life is kinda kickin my butt right now...

So...

Sorry for the lack of posts recently, especially posts with pictures. I know I need to get on that, especially for the west coast fam.

My excuse is that I'm pregnant. And it's been a way different pregnancy than it was with the other three - I'm actually sick, and super duper tired, and feeling a bit achey-painey in general. We're pretty excited about the baby coming (probably the end of April next year, maybe early May if we're lucky...) but these days I keep asking myself, "Why did we think this was a good idea? Remind me one more time, Heavenly Father..."

Working in the evenings just makes the fatigue a little more difficult to handle. But we'll push through this, and pretty soon we'll be into the second trimester and I'll feel better for sure. :)

Pics to come soon, I promise!

another little blessing...

Last night for family home evening we had a lesson on patriarchal blessings - we started with treasure maps that Olivia and I had made, leading to "treasure" (candy, of course) that was "buried" under Tucker's dresser. They each had their own special map to follow, but they all led to the same treasure.  Then I explained how patriarchal blessings are like treasure maps, and if we follow them, we will get the one thing that we want most of all. Then I asked the kids, "what is the one thing that mommy wants most, more than anything else?" Olivia shouted, "a new kitchen!" (i'll admit, i had been wishing aloud on the "shooting star" - was rylie's bite of food flying creatively to her mouth - that i could have a new kitchen...) But then Tucker said almost as quickly, "To have the spirit in our home!" Not the answer I was looking for, but totally acceptable. :) Then we talked about how our family can be together forever, and the celestial kingdom. And Dan and I each read a portion of our blessings to the kids (the parts that talked about our family.) I got teary eyed later that night saying my prayers when I thought about how perceptive Tucker is sometimes. He is such a tender little guy.

at least i know she thinks about this...

Yesterday I was making a card for a friend and Olivia wanted to make one too. So I gave her some paper and a pen and she said, "I know what I want it to say." "Ok," I said.  "What do you want me to write?" She looked at me with a sincere expression, her voice just a little softer, and said, "Dear Aubrie. I'm sorry for all the not-nice times we've had. I know we can make ourselves better by sharing together."

Just about broke my heart. I know that she is aware of the fact that she struggles to share with her friends and speak kindly to them. And at least I know that she wants to try to improve. I forget sometimes that she is only four. I'm so glad the Lord gives me moments like these to see the "child of god" in my children.