This past weekend

Saturday was even busier than Friday. We had a primary activity in the morning and an Elder's Quorum BBQ that evening. In between I felt the need to get a few more things ready for David's arrival. I cleaned out the van and washed car seats(including David's). It is now ready to roll. Cailyn and I went to the grocery store while Jason and Jessica took a nap. Jason moved in a bed for the visitors to sleep on. (We are looking into a foam pad of some sort to go on top of it for more comfort.) By the end of the day my body was screaming at me for doing so much. My back was mad, my feet were angry and swollen(which doesn't usually happen to me when I am pregnant), and my legs were aching. I didn't sleep well all night, so Sunday was a long day too then.

The Primary Activity was a birthday party for the Branch Presidency. It was really cute. Jessica and I came in late and when we got there they had the shoes off of the Branch Presidency(with them standing behind something) and the kids were having to guess who it was. Way cute idea! They had a relay game and a pinata. And then of course pizza and cake. It was really fun and the girls LOVED it.

Here the Branch Presidency members were sharing a childhood experience.


Jessica loved being involved in the activities.


Cailyn was pretty dangerous with that stick in her hands.

Jessica has been under the weather and not eating much. However at the Elder's Quorum BBQ she had some chips and cake(and a few pieces of meat), but then just threw them up that night. I was reading to Cailyn and so Jason rushed to the aid of our youngest. He cleaned her sheets and gave her a bath. Thank you Jason for taking care of the gross child at that point. I love you!

Once both girls were snuggled in bed Jason and I sat down to some sherbet and a movie. Being the sweet husband he is, Jason rubbed my feet/ankles. Thanks babe!

I know this is a little scatter-brained, but I broke a tooth last night and am trying to deal with a tooth ache today. I have an appointment tomorrow morning to get that taken care of. I will let you all know how that goes.

Blessing for February 7, 2009:
Having a Church building close so we can attend all the activities.

Blessing for February 8, 2009:
Not having to share a building so we can keep morning Church.

AND Happy Birthday Memema!!!

A busy day

Three big points today:

#1 We had some of our plumbing problems fixed. After the kitchen flooded the other day, leaving me in frustrated tears, I called the plumber and set an appointment. One of the decisions I had to make was whether or not to take out the garbage disposal. The plumber asked if I would mind it being moved to the other side and I asked if he would just remove it. He said, "Sure, but these things are my job security." If I had any doubts of removing it, they were instantly gone. Here it is, ready to be taken or sold.

This is how we were washing dishes before the plumber came today:

This is how we can now:

It felt so good to fill the sink with water and have so much room to add dishes to it. I was so excited about it that I did the dishes before dinner even though I only had a few to do. It was almost like opening a new toy and playing with it for the first time. I can even wash clothes without having to stop if 15 times during the draining/spinning cycles. HOORAY!

#2 I had a doctor appointment today. I am dilated to a 1 now and am effaced 10-15%. He doubts I will go into labor this week, but anything is possible. The baby and I are still textbook when it comes to measurements(we won't discuss weight of mommy at this point--except to say that I was not as successful in keeping the weight off this week).

#3 Tonight a sister I visit teach threw me a baby shower. There were many sisters in the Branch there and David is set when it comes to clothes. It was really nice to be there and spend time with so many wonderful ladies. Thank you to all who came. We appreciate everything you continually do for us. Angie and Jeanine--We love you and thank you for helping us get ready for "Our Little Prince."

As I was leaving, the girls and Jason were making cookies. They made some DELICIOUS cookies and had a great time doing so. Thank you Jason for keeping the girls for me. I love you!

This is probably too much information, but I just want to go up and kiss his neck when he stand like that. He is so kissable!

Blessing for February 5, 2009:

Clean pipes and plumbers who don't feel the need to rip me off.

Jessica's bath time

Yesterday Jessica was taking her bath and wanted company in the bathroom. So, what kind of mother would I be if I didn't take some pictures or a video?

Blessing for February 4, 2009: Prayer

Protective Sister

Today was beautiful, in the upper 60s and lower 70s. So we played outside. I am not sure why, but the girls like to sit right next to the gate of our next door neighbor's house and talk to the dog. Well, at one point Cailyn wasn't there and Jessica was standing looking at the dog. Just then someone drove up across the street and got out of their car. Of course, the dog starting barking, startling Jessica to tears. She just stood there crying and hollering. Cailyn went running over there and started to defend her sister by yelling and pointing at the dog, " Be nice to my sister." It was so cute. I love that she defends her sister, it shows that she really does love her(even if most of the time she is the one that we need to protect her from).


Blessing for February 3, 2009: Evidence of sisterly love in my children.

Blessing for February 2, 2009: Indoor plumbing

Visit from the Gropps

Cory, Andrea, and sweet little Emma came over this weekend. It was so nice to have them here. We went to the Chili Cook-off, then came home and just talked. We love having people come over, it just doesn't happen that often. We all got up to go to church, but Cailyn is a bit under the weather so only Jessica and I stayed for all the meetings. Jessica ended up falling asleep in nursery so she didn't nap when we got home(Jason actually got up from his nap to let me get one--I will never be able to repay him for all the naps he lets me have). That was a bit frustrating, but when everyone else woke up from naps we made some pizza(Papa Murphy's) and watched a movie.
We hope that you guys come back(even with the mishaps) to visit because we loved having you here. We might even get a more comfortable bed for you to sleep on.
I want to say thank you to Cory(and Jason) for returning the tables to Weatherford. The person who picked them up for us ended up not attending the party because he and his family were sick, so there was no one to take the tables back for us. So, Jason took the seats out of our van, loaded up the tables, and took them back to the other building. A BIG, BIG thank you guys for doing that for me. Will there ever be a Branch party without glitches?

Blessing for February 1, 2009: Family that are also friends!

Branch Activity

Saturday night our Branch had our first activity for 2009. We decided to have a "Chili Cook-off". We made 3 competitions out of it though. Best Chili, best dessert, and the ugliest sweater. It was a lot of fun. We had 7 chili's, 6 desserts, and 5 people enter the ugly sweater competition. Overall a really great time and one that we will do every year.
We had to borrow some tables from another building(and had a little miscommunication on the timing there--Sorry Tonia), and still ended up without enough seats for everyone, but it was a great turnout and everyone enjoyed themselves.
We invited Cory, Andrea, and baby Emma to join us and stay the night. They came and sampled some of the hottest chili, and GREAT desserts, and decided not to enter the sweater competition. I somehow forgot to take my heartburn medicine so I didn't even try some chili, but almost all of it was gone but the time the party was over.
I am sorry to say that I don't have any pictures, but when you are in charge it is hard to justify walking around taking pictures instead of helping to serve, clean, or just keep things running. So, maybe next time. Thank you to everyone that helped and participated.

Blessing for January 31, 2009: A wonderful Branch with members that are fun to spend time with. We love y'all.