The Flu

May seem like an "odd" thing to ask for prayers for, but the flu has been going around our house since Wednesday night. Wednesday night, after going to be (of coarse) Jensen threw up all over and continued through the night. He was fine by the next afternoon. I was next to follow Thursday-Saturday. I thought we were all in the clear and have totally disinfected EVERYTHING. However, after going to bed tonight, Jensen has once again thrown up EVERYWHERE (down the wall, on the carpet, all over his bedding and crib, in the crack of the baseboards) you get the picture. Please pray that our family is healthy soon and that Faith and Joe remain unaffected. Between morning sickness (which is still going on at 14 plus weeks) and the flu, we have had our fair share of vomit for awhile.

Faith's Fashions

In January she's wearing her bathing suit...in July (98 degrees) she's dressed like this..

This was her "look" about 30 minutes into being outside. To begin with she was wearing snow boots, a winter hat, and her scarf. What's a mother to do????

Shaving Cream Fun

Great way to have the kids help with cleaning. Yesterday we did the outside toys. I also have them do this with the high chair, car seats, strollers, etc. They have a blast and it gets everything nice and clean!

Faith and her friend, Kylie, scrubbing the deck of their "pirate ship!"

Family Reunion 2008

Every other summer, my mom's side of the family gets together at Priest Lake, ID. This year we had almost 80+ people. Some are there the entire week and some just for a few days. The kids and I were fortunate to go for the entire time and Joe joined us for a few days in the middle. Faith loved playing with all of her cousins (15ish kids under 6 and 6 more under 13). "Cousins" (easier just to go by plain old cousin instead of first, second, third, etc.) come from all over for this event. Guatemala, Germany, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, California, Texas, Montana.

Highlights of the week included Faith's first jet-ski ride. In the picture she's riding with my "cousin" John. She loved the jet-ski and went on numerous rides until Joe threw me off riding with him. Then she was sure the thing was the devil reincarnated. Every night one family is responsible for dinner. This year we had a "Wedding shower" for three of the cousins getting married soon. Complete with goofy hats/veils, decorations, etc. For our dinner night we had Mexican food and topped off the fiesta with a Pinata.

Here are a few pictures from our fun week at the lake.

The Third is Coming

Nope, not some sequel to some exciting book I've written or movie I've produced. The third child!!! (Although, The Life of Joe, Kelly and the Kids would make a killer movie-watch out Jon and Kate). We're very excited to be adding to our family. "The Third," who will hopefully have another name by arrival, is due February 2nd.

I love my children beyond words and am thrilled to have another one, but to be honest, I do totally have my moments of panic at having three. Like yesterday, when I thought I was raising two demons. Or, this morning, when Faith hit Jensen on the back and tried to kick him in the head because she didn't "win" at getting dressed first. I can thank my husband for that fun game. Don't get me wrong, my kids are normally fantastic. However, moments like above leave me near tears, wondering what I did wrong.

Anyways, I have my first official appointment tomorrow. With Faith I was in there at conception. Jensen by 6 weeks. Number 3...I'm already 12 weeks. By waiting, I'm hoping for two things. One to avoid the pelvic exam...not possible, I know, but a hormonal girl can hope. Two, that my weight tracking begins tomorrow. Hence, leaving off the weight I've already gained.

It's so funny how different each pregnancy is in many ways. Take for example maternity clothes. I didn't show forever with Faith, yet I couldn't wait to wear those oversized tents and elastic pants that come up to your neck. I think when I first started wearing maternity clothes with Faith, I actually had to safety pin them to keep them up. With Jensen, I waited until about 9 weeks. I gained 9 pounds with him before I even knew I was pregnant. AND I found out at 4 weeks. So it was either buy a new waredrobe in a size bigger or wear maternity clothes. I'm cheap. Enough said. Now, here I am, 12+ weeks with the third. Noticably showing. Trying to cram myself into my current clothes. If only I can make it until fall I keep telling myself (fat chance).

Faith has decided that if the baby is a girl she will name it. Jensen will name it if it's a boy. Ella is her current girl's name of choice. When she questioned Jensen on his name of choice he said, "Ugh." You know. The grunting noise little kids make when they are going number "2." So, there you have it: Ella or "ugh." I could do Ella, but I'm thinking we may have to tweak the boy name a bit.

My New Hobby

Yep...to add to the coolness of driving a minivan I also am BIG into coupon clipping these days. It's kind of become a came. Here was some of my latest bargains. I got all of the pictured items for under 10.00. Those of you who know me well, know these aren't my typical purchases (I'm not big into all the "junk" food), but thought with summer coming up and being at the park, water park, lake, etc. It would be nice to have some quick and easy snacks to take along. Other great deals lately...10 boxes of cereal for a total of 1.85. Not each. TOTAL. Yep, 18.5 cents per box. Pull-Ups 3.99. So what if my daughter is wearing boys pull-ups...they're usually 14.00. Huggies spray-on sunscreen for 1.99. Now, the problem with coupon clipping is that I'm having a REALLY hard time paying full price for anything. Just makes me sick. Just another glimpse into the exciting life of Kelly.

We're still here...

After our LONG break from blogging, we're back...but without a camera. Joe is in Alaska on his "dream" fishing trip for a week and took ALL THREE of our cameras. I had a talk with the kids and told them not to do anything amazing, cute, sweet, or funny since I couldn't take pictures. Figures that there have been countless times since Friday that I've ran to get my camera only to remember I don't have it.



Life has been good here. Busy, but good. I'm on summer vacation...yea!!!! The kids have been so cute together lately. They play together all the time and it just melts my heart. Yesterday, they loaded up all the stuffed animals in the doll stroller and were pushing it around the house together. Then Faith, being the little mother hen, got pillows and blankets out on the couch and says, "Jensy, come cuddle with sissy. I'm your good big sister." So cute.



As I type this, Jensen is affectionatly laying on top of our cat listening to him purr. This is a first on many levels. One being that Jensen is actually being nice to the cat. The second being the cat is actually enjoying Jensen. We have the most patient cat ever. He lets Faith dress him up in doll clothes and be pushed in the stroller. You can pull his tail and he barely even makes a sound. But, Jensen is a bit demonic when it comes to the cat.



Do you ever wonder what people are thinking as they observe you being a parent? This crossed my mind last night as my mom, sister, the kids and I were having dinner at the Olive Garden. Here I am diggin (with my finger) in my glass of water for a piece of ice for Jensen. Which then I put it in my mouth, chew it into "smaller" pieces, spit it back in to my hand, and place it on Jensen's plate. Really??? What was I thinking and what are other people thinking about me? I can tell you exactly what I was thinking...I'll do anything to get this kid to stop screaming so myself and everyone around us can enjoy our dinner. Jensen is a 19 month old of very few words so screaming has become his way of letting us know what he wants. Terrible, I know. Somedays, (like yesterday) I just can't handle the scream and give in to him. Hence, him eating canteloupe and 4 dum-dum suckers for lunch. He call's them "da-da's," which I find quite funny. Faith would have (and still would not) NEVER been allowed to do this. He's only my second child. So, what's it like for all these large families by the time they get to kid number 11 or 12? They have probably trained their children much better then I have.



Well, I've pretty much just rambled a bunch. I'll sign off for now, but want to leave you all with a site to check out. It's the most heart warming and heart wrenching thing I've read all bundled up into one. This mother is truly amazing. Everytime I get on her site I cry. Go back to the beginninng and read about their journey. You won't be sorry you did. Totally has changed my outlook on many things, and my walk with God. http://audreycaroline.blogspot.com/