It's a...

It's true.  Baby Moses #6 is on the way!  I am due at the end of June.  I wanted to keep it on the down low until I felt like things were going well before we made our announcement.  I know there are never any guarantees, but after I had heard the heartbeat twice (and when my belly began making the announcement for me) it was time to spread the news!

On Christmas morning each of the kids had a small package that contained a few puzzle pieces.  They put the puzzle together, and on the back was a message from the baby.  It was a poem that said...

"I just wanted you to know that we have the same mother.
I'm your baby sister or brother!
I can't wait to meet you very soon
I'm due to arrive at the end of June"
Love, Baby Moses

I know it's not poetic genius, but I wrote it after midnight on Christmas Eve and I just wanted it to rhyme and get the point across.  The kids were very excited!

Darin's nephew is an ultrasound tech and fit me in for a sneak peek this afternoon (it's so nice to "know a guy").  Thankfully baby cooperated!

To announce the gender to the kids, I gave each of the children a black balloon filled with helium and a teeny tiny bottle in the gender color (blue for boy, pink for girl).  I had the bunch of balloons on the table while we were waiting for all the kids.  The heat from the lights popped one of the balloons, but thankfully I was able to find the bottle and cover it up before any of the kids saw it.  (Briggy and Liv shared a balloon)

ONE, TWO

THREE!!! 

(I love their faces in this photo!)

It's a.........

BOY!!!!

My thoughts...I am so grateful for this little guy to be in our family.  I know it's not a mistake that he's a boy. 

When I was wandering around the store thinking of ideas to announce the gender I walked by the shoe section and saw little glittery ruby slippers.  I teared up.  And then I wondered why.  I am really not disappointed that we're having a boy.  I am so grateful for each of my children and I would never trade any of them for the other gender.  Their personalities are so diverse, and I know that this new little guy will be just as unique and special to us.  I think the tears came because I know that my kids all wanted a little sister and I was worried that they would be disappointed.  It is no secret that Liv has wanted a sister for a VERY long time.  I was very surprised that all of my boys said that they wanted a baby sister, too.  That's a lot of pressure.  We are fairly confident that this baby will complete our family, and I guess it just felt so final...a baby sister will be an unfulfilled desire for my kids.  I know without a doubt that this little one will be loved A LOT (he already is).  I don't want people to be disappointed for us because we really are very excited (and he's a cutie.  I can tell from the ultrasound photos)!

I was so proud of my kids.  There were smiles all around and no tears.  I pulled Liv aside and asked how she was doing.  She didn't even have a hint of sadness.  She said, "I really don't care what it is.  I'm just excited that we're having another baby." 

Half a dozen offspring.  I hope we're up to the challenge!

Simple Pleasures

The other day David and his friend wanted to color.  I got the bucket of crayons and he found a brand new box of crayons.  He opened the box, looked inside and said,

"Is this heaven?"

The funny thing is...I totally get it!  Brand new crayons are one of my joys, too.  The good news is that I recently bought a crayon sharpener so we can have a little piece of heaven whenever our hearts desire!

Ringing in the New Year

We didn't have any plans to ring in the new year, but we were ready for a low key/casual evening.  We got a text from our friend, Keri a couple of days before New Year's Eve.  She asked if we wanted to ring in the new year with them.  We were in!  They also invited their friends, the Ellis' and we had a great night.  Games, yummy food, great company and lots of laughs! 

When we arrived, my boys were instantly intrigued by the Scoresby's feathered friend, Pez.

We had a riveting game of "Baptism" (or Water in the Face as my family calls it):

Briggy made a new friend (the Ellis' son, Jake) and led him around the house saying, "Come on!  Let's go!"  Jake was a very good sport about it.  Here they are getting ready for the countdown.  

The Girls (they're getting so grown up!):

The boys: 

The adults:

HAPPY NEW YEAR! 



They came with haste...

A Great Start to the Season

Our Ward Relief Society Presidency organized a wonderful activity to kick off the Christmas season.  They asked people to donate their nativity sets for two evenings so we could all be reminded of the reason for the season.  Families were encouraged to attend together.  We took the kids over and it was the perfect way to get us in the Christmas spirit!  Olivia had already walked through with the Young Women, but she was still there when we showed up, so we borrowed her for our photo.  

 I had each of the boys stand next to their favorite set (or one of their favorites.  It was really hard to choose).  Briggy loved the rubber duck nativity.

 David chose the Precious Moments set.

 Sean and Warren both liked this set from The Philippines.

 I was partial to the Willow Tree set (and I really liked the silver one, too...that's why they are together in the photo).

 They were all beautiful and diverse.  They ranged from elaborate and ornate to simple and cute, but they all helped to remind us about the true meaning of Christmas.

 This one is an entire village scene from Bethlehem.  It was gorgeous!



There was music playing softly in the background and the kids got a candy cane as we were leaving.  I know a lot of work went into setting up (twice).  The Relief Society presidency set it up, lights and all, had to take it down and lock it up for safe keeping overnight, and then set it up again the next day (they did it for two days so that more families would have an opportunity to attend).  I am grateful for their efforts and grateful that my family was able to take advantage of seeing so many nativity sets so close to home.  Let the season begin!

Poor Kid

Last night David came in crying and holding his cheek (I wasn't home, but Darin assumed it was a bee sting).  Nothing seemed abnormal last night, but this morning he woke up looking like this:

Apparently the sarcasm starts early around here...

Tonight we were all sitting in the family room after a long and busy day.

I yawned a big yawn and said, "I'm sleepy."

Brig (who turned 2 just a couple of weeks ago) didn't skip a beat and replied, "Hi.  I Briggy".