Baby Report

I just got back from my first appointment at the doctor. My official due date is February 4th! So I guess that means I'm 12 weeks along. What an experience to see a little life kicking inside of me! I was amazed at how active this little baby is! I might be in for some sore insides when this baby gets a little bigger. Pretty amazing to see. Anyway, I thought I'd just share a quick note to tell you about that. Everything looked normal and right on schedule. I feel blessed to have had such good experiences that way (knock on wood). First trimester almost down, two more to go!

Swim Lessons

The kids began taking swimming lessons today. I was able to schedule all 6 of them at the same time! I feel pretty lucky. I thought I could just sit back and enjoy the half an hour. Unfortunately, my youngest son became afraid of the water, and didn't want to stay in his class. He screamed most of the time. Next time, I'll sit up in the bleachers, where hopefully he can't see me, and do a little better.

One of my other daughters has also been deathly afraid of the water. We'd try to teach her easy skills like blowing bubbles, and floating on her back, but she was too scared to try. She had this hurtle that kept her from ever continuing to learn. I put her in 3 different beginning swim classes, and she couldn't pass any of them! I told her that I didn't want to waste my money anymore for swimming lessons, because she didn't even seem to be trying. This summer we had the chance to practice swimming at my mother-in-laws apartment complex. She overcame her fear of the water, and began learning to swim. She did so well, that I went ahead and signed her up, putting her in the 2nd class. After today, it looks like I should have put her in the 3rd class, she's learned so much since those beginning classes.

Watching her go through that experience, it reminds me of my own similar experience with the gosple. I grew up in a strong Latter Day Saint home. I always went to church and did what good members of the church do, but I always relied on the testimony of my parents. Whenever I tried to read the scriptures, I couldn't. I didn't understand most of what I read. Most of my prayers were prayers of rote, the same prayer pretty much each time. Just like my daughter, I wasn't progressing.

Thankfully, something has changed. Most of it came as a result of trials that made me turn somewhere, and thankfully, I turned to my Father in Heaven. As my prayers became more meaningful, the gospel became more important to me. I began to understand the scriptures. I've been so blessed to have some great teachers in my church. I feel like whatever was blocking me before, is gone, and I am able to learn at a much quicker pace. I finally have a testimony of my own.

Things have slowed down a little, but I hope I don't ever stop progressing. I know there's so much more to learn, and I'm so glad!

My Busy Week

Well, Girls Camp was just the beginning of this crazy week. I drove up a car load of girls at 6 o'clock in the morning... so fun! We set up tents, and prepared for the day. It was so much fun. By noon, all the girls had all arrived, and there was a quick rehearsal for the group's song. How fun it was to hear them sing the song! Nothing compared though to when they actually performed it, tons of energy and smiles. It was a blast. I was totally embarrassed when they asked me to come up and thanked ME for the song. It needed to be ME thanking THEM. It was so fun to see.

I more than survived the "initiation". I LOVED it! It was so fun. Unfortunately I can't tell anyone about it, because the Ooga Booga Queen told me I was sworn to secrecy. But atleast I'm a member. So cool! =)

The next day we got up early so we could all go on a hike. A gorgeous nature hike up to the very top of the mountain. The view was spectacular! My daughter was with the group, and half way through I caught up with her, only to discover she was having a difficult time with the climb. I wanted to go the rest of the way with her, but I lost her in the group, and had to go the rest of the way without her. On the way, one of the girls from our group fainted and had to be carried back down. I worried about my daughter all the way to the top.

The last little stretch up the mountain was difficult, pretty steep and very rocky. About half way up, I could hear singing coming from the top. Three or four of the girls from our group were up there encouraging the others with song. It helped me make it all the way up. I gave them such a big heartfelt hug of thanks. Not a second later as I was going to meet the rest of the group, I could hear them begin singing again, my song, "One Virtue at a Time". I bawled. What an awesome experience.

I found my daughter, who had made it just fine to the top of the mountain. I made sure she was with me on the way down, but we went a different way, and I almost didn't make it. My quick trip up, and not enough water wasn't a good combination. Here I was trying to get up the mountain to help my daughter, and she was definitely the one who was there helping me on the way back down. How grateful I was for her.

I had to leave shortly after the hike. My next two days I prepared for and took my family camping for a family reunion not too far from where the camp was. The reunion was fun. The highlight for me was a family "talent show". One of my sons had performed a song at the school talent show, and was prepared to sing. He did a great job. Afterwards, My oldest, back from camp, sang with me my duet, "I'll Stay With You". It was spontaneous and not well prepared, but we pulled it off. She has a great voice. What happened next was pure entertainment. ALL of my children one by one wanted to be a part of the show, and each did something- a dance with made up lyrics, a cartwheel, an accapella song "I Love to see the Temple" was sung by two of my children... The only child who didn't perform was my 3 year old, who I'm surprised didn't, except that he was on my lap telling me how hungry he was, so I think he didn't really know what was going on!!! It was so funny. Someone next to me
made the comment, "I guess we know where they all get this from...." Ha. I have no idea!

The final day of the week, one of my little sisters got married in the Mount Timpanogas Temple. What an amazing experience. She met this guy less than a month ago. He's in the armed forces, and will be leaving for Afghanistan next May. They both have prayed about the decision and both felt a strong witness that they were supposed to get married. As worried as I might have been for them, that comforting witness means so much! My sister is incredibly strong in the gospel. I trust her feelings, and wish them the best.

What a week! I get two more weeks of summer vacation before the kids are back in school. I am feeling great, and look forward to my first doctors appointment in another week or so. Then I might have a due date (it will be sometime in February...)My kids are excited about the new baby and talk about it all the time. As long as I am not feeling sick or tired, I'm happy to let it take it's own sweet time. With all the good food that I ate this week, I "pooched" out. I am now officially "showing". (sigh)

Looking forward to a little less busy week this next week....

Off to Girls Camp

I thought I'd just write a quick little note. I haven't been writing 'cause there's really not much to write about. Thankfully, I think the "morning sickness" has worn off, and I am starting to get a little more energy. I really feel like this is a blessing, since I started feeling better, the day the kids got home from school. So now the kids are all out of school, and I can survive a day without a 4 hour nap! =)

Tomorrow I leave bright and early for Girls Camp. It's the first time I've been to girl's camp since I was in Young Women's, and got to go. I loved camp! I thought for sure I'd go as a leader, but alas, it's been music callings (which I love), and now finally, as Young Women's Music leader (are we stretching a bit?...) I get to go. Besides that, the Stake (All the different church Young Women's groups) are performing a fun song I wrote to go with their theme, "Building upon a Rock". I'm excited to hear it. I doubt I'll post the music, since, I only taught it to the girls with the words, but they have actions, and everything (It's a "rockin' " song), I only wish I had a camcorder so I could post the video!!!! (First item on my Christmas wish list...)

Anyway, I'm excited to go. My oldest will be coming with me, and she's excited to "initiate me". I'm sure I have no idea what that could mean. =) I'm sure I'll survive... Wish me luck!