Yesterday I had fantastic visits with the sisters I visit teach.  They are wise and insightful and I was grateful that Beckham played happily and quietly during long visits.  I know that I am supposed to take the wisdom when I teach but I always come away feeling filled and uplifted.  One of those conversations continued today at the park and I am grateful to be surrounded by women of strength who know what they want for their families and are willing to do what it takes even if it is not popular or mainstream. 

Then I came home to my own visiting teacher who is also delightful and honest.  I look forward to her visiting each month, knowing it is a visit from a good friend that I would not otherwise have time to chat with during my week.  She went over the top, however, when she left with my children allowing me a perfectly quiet house to take a nap.  That, my friends, is a good visiting teacher. 

Fischer came with us to the park this morning.  He got a lot of love from a lot of children but jumping around tethered to a light pole sure wears a puppy out. 

Seneca read me "the rules” in the car.  They consisted of things like:

-no driving Speed.

-no accidents.

-no going to a friend’s house when you are supposed to be going somewhere else.

-no hitting trees, rocks, wood, dirt or houses.

and the music must be to her approval.

The kids were giving each other challenges in the car on the way home today.  I was filling Dutch with gas so I missed the beginning of the game, but I think Seneca was telling the boys what to do- things like juggling various objects, or make things disappear.  At one point Beckham got mad at Cooper for some reason or another and I heard him say, “Can you disappear yourself?”  He was serious.  I tried not to laugh out loud.

I have intended to make cookies all week and now it’s Friday.  I told Coop I’d make cookies if he made dinner.  He made everyone grilled cheese sandwiches and I have cookie dough.  Sometimes I am so brilliant.

It is shorts and bare feet weather this week.  Please last forever.

what we’ve been up to… in photos.

after coop’s allergy testing, we decided a stop for doughnuts was most definitely in order.

we saw cousin Keir’s play at Mesa High, Beauty and the Beast. It was a fantastic production and a fun family outing.

we enjoyed Seneca. and her scripture study.

we juiced oranges from the backyard and remembered what summer tastes like.

we went to tough kids camp and learned circus tricks.

we watched this cute boy play baseball.

we gave this puppy a bath, which was a workout for everyone involved!

we joined cooper (the porcupine) at school for his rainforest celebration play and party.

we said hello to baby girl!

dad experimented with various do’s on Bex. colorado city, pat riley or the beibs??

we visited the museum and turned our tongues red with fruit punch.

we welcomed a taste of summer weather by the pool.

we decided she loves him the most.

we cuddled with the baby-to-be. his hand just gravitates to my tummy when we are on the couch.

Is it time for you??

Dear Readers,

I interrupt this saga of life at the Homestead with an invitation.  You know already that we use doTerra essential oils in our home.  You know already that we love them and that they keep us healthy and save us moola.  I have had several inquiries into what we we use and how lately.  People are being drawn to doTerra oils because they are safe and effective.  If you are ready for more information, just let me know!  I have great options for you depending on your needs and family.  I am excited to share these oils with you and have you experience for yourself the power they have in healing, prevention and mood management.  When emergency strikes, I would love for you to have doTerra essential oils and the knowledge about how to use them in your home, especially when medications will not be readily available.  I would love for you to join my friends who have discovered the freedom they feel when they rid themselves of the side effects medications can cause.  These oils have been sourced from the earth in the place where they grow best and were put here for our use.  If you are curious, have questions or would like information, let me know and I’ll help you enjoy having these awesome tools in your home!

a few things someone should know

First, someone in the world should know that I have been married for 13 years today.  13 Years.  You see, someone should know this because it’s fairly important and both Dent and I parted ways this morning without saying a single thing to each other about it.  I remembered later and reminded him in a text, which we laughed was very romantic.  The way life has been this week, it’s a wonder we remembered at all.  But it is momentous.  A lot went down 13 years ago, not the least of which this ever-expanding eternal family was created.  We started in small Cedar City, Utah and blindly jumped to the bright lights of Manhattan.  I cried as we left the big city behind and landed in the desert, but as we have found our little spot down here I am grateful for the adventures we have had together.  Between 4 university-and-beyond degrees, climbing a mountain and skiing down several, conquering the biggest triathlon known to man (a few times), we have also picked up a few children along the way.  It’s been a good ride and I’m excited for what’s to come. 

Second, someone should know that we confirmed this week what the world already seemed to know.. that this little human filling out my belly is indeed a little girl.  I had decided that I didn’t think I’d be surprised either way, because most thought it was a girl, but we have heretofore only made little boys.  I’m thrilled, except that I already knew what I was going to name a little boy… a girl?  Not so much.  Seneca thinks her name is Alice, which she has claimed since the beginning, but I have told her she is welcome to use that for her own daughter someday, or a doll perhaps.  We also learned that the situation in there with this little baby is not completely ideal, but for now I am at peace that this little one was very determined to get where she is and she proved stubborn again when it took two days to find out what she was.  I know she has great things to accomplish and Heaven will find a way to make it all ok. 

And lastly, it’s really not important for anyone else to know, but exhaustion has officially set in here in the Homestead.  This week has run us ragged.  My house looks like we came, we slept, we donned clean clothes and we flew out the door again, which is essentially the truth.  My children crash in their beds each night and sleep like they are dead to the world and as I crawl into my own bed with my head pounding I am grateful that no one schedules things between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. and I pray for at least three hours of undisturbed slumber before someone (or dog) needs some sort of attention.  As I lay curled up on my pillow, I hug my little tummy, feel this little girlie squirm and kick and smile, knowing that all is completely right with the world.  The mister drags himself home after working more hours than one should be allowed during a day and collapses with me.  I’m sure that beneath his tired body he is happy, too.  After all, we have lots to be happy about. 

today, dresses, fischer and baby.

Today is going to be a doozy.  It’s filled with wonderful things, but it’s FULL!  I have until 10:30 and then I have 10 (not kidding)  places to be between then and 3:00.  Some are quick drop-offs and some are longer appointments, but it will be constant runnning.  Then we have little friends coming here for an hour before we go again at 4:15- to music straight to soccer practice and then to baseball.  Why does the world think everything needs to happen on Tuesday?!  I am fueling my body as I type because who knows the next chance I’ll get today!

Linny is getting married in one month!!  Actually, one month from yesterday.  I am very excited, but this means I need a dress pronto!  I ordered a few to try, and they are all going back.  Today I ordered round two and let’s pray one of them works!  Even Senny’s dress was too short, so we’re trying again on that one too.  But, the boys have pants, that is good news!  Well, it’s good if neither of them grow one millimeter between now and april 5. 

Fischer just hangs out and watches the excitement around here.  Sometimes he jumps in and has some fun- he is being a very good boy lately.  He likes to be spoiled and is learning quickly which behaviors get him what he wants.  Nipping at my hand is not one of them!  Sitting quietly outside the door until I tell him he can come in is, and he has mastered that.  This puppy has been a good preview of what Seneca might be like with a baby.  Fisch gets lots of love from Senny.  Lots.  The term, “goochie, goochie” comes out of her mouth in a little baby voice often.  Drives me a little crazy, but I’m glad she likes her dog.  Hope she likes her baby just as much! 

Speaking of which, we just might find out what this little peanut is this week.  Any guesses?  I’ve got mixed opinions in this house.  The little thing is kicking up a storm lately which is fun for me. 

There is more to report but it will have to wait.  Fischer is calling, as are my clothes that need to be put on before I run out the door and never come home until bedtime.  Ciao! 

A while ago I received a fortune inside a cookie that read,

“Your fondest dream will come true within the year.”

At the time I was trying to decide what my fondest dream would be, there are so many! But I thought it a great fortune considering so many these days are lame-o. So this one found a place on the corkboard in our hallway. I didn’t think anything of it until a short time after I found out I was pregnant and walked by it on the wall and stopped. I read it again and smiled and realized that, indeed, one of my fondest dreams had come true. Of course there are many pieces to this dream- I would like the rest of this pregnancy to go smoothly, have a peaceful delivery that results in a healthy little body arriving with it’s strong spirit, not to mention all of the dreams that come along with raising a child, but this part came true and I’ll be grateful for that.

I had the privilege of singing with our stake choir for conference today and as we prepared one of our hymns the past few weeks, a particular phrase stood out to me: From “I Believe in Christ.”

“I believe in Christ; he stands supreme!
From him I'll gain my fondest dream;
And while I strive through grief and pain,
His voice is heard: "Ye shall obtain."

Again, I was reminded that only through Christ can I gain all of my dreams and even while grief and pain plague us at times in this life, His promise is true and sure.

In high school I had a wonderful friend, who was my first date, actually- anyway he married an awesome girl who I don’t know nearly as well except through her honest and delightful blog. They have been wanting to add to their family and as they have gone through in vitro multiple times I feel for them. I feel for her and her desires and dreams and heartaches. Each time she shares her honesty, it takes me right back to when I had those same feelings and experiences and wondered what Heaven had in store for our family. I know that His plan may be different for her, but I know there is one, the right one, the one that will bring her peace and joy and fulfill her fondest dreams. I thought a lot about her today and this song came to mind again. I came across it a while ago and probably shared it then, but it has made my “inspirational songs” playlist and I hear it often on Sundays.

I don’t know how life will continue to unfold- for me or for anyone else- and while I know our faith and choices and actions help determine the outcome, I know that He only sends trials to teach and to make stronger and that the blessings that follow the heartache are so, so sweet.

the backyard

We have lived in the backyard this week.  It seems the safest place to let Fischer roam when I can’t keep my eye on him every minute.  He’s having a very good listening day and while it seems much of my life has been altered and/or sacrificed for this puppy, it seems my time with him is starting to pay off.  When we first looked at this house, I immediately said, “no,” not liking it enough to consider buying it.  Then I saw the yard and decided I might be persuaded.  We have eaten lunch and dinner out there more than inside lately and I see that trend continuing in the coming months.  Baseball, soccer and basketball get played daily, the kids are riding bikes and swinging endlessly and currently Senny and Beckham are lying on their backs next to each other talking about who knows what.  The ping-pong/pool table is a fairly recent addition to the backyard thanks to Emily unloading across the street and the kids have fun chasing the ping pong ball all over the place.  The pool has been lonely for a few months but the anticipation grows each week as they wonder when they can get back in.  Orange blossoms are beginning and that has got to be the most heavenly smell ever.  Our yard leaves a lot to be desired in the way of gorgeous landscaping, but it provides plenty of room for kids and dog alike to run and play.  I love the moments when I can feel boredom setting in and someone asks for a movie and I deter them outside and hours later they forgot the tv ever existed.  While I’ve grown to love this house, the yard remains my favorite feature for what it provides for my family.  The weather doesn’t hurt either!