Gratitude

Well I have much to be grateful for, and I know that I am late for Thanksgiving but just in time for Christmas.

First of all I am thankful that despite having a heart-attack, heart surgery, pneumonia, kidney stones and two trips to the ER; my dad is alive and doing well. He gave us quite a scare about a month ago and it just seemed like one thing right after another kept happening. But despite it all he has kept a good attitude and is even claiming bragging rights on knowing what it is like to give childbirth.  I guess some nurses told him that they have had kidney stones and given childbirth and the pain for the kidney stones is worse. So he gave "birth" to a 4 1/2 mm kidney stone and is very proud.

 Second: For my husband who despite a horrible grad program and an even more awful adviser,( but I don't think we can call her that because she isn't helpful or advising Justin in anyway) who is making life very miserable for him is sticking with it to provide for his family.  I know how hard it is for him to stay and the last couple of years have been very trying for him, but I am grateful for the sacrifices he is making.

 Third but not last, for these little ones.  Every time I look at this picture it melts my heart and I am overwhelmed with gratitude for each of them. They are the reason I am here and I do everything I do.  I couldn't imagine my life without them. I read this quote by Thomas S. Monson that pretty much sums up how I feel. "May the laughter of children gladden our hearts. May the faith of children soothe our souls. May the love of children prompt our deeds. Children are an heritage of the Lord"

Of course there are many more things but these are the ones closes to my heart right now.

Ok so now that I have sometime and better pictures, here is the story.  Wednesday September 14th I start having contractions....I think.  I've never had contractions before so I have nothing to compare them to, but I never had that pain with any of my other kids.  So I start texting my mom every time I have a contraction and she tells me I should probably think about heading to the hospital.  But me being stubborn wasn't ready to go to the hospital got sick of keeping track of the contractions and decided I would get up and clean my house instead. Once I did that the contractions stopped so I did my thing and tried not to worry about it.  Thursday September 15 started out like any other day. I went and volunteered in Joels class and got ready for my appointment.  As the Doc was doing my ultra-sound he measured Aubrey and found that she had stopped growing and was only 5lb 4ounces and I had lost almost 3 lbs.  When I told him that my other kids were over 7 lbs that's when he decided that we needed to deliver her that night. I had enough time to go home clean my house, pack my bags, pick my kids up from school and find a place for them to be for the next couple of days and then we were off to have a baby. Here is my last pregnancy photo at 37 weeks!!!

 

 My first time holding my baby girl.  Because she was 3 weeks early the doctor was worried that Aubrey would have to spend time in the NICU, but luckily she was healthy and didn't have to go there at all.  The only problem she has was she was jaundice and had to be on the lights for 5 days.

 The kids first time seeing and holding her.  They are all so in love with her.

 First day at home.

 My three girls.  I love this picture.  It fits all of their personalities perfectly.

 Just some precious moments

 She looks a lot like Bailee.....

 ....and Justin!!!

 This was her blessing day.  We were able to bless her at our house, with a lot of family.  It was so wonderful.  Justin gave her a beautiful blessing.

 My sister Des made this adorable hat for her.  It's still a little big but I couldn't resist.

 more cuteness.

This is little Aubrey May at 1 month old. I can't believe she is already that old.  Time flies. She is so perfect and I love her to death.  She fits in our family perfectly and I can't imagine not having her here.

MIA

Well I have been MIA for several reasons.  The first is we moved to Bountiful the beginning of September. I love it, it is half a home, and we have a backyard with a deck, and three floors.  We are also at the end of a culdesack and very close to the kids school. It is perfect for our family and it's closer to school for Justin so the commute isn't as long.  We were very lucky to find it. But because we moved we haven't had internet, sad:)

Reason #2

Little Aubrey May decided to make her appearance 3 Weeks early.  I was pretty shocked that she came so early, but when I went to my doctor appointment he was worried about her.  When he measured her she was measuring small and he was worried that she had stopped growing so he decided to take her that day.  She was 5 lbs 13 ounces, and 18 1/2 inches long with dark hair. She is perfect and such a good little baby.  I now feel like my family is complete. I will post some better pictures and more details about everything later, but for now this will have to do :)

Fun Fun Fun!!!!

 As always I'm trying to catch up on blogging.  So here are some pics of what we have been up to so far  We got in the car and headed to Oregon for my family reunion. My bro and sister and there fams were there as well as my parents and my other brother.  It was crazy with 13 kids in the house, but a lot of fun.  Here's Syd who is so happy to be on our way. We camped at my uncles land for a couple of days and did boat rides, hiking, treasure hunts, making boats and sailing them and a lot of playing. 

 After camping we went fishing and luckily all the kids were able to catch at least one fish.  Some kids caught more.  But I am proud to say I caught the biggest fish!!!!

 Then of course we had to go to the park for some fun.

 This is me at 26 weeks, a month late but better late than never.  I'm much bigger than this now.

 Ok so you can't really see my shirt but it says kiss me I'm a CWU Wildcat. My mom decided to take the kids for us for a day, so we drove to Ellensburg to see our old stomping grounds and surprise some friends.  It was so much fun.  Justin was also able to see some old professors as well.  We miss Ellensburg and the people there so much, it was hard to come back.

 Bailee got her first tooth pulled.  We tried for 2 weeks to pull it but she refused, finally she let my sister pull it out.

 Joel was baptized on July 2nd.  It was a perfect day and he was so cute.  He had to be baptized twice because the water wasn't deep enough and his legs came up the first time. But it was a good day filled with lots of family and love!!!

 Later that same day we went to Provo and watch the Stadium of Fire with my Family.  We watched next to the MTC.  It was nice, but it did take us almost 3 hours to get out of provo, that part wasn't as fun.

 My parents aren't happy that I put this picture on but I think it is hilarious.

 We celebrated the 4th with Justins family.  We went to a parade and the park.  Then My bro inlaw put on a firework show for us at the house and we were able to sit on the front porch and watch the big fireworks.  It was a lot of fun.

 I'm not sure but I think this is how Justin felt about the whole trip :)

It's been a good summer so far.  I have more to post but no pictures and a husband who is ready to go to bed so more to come later.