The Reason it is time to Sale

The other day I was out in my front yard and starting talking to my neighbor, Lisa who lives with her aging mother just north of us.  She asked about how the house selling was going and then mentioned that her mother Rosa hasn't seen Bart for a long time.  Lisa told me her mother was convinced that Bart had left me and then when she saw the for sale sign she was sure it was up for sale because he was gone.  She then called him a few foul names because Lisa told me her mother believes a divorce is always the husbands fault.  I laughed and told her to tell her mother Bart does indeed still live here, or at least sleeps here.

So the reason the house is for sale is so we can hopefully move closer to Bart's work and see him a little more.

Oh Boy!!!!!

That's how Bart and I both felt when we found out this little baby in my stomach is a boy.    I know I will love this baby like I do my girls but I wonder what sort of adventures will come with a little boy.   From what I hear plenty of dirt is the trick.  I guess I better start looking for houses with a lot of dirt in the back yard or I'll just have to spend more time in Teasdale. 

The girls were able to be with us at the ultrasound.  They were both excited to hear a boy is coming to our family.  Later Emily gave me this card she had made.  Here is a copy of it. 
In case you need a little help reading kindergarten writing here is the interpretation  1st page:  I like the boy baby  2nd page:  To mom From Emily.  I will like the boy baby when it comes out of your belly"

Jane came home and took off all the pink clothes off her baby and while holding it told me her baby is a boy now.  I asked her what his name is and she said "I don't know.....and then she said I think... Baby Boy Richards". 

I'm touched that my girls are already so concerned with their brother.  I'm sure they will make great sisters.

Raquel's Graduation

We took a quick trip to Cedar City to see my baby sister Raquel Graduate from SUU.    I think she is amazing that she did it working full time and keeping up with her 2 year old Dayson. 

The girls enjoyed time with Bentley.  The highlight for all three of them was gorging on a mint ice cream pie from Wingers afterwards!

A little off the ends

Even though this was not Jane's first hair cut (thanks to Emily)  this one was the official sit in a barber chair. She's been needing a trim to even out all the many baby layers but I'm a little attached to it since she hardly had any hair until she was 2 and when it grew it I fell in love with the super blond curls,   Jane loves her hair as well.  She feels like Rapunzel with it and loves that it is so much like her Aunt Sarah and Suzanne's. 

So many times Jane has been the bystander watching Emily get special treatment while she got her hair  cut.    When I mentioned to Jane it was time to go cut her hair she first became concerned she wouldn't have long hair anymore.  After I explained they would only cut a little off she jumped for joy!   We walked into Great Clips, she sat right down with her typical huge Jane smile and didn't move an inch while the Hairstylist trimmed her hair.  

Grandma Becky

A couple of months ago my mom broke her hip.  It's been a very trying time for her but as all things have a positive side it's been a blessing for my girls to get to spend some extra time with their Grandma Becky who lives a few hours away.  After a short stay in the hospital my mom came up to a rehab center close by for a couple of weeks.  Most days we'd spend a few hours with her during that time.  My girls became familiar with hospital life.  A very great nurse even taught Emily how to take someone's temperature and blood pressure.  After my mom was released to go home my girls and I went to Teasdale over spring break and spent the week helping her while she is recovering.   Usually when we are in Teasdale my mom is working or running around and seldom sits down.  This time however due to her limited mobility and not working she watched the cat and the Hat with the girls, read stories and Emily even taught her how to do melty beads.   We hope you get better soon Mom.  Jane makes sure whoever is saying the prayer still prays for Grandma Becky's hip.

My Jane Days

Every Monday Jane and I walk Emily and our  neighbor to school.  After we drop them off Jane takes my hand and we walk back to our house to start the day. I love that Jane always grabs my hand to hold.  That's when I swing our arms and say "Guess what day it is today?"  Jane usually looks up at me and gives me the biggest smile knowing full well what I'm going to say and says "What day momma."  I then smile back and say It's my favorite day of the week because it's my Jane day.   Today she giggled and said "I like my mommy days"    So what is a Jane day?  Well with my work schedule it's  my only day each week that it's just Jane and I.    Often we just come home and Jane be lines it to her toys  (or I should say Emily's "off limits" toys like her Calico Critters) where she'll play by herself for a few hours while I catch up on much needed laundry, cleaning etc.   Sometimes Jane wants to be right next to me as my "special helper" where she'll help me fold and put away laundry, clean up all the toys and empty the dishwasher by herself.  Other times I have a little buddy who happily comes with me doing whatever errands I have for the day.  On lucky days we have the time to cuddle up on my bed, read a book and catch a cat nap.  But whatever we are doing being with my enthusiastic, giggly Jane makes it the best day of the week.   I think it's even more special knowing our alone time is limited with another little one joining the family soon.   I remember feeling this way before Jane was born when it was just Emily and I.  What a blessing it's been that I've had this special one on one time with each of my girls during what I think is one of the cutest times of childhood. 

One year older and wiser too... Happy Birthday to You!

Emily is officially 6 years old.  She'd been counting down the days on our calendar for a little over a month and planning her birthday party for about 6 months now.    April 10th finally came and she was able to wear her birthday crown, sit on the special chair at the rug for circle time and most importantly bring in donuts to her class.   She opened a few presents from us that night, her grandparents and the nicest next door neighbor Wayne (who shares a birthday with Emily).

Saturday we celebrated with some of her closest friends at Build a Bear workshop.   Although I'm usually a  homespun b-day party type of person,  this year being in survival of the first trimester mode and combining it with of a few home projects we are currently in the middle of, I didn't have it in me to host a party this year at my house.  Emily decided one day that she wanted it at Build a Bear Workshop.   Wondering where she got that idea I asked "Do they even have parties there?"  Emily responded "I don't know".  So after a quick google search it was confirmed that indeed they do have parties.  So the invitations went out and Emily got her wish for a fabulous party.  As soon as the guests arrived a great party host took over helping them pick out their bears, name them, stuff them, sew them up,  bathe them, and boxed them up all the while playing a couple of games such as hot potato and simeon says. 

 

I've now seen the light about how nice is is to sit back and have someone else be the party entertainer. And what was my responsibility?  Well I was the official hold the autograph bear and coats person.   Can't say I was complaining one bit being able to hang out in the background.  Judging by all the giggles and smiles I think it was a hit.

After the bears were boxed up we headed down to the Food Court where Emily opened her presents and we all ate a  Hello Kitty cake I made for this special day!