SO thankful

We have been so blessed the last few months and the last few days especially. I am reminded of the Lord's watchful care over us and that it is through others that we see many of His tender mercies. Yesterday I opened the front door to go get the mail and was surprised to find a large bag on the doorstep. Inside was a beautifully scrap booked baby book- already to go- I just have to add pictures! There was also several skeins of yarn, a dress, and a shirt I will be able to wear the entire pregnancy! There was also a very sweet note but it was unsigned. I was so touched by this persons kindness and generosity. Thank you, thank you! We also have been blessed with good friends who watched the kids while I sat at UMC for almost 8 hours on Thursday and for a couple of hours while I went visiting teaching on Friday. It is such a blessing to find people I can trust with my children, who take such good care of them, and who are so willing to give of themselves to help us out. In addition we were also blessed with two wonderful, yummy, and much appreciated meals from girls in our ward. We have been well fed the last few days to say the least! Thank you to all the angels who have made life easier for us the last few days! We have truly been blessed by your thoughtfulness and love. We love you!!! Thank you!

Nate

Nate made it through his surgery today. They were successful in breaking up the rest of the stones. They did find a problem though. Several stone fragments from the last surgery have embedded themselves into the wall of the kidney. The doctor said Nate will have to have a cat scan in four weeks most likely followed by an operation. They would have to make an incision in his back to get to the kidney then they cut it open and cut out each fragment. While in there they will try to separate and move his kidneys up a little so that we hopefully won't have to go through this ordeal again. Thank you Jenna, Des, and Emilee for all of your help with kids and food today! We couldn't have done it without you!

Weighty Issues

Why is it that I spend my entire adult life trying to lose weight and nothing happens? I would workout like crazy at least once a day 6 days a week and not drop a pound. I would try to make healthy meals and eat right and not drop a single pound. I couldn't lose weight but I finally came to terms with and accepted it and knew that at least I was healthier if not lighter. So fast forward to my doctor's appt this morning. I go in and get weighed- get a not-so-happy look from the nurse. See the doctor and get the same look. "You lost almost 2 more pounds this time." I think great- it is about time I lose some weight. He doesn't think this is great. I guess when you are pregnant it is not a good thing to lose this much weight, but my belly is growing nice and fast so I am not worried. He is though. And now I have to go back to seeing him every two weeks until I get on track with his weight goals for me. So to appease him I stop at the grocery store on the way home and think-I'll eat whatever I want and however much I want and make Dr. B. happy. I get to the store look around and just get that ever present I-want-to -vomit feeling. I load my cart with high calorie, not too nutritious food, and check out. By the time I make it home I know that my kids are going to love me and my bags of goodies, but the thought of the food makes me so sick that I will probably never eat any of it and will just get in trouble at my next appointment. Maybe I will get lucky and this aversion to food will last well past this pregnancy and I can keep losing weight without all the hours of workouts and super healthy foods!

An update

It has been awhile since my last post and since I really haven't posted much about what is going on around here. I will try to give you a quick update on most things. I don't have many pictures because I always forget to take them. So here is what has been happening:

-Nate is scheduled for his third surgery on April 23rd. He has developed even more large stones and if this surgery does not get them all they will have to do a more invasive surgery next month.

-Mara is on track break until May 7th. If anyone needs an emotional 5 year old you are welcome to her! Just kidding, but she is available for play dates for the next month!

-Wyatt got a haircut. I buzzed it all off- he did not like the wind blowing his hair and since spring here means constant wind, his hair and all the tears had to go.

Wyatt took this picture of himself and no it isn't upside down. the camera is. -My good friend Kate had a birthday and we had fun throwing her a surprise party.

-The kids and I met my good friend, Kami and her son Chase, at Bonnie Springs where the kids enjoyed train rides, petting zoo (Wyatt even let a goat eat right out of his hand!!!!), and an old western town. They DID NOT enjoy the gun show melodrama, but overall it was a great day! -Mara finally was able to attend her first book club. We had a Mommy and Me book club yesterday at the park where we were able to learn about a lot of great children's books we are excited to read. -Was inspired and uplifted after two days of listening to the Prophet and Apostles speak to the world during General Conference. -I have (at least for now) overcome my addiction to sweets and lost 14 pounds! I am sad to say that hormones are the real reason for all of this and not my own will power. -Our parents are going to be grandparents again (due date end of October- here is hoping for a Halloween baby!) -This baby was a big surprise but a good one. The first 9 weeks were filled with complications, tests, and 5 ultrasounds. The Dr. is pretty happy about how things are looking now. Now that Mara knows, there is no point in not telling people since she likes to talk so much.