Is there a baby in your tummy?

I didn't tell the girls about my being pregnant at first. Since Brandon is still trying to get over the shock I thought I would wait a bit. But on Sunday, Kira came up to me and asked if I had a baby in my tummy. Well, at that point, I figured it was time to tell them. They are so cute about it. They keep asking me if the baby is crying in my tummy and if the baby has any clothes on (they think it is funny that the baby in naked!). And Kira is scared that they are going to rip my tummy open to get the baby out (how do you explain how a baby comes out to your 3 & 4 year olds??!?!). They are both convinced it is a girl. I keep trying to explain that it could be a boy or a "he" but they tell me, "no, it's a girl." I guess we will see!

Kamber's latest stubborness is not saying her prayers. Most of the time she just refuses. It has gotten so that at every meal prayer, when I say "Okay, let's say a prayer," Kira just starts in immediately because we all know Kamber won't say it. Tonight, however, she decided that she would say her prayers, but only if Kira helped her say them. Okay, talk about the cutest thing! Kira is telling Kamber what to say in her prayer and she says "Thank you for the baby in Mommy's tummy." I just couldn't help but smile. What little sweeties! I hope they stay this sweet after the baby is born.

And then there were three. . .

Okay, so I guess we have an announcement to make. Number three is on the way. And no, this was not planned. This wasn't even an "oops!", this is a "How in the world did that happen?" So, we are a little shocked. But I am excited and I already look pregnant! I don't know how people keep it a secret for months! I am only about 7 or 8 weeks along and look pregnant! Blah! Okay, but I have to remember that the reason I look bigger than others early is because I don't get sick-- so I guess it's really a blessing, right?

Brandon Gone!

Well, it is interesting being a "single mom" during the week. I think the thing I hate the most about it is shopping on Saturdays. Brandon comes home late on Friday night and then we have to get up on Saturday and end up shopping most of the day. It is crazy! Everything is so busy! Then we get up on Sunday, go to church and then Brandon leaves again. He is just not really getting a break at all. I hope next week with the Thanksgiving break he will have a little time to relax. During the week I get to stay at home! While this sounds hard, and at times it is, it has helped me to refocus on my home-- oraganizing it, cleaning it, etc. I also seem to have more time to spend with the girls. And really I enjoy being in our home. So, all in all, I think the time will go fast and we will all survive just fine!

Ward Family

I can't believe how much everyone cares about us! I feel like we are kind of anti-social-- people invite us to do things and we find excuses. But I can not believe how everyone is bending over backwards to help us while Brandon is gone. I have people offering their cars, my visiting teachers bringing over meals, our hometeacher (who is the elder's quorum president and expecting twins any day!) has called to check on us, and even the bishop (who was just put in a few weeks ago!) has called. I didn't know that so many people cared about us! What a blessing!

The Little Things. . .

Kira and Kamber playing their "Ride in the car game". I watched them play this for hours last night! And they just recently discovered Play-doh. That also lasted for hours.

My fifth grade teacher's name was Mrs. Chambers and, interestingly enough, she was also one of my dad's elementary school teachers. That Christmas, she gave each of her students a bookmark. Each was hand picked individually for the student. My bookmark had the picture of a little girl with a puppy and the words "How Wonderful the Little Things in Life can Be!" I loved the saying and sort of adopted it as my motto. I tried to enjoy the little things in life. But then I grew up. And somewhere along the way, I started to get too busy doing the things I thought I HAD to do and forgetting the little things. I feel like I am really bad at that now that I am a Mom. I spend too much time telling my girls what they shouldn't be doing instead of enjoying their sweet little spirits that are growing up faster than I can believe.

Suprisingly, having Brandon in Yerington has helped me to remember "the little things." I have spent more time watching them play and enjoy being with them instead of cooking a fancy meal (by fancy, I mean anything that doesn't come out of the freezer! ;0) ) or worrying about if all the laundry is done or the house clean for when Brandon comes home. I guess you could say that I have found part of the "silver lining" to having our hubby & Daddy away from home.

So, just a reminder-- enjoy the little things in life! Especially your little ones who grow up way too fast!!!

Why?

Kira is in the question phase of life, which can be very cute, but if you are the one required to answer all the "why" questions, you will quickly realize it is a very difficult task. Tonight we were reading stories and every time I turned the page it was,

(Kira)"Why is the froggy sad?"

(Mom) "Well, he is not really sad. He is kind of mad, blah, blah, etc."

(Kira) "Well, how come?"

(Mom) "Ummm, just cause."

Now, this is hard enough with just your regular kids book, but then I started reading a Dr. Seuss book and the questions became REALLY hard! Can you imagine trying to explain the pictures in a Dr. Seuss book? And even some of the character's names? Crazy!