The true meaning of "Crackers"

First of all we had a wonderful Christmas! The kids enjoyed their presents, Dan was home ALL day, and we were able to spend Christmas Eve with good friends - all the ingredients for a great holiday. Also, we wanted to thank all of you that sent us holiday greetings the old-fashioned way! For the second year in a row I have missed getting a letter and card together in the mail in time for Christmas. Needless to say this will be one of my New Year's Resolutions.

Well, I should have written this post a long time ago, but I have had a hard time grasping the reality of it myself. Our neat, tidy, little family of four will become a wild party of five this spring. Yes, we can't believe it either. No, this was NOT planned. Yes, I have been very sick. No, we did not save a stitch of clothing or a particle of gear from our other kids. (We were done, remember?)

This past fall (while stripping lead paint and using toxic chemicals to remove paint), I thought I had the flu...at first. And then after a week or so of denial I confirmed my lurking suspicion! I am now a little over 17 weeks into the ORDEAL and am still coming to grips with it all. I have had several serious problems with my past pregnancies (big reason we stopped at 2) that will most likely recur this time around, but we are hoping for the best. So far I have only been plagued with lots of morning sickness and shock.

After weeks of letting it sink in, we finally told our kids and families before Christmas. The kids are VERY excited and have already nicknamed the baby "Crackers." As in, "Wouldn't Crackers look so cute in this outfit", or "Shouldn't we hang a stocking for Crackers?", or "When will Crackers be born?" (est. June 6 arrival) I must say it is appropriate considering that was all I could eat for some time. Carson has also informed several people that his mom has "Crackers" in her belly. I didn't bother to explain ; ) So now you all know the true meaning of "Crackers".

We are beginning to get excited about having a new little baby in our home and hope that all goes well over the next few months. I am sure I will need plenty of advice on gear, names, and easing the aches and pains, but I will save all of that for future posts when I am ready to deal with it. We are blessed to have this new little one and are grateful that you can't always plan your life.

More Random Information...Tagged

Back in May I was tagged, but here is some more random information about me by request of Jenn!



*I LOVE my mother-in-law (and the rest of my in-laws)! I know a lot of people get along with their in-laws, but we were meant to be! It has been so much fun to work with her and Julie in our business. His mom also lives a mile from my parents and they are in the same ward. It is fun that my family and Dan's family get along so well.

*I love to go camping. I don't like getting grimy, but I love being out in the fresh air and cooking yummy food outdoors. I love a cozy campfire.

*We have never owned a real kitchen table. When we were married we used one that Dan had from a great aunt. It had belonged in an RV and to this day that is the only table we have had...two of the chairs have completely fallen apart and the other two are disgraceful. Needless to say that is my holiday wish this year - a kitchen table of our own!

*I have eaten horse stomach, cow uterus, cow intestine, and raw beef bits. THIS WAS NOT INTENTIONAL!!!! I taught a group of Japanese Veterinary students that were going to be traveling to the US to visit a university here. After our three months of teaching they took me to a very nice restaurant. At this type of restaurant, you order a plate of raw meat and veggies and grill them over a stove in the center of your table. It is really fun, and Dan and I went often. We always ordered the chicken or the steak with veggies and white rice. Well, they did the ordering and ordered a traditional Japanese faire. Ahhhh! I must say I nibbled and swallowed with water a lot.

*I have flat feet. Yes, they are ugly.

*I have NO internal compass and NO sense of direction. It takes me forever to learn to navigate a new area. I am a real candidate for GPS.

*I have lots of friends named Jennifer....during high school I had 5 Jennifers on my dance team....my name was Jennifer Anderson and one of my best friend's name was Jennifer Andrus. Also, my senior year there was a freshman with my exact same name (including middle name) that I received detention and sluffing notices for on a regular basis before they figured out there were two of us. As we have moved I have made friends with lots of great Jennifers and some of my best friends are still Jennifers.

I must now TAG my in-laws....that means Melissa, Julie, and Christy! (Now you have something to write about Melis...)

Sister Sweet

Although the kids are at each other sometimes, lately I have been noticing all the sweet things they do for each other. Erika has been on my mind a lot lately.... Since her first library day in September, Erika gets to check out two books from the school library. Each Tuesday she has come home excited to see Carson because one of the two books she checks out is always for him. He never asked her to do it, she just thought he would like it. And he does!

While preparing to give the 13th Article of Faith in Primary at church, Erika volunteered to help him get ready. We have learned the 13th Article a couple of times, but Carson couldn't remember much of it to start with. Erika coached him carefully Sunday morning he was ready. When he stood up to recite it to the Primary he froze (Our primary is quite large and meets in the Chapel so it is a little intimidating up at the podium.) She jumped right up and went to his aid. As soon as she joined him he was able to overcome his fear and they got through it together.

She is so good to help him tie his shoes, hang up his coat, and reach all the things five year olds just can't quite reach. She shares most of her toys, her treats, and her books. Tonight, with seemingly endless patience, she coached him over and over on how to make the perfect snowflake. (They actually turned out really well!) What a great example to me. So next time her temper flares with him or they are at each other over some silly thing, I will try to remember how more often she is a sweet soft-hearted sister to him.

Someone call Social Services

I have to say I was a little worried all last week as Erika went off to school. I was worried I would be receiving a call from the nurse or her teacher saying we needed to have a little meeting. I guess I should tell you how it all began....

On Monday night Carson was chasing Erika all around the house and she was dodging and squealing. She just couldn't seem to get away. Finally, in desperation, she jumped over the back of the couch (a BIG no, no in our house) and slipped as she landed. Instead of catching herself with her hands she seemed to land directly on the right side of her face. Now, I only heard the squealing and the "THUD", she didn't even cry for a few minutes. As the shock wore off she shed a few tears and decided that Mom actually had a good reason for not wanting kids to jump over the couch. It really didn't look that bad - just barely swollen. We applied ice and she looked better by bedtime.

The next morning her eye looked swollen and a little discolored. (photo number 1) I told her to tell her teacher what happened if she asks, but not to make a big deal of it. Of course, when she comes home she tells me she told her teacher, who told the nurse, who gave her an ice pack and lots of sympathy. Day two it looked even worse, purple and puffy. The pictures don't really do it justice. (Sorry they are so poor - they are from my phone).




The real kicker in all of this isn't so much the black-eye... The problem is that it comes only two short weeks after she had her wrist taken out of a splint from a pretty bad sprain! (Received on a play-date at a friend's house while playing in the backyard.) In today's hyper-sensitive environment you never know when Social Services will show up for a little "visit". After a long talk about being extra-careful about getting hurt so mommy doesn't have to go to jail, we are hoping she will have a little better luck over the next few weeks.

Other than that we had a fabulous thanksgiving with friends and this past weekend Dan was home almost all weekend! We were able to get caught up on a few things and were also able to get up our Christmas tree! Carson was really excited to help get the lights and decorations on the tree. I feel a little spoiled at having him home so much and I'm not ready to send him back to the wolves!