I received one of the best phone calls today. My little brother, Dustin, has been in Iraq for what seems like an eternity, he's missed our grandmom's funeral and our oldest brothers wedding. He called today and he is officially out of Iraq and on his way home. He said that he is Kuwait now and will be leaving on the 14th to come back to the states...

Labor Day Weekend 2008

Sorry, no pictures. Hopefully, we will get our camera in working condition soon.

I think it is safe to say that this has been quite a weekend and the week leading up to this weekend has been nothing short of an emotional roller coaster (and no it is not because I am pregnant). Our best friends called on Tuesday and said that they really wanted to get out of town and what better place than Lansing, MI. They've heard some great things about this beautiful city and decided that that is where they would like to spend their Labor Day, here with us. It was the best phone call ever, I was seriously smiling the cheesiest ear to ear smile when Scott finally came home from class and I was able to tell him the good news.

We also found out that we are expecting a little girl on Wednesday. I just couldn't be happier. I didn't want to jinx myself so I kept saying that I thought it was a boy because I didn't want to be devastated if it were a boy, not that I wouldn't have been happy either way, BUT I REALLY WANTED A GIRL. I am ready for bows and dresses and cute little sandals and most of all I am excited to see Scott with HIS little girl. He is going to be putty in her hands and I just can't wait for that. (When we found out it is a girl, he said "I am okay with putting Beckett in timeout but I just don;t think I will be able to discipline my daughter. It's already starting. She is approximately 1/2 lb and already he is helpless to her powers) OH and I can't wait for Beckett to be a big brother. I just think he is going to be the best big brother in the whole world. And every little girl needs a big brother. We got him a little baby doll a few weeks ago and he loves his little baby doll, he takes it with him when we go on walks and lets it sit next to him, he puts it in the bouncy seat and even gives it kisses. I will say "Beckett, where is your baby" and immediately he will go and find it; occasionally, he will throw it across the room or carry it by its leg but that is normal...Right. :) I know that it will have its ups and downs and that Beckett will probably not be as gentle as we would like 100% of the time but that's life and besides, I am positive that my older bothers and sisters weren't "gentle" all of the time and I am still here to tell about it so I am just excited to meet the new little addition to our family. It seems like this pregnancy is going by so much quicker than the first but I am much more impatient this time, the weeks keep passing but I still want them to go quicker. I cannot wait for January!!!!! I love feeling her move. Beckett was not nearly so noticeably active so early. In fact, I still hadn't felt Beckett when I was this far with him, but she moves ALL of the time almost as if she is having her own personal dance party in my belly.

Thursday, there was a bit of drama at my job and I feel as though I have been completely affected by it. I feel like the entire thing was handled improperly and that certain "true" characters were exposed and the reality of the situation is that I would not typically work with those people It makes me so angry to think that I have wasted the last 2 years here working for a company where I am not appreciated nor am I treated as a contributing member of the staff. Fortunately, I have a great husband who is understanding and who loves me and only wants the best for me, so I know that no matter what happens I can expect full support from him. I am dreading the start of the work week, this weekend has been a complete escape, thanks again M&M, but it will only be a 3 day work week so that's a PLUS!

Friday was the much anticipated arrival of Marc, Michelle, Natalie and Julia it was so good to see them.

Saturday was our anniversary; we have been married for 5 years. It is hard to believe that it has already been 5 years I feel like I still remember our wedding, in detail, like it was just a year or two ago but then I feel like I have always been with Scott. He makes me feel like I am home. I know that doesn't make a ton of sense but that is how I feel . I know that I lived without him and I know that I was happy, but never as happy as I am with him. I feel as if he has given me everything that I have ever wanted, I know that it is cliché but I have the perfect life. I have everything that is truly important with a few added bonuses. I LOVE our family.

Today we had a ton of fun. We went and played kickball with some friends this morning, and had a great day chillaxing with the Hogges, turns out that Erika and Michelle are not so distant, distant relatives, we are hoping that they plan a "family" get together in the near future so that we can see them again. Unfortunately, Marc and Michelle left to go home around 3. It was by far the saddest part of my entire week. I love them so much. Thank you Marc and Michelle for coming up to see us. We are very sad that you had to leave today. I hate goodbyes, especially to those that I never want to say goodbye to. We are so lucky to have you as friends.

This evening was the Labor Day Picnic for church and there are a ton of new people.There was a great turn out and the activities committee did a great job. We are really lucky to be in a ward with so many great people who are all going through similar situations. Sometimes it is hard to be in such a transient ward but it really is the best ward that we could be in.

The Verdict is in AND.....

WARNING: Screaming Child Ahead

Today, like every other day, I picked Beckett up from daycare and he was FILTHY. I'm never really too upset because he is a boy and if he is covered in dirt than I know that he is playing hard. And he has a lot of bigger kids at his daycare so I imagine he is trying to keep up with them. The problem comes later in the evening, after dinner and after he has washed his hair with whatever type food we are eating that night....BATH TIME. We don't have a "bathtub" we only have a stand up shower with a 4" leldge so since he was born he has taken a shower with either Scott or myself, usually Scott because I have a few things that he preferrs to be distracted with and I personally think it is easier for Scott to do it (and fortunately he always volunteers) Alright, I know yadda, yadda, yadda...I am getting to the point. The last week I have been filling up the "tub" with water and giving Beckett a "bath" he screams. Not just annoyed screaming it got to the point that Scott came up stairs to see if Beckett was seriously injured. He was screaming as if he is in the worst pain imaginable and when he can get a word out it is always UP!!!!! Today, was no different, except for the fact that Scott came home right before bathtime so Scott volunteered to give him a bath...wouldn't you know that he was perfect for Scott. Apparently he doesn't WANT ME to give him a bath or shower....I think my beautiful plan has backfired...

148

I almost forgot...I went to the doctor today and got to hear the heartbeat of our little one again. It might just be the most beautiful sound in the world.

Scripture Game Night

Alright, so I went to the Scripture Game Night and I have to tell you I was a little unsure of what to expect. I'm not the greatest at hearing a passage and trying to find it but I was pleasantly surprised when it was more of finding a scripture, reading it, discussing it and then mixing it up with a little bit of craziness. I cannot speak for any of the other people that were there but I really had a good time.
Scott and I have discussions all of the time and I think we already have an idea of the type of answer the other is going to have, to an extent, but tonight was different I had the opportunity to see the way other people see things. And although, I may have interpreted it differently it was beautiful to see the contrast and I love that it gives me another angle to look at something. I know Scott gets aggravated but I always play the devil's advocate. If someone is tailgating him I remind him that maybe that person is rushing to the hospital to see his new child or something has gone terribly wrong or that they are late for work, all of which would be plenty of reasoning for us to drive on the higher side of the speed limit and get irritated when someone is in the fast lane but still going slower than the other lanes.
The theme of tonight was one that is very close to me - FAITH. Anytime anyone would say Faith in a talk or lesson I would arrogantly say/think that they were talking to me. I do love my name but that is beside the point I love the fact that I am able to have my own faith, that I am able to believe in what I believe in. I am grateful to all of my family and friends, who might not share those beliefs, but allow me to make my own choices and to live my own life free from their judgements and criticism. It makes charity and acceptance a lot easier knowing that I have these relationships.
Scott and I recently visited some people very close to us and it makes me very sad that someone would judge them for a life style that they lead. I remember thinking when new members of the church would say that their families disowned them or they were speaking to them anymore because of their decision, because they were choosing to live according to a gospel that they didn't believe in and I thought how silly and immature that was. Can you imagine not speaking to your brother, sister, niece, uncle because they chose to become a member of the church...?Why is it then that we feel that it is okay to judge someone who believes or lives their lives differently than we do? I can't get over this. I absolutely love the church that I have been raised in. I love the principles that it teaches. I love the congregation that I grew up in. Sure there was DRAMA but how often can you get a substantial group of people together and there not be drama? I remember coming to church and seeing people whom I deeply cared for, who were part of my family; I have watched a number of those people pass away and I cannot begin to tell you how hard it is for me to know that I can't go visit them when I go home and they won't be there to give me a giant hug after not seeing me, I can't imagine anybody not getting to know them over something as trivial as to what church they belong. I am grateful for my faith in the things that I believe in, I am grateful for the trials in my life, I am grateful for all of the wonderful blessings that I have been given and I am grateful for my wonderful family, friends and all of my acquaintances that have given me perspective and have shown that even though everyone is different, we all have issues that we have to deal with and that underneath everything, we all have feelings and even though it's not expressed by everyone we want to be understood, accepted and loved. After having Beckett I think that I am beginning to understand charity at a more personal level than I thought existed. I LOVE my son, and I seriously doubt that he could do something that would remove my love for him. I hope that Scott & I can teach him well and prepare him for the world. I hope that I can remember that his experiences will be different than mine, that he will grow up in a different world than the one I grew up in, that he will make decisions that I don't necessarily agree with or that he regrets but most of all I hope that I never lose perspective to what is really important in this life and that I am able to always have the same unconditional love that I know our Savior has for us, for not only Beckett but for all of my family and all of my loved ones.
P.S I know that I do not speak very eloquently, and I am sure I have made a number of mistakes (all of which Scott will find the moment he reads this) but I never claimed to be an writer or English major, I am just me and I this is what it is. I am sorry to all of you who have lasted this long.

Pregnancy is so.....FUNNY

I don't get it. One day I feel like I am hardly showing and I feel reassured that I will not blow up like a ballon and then there are days like today. I feel like I am twice as far as I am. I can't remember but I don't remember being this big until I was ALOT further along. UGGH! I think I am still in denial about the whole thing and it doesn't make it better that Scott is losing weight...

A Night at the Movies

Last night was the RS "film festival" and it was great. I am sorry for anyone who missed it because it was done so well. I don't think that I have ever achknowledged it but we have some crazy talented people here in Lansing and I am so glad that I have been exposed to their talents. I won't start naming the peopel who organized and participated (I would probably forget somebody, of not know about someone else) but I just wanted to say thank you for a great evening, filled with great information, ideas, food and friends.

SUPER DUPER QUICK SIDE NOTE

I have a ton of things to post but Comcast has decided that they needed to break up all of the fun we were having with the internet and voila, discsonnected....Not entirely, but it takes like 20 minutes for a page to load and then...nothing.

But I wanted to comment on how great this week has been!!!! The best part is that it is already Thursday (my Friday). YAY. I love the weekends and more importantly not going to work @ 7:30 am.....

Beckett & Maya sitting in a .....COZY COUPE?!?!?!

Today we were graced with Maya's presence. Beckett always enjoys these days. It started off the same as usual but shortly turned into a "small" rivalry, if you will. First, Maya wanted me to hold her. With that Beckett wanted me to hold him. This was interesting because I can only hold both of them for a short amount of time...

Then Maya moved to the couch....

Beckett woldn't dare let her be there without him so he quickly jouned her. They were so cute. They kept doing their own little acrobats on and over the couch. They would unfold it, climb over it, lay out over it, do belly flops onto it and sit next to each other on it. It didn't stop there.
Maya went to play in the COZY COUPE and shortly after....You guessed it Beckett followed.

I didn't get a good picture of both of them, but I think this one serves its purpose. I am convinced that half of the time they were enjoying themselves and the other half they were wishing that the other would go away and leave them in peace.

The MANY faces of BECKETT

All of these pictures were taken on the same day, sorry for the excess skin that is showing, if you look at his face you should see why we stripped him down to his diaper, can you imagine trying to get that out of clothes. YIKES!

IT IS A BOY!!!!!

How else can you introduce this?

I am not sure how it started.....

All I know is that I had to take a picture. It's kind of funny because Beckett didn't mind the bow, in fact he took it off and brought it to me and wouldn't leave me alone until I put it back on him, but when it came to taking a picture he would NOT look at me. It was almost as if he wanted to do everything in his power to prevent me from getting this photo. I finally had to trick him and run up the stairs while he was clilmbing them so that I could get the picture.

[Un]Fortunately it only went down hill from there. Christie had this pretty little outfit and well the rest is documented with these photos, that I am sorry to say will be around for a very long time....I should probably start apologizing to Beckett now.

He did really well in the heels. I am sure that is something that Scott would love for me to leave out but I was impressed. Needless to say, I think that this will be the last "dress up" session I don't want to encourage him anymore, he already wears my ponytail holders on his wrist, and tries to give himself ponies (that's what we call our ponytails). Personally, I think he loves his mom so much that he wants to be just like her.
I think I have decided that it is time for a hairut....Stay tumed.

I am so stinking stressed out. Scott and I have been wanting to go visit his uncle in CA, we finally found the perfect weekend (no school, no work, paid vacation, AND free airline tickets... or so we thought. It has been an absolute nightmare I have been tyring to coordinate flights times (since our free tickets are on 2 seperate airlines), after searching for a good amount of time and finding the "perfect" flights.....everything went to the crapper. Pardon the expression. Can I just say I hate black out days!!!! Of course, if we had an indispensable income it would have been a walk in a very beautiful park, but we don't and it wasn't. The end result is that we all have confirmed flights and we will all be traveling together (on the way home) So, it's just mommy and Beckett for 7 hours and 55 minutes .....YYYYAAAAAYYYY

COZY COUPE

I have been looking for one of these for months. They are kind of expensive and I knew that Scott would never be okay with me spending $40+ on a new one. So, I have resorted to Craigslist and garage sales. I almost had one from some lady on Craigslist, but she sold it to someone else right from under my nose. Honestly, I was pretty upset becauase she only wanted $15 and I had the confirmation.....

Well, everything happens for a reason and since I don't work on Fridays anymore, Beckett and I went to a garage sale looking for a bike and we saw a sign for this random garage sale, I took the bait. AND it lead us to one of the most beautiful homes I have seen and right there in the drive way was a practically new, not an ounce of fading, COZY COUPE for ONLY $8!!!!!!!! I never realized how small our car is but you would be surprised how big this little coupe is, I finally had to move Beckett's car seat over to one side and put his car in the back seat with him...We had a very cozy coupe on the way home.

A Weekend Full of Fun

Thanks to the Trio of May birthdays, between the Oversons and the Miners, we were brought back to Patriarche Park. I love this park. I am sorry for the reminiscing, but it reminds me of the wooden park up in New York where my grandparents live. Everytime we would go there, as a children and even into adulthood, my brothers and sisters and I would beg to go to the "wooden park". I think we would have submitted it as one of the wonders of the world (completely unheard of where I was from) anyway when my little sister saw the pictures she got that excited/jealous tone and demanded to know if Scott and I had taken Beckett to "our" beloved park in NY....Nope we were in good 'ol Lansing. Okay now back to the post.



Apparently BBQing IS a spectators sport.

Beckett running thru the wooden maze.
I didn't get any pictures of the rest of the day but it was a great party. We played kickball. I have to tell you it has been so long since I have done any type of physical activity that running the bases twice was enough to leave my legs begging for relief for 3-4 days. I know it is pathetic. I really need to start working out or maybe play kick ball once a week.....Something to think about.

I didn't know it but Saturday was "Be a Tourist In Your Own Town" and thanks to an invite from Katie we made plans to go to the Impression 5 Museum. I had seen advertisements but had never ventured to find it on my own. So I just want to say thanks to Katie for inviting us.

So I think this was one of my favorite exhibits. How cool is that?

Beckett loved the water table. He is still a little too short BUT he managed. I think that we should look into ballet in the near future....HEY, there is nothing wrong with a little boy doing ballet, all of my brothers did it and have you seen "So You Think You Can Dance" there are worst things that could happen.

The Childrens Room was amazing. I think we spent a couple hours in there. I am excited for winter.

He really does love being hung upside down.

AHHHH! Our happy little family!