A New Member

Breaking the news to Ellie we were going to have a boy was not easy.  I was a little sad, but the worst part was seeing Ellie so sad. She has really been wanting a sister for 4 years.  Every family prayer we have she prays for a girl.  Every fast Sunday she fasts for a girl.   It was really hard to see her so completely devastated.  She was broken hearted.   I had the ultra sound on a Monday- but didn't tell the kids. I lied and told them it was Friday because I knew Ellie would be beside herself waiting to find out.  She wouldn't be able to sleep for 2 days before.  I'm not exaggerating.  So I waited till they were all home. I tried to tell the kids in a fun way.  I bought blue helium balloons and put them in a box.  I bought a blue table cloth and blue plates and cups for dinner.  I told them to come in the front room and they all started freaking out.  They knew what was happening.  I told them when I opened the box, if the balloons were pink it is a girl, and if it's blue, it's a girl.  The anticipation was thick.  I lifted the box and as the balloons floated to the ceiling there was nothing but silence.  Then the tears started flowing.  Pretty much everyone was crying except Paul and Darren.  It was not a fun sight.   Poor little Ellie excused herself to her room.  She said she just needed to be by herself.  After about a half hour I went up there and we had a good cry together.  We talked about how all she wanted was a sister.  Mostly, the reason I was wanting a girl is so that Ellie could have a sister.  She was devastated she will never have a sister. I am sad too.  I love my sisters.  I can't imagine a life without sisters.  I told Ellie it would be me and her.  We would have to be especially close.   Then she asked if she had done something wrong.  Why hadn't Heavenly Father answered her prayers?  I don't know.  That's a hard one.  I wonder the same thing.  We just have to do our best in life and trust that Heavenly Father knows what is best for our family.  
After a while Darren came in and talked to us.  Seeing Ellie so broken was just too much for him.  He asked her if there was anything at all we could do to help her feel better.  She said no.  After a few moments she said, "a puppy, I want a puppy."  I thought, "Oh NO!!! Not a dog!! Anything else but a dog! I'd almost rather go through another pregnancy!"  But we are not having another one.  We are done.  And so we got a puppy.  Ellie wanted a little puppy that could sit on her lap.  I ended up finding this sweet little puppy on Craigslist in the tri-cities.  The moment Ellie held her was magic.  The crack in Ellie's heart was healed.  The little puppy licked Ellie's nose and face.  They snuggled and loved each other and everything was ok.  Now Ellie is happy she got a puppy and gets a baby brother too.  She said the puppy healed her heart.  That's worth any sacrifice for a mom. 

It's a.....

Well, I'm having a boy!  I would be lying if I said I wasn't hoping for a girl.  Like really hoping.  Ellie and I have been praying for a girl about a year before Gabe was born. Ellie and I cried for 2 days when we learned Gabe was a boy.  I told her I would have one more.  And I was praying I could have a little girl that looked like me.  Tan skin, Dark brown hair, and brown eyes.  But I'm over it. I am having a boy and I am thrilled about it.  I am not sad that Gabe is a boy, and I will not be sad that this little baby is a boy. I was sad- for about a day.  But I got over it and I know Heavenly Father knows what is best for our family.  I know he has a plan for us.  I know this little baby boy will bring us so much joy and after he is born I will never look back wishing he had been a girl.  I already love him so much.  I love being a mom to 4 boys. I love my boys.  I love this little baby.  We have been thinking about boy names.  We like classic Bible names.  Our top 3 thoughts right now are: Adam, Luke, or Noah.  Look at this sweet little hand waving hi.  How precious is that?!?!  We love you little boy!

Early Mornings

Remember how I talked about Paul and Ellie being in marching Band?  Well,  It means a lot of early morning Saturdays I drop them off at the school to go march in a parade.  They love it and always have a great time.  I am so happy for them to be doing such fun things.  And don't they look cute in their band uniforms??!

Lunch Break

One of Gabe's favorite things to do is go visit Darren on his lunch breaks.  They are usually fast- but worth it.  His hospital cafeteria has amazing food.  They pride themselves on their healthy, organic, gluten free food.  I think they have a real chef.  We get a 20% discount and it gets taken out of Darren's pay check- so it feels practically free!!   Everyone in the cafeteria knows Gabe and loves him.  It's so fun to be a stay at home mom with a husband who has a cool job. 

My Kids Rock!

I am so happy to finally feel like a real family.  By that I mean- kids who take music lessons, and sports etc.  When Darren was a student it was always, "When dad graduates and gets a job you can play soccer,  take piano lessons, take gymnastics," etc.  Now Paul plays trumpet, Ellie plays the flute, and all my kids take piano lessons.  I love it.  I love to hear them practicing.  I am musically handicapped so it is nice to know that my kids aren't. 
Recently I went to a concert of Ellie and Paul's and the music was AMAZING!!! I couldn't believe the talent of the students.  It was the High School and Junior High in Hermiston combined.  It was great. 
 Hermiston has a great music program.    They pride themselves on their great music teachers and program.  This was in the news recently  "Shrinking school budgets have short-changed or even eliminated music from the curriculum in many schools, but not in the Hermiston School District.
The district has kept at least one music teacher in each school, which is part of the reason why the National Association of Music Merchants named it one of Oregon's four best communities for music education in 2014. The association gave Best Community for Music Education Award to 376 districts nationwide that "set the bar in offering students access to comprehensive music education."
It makes me so happy my kids love their band teacher.  He does a great job.  They are in band right now and are having a great time!

These next pictures are from an Awards Assembly at Paul and Ellie's school.  I think school assembly's are so much fun.  They both got awards.  Ellie got one for perfect attendance and Honor Roll.  Paul got choose as the top boy in his class from his teachers and he also got an award for 4.0.  Awesome kids!!!

Ellie was so embarrassed she wouldn't let me take her picture!!

I love my kids!!

Easter

Easter was lots of fun this year.  I was still not feeling great so I took the older kids to the store with me and let them choose all the candy for the Easter baskets.  I didn't get any toys, so we were done with Easter shopping in about 5 min.  Then they stiffed the eggs for the Easter egg hunt.  Done.  I love having older kids.  Especially when I'm not feeling well.  They are such good sports.  

One of the funnest parts of holidays is Darren's mom always sends us really fun packages.  This year she sent the kids great t-shits.  They all loved the ones she chose for them. 

Spring Break Part 2

Here are some more pictures of Cooke City. Just in case my last post didn't have enough.

Snow forts and Igloos.

One night we went to dinner in town at the Prospector.  It was disgusting.  I wouldn't have fed the food to my dog.  At least the atmosphere and company were good.

This is Paul. (in my coat) They took a ride up to Kersey and rode across the lake at like 90 mph. 

Blizzard the day we left!

Out of the close to 100 times I have driven through Yellowstone, I have never seen so many animals.  We saw everything- except a bear.  I think it's because there is snow still high up in the mountains, so all the animals are at lower elevations.  It was really cool.  

It was a lot of fun.  My kids had a great time!