Welcome Tayden!

Collin and I have yet ANOTHER new nephew. Tayden was born on Tuesday to Collin's little sister Myca and her hubby Jared, and we hear he is doing well. We now have 8 nephews and 5 nieces! It is SO fun. We are definitely getting more excited about our little bundle of joy to arrive in 4 weeks or less! We also have another nephew on the way. I didn't grow up with lots of cousins, so it makes me really happy that Marlee and Makenna will have so many little cousins their age to play with! Anyway, CONGRATS MYCA, JARED and BOSTON...he is gorgeous. Wish we were there, And Tayden...welcome to one crazy family!

Better Late than Never....

After getting SOAKED on Splash Mountain

(compliments of Nena,Jared and Ryan)

Well Dad finally jacked some pictures from Myca of our trip to Disney Land (back in September). When we were in CA for Alysha's wedding Myself, Collin, Myca & Jared, Ryan & Nena, Mom & Dad Earl all went to Disney Land. We had SO much fun. It was the first time that we have all been on vacation without kids.....and at "the happiest place on Earth". I really do LOVE it there. We acted like kids, went on all the rides ate good food and got some sun. I was really scared to leave Marlee for the first time, but it ended up being SUCH a blast and really good for Collin and I to just be us again. It was an awesome opportunity and I hope we get the chance to do it again sometime.

Waiting in line for Star Tours

On Pirates of the Caribbean

(I could stay on this ride all day! Love it!)

The boys on Main Street

This one was actually right after we kidnapped

Alysha from the reception.

Is it just me, or am I even starting to look

like an Earl?

When Boredom Sets In...

Before

After

So Marlee's hair is pretty curly. I have noticed when we wash it how much longer it gets when it is straight, since then I have wondered what she would look like with straight hair. Today I must have been terribly bored b/c I decided to give it a try. I took a before picture and then semi-straightened it with my flat iron....as long as she would hold still. I think she looks so much older. YIKES! It is funny b/c it looks a lot thinner straight than it does curly. It's amazing how much different hair changes someone. To me, she looked like a whole different kid!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I have had such mixed emotions about life today. I have SO much to be thankful for in my life, but yet I couldn't help but feel a little bit down due to the circumstances we are experiencing right now. I was SO sad not to be with either of our families today until I realized how thankful I was to even be a part of them. I feel SO crappy between this pregnancy and a cold, I almost forgot how lucky I am to be having a 2nd baby that so far has had no serious complications. I was so bummed that Collin had to study all afternoon without giving thanks for the education he is receiving. I was sad to set up our Christmas tree alone b/c I always do it with my mom, but then I thought how lucky I am to have all the Holiday memories and traditions I grew up with. Basically I guess what I am saying is I really have a LOT to give thanks for, whether it is easy to remember them or not. The most important things to me that I am thankful for today are:

1. Family and Friends both near and far, old and new

2.The Church and the strength it gives me to endure trials

3.Education and the unbelievable experience we are having here

4.The gift of life and how fragile I have learned it can be this year

5.Love and its ability to overcome all obstacles.

Anyway, we enjoyed our Thanksgiving dinner over at the Kays (a family in our Branch) and it was DELICIOUS! Sarah, I am thankful I didn't have to cook that all! I set up the Christmas tree this afternoon (alone, Collin was studying) and it made me feel better in a way. I LOVE Christmas...and who knows when this baby will be coming so I thought I better be prepared! I hope you all had a GREAT THANKSGIVING, I am personally thankful for you all!

P.S. This is my 33 week picture...I haven't been getting ready much so I figured I would take advantage today!

Thanksgiving Blues...

Marlee in the Leaves

Last week at my doctors appointment she told me that I was looking pretty good and there was still no change in dilation or anything so she thought as long as my appointment this week went well, she thought it would be ok for us to go home to Denver for Thanksgiving. Well, unfortunately when I went back in today I was like 1/2 cm more dilated again than last week so she told us she didn't think it was a good idea for us to go. I was TOTALLY heart broken. I had really been looking forward to heading home for at least one of the holidays to be with family. I cried all afternoon but am feeling a little better now, I keep trying to remind myself that it's all for Makenna, and that should be good enough for me.

I think it is just the fact that I had been feeling better so I got my hopes up that nothing had changed and then to hear that it had really threw me for a loop. I guess I should just be Thankful this week that I have a wonderful husband whom I love with all my heart and 1.8 beautiful daughters that make life worth living. I am gonna try to have a better attitude about things...we are happy, healthy, and blessed beyond what we deserve...that should be enough.

Marlee and I went outside for the afternoon and it was a pretty day so I took some pictures which made me feel better.

My Hero......Alysha

Aunt Lysha and her Mini-Me

A pleasant surprise for me this weekend, Alysha came to "visit". Ok, really she came because Collin called her and asked her to come help me out but it was SO nice to see her. This past 3 weeks has been REALLY trying for me. I have felt like crap physically but can deal with that, I have also just been struggling emotionally. Something about being on "bed rest" just makes you feel COMPLETELY worthless. All the daily things that aren't usually a big deal, become a big deal. I question if I should be doing the things I am, and wonder if I'm doing too much or not enough. Anyway, Alysha flew in on Friday and left this afternoon. Yesterday she scrubbed my bathrooms and did the dishes, she did like 5 loads of our laundry and helped with Marlee. I thought I had been doing "ok" until I saw what a difference her help really made. I am SO thankful for her and her efforts this week. She was my saving grace. I LOVE YOU LYSH, thanks for giving me a chance to rest and actually listen to my doctor ,you are my hero.

Marlee absolutely adores Alysha and wanted her in sight at all times. If Lysh had a jacket on, Marlee wanted one too, and if Alysha left Marlee would just walk around yelling "Lysha, LYSHA" until she came back. She will be missed. Thanks again Lysh, we love you.
We have all been sicj this week, so Marlee just wanted to cozy in and cuddle with her auntie.

Kids Say the Darndest Things....

Ok so if easily offended do not read,but I really think this is the funniest thing Marlee has said yet. The conversation took place when Marlee crawled into bed with us in the morning.

She looks down my shirt at my chest and says:

Marlee: "Mommy boobies"

Me: "Yes Marlee, those are Mommy's boobies"

Marlee: (lifting up her nightie) "I have boobies"

Me: "yes Marlee, those are your boobies"

***She then continues to pull my shirt down and says again

"Mommy boobies"

Me: "Yes, they are mine you little PERV"

Marlee: "Hey, I not a perv!"

It was SO funny. I know she has no clue what that word even means but she obviously knew it was a negative connotation, and got all defensive about it, it was HILARIOUS. Collin and I just sat there laughing for the longest time. Anyway, had to write it down somewhere, these are the things you would hate to forget!

7 Things About Me....for you Nena

(Don't worry, it's an old picture I didn't cut it or dye it.....yet)

I don't ever do these silly things either, but Nena did and tagged me and I am gonna do it for her so she will help me make a banner! So as boring as I am here goes...

1. I am a Reality TV Slut:

I LOVE reality TV for some reason. I can't even list all the shows I DVR

and skip through on a regular basis.

2. I am OCD about my closet:
I never thought it was weird until people
started helping put things away and I JUST CAN'T HANDLE IT!

I have to have ALL my clothes (and Collins) facing the right direction on

the hanger, and they have to go in order...you know, sweaters, then long

sleeves, then 3/4 length, short sleeves and tank tops....is that weird?

Oh, and the pants preferably color coded.

3. I am obsessed with warm tapioca pudding:

There is just something about it...especially when it starts to get cold

like right now....I could eat it every night before bed!

4. I have super-sonic hearing:

For some reason my sense of hearing

has seriously increased since giving birth to Marlee. Collin thinks I am

crazy, but I can hear the slightest little noises, and unfortunately

now having a 2 year old, it makes me seriously paranoid! I sleep

with ear plugs every night!

5. I love to Sing:

I have always loved to sing...not necessarily for an audience

but just for myself. It is a huge release and now that I am a mom I SO

enjoy singing to Marlee and Makenna in utero. Music makes me happy!

6. Secret Ambitions:

There are 2 things that I think I would REALLY enjoy doing

if I ever went back to school or work (besides hair).

I think it would be AMAZING to be a Labor & Delivery Nurse

b/c I ADORE babies and love pregnancy (most the time)!

The other is to take Photography classes and be able to take AMAZING

photos of my family and friends. Having Marlees pictures taken

here recently had even furthered this desire for me.

I am truly intrigued.

7. I LOVE to change my hair!

I don't know what it is...I guess I am just ADD,

but I love to dye my hair. I have had black,red,blonde,

brown, pink, highlighted, low lighted, long, short, and in between

Keeps things interesting!

I am leaving it for now b/c my husband loves it long and I haven't

had it long since we got married....here's for you babe!

So, there it is, 7 things you never knew, and probably never wanted to

know about me! Makes you think though!

I Tag:

Chels

Rachel

Lindsay

and Corbin (lets be honest...you have no life)

One Day at a Time...

I am surviving life on "bed rest" although I have to say it is not as easy as it sounds. It is REALLY hard not to get up and do all the normal things you are used to doing in your day-to-day routine. Play with and pick up Marlee, do the dishes, vacuum (that one is driving me NUTS!), etc. Since I don't necessarily feel like I am under the weather, or sick I feel like I should be up doing things. I just have to keep reminding myself, it is not about me, it is about Makenna and making sure she gets here as safely as possible. I am so excited to meet this little trouble maker!
As you can see, I have edited my template here on Blogger, but in doing so, it deleted my ENTIRE LIST of all my friends and families Blog addresses. So...if it's not too much to ask, as you check in here, PLEASE LEAVE a comment and link to get to your blogs so I can remake my list. I really enjoy being able to get on and read what is happening with my loved ones. PLEASE!!! Love to all!

Uncle Corbin

HE'S BACK!!!!!

(notice how they are all looking at him....yup, he's still the center of attention!)

Well, last night was Corbins (or should I say Elder Earl)last night in the mission field. I wasn't able to go to the temple but we did drive to Omaha to meet him afterward. We went to the Trail Center and joined the group for a very nice testimony meeting and got to meet some of his buddies and old companions. Marlee was still afraid of him. I don't get it. She was saying "See Co-bin" all day. She was just WAY over tired and as you can see in the only picture we got her with him she was having a hard time warming up, and of course as any good Uncle, he was loving every minute of torturing her. We went to Perkins afterward and I ate my like 8th meal of the day and we met some of his friends from the mission and dropped him at the hotel. Although I have to say it was so funny because we said our goodbyes and went to drive away and he walked through one set of doors and then tried to keep walking but they didn't open...he was locked out of the hotel and and standing there staring at the glass door looking thoroughly confused. I almost peed I was laughing so hard...a little slap happy I think, it was past my bedtime. Anyway, he is still as spastic and cocky as when he left and I was happy to see it. It was good to see him and worth the 4 hour drive, although I won't be staying up til 3 am again any time soon! WELCOME HOME CORB!