Grateful For

1- Pam's peach dessert
2- A son who can entertain himself
3- Ability to work from home

Bevanism

Bevan and his cousin Emi

On Sunday morning Bevan was laying in bed snuggling with me and Doug. I've mentioned that Bevan is very excited about having a new little brother. Here was our conversation:

Mom: What are you going to do when you have a new little brother and have to share me?
Bevan: I'm going to play with him and take care of him.
M: I heard big brothers have to change all the stinky diapers. Will you do that?
B: Yes!
M: Ok, you're going to change ALL the stinky diapers.
B: OK, but you're going to have to buy me a nose plug!

Ha, ha, ha! I've been laughing ever since!

I already missed posting my gratitude last night, so here it is!

1-Bevan

2-Peaches

3-Naps

Time Out!

I have needed a "time out" for quite a while now. I love my kids and I'm so glad I have them but sometimes I need some "me time". I had that opportunity this weekend. My mom, Alesa, and I went to Time out for Women sponsored by Deseret Book. It was just what I needed! A little girl time and I had my bucket refilled.

The theme was "Infinite Hope". I love this! HOPE is one of my favorite words (right along "joy") I feel like that is how I live my life, hope. Hoping for the future, my children, etc...

Time Out started on Friday evening with Dallyn Vail Bayles, a professional singer from New York City area. He was amazing, right now he is touring with Phantom of the Opera. WOW! And here is what is even more amazing, he is originally from Green River, UT. Do you know Green River? It is a tiny town in Eastern Utah. I mean a TINY town! Doug's mom is from there and honestly, I really like to visit it, but it's tiny. Oh, but they do grow delicious melons and obviously beautiful singers!

We also got to spend more than an hour listening to Sheri Dew. What an inspirational speaker and amazing lady.

Today we spent the day listening to Hillary Weeks sing. Brad Wilcox talk about Christ, DeAnne Flynn talk about families, Wendy Ulrich about how to be happier, Mariama Kallon inspired us with her story about her life in war torn Africa and finally the very, very funny Kris Belcher. Kris is a woman who lost all her sight to cancer, but along the way she found more faith in Christ and definately found a sense of humor!

This was an amazing weekend. There is so much I would like to write about but I'm not going to right now. (Maybe later? We'll see) But, if you ever have the opportunity to go to one of these- do it! You will not regret one minute of it!

One of the things I want to take away from this is Wendy Ulrich's (and others) talk spoke of expressing gratitude. She challenged us to everyday write down three things we are grateful for. So, I am starting tonight and hopefully I'll do it right here on this blog.

1-Time Outs
2- Moms and sisters (women in general)
3- A husband who lets me have a time out.

Did I tell you?

Did I tell you we're having a boy? Yes, I know I have lots of other stuff to update, but right now we are a little too crazy. But in the meantime, yes, we found out.

WE ARE HAVING A BOY!!!!!

And we (most of us) are thrilled! Me, Doug, Bevan= thrilled. Katie, Maddie=less than thrilled ("can we dress him in cute dresses and bows?" umm, NO!)

This is a good pregnancy- one of my better ones. Tiny bit of nausea still- every once in a while. Tired, but normal tired. Actually I think I am doing well- so what if I go to bed at 8:30 or 9:00? I feel blessed, we are blessed. I treasure each and every kick. I get so happy, I celebrate. Bevan talks about "when my baby brother comes out". He is waiting almost as anxiously as I am...

Oh, and right now, Doug is working! hooray! Out of town, but work. And I love him!!!

5k #2

On the morning of June 19th Alesa and I did our 5k #2. It was the Running with Angels 5k at Thanksgiving Point. I think this was the 5k I was most excited about. I knew the location would be beautiful and the 5k was inspired by the book "Running with Angels". I absolutely love this book!

5k #2

It was a little bit of an emotional start because they had families release doves in honor of their loved ones who had passed away (and who they were running in honor of) and also in honor of all others who were being remembered that day. Alesa and I shared hugs and tears as we watched this event. I'm so grateful for a sister who understands what is in my heart!

This was a fun 5k. We got to run through the gardens of Thanksgiving point. Past the waterfalls and beautiful flowers. Wow! What a delight!

It was a tough 5k because at the very end (and I mean about .2 mile before the end) there was a very steep, long hill. Ugh! I always want to run the finish even if I've walked the whole thing. But this killer hill made that hard. I did recover and jog across the finish line and was proud that I had done it. My time was slightly slower but that was because I had to walk a little bit more. (See the reason below) Oh, and once again Alesa came and joined me for the finish. She just keeps getting faster! She took about 2 minutes off her last 5k. Go Alesa!!!

I love this girl!!!!! She's my inspiration in so many things.

When I grow up I'm going to be just like her!

Doug's cousin's wife (Stephanie) silk screened these great shirts for us. They say "10 5k's in 2010" We love them! Thanks Stephanie!!!

Mine had to be a little bit different. This is the back of mine. If you can't read it it says "Might not get it done, cuz this oven's got a bun"

That's right! I'm pregnant!!!!!! Hooray!!!! I was about 11 weeks along at this time. I'm now about 17 (I think) weeks along. I'm due in January.

Funny story about the shirt and Alesa finding out. My mom had already guessed that I was pregnant. But we hadn't told anyone else. (Well, I guess Stephanie since she did the shirt) So, I was anxious for Alesa to see it. I walked in front of her on the way to the starting line, etc... but she still didn't notice. As we were standing in line for the Honey Pots I could hear this lady behind me reading my shirt. All the sudden she said, "Are you trying to say you're pregnant?" I laughed and said "yes". Then I watched as Alesa put things together, turned me around to look at my shirt, then gave me a big hug! Ahhh, the perfect reaction! This lady felt bad she'd given it away but I was just grateful, I wasn't sure how long it would be before Alesa noticed. I was about ready to just tell her!

Bevan's Birthday

Bevan's birthday was on Memorial day this year so it made for a CraZY weekend but a FUN one! We celebrated his 4th birthday at the Firehouse. (Bevan thought for a long time we were going to the Firehouse restaurant- it took some talking to convince him the real firehouse would be just as fun!) The firemen were so good to us. Fireman Scott acted genuinely happy to have us there and let the kids climb in the fire engine and ambulance and even try on his fire hat!

Bevan trying on the fireman's hat. Bevan's jacket was almost just like the real firemen's jackets. Fireman Scott kept telling Bevan how much he like Bevan's jacket.

Most of the group in the hats and badges I made.

Bevan and the firemen.

After the firehouse we went back to our house and had hamburgers and salads and cake and ice cream. My mom made this cute cake (because I was too busy doing a million other things.) The idea was the chimney (made of sugar cubes and soaked in vanilla) would start on fire. Unfortunately, it didn't work but the fire engine candles were sure cute anyway!

Stitch wanted to join in the fun but we wouldn't let him so instead he sat in the window of our bedroom and wished he could join us.

Where've we been the last 6 weeks?

I know, I know you've been losing sleep wondering where I've been and why there've been no posts! :) Here is a quick catch up.

As you will be able to tell the last 6 weeks have been SUPER busy but CRAZY fun!

I've still been serving with the Young Women (here we are playing broom hockey in the rain)

Doug has been teaching Gospel Doctrine-

sometimes with only 5 minutes warning when the other teachers don't show.

Katie learned all there is to know about Florence Nightingale for her 5th grade History Fair.

Our neighbor, Teresa Jones, came up with this great costume for her to wear.

We endured rain for most of May and all of June. Unfortunately a lot of school end activities were rained out but there were still plenty of fun ones!

Maddie had "Meet your Pen Pal" day at the park rained out.

Katie had swim day rained out so they just got to go to the local high school for a couple of hours instead of all day at the water park.

Maddie still had a fun Field Day.

And Katie got to go to a Bees Game and

play at the AR (reading) Carnival. (Bevan and I got to go help there too)

Katie graduated from DARE (drug free program) and 5th grade.

Bevan graduated from Joy School.

We are going to miss "Teacher Suzanne" and Joy School.

All of the kids have attended Joy School. We love it!!!

I did more than 20 memorial day arrangements. (This was the small one)

We had our annual Memorial day activities along with going to a shower for Andi (K.C's fiance)

Bevan turned 4!

Isn't that a great cake Grandma Meikle made for him!

(Details in another post)

Sleep-overs and fun with the Austins from Oklahoma

I went to Young Women camp. It was four days of fun even if it did rain the whole time!

Love the girls in our ward!

Alesa and I ran 5k #2 "Running with Angels" at Thanksgiving Point

(More details in another post)

Uncle K.C and Andi got married and we celebrated with two days of parties!

Doug took the kids and went camping with the Austins. Fun times with the cousins!

While the rest of the family was camping, I went to Trek with the Young Men and Young Women. Unfortunately, I didn't get to "trek" but went as a cook. We started the days at 5:00 am but I had a great time getting to know people and interact with the wonderful youth of our stake!

Katie's been playing softball with the city league. I've been coaching the team and Doug's been helping at the games. I've been working both jobs (thankfully!) and of course PTA.

And on top of all this, we've been busy trying to save the world!