And the Baby is.......

Well, yesterday we had our ultra-sound. I am 20 weeks, yeah! Half way there!! We didn't tell the kids that we were finding out, just that I had an appointment. We've been telling the kids that "we" don't choose what baby comes to us, that Heavenly Father decides those things." They (even Zach) were good with whatever. Zach even said, "I don't care mom. I like girl and boy babies." Right now he doesn't care about much except his StarWars Video Game! He goes to bed talking about it, and wakes up ready to play! Anyway, we did find out, and we are all smiling. This little one will fit perfect in the Johnson Puzzle! If you want to know what it is... Is Zach double stuffed or will he get a buddy? Well, you'd better leave some comments, or email us to find out!! Have a great day!! loves

My "Gifts"

So I recently watched a movie called "The Ultimate Gift" (wonderful movie) and I was thinking of what 12 gifts I have recently "learned/experienced:"
1. The Gift of Service - I've had so many people, some I don't even know very well, help me during my sick days of pregnancy. Some randomly bring by dinner (so that my family doesn't have to eat cereal again), some who offer to take the kids, some who just simply call and check on me. I have felt so thankful to be surrounded by such kindness and love.
2. The Gift of Friendship - I loved receiving all your Christmas cards, and catching up on lives and seeing your beautiful families. I definately have been blessed with wonderful friends!!
3. The Gift of Laughter - there's nothing like your little son saying, Hey mom, Dad's your honey huh? Hey when you go into Zuka Juice just tell them you need two, one big one for you and one big one for your honey, and then I'll drink it for dad. Okay?" Or Emmie being mad at me and saying, (in a VERY angry voice) I like you!!! (of course meaning she doesn't like me at that moment) and replying I love you too Em. (but I don't use the angry voice).
4. The Gift of Money - with another year starting. A new budget begins. Another attempt to do better this year. So far, so good! I appreciate being blessed with enough for our needs, even when our roof falls apart.
5. The Gift of Humility - Sunday I was just called to be the YW President in my ward. Need I say more? Luckily I will be surrounded by FABULOUS ladies, who will be my strength.
6. The Gift of Family - I am so thankful and grateful for the blessings that come from having a strong family foundation. Both Derek and I have such terrific families!! And our little gang is pretty awesome too!
7. The gift of Children - 4 wonderful children, each with different strenghts and different talents. Each fitting perfectly into our family puzzle. We know that this next little one, not matter the "flavor" will fit perfect into our puzzle.
8. The Gift of Health - now that I am feeling better (YEA!) I am so grateful for health, and also (knock on wood) that our little family has been very blessed in that department. I pray that this little one joining our family will also be healthy too!!
9. The Gift of Learning - I am on the quest this year to learn how to take better pictures, with my fancy new camera. I am committing to even taking a class. I also am so excited to be studying the Book of Mormon this year in Sunday School.
10. The Gift of Failure - Yes, that sounds weird, but it seems like the times that something doesn't work out, it makes me try again. I am pretty stubborn about not stopping until it's done "right."
11. The Gift of Love- I am in love, with my "honey" and 4 (almost 5) beautiful children. And even when I am the "wicked witch of the west" they love me back.
12. The Gift of a Perfect Day - what would that be....the other day we had a pretty perfect day. The kids played together, not much arguing, and we laughed alot. Not giggle but a full belly ha ha. Complete with tickles and wrestling. Finishing out the day with a trip to the "The Magic Forest,:" a night time story I have created, which Zach likes to help tell, and which "magically" helps the kids go to sleep.(Miss Whitney thinks she can't sleep without it). And then Magically they did go to sleep, early enough that Derek and I could relax and be together!

christmas wishes...

Wow, I can't believe that the holidays are actually over.... Zach, asked if we could have Christmas EVERY day. I assured him that it wouldn't be so special if it happened EVERY day, and that it is Jesus' birthday only once a year. He thought about that and then said, "Then can it be my birthday every day?" (this made me laugh) Well, slowly, and hesitantly the decorations have been put away, and now the walls and shelves are dusted, and pieces are placed back into their "assigned" place, if you look around you almost wonder if Christmas really happened....but it did, and as usual, we were blessed beyond measure, and the Christmas magic filled the air. I wish I could bottle the feeling, the smells, of Christmas.. but until I figure out how to do that, here are a few of my favorite Magical Christmas moments....

The Christmas Story, puppet show.... Emily was the "baby Jesus."

Following the puppet show, we enjoyed the "live" production of the Christmas story.Complete with "baby" Jesus, played by my niece Bella.

And of course Christmas Eve wounldn't be complete without the "matching" Christmas PJ's!! Oh, I love Christmas!

Blowing into 2008

I am just wondering what the rest of you were doing Saturday morning at 3:30am. Maybe, you were like me, feeling like the first little pig, as the big bad wolf was huffing and puffing, trying to blow my house down.... I almost thought that he might be successful. There was enough blowing outside that I "sprang from my bed, to see what was the matter." I went to the window to a scene from the wizard of Oz, also expecting to see things flying by, as Dorothy did - and I DID see things flying by our front window. What? Well besides the trash cans rolling down the street, pieces of our roof (the shingles) were flying one by two, by three, by.......many many many!! I went back to bed to tell Derek. The huffing and puffing had also awaken him, and he asked what I saw, and I told him, our roof is falling apart, it is flying away.

Now it is about 4:30, and he is now up, and we have no clue what to do, and so after a few calls, we decide there is only one thing to do, try to go back to bed. I plugged my ears and eventually drifted off, Derek continued to listen to the howling wind. When morning came Derek went out to assess the damage, which was more that we'd hoped, as our front tree and yard (as well as other neighbors trees and yards, were now decorated with the shingles off our roof.

Thank goodness for kind neighbors, who came to our aid, to offer ideas, solutions, and comfort. So as I said we are "blowing" into 2008!! Just when you think you can ease into a new year, the fun has just begun!! We are off and flying.... I am excited for the adventures that I know this year has in store for us! Life is so exciting, and fun, even when the wolf is huffing and puffing, he didn't blow our house down, so all is well. Happy 2008!

This is one of the piles of shingles, we have several of these. This is the top of our house, and I couldn't do it justice. This is a neighbors tree (down the street) where I spotted another one of our shingles. (You have to look closely - I was a little to far away to do it justice).

P.S. If you find shingles in your tree, just let us know. Derek is pretty good at getting them out!