I really need to do better at this blogging thing. I wish I new how to do better and include links. If only I had more time..made more time! Just wanted to update what has happened recently

Lexi is back at swimming. She told me the other day that she didn't like the swim meets but likes to swim. I think over time she will like it more when she gets better in shape and more confident.

Carter is still the same crazy kid. I still am not sure how to be his mother, but I need to figure it out soon.

Mallory has lost 2 more teeth and her 2 front teeth have come in. She started back up on gymnastics and trys feally hard. You can just see the look on her face when one of the teachers gives her a compliment!

Owen is loving speech. He still has articulation delays and it is hard sometimes to communicate with him. We are trying hard to get crafts and "school work" into his schedule so that he has something to do. He loves crepes with chocolate and almost everyday for the past few weeks he asks for them for dinner. He cracks me up, and really makes me smile.

Nora is really starting to get going! In other words she is a tornado and leaves a huge mess behind where-ever she goes. I think this stage is my least favorite although fun and amazing, it is just a lot of work! She still is waking up in th middle of the night and it is really hard on me. I am beyond ready for her to sleep through the night. She is walking everywhere now and can even stand up in the middle of the floor from a sitting position. She loves playing in the water bowl, eating the cat and dog food, tearing up toilet paper, playing peekaboo, climbing the stairs, getting into trash, and loves for me to cart her around the house. This girl does not sit still! She is cutting for teeth on top and currently has 3 on the bottom.

Me well I am exhausted. Trying to be mom all the time is down right hard. I love my family and wouldn't trade them..well except when they are fighting...which seems to be always. I really feel as though I need a vacation or something. A break to fill my mom cup back up..to reload! I started Weight Watchers and I am not losing really anything. I did South beach diet for about a week and lost about 5-6 pounds, but then switched. Now in 3 weeks I have lost 3 pounds is all. Which is making me depressed, and not a good mommy or wife. Time to rethink this diet thing!

Overall our family is doing great aside from normal typical family stuff. We were able to go to the Kansas City open house last week and it was amazing, marvelous, magnificent! Can't wait until it is dedicated and we can go and do temple work! I love the temple. I think my most memorable part was going into the celestial room and immediatly being overcome with the spirit. Another great memory was in one of the sealing rooms getting to talk to the kids about when they get married in the temple how they can see their future spouse in the mirrors for eternity. Getting to talk to them about what a great day that will be! I think Owen made the comment, "But I don't know who I will marry". Carter said, " No one will want to marry me". Mallory just giggled (she is a it boy crazy that girl), and Lexi just listened. I hope to get to go to the temple with all my kids on day! I hope that they were able to feel how important it is to be sealed in the temple for time and all eternity to their families. I still remember being sealed to Andrew and then Lexi being brought into the room..at only 3 months old and just bawling. I new that what we were doing was right.

I have been wanting to post for a long time, but wow when I think I have a year to catch up on, I quickly forget to! So here goes! The main thing is that we have a sweet baby (she is now 9 months old) Nora Preslie! I love this little girl! We are all back together as a family (YEAH) and living at Whiteman AFB. We are loving life! Lexi is now 11 and in 6th grade. She swims and is playing the flute in band. I can't believe how old she is! By our bedroom door is her baby picture so everytime I pass by it I stop and stare. She was a beautiful baby and is now turning into a beautiful Young Woman! Carter is 9 and in 4th grade! His basketball season just ended, and he did amazing! He made most the baskets for his team. He told me just htis morning how he missed playing! Carter still struggles with doing his work well at school. I am hoping the extra hours after school that we spend with him will pay off in the end! Mallory is 6 (turning 16) She is are dramatic one and tests our patience daily! We love this girl though and I have realized that she is just trying to find her way in our big family. She trys to please us, but sometimes it turns into a very big tantrum! She is in first grade and is struggling with reading. She goes to a special class that helps her to sound out her words. She has not had her 2 front teeth for about 8 months now. Mallory starts gymnastics on Saturday as well! She is super excited! Owen is doing fabulous and loves being at home with me. He is a character and very independent. When he gets mad at Mallory he will Yell, "Fine, Im not your boyfriend anymore", Ha! Nora has 2 teeth, is crawling, is cruising furniture, loves cheese, loves being where the action is, and loves her siblings! She says Uh-oh, meow, claps and says Yay, and plays peekaboo! She is my little buddy! I am teaching the 10-11 year old girls at church and I am LOVING this calling. Probably the best calling ever! I have been happy here in Missouri! I have just been wondeirng what to do with my life. Contiplating Librarian, Teacher, Gym Teacher, Nurse, Secretary. Wish I knew. Andrew is working hard at work and is not liking sitting at his desk doing paperwork all day long. He earned his Fire Science degree, and sewed on Master. He has less then 5 years left in the military, so we are at the point of trying to figure out the next step in our lives! Hopefully that sums up our past year! When I get a chance I iwll post pics!

Have I mentioned....

I don't know if I mentioned that we are having a GIRL!!!! So excited! We still have no idea what we are naming her. I like Maebrie (not sure how to spell it still), Whitney, Emrie, Millie, Presley was her name for a whole 3 days. We just don't know. I am now about 25 or so weeks prego, and thankful to be this far a long. I am still hoping all goes well. We have had a few good ultrasounds. I will have another one on the 16th of February. It can't come fast enough! The kids are all excited. Mallory gives my belly kisses and talks about when the baby is born that she wants to feed her and change her diaper. She is the most excited I think.
I have been busy trying to figure out what to do as far as buy a van or rent a house. I want to do both:) Kids are crazy as ever. I think they are ready to have Andrew back and to be in our own home. We all miss Andrew of course. He started a job at the Wing. He does Wing safety now which he enjoys. He also says he will sew on Master in April..yippee...more money! Other then that, there isn't much going on. I still don't have my camera fixed. Soon I hope! It was a negative something today..wind chill of -29 degrees..too cold to do anything!

12 months of Christmas???

I am not clever by any means, yet I was wanting to write a clever Christmas letter. Since I know that will never happen, I have decided to just write 12 months of Christmas. What has happened these past 12 months? I am wondering the same thing. I will try and give it a go!
January- Brought the saddest month of my life. I miscarried as well as 'bout died. Maybe the last part is a bit dramatic but none the less traumatic. Makes me very thankful for the medical care we have here in the US! I was bitter and angry with my Heavenly Father. Carter and I got to do a Mother/Son dance. He rocked the night away!
February- I realized the trial I was given in January could have been such a spiritual experience had I turned to my Heavenly Father rather then away. I learned to love again and realized how much I love my man. I began cooking like a mad women....that was my therapy! That and wonderful friends!
March- Mallory turned 5 this month. I love this girl!
April- Carter tuned the big 8. We waited to have him baptized so family could come to his baptism. Lexi played baseball with the boys, I must say she could hang with the best of them! We tried to get Mallory in t-ball, that didn't work out so well! She will be my girly, girl!
May- We headed to visit family. I needed to get off the Island. The kids and I took a hop to get to Colorado. As we were in the parking lot waiting to catch the hop, I was stressing as usual about whether or not this was the right decision. One of the kids said a prayer, and I felt peace that no matter the outcome things would be alright. After that I was calm. I am thankful for moments like this in my life!
June- Andrew met up with us, we bought a Durango, we had a Hamblin family reunion. Andrew, Carter, and Lexi went on a trail ride. I think they had a blast:) I think this is the month Andrew found out he made Master too! Kids also started swim lessons!
July- Well I can't remember for sure what month Carter got baptized, but he got baptized. Grandpa Crick and Aunt Kasie gave talks. We are proud of him! Grandma Judy and Papa Tom came to visit, I think Portugal was too remote for them. We had a blast as always with them! They are more adventuruous then I will ever be! We also made a trip to Omaha and said goodbye to Andrew there.
August- Well we got stuck in Norfolk...for all you faithful followers you know the story! The kids and I headed home when Andrew's deployment got canceled. Unfortunatly we got stuck for a week in Norfolk and 6000 dollars later, we were on a commercial flight home. The kids were all well behaved. They are such good travelers!
September-The 3 older kids started Hula Lessons..oh and me too! Owen got potty trained. Mallory started Kindergarten. I found out I was Prego.
October- After much stress, praying, more stress, we decided it would be best for the kids and I to leave the Azores. I am beyond thankful for the comfort and answers I received to make this decision. It is amazing what comfort you can be given if you just ask! I was thankful to get the kids into a new a better school. They seem to be thriving..especailly Carter.
November- Nothing new other then recieving good medical care! Owen is loving his cousin Addy, who is here with Grandma and Granpa pretty much 24/7! Andrew moved out into an apt. in the Azores. Lexi is still reading like a mad woman, and trying really hard in Math. She was a bit behind when we got here but seems to have caught up. She loves taking care of the kids. We had a great Thanksgiving..would have been perfect if Andrew was here!
December- Has been busy. Doing all the Christmas preperations by myslef is stressful. I am really missing Andrew. Wish he could be here! We found out we are having another girl, altough I am still not convinced yet! Mallory had a Christmas program at school where she said her little part. She was very cute! Weather has been nice here. At times it has been cold, but more often then not it is over 40 here. Even hitting 70 a couple of times. Have I mentioned how grateful I am to be here?!
So, what do I hope 2011 to bring? Honestly good health and a healthy baby. I hope Andrew makes it back here safely. It is going to be a rough 7 more months, but as long as our Health is good, I think I can handle anything that comes our way! What have I gotten out of the year 2010? I now have a stronger desire to be closer to my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. I am not alone, and trying to go though life without the guidance of my Heavenly Father is not a good decision. I am thankful for such simple ways we have been taught to feel his love. My kids are good....most of the time! They each have their issues..just as I do, but they are really well rounded kiddos! And I love being their mommy! The have been affected by the events of this year as well, and I am just thankful they have such sweet spirits. Mallory would pray that my morning sickness would go away and that this baby would survive. Such sweet sincere prayers! I hope this next year will bring you what I desire...good health! Oh and my camera is broke...that is why there is no pics lately!