Update of the Year! First up...August.

Our life has been very busy, to put it lightly, the last few months and my blog has been deeply neglected. I have about six months to make up for, and will try to do it in multiple posts by month. Bare with me...

First up,more pics of the first few weeks of little "Jackman." He is such a good baby; quiet, content, and a great sleeper.

Jack's siblings absolutely adore him, and have since day 1! There is something to be said about having a large age gap in between your children; they are soooo excited to have a baby around. For David and I, it was like a new adventure. It seemed like I was a first time parent all over again! Five and a half years is a long time without a baby around! I can't even tell you how many times I was peed and pooped on, you'd think I had no experience changing a diaper. Heck, six months in and David still tells me I am a rookie (I don't change that many diapers considering I work full-time and he is at home all day with Jack). We are so blessed that Jackson came to our family, and I couldn't be more grateful!

We were also very blessed to have my in-laws, Luke and Nichole, here for the first week. Nichole is a great cook, maid, and nanny. She stepped in and helped us immensely. She is also the mother of 6 children and was a God-send who listened to my late-night postpartum anxiety, worry, and aches and pains, and assured and comforted me as only a mother could. Her kids kept mine company while mom and dad tried to adjust to the great change in their lives and we are infinitely grateful.

Also, my dad came up from Arizona and stayed for two weeks. This helped immensely with my fear of being alone. After my seizure during delivery I was afraid to be alone. I worried that it may happen again and I would have no one for my newborn baby. He also stepped right in and helped with housework, carpooling, and just being a companion while David was at school. We spent our days with Jack, watching Law and Order, CSI, and NCIS. I am so burnt out on those shows that I cringe when I see them in my guide menu on the TV! We also were very daring and put up 10 dozen ears of freezer corn! Dad also canned beets, yuck! We love him so much and always appreciate his support.

Next up, the first day of school! This year we have a Freshman, 7th grader, 2nd grader, and Kindergartner. Quite the spread...I know you are jealous. They were not as keen on having their pictures taken, but I coaxed Jen, Madi (sort of), and Andrew into it! 

Jenna started Jr. High and if you couldn't tell from the picture she was thrilled. ;) I think she had a mixture of nerves, coupled with all of the excitement about starting the first day. Alas, she only got lost a few times, KayDee was a tremendous help, and she had a fabulous first day!

Madisen HATES having her picture taken, unless it is her idea of course. Luckily I was able to snap this one! She had a terrific start back to school, made lots of new friends, and loves her teacher this year. Madi is such an advanced student and her teacher gives her challenging work, it is such a blessing. She recently just took 5 hours of tests to get into the ALL (Advanced Learners Lab) program at the Magnet school in Highland. She is at the top of her class!

Andrew was so excited to start Kindergarten, he could hardly wait! I was so proud of him, and only got a little teary eyed as David and I walked back home. I think it made it easier having Jackson 2 weeks before Andrew started school; my baby wasn't in school, I still had one at home. Also, our elementary school is only one block from our house and during the three months of my maternity leave I was able to frequently walk Andrew to school which gave us some bonding time. So proud of this little guy! He's a smart, motivated little boy and an excellent big brother!

As you can see, I have no picture of KayDee. I will leave it up to your imagination as to why that is... ;) I don't have any birthday pictures of her, all she wanted was the clothes she had already picked out for herself online. She has become quite the little shop-o-holic! I do of course have this lovely picture of her! She will not be very happy about my posting this, but this is her with her new braces. She hates braces thus far and curses them daily. I tell her she better just love them since they are costing us $5,000!

This pretty much sums up August. I will post September happenings soon!

Jackson Chase

I am a little behind, okay that is a HUGE understatement! Life has been a whirlwind the last two months with the arrival of our newest precious gift...our baby boy. 

On August 13th, after much anticipation, we welcomed Jackson Chase to our family. He is our fifth child, and our second son. He was born at a healthy 6 lbs 14 oz after a kind of scary delivery. I thank my Heavenly Father everyday that Jackson and I both came out okay, and know that he truly watches over me and knows me personally. Heavenly Father knew my fears going into my delivery and watched over us both as only a loving father could. Two months later, I am so grateful for the wonderful spirit that he sent to our family. We couldn't live without him!

There is a very miraculous story behind our little Jackson. Last year I was facing some scary health issues and with that came numerous tests. On the eve before a particularly scary test, I asked my father if he would give me a Priesthood blessing. He agreed and invited his Bishop to participate in the blessing. After the anointing, my father's bishop gave me a wonderful blessing of healing and comfort. During this blessing, he told me that the Lord blesses me with the health and strength I will need to bring our spirit children to my family. He promised me that if I have faith, I will raise my children in the righteousness he desires. My blessing left me comforted and at peace, while at the same time a bit puzzled...

Driving home, David and I discussed what was said in my blessing. We were not planning to have any more children, and I tried to rationalize what the bishop had said about more children by stating that he didn't know we already have children and maybe he was speaking about them. David told me that if I believe in what had just taken place, I could not honestly believe that that is the case. Due to what the next day would bring, as well as numerous trials that followed, I soon forgot that special promise.

In December 2012, I told David that I was feeling a little "bizarre." David teased that maybe I was pregnant. Knowing this could not be the case, I tried to push it from my mind. That was impossible and I begged David to go and buy a pregnancy test. Sure enough, it came back positive. I cried. My husband is a full-time student and stay-at-home father, I am a full-time graduate student and full-time employee outside of our home. We couldn't have a baby! We were past that point in our lives! Andrew was getting ready to turn 5! This wasn't happening to us! And then it all came flooding back...the morning sickness with Andrew, the traumatic delivery, the colic, etc. I was overwhelmed, terrified, and scared all at once, and this lasted for a few months. Eventually I warmed up to the idea that we were expanding our family, and I could not feel more selfish about how I felt in the beginning. My pregnancy went very smooth, and now that I have recovered from pregnancy and childbirth I am loving every second of our newest child.

Jackson is my blue eyed, chubster man. He brings so much light and happiness to our life! I would miss him even if we had never met. It's amazing how Heavenly Father knew there was a piece of my heart that was missing when even I didn't. Jackson is that piece. He is an absolute angel and a miracle.  I am so grateful that Heavenly Father knows what is best for me, and I need to have more faith in his path for my life. As Jackson lays next to me sleeping, I can't help but melt at how blessed I am. Heavenly Father has entrusted me, us, with five special spirit children. He trusts us to raise them and love them so that one day we can all return back to him. I am so thankful that my family is sealed together for time and all eternity, they are my everything.

Here are some pictures of our beautiful baby boy!

So pure and innocent. He truly is a blessing!

This picture shows how much he looks like Madisen!
He has strawberry blonde peach fuzz and big blue eyes!

So Little!

Daddy's hands look huge compared to his tiny little head.

This is probably my favorite picture ever! It truly
captures how quickly my whole world changed for this
amazing little boy! He is now part of my everything.

Guess this picture is now outdated! I will post a new family picture
as soon as we get one done! 

Ohhhh baby!

Well, I am now 37 weeks pregnant and two weeks from induction day. I feel very ready, while at the same time extremely nervous to be having another baby! With Andrew being 5, I haven't been around a newborn for a while. People say it is like riding a bike...we'll see.

Luckily for us, in all the excitement for our little boy, the fabulous ladies I work with and my amazing sister-in-law Debra threw me baby showers last week. It was a great time, and little baby Awtrey received all kinds of good stuff! Here are some pics from all the excitement!

The "Work Party"

Please note that my pictures do not do it justice. Marci, a good friend at work put together an adorable baby shower for my colleagues. We ate, laughed, and opened gifts. They even got me the awesome new swing I have been coveting for a while! Not a cheap gift, and it is very appreciated!

Really cute decoration!

There was so much food!

Me with one of the gifts. I just love
unflattering pictures!

The "Family & Friends Party"

My sister-in-law Debra threw me a Star Wars themed baby shower! As you all know, I am a TOTAL and COMPLETE Star Wars fan! My favorite movie is "The Empire Strikes Back" and my favorite character is Han Solo. Debra spent so much time and effort to make this shower amazing and it was a great time!!

As you can see, I got a pure chocolate Han Solo frozen in carbonite! My favorite character, movie, and scene!

I don't know what I would do without the amazing family and friends that I have! I truly appreciate all of their efforts to make this baby a fun and joyful experience. Little Jackson and I are so blessed.

Now its countdown to baby time! I am soooo excited for my new little guy, can't wait to share his with the other amazing guys and girls in my life!

Our Baby Boy

Had my 33 week doctors' appointment this morning. Boy, where does the time go?! Our little guy is progressing really well, getting fat and happy! It's amazing to think that in a few short weeks we will be welcoming our 5th child! I may be crazy, but it is going to be quite the adventure. 

Our kids are all very excited. We have just about everything we need to hit the ground running. After we set up the crib, a couple of weeks ago, Andrew was convinced it was time for him to be born. I told him we had to wait a couple of more months but he stated, "We have his bed for him to sleep, and diapers and clothes and bottles! That means its time!" Ahhh... I love kids. I wish it were that easy!

Madi on the other hand is quite worried about what I am about to go through. She loves watching "A Baby Story" on TLC and has seen what labor actually entails. For any of you that tune in, it can be quite a traumatizing rendition of labor and delivery! She is giving me quite a bit of sympathy for my upcoming experience and I try to calm her fears by saying "I have done this NUMEROUS times, I know what ready." She is comforted by that. Maybe if I keep telling myself that I will be comforted to. Although I have been through labor and delivery several times I still have some anxiety! It has been 5.5 years and I have a degree of amnesia when it comes to labor, I just always remember the sweet little angel in the end that makes it all worth it! 

Alas, here is a picture of my pregnant belly! I know women do this, I never have before, but thought I would join the "norm." Heck...why not? This pregnancy has been nice in many respects, I have not gotten very big and have only gained 11 lbs. That said, I think he rearranges my lower spine weekly and I have some pretty heinous back pain. You win some...you lose some. It still beats the awful morning sickness I had with Madi and Andrew!

The Things Kids Say...Okay Just Madisen

Kids say the darnedest things! I know that we say this all the time, but lately, Madisen has been on a roll! Here are some of her current funnies:

• "Mom, Andrew is starting Kindergarten in the fall and he is not even reading yet! When I was going in to Kindergarten I could read and do math. Geeze, what is wrong with him?!" To this I replied that when Madi was Andrew's age she had a stay-at-home mom who had practically homeschooled her from the time she was three.
• "Mom! Jenna is talking about boys again! Makes me want to PUKE!" Oh to remind her of this when she is a teenager!
• "Mom, everyone knows that Andrew is your favorite no matter what you say. You just tell us we're all your favorites so we will still like you!" Oh boy...
• "Mom, Andrew is a little messy thing, covered in dirt, that should have to sleep outside with Stryker!" If only she could see what she looks like when she comes in from playing outside all day...oh wait she does! 
• "Mom, dad is more playful than you. With you it's just work, work, work, oh and you're always tired because of the baby." Oh, I can't wait until she is a mother!!
• "Mom, Andrew won't stop following me and he is making me crazy!"
• "Dad, you're just lazy. All you do is sit around and watch tv or get on the KSL."
• "I'm dad's princess. KayDee and Jenna aren't" This was said to KD and Jenna to which they replied, "We are too!" Madisen then confirmed to them that they are not.
• "Oh great... Another brother. I think we should give him" this was proceded by her crying for two straight days. After she stopped crying she decided that she will train him to "Not be like Andrew" and then he can stay.

Alas, most of her blunt comments involve Andrew, due to how much she just loves him! I mean look at these two! Don't they look like the perfect little companions?!

So today, I am sitting at work and the phone rings. It's "home." Since the kids have been out for summer break I get these calls frequently about kids not doing chores, KD being mean, Andrew doing something Madi told him he couldn't do, etc. Today was one of the best ones yet, it went like this!

Me: Hello

Madisen: Mom will you tell my stupid sisters that I am to old      

                to take a bath with Andrew!!!

Me: Yes Madi, let me talk to KayDee

Madisen: Good! Here she is!

I mean isn't that just priceless?! Oh the things kids say...

"Boys Night" & Trying to Salvage the Weekend

As you can see from my last post, our Memorial Day plans were ruined. The kids were totally bummed out so we tried to compensate for not going to MT. 

On Friday night we headed over to our favorite local dollar theater and saw "The Croods." It was your classic disney movie, with a happy ending of course, but wasn't so bad I wanted to poke my own eyes out! The kids loved it, Jenna, Madi, and Andrew that is. KayDee is getting to "cool" to hang out with us and went to chill with her best friend Sara. 

Saturday morning we went swimming at "Big Bucket." Its the pool in Lehi, and my kids love it there. Sadly and much to my surprise, the water made me start cramping up pretty bad and after an hour and a half I told the kids we needed to go. They would have stayed all day if I let them! Little fishies! Don't worry...I made it up to them with a trip to Macey's grocery store where they piled the cart high with treats! ;)

After we got home, Andrew and David decided they needed to go on a boys camp-out. David keeps telling me that as our girls get older, he and Andrew are going to need to escape that one dreadful week a month. You all know what I am talking about! I laugh and tell him they will survive. Here are some cute pics from their camp-out. As you can see they had to Stryker with them since "he is a boy too!"

I don't know if you can tell how dirty Andrew is, but it's pretty gross!

The two fish they caught! Andrew was soooo excited!!

They took the two back seats out of the Suburban instead of worrying about hauling
the trailer or pitching a tent. As you can see, it was a "snuggly" night!

This is what Andrew looked like on the drive home!

The girls stayed home and went to eat at Cafe Rio, yummy!, and visited Blockbuster for a few videos I knew I was going to regret renting. I filled Jenna and Madi up with sugar and they were good for the night. We all camped out in the living like a 10 year-old girls slumber party, watching movies and eating junk all night!

 When the boys got home on Sunday, Jenna and Madi talked David into taking them up American Fork Canyon because they wanted to go camping too! David is such a good sport, and loaded up fresh supplies and off they went. Have I ever said what a great husband I have and an even greater dad? Well he is!! So it was just me and KayDee for Sunday night and we spent it watching the amazing Iron Chef America Tournament of Champions and Chopped. We are die hards for those two shows! My favorite was Geoffrey Zakarian but he only made it to the second round. :(  (I know what you are thinking...I need a life!)

Alas, it was a very nice, peaceful night with most of the kids gone and I watched tv, read my book, and tried to get some sleep. That is easier said than done with David gone and being seven months pregnant!  The fam came back Monday around lunch time and told me what a "great time they had!" 

On Monday afternoon we went back to the theater to see "OZ." It was a pretty good prequel for the old "Wizard of OZ," and was even a little scary at times. I was nostalgic listening to my kids talk about how scary parts of it were. I remember being a little kid and being totally freaked out by the old movie, although "Return to OZ" was much more terrifying! I know that I'm not the only one who was scared of a talking Scarecrow, a Lion who cried all the time, and a Tin Man who walked "very strangely."  

I'm so glad I get to spend time with my little family before this new baby arrives. It is going to be a little bit of a shock when we don't run around all the time when we do now. I think they will be so excited to be around the baby that I will get a pass. We'll see!