marital conflict

This morning I smiled thinking about what happened during our last FHE lesson. I'm sure I will forget about it if I don't write it down, so here I am..

While listing our blessings slash favorite things on little scraps of paper, Aaron passed me one he wrote. It said LIBIDO-MAX in big bold letters. The second I finished reading it, he snatched it out of my hands and tore it up into little tiny pieces. He knew, and I knew that HE knew, that if he kept it around (even if it never made it to the wall) I would scan it in and it would be shown to the world (I mean, a couple hundred strangers.) Poor guy is always paranoid cautious of what will end up on the blog.

Truth is, he hated the Libido-Max post. Let me set the record straight and state that he wasn't embarrassed and didn't like to be portrayed as so. He thought the post was written as if he was some type of insensitive perve that has no consideration for his poor, pregnant wife.

I told him that most of the people who read my blog understand my sense of humor and know that I wasn't the least bit annoyed that he bought the pills. The story of him at the store was awesome.. and I think he's hilarious. But I got in big trouble for writing about it. The blog is always causing problems in our marriage. The box of Libido-Max has only made it that much easier for us to make up after we fight.

On my next trip to the grocery store, I am going to buy my husband a box of chill pills.

still preggo..

38 weeks and 3 days = the longest I have ever been pregnant and ten pounds more than I have ever weighed. This baby is competitive-- already breaking all kinds of records set by his older brothers.

I am being 100% honest when I say I am thrilled to still be pregnant. I realize that many people JUST WANT THE BABY OUT by this point, but I feel no rush. In fact, with the scare at 34-35 weeks of constant contractions, I feel so blessed to still be pregnant. Aaron gave me a blessing during my preterm labor and said that the baby would come at the right time. That has stuck with me and I do not feel anxious.

I DID think I was in labor on Halloween, though. I probably set myself up for it-- considering how much I would have loved another holiday baby. The day before Halloween was a busy one. I was running errands, setting up for and throwing a big church party, staying out after midnight watching MJ's movie and such. At 4:00 AM on Halloween, I woke up with pretty strong contractions. I tried to relax but got excited thinking that maybe I would have a little pumpkin. Around 9:00 AM, Ben and I went on a long walk. (Ben rode his bike and I walked.) By this time, the contractions were pretty strong and about 4 minutes apart. I even wondered if my water had broken on the walk because I was leaking something (and in my past labors, my water breaks but it's more like trickling, not some burst or explosion :) Anyway, I got my hopes up for a second there. I ended up laying down in the afternoon-- thinking that I would need as much rest as possible for upcoming labor. But I was so relaxed that I fell asleep and the contractions went away. They really picked up again around 11:00 PM and it was then I was SURE I was in labor. Come to find out, even after 3 babies, I still don't have a clue. My water had not broken. Apparently, I peed a bit during each contraction-- or something. Sunday (Nov. 1) I felt awesome... energetic, rested, motivated and content. Apparently, he didn't want to come on a holiday. And that's fine by me. Now we can celebrate Halloween AND a birthday later. Party on.

It's been 3 days since then and I have nothing exciting to report. I am staying really busy and getting as much done as possible. I remember thinking during the false Halloween labor (that I thought was real) "Dang.. I wish I would have done ______ ." so those things were the first to get tackled. I wake up with a new list each morning and feel very accomplished.

And if this isn't odd-- I am sleeping INCREDIBLY well. For the first time in months, I fall asleep at night and don't get up for anything.. not even to go to the bathroom. It's a miracle, seriously. Sunday night I went to bed at 8 pm and didn't wake up until 8 am. Holy 12 hours! I know THAT's not going to happen for a long time. I am relishing in the simple life while I can.

The kids are getting anxious, but we are knocking through a ton of their homeschooling curriculum so we can have a good vaca when the baby is born. We are currently about two months ahead in homework... scheduled to finish the school year sometime in April. But this bothers me because it's lame, busy-work anyway. I don't like having a schedule to tell me that we are "finished" with learning for the year, but I know there are pros and cons with any situation. At least I will not feel so guilty about taking a break from worksheets and I will have something to fall back on when I have crazy post-pregnancy-brain/sleep-deprived issues.

So.. that's the update. As much as I love your phone calls/texts/emails/expressions of shock that I am STILL pregnant.. let me remind you that I just might make it to my due date.. or go past it. Maybe he wants to be a Thanksgiving baby. ? What I am trying to say (all out of L-O-V-E) is lay off already. I promise I will let you know as soon as he comes. I'm sure Daddy will be posting pictures on the blog before he gets a chance to hold him.

next holiday, please...

At 8:30 AM on November 1st, (actually it was probably 7:30 AM.. Could there be a more perfect day for daylight savings than right after Halloween? Nope.) Ben poked his head into our bedroom and said,

"Mom? Dad? Do you think someone could change the calendar already?"

We're all about pressing forward [ever onward] at our house. As much as I adore Halloween, our spider webs, jack-o-lanterns and skeletons are taken down November one. There's just not enough time to celebrate Thanksgiving properly. It always gets trampled on by Christmas.. so we try to honor it the best we can. Our Thanksgiving decor (most of which is homemade) went up first thing Monday morning. Turkeys, turkeys everywhere!!!


Last night for FHE, we made our "THANKFUL" wall. In years past, we've done a turkey where we write our blessings on his feathers, but it's definitely more work. So this is what we've simplified to... I love using this particular wall so you can read it while going up the stairs. (It's all about multi-tasking.)


About an hour after our lesson, I walked past the wall to find a few more things taped up. Apparently, someone is thankful for starbursts, scissors, a cup, one of my earrings, a glove and other random objects.


Zack thought it was particularly funny that he taped up a blank piece of paper. He kept telling everyone, "I'm thankful for NOTHING!" I don't think he really understood the lesson. BUT he did a great job writing everyone's name in the family and drawing a few pictures. I know it isn't much to look at, but I am really proud of his scribbles. These were written without any help (he even knows how to spell our names!) We've been calling Ben "Bemm" ever since.


If you want to make your own THANKFUL wall, feel free to print out the picture below. I will NOT give you a list of things to be thankful for. You're gonna have to come up with those on your own. Geez.

It should print out 8X10-ish.
If not, save it as a picture, pull it up on a word document
and change the size to whatever you like.

No need to thank me. It's just that time of year.

This Is It

There are several things on my TO DO list before the baby is born. Crazy as it may sound, seeing Michael Jackson's This Is It movie was one of them. I was able to check it off this weekend. My husband knew how much I wanted to go and because we're on the baby countdown, he took me Friday night.

I am an MJ lover-- have been for as long as I can remember. So I thought the movie was fabulous. I don't think it's for everybody.. My husband wasn't as entertained, but because he loves me, he didn't complain once. Aaron can be so romantic sometimes.

Michael was a musical genius and watching him is nothing but inspiring. The music comes from inside his soul-- you can feel it by just watching him move. I was amazed that his voice was still so clear and on pitch and that he can still dance like a maniac. I mean, the man was 50 and looked more like a 20 year old. Really, he was amazing and incredible and marvelous and unbelievable.

I couldn't help but feel sad after seeing it. Not so much for Michael because I am sure he's on to bigger and better things. But the directors, dancers, back up singers, lighting crew, and hundreds of others put SO MUCH WORK into this concert and I can only imagine how devastating it was to hear the news of Michael's death. All that work and just weeks before showtime. MJ was on the top of his game and had his finger on every little detail of the concert. He was a perfectionist in the most literal terms. I am sure that's why he got plastic surgery so many times--- because it was never good enough for him.

My favorite part of the film was watching him direct his cast. He wanted to pull the best from them and knew they had it inside. Every move he made was precise and thorough and he expected that from those he surrounded himself with. Inspiring, really. You could see at times how frustrated he was and he kept saying "This is why we have rehearsals". But each time he scolded them, it was soft spoken and gentle. He would say several times this is out of love-- and would spell it out L-O-V-E. That was definitely my favorite part and I will remember it next time I try to teach my kids something. It may feel like a reprimand, but it's all out of LOVE.

The movie is in theaters for another week. I have no idea if it's something up your alley, but it was a THRILLER for me. It made me want to inspire those around me and use my God-given talents in a way that will make the world a better place. I believe Michael did that in the best way he knew how. Long live The King of Pop.

Halloween 2009

Friday October 30
Trunk-or-Treating with the ward

Things to remember about the night:

1. As we were leaving, we realized we hadn't taken a family picture. The kids were tired. In fact, Zack was asleep, so Aaron put his Iron Man mask over his face and used him as a Weekend at Bernie's doll.

2. I was so glad the Hoods showed up to the party. I hardly got a chance to talk to them because I was running around like a chicken with my head cut off. But they had a great time. We love Kyle and Kaia!

3. I felt like a big, fat cow all night...

4. Aaron honestly thought he was bringing sexy back with his wig. He wanted everyone to call him JT. I was a bit disappointed he didn't dress up as Pee-Wee Herman, but he is an adult and can make his own decisions. He was in a great mood and was such a HUGE help to me.

5. I have the best calling. I don't need an activities committee when I have Kate by my side. We rocked it and can't wait to begin planning the Christmas party.

Saturday October 31

Trick-or-Treating with the Vincents

Things to remember about the night:

1. We had to get ONE LAST night in with our bestest friends. They moved the next morning. :(

2. The Dads took the hoodlums trick-or-treating while Sabrina, Hazel and I passed out candy. We laughed our heads off. I will never forget "We alls has glasses!" coming from some 8 year old Spiderman. If you had been there, you would have thought it was hilarious too.

3. After partying with the Vincents, we stopped by our Bishop's place. The kids rode in the Hulet's train, played Plinko and jumped in the bounce house. What a party!

4. Luke and Zack got their FULL candy pails stolen. They totally vanished into thin air.

5. No one (besides me!) even cared. After Ben told them he'd share his candy, they shrugged their shoulders and it hasn't been mentioned since. I am floored by this. Zack loved his Hulk pail. And I wanted all his candy-- at least the good stuff, anyway. Oh well. I guess some people want to ruin Halloween for others. I am so proud of my kids for being untouchable... Apparently, candy is over-rated.