Enough about me...

...let's talk about me! Just wanted to announce a major milestone....

LESS THAN 100 DAYS UNTIL MY DUE DATE!!!

Which means about 110 days until baby Jackson is here!

OR

14 weeks until my due date

15.5 weeks until Baby Jackson comes!

I know you never know when a baby will come this may be the lucky time pitocin will not be needed, but I can hope for that miracle but expect the norm... a 41.5 week pregnancy!

(I know Logan didn't require pitocin, but very painful scrape-ing process was involved!)

Scriptural Insight...

I have recommitted to studying my scriptures every morning before the kids get up. Yes for me this is a big deal. My alarm goes off at 6:15. I AM NOT A MORNING PERSON..well I guess I am just not a tired person, I don't do well with being tired. Anyways, there are lots of standard scriptures and well known stories that people can quote and have learned alot from. I am starting to get my own insight. I have probably heard it before but it is awesome when you discover the insight for yourself.

This morning I was reading in the Book of Mormon. I was reading in 1 Nephi 16 starting in verse 14. This is where Nephi and his brothers are hunting in the wilderness for food. They are successful for a time. They are given direction through the Liahona. Then Nephi goes hunting and breaks his bow. Everyone gets frustrated with him and the oft used word, they murmured, even the righteous Lehi murmured. Nephi spoke to them then he made a new bow and asked for guidance as to where to hunt. Then in verse 29 it says:

And there was also written upon them a new writing, which was plain to be read, which did give us understanding concerning the ways of the Lord; and it was written and changed from time to time, according to the faith and diligence which we gave unto it. And thus we see that by small means the Lord can bring about great things.

The part that stood out to me is that for a time, season, etc., things will go good, then something bad may happen. Like Nephi, we do need to do what we can, in accordance with the Lord's will, but we still need to seek Him with faith and diligence. It is then that we will truly see the blessings of the Lord even the small things that can make the greatest of changes in our lives. Alot of times it is so much easier to complain about the situation, but we have been given our own Liahona, or compass. We have been given scriptures, a prophet who lives today, along with many other inspired leaders. These are the things we need to seek after diligently. Then the faith part...I have found that having faith is not too hard it is having the faith to act upon what I have learned or been prompted to do. This failure to act has been pointed out to me recently as fear. Faith is unknown, so sometimes we know the right decision but it is to scary to take that step forward, kind of like Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. When he is stepping off what looks like a cliff and takes "a leap of faith." It looks like it truly is faith that will keep him walking on thin air, but there is a path, Indy just can't see it. Our Heavenly Father has a path for us, we just need to have faith in Him when we follow it, at times when it seems like we need to show blind faith, instead of hopelessness or anger.

Why you SHOULD write

In our church, we are encouraged to write our family history, or personal history. While it would be fun, I often think of it as boring for me to write but also for others to read. In a book club I am trying to attend regularly (uh-hmm), the book for October is The Thirteenth Tale. I have just started and didn't really read the synopsis so I can't tell you what it is about. While these two thoughts or bits of information seem unrelated here is the connection. Early in the book it says:

People disappear when they die. Their voices, their laughter, the warmth of their breath. Their flesh. Eventually their bones. All living memory of them ceases. This is both dreadful and natural. Yet for some there is an exception to this annihilation. For in the books they write they continue to exist. We can rediscover them. Their humor, their tome of voice, their moods. Through written word they can anger you or make you happy. They can comfort you. They can perplex you. They can alter you. All this, even though they are dead. Like flies in amber, like corpses frozen in ice, that which according to the laws of nature should pass away is, by miracle of ink on paper, preserved. It is a kind of magic.

It is kind of morbid in some ways but what a cool way to encourage me to write my history. I know I will not be the same me to my kids that I will be to my grandkids, and by the time their are great grandkids, if I am lucky enough to meet them, I will probably be hard of hearing, not energetic enough to play and will want to listen and watch them play. What may seem boring to me could very well be exciting for them to know who I was. A way to connect with future generations. I also think it would be cool to see what qualities I have of a great grandparent or even further up in my history. Maybe a similar sense of humor, or love of baking, even if unsuccessful, who did I get my lack of coordination from that I so awesomely (is that a word?) passed on to my beautiful and intelligent daughter?

After all that this is a note to self: Use your magic, write your story!

Week 26..tomorrow!

I came across this and thought it was kind of funny since I just got poked for a blood draw on Monday. I guess this is opposite of true since they are usually taking blood out not putting unknown stuff in!

Memories

I am not very creative but I have become friends with a family who is so here is another fun thing to do:



April Wrote:

Lets play a memory game? Here are the instructions:


1. Leave a comment on my blog of a memory that you and I had together. It doesn’t matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember! Since this is our family blog, feel free to leave a memory about any of us. This will also let me know who is out there that is reading my blog? I’d like to know how many of my friends have found me on cyberspace?


2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It’s actually pretty cool (and funny) to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I’ll assume you’re playing the game and I’ll come to your blog and leave one about you too.

Names

Janelle Wrote:
September’s Topic: Names

Did have a nick name when you were young? Are you named after anyone? What significance do names have to you? Have you always wanted to have a different name? - These are just thought provoking questions that could tempt a story out of you. Please be as liberal as you like with the topic.
Comment here if you are participating and link to this post to invite your friends to participate too.

Ahh the joys of April! I of course had some very uncreative nicknames. Ape, Ape-Face, Ape-O. Ohh and then there was eggroll and Nancy. Most do not have a thing to do with me really and I can say that big hairy apes was never one of them ; ).

I think eggroll is probably the only one real unique to me. It happened because some one said my name and I thought she said eggroll apparently I was congested and couldn't hear very well. Needless to say she called me that for some time.

Nancy came because of my dear husband. Whom I shall warn you to never play scattegories with or if you have a sense of pride Boggle...back to scattergories...We had rolled the letter and one of the questions was a term of endearment. So Jeremy wrote Nancy (along with Elephant Nostril for something Black!) We of course argued both answers and his reasoning was if your wife's name was Nancy and you loved her it would be a term of endearment when you called her by her name! So after that we have used that as a term of endearment between us. I may even have a letter where he signed it "love, Nancy" not real sure how I feel about that and how to explain that one to the kids?!

When I asked my mom where my name came from I think she said there was a girl in high school who had the name April and she liked it. I love names, I read that a name is something everyone treasures because it is your identity. When naming our kids we tried to pick names that couldn't be easily made fun of then we spelled Haylie's name like Hay Lie...I can just see a future dirty mind saying "Haylie, let's go lie in the hay!" some of the best thought out plans never work. Anyways, all of our children's middle names are important to us and remind us of a quality of a family member/s we would like them to have.

As far as wanting a different name, I would say yes, one because I am one of the April's who was born not in the month of April but October. I often got the question "were you born in April?" Why couldn't I lie and say yes? Of course I would answer no and share that I was born in October, guess what the very original response was? Why didn't they name you October? ha-ha! The jokes got a little tiring at times. Also my middle name is Dionne. In high school I just wanted to be like everyone else and have the middle name Anne or Marie. Now I like both names. I guess that was just the awkwardness of high school wanting to fit in and not be different.

Another funny FHE

We had a commitment on the traditional Monday night family home evening. So we took a trip to the Oakland Temple Visitor Center to view a sculpture exhibit of The Healing Power of Jesus Christ. These sculptures are done by a lady named Angela Johnson. She tried to make a career out of Opera singing but wasn't successful so she went to a craft store got some clay and 1 tool and made her first sculpture of a little girl. She knew it was her calling. The sculptures were fun to look at and for the kids to see a 3-D image of stories of Christ healing. Hannah like the sculpture It is I Be, Not Afraid, Miranda liked Come unto me, it was a life size sculpture of Jesus, Logan liked a sculpture that I couldn't find on her website but it was a narrow pathway. In the middle it turned going up from the middle it had people making good choices such as studying the scriptures, serving, teaching, helping. The Savior was at the top. from the middle going down it had people who were ashamed, struggling and ended with pride at the bottom. Although I would like to think Logan like it for the message I think he really liked it because he could walk under it like a bridge. It was a neat way for the kiddos to experience his ministry.

As with every trip we decided to walk around on the Temple terrace where Jeremy proposed. I have decided that when I talk to the kids there are certain things that are not an option like getting married in the temple, it is just where they will get married. So I phrased my question carefully as we were walking away from the temple. I said "When you get married in the temple, which temple do you want to get married in?" Miranda quickly said the Oakland Temple. Logan was also quick to respond. His temple of choice is the Logan temple in Logan Utah, which happens to be where his great grandparents got married. Haylie not missing a beat says "I want to get married in the Haylie temple." No one had the heart to tell her that there is no such thing. It was hilarious. I love the way their minds work.

Daddy is so proud!

Logan drew this picture today. It represents the family's love for Star Wars!

My girls

One of the songs sung by Cherie Call was called Beautiful. As she sang this song it reminded me of my girls. I want more than anything for people to see them as beautiful. Not in the sense of worldly beauty but in that the light of Christ shines through them. I loved this song and how it says "It's what you give that makes you beautiful. It's how you live that makes your dreams come true. Keep your faith in this world. And let the light of the Lord shine through, that's what makes you beautiful." That sums up my hopes for these girls.

I think that the pressure of beauty is more of a female issue. That is why I did this for my girls. Logan is an amazing kid while I hope he will also act in a way that will let the Lord's light shine through, it won't be beautiful it will make him so very attractive, handsome and responsible! Oh what a dream. The thing I like the best is that it is so very attainable. Our Heavenly Father loves these children and my job is to make sure they know it. So Logan, I love you too. I am lucky to have been blessed to be the mother to all of you!

You'll never guess!

One of the reason's I was afraid to go away is that I would miss Lauren taking her first step's. I have felt it was coming. Today I was in the room with her and Jeremy and i were able to witness it together. That was pretty cool. Jeremy may be being nice by not telling me she took her first steps while I was gone but he probably would have called me in his excitement. Of course I went and got the camera and caught a few steps on video. Remember she is extremely new at this and it is only about 2-3 steps per clip!

Time-Out Mom!

Well it was more s self requested Time-Out. I realize I just got back from BYU Education Week which I was away from my family for 8 days. BUT...every once in a while Time-Out for Women comes to Sacramento. So my friend Teri and I went together and met some more friends there. It wasn't too far but with gas rices we decided to stay the night. So I left yesterday afternoon and got back today. It was another fabulous time. The theme was Joyful Life: defined as great delight or happiness caused by a life that is exceptionally good or satisfying.

I came home early due to guilt of being away for two weekends and pretty much having every weekend packed with activities and then Jeremy gone for an overnight business trip. (I realize I am home to spend time with the family and am on the computer, but in my defense they are watching a movie and I am in the same room as them!)

So last night Jim Ferrel spoke. He spoke on the Down is up and up is down principle in the scriptures as long as down is before the Lord. Meaning down is humility and up is pride. How Satan tells you you need to feel up. It was a good talk, he said quite a few things that I needed to be aware of. Kenneth Cope was the host for the event. I didn't know how well known he was. He sings one of my favorite songs although I never heard him sing it. You can find the lyrics here. It is called His Hands. Another musical guest was Cherie Call. She is another LDS musician. My friend Hayley and I took a picture with her showing off our bellies. Turns out she is expecting her baby the same month as me.

I enjoyed listening to her share what inspired her songs.

Today I got to hear from Mary Ellen Edmunds. She is HIL-Air-IOUS. I dis get to hear most of the stuff while I was at Education Week, but it was still a good repeat. It was about contention being from the devil. She would share several scenarios that would pretty much get you frustrated and want to loose your cool. For example going to a hotel room where the kids in the room before you are "training for the Olympics" and the parents turn the T.V. up so they can hear them selves think. She asks "What would you do?" she would them mumble a reply like send up the SWAT team or blow the room up etc. then she would say with a smile "not today, today you are a peacemaker! So you walk to the front desk and leave a note wishing the family good luck in their Olympic trials!" She is very sarcastic but her point is that we can choose to respond with contention or try to find a way to make it into something positive, to be a peacemaker.

The next person that spoke was Camille Fronk Olson. She was also very good. She had lots of interesting insight about Hannah. While I was sort of familiar with her part in the scriptures, I had no idea how much of a faithful woman she was. It made me proud to know that one of our daughters share her name.

It is always a fun event and I try to go when I can, but this time was a little too close to Education Week so I will remember that it is one or the other for me!

Labor Day photos

Create a Free Slideshow

Thank You!

I have the best husband in the world. I lost my sweet tooth for abut the first 4.5 months of pregnancy. It is coming back just not like it was, salt and potatoes are still number one cravers for me! Lately though these are what I crave:

The picture does not do the size of my craving justice. My point in thanks goes to my awesome husband who is not feeling well, you know the ever lingering cold stuff, went to the store to get me some. Ahhh the joys of pregnancy, I will miss them...well maybe not. Plus he is a good hubby and would still make trips with out me pouting and rubbing my tummy and expressing my cravings!

THANK YOU, Jer-Bear!

A Logan Funny

Logan kept singing "Poor Poor Roddey, flushed down the potty". We try to discourage "potty" words so I was a little annoyed at the quote from Flushed Away. More annoyed by it being repeated over and over and over and over...than the actual saying.

I finally told Logan that if he said it one more time, after repeatedly asking him to stop I would put soap in his mouth to clean it up. A couple minutes later Logan came out after spending some time in the bathroom. I asked him what he was doing and he told me he was washing his mouth out with soap. I asked if he said the saying one more time and he confirmed. I love it when I don't have to be consistent with the punishment. He took care of it all by himself. Although now I have to inform him soap is NOT a food source!

Labor Day Tag...sort-of

We all love to share our war stories of Labor...and delivery. I found this post on a friend's blog and thought I would do the same.

How Long were your labors?
#1-5 hours
#2-3 hours
#3-good question? 6 hours? I am not sure. Pushing totaled 15 minutes for both babies...they were five minutes apart.
#5-4 hours?

With the last one I am not sure the time frame you can do the math click here for the story. I think they count labor as beginning when you are dilated to a four?! Or active labor begins.

Where and how did you deliver?
#1-I was induced 10 days past my due date at Walnut Creek Kaiser. No Epidural/stitches/tearing. Yes to pitocin.
#2-I was 6 days late and went in for a Non-Stress-Test. She stripped my membranes (OUCH!!!!) then sent me to L&D sure enough I was in labor and had no idea. No Epidural Yes to Pitocin, 1 stitch. Walnut Creek Kaiser
#3/4-I was induced at 37 weeks 6 days. Pretty boring they made me get an epidural and that is why I can't tell you how long my labor was. They wouldn't break my water since the OR wasn't available for delivery. So it was a labor of convenience. I did deliver with two hours of my water breaking. Oh and I walked in to the hospital dilated to a 4 and not in labor, my body is a little broken that way! In summary Pitocin, Yes, Epidural: weird but yes, stitches:no, they practically fell out they were so small!
#5 -I could say ditto to #1 I delivered at Walnut Creek Kaiser (like all my babies) I was induced I think 8 days late. Pitocin: yes, Epidural: No, Stitches: No!

Birth Stats:
#1 8lbs 5oz (they said she would be about 7-7.5 pounds, don't believe them they lie!...well sometimes!) 20"
#2 8 lbs 14oz 20"
#3 6lbs 12oz #4 6lbs 1oz (yes almost 13 pounds of baby..which led to...my fifth baby) both were 19"
#5 10lbs 5 oz 22" long. She was what I referred to as out "Tank" I feared she would get the nickname "Big Bertha" (no offense to any Berthas out there) She has turned into quite the little petite girl.

I re-read my post about Lauren's birth and I was quoted as:

"I don't want to do this again, I know you think it is because I am in pain but I am serious!" ~ April

I guess you do say things in when you are labor that you can't be held accountable for at a later date. As I am doing this again and I am already fearing the Labor and Delivery even though my track record would lead me to believe it will be an experience some will be jealous of.

Labor Day

We had a fun day yesterday. We went to our Ward's Annual Labor Day Picnic. Unfortunately we didn't bring our camera so I will await photos from the family photographer.

I got to help with the primary games, which could have been more exciting if we had lots of kids. Our first game was eating donuts off a string game. I bought plenty of donuts...only in the process of getting to the park I ruined more than half. They got smooshed so it was more like donut quarters instead of circles. We got 12 kids to play. Then got the Bishop to challenge another man in the ward to a donut on the string. The were pretty impressive.

Then the kids started loosing interest. We got 6 to continue to play a cotton ball relay game. They had to put Vaseline on their nose and run to the other side and get on all fours and pick up a cotton ball using only their Vaselined nose, then run back. Once their whole team had white cotton balls on their nose that team one. The kids are pretty good sports.

Then we were down to 4 and did a four way tug of war. I am sure most of you are thinking two ropes tied together n the middle and pulling in 4 different directions. This one is done in a circle with four people in the middle all facing outwards. We put suckers in the ground and they had to pull to get their sucker first. It was fun two watch.

After lunch we had the quickest water balloon fight ever. It last 0:00:04.23. Just kidding but I guarantee it was less than 5 minutes that included the walk to clear the premises from innocent bystanders.

We came home and had a relaxing afternoon of watching a movie and eating popcorn, which surprisingly Jeremy even ate and I actually watched most of the movie with them. What a treat for the kids. Then dinner and Family Home Evening, which I linked to Jeremy's story earlier. Just a little addition I thought I would add a link to Gordon B. Hinckley's 6 Be's. We also talked about Jesus Be-attitudes. It is a fun reminder of how we need to behave and act/think towards others. Especially as Logan and Miranda get to start a new school year and meet lots of new people.

Another link

Jeremy is an excellent story teller so instead of retelling a story that he has already written I will post a link.

Haylie and Bobba Fett

Care about Education?

I am not a very political person and don't often get involved. I have heard a lot about teachers and the dilemma they have been forced into. I love our neighborhood and I feel very lucky that our kids are able to attend an excellent school. It was said at Back to School Night that we need to write the district and tell them to pay our teacher's a more competitive salary with a reasonable benefits package. This parent also pointed out that he himself was a teacher that worked in our district and moved to a neighboring district where the pay and benefits were better. I know that there may be some that can afford to teach in our district because they love it here, they love to teach, and their expenses can allow that sacrifice of "more money". I fear most need to be a little more selective since they are the sole support or bring in the mojority of income for their families. It is sad that it sounds like it is all about money but it is a big part. I also know that extremely qualified and excellent teachers will look over our district for reasons other than money. Anyways this post is longer than I intended. There is a man Mr. Writer who keeps up to date on district news. We have an election coming up so he created a blog for the candidates that will be running for the two open board positions. It is an unbiased setting where all four candidates can be heard, unedited. Of course the two that he is supporting (although not mentioned on this site) have accepted the offer. The other two have been sent invitations to be involved, it is still new so they will hopefully join soon. I thought this was a good way to be informed who to vote for, Mr. Writer said all anwers should be written so all can understand unlike some of the formal statements we get to read in voter packets. So check out this blog and ask a question. These are the people who can help create a better district for our children.