Grateful for

1- Working at Arkana
2- Everyone who supported Maddie in her fundraiser!!!! (She made her goal of $250- I have crazy, determined kids!)
3- Doug is home! (this one should really be #1)

Grateful For

1- Pedicures
2- Trades (they make the above possible)
3- Doug and Charlene Orahood

Grateful

1- Lunch dates with dear friends
2- Rainbows
3- Late summer storms

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!!!