Update

I know, I'm so behind on the blog. I've basically given up on it...for now. We are loving our baby C, who's now almost 8 months! I won't lie though, going from 2 to 3 children has definitely been hard on us. Not to mention it's been the busiest time yet with D's schooling, health issues, church responsibilities, and going down to one car.

But to update you so you know we're alive...we are, and doing well. D graduates in less than 2 weeks with his Doctorate of Musical Arts! He's applied to college jobs all over the country. We are now simply waiting. Waiting to see if he gets a job. Waiting to see if it's worth trying to sell our condo (and lose $) or rent it out for awhile. Waiting to see if we end up living here for another year.

There are many directions our family could go. I am constantly praying to have more faith, praying that we can go where we can best serve the Lord. But I'd be lying if I said I'm being patient. Just ask my husband.

Week 1

She's HERE!

Baby C
Born Monday, Oct. 4th at 12:47pm
7 lbs 3.9 oz.
20.5 inches long.
Everything went so smoothly with mom's 2nd VBAC.
Baby C is healthy and beautiful.
We are so blessed.

Still here!

It's finally starting to feel like fall here! We had such a fun summer. I plan to update you on that soon. D is back from his travels now and in his last year of doctorate studies at Cincinnati Conservatory of Music; Aubrey started full-day kindergarten and loves it (though I miss her immensely); and we're feeling just about ready to add a new little one to the mix.

I'm due in 5 days and feeling like the baby is coming soon. We'll see. 10-10-10 is what Doug is hoping for. :)

The kids got pictures taken for their 3rd and 5th birthdays, and I gave in and got some of me too. I'm having loading issues with blogger, so there's an update. I've been having random contractions today (and I don't usually get much of Braxton Hicks contractions) so there may be baby pictures to show you in the next few days!

Thoughts

So...just wanted to share a special moment I had this week with you. I have Easter pictures coming up soon. Promise!

I was coveting the other day. I wanted to buy my children some expensive things. I kept thinking, "Why are some people so rich, yet others so poor? Why can't I be able to afford all these cute things for my kids?"

I started doing the dishes, griping while thinking of all my problems and wants. "Why would God give some so many earthly things yet not as much to others?"

I received the answer. "How rich or how poor you are all depends on how you perceive it."

Suddenly, my coveting melted away. How could I complain? I have 2 1/3 healthy children, a wonderful husband, a home, food, family, friends. Writing this now, it seems so obvious. Yet stuck in my little mind that day, I didn't have the eternal perspective. I was stuck in the NOW. The WANTing.

I'm praying for strength to remember my blessings every day, and to look for them. Because I am richly blessed.

News...

You can probably guess it! We're expecting our third. Estimated due date is September 8th. I'm feeling a lot more energized lately, but food still doesn't taste very good...probably because I haven't been cooking much.

Birthday Party

Aubrey turned four last week! She wanted a princess party. We invited her closest friends since our place is a bit small...we wish we could have invited you all. She requested a pinata and a piggy bank for her birthday and got both, since--after all--it was a princess party and she's a Pew. :)

We made necklaces and played pin-the-heart-on-the-crown.

Then came the pull string Cinderella pinata. Things have to be dainty when you're in princess attire.Presents...she was spoiled!Lunch
Doug and I made a Cinderella cake! I found a how-to on youtube. It was worth all the work--it turned out beautifully. Can you tell which princess is Aubrey's favorite?

We didn't know where to put the candles...we didn't want Cinderella to catch on fire!The party was so much fun. Thanks to my cousin for your help with planning it!

Fourth of July

We had fun at the McRoberts house on the fourth of July with dinner and a *few* fireworks in the garage. It was pouring rain so we didn't do the big fireworks, but the kids didn't mind at all! (Now we're set for next year.) The highlight for the kids was finding a small frog...but nothing compares to the one we found in our flowerpot yesterday! :)

Me with adorable baby J

Baby frog

BIG frog

Smiles

I've been working extra hours at Silverlake now that summer's here. I came home tonight needing some ice cream. As I savored each spoonful of cookie dough ice cream, I smiled. It reminded me of our family outing to Baskin Robbins a month ago when it was 31 cent scoop night. Ice cream makes everything better, don'tcha think?

8 Bagatelles

I will admit, free time around here is sparse, and free time with Doug is EXTREMELY rare. So I find it a priority to go into his "world" sometimes. I often forget that he goes to school everyday, with his own daily routines and pressures and homework. So it's always a bit of a reality check for me when I get to dress up and go to a concert. I realize that he's taking classes, doing homework, composing, fulfilling church callings, and taking care of his family. I get so impressed and appreciate him and his hard work so much more.

So, we went on a date last weekend. To a concert, of course. :) I got to sit in a nice chair and SIT STILL! But let's face it, my attention span is out of practice. I got fidgety. I kept thinking I needed to whip out a book for my little ones, or wipe a dirty mouth. I can keep kids entertained for an hour. But me, sitting still for a few hours? That's a rarity. Don't get me wrong, though--I could get used to it. :)

But enough about me. We dropped the kids off to get babysat, then headed to Cincinnati Conservatory of Music to hear a performance of Doug's 8 Bagatelles. It was performed by the wind ensemble and Dr. Milligan conducted. The pieces are all about happenings in our family life. My favorite is Faucet. (which, thank goodness, is no longer leaky!) Click HERE to hear the piano version of it. Or, go to his website, douglaspew.com.

We. Love. Silverlake.

Monday we went to the newly opened outdoor waterpark at Silverlake. It was raining a bit but still in the 70's. We're crazy, but it was so worth it...no lines, no crowds.

The frog slide. I hit my head on the top and have a huge goose egg on my forehead.

Open wide!

These lily pads took me back to when I was a kid. And those water slides in the background? Fantastic!! The thrill of feeling young again. :)

A cold boy, ready to go home.

We love Silverlake and are so excited to go all summer long!

Memorial Day Weekend

We had a fabulous weekend! We went to the Miami Whitewater Forest in Ohio with our friends the Olsens. It was extremely humid, but that didn't stop us from havin' fun. We had a BBQ...

Discovered more flowers...

Played a little croquet.Zach hung out with his girlfriend in boy fashion, tantalizing and teasing her. She showed him who's boss. :)

Oh, wow, did these kids have energy!

This picture was taken by Ms. K Olsen, age 5. Not bad!

We got cooled off just a bit after the BBQ.

Or maybe more than a bit.

Then we had a little chocolate on the way home. Notice how it's on his foot too. :) Good times!

You can always start over.

I've taken a well-needed blogging break, but am now back. I've been feeling a bit unsatisfied with myself. I was so overwhelmed with things to do that I quit my writing course...yet then I found myself wondering what would become my new "hobby". Extra time would roll around and I'd find myself feeling incomplete.

About two years ago, when we first moved here, I tried out for a local semi-pro orchestra. I felt very sheepish as I listened to others, most likely graduate students, practicing before the big audition. Here I was, with only a bachelor's degree, and two children at home. When I didn't get in, I wasn't suprised. I felt like it was time to put away the violin. So...I did. I decided my music life was "over".


This past weekend I was able to attend an LDS-church sponsored event called Time out for Women. Jenny Oaks Baker performed a piece I used to play as a teenager, Gabriel's Oboe from the movie The Mission. I used to whip out my violin and play something like that piece to cheer me up--and it always worked.

I knew, after last weekend, that I need the violin in my life. It's the hobby I've had since I was three years old.

I cut my long fingernails today and practiced. I felt a little rusty, but that's nothing time and practice can't fix. When I play the violin, I feel close to God--and it makes me complete.

The race!

So, the 10k is over--and I made it through! It was a ton of fun--which seriously surprised me. I'd been so nervous all week, but once the big day arrived I was full of energy and ready to get it over with.

Sarah and I ran it together. It helps immensely doing it with a friend. I won't tell you my time, but I was happy with it. Just running the race was enough. I sprinted at the end--I was so high on those endorphins, I guess--and paid for it dearly that day with sore knees.

These pictures are sooo lovely, I know! But here's the proof! :)

Before the race. We got to the race just as it began because of taking this picture!

After the race. I was snorting like a pig since it was the Flying Pig Marathon. :)

Notice my medal. (I'm not proud or anything.)

Easter Sunday

We had Easter basket fun that morning, then headed to Ohio to see the blessing of cute baby Mckenzie, the Walling's new addition!

The wind was a bit fierce, but that didn't stop the kids from playing outside. Who can resist dandelions and green grass to frolic in? We can't wait for the day when we have our own yard. (Hmm, have I said that before?)

These kids were exhausted after all that fun. Their faces show it all.
Notice: After seeing these pictures I noticed how badly we'd buckled them in and fixed the twisted carseats. :)