Potty Training again.....

Well we decided to potty train Josie, again. She's been doing it for over a week and I think this might be it. She couldn't get the handle on going #2 in the potty but the last two days she has been doing great with that. I just have to be patient and remember that most kids don't potty train as fast as Jaed did. This is going to be a long process and I have to stick with it. Josie loves her "panties" and she gets a chocolate cookie everytime she does something on the potty. We felt bad that Indi didn't understand that she didn't get a reward (chocolate cookie) like Josie so we finally gave in and made it a family reward when she used the potty. So now when she gets a chocolate cookie, I give her two extra to give to Jaed and Indi. Jaed has taken the position as he personal cheerleader now. Whenever I say, "C'mon Josie, let's go potty", Jaed speaks right up...."You can do it Josie, I know you can. Then we all get cookies. Go pee, Josie!". Sometimes he even claps his hands to cheer her on. She always has a huge grin on her face when he rallies around her. Jaed will do ANYTHING for a treat. One time when Josie had an accident and I was telling her that when she doesn't us the potty she doesn't get a cookie, Jaed said, "Yeah Josie, none of us get a cookie. You have to go on the toilet so I can have a cookie, and Indi.".

Matching shirts

I was cleaning out Jaed's closest today and Josie popped her head in and saw the exact same shirt Jaed was wearing, but just a smaller size. She ripped her clothes and put the shirt on. As soon as it was on, she went right over to Jaed and said "Wook Jaed, this is my shirt", and started dancing around in front of him. He completely ignored her! For the next hour or so, she pointed out their "same" shirts to Jaed at least a dozen times. Finally, Jaed responded "I know they're the same Josie, you don't have to keep telling me". Josie just grinned and walked away. She got a response, and it didn't matter what it was, just as long as Jaed saw that they were matching! I couldn't resist a picture.

The "BIG" school starts....

Well, Thayne started his second year of Law School and not without tons if knots in his stomach. He's interviewing, already, for next summer's internship. I really wish we could stay in Bloomington for the summer again but I don't think that's going to happen. The "unknown" is the worst, I think. Hopefully by the end of the semester we'll know where we're going to be for the summer.

Jaed is doing okay at school. A couple of days ago, when I picked him up his teacher said he punched a boy in the mouth. I wanted to die. Then the next day, he pushed a girl down. I seriously don't know what to do with that kid. We did tell him that if he doesn't behave at school then he won't play his 20 minutes of playstation a day. And, I told his teachers that if he's good he gets a reward when he gets home so I would be asking how he's doing everyday. I hope they use that to their advantage when he starts to misbehave. AHHHHHHH, if that doesn't work.....I just don't know what else to do.

Josie loves the bus. She gets so excited when it comes to get her and when it drops her off at home. The permanent grin on her face warms my heart. It does feel strange that I haven't met her teacher or seen her classroom yet. There's an open house next week I think, so I'll be anxious to go. Joy school starts a week from this Tuesday for Josie as well. She's the only girl with 5 other boys. I'm very interested to see how that goes. I wonder if she'll go with the flow and play "boy stuff" with them or if she'll play "princess" by herself.

I love the mornings I just have Indi. She just plays so well by herself while I clean and do laundry. I don't have to worry about her getting into anything (at least for now), and about every 15 minutes she finds me and gives me a hug and then runs back to where she was playing. She's talking soooo much now too. Her new favorit line is "No I not" and telling everyone they're "naughty" while pointing her finger.

Sirens and flashing lights!!

Thayne got pulled over by a cop yesterday. He was going 14 miles over the speed limit and we have a car with Utah license plates that expired in June. Do you think he got a ticket? NO! The policeman gave him a warning. Can you believe it? I have never been that lucky. I was walking Jaed to school with the girls when we saw the cop and then looked at the dork that got pulled over and it was Thayne. I just started laughing and said outloud "Let's just keep going and pretend we don't see Daddy". Of course, that didn't work, and the kids starting yelling "Daddy....Daddy". I could tell that Thayne was so embarrassed, especially when Jaed said "Why is that policeman talking to you Dad." I just spoke right up and said, "Because Dad was driving too fast which was sooooo naughty". I saw the policeman smile and shake his head.
It was an amusing moment for me and quite an embarrassing moment for Thayne. Usually it's the other way around....but not this time!

First Day of School...

Wow, what an exciting day for Josie, Jaed and the parents. Josie had to catch the bus at 8:05 this morning so we got her up and fed her breakfast. She was so excited and kept asking if the bus was there yet. She had a new outfit and new shoes to wear.....she looked so dang cute. She put her backpack on about 20 minutes early and wouldn't even consider taking it off. I was very nervous about her riding the bus. But Thayne kept reassuring me that she would be okay. The bus finally came and she ran right to it. I followed her up the bus stairs and she stopped when she got to the top. They had a teacher on the bus to sit with the kids, so Josie looked at her and then me and her eyes started to get a little big. I quickly told her to give me a hug and kiss and off she went. I didn't want to drag out the "goodbye", but I was so scared to let her go. She was the first child on the bus and it seemed so big with just her on it. I said a quick little prayer and felt like she would be okay. Poor little Indi cried and cried when Josie got on the bus and it drove away. She just kept pointing at the bus and saying something that we couldn't understand. But we quickly started to distract her and she was fine.
A little before 12:00, Thayne, myself, and Indi went outside to wait for the return of the bus. When Indi saw it coming she started to screech and point. I think I was as excited as she was. Josie bounced right off the bus with a huge grin on her face. I asked the bus driver how she did and he said "She did great. She told us everything that was happening outside all the way home." Josie gave me a big hug and said "I at a school, Mom". I could tell she had a great first day!




















Jaed started to get ready for school after Josie left. He was so excited that Thayne, me, and Indi were all going to walk him to school. He kept telling Indi that she was going to see his school but she couldn't stay cuz she was a baby. I was really worried about how he was going to react to the new school and if he was going to behave or not. I said little prayers all the way to his school. When we got into his class he went right to his teacher and asked where he put his backpack. She showed him where and then he was off to play. Indi wore her backpack to his school too and she tried to hang it up with his. I told her to keep it on and that we were leaving and she said "NO". Jaed turned to us and said "Bye Mom, Bye Dad" and Indi did the same, but she added a little wave. I felt so sorry for her, but I knew she'd be okay.
I introduced ourselves to the teacher and was impressed with the classroom and how it was set up. He has two teachers and there are about 15 kids in his class. I was feeling really good about the decision to put him in this preschool. We finally left and Indi seemed to be okay when we left until we got out of the school. Then she just cried and cried all the way home. When we walked in the house, she saw that "Barney" was on the t.v. so she went right over there and sat down and watched it without another tear.
We arrived a little early to pick up Jaed and had a chance to visit with the teacher. I asked with my teeth clenched, "So how did Jaed do?" and she responded with a chuckle, "Well, he's a loud little boy". I started to laugh and said "Well if that's the worst your going to say I am very happy". She said he did great although they did have to remind him several times to use his "inside voice". I told her that we would work on that at home. I packed Jaed a lunch and other kids in his class had "hot" lunch from the school cafeteria. His teacher said that when he was done with his lunch he pointed to one of the "hot" lunches and said "I think I'm ready for that now". She said she had to pinch herself so she wouldn't laugh and explained to him that he ate his lunch and that lunch was for the children that didn't bring lunch. He's so dang cute!! I told the teacher that I would add a little more in his lunch so he was full next time, she just laughed.



















So, the first day of school for both my kids was a complete SUCCESS!! My love for them grew a little more that day and I was so proud to be their mom. I have the best kids!

Back to our Home!

We finally made it home. Let me just first say that I am glad that I was able to help my brother and his wife enjoy a wonderful trip to Italy by watching their kids. They were very greatful and couldnt' stop thanking us. BUT.....will I do it again? Hmmm......of course I would, cuz that's the kind of sister I am, but give me some time to forget about the negative things (almost like childbirth).

The kid were excited to get home and see all their toys, their beds, and familiar stuff all around. While we were gone I started to think about Jaed's preschool (the private catholic school) and was feeling overwhelmed with that thought of driving him to school everyday and picking him up everyday. And when the baby came, I would have to drag Josie, Indi and the baby in the building to drop him off and pick him up. Well, I remembered that a month or so ago I got a flyer from the public school district stating that they were opening a preschool in certain elementary schools to help get children ready for all day kindergarden. I decided to check into it and found out that the elementary school next to us was one of the locations for the new preschools. BINGO!!! And it would be the school that he would attend for kindergarden. So I got all the details worked out and registered him for that preschool. He goes every morning from 8:45 to 12:45 and even has lunch there.
Josie was accepted into the speech preschool that she attended for a few months last year and a bus will take her to and from school. She'll be attending the special speech preschool on Mondays and Wednesdays from 8:05 to 12:00. And on Tuesdays and Thursdays she'll be participating in a co-op preschool that several of my friends and I have arranged from 9:00 to 11:30. SOOOO....Josie and Jaed will be gone at the same time every morning (but friday) and I'll be left at home with little ole' Indi. Can you believe it? What will I do with myself? How will I survive....hehehehhe......I think I can do it. And, I don't have to drive anywhere to get them to school. It's wonderful how things can work out like this.

Alive and Surviving

Well, we're halfway through this adventure and still alive and sane. The little kids are having the time of their lives. They never stop playing and seem to get a long (most of the time). Jaed and Josie got to go spend seperate days with their grandparents. Jaed went to church with them and even spent the night. Josie just spent the day with them, but was equally excited. I know they each felt extremely special to go to Grandpa and Grandma's house without their siblings and have the full attention to themselves.

The teenage situation isn't much better but we're just taking one day at a time. I do have to say that cleaning chores are GREAT. When they all do their chores, the house looks pretty decent and I didn't have to do a thing.

Teenagers are SCARY!

Well we're here at my brothers house and with two teenage boys and one pre-teen, and three young girls...oh..and my own three stinkers. I never want my babies to grow up and be teenagers. These boys are ROUGH and remind me of my rude little self when I was there age. The constant talk back, the half done chores, and then there's the girls...AWWWWWWWWW. My brother left a bunch of rules for the two older boys about curfews, chores, computer time, etc.. I feel like all my time is spent controlling these teens then spending time with the little ones. Good thing Thayne is here with me.

My nephew wanted to go out with his girlfriend (my brother is in denial and calls the girl his son's "friend") and one of the rules is that he has to double date until he's 18 yrs old so I had to quiz him on who he was going with, where he was going, and what time he would be home. The only thing he didn't have details for was who he was going with. I finally had to tell him that if he didn't find another couple or friend to go with him and his girlfriend then his younger brother was going to have to go. WOW....he was mad at first but got right on the phone and found a friend to tag along. All I can do now is trust that he's not going to ditch the friend somewhere....cuz that's what I would have done. I might call him on his cell phone (yes the kid is so spoiled that he has his own cell phone and car) and ask to talk to everyone in the car to make sure there's more that two ppl....but I guess one could disguise his/her voice. So trust is it.....I have to trust he's going to be obedient...hmm....I think I'll be stressed until he gets back home and is where he can be kept track of. I don't have really any reason not to trust him but I remember what it was like to be a teenager and how you think you can get away with anything. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't.

I think I'll just lock my kids up from the time they're 14 until they're 18. That seems like the easiest thing to do :).

Vacation....kinda!

We're leaving tomorrow for St. Louis to watch my brother's six kids while him and his wife go to Rome, and other places I'll never be to. We'll be gone for two weeks. I'm not worried about watching nine kids because they're oldest is 17 and on down so it's not nine toddlers (I wouldn't go if that was the case :) ). I hoping to feel like I'm on a little vacation too. I plan on taking naps, and relaxing. I'll let you know if it really happens. I don't know how much blogging I'll do while I'm gone, so check in periodically to see if I had a few minutes to say anything funny :). Wish me luck and pray for happy days.

Good Ole' County Fair

Thayne and I decided to take the kids to the County Fair yesterday afternoon. Thayne was hesitant but I was determined to go so off we went. As soon as the kids saw the rides and all the fun things they were screaming with delight. I was so excited because they were. I could remember those feelings as a child when my family would go to the fair and I was so excited I couldn't believe I was really there. I'm sure Jaed, especially, was feeling the same way.

One of Indi's favorite rides was the boat ride. She got to go all by herself and she had a permanent grin on her face the whole time.











































Jaed and Thayne went on a couple of different rides together that the girls couldn't go on because they were too short.
















Here was Josie and Indi waiting patiently for Jaed and Thayne to finish their ride.















We all went on a haunted House ride and Thayne and Josie were the only ones that kept there eyes open and weren't screaming. Indi and I had our heads together and I was trying to cover her ears as well as mine. She screamed a couple of times which made me scream. I'm such a baby when it comes to haunted houses. Jaed had his head in Thayne's lap the whole time. I think the ride lasted about 20 seconds but it was a long 20 seconds for most of us.

I don't think there was a ride that they didn't like (but maybe the haunted house). Although, Jaed wanted to go on this huge boat ride that swung up in there air really high. Thayne finally agreed to take him. Jaed was grinning at first until the boat started to get higher. Then his head disappeared and I couldn't see him at all. Thayne said that as soon as it started to get high, Jaed put his head in Thayne's lap and started to yell. After the ride was over he was sure to tell us that he didn't want to ride that particular ride again. Thayne and were both laughing!


































We took them to see the animals but the pigs were the only thing that Josie wanted to see. The rides were the big hit for the evening. The kids went right to bed when we got home with huge smiles on their faces. I'm sure it was one of their best days ever!

More names!

Jaed shared some more names he thought of for the new baby. If it's a girl, Nalasha, and if it's a boy, Til. We told him we wanted names that we haven't heard other babies have so this is his answer to that...and...well...he did do what we wanted. I think he must think of the baby a lot during the days. We were in the grocery the other day and out of no where Jaed said, "Daddy, maybe the baby is a boy in mommies tummy". I know that he'll be a great big brother no matter what sex the baby is, but I kinda hope it's a boy for him. I can't believe I am saying that....I have always said that I wanted all girls after Jaed was born, but I'm hoping for Jaed, it's be different.

I keep forgetting to write about a funny, but a tad bit embarrassing, moment we had the other day with Josie. Friends of ours were having a get together with several other families and we were invited to come. The majority of the kid were in the back yard and the parents were visiting in the living room. On top of the T.V. was a vase with a beta fish swimming around. We were all chatting when I heard my friend, Kara, saying something about "Oh, Josie" and I turned to see my other friend helping her down off a shelf close to the T.V.. I immediately looked over at the fish and it was sinking to the bottom of the vase with very little movement. My next thought was.. "Josie killed there fish"..and I even think I said it out loud. Josie's arm was wet up past her elbow and she ran outside to where the other kids were. Finally the fish started shaking but it was still at the bottom of the vase. After a few seconds it started to swim again. I was so relieved. My friend said that she looked over there and saw the fish in Josie's hand and she was kinda pumping it in her hand. I'm just glad it was still alive. I kept an eye on Josie, like a hawk, after that little incident.

Relaxation

It's so great to have Thayne home. He's a huge help with the kids and has even done some house work and hasn't complained once. I haven't changed one poopy diaper since his internship ended. WOW....life is bliss :). I haven't been sick as much either so maybe I"m getting over this sickness phase.

I miss my friend Christy. She moved about a month ago and I'm just now dealing with it , I think. I was so focused on my sickness and the fact that I"m even pregnant that I tried not to think about her leaving. I miss hanging out, the girl chats, and the feeling of true friendship. I always felt like I could call her up and ask a favor and she would do it without any hesitation. I think she felt the same way about me (at least I hope she did). I have a lot of friends, but I always seem to yearn for that one person that I can call a close friend. Christy was that kind of friend. Now that she's gone I'm a little lonely.....ok...I'm really lonely. I don't think it's a particular type of person that can fit that "close" friend mold.... I think it's just the feeling you have when you're around them. Anyways.....I hope to be able to find another friend like her (and the other close friends I have had). We will still keep in touch but it's just not the same as it is when you live 5 minutes from each other.

Misc. Pictures

Here's some pictures I've been wanting to put up here.
















Indi LOVES her pacifiers. I have caught her a couple of times walking around with two of them in her mouth. That can't be comfortable......
















Here's the kids (and Thayne) waiting for the 4th of July Parade to start. They gave all the kids flags to wave.

"You're a great Mom"

I felt horrible this morning but I had planned a huge day for the kids so I was determined to follow through. I had a MOMS Club activity this morning and Jaed met a new boy that he loved to play with. Then we went to the store to buy Jaed and Josie some goggles for swimming. Jaed has been asking for some since the last time we went swimming and it seemed like every kid there had a pair. I had packed a lunch for us that we ate at the pool and then the kids went swimming. I can't believe how much they love to be in the water. They all go their seperate ways to play once we get there.

Jaed goes directly to where the majority of the kids are and starts talking to them immediately. Not long after we get there, he's running around with a group of boys I know he hasn't met before. He is so social and wants to be everyones friend. I hear him ask their names and he tells them his name even if they don't ask. He wore his goggles the whole time we were there. He loves to drop something in the water that will sink to the bottom and then he goes under the water to get it. He was so excited that he could see it with his goggles. He came and told me about it at least three different times.

Josie, looks around and finds toys that no one is using and takes them to an area where no one is and plays. She doesn't interact with ANYONE. She is completely content playing by herself. This is so foriegn to me because I am so much like Jaed when it comes to social situations. I almost feel sorry for her because she looks so alone but I see her laughing and smiling often. I went and tried to play with her and she let me for about 5 minutes and then she gathered her toys and moved away from me without saying a word. I think my feelings were hurt, just a little.

Now Indi.....wow....I never thought a 2 year old GIRL could be such a bully. She doesn't try to find toys that are not being used, she looks around and finds the toy that she wants and walks over and takes it without any hesitation. I was completely shocked the first time I saw it. I didn't know whether to go get the toy from her and give it back to the child (who's mother was sitting beside him) or run behind a bush and hide out of embarrassment. I decided to be an adult and get the toy from Indi and give it back. Indi didn't care....in fact...when I took the toy away from her to give it back to the child, Indi was off looking for another toy to snatch. I stopped her before another scene was made and helped her find some toys that no one was using. She would play with those for a while and then toss them down and go searching for that one toy that was already taken. I saw several moms ( Indi had taken toys from two of the mom's children) talking together and then one pointed to Indi......how embarrassing. They didn't look mad, more amazed, laughing, and shaking their heads.

There was this older lady who was laying on her stomach in the toddler pool trying to get a tan (I think). Indi had a bucket and filled it with water and went right over to the lady and dumped the water on her legs. I didn't know quite what to do. The lady turned over in shock, but then started to laugh when she saw Indi. I decided to make my way over there and when the lady saw me she said, "She's okay....it felt good, it just surprised me." I apologized for it but she told me that it was fine, so I went and sat down. Indi continued to fill the bucket of water and poor it on the lady, again and again. At one point, Indi laid right down next to the lady on her stomach as well. I could tell that the lady was thrilled and having as good of a time as Indi was.

As we were on our way home from a long but enjoyable day.....Jaed said to me "You're a great Mom!". I asked him why he said that and he responded, "Because you got me and Josie goggles, and made good sandwiches and took us to swim." For the first time, in a long time, I truly felt like a great mom!

Laziness

I have begun to think that kids are born with laziness....wait......now let me explain. Josie is my lazy child but, oh, so adorable. Ever since she was little, if it was time to clean...she always disappears. AND....if I ask her to throw something away, she points and Jaed and says, "Jaed do it". If I say no, then she points at Indi and says, "Indi do it". Even today, when she wanted a drink, I told her she needed to find her cup. The first thing she did was point at Jaed and said, "Jaed find it Mom". I told her that it was her cup and she would need to find it herself. She must not have been that thirsty because she went over to her toys and started playing. About ten minutes later, she came back and asked for a drink again. I gave her the same response and this time she pointed at Indi and said, "Indi find it". My answer to her was the same and off she was to play again. She didn't even attempt to look around for it.....not even a quick glance around the room. Hmm........did she learn this behavior or was she born with it? I certainly don't want to think that we taught her this so I'm sticking with "they're born with it" :).

Jaed has behaved so great in church the last two sundays. Even his teachers have commented on it. I'm sure it has nothing to do with that fact that if he's good he can play game cube with his Dad. Oh well....he is a child that works for rewards....even if it is sunday. He's even come home singing the songs that I taught them at church. That always makes me feel good. If I make a comment about it while he's singing, he stops immediately and won't sing it again.....so I have learned to listen and enjoy.

We're trying really hard (well Thayne is) to slowly wean Indi off her pacifiers. Thayne has said that she can only have them at bedtime...well.....I'm not as good as Thayne. I spend more time with her and have to hear her cry (which gets on both of our nerves) so the easiest thing for me to do is put a pacifier in her mouth. I know that I'll have to crack down on it soon, but it's gonna be rough.

Not much to say....

Well, I haven't posted for a couple of days, cuz I'm too sick to think of anything funny or witty to say. I think my sickness is affecting my emotional and mental state.......I'm not feeling like myself much. Sometimes I think the sickness is getting worse than better. OH well....I guess I'll keep trying to pull up by boot straps and move on.

Josie asks me everyday, "Is the baby still in your tummy, mommy?" and after I tell her yes, I ask her what the baby is doing in my tummy, and she says "It's getting eyes, a nose, ears, hair, and fingers.....". I told her that when the baby has all of those things then the Dr. will take the baby out. She seems satisfied with that answer.

Jaed and I have been clashing a little lately. Sometimes, I think I am way to hard on him. I don't know if it is because he is the oldest or if it's cuz he's a boy. Maybe it's cuz he's just like me (lucky him). Thayne admitted to me last night that he thinks Jaed is just like me: strong-willed and stubborn but extremely kind and loveable as well. Hmmm.....I think I"m still in denial about the stubbornness part :). I am going to think of some strategies on how best to handle him with more love so that I don't feel like a bad mom all the time. He truly is our miracle baby. Thayne and I tried many years to have a baby and then one day we found out I was pregnant with him. He was a great blessing that we had been praying for. I just need to remember those special moments when I'm mad or frustrated with him. I do love him and adore him!

Sometimes when you're feeling so horrible it's hard to remember the good things in your life. I know that I have a great little family who loves me and wants me to be happy. I think that even my children know how to make me feel better. When I've had enough and just want to cry (which I end up doing most of the time) all three of my kids are right by me patting my head, rubbing my arm, hugging me and saying "It's okay mommy.....it's okay". Even little Indi is saying it as she gives me kisses. How can I not feel blessed and loved. That's the best part about motherhood. Knowing that these little children can have so much love in their hearts for me and are not afraid to show it. What examples they are to me!

P.S. .. My due date is Feb. 16th........sooooo farrr away!!

For me, it was bad news!

Well I went to the Dr. for an ultrasound and check-up. I was extremely dissappointed to learn that I was only 8 1/2 weeks along instead of the 12 weeks they thought. It really was bad news.....I thought I was ending the first trimester but in reality I still have 4 more weeks of throwing up and feeling horrible to go. Thayne was trying to comfort me and said "Ally, it's only another month". I seriously thought if I could throw up I would have done it right there ON HIM! I was so bugged and frustrated and cranky and....welll....just MAD, at the bad news.

I met the Dr. for the first time and she seemed to be a very nice and kind. This is my first time having a female Dr., so I was a little nervous. I don't know if I'm completely sold on this clinic though. I don't like the idea that if I do go in labor on my own that I have to take whatever Dr is on call. What is the use of building a relationship with one certain Dr. if you probably won't have that Dr. at the crucial time of delivery. Hmm....I guess I better made a decision soon.

When we got home from the Dr appt. , the first thing Jaed said was, "Mommy is the baby a boy or a girl?". I think when we do go in for the ultrasound to determine the sex, we'll take him along. I think that will be a great and fun experience for him. He seems more excited about this baby than any of us!

The Movies

We were trying to think of something fun to do with the kids on Saturday and finally decided to try out a movie. We haven't taken them to the movie for a very long time because.....well....I'm sure you can imagine how it went last time. But now that our little ones have gotten older, we thought it might work. The only kid show playing was "Cars", and we hadn't heard very many good things about it but I have to say, I thought it was entertaining. It certainly doesn't increase any thinking skills but I was amused. Jaed loved it. I even caught him smiling several times through the movie. Our little Indi actually enjoyed it as well. Only the last 15-20 minutes did she start to move around and become a distraction for me and Thayne. NOW....Josie....what another story. I think she might have watched the previews but that was about it. She kept asking for popcorn but I told her "no" about 100 times. Finally, I was so sick of hearing her say, "Mom, I want popcorn PWEEEEZ", that I gave in and bought the $5 small bag. As soon as she was done with that she started asking for ice cream. I was digging my feet down and I wasn't going to give in. I just started ignoring her. She even got her face right in front of mine and said "PWEEEEZ, Mom", but I just looked around her at the movie. I had to keep picking her up and putting her in her seat, and she kept asking to sit by Daddy and when she got over to him she would sit for about 20 seconds and then ask for me and back and forth. She was quite the stinker. I don't think she'll be attending another movie anytime soon.

Today at church, Jaed's teacher asked them to draw a picture of something they were thankful for. Any ideas what Jaed might have drawn? A Monster!!! His teacher even wrote down on the bottom of the page "I am thankful for Monsters". Thayne and I laughed pretty hard. Not in front of Jaed, though. I put his drawing in his box of "keepers" so that he can have a great laugh when he gets older.

Thayne only has two more weeks of his internship left. I can't wait. Then we have a month to enjoy our little family together. Even though school is rough, I do enjoy the long and short breaks we get together. I'm sure I will miss those when he gets back to work in the private sector.

Rough Day

Well the day started out bad and just got worse. I felt sick from the moment I got out of bed. I tried to control any urge I had to throw up because I hadn't eaten so I knew it would be the awful dry heaves. BUT.....it didn't last long before I was yelling at Thayne to get me a bowl because I knew it was coming. Josie was sitting by me and Indi was laying on me when it started. At first they just looked at me with confusion on their faces but then Indi started crying and ran to Thayne and Josie didn't make a sound but quickly rushed to the other side of the room. Afterwards, my body ached and I was exhausted from the nasty ole' dry heaves. I knew that if I actually had thrown something up I would have felt better....oh well.

After laying on the couch trying to rest and recooperate I packed the kids up to make a trip to Walmart for diapers and wipes. I still felt horrible but it was a necessity run for diapers. While strolling through the store, very slowly, I had the urge to throw up again. I didn't know what to do....I couldn't run to the bathroom in time with three kids and I didn't want to have an audiance so I went in the clothes section and sat down behind some racks and tried not to move. Both girls were in the cart and Jaed was running around and threw every clothes rack around us. I wanted to yell at him to stop but was afraid if I opened my mouth I might lose my breakfast. After about 5 minutes or so the naseous feeling started to subside and I got up and started my shoping again. I did finally make it home without any scenes, thank goodness.

I decided that my kids needed some fun in their day since I wasn't getting any so I took them to the city pool. They had a great time and I.....well...tried to keep a smile on my face for them. When I decided it was time to go home, I had to drag Josie out the car and then had to go get Indi. She had stopped to throw rocks and calling her wasn't doing the trick. By the time I got all the kids in their seatbelts, I was about to cry out of exhaustion and complete frustration. I sat in the car for a moment to try and get control of myself and when I thought I was ready, I turned the key to start the car and....NOTHING HAPPENED! The car wouldn't start....it wouldn't even turn over.....! If it wasn't so hot outside and even hotter in the car I would have sat there and just cried, but I couldn't stay in the car in the heat. My friend lived just around the corner, so I got the kids out of the car and we started down the street to my friends house. But guess what.....NO ONE was home. I am completely surprised that I didn't lose it right there. We walked all the way back to the pool and I used their phone to call Thayne, but he wasn't home yet. I let the kids run around in the front area of the pool while we waited for Thayne to get home. I finally got a hold of Thayne and he made arrangements with a friend of his to bring him to the pool. We tried charging the battery but that didn't work so we knew that it must be something more serious. I couldn't even talk because I was seriously on the verge of tears. Thayne's friend brought us home and I went straight up to my room and just let it all poor out. It actually felt good.....I was so exhausted and worn out.

It was truly a rough day. But my hero (Thayne) came to my rescue and took care of things and still was able to pay attention to me and make sure I was doing okay. How lucky am I to have such a brave, kind, and loving hero always at my side?

What Name Shall it be?

Thayne and I are not ones to wait until the baby is born before we choose a name. We like to choose it and move on. We've been throwing some names around and Jaed decided he wanted to suggest some names too. Here is a few that he has chosen:

Boys: Chalk, Brayden (my nephew's name), and Walka

Girls: Josie, Indi, and Lame

Yes, the last girl name is Lame. I told him I would have to think about those names. He's convinced that I have a boy and a girl in my "tummy" and their names will be Walka and Lame. I hope he won't be disappointed when we don't choose either of those names! I think we have chosen the names we're going to go with though. If it's a boy, it's Maximus "Max" Dean, and if it's a girl, it's Savannah "Savy" Colleen. We're still thinking but those are the favorites right now. Usually by the time we know the sex of the baby, we've decided on a name.....so we have a couple of months to make a firm decision.

I know Thayne's family thinks we're a little obnoxious with baby names, but neither Thayne or I want common names for our kids. I remember when we decided on Indiya's name and Thayne called his brother to tell him that she was born and he said "Are you sticking with the name Indiya?".