March Madness

Well, its official. We are no longer West Pointers. We closed on our home on Tuesday after a busy weekend and month of getting ready to move. And Wednesday we closed on our lot. So we now own a beautiful piece of dirt in West Layton free and clear.

March was a bit of a rough month. Pregnancy and all of it's life sucking realities make even keeping up with daily tasks a huge challenge, at least for me, so moving . . . . eeks. I'm just glad it's over. We also had a horrible round of both boys throwing up, and awful diarrhea. Then I got it. We've also added ear infections, coughs of course, yucky noses (a levi usual), and pink eye. Jared had a bit of a sick stomach as well but that may just have been from the stress of moving, not really sure where we were going to go, having to leave town at the end of the month for work, and having a wimpy wife and sick kids the majority of the month. We ended up camping in our house for about 2 weeks because closing was delayed. It wasn't fun, especially when you are sick. Bronson and Levi kept asking where all of their stuff went, it was pretty sad, they are really attached to their things. I also managed to loose a couple of things that I really intended on not loosing, #1 Jared's wedding band. Last I remember it was on my index finger while I was packing. And my cell phone charger . . . honestly trying to keep track of 100 things at once is not a good idea, especially for me. Moving really didn't seem to sad or emotional until the house was empty and all the chaotic mess was gone. Then room by room all the memories came back. We will miss our house, and neighborhood.

This was the only picture I managed to take of moving, the boys loved helping by climbing all over the trailer. This is us moving some things into Grandpa and Grandma's house. We've been here a week and they are starting to understand this is where we are living, not just sleeping over. We are going to keep our fingers crossed for about 8 months to build our home. It's going to be great, but a lot of work . . . . for Jared mostly. He left town this morning for Spokane, it should be a great opportunity for his career, but 3 1/2 weeks is the longest we've been apart. I'm sure he'll stay busy to help the time go, I however may be watching the clock.

With our move also came releases from our callings. It was sad. The thing that had me hesitating about moving the most was my calling. Serving in Primary was so great. My presidency became my best friends, as well as the 100+ kids. I think we were able to do a lot of good things, and also learn a lot of important lessons. The experience of leadership is something everybody needs to feel I think. It is really really hard sometimes, but the blessing were always there when I was doing what I should. Those added blessing will be missed.

Since we knew dad was heading out of town we went on a few family dates because quite frankly, we needed them. These dates have included, dinners I didn't have to cook :) "the Lorax", Boondocks, and it's always fun to have the balloon guy at Texas Road House. Just be careful who you wear on your shirt that day. They boys loved their balloons, the creepy armadillo however, we could do without.

Although Levi isn't a baby at all we still treat him like one. Hopefully it won't do any permanent damage. I hadn't taken any sleeping car seat pics lately so I decided I'd better. We are starting into potty training and I can see already how much easier this is going to be than with Bronson. Levi has been ready for a while but quite frankly in February I felt so crappy, then March was so crazy, I decided to wait. He often tells me he has to poop, but once on the toilet he just toots. "See mom, I poot, see? Look." Silly boy.

Here is a pic of peanut #3 weighing in around 5 oz. We found out on Tuesday is going to be a little brother. Minus the wrestling factor that seems to accompany all boys I am very excited. Jared said he thought it was a girl but relieved to hear it was a boy. I really thought it could be either but have been telling myself the whole time it was a boy. Anyway we are excited for this little baby. I am 16 weeks today. It's nice to finally start feeling like a person again. I still get tired pretty easily and run out of breath, but it's been much better than it was. My iron and low bp seem to be my stumbling blocks.

Besides all of this fun both Grandma Lynn and Grandma Frew haven't been doing well. G-ma had a small heart attack about 2 weeks ago, her heart actually stopped beating and they had to do a few chest compressions to get her going again. She was in the ICU receiving meds to help her heart keep beating. After a couple of days out of the ICU they moved her to a rehab center - which shouldn't have happened because she had pneumonia. She is now back in the hospital in Utah county making very slow progress with antibiotics, breathing treatments, and energy. She is a fighter that's for sure, she doesn't want to give up, she is 91.

Grandma Frew has been slowly going down hill and may not be with us for much longer. She in contrast is on cloud 9, very ready and anxious to pass. I don't blame her. We are very grateful for Grandma's. They sure have to put up with a lot, yet they still love us lots and lots.

Grandma Lynn has been a widow for over 16 years, I can't believe it's been that long.

I'm barely handling 3 1/2 weeks, and it's only been 1 day so far. I hope

neither Jared or I will have to be alone that long.

Grandma Frew has been a widow for almost 4 years. I think if she'd of had it her way it was 4 years too long. Being left behind is no fun.

I am so grateful for the plan of Salvation and to be able to teach our kids about it. Bronson already is slowly putting small pieces together. If he sees a picture of mom and dad and he's not in it, he knows it's because he was still living with Heavenly Father, and that's where our baby is too. I'm a bit nervous to have a newborn around again but also very excited for the sweet peace and love that new babies bring into homes.

So signing off, hoping for a better April. :)

Yippee for conference!

Levi is 3

Happy Birthday to our cute "buddy"

In the middle of trying to find a place to live, and finding a lot, and house plans, Levi had a birthday. He has become quite the little scooter master, so we went to the "skape" place for a fun afternoon on Levi's birthday.

He did his best to help me blow up about 40 balloons. Considering I get completely winded just walking up the stairs or getting dressed, it was no easy task.

My Super Fast Super Man

Levi modeled his new outfit for us, he looked pretty cute I think.

Yellow sugar cookies, and popsicles. Levi's favorite treats.

big boy on his big new bike

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I haven't been very good at taking pictures this winter, I think because, well winter is boring, unless you enjoy jumping on piles of blankets in the front room. I love in the video when Levi tells us he is going to go super fast and you can tell he is trying so hard to go fast. We love Levi, especially when he is a happy boy, when he gets sick it is not fun for anyone. He loves to be "weegi" when we play mario, and loves to do what Bronson does. His favorite color is yellow, he still loves puzzels, and is starting to do computer games with Bronson. He is slowly easing into potty training, and still loves his binki. I'm not having a good memory right now of all of Levi's cute phrases, I need to write them down as I forget everything.

But I will share this one of Bronson's. We were playing the wii the other night and needed to use the nun chucks, which Bronson calls the "dump trucks". Silly boys we have.

lake town in feb

The boys and I went to spend Presidents Day weekend at Kody's cabin.

Some of the highlights

- losing at scrabble more than I won

- a hot bath

- bear lake pizza

- sleeping on a pull out with two tornados

- lots of deer

- late movies

- Bronson loved every minute

- cabin fever however got a little high :)

(note to self, there is nothing to do in Lake town in Feb with no snow)

This was also the weekend we received an offer on our house.

(next not to self, never go anywhere without your own car)

Thanks Melissa for putting up with us.

SOLD

After 2 months of listing, a for sale sign in the front yard, and only 3 showings. . . . . we received an offer on our house on Friday. The buyers want to close by the 19th of March. We found out a couple of weeks ago that Jared would be a super-intendant on the Spokane Temple remodel. It's a quick job but he will be away for about 3 weeks, leaving March 29th. So he will be gone over General Conference and Easter. Secretly in my mind I was wishing our house would sell before he left but knew it was just a fantasy.

So now, we need to find an apartment, a lot, and a house plan, and pack. Moving is hard. We have the best friends in WP and we love this area. Hopefully the decision to move will prove to be a good one, right now it feels a bit scary. I'm grateful we were able sell, I just didn't think it would be so fast, I know it is a tender mercy, actually a huge miracle. Hopefully we will be in the new house before the baby comes in September.

what is that smell?

I recall at the beginning of 2011 I made some pretty bold statements about how . . . . well I really don't remember, just that I could handle whatever was thrown at me. After many lessons learned or not so learned, I would like to begin 2012, although a little late with more of a plea for mercy.

Last year may have been one of the toughest emotional years of my life, not for any particular reason, but I keep learning over and over that in order for my life to go anywhere I am destined to stay in square one.

Dear 2012,

I am scared and need help, lots and lots of help. I want to be a much better person but fear the garbage I must tread through to give myself the opportunity to be better. So please take it easy, it doesn't take much for me to lose it.

Best Regards,

Michelle

With that we are expecting baby #3 in early September, we are very excited, but for the most part I've been feeling pretty crappy the past couple of weeks. When sleep doesn't even sound appealing it gets a bit annoying that all you feel like you can do sometimes is just exist and breath in and out and try not to let the smells of your house turn on your gag reflex.

Jared was so excited to bring the bed up to our room after we let it air out for a few days, the problem is however that this bed joined our household at the wrong time to ever have a chance of survival. After of couple of days of trying to ignore the smell I finally started sleeping on the couch or downstairs, the thought of going into my room made me ill. And once the day had started the door would shut and I wouldn't go in unless it was absolutely necessary. Even just typing about it is making me feel sick.

So Jared had to dissemble the bed and move it downstairs. PHEW! The problem still wasn't over however because I could still smell that suffocating aroma. I later discovered that the roman shade we had recently put up in our room acquired the scent as well. So after a couple of nights of sleeping with an open shade Jared put our old blinds back in our room and the shade removed. Ahhh, finally. Yesterday I went to wal-mart to buy all new shampoo, lotion, laundry soap etc. And my hundreds of dollars of essential oils are now residing in the garage. I fear that even after the fact, those smells will still make me sick as well . . . . . so that is how this pregnancy is going so far. I'm eating all the time feeling not so hot.

I really am excited for another baby (who is now the size of grape) but I must admit I'm not excited for what will surely come in the next few months to my body, (which is already 10 lbs bigger) I'm just feeling a little wimpy and selfish about the whole thing, even though I know it will be worth it.

Grandma's move and a new bed

My Grandma has been on a slow decline the past couple of years, and a much quicker

decline after she broke her shoulder in November. It was decided that she would move to PG to live with Louis and Janey. I am way bummed to say the least. It was so nice to have Grandma so close to us for the past 12 years and to know she was well taken care of. I really could write a whole book about it, but won't. I'll just say I really miss my Grandma already, and I look forward to the day when she will be safe in Grandpa's arms again.

Jared has been working a day here and a day there since May at his friends wood shop to make a new bed for us. It is made of hickory and he did an awesome job. Originally I wanted a really dark stain, but Jared really liked the way the wood looked so we went with a natural finish. I'm excited to get in in our room after the smell of the lacker dies down a bit. Great job Jared.