We're having a GIRL!!!

Thursday Feb 10th, Gary and I packed up our 4 boys and headed to Tower Radiology for my ultrasound. I was excited, I was nervous, I was worried! My technician was super sweet b/c Ammon and Eli were NOT being very cooperative! She even got the boys a tin can full of coloring books and crayons to hold their attention. Right off the bat, we got a glimpse of ...nothing. I mean, we are SO used to being able to spot that "turtle" from a mile away. Gary and I gasped. Really? Is that it? Are you sure??? Of course, these thoughts were not vocalize out loud. I think Gary knew I would kill him because I was saying, "Oh my gosh it's a GIRL!" There was no room for doubting Thomas in my midst. After the head checks and heart checks, etc, etc. The tech wanted to be 100% positive it was a girl so she poked and prodded my tummy until little miss thing quit crossing her legs (she's already so modest!) and showed us her goodies. Turns out we were looking for 3 little lines. Man, this girl stuff is already hard! I mean, boys are a dead give away! Anyways, we found them! I held it together until we all filed out into the waiting room where several ladies counted the boys coming out, then saw me, then asked the question: "Did you get a girl this time?" I lost it! I started balling and smiling and shaking my head like a dumb idiot and bearing my testimony of prayer and receiving blessings when we put forth faith. There was such a peace that came over that room and several of them even gave an "Amen". :) We got in the car, bowed our heads, and through choked up voice and many tears expressed our gratitude that the Lord saw fit to answer our prayers and send us a baby girl to our family. Gary was a man of few words, he was a bit dumbfounded. The boys are ecstatic! and So am I!!!

Things kids say

I have a friend who is constantly blogging about the funny things her kids say. The misuse words, come up with new meanings to words, come up with just crazy ideas, and it all gets a good laugh. Well, my kids don't typically misuse words or say crazy things (at least not around me) but I did catch a super sweet thing the other day that I never want to forget.

Here's the conversation:

Me: "Zech, Gabe, get your clothes on, its time to get ready for school."
Gabe: I don't WANT to go to school!
Me: "Gabriel I'm sorry you don't want to but you are going, those are the rules, get your cothes on. You have 5 mins or you go to school in your PJ's." (I walk out to tend to the younger 2 kids who cannot dress themselves)
Gabriel-under his breath: No I'm not going to school and you can't make me, (even softer) stupid mommy."
Me (reentering the room b/c OF COURSE I heard this!): "Gabriel, that was very disrespectful and you do NOT talk to me that way. DO you understand? I want an apology."
Gabriel: Sorry Mommy
(I leave the room to finish getting the others dressed)
Zechariah: "Yeah, Gabe you can't talk to Mom like that because you might make her cry and I don't like it when she cries."

My heart melted and I got a tiny tear in my eye. But don't worry, I didn't show Zech! :)

Happy Thoughts: Gratitude Journal?

I figured I should blog about happy things since the last post was a bit of a downer and sometimes I don't feel the desire to post unless my head is so full of turmoil I need a place to spew it out. (sigh) I honestly need to keep a gratitude journal b/c there are so many wonderful things that are happening and DO happen everyday in my life. Here's just a few I've been thinking about:

• I am SO pleased about the growth of my oldest son, Zechariah. I am grateful the Lord saw fit to press upon my heart and mind after I did all that I could do, to seek medicinal help. I could give a rat's butt what people think of that decision now. (I didn't used too-it used to hurt me deeply) I know that it was the right choice. He is sooo much happier. He is able to be the person he wanted to be but somehow just couldn't. I am grateful I could help him in this way at such a young age so that he does not have to go through the same struggles that some of my family members went through because of the same chemical imbalances.
• Gabriel's laughter lights up my life. I have worried about my Gabe. He is the 2nd son. He has always been in Zech's shadow. Zech is such a strong personality I feared for Gabriel's ability to make his own way in the world without following the crowd due to low self esteem. What a blessing he is! His personality is SO fun! It is exactly perfect for the dynamics b/w him and Zech. Gabriel takes pride in telling jokes and being funny and he is SO cute about it! His laughter is truly contagious! I am so grateful for his fun loving spirit!
  
• Ammon is precious! He is also precocious! I enjoy spending my days with him by my side. What a handsome little guy he is too! Be still my soul!!! His smile melts my heart! He comes up with the greatest stories, he talks to me like a little person-asking me about things, my feelings, telling me about his dreams and his feelings. It is pretty cool! Ammon and Elijah seem to be a perfect pair. They get into stuff and make messes and drive me crazy sometimes but the joy they have in the process is truly inspiring. I hope they always stay close.
• Elijah is a blissful mess. He is not speaking as clearly as my others did at this point but he understands EVERYTHING!!! Be careful what you say around him. He detests fighting and will yell at the top of his lungs if the other boys are yelling at each other. Will he be our little peacemaker or is he just waiting to get big enough to throw down with the others? Either way, it will be fun to watch.
  
• My Premier Designs jewelry business is taking off! It seems that the Lord is blessing me even despite my lack of faith. (He tends to do that with me a lot) I am talking to more and more people who are interested in becoming a jeweler as a way to help with their family's finances. My SIL, Sarah has turned out to be my biggest cheerleader. I desperately needed one too! She has talked with many of her friends and family who are now taking a look at the business! Who knows what will happen?!
• My husband loves and adores me. I am SOOO grateful for this. He is my best friend! Our 10 year anniversary was last year, we are now approaching our 11th. Our 10 yr cruise never happened. I am debating headed somewhere just the 2 of us whether we have the $ or not. (I know, that is so bad huh?) Hmmmm, maybe I'll have to pray for some more weekends like this last one: I had 2 jewelry shows retailing over $2,000. My profit is 50%. Sweet huh?!?
• I have amazing family and friends! I typically do not get on the phone and call them all and keep in touch like I should. I do not leave my house and go out with my friends like I should. But I am surrounded by the most amazing people in my life. Let me just name a few: Sarah Griesmyer, who knew we would get so close and enjoy living next to each other? I love it! :), Kelsie Carrington, you are the most caring person I know with the biggest heart too! I am SO grateful to have you as my BFF., Aunt Nancy-what would I do without you? You are always there in time of need and willing to lend a hand, Salena Thomas- I wish I spent more time with you. You are cooler than you even know. The list goes on and on and on. These are just a few of the loved ones I have that touch my life every day for good.

I promise to post pics on my next blog post and to pimp out my page. Supposedly I can do way more stuff than I do. Who has time for all that really? I'm doing good to type this out and send it into cyber space! Oh well! Now you know that I am blessed and everything is not doom and gloom. In fact, most of the time I am a happy person! Sure, I've got problems and trials but I try to remember that it is how we deal with those trials that really matter. That is our test. I hope I pass! Sometimes I feel like I'm just barely making it through the day much less this life! But then I think about how quickly this life passes and I get all sad and teary b/c my babies are growing up and I wish I could just stop time or slow it down so I can get all that I want to instill in them there. What if I don't? -----holy crap I'm getting on a whole new subject/tangent/rant. I should stop here!

Sometimes I have to laugh at myself! :)