Save the Turtles

On Nathan's and Harlow's bike ride today they found this big guy in the road.  They picked him up and gave him a ride back to the river.  Love living here in Texas!

San Antonio River Walk and Macey's Wedding

Yesterday we drove over to San Antonio for Nathan's cousin Macey's wedding.  Hearing that the flu bug was at the party and also wanting to see some of San Antonio while we were there we decided to go do the River Walk. It was fun to see all the shops and people but when we were just about to turn around we came around a corner and all the shops stopped and it was just the river.  That's where we wished we had been walking! It was beautiful and peaceful.  But we were now way late to the reception so we turned ourselves around and went back through all the busyness so we could leave.  While we were there we passed a lot of people smoking.  I was watching Harlow closely and could tell he was watching them.  "There's a lot of people choosing to smoke mom."  I am grateful that we can talk about agency.  I am also grateful he didn't go up to anyone and tell them that they shouldn't be smoking (which he has done before.  Slightly embarrassing, Slightly proud, and very grateful that those people have responded so well to him.  We had been on a walk around the block and a woman pulled up in her truck to her house.  She opened the door but did not get out.  She was smoking.  Harlow walked up her driveway because he wanted to meet her.  After talking with her for a moment he said, "you should not smoke, it is bad for you." I just about died.  But she responded so kind "Baby, I know.  And don't you ever smoke, its terrible!"  I was grateful for her kindness in that moment.    Which reminds me of another story...sorry if I don't type it now I wont remember it. We went to eat at Freddy's, a burger place here in Houston and we were sitting outside.  A gentleman came outside and sat at the table next to us, his arms covered in tattoos.  "That guy drew all over his arms!" Harlow clearly and loudly stated.  The guy just burst into laughter and said that was the best thing he had ever heard.  Us adults were all laughing.  Glad for his response and glad that later we were able to talk about tattoos and choices with Harlow.  Though the whole car ride home he insisted that he wanted a tattoo and that when he was older he was going to choose to get one, even if it made Heavenly Father unhappy...well, that's agency - haha oh Harlow)

The reception was low key, which was nice because we went wearing these fancy do-dads.  It was fun to see Haley, Sydney, and Brittany and their families again, since we last saw them at Thanksgiving.  

Spartan Race

Nathan competed in his first Spartan race (a Super) this weekend in Austin.  He raced with Chris Keller and Jose Perez, two buddies from Halliburton.  He absolutely loved it!  A Super Spartan Race is where you run 10 miles and have 30 obstacles you must complete.  For every obstacle you fail you must do 30 burpies.    Nathan only failed 1 - the javelin throw, which they only got one shot at.  He wants us to do one together...we'll have to see about that.  I told him a dirty dash might be a little more do-able for me right now.

Mom Andersen Here

Mom Andersen came out next to squeeze on her new little grandson Thayne, as well as kissing on Harlow and Kelton and help us out with the adjustment of 3.  It was so good to have her here.  She was a wonderful transition for me.  My Mom had come and done so much, somewhat lovingly forcing me :) to lay down and rest.  Mom Andersen came and was a world of help but at the same time I was healing nicely and was able to get up and start taking on some responsibilities.  It was nice to ease back into life and running the house.  I couldn't have asked for it to be better than what these two saintly women did for me!  We didn't get many pictures with either - shame on us! But we had a wonderful time and they were such lifesavers for me.  Mom Rasmussen and Mom Andersen overlapped for an evening.  I think they enjoyed getting to see each other,  We have the best moms in the entire world!

Mom Andersen did art projects with the boys (I think all of our favorite was the caterpiller out of the egg carton), read them stories, cuddled and kissed them, helped us start taking longer walks.  We spotted lizards together. laughed and some days all stayed in our pjs until the afternoon.  She cooked us meals and cleaned the house.  We got to facetime Dad Andersen and Ellie plenty too.  It was jsut lovely.

One fun thing we did, since I had been cooped up inside with the c-section and was needing to just get out, was borrow a wheel chair from the Batton's and went out to Mcdade Park up in Conroe.  I put Thayne in the wrap and got wheeled around the park while the boys played on the playground, rode their bikes, and the best part, played in the river with Dad, catching clams and water bugs. Mom and I enjoyed chatting and watching the boys get wet and muddy. 

Saturday and Sunday were General Conference.  We had the missionaries over for the Saturday sessions.  Sunday morning we got ready and watched Conference down at our church building.  How wonderful it is to listen to the Prophet and the Apostles.  I am also thankful that we can re-watch and re-listen to the talks because I miss so much, especially now with the kids.  Plus, I just forget.  The words are inspired  and revelation.  I know that Lord is leading His children through those whom He has called.  He loves us and wants to bless us so we can have joy!  Isn't that wonderful! And I feel that as I listen to conference, this weekend and in the coming weeks.

Mom Rasmussen Here/Easter

Mom Rasmussen came out to meet Mr Thayne, to love on all of us and help life move along while i recovered.  She was already planning on coming out and she and I were both doubly grateful that she could come when we ended up needing to have a c-section and I was out for the count for a bit and really needed to be down recovering.  But life moves on and busy boys are still busy.  So grateful for all her help!  Everyday I got better and better and a big part of that was because she made sure i was resting.

We didn't get to do much all together, and when I say not much, I really mean hardly anything at all.  I mostly laid in bed or on the couch.  Mom made meals, cleaned, took the boys out on walks and bike rides, got up with the older boys in the middle of the night when needed, went shopping, etc, etc, etc.  I enjoyed the talks I got with my Mommy but even those were between naps or with the boys playing around us.  Though we didn't do much it was like heaven having her here.

One thing Nathan and Mom Ras did was take the boys to our ward party Easter Egg Hunt, while Thayne and I rested at home.  The boys enjoyed that.  The next day we had a little Easter Egg hunt at home.  The Easter Bunny left Finding Faith in Christ and we got to watch that together before Nathan and Mom took the boys to church.  I had forgotten how much I liked that film and the powerful stories of our Savior Jesus Christ.  My testimony was strengthened as we watched and as I pointed out and explained things to the boys.  My heart was filled with gratitude for my Children and for my Redeemer.  Harlow got to singing with the primary children for the first time.  I was sad I missed that.

We colored Easter eggs, had a pancake breakfast and Mom Ras made us a delicious Ham dinner. Nathan and I were talking; We don't know who it was nicer for to have Mom here.  She took care of all of us!  

CopperHead

Cory and Nathan found this guy near the cars over at Irons Middle School when they took the kids out to play one evening.  Yikes!  Copperheads are fairly common over here, even more so with all this rain we've been getting.

Nathan said this snake's venom isn't that bad and was trying to argue the point that if one of the kids had gotten bit we might not even know.  "It doesn't bite down" he opened his hands wide while still being hinged at the wrists, "they pat" and he quickly popped them against my arm.  To which I said that was ridiculous!  haha anyways, a few days later Harlow was telling me about nice snakes and how he wants to find one and pick it up.  "You know Mom, the one that pats you" and he very gently did the same thing with his hands that Nathan had done, obviously thinking that this snake (the copperhead) would lovingly kiss/pat him when that time came.  For Goodness Sakes Nathan! Look what you've done!

Thayne's BioVideo Pictures

Photos by BioVideo

my little, big belly

Baby #3 is on his/her way!  We are 14 1/2 weeks along and as thrilled as can be!  Our due date is March 26th (but we are hoping to possibly have another 14th baby...married on the 14th, Harlow's on the 14th, and Kelton's on the 14th...its too crazy, I know, but wouldn't it be cool!)

My Dr apt with Tara Winkelmann went very well.  Before you can feel the baby move those prenatal visits are so reassuring.  I love hearing the heat beat! I have been very nervous for these first two visits; I have felt the disappointment and heart ache of losing a baby before and I do, I get so very nervous.

I have my next doctors appointment on October 28 and I'll be 18 1/2 weeks along. We will go into a different office to have the anatomy ultrasound done at 20 weeks, so around November 11-ish.

This is been my hardest pregnancy by quite a ways. I have been much more nauseated, with very little energy. It is so nice to finally be coming out of that. Every time I open my big mouth and say that I haven't been feeling sick I get sick that day :( I just need to pipe it. 

I think that I've been feeling some movement but it is so sporadic that I'm not even sure. But my belly's getting bigger and things seem to be going well. 

We have been trying to have another baby for a few months. Having to wait has made it all the more sweet. 

I think we are wanting to have a little girl, but of course, we would be happy with either. We are trying to plan ahead with parents so that we can have at least our moms come when the baby's born to help me out some and cuddle their newest grand baby.  

I have had a sweet friend, Dani Bramall, ask if she can give me a baby shower.  Dani has been a good friend to me. It made me feel good that she would ask me so early.  She said that she wanted to make sure that she got to do it instead of someone else. 

Having a baby in Texas will be different, I'm sure.  I told Nathan that this baby just wanted to be a Texan through and through so it waited until we had moved here to start it's a little journey here on earth. 

I love my visiting teacher

My Visiting Teacher came over this morning.  Before she came she asked me what she could bring me and I said something salty might help.  And this is what she brought me!  She loves me!  Thanks Donelle Foster!

Part 2: Tahoe

Welcome to Tahoe!!

The Pool

Catching Crawfish

The Beach

 Sight seeing tour out to Emerald Cove