And so it begins...

Friday night this big truck was parked outside of our house filled to the brim with a huge load of items for the D.I. and the dump. It is hard to believe all of the junk that we kept in our unfinished basement. It took us almost a good week to get everything separated and out of there. Yes, after 4 years of living in our home, it looks like we will finally be finishing our basement.

In my last post I spoke of how blessed Chad and I have been lately. A couple of weeks ago Chad and I were excited that we might be able to take the kids on a week long trip courtesy of Chad's boss, while the rest of the office went to Hawaii. Then, when Chad's boss found out that we haven't finished our basement, he offered to finish the majority of it instead of the trip. Well, he didn't have to pull my arm on that one! This is a HUGE blessing right now with our 4th baby on the way, and we wouldn't be able to do it ourselves for at least another year. I can't tell you how grateful I am for Chad's boss. He has been soo generous to Chad and I over the years and I have the utmost respect for him. I couldn't ask for a better man for Chad to work for. We will be eternally in his debt for this one, and I am already pondering just what to send him as huge thank you.

This weekend we worked really hard to get the basement clean and are very excited to see the framers start building tomorrow morning. This is the basement right now, before the work is started. I wish I would've taken a pic before it was cleaned out, because it was sure a mess as my family can attest to. You literally could not take a step without touching a toy. Now that I think of it I am glad I didn't take any pics, I would really have been embarrassed. :)
The main family room (Some of the heavy stuff will have to be worked around for now, since I am not in a position to help him move them).Under the stairs and the draped off cold storage room.
The front two bedrooms.The bathroom.The third bedroom.And finally, the utility/storage room. Stay tuned for pictures of our progress!

A New Temple!

A couple of months ago there was a rumor going around in my neighborhood that the First Presidency of the Church were spotted at my ward chapel, and I know rumors that someday there would be a temple on Payson mountain, or "P" mountain as we call it, have been going around for 20 years or more. Of course I was really hoping there was some truths to these rumors, that I would see a Temple here close to my home. Yesterday that rumor became reality, when President Monson announced that a Temple will be built in Payson. Much to our surprise and delight the temple will not be built up on the mountain, but here in my neighborhood. The pictures and maps from the church website place the temple site in the fields just north of my chapel, which is roughly 2 blocks from my home! In the picture above you can even see my church in the background.

I cannot even imagine what the construction of this new temple will do to my little neighborhood and city, and what a blessing it will be. I can only say how excited I am to be able to watch and hopefully participate in its development, and even more excited for my kids. I was blessed to be living in Bountiful when that temple, the one I was sealed to my sweetheart in, was being built. My kids will now have the same opportunity and more. They will be able to literally walk to the temple!

The only part of this announcement that causes a twinge of sadness is that once built, we will no more be in the Provo Temple boundaries, and our time of volunteering there will be over. Chad and I have not been able to make it as much as we did in the beginning, but we have been serving in that baptistry now for almost 3 1/2 years. We have been blessed to work with the sweetest group of people and I have grown a real love for that temple. However, I would not trade this new blessing for anything and I know that I will love the Payson Temple just as much, if not more.

Lately it seems as though Chad and I have been blessed very generously by those around us and especially the Lord. And now a new temple, what else could we ask for?


To read the official announcement click here.

A 2-year-old with scissors

The other day when I was working on the computer Emmi came up behind me and snipped a little chunk of my hair that I had in a ponytail. Of course I thought it sounded like it was a lot of hair, so I let out a big cry. I actually couldn't find where she had cut, but the evidence was a little clump of hair that was sitting on my shoulder. I am very lucky it was just a few little ends, and I still can't find where she had cut. I am also thinking that she took the scissors to her own head, but again, I cannot find the spot. However, my cry was enough to hurt Emmi's feelings and she took off crying down the hall. After about 10 min. I still hadn't heard her come back so I went looking. At first sight I didn't think she was in her room because the light was off so it was dark (it was about 5 p.m.) and she wasn't visible. But when I opened the door to her closet, this is what I found. She was completely asleep and snoring right on top of the vacuum in the dark closet. She was in a typical outfit that you might see if you visit my house too, her princess jammies, boots, and Sam's sweater (inside out of course). I am hoping that she has learned her lesson, and will not take scissors to anyone's hair again and I think I was really lucky she ended up asleep with a full head of hair instead of a few bald spots.

"A Good One"

On a day to day basis, I think if I was to talk to you about my husband Chad, I would more than likely gripe about something trivial. Let's face it I am a female and a pregnant one at that. Right now a lot of things and people seem to annoy me and he happens to take the unfortunate brunt of that. I have been thinking lately, however, just how lucky I am to have him.

As a full-time mother and homemaker what I need and want from a spouse right now is not flowers, or gifts. I want him to be home, helping me with the kids and taking care of the house. Of course he didn't understand this at first, but after 8 years of marriage and 3 kids, and a whole lot of discussion, he is doing it now, and more.

Every night he does the dinner dishes and helps me clean up the kitchen. This is really huge for me since I cook him dinner every night and can make quite a mess in the process. He also is responsible for giving the kids a bath about 98% of the time. By that time of night my patience is usually shot and I have no desire to do that last chore. Chad always does it so well and I can hear him in there laughing with the kids and having fun.

On Sundays Chad pretty much gets the kids bathed and dressed for church since it takes me longer to get ready, but the biggest thing that he does for me right now is helping me clean the house. He hasn't always helped me clean the house, but lately he has been very consistent and I think he wants it cleaned right as much as I do now. He takes the kitchen and family room and I do the bathrooms and bedrooms. It has been really nice not having to mop the kitchen, which I hated most, and we get the whole house cleaned in under 1 hour. Since we are able to get the house cleaned on Saturdays, that frees up my whole week and I just have the daily dishes and straightening up to deal with, on top of taking care of the kids.

As I have been writing, I have thought of more and more things that Chad does to help me around the house, but I won't share them all. I am just so grateful to have such a hands-on and understanding husband, especially with a 4th child on the way. It reminds me of our wedding reception, when a lady from Chad's home ward came up and told me that I really got "a good one." I think she was right, I really snagged me a good one. :)

Technical difficulties, help!

This isn't much of a post, but I need some help. When I pull up my blog I see little white notification that says "This object has been removed or deleted" with the Photobucket logo on it. It is only there a second, then disappears, but it is driving me nuts!! The last time I used photobucket to upload, was my post of my new family pics. Do I have to delete this post to make this go away? Tell me if you see this too or if it is just on my computer, and if you have any suggestions to make it go away!! Thanks!

Baby's first pictures

Today we got our second ultrasound and second look at this new little guy that will be joining our family. (The first one was a few weeks ago when I paid to see what gender he was.) Today's appointment was the regular 20 week ultrasound to measure him and everything was perfect.

I love ultrasounds, for a little peek into their world at the moment, and to get to know them better. For me it has always been the turning point in the pregnancy, the part when it all becomes real and I give myself permission to start nesting for the baby.

This little boy was a mover and gave the technician a run for his money trying to measure him. But everything measured right on time and was looking as good as we could ever hope for. Now I get the pleasure of buying for him and making sure everything is just right for him when he arrives. Oh, and I guess I need to pick out a name for him as well. Too bad the technician couldn't help me out there. :)If you look close you can see the tip of his "big nose" and his upper lip.He made sure we knew he is indeed a boy.His feet on the left and his legs leading to the right.We waited for him to open his fist and this is the most we got. He almost looks like he is doing the "live long and prosper" Star Trek signal.

Time to Par-tay!

I don't know about you, but we had a fantastic Christmas this year. We started partying the 23rd and didn't stop until late Christmas night. On Christmas Eve, we woke the kids up early while we were staying over at my parent's house to take them to our traditional Denny's breakfast with the rest of the fam. Then we got cleaned up to go to see The Princess and the Frog with the family as well. The boys were so happy to sit by their cousin Tanner and their Grandma "B" and they did wonderfully during the movie.Emmi sat next to me and next to her cousin Lauren. This was Emmi's first movie and the very first time that the 5 of us have been to a movie together.
These cute cousins are turning out to be such good friends and wanted to hold hands all the way out from the movie.Of course we took the kids to my grandmother's house to see the Santa, whom I have seen every Christmas since I was born. Just like our other encounter with Santa this year, the boys were great and Emmi struggled. It reminds me of myself when I was little. :)After a delicious meal at my sister Abby's house, we headed back to my parent's house for presents and dessert. Me and my little sister Erin took a minute to take a belly shot. She is due in March with her first, a boy, and I am due in May with a boy as well. I have to say that being pregnant with her has made this pregnancy all the better. I can't wait to see these 2 little boys play together and wear their BYU onesies that I bought them for Christmas. :)The grandchildren anxiously awaiting their gifts.Here is Tanner, Keaton, Emmi and Sam in the jammies that Grandma and Grandpa gave them.I had to take a picture of my parent's puppy. She is a shihpoo and her name is Princess Buttercup, (from the Princess Bride). She is a handful, but she sure is a cute little thing. This is the type of dog that I will get if I ever get one again.Keaton Christmas morning at our house. Santa surprised him with a Gameboy. Sam with his new Batman Cave. Keaton and his new Legos.Emmi with some of her princess dress-ups and new dolly that she got from Santa. I think Santa did real good this year.Later on Christmas day we went over to Chad's parent's house for a yummy lunch and to open more presents. Emmi is all about Disney princesses this year. Here she is modeling her new Cinderella dress and Sleeping Beauty jacket that she got from Grandma and Grandpa.The boys both got big construction trucks.Emmi and her girl cousins, Mccall and Brinley.

Needless to say we got spoiled in the midst of all our partying. I think that I can speak for my little family when I say that we can't wait to do it all over again next year.