Butterflies!

SO I have one week left til baby comes! We are so excited! Kenion is still adamant that it's a girl. So it makes me believe him. :) I'm nervous and get butterflies when I think a lot about it. I'm trying to take advantage of sleeping and napping while I can. It's crazy knowing that in a week our lives will take a drastic change. Levi and I have talked about the fact that soon it will never be just the four of us again. Which will be so exciting to have a tiny baby and a new little brother or sister. I feel like this chapter of our lives is coming to an end and a new one is starting. Which is amazing! And scary! Haha! Hallie gets so excited when we tell her how close it is. Yesterday at breakfast she was talking to two of my besties and excitedly told them with her index finger out, that we only have one more sunday til baby comes! We talk to Kenion and tell him that baby is coming out soon and we're going to bring it home and kiss it's little cheekies. And that excites him. Life is such an amazing journey. We are so blessed to have our little ones. They bring so much joy into our lives, from the silly and random things they say, to the crazy things they do, and the way they say "I love you so much". Nothing is better.

p.s. these pics are from our fairview camping trip this year. I love Hallie's little face. That is how you should look when you go camping. And she has a poor little burn on her face from the lantern and some mosquito bites. Poor girl, the mosquitos just love her and bite her every chance they get! And we wanted to get some with Kenion in his cowboy hat. He loves his hat and says "Yee-haw" or "Eee-doggies" whenever he's wearing it.

For all you preggo moms.

Video Courtesy of KSL.com

Make sure you get your shot! This woman amazes me.

Yipee!

That's right! We're super excited! I'm 12 weeks along. Due on August 20th. But since we had the complication of shoulder distocia with Kenion-his broad shoulders got stuck on my pelvic bone, they will be starting me on August 13th. We're stoked cause we're not going to find our what the baby's gender is this time! We want it to be a surprise! We already have boy and girl stuff so it will be perfect! It's fun to be pregnant again. I've been feeling pretty good for the most part, but I get nauseous when I'm hungry and then after a few bites of food-but usually that part goes away after a few minutes, or if I've been standing too long. I definitely have been experiencing food aversion. Something will sound really good but when I think about actually eating it, it sounds disgusting and makes me sick. But hopefully that will be ending soon. So Here we go on this exciting ride!

Hello!

Ok well I didn't mean for it to be so long since I posted again! Sheesh! It's been so long I should do another update again. But I'll save that for another night. I wanted to let you know I am working on my photography blog. Once I get it up and running I will post the site on here. HOpe you are all enjoying your Christmas season.

I do have to tell you something funny Hallie said to me last night in the car though, "I think I'm going to name my husband Troy when I get big." Hahaha! For any of you who don't know, Hallie L.O.V.E.S. the High School Musical movies. she "likes Troy's eyes" :) haha SHould this scare me? Cause it kinda does. :)

Kenion is talking so much now. The other day I asked him if he was stinky and he said, "no, Daddy Steentie" (stinky) Hahaha! And the funny thing is Levi wasn't even home. He was at work. I laughed. A lot.

Be expecting my up and coming, much asked about photoblog! Love all your guts! Merry Christmas!

Update!

Wow! Sorry that it has been so long since my last post! And what a sad post to leave it on for so long. Levi is home from Iraq and we are happily living life. We went to the pumpkin patch for Halloween. We had so much fun! (I know that it is a little late for Halloween now, but I thought I'd share a pic with all four of us.) We built a house in Santaquin which is acutally only about five minutes or less away from where this picture was taken. We love our new house. H is now 3 1/2 and super smart. She talks your ear off and loves to tell stories. She loves to sing and dance. she is completely obssesed with all of the High School Musical Movies. In fact the other night we went to a play at the Springville Jr High with my sister in law and her little girl. (Thanks Lyns :) ) They were putting on High School Musical. We took the girls out to dinner and then went to the play. The students did a really good job playing their parts. The girls LOVED it! When it was over we let them sing and dance on the stage and then they even got to meet and talk to "Troy" and "Gabriella". Then we took them out for ice cream. Sweet little Gabby was worn out and zonked on the way home. We had so much fun and I hope it's something they never forget.

Levi is almost done with the Marine Corps!!!!!! He is on his last annual training right now and will be home soon. After 3 weeks away from home, he is very ready to get back and we are anxious for him to come home. Hallie cries cause she misses him and Kenion walks around the house saying, "Dada! Dah! Daddee!!!" So sweet. We are definitely ready to close this chapter in our lives. Levi has enjoyed serving our great country. He has spent a lot of time away from his family and has had to miss a lot of things over the years. It will be so nice to not have him leaving for drills or A.T.'s or Deployments anymore.

I will post pics of our new house when I get a chance. I don't have it all decorated yet-in fact I only have five pictures on the walls. ha! I've been trying to decide how I want it and exactly what I want, instead of just throwing things on the walls and not liking them. I've pretty much figured out the style I want, now I just need to organize in my head what I want where.

Kenion is 16 months old. He walks and runs all around the house. He loves playing with Hallie. They are best buds. Kenion is very easy going most of the time. It's great. He does have a temper and uses it-believe me! But most of the time he just plays with Hallie or on his own and is super happy. He is a cuddle bug. He loves giving you loves and kisses. He tries to say everything we say. Right now he says, mama, dada, Hahyee (Hallie), date-dew (thank you), Mow (more, which can become very persistent if you aren't giving him more fast enough!), Duke, ou (out)-you can tell what we say to Duke :) or he says it when he wants out of the high chair, nuh!-no! (no no!) and he even shakes his finger, deehn-dee (stinky) as he waves his hand in front of his face, and several other words including "wha?!" (what?!) He is so funny. He loves to play and tease. And boy can he tease!

I am trying to get my Photography business up and running. I still have a few kinks and things I'm trying to iron out, but I'm all legally licensed and registered with the state of Utah! Yay! Very excited!

Well, there is an update for you. I'll try not to go so long before posting again. No guarantees though. This summer we plan to get out of the house and make the most of it. We have camping, hiking, zoo trips, swimming, and lots of fun in store for us. I'll blog as much as I can. For now I need to get off and relax for a minute before I head to my cold, empty bed. Cannot wait! til Levi doesn't have to leave us anymore. I understand a job may take him away at times, but we will cross those bridges later if we have to. At least it won't be as often if at all.

Here are some pics for fun!

This is obviously when Levi came home. THe kids and I had a great time making it!

I asked our ward to put these flags all around the front of our property the day Levi came home from Iraq. It was beautiful.

Fun at the pumpking patch!

Hallie cried herself to sleep, from missing her Daddy, hugging her Gima bear once again. :(

Sigh

We're about to go to the Oquirrh Mountain Temple Open House. I'm just wishing my Hubby were here to go with us. I miss My Love so much! I cannot wait til he comes home to us again. Hallie cries and says, "I want my Daddy" everyday, several times a day, and it's getting worse everyday-more often and more heart broken. Poor little girl. Kenion loves to hear My Love's voice and is so happy when we get to do webcam with him. Kenion loves to play with him. My Love will play peek-a-boo with him and make faces at him and Kenion will just smile and giggle. It is so sweet! Kenion has been starting to play peek-a-boo all by himself. He puts a blanket over his face, and lifts it and smiles a big cheeser when we say "PEEK-A-BOO", and then puts it back on his face. He will also hide behind things such as his high chair tray or he'll just turn away and look back. He thinks it is so funny! He is right! It's so fun! I can't wait til he gets to be held by My Love again. I can't wait to see them play even more together and hear them laughing at each other all the time. I can't wait til we can do our family kiss again. We've done this ever since Hallie was born. I do it with the kids still and Hallie loves it. Kenion thinks it's funny sometimes and sometimes I think it startles him when we go, "Mwuahhh!". Haha! But it will be so amazingly awesome when My Love is home and we are complete again. We love you Daddy!

Hallie

So a couple of weeks ago we were driving home and from the backseat I hear Hallie say, "Ew yuck! I probably farted..."
Me (laughing): "No Hallie, that's a skunk."
Hallie: "A stunk?"
Me: "Yeah, a Skunk" Making sure I made the sounds of the letters very clear.
Hallie: "I hate stunks!"
Hahahaha I couldn't help but laugh! She cracks me up! I guess she thinks that every bad smell comes from her little fanny.

Celebration

Happy Birthday My Love!!!!
Today is My Love's 23rd birthday! We got to do Skype (web cam) with him today! My parents and brother and his kids came over. Along with his parent's and all of his sibling who live at home came too! It was so much fun! Everyone got a turn talking to My Love. It was awesome! It seemed like the first family function that has felt semi-whole since he left. I think everybody enjoyed getting their own turn and talking to him. It was so fun! It was great seeing him-especially on his birthday. I really hope he had a great one-well as great as Iraq can be. Next year we're going to over celebrate all of the holidays and special occasions that we missed together this year. I love you sweetheart! Happy Birthday! XOXOXO!!!!

chances

I found this quote and I really like it.

"The galleries are full of critics. They play no ball. They fight no fights. They make no mistakes because they attempt nothing. Down in the arena are the doers. They make mistakes because they try many things. The man who makes no mistakes lacks boldness and the spirit of adventure. He is the one who never tries anything. He is the break in the wheel of progress. And yet it cannot be truly said he makes no mistakes, because his biggest mistake is the very fact that he tries nothing, does nothing, except criticize those who do things."
David M. Shoup
General
United States Marine Corps

Sometimes I think I need to take more chances. Levi is good at taking chances and I learn a lot from him.

one of those

I am having one of those nights. I miss My Love so much. Words can't describe it. I can't stop crying. Most of you will never know what it feels like. I hope and pray that you don't ever have to. I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy.

You know how nice it is to hug someone you love when you're crying? Well, My Love is not here to hug. I miss that. I also miss that whenever I'm mad at him, or at least trying to be, he'll say something so funny or goofy that I can't help but laugh. Then I teasingly get after him saying, "I'm trying to be mad at you and then you have to go and be all cute!" :) I miss you so much My Love. I love you! XOXO!

PLEASE don't ever take your loved ones for granted, ever. Being without My Love at times throughout our whole marriage has always helped us keep that in perspective.

I recently read one of my best friend's blogs. Her husband is also deployed, (with my husband). I agree with a lot of her blog. It is definitely nice to have family and friends that love me and make an effort to keep me occupied and in their prayers while My Love is away. I also appreciate when I'm not the only one making an effort to see or talk to someone. It's hard always reaching out to certain people first and not having them reach out first sometimes. My best friend, who's blog I read, is amazing. It's nice to be able to talk to her about things since she knows what it's like. Thank you. {You know who you are. =) } I also agree that it's hard when people try to tell you that "they understand". Cause most people don't. Unless they've had their spouse deploy. I too have had people try and compare my situation to theirs, when they only get to see their husband on the weekends or at night. It's not the same. I appreciate when people tell me that they're here for me and that they actually don't know what I'm going through. But that their here for us no matter what. In whatever way they can be. I have been very blessed with amazing family and friends. Thank you to all of you for everything, your love, prayers, concern, and company. I love each and everyone of you.

My sexy Marine!

I love this picture! I think it is so sweet! I've always wanted to go and photograph all of the Marines while they're doing their thing. Good thing this photographer did it since I probably won't ever be able to.

Wahoo!

I finally got my digital camera

Four Years!

Today-the 27th of May- is our four year anniversary!!! Can you believe it?!

My Love and I have known each other since we were twelve and a half. Wow, that's about ten years! He got adopted into my ward. The moment I saw him I knew there was just something about him. Something so special. He is such and amazing man! He is in Iraq right now and it's so hard not having him around. Especially today. He and our children are my whole life. He makes me so happy. He is so funny and such a tease. He is so unbelievably loving. He may have a macho shell, but he is actually a big teddy bear. Not very many people get to see this side of My Love. I cannot wait til the moment when we can hold each other again.

My Love and I started dating between our Junior and Senior year. He asked me to be his girlfriend on June 5th 2003. I would never trade the fact that we were high school Sweethearts. It was so much fun. I love the fact that we went to school together and grew up together.

We graduated high school and My Love went to boot camp for the United States Marine Corps. This would be the first of many times that we had to say 'see ya'. I was working at Macey's in Spanish Fork to keep me busy. It was a great job and I loved it. It made the time go much faster. I wrote to My Love literally everyday. I would kiss every letter and spray it with my perfume. I went with his family in September to see him graduate from boot camp, (September 15th). The graduation was awesome and I was and still am so proud of him. He came home for ten days then had to leave for SOI-school of infantry. He was gone til December. Then my sweet Dad drove me to California to pick him up. My Mom had to work. I will never forget that trip my Dad and my Love. We laughed a lot. It was such a blast and he was very tolerant of the fact that his little girl was in love, with a Marine no less. I mean come on, he drove me to California to pick him up, obviously he liked the guy. We picked him up and drove home-stopping at circus-circus buffet in Vegas. It was a very snowy night, but we made it safely. With no problems what-so-ever. Which with my family and vacations and such, my Dad would put it like this, "It's not a vacation, it's an adventure!" Lets just say something crazy would always happen-such as vehicle problems, motorcycle accidents, etc. So we were blessed that all went well.

My Love proposed to me in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building-in his dress blues- in March. We were married on May 27th, 2005 at 8 a.m. in the Jordan River Temple. That day was so amazing. I will always remember the way My Love looked at me when he saw me in my wedding dress after we were married. I came out of the bride room and went down to where he was. He was sitting on a chair in his amazing white tux. He looked up and saw me. His eyes got this certain look that lit up his whole face. I saw him gasp. He smiled. Then he stood up and took my hand. We walked together as husband and wife. We emerged from our temple hand in hand. Everyone congratulated and hugged us. We had a luncheon and our beautiful reception and then we were off to our honeymoon. What an amazing day. What an amazing honeymoon. *wink *wink.

Here we are today. Two kids and four amazing years later. Still madly in love as ever. Stronger than ever. I am so grateful for My Love. I have learned so much from him. He is a great example to me. He is such a fun loving man. He is amazing with our beautiful kids. They love him and miss him SO much! As do I! Can't wait to have him home again.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY MY LOVE! You are truly an amazing man! Thank you for everything you do! Thank you for your sacrifices that you are making for our beautiful country and for all of us and our loved ones, back here at home that you are protecting! Stay safe! We're here waiting to have you in our arms again. I look forward to many more anniversaries with you. Before we know it, it will be our 50th! Good thing we have eternity together! I love you so much Sweetheart!!! XOXO!

Oh man!

On Friday evening I went to Ephraim. It was weird driving into town. It made me sad and very happy at the same time. I got to play with all of my friends. A lot of stuff is the same. Some is different. It was weird to not live there and go upstairs to go home. I had a ton of fun staying at Steph's. Thanks Steph and Spencer! Sorry about H peeing on your couch in the night and her getting a tummy ache and pooping upstairs. I'm going back this weekend for the Scandanavian Festival. If they'll have me! It'll be fun! I came back Sunday Morning. Sunday evening my throat started feeling weird. I thought it was allergies. It got worse and worse. It got so severe I dreaded swallowing. My Sweet Mom came over on Tuesday evening and brought me sore throat lozenges and made me Bear Creek Chicken Noodle Soup. It was so good. Between the Ibuprofen from when K was born and the lozenges I was actually able to swallow and enjoy my soup. Then the next day it was terrible again. Joanna was coming over to my house and met me at the doctor to help me, since I felt like crap! She held Hallie while the nurse swabbed my. The results-Strep! UGh!!! They gave me a shot in my hip. (It was either that or swallow pills three times a day for like ten days. Um, I don't think so. It was hard enough swallowing water.) This morning my throat feels much better. I can actually swallow. I haven't taken any medicine of any kind today. AHHH. You don't realize how many times you swallow everyday until it feels like you have a knife going down your throat! Yay for antibiotics! Here hoping my kids don't get it. Tomorrow morning I won't be contagious anymore and then time will tell for my kids. We'll see...

"Before I Was a Mom"

Before I was a Mom, I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby. I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous. I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom, I had never been puked on। Pooped on. Chewed on. Peed on. I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts. I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom, I never held down a screaming child so doctors could do tests. Or give shots. I never looked into teary eyes and cried. I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin. I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep...

Before I was a Mom, I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put him down. I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt... I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much. I never knew that I could love someone so much. I never knew I would love being a Mom...

Before I was a Mom, I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body... I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby. I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child... I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important and happy.

Before I was a Mom, I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay. I had never known the warmth, the joy, the love, the heartache, the wonderment or the satisfaction of being a Mom. I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much, before I was a Mom .

(My beautiful and loving mom e mailed this to me. I thought I'd share. It brought tears to my eyes.)

Ahh child hood!

So today I fell asleep on the couch for about 20 minutes. I was pretty out cause I remember I was dreaming about killing spiders in my house. But I subconsciously knew where Hallie was and pretty much what she was doing...til about the last ten minutes or so. I can't remember what woke me up but I did. I was facing the wall and she was behind me. I told her to go do something and if I could remember what woke me up I could tell you what I told her to go do. Anyway, I half way rolled over to look at her and tell her again, when I realize she's holding something. I sleepily look at what she's holding, the sunscreen. Then I look at her hands it's all over her hands. Then I start getting after her and look at her face. It is also covering her chubby cheeks, and her lips. She looked like a clown. Of course I got after her and told her that that is dangerous and we don't play with sunscreen. I took it away from her and she said, "Nooo my sunscream!" I got a wash rag and wiped her hands, face, jammies, and the sunscreen bottle off. She said it was on her baby doll stroller too. So I go look at it in the kitchen and nothing is on it. So I wash her hands and then go about feeding Kenion. A little bit later she brings me the seat from her stroller that was laying in the hall and yes, there was sunscreen all over that too. Man, I wish I would've taken a picture of it. I'll keep that in mind next time she's naughty. I'm going to start writing in a journal every day about the things we do every day. I'm going to take pictures of her being naughty-of course I'm not to be getting excited about the picture at the time, cause then she'll think it was good and funny-and then I'm going to put those pics in the journal. That way when My Love gets home he can read about everything we did and not feel as much like he missed a year of our lives. Plus the bonus-I can put the pics on my blog! Then all of you can see them too!

Oh on a side note: our dog Duke, who will turn 1 year old next month, finally got a much needed bath and grooming. Ahh, he's so white and fluffy and clean! I'm thrilled! The best part is that the groomer came to my house. She has a trailer with everything she needs in it. Nice! We thought that he was starting to get a bit of gray on his chest. We thought that he was getting older and his color was changing a little bit. Well guess what?! My Love was right! It was just his tags rubbing on his fur and making it gray!

Kenion is a very happy camper as usual. He was watching our "Daddy Movie" (which we made for our kids so they could see My Love everyday) and My Love was singing Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star and Kenion was watching him and smiling at it. He was getting very excited to see his Daddy. Whenever My Love calls and we have him talk to him, Kenion looks around to see his Daddy. It is so sweet.

My Love is going strong fighting for our country. He is doing pretty good. He has his down days. He needs me to send him music for our ipod since his got erased. But other than he just keeps on trolling! Oh and he shaved his head! I like it!
As for me I'm counting down the days and enjoying my kids while I'm at it. I miss My Love very much and can't wait til the day he holds me tightly in his arms again. I love you Baby!

Kenion