Be grateful beforehand.......

You never really realize how grateful you are for something until it's gone or you can't have it. I feel that way right now about food! I miss being able to enjoy a meal and looking forward to food. Wanting to taste a certain taste or eating Thai food and enjoying it. Not wondering how it will taste and if it will stay down or other nasty things. Hating the smell as you cook it and already dreading it by the time it is ready to eat. Right now it's sad that I dream about being able to eat. I have a few 'staples' right now that are able to stay down. Cereal and pretzels. It's not any cereal either, it's either Great Grains or Shredded Mini Wheats. It can't have any sweet sugar taste. I eat about three bowls of cereal a day. I don't know why it's this? With Cruz, it was waffles. I can't touch them this time. Although I would have to say I can't stand soda pop! I love water. Juice doesn't even taste good. It has to be cold bottled water. I guess that's been my healthy advantage to this.

Anyway, I have to clear Jake's name. In the past he hasn't been totally 'understanding' in ways. With Kirsten, he wasn't very sympathetic, for those that can remember. With this one he has been a total sweetheart! He has done everything you could imagine! He wakes up every morning and gets McKay ready for school and then takes her. He takes care of the kids until I wake up and get on my feet from the morning sickness. It never goes completely away I am afraid. If I have had a bad day he will make dinner or bring it home. He even rubs my back almost every night. I just want to say how grateful I am for him! He has made it so much easier for me! I love him and am thankful for everything he does!

Although we didn't 'plan' this I think we both say it couldn't of happened at a better time. I had originally wanted to wait until at least next August. By then Jake would have been back in his busy time and wouldn't of been able to help out so much when I got sick. Falling that I got sick in the winter, he has been able to help out more. He has also been working late at night due to the remodeling projects that he has to do after closing hours. We have been blessed that he has been busy all year though. Another factor is the baby will be here the first week of August and the kids will be out of school. McKay will be back from her 'break'. I guess all things have reason, we just sometimes find out later than sooner.

More info

As you can see, Jake posted our news last night. Here is a little more information on it. Yes we are having a baby (for those that didn't figure it out - ha ha). It is due August 4th. Right now I am a little over 12 weeks along. We are excited but this was a little unexpected. We had always wanted a fourth but didn't know it was this soon. (Who can remember the lovely Thanksgiving dinner talk where this subject, and others, came up?) Anyway, like I said, we are excited.

Any ????

Who's the better driver now?

While driving home from a movie / birthday party tonight, we got another laugh from Kirsten. It had been snowing and we had the suburban in four wheel drive. Although at times Jake would take a corner and fishtail or go faster to slide just 'for fun'. Kirsten had had enough. She finally said, "Mom, why does dad drive everywhere? Dad, you drive crazy. You need to drive safely. You need to drive like mom does." My kids always make me smile!

A Belated Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

As I said earlier, I have been running a little behind. Here are our Christmas pictures from last year. We enjoyed our extended ten day vacation at Betsy's house this year. The kids had fun playing with their cousins and we enjoyed visiting family. Thanks again for letting us come and stay. We hope you all have a good new year and that you accomplish all the things you want to achieve!

Jake and his gifts. McKay actually picked out the Simpsons slippers herself. Kirsten picked out the massager also. They chose their own presents this year.

Cruz and his 'excited' Christmas face with all of his presents. 

Kirsten and her gifts. 

McKay and her gifts.  

Kirsten and her gingerbread house with the help of her dad.  

McKay and her gingerbread house. 

Update!

Sorry it took me so long to post our pics of Maui. It has been a long vacation and then trying to finally get organized again. That and sick kids can always take up your time. I haven't posted our Christmas pics yet, they are still waiting to be downloaded. That will be another day. We are back in Idaho and McKay is getting anxious for her first day of second grade. She has done a lot of homework over the last three weeks and she is excited. Hope you all enjoy the pictures and sorry there are so many of them. We loved our vacation if you can't tell!

We all miss the warmth and the beauty of Maui! 

We tried to use this tree in some of the pictures but it wasn't working with all the kids. Jake really liked it. 

The kids and me. 

Kirsten playing in the water one last time. 

Many of you may recognize this picture already. 

McKay doing the same. 

Cruz just playing. 

This was my favorite. Jake chose the Christmas picture but I get to choose the family picture on the wall. :) 

A few of our family pictures of the 400+ that we took that long day. 

Kirsten eating an apple. Not very excited about the whales yet. 

The only picture I got of the whale. If I would have waited two seconds I would have gotten the tail. Of course you don't get good pictures unless it is an accident. 

McKay on the boat while we are whale watching. 

Hula girls! 

Cruz doesn't know what to think of his dad. (nor his eyes.) 

While we were at a beach in Makena. A 13 or 14 year old kid speared an octopus while snorkeling in the nearby reef. They let us come look at it and touch it. I didn't know this but I guess an octopuss will turn white after it dies. Otherwise in the ocean they blend with their surroundings.

McKay and Kirsten burried in the sand. Look at the smiles! 

A huge sting ray in the aquarium. 

Our family infront of the huge aquarium where we watched the feed sharks, stingrays and other fish. It was really exciting. They had an eight foot tiger shark in there that they would release early in the year out in the ocean. Quite scary if you think about it.  

McKay is holding her big starfish.