I knew it was worth making more than the amount of kids! :)

Oooo, pretty shoes from Auntie Kim, Uncle Jeff, and cousins Jacob, Caleb, and Malachi

Our little girl LOVES shoes!

Grama Verni holding cousin Malachi, and Great Papa Melvin

Finally, Cinderella out of the package!



Family Photo (plus Makenna's cute, dear friend Berkley in the background)

Time to blow out the candles!

Note to self, remember matches or a lighter to light your child's birthday candles!

Daddy and Kenna eating birthday cake.

 Berkley eating birthday cake

Caleb and Jacob enjoying birthday cake

Our plum, full hotel room

Caleb thoroughly enjoyed the birthday cake, and used his hands which became colored with fondant, which looked like bruises and brought some concern until I recalled how he ate his cake!

Mara and Makenna

Another dear, friend of Makenna's

Justin, Miles, and Mara

The kids were so excited the next morning when they woke up and got to go swimming for a little bit before we had to pack up and leave.

Denver loved going down the slide head first

Our 3 year old getting ready to go down the slide

The big water slide

 I just love the facial expressions Dad gives me!

Don't mind my tired look, I felt like I slept the way I did the first night home with Makenna as a baby.  The kids took turns waking up throughout the night and if I got a 3 hour chunk of sleep, that was the best I got that night!