Any Day Now...

Right now I am:

~Enjoying the silence of naptime
~Almost through unpacking boxes
~Cooking pumpkin soup and baking rolls for dinner
~Making my way through about 6 loads of laundry to be folded
~Crossing off my 'to do' list one thing at a time
~Oh, and did I mention - dilated to a 5+!

So, any day now, I could be doing this:




But, then again, it could still be weeks. Who knows. One of life's great remaining mysteries.

What we've been up to....

You may have noticed the sparsity of posts recently. We are still alive, but most of our time is being spent packing (our things, not our children!) It's amazing how we can feel as though we have so little, and yet packing can consume SO MUCH of our time!

I also spent HOURS upon HOURS on the computer researching consumer reports, computing, searching out deals, calculating, etc. and we finally added a new member to (and, really, FOR) our growing family. Meet "Suzie" (named by Angel):





Yes, against our better judgment (prior to the prospect of having 3 kids, we thought we were 'too cool') we have now joined the ranks of the millions of minivan drivers on the road. And all I can say to you SUV lovers out there is: SPACE! We could seriously live out of this thing. And, since our purchase has left us completely penniless...if we can't afford rent we may do just that. (kidding, of COURSE. About living in the van.)

Anyhow, just know that, if you don't hear from us for awhile, it's because we are packing - then moving - then unpacking - and possibly then going to the hospital to have this baby (hopefully in that order!) We'll be sure and post updates when we can, though.

First Snow of the Season!

This morning we woke up to several inches of snow on the ground. The kids arose while it was still dark, as usual, but as soon as they looked outside they started BEGGING to go out and play in it! I insisted that they absolutely HAD to wait until the sun came up, at least, so they stood for the next hour or so with their noses pressed to the window. I couldn't resist the photo-op with their delightful morning hair! :)

OVERHEARD at the window:

Angel: "It's so beautiful!"
Grins: "Coming down! Snow coming down! WOT (a lot) of snow coming down!"

(In response to my question "What do you want to do when you go outside?"
Angel: "Make snow angels!!"
Grins: "Throw snow balls! Snowball fight! Fight! Fight! Fight!" (is he a boy???)
Angel: "Make snow cones and eat them!"
Grins: "Catch snowflakes in our mouths, AHHHHHH!" (he proceeds to tilt his head back and demonstrate his snowball catching techniques, then both children break out in Barney's rendition of "If All the Snowflakes were candy bars and milkshakes..."
Angel: "We could build a snowman!"
Grins: "Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight!" (Just remember, this is a child who would - and often DOES - throw ANYTHING he can get his hands on - and snowballs are just about the ONLY parent-approved item he can throw at people, so snowball fights are pretty much HEAVEN to him.)

Fortunately for me, despite the fact that he was up all night with Angel, the Mr. offered to take them outside. Not that I didn't want to leave the warmth of my robe and slippers and try to stuff my gargantuan belly into some snow pants, but....needless to say, the Mr. is my hero. I then proceeded to gather up all the coats, snow pants, gloves, hats, socks, boots, etc. and get to work. After what seemed an ETERNITY (and not without a LOT of whining because they were MUCH too anxious to get outside to bother with bundling up) I got both kids bundled. The whole while, I was thinking "How am I EVER going to get THREE kids ready to play in the snow! Good grief!"



They finally made it outside, which is where they are as I write this. I helped myself to a nice, hot shower, and then made some hot cocoa and tea, hot cinnamon bread french toast and fresh fruit...but they have yet to come in from the cold. I keep getting glimpses of the flying snowballs, the snow angels being made and the snowmen being built, and wondering if I shouldn't break down and go join them. But then I remember my fuzzy robe and my warm, dry slippers and I am content for them to enjoy it with their Daddy. Does that make me a bad Mom? After all, we do live in Utah, so there will be plenty more snow days to come!...

Happy Birthday Daddy! by Angel

(The following post was composed entirely by Angel (except the italics) and typed by her mother):

Today is my Dad's birthday. He is turning 82 (we still occasionally mix up our 8s and 3s). He is not as old as my mom though because she is 27!

For Daddy's birthday, I wanted to get him a truck. A toy one. But I didn't. But I got him some chocolate balls that are his favorite candy. And he will have one and he will share the rest with me because he loves me so much.

I made a card for my dad. It has a "T" on the front, and Happy Birthday - my mom wrote that. And I drew pink and light blue smiley faces with yellow hair. And I wrote an M. And this is what it says because I told Mommy to write it:

Dear Dad,
Happy Birthday.
I love you.
I love you giving me hugs.
I love you playing with me.
If you want, you can come to my house.
I hope you have a good day.
Love (Angel)

And I made wrapping paper all by myself. It has my hands and feet on it. Light blue and pink ones. And rainbow even black and white.

You're the best. (she actually says that! It's hilarious!) And I hope Mommy will go to work and then I can stay home with you again. But if you have to go to the hospital I'll come with you and help you help the sick people. Because sometimes I love you even more than Mommy.

The Love of My Life: My Husband, Eternal Companion, Significant Other, Spouse, Better Half, Best Friend, Lover, Confidant .....

I was just tagged by Ma Fitz so here goes . . .

1. Where did we first meet?
In Hawaii - that's right, folks, Paradise makes for a very romantic beginning!
Laie, Oahu, Hawaii - Human Genetics and Concert Choir at BYUH to be exact.

2. How long did you date before you got married?
The short answer: We knew each other for 1 year without really dating, then when we finally decided we were interested in being more than friends, went on 1 date, got engaged, and were then engaged for 1 more year (longest year of my life!).

3.How long have you been married?
7 years and 2 months as of tomorrow. :)

4. What does he do that surprises you?
He always has something up his sleeve.

5. What is your favorite feature of his?
VERY hard to decide. For blogging purposes, I'll have to go with his SMILE...

6. What is your favorite quality of his?
His integrity, his strong work ethic, and his absolute devotion to God, me, and our family.

7. Does he have a nickname for you?
LOVEY - cheesy, I know, and I can't even remember how it started, but there you have it.

8. What is his favorite color?
BURGUNDY. (Must have the "R" rolled and be said with an Irish accent, I don't know why.)

9. What is his favorite food?
Very hard to tell. He eats and compliments EVERYTHING I make (even the disasters...) and if I ask his preference for dinner, he says "Whatever's easiest for you!" I know he favors asparagus, chicken enchiladas, tortilla soup, zuppa toscana and a special tofu stir-fry I make, but I couldn't tell you his favorite.

10. What is his favorite sport?
Watching: Nothing (One of my most favorite of his qualities!!!) Playing/Participating: Hard to say - he loves running, biking, volleyball and basketball most, but I'm not sure which he'd rank highest. Probably running?

11. When and where was your first kiss?
I'd like to say the rooftop of the Grand Hotel in Taiwan (we came oh so close but he lost the nerve) - but about a week later I finally decided to take matters into my own hands in the ocean at Temple Beach (Laie, HI). Awkward because he wasn't expecting it, but special nonetheless. And it had to be done because he was leaving Hawaii that night. :)

12. What is your favorite thing to do as a couple?
Talk.

13. Do you have any children?
Only the 2 (almost 3) most AMAZING kids EVER CREATED - one boy, one girl (and one more on the way)

14. Does he have a hidden talent?
My favorite one: He gives the MOST AMAZING massages - I've been to TONS of massage therapists, but not one has even come close to his magical hands. Sorry, though, I'm the only beneficiary, so you'll just have to take my word for it. :)

15. How old is he?
32 tomorrow! - if you're reading, Happy Birthday, babe!

16. Who said "I love you" first?
Him, and he's almost always first every time since.

17. What is his favorite type of music?
Classical, spiritual and celtic.

18. What do you admire most about him?
His determination and willingness to work hard through some of the most difficult challenges I've ever known anyone to be faced with.

19. Do you think he will read this?
Maybe. I know he checks in periodically for updates since he's probably on the computer more than he's home these days (due to school, not by choice).

20. I tag: Sarah Mudaliar