loving the bird

I don't know who loves the bird more, the kids or Aaron! They have really enjoyed playing with and training the bird. I am still a little squeamish when I hold him, but the kids are not one bit. I take that back, David will not hold it...can't say I don't blame him. They have ventured out and put him on their shoulder and on their head and today tried to give him a bath. He hopped in and then hopped right out.

I thought this amusing...David's new teacher at church is Sister Jackson but he calls her Sister Snackson. Hum...what do you think his favorite part of class is?

And I almost forgot to mention my birthday present. Aaron got me a guitar! How sweet is that. I have always wanted to play the guitar I have been teaching myself but my neighbor said she would teach me how to play guitar if I taught her how to play the cello. I have been enjoying stretching my brain.

lazy baby, conforming, holy cow and wonderful holiday

Emma went to the doctor this week and when he asked if she was pulling herself up, going from her back to sitting up or crawling the answer was no, no and no. He said, "oh, she's taking the lazy baby approach." HAHA. I told him I didn't walk until I was 16 months so I guess I took the lazy baby approach too. It has been nice putting her down and not worrying that she was getting into anything.

When I was doing my Christmas shopping I got some long sleek black boots. I thought I would like them. They look really good under pants, but I have not had the courage to actually wear them with a skirt.

David consumed his Christmas candy on Christmas day. A few days later he saw his stocking on top of Dads stuffed stocking and said, "HOLY COW!" When he grabbed his stocking and realized that it wasn't his he just sighed and said in the most innocent loving tone, "Please can I have a just a small sweet treat."

The kids were really good about what they got for Christmas. I don't like making lists to Santa, because I just want them to be grateful for what they get. A few days after Christmas one of Becca's friends was here and she was telling me all the things she got for Christmas (which was A LOT) and then she added, but I didn't get EVERYTHING I wanted. HUM...later that night I told Becca I was proud of her for being grateful for the presents she got. She said that she didn't really want the princess castle, but she would play with it and thought that Lily would like it too. I asked her what she really wanted and she said a bird. A bird. Yes, a bird.

Our neighbors have a bird and I asked if we could birdsit while they were out of town. We looked on KSL and now WE are proud owners of a blue parakeet that Sarah named Bert. The girls love having a pet. When we were going to pick it up Becca said that she has been waiting her whole life for a pet. Sarah really has been waiting since we moved here to get a pet. Thankfully this will do and we don't have to get a reptile. I actually like the bird noises.

Happy anniversary to me

What a great 11 years! Sorry mom that we got married the day after Christmas! That was really the only day.

Just chillin

Here is a picture we took before church yesterday.

When Emma is in the tub she puts her hands behind her head like she is relaxing.

David really wants to come in the back door...nope, sorry, you have to go in through the garage. Some rules are just worth sticking to. Thankfully he has never stuck his tongue to a pole. I wouldn't put it past him though!

Pause button

Sometimes I wish life had a pause button. The other day I was in the kitchen chopping bananas to dehydrate (one of Aaron's favorite things) and Becca was sitting at the table doing a little math game, David was sipping hot chocolate because he had just come in from playing in the snow, Emma was in her chair cooing and laughing and Sarah was playing in the snow. There was nice soft Christmas music in the back ground. --PAUSE-- some time the times in life that we want to remember are these, plain, old, ordinary days doing plain old things.

SIGH--unfortunately the kids will grow up, hopefully into beautiful and responsible adults.

Once a year update

As 2009 is dwindling to a close, I thought I would post an update on all of the kids.

Sarah, age 9, loves reading, playing in the snow and hanging out with her friends. She is coming out of her shell and growing up into a beautiful young woman. The other day I looked at her and thought, she looks so grown up! She still has her moments of emotionalness, but who doesn't.

Becca, age 6, loves playing with her friends and making other people happy. She is just a bundle of sunshine. She is really nice to let David tag along (most of the time).

David, age 3, loves to wrestle, rough house and do anything that has to do with being a boy. He is so different than the girls it is amazing! He still likes to read with mom but would prefer playing alligator - a game the kids invented where you run back and forth trying not to get eaten by the alligator.

Emma, age 9 months, loves to play peek-a-boo and get carried around. She is a mild mannered baby and loves to be played with.

Aaron is still trying to build a practice. He loves his new iphone, watching eye surgery and hanging out with the family.

Julie loves being a mom. Some days are tough, but all in all they are GREAT! I would love to start exercising, explore with my cooking and find more places to take the kids.

We have loved going to the zoo, aquarium, Thanksgiving Point, hiking, sledding, and playing with extended family. We are so blessed to be in a great neighborhood with awesome friends.

update

The nurse just called back with the results of my pregnancy test and they were negative. No miscarriage. Whew. It could either be my fibroid or just a fluke. If this starts to be "normal" for me then we will go from there. He said to wait one more week and he thinks that it will just work out on its own!

Really though this whole experience has taught me how blessed I am to have a good healthy body. I have so much empathy for my friends who have gone through a miscarriage!