3 Kings and a Princess

So crazy enough we happen to find out what we are having.............................. a BOY!!! It's a crazy, scary story as to how that all came about considering I am 13 1/2 weeks along. It was a emotionally challenging day on Sunday, but the outcome was GREAT! I woke up to some bleeding which when your prego is not so happy to see. Especially considering my experience in September with this resulted in a miscarriage. So I was terrified as one could imagine. It was a long day to say the least! We have 1:00 church and the kids had talks in primary that they were so excited about, so we waited until 5:00 to go to the ER. I didn't want to upset the kids. I thought I was sure what the outcome was so I was dreading finding out for sure. My mom watched the kids for us and Justin took me to the ER (we really like to get in an ER visit every few weeks!). I got an IV, had blood work done, got a cathader, had a ultrasound, then a vaginal ultrasound. And the baby was moving and had a good heart beat!!! YEAH!!! I was extremely relieved to put it lightly and couldn't help but cry when I was able to see little peanut moving on the screen. No real explaination as to why I am bleeding. I have a appointment with Dr. Tran this Friday so hopefully we'll get some answers. I've started to have some stomach cramping the past couple of days, but just trying to not worry and take it easy. Which taking it easy is not so easy for me, but I am doing my best. When the tec said he knew what sex the baby was Justin and I both were so surprised and he told us we are having a BOY! It was a wonderful way to find out we are having another boy. I was so happy!!! The tec also said he has never been able to tell the sex of a baby so soon during pregnancy so I still hold out hope that he is wrong and it's really a girl! In all seriousness I just want the baby to be healthy of course! We are so blessed to have such wonderful family, friends and neighbors that have offered to help with the kids and stuff. We would appreciate any prayers sent our way, as we know that everything is in the Lords hands. Thanks to everyone who has helped and been of comfort and encouragement. We appreciate you and love you all so much! I think this little guy just wants some attention:)

Fun Photo Shoot with the Kids

We had a fun time capturing the shots we wanted for our big announcement. I love any photo shoot but especially ones with my own kids!

I love the boys expressions in this picture.

Kiersten, 7 1/2 yrs old, 2nd Grade.

She is just the sweetest thing! I hope we always have a good relationship. I tell her all the time that I hope she likes me when she's a teenager and she reassures me that she will.

Isn't she BEAUTIFUL!!! I am so grateful to have Kiersten as my daughter. She makes me laugh, she is extremely thoughtful, she gets nervous easy (just like her Mom), she is so smart and works hard at everything. She always gives 100%! She is hard on herself quite a bit (I know where she gets that quality from as well). She told her teacher how "bad it was because she kept getting 98% on her math test." Her teacher said "oh no that's really good Kiersten!" Kiersten told her, "No getting a 100% is good!" So we don't have to put any pressure on Kiersten she is rough enough on herself. In fact, I have to reassure her that missing one on a spelling test is quite OK. I just love Kiersten!!!

Hunter, 5 1/2 yrs old, preschool.

Hunter is the funniest kid you will ever meet! He has such an addicting personality. Everyone he meets loves him and wants to take him home! He is such a clown, but also has such a tender heart. He recently comforted a little boy on his van on the drive to preschool. The little boy, who's not LDS, had just lost his grandma and was sad. Hunter, being the little missionary that he is, told the little boy that he didn't need to be too sad because he would get to see his grandma again. And that because of Jesus, his grandma would have a body again and that her spirit would go back into her body when Jesus comes again. He also to him that they could live with Jesus and Heavenly Father again. Sue Blake, his van driver had tears in her eyes as she told the story. It's in these small moments that you are rewarded for the small talks, FHE lessons, surviving sacrament meeting so the kids could attend primary, all of it.

I love Hunter! He makes my everyday brighter! Even when he's being bad and talking back I have to give him credit 99% of the time he's funny about it. He has a contagious laugh that everyone says should be on a toy!

Logan, 3 1/2 yrs old, preschool.

Logan is a handsome little guy which saves his life quite a bit because he is my wild child. He is so much fun and a bundle of energy! He takes after Hunter and tries to be just as funny as Hunter. Logan is our dare devil who loves to jump off anything! I love hearing Logan call for me in the house or when he says "Tank You Mommy!"

What a STUD!! I just love his smile! He is such a happy kid and smiles all the time.

The photo shoot turned CRAZY after a while..........

Logan was so done with pictures, but he is still so cute even when he stops cooperating.

Oh Do We Have A Secret To Tell..........

Come September 29th Our Mommy

Will Be Buying 4 Suckers Instead Of 3!

Our kids are so excited...well Kiersten and Hunter. Logan's first comment was, " WHHHAT ........THE...........HECKKKK!" He says it so funny and we were all surprise when that was what his initial reaction was. He also said, "No we don't need a baby........I da baby!" He is in for a rude awakening!!!

Kiersten on the other hand thought it was the best day of her life and couldn't stop thinking about the baby. Kiersten is so sweet and will be the BEST big sister EVER! Hunter was happy and excited as well. They both ask me how the baby is doing everyday and come rub my belly before they go to bed every night. I am loving their excitement!!!

Logan's Big Day

Does he look ready for his first day of preschool or what? He was ready but I so wasn't. I can't believe my baby is starting preschool. He is quite the handsome fellow! Logan was so excited to have his own backpack, Thomas the Train. He wanted a dinosaur one but we couldn't find one.

Hunter wanted to get in the picture. Logan will be attending the Brighter Day Preschool, the same as Hunter does, just different times. I am excited for Logan to get some speech therapy and he was excited to ride the BUS, like Hunter! Yea, they are special boys! Hunter is trying to block the sun from Logan's face. How sweet is that? Little off but it's the thought that counts. The best part about his preschool is that it is free to us and the bus will come and pick him up and drop him off, just like Hunter. The preschool program is phenomenal!!!

Logan didn't even cry a bit. He was happy to see all the cool toys and get all the attention from his new teacher and aide.

He is so little to be riding on the bus. He was beaming when he got off the bus. He told me, "I ride the bus, like a big boy!" Then he said in a questioning voice, "Mom, I do it again?" So I told him yep, he gets to do it again tomorrow. He yelled, "YEAH MOMMY I LOVE YOU!!!"

Logan is just the sweetest boy! He is tough and all boy, but underneath he is a sweetheart!

Ben Smith............Oh How Hunter Misses Him!!!

So Sweet Ben Smith was our next door neighbor for 5 years when we lived in Safford. Hunter just loved him! Ben would sit outside daily and I could always find Hunter over on his front porch talking his ear off. Hunter would often say how Ben was his best friend. It didn't matter that he was in his 80's.

Hunter asks to go see Ben quite often. Well today he made a card for Ben and then begged me to take him to see Ben. So that is just what we did. Hunter was so excited to go see his old friend. Hunter asked me on the way, "Mom, don't you think we should stop and get Ben some candy so he knows how much I miss him?" And so we did. Hunter got both Ben and his wife some chocolate.

When we pulled up there was Ben on his front porch enjoying the beautiful weather! Hunter was ecstatic to put it lightly. They talked and Ben was just as excited to see Hunter I think. Before we moved Ben had written a poem about Hunter. It was so sweet! I'll post it. Today Ben gave Hunter a book of some of the poems he had written over the years. Hunter was so proud to get it and has shown everyone. The move to Pima was good for us, but Hunter and I both miss Ben and all the wonderful neighbors we had in Safford! I don't think Hunter will ever forget Ben. He shouldn't he played on his porch for years!!!

Out of Africa

What cute kids!!! Looks like heaven to me with the clouds and my kids. They are my world and I love them so much! They make me a better person and they give me more then I could ever express. I feel so blessed to have them be part of my life and to be their mother. They each have such great and different personalities! I am learning so much because of them. I just want to tell them Thanks for being you and for being so fun!

There was a big pile of dirt that the boys climbed up and I thought with the beautiful clouds it would make for a great picture. Aren't they adorable!

A guy passing by asked if we wanted him to take our whole family picture, I love when people offer that.

Preditor Feed

We decided to go on the day they have the preditor feed and we were so glad we did. You follow around the feeding truck to all the animals and get to see them awaiting their food. It is great because all the animals know and so they all come out and you get to see the up close and personal. Defiantely recommend it!

The hyenas were hysterical! They were laughing so loud waiting for their food. The feeding them kind of teased them to get them going. It was crazy how much they laughed and how funny they sounded. We all got quite the kick out of it! This is the male Lion and he will not eat his food until all the people have gone past him. That's his food right behind him and he just sat their for 20 minutes while they tried to get everyone to pass by. It was very interesting and was great to see the Lion 4 feet from you just staring at you.

The white tigers were one of our favorites to see!

TIGER FEED..........

The kids got to feed a tiger as up close and personal as most people would care to get. It was pretty impressive to see the Tiger standing! It had the most beautiful blue eyes I have ever seen. Hunter Loved It! He wants to be a Tiger trainer now!

The kids got to feed the Tiger once down low and once as it stood 8-9 feet tall. Logan's short little arms wouldn't reach so Justin had to give him a little help.

AwEsOmE TiGeR SpLaSh ShOw!

This was the high light of the Out of Africa experience I thought. The tigers aren't trained so you never know what you're going to get. The handlers just use the animals instincts to get the tigers to respond, and respond they do! Look at that tiger jump! Once the tigers were interested man could they run. They acted lazy, but wow their speed is impressive!

They jumped after balloons and once the tiger got the "prize" the handlers had to try and trade it for something, like a piece of meat or the tigers wouldn't give up their "prize." Sometimes even with the meat offering the tiger didn't give up the "prize" easily.

The kids loved to see them jump on the water toys!

Look at that tiger just grasp that water toy in mid air. It was so fun to see tigers in this way!

Seriously, what kind of genes does one have to have to want to be in this cage with two tigers trying to get them aggressive? I am glad I wasn't in that line in the preexistence!

This is one example of when the tiger didn't want to give up his "prize!"

Out of Africa Wildlife Park

One of the days on Spring Break we took the kids to the Out of Africa Wildlife Park. It was really fun and the kids loved it. We highly recommend it! It was neat to see the animals up close and personal.

This is Kiersten feeding a camel a carrot. The kids got to pet the camels nose and thought that was pretty cool.

This is Logan feeding the camel. Hunter was shockingly not as brave as the other kids with feeding the animals.

The giraffe was the funnest to feed I thought.

Logan and Kiersten getting to feed the giraffe.

Logan was so brave! Once Logan fed the giraffe he said, "Eeeww icky, he lick me!"

That's Justin feeding the giraffe for Hunter.

I love this picture!

Apparently the giraffe loved it as well because the next thing it tried to do was give me a french kiss!

Now Hunter was never afraid of the huge snakes, go figure. He just loved them and couldn't pet them enough!

Logan and Kiersten enjoyed the snakes as well. I thought it was kind of creepy to be that close to the snakes. Hopefully Logan doesn't think you can just pet any snakes, as we have rattle snakes out here? Scary!

Logan did get up when the snake got his face close to Logan's................yea he does have some common sense!

Hunter liked this snake the best! It's about 13 feet long and weighs 75 lbs.