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4/21/2010

Too much moving

I was at my OB last week for my glucose and check-in. I'd fasted too long. I drank that sugar drink. I had my blood drawn. I felt queasy. I met with my OB, who proceeded to tell me he would like me to come every two weeks now (I was 30 weeks), "You're on the downhill slope!" I had a brief moment of panic. That concluded with me rear-ending a parked vehicle. (To which, I did leave my name and number- and they did call).

All the while I am thinking. I am not ready. I don't know when I will be ready. But I imagine myself in labor at the very end, yelling, "Stop! I'm not ready yet!"

This baby's arrival is just moving in too fast. And I think I'd like to carry this baby til 44 weeks or so.

But I won't.

I'll probably have this baby the day we move onto base.

Yep, we're moving again. New ward and schools. But a move that our family is actually excited about. Base is 20 minutes away currently. There are things people love about this little Mountain Home town, but as the year has gone on we have seen that sports, activities, and support things that appeal to our family are on base. Plus, it would be much more convenient for Ryan. Plus, I would let the kids walk to school. Plus, their are parks to play on. Plus, it will save us money (and help us reach some financial goals- like saving for the ginormous down payment on a house that lenders are requiring.) And they will come and pack and move and unload us (the deal cincher for Ryan).

The houses are basic. New. And smaller. Still 4 bedroom, 3 baths. But weighing all our options, we knew we were "fine" where we are, but for our family, we could do "better." It will be for just over 2 years. Then we will sign out of the Air Force. I put our name on the weight list in January.

We are next up for a house. Hopefully by July 1st they say. My official due date. My house has renters moving in July 1st as well.

I told Ryan I really wanted to enjoy this new baby- probably our last. Moving a house seems less than ideal- but I know, the situation could be much worse. He will have 10 days paternity leave. My kids will be schedule free. And they can break in the new neighborhood and play outside.

I think I'll sit on my patio swing and nurse the summer weeks away. And move as little as possible.
captains rank house
Captain street. Ranks can't intermingle. The houses don't get better than this.

ps- too move exactly one year later probably seems worth questioning, "did you not do your homework about where to live?" I talked to lots of people. I talked to the doctors wives on our base. All said to live off base, in the area that we live in. Doctors & dentists are all over. They all bought homes. But, for the 3 years we are here, we did not feel good about buying in this economy. Renting was our only option we thought.

I spoke with people that said living on base is "limiting". I spoke with people that said living on base with little kids is "the best!". I am assuming that if you work at a base in a fun city, that base housing is a downer. But in our situation, our town is no "thriving" city, and so the base creates some incentives probably not always typical. All in my opinion of course.

4/10/2010

Fair Princess Maidens...

Came out for Emma's "jubilee" celebration. It was a royal themed party- complete with jewelry table, treasure hunt, royal feast and ball (using Wii's, Just Dance)


the invitations:
the castle entrance:

the maidens were greeted by this little Knight and also King Tanner
My favorite quote for the party- from Hobby Lobby. The crowns (2 more further down) I bought of Ballard Designs months ago for a "project" not yet gotten to.
The beading, jewelry, and "official" crowning table:


stamping
the treasure hunt, ordered by the King who lives in the land of Pink Polka Dot, started in the castle.
some of the treasures, all thing to make a "Pretty the Princess" party kit. I found pink shimmer powder from the Dollar Tree, bottled that and lotion, and bought the frog and castle soaps off Etsy. Candy rings and bracelets were in the kits as well.Each girl left with a bling ring, crown, necklaces and her beaded bracelet.

Wii's Just Dance for the Royal Ball....love my "King Tanner" here.



the Royal Feast: Fruit cups with pink sparkly whipped cream, pizza, pink lemonade and cherry sprite. Cotton Candy, pink whoppers & marshmallows for the center.
The goblets were a find by my mom from Dollar Tree. Each girl had mini bubbles to use during the lunch (in the goblets)


Bought these off Etsy, from Party Poms. I'm going to hang them in my girls room.

Emma insisted on a "dress cake"- I cannot decorate. That was from Walmart.
Party boxes:



I'm saving all my fabrics and flags for our baby- I know, down the road a bit. Also, I used my friends, Melissa of Polkadot Chair, and HS friend, Camille (she's private) for some party inspiration. My friend Amy painted a beautiful canvas for her son's Knight party, and I thought of her for the castle outside--- my banner is so so unequal to hers skills though. Thanks girls!

Also, my sister in law Jill, told me about My Dress Up Trunk. I bought Emma's Rapunzel dress there. She has several from this store and are the only dress-ups she chooses to wear. They wash great and are not itchy!

Emma loved it- I was so afraid no one would show. But they all did. And she told everyone "thank you for coming!"

4/08/2010

The Great Easter Egg Hunt



Ryan left me on Sunday morning. I thought we were over residency hours- but not really I guess. He had to travel to Texas for the week. He comes home tonight late. Easter at our house the past couple years, maybe 3?, has been on a different day.

And, since we were near family we were able to celebrate with them. On Saturday, my mom did an Easter Egg hunt for the little kids and her sister-in-law did an "older" egg hunt. These were the money eggs. The teenagers and college kids ran like crazy- they let Tanner join too. The Golden & Silver Eggs awarded even bigger prizes. Tanner came home with almost 60 bucks-

Thank you Grandma Stephens & Aunt Brandi!





My baby brother Isacc...
(I'm telling myself... just reach.... bend a little more.)
Easter Morning:





Spring Break

Just for the record.... we stayed busy last week for Spring Break. We wanted to go to Disneyland- but that just couldn't happen. It snowed here. It was cold. Not the greatest spring break weather.

We did:

-Build and paint a blue birdhouse
-Go to the Fire Station on Base.
-Work on a Derby Car
- Learn about tools
-Learn about house safety
-Raise a flag
-Play tennis
.... yes, this list is all scout related. (Tanner has to finish before the end of the month.)
- See the movie, How To Tame Your Dragon
- Shopped for soccer gear
- Went to the park for a picnic
- Stayed over at Grandmas from Thursday thru Saturday and visited with Grandpa Stephens family who came into town.

this station is on the "flight line" right where the fighter jets take off. They support them in emergencies.

"It's Buster!" - like Mythbusters.


4/02/2010

Celebrating Easter

Easter 2010

We've been on Spring Break this week.... that's a whole other post. But last week I hosted a Visiting Teaching Luncheon for our girls. All my girls came! How hard is it to coordinate schedules?- so this alone was an accomplishment. We gave each of our girls a General Conference Easter basket for their families with printouts and handouts already for the weekend. I used Sugardoodle. With markers, stickers, crayons, notebooks and plenty of snacks and treats, I hope they find them helpful this weekend.

As our family home evening this week, we used the Resurrection Eggs. Every year we use these, but this is the first year that I felt the older kids really listened and asked questions and tried to keep the timeline straight.

Ryan and I both bore testimony that we know our Savior lives. Today. That the blessings of the temple will allow us to be bound for eternity as a family. We told them them as much as it's fun to have the Easter Bunny visit, the most important thing we need to remember is that our Savior is a Savior or love and miracles- and he has plenty of both to share with all!

Happy General Conference and Easter Weekend.... we're off to Grandma's til Saturday.

4/01/2010

What has my world come to?

He's over them.
It started at about 21 months.
He won't take naps anymore.
That's it for me- no down moments I guess. He requires constant supervision. But, I refuse to move him out of his crib. He's gonna stay there until the absolute last possible moment- at least 3. Or until he climbs out, which I have never had a baby do. (please don't Jackson!)
I always said with babies so close I needed two cribs.