Thanksgiving

We had our Thanksgiving without Andrew for the 2nd year in a row. Man I miss that guy..and boy oh boy the kids miss their dad. Owen sometimes cries himself to sleep saying he wants daddy, and wants to go to his house. Less then 6 months then we will get to see him! I bought a turkey fryer, and attempted to fry a Turkey. I got a lot of good tips and warnings about how to fry the turkey. I was not as excited after everyone kept telling me how dangerous it was. Thankfully my wonderful dad did all the work. I marinated with cajun seasonings. We only had a few mishaps, thankfully none involved fire. Just melted carpet, frozen oil (didn't know that was possible), and an undercooked-then overcooked Turkey. Hey we will be better experienced next time. We ate at Kindalls and everything was so yummy. Poor Kindall was sicker then a dog. Rich cleaned house..even scrubbed toilets, and then did the after dinner dishes..he was superhusband that day. Way to go Rich.
I am thankful for many things this year. I am thankful for Andrew. I couldn't have asked for a better companion. He is truely my best friend. I am thankful for my kids. They really are good kids. I am thankful for my Savior Jesus Christ. Our loving Heavenly Father that created this beautiful world we live in. I am thankful for the good medical care we have the oppurtunity to recieve here in the US! This is the most comforting feeling. I am thankful for the oppurtunity I have to pray and to get answers and comfort from my prayers. So many things to be thankful for. I am really blessed.

I had a first official pregnancy appt. It took like 10 minutes to find the HB, which had me very worried at first. But then, sweet music..we heard it. It was 166bpm. Such a relief. I met with the Doc and he was surprisingly helpful. He told me I could attempt another VBAC if I wanted to. I know I would rather do VBAc in a heartbeat, but not sure if that will be the right choice for me. I will have to do a lot of research and praying. And he would have to induce a week early. We talked about the previous miscarriages which was nice to get some different insight on. I have been beyond impressed with the medical staff @ Ft. Carson. I am needy :) They are being very patient and helpful. They aren't making me feel like I am stupid for having concerns. I wam ready to stop feeling nasueas. The US I had last week said I was a week ahead of what my due date was. Looks like another big kid!
Andrew is in school and doing a billion other things. He will have the movers packing up my stuff on Friday..still will take 60-90 days to get here though. He still hasn't found a place to live. The kids are all good. They are being challenged in school which is good. Owen started gymnastics with his cousins and seems to love it!

We are back in the states. I am so thankful to be here. The kids are all in school and we are loving this school so far. I feel like there is an expectation here that wasn't there at their last school. We are here because I am expecting again...hopefully all goes well. We did the Early return of dependents so Andrew is still stuck in the Azores. I feel bad that he isn't here with us and I miss him a ton. So do the kids, ecspecially Owen..poor guy. Everytime he sees or hears an airplane he thinks Andrew is on it. I know this was the right decision for our family though. I felt such a relief knowing I have options and access to good..no great medical care. I am over 12 weeks now and seen the baby on ultrasound many times. The baby had hiccups the other day and that was so fun to see! The heart rate has been in the 160/170's. I hope all goes well. Still kinda nervous about something happening, but I feel more prepared if something were to happen. We are due in May...hopefully the middle..or sooner:) Just feeling blessed to be back int the States!

There is a lot of things happening in our family. Nothing that I can remember though:) I will name a few things that come to mind
Lexi- She reads like she is in high school. She is a brilliant reader. We have had several comments made from teachers at the school how amazed they are at the level she is reading at. Like always she makes us proud. She has started her a buisness so to speak. She makes cookies then sells them to neighbor kids. She does this all by her self.
Carter- Well Carter is Carter. He loves life. What can I say! He loves to know everything, even if he knows nothing. I think he has this strong desire to be accepted. He has had a few issues at school which is hard to deal with. Kids that bully are just no fun. He continues to bear his testimony every Fast and Testimony meeting. Me as a parent cringe as I wonder what will come out of his mouth. I need to be a better parent by teaching him better. Maybe then I will have a bit more faith in knowing what he is saying is truely from the Spirit. Ahh bless our Carter! He is truely a gift!
Mallory- Wow we get comments on her too at how well behaved she is at school. What...not at home. She is a monster that instigates so many fights. I don't understand why she does this. Sometimes she can be sooo sweet. She has had a very unstable Kindergarten. I have been frustrated with that as a parent. Hopefully she will still learn all that she needs to learn. She has a strong desire to learn to read!
Owen- He is potty trained Yeah! He was so easy to train. Just took 2 days of crying to want his diaper back on. Other then that he has been so easy! He has been wanting to help me cook and is so proud when he gets help. He is a stinker yet such a sweetie. I love my Owen.

On to a different subject...me! I have been feeling overwhelmed with life lately. Life is Hard. Not that I have many struggles, I really have it easy. I love my kids and family. I am thankful for what I have and who I am. If I could change one thing it would be good health. I feel overwhelmed with me health lately. Maybe because I realize how fragile life is. I am grateful for the knowledge that I do have. This life is temporary. We were singing in Primary today a song I have sung many times before, but for some reason I felt the spirit stronger then I ever have while singing that song. I guess I got it...maybe it was what I needed for the day. It is the 2nd verse of When he Comes Again.

I wonder when he comes again, will I be ready there

To look upon his loving face and join with him in prayer

Each day I'll try to do his will and let my light so shine

That others seeing me may seek for greater light divine

Then, when that blessed day is here, he'll love me and he'll say

"You've served me well my little child, come unto my arms to stay"

It was confirmation to me that I am loved. In Womens conference I really felt that. I really felt that I am loved by my Heavenly Father.
Just wanted to share one more thing for posterity purposes. There have been times in my life when I really needed comfort. I was stuggling one day this week. I was having an anxiety attack...well self diagnosed anyways. Don't really know for sure. Anyways, I couldn't sit still, my heart felt like it was gonna burst outta my chest, I kept getting butterflies in my stomach. I got down on my knees and prayed. Prayed for strength, comfort, peace. I needed some serious mental help. Halfway through the prayer my twitching stopped, my worries were gone. I felt peace. I am thankful for those times. I know that Prayer can be an amazing thing. I am learning the hard way I think. I wanted to get up to bear my testimony today but new there would be no way I could do that. I knew I wouldn't be able to make sense of all my thoughts and I knew I would ball like a baby...uncontrolably! So here is a smidgen of it on paper..well sorta!