A few updates

When we first got married we made our own stockings, and we have made each child one as they came along....well, part of the socks. I love sewing so much (NOT!!), so, Sam's sock was the only one that was actually finished. Trey's didn't have his name on it and Lizzie's didn't have any decorations on it. Steve had to have a hernia operated on two weeks ago, and so he was home without anything to do. He got the sewing machine out and we went to Joanne's and we bought the stuff for Lizzie and Emma's socks and he made Emma's sock and finished Trey and Lizzie's BY HIMSELF!! Yah, my husband is more domestic than me when it comes to sewing. He then proceeded to sew on Trey's Webelo's badge. Steve, you rock!!! I was really proud of him.
Emma has started eating cereal. Not a lot of love for it. We discovered that the bib is too much of a distraction, so we started feeding her without the bib on (MESSY), but she will actually eat, so we might have to strip her down every day to eat!!
We spent Thanksgiving at the Olsen's. Scott and Chrissy came again this year, we love having them come visit.
Our little Emma is doing so well, she is such a happy, sweet baby and she absolutely adores her older brother and sisters.

So, the last two weeks have been more emotional than any two weeks I have ever had in my life! I was released from the primary presidency. I loved working with those sweet kids, and I really LOVED the amazing women I got to serve with in the presidency. It was such a great experience for me and I was not ready to see it end. But....I got called to be the ward camp director. I am so excited about being able to go to girl's camp. I have so many wonderful memories of camp and I am excited to be there for Sam's first camp!!
Last Thursday my neighbor died at the age of 39 after a very painful battle with cancer. She was a very sweet lady and left behind two sweet little boys. Her funeral was today and it was a very nice tribute to her, but also very hard to see her husband, parents, siblings, and boys have to say goodbye to her. How grateful I am to know that she is not suffering anymore and that she is with her loving Heavenly Father. The memorial service was filled with people from her life and I was really touched to see how many people from the school came to show their support for her family. We really live in such a fantastic neighborhood and I'm so lucky to know so many amazing people.
This Tuesday another neighbor died of cancer. Scott was only 46 and was diagnosed less than three weeks ago. He left behind three children, the youngest 9, and the oldest 14. He didn't have to suffer very long, but it all happened so fast we didn't get to say goodbye to him. Some of the guys on our block get together and play games, they have tournaments of every kind, and Steve will miss having Scott there. He was a such a nice man and I know his boys will miss having their dad, he was very involved in their sports and scouting.
We had our Relief Society dinner tonight. It was so wonderful. We had a missionary couple come and do a presentation on the artwork of the birth of the Savior. The Sister was a Docent at (I can't remember which art museum in D.C.)...but she was amazing! They had several musical numbers and it was decorated beautifully!! I was wanting to stay there forever and not have to leave that wonderful spirit. Thank you to the wonderful Relief Society sisters that made that a much needed relief for me!
I am teaching the lesson on the Martyrdom of Joseph Smith this Sunday......enough said!
I am really missing my sisters and parents right now....not being able to see Julie and Michelle's babies is really hard!! I am ready for Mom and Dad to be home....Doug and Geri are coming home from Cambodia and it makes me even more anxious for July to be here!!!
How do people survive without amazing friends and family? I know I would not be the person I am today without the people I have met and who have influenced me through my life.
Thank you to so many of you who have played a major part in my life. I am so lucky to have four beautiful, healthy children and a husband who looks past all of my faults and loves me anyway. I am so blessed to have the peace of the gospel and to have wonderful siblings and parents.
I loved the talk from Elder Bednar "Tender Mercies". Whenever I have times that overwhelm me, I think of that talk and realize that through all the hard times, my Heavenly Father is always giving me Tender Mercies....He never lets us down.
So, that about wraps it up, I am really hoping to have a better week next week....I'm getting my haircut, so already I feel better!!

Sam's 12!!

The highlight of Sam's birthday was getting her cell phone. She has been so anxious to get her own phone. At 9 am she was practically dragging me out of the house so we could go pick out her phone. I can't believe how much a 12 can text!!

My little girl turned 12 on Monday. She is seriously so grown up and such a good girl I can't believe it. I am so proud of the things she is doing. She was so excited to go to YW she could hardly wait. Her sweet beehive class came on Monday and decorated her room with little bumble bees, made her a fleece blanket and brownie cupcakes. She got to go to an activity with them last week and she came home so excited and happy. She is the best big sister and daughter, I'm so glad we have her!!

Halloween

Yah, I know it was almost a month ago....
Sam was "Lola" from Hanna Montana and Lizzie was Elphaba from Wicked. Trey was Shaggy but he wasn't very excited about his costume, just a green shirt and brown pants, his hair was already 'shaggy' so it worked perfectly, but he wouldn't let me take a picture of him. Emma didn't dress up...fourth child, no energy mommy, it's all good!!

Trey's update

Trey got his Webelos badge last month. He has worked really hard and he was very excited about getting that. I can't believe he only has one more year before he'll be getting the preisthood....YIKES!!
He loved playing football. It's his favorite thing to do. He plays it at recess everyday and he had a blast playing this fall. I'm not sure we will continue playing...he may love it, but it doesn't necessarily love him!!
One Sunday afternoon the kids were downstairs looking through boxes and Trey found all of his 'whitie-tighties' and decided to make himself "underwear boy". It was hilarious, he had a microphone and he was signing "Fabulous" from High School Musical at the top of his lungs. He was dancing and totally hamming it up. It was so funny. The girls couldn't get enough of it, Sam was laughing so hard she was crying. He is such a goof-ball!!
Trey refuses to wear coats, sweatshirts, hoodies, you name it. Why? I have no idea! So, at their fall field day, it was FREEZING!! But of course Trey (and Austin, sorry Tricia for being a bad example!)we running around in short sleeve shirts. He is absolutely nuts!
We are so excited that Trey is finally done with his vision therapy. He worked really hard this last year and he is doing really well. He is finally reading at very close to grade level and he is really feeling good about himself. We still have a lot to work on, but that is such a relief to have those two things checked off the list!

Happy Birthday Lizzie

Lizzie turned six on October 15th. Her birthday party was so fun. She had been planning this since June. She invited three of her friends, we went to a nail salon and got their feet and hands painted. We then went to Chick-fil-A for lunch. She was so excited about this party. The girls were so fun and had a great time.
Her best friend, Claire gave her this card. It made me cry it was so sweet. They are such good friends and we don't know what we would do without her in our life.
My little Lizzie Lou is such a sweetie and we are so glad to have her in our family.

Love the smiles

Emma is smiling all the time now. We LOVE it!!! Her tongue is always going a hundred miles and hour. She is doing great and the kids couldn't love her more. Trey told me a few weeks ago that he thinks that Emma should have to stay a baby forever....I couldn't agree more. She has been such a little angel and we love her to death. I am so happy the weather is nice this week...last week's intro. to winter I could have done without!

Emma Jun

Ok, so she is almost two months old...better late than never!!
I will try to post updated pictures soon!!

MARCH

Since my computer feels like downloading pictures slower than the US immigration line at Dallas/Ft. Worth airport, I'm going to just do some updating without pictures. March was a great month for me. I got to go visit my cute sister-in-law and her family in San Fransisco. We spent one day in the city (without either of our kids) it was so fun to walk around the piers. It's been 13 years since I have been there, it was great to be back again. That night we went to "Wicked". What can I say...it was everything I hoped it would be. FABULOUS!! Becky and I wanted to go again the next night. What a great musicial and so refreshing to see a play that was clean and had a great story! The casting was wonderful and I can't wait to see it again!!
The rest of the weekend was spent in Mountain View with Becky and her darling family. Jayden and Landon are so cute and full of energy. Never a dull moment!! I dragged Becky to the beach one day....man do I miss the ocean....the kids had a great time playing in the sand and chasing the seagulls. It was a great break for me and I'm so glad Becky and Brad put up with me keeping them awake until 2am talking their heads off. Thanks Bundy's love you guys!!!
The next weekend my cute baby brother Ryan and his cute girlfriend came to visit us. They got to come to Sam's soccer game in Denver, where we met my uncle and aunt who live in Ft. Collins. Sam loved having all the family at her game. We got to spend the rest of the day with family....it's so great to get to be close to the Fishers. The best part was that Ryan and Natalie have set a date!! June 27th. What's up with that....he's still my baby brother!! I'm so excited for them..she's a great girl and is taking care of Ryan while Mom and Dad are gone.
The next week we headed out to Argentina.
The best news I have had in years.....Julie is PREGNANT...with twins!!!! I haven't been so excited to hear about a baby in forever. So happy for her and Josh. We love you guys and are so happy for you.
All three of the girls are pregnant together. What luck!!!
Mom and dad will have five grandkids while they were mission presidents...wild!!
Taxes returns...gotta love it!

Argentina

We were so lucky to be able to go visit mom and dad in Argentina. We spent a week visiting Cordoba and the areas around it. The kids were great travelers. We had to fly overnight from Dallas to Santiago and then into Cordoba. The first day was a little rough and we were exhausted but seeing mom and dad was so worth sitting on a plane all night long. Dad is an amazing Mission President and Mom blew me away. She has picked up on the language so well and she is so happy playing mom to 160 missionaries.
(My computer is having issues, I'll have to continue later!)

It's a.....

GIRL!! The ultrasound was great. All three of the kids went with us and she was moving around a ton and the kids thought it was fun to see the baby moving....Trey was a little disappointed (to put it lightly). But he will get to be my favorite boy for the rest of his life. (That didn't seem to make him feel better!)
The due date is still around the 25th of July so it should be perfect!!!

Picture updates

I'm alive!!

I know it's been a hundred years!! I am finally starting to feel human again. Eighteen weeks is much better! We have our ultrasound next week and we will find out if it's a boy or girl. Yeah!
Really not a ton of things have happened. The kids are doing great and we are all looking forward to visiting my parents in Argentina in March. I am really not looking forward to the 24 hour travel time, but hey, at least we get to go!!
I am FINALLY going to see Wicked. I am going to visit my sister-in-law in San Fransisco in March and we got tickets. I am SO EXCITED!! I have been wanting to see this forever...Sam is very jealous, and Lizzie really wants to see it, too.
Sam is starting soccer again and we are getting a little frustrated with the whole Sunday game thing....
Why do coaches purposely schedule games on Sundays? Our coach knows that we wont play games on Sundays, we only have three subs, so why can't he schedule them on Saturdays instead of telling the team "We only have two subs for this game." Hello, its your fault!! I don't know if we will have her try out again next year. It's kind of sad because she loves soccer so much, but it's a ton of money to miss five games a season!! She still will be able to play other sports with her Junior High next year, it just wont be as much of a learning experience. But frankly I'm a little sick of the whole ordeal!!
Trey's vision therapy is going well. Hopefully it will help him. His teacher told me that since he got his bifocals (he has the prescription of a 60 year old!) and started therapy she has noticed a big difference in him at school. YEAH! I hope that continues. Poor kid!!
Lizzie is all registered for kindergarten and she is very excited about going to school with Trey next year. She stars swim lessons on Tuesday. I can't believe how well she can swim. She blows me away. I'm going to see if we can get her on our neighborhood swim team this summer. She really loves it and she does really well.
Life is just rolling along.
Thanks for still being my friends and being patient with my sporadic posting!!