BABY ON THE WAY

Most of you know already but we're expecting another baby. I'm due July 24th. We're really excited. The kids are excited as long as it's a girl. Hope they're not too disappointed if it's a boy. We've tried to explain that we don't get to choose, but that's not flying with Ethan. He's demanding it's a girl. He says he wants another Emma. CUTE! They are helping pick out names like pumpkin head, blanket head, cell phone head, and Jackson. Emma chooses names like Cody, Cameron, and Jake. You need to know though that these are names of boys in her kindergarten class. I think we wont take their advice. I am three months along and hopefully out of the nauseous can't do anything stage. My house has never been this dirty. It's driving me crazy. If anyone wants to come scrub floors or toilet's you're welcome to. Thanks to all who kept us in their prayers and helped us pray this baby here. We love you all, and are grateful for your support.

Kristy Palizzi Ragsdale

I found out last night that one of my mission companions, Kristy Palizzi, was murdered yesterday by her husband in her church parking lot. I had the privilege of serving together with Kirsty twice. Once was only for six weeks and then she was my companion again for the last month of my mission. I am in shock that something like this could happen to such an amazing girl. She was the most determined and goal oriented companion I had. She knew who she was, and she knew what she wanted out of life, and nothing was going to stop her from getting it. I loved her, and am grateful I was able to know her. Please join me in praying for her family especially her two boys she left behind.

THANKSGIVING

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving. My sister and her family came in from New York, and I can't describe how happy I was to see them. We were also lucky enough to have my Grandma come in from California as well. It's been too long since we've seen her, and it was wonderful to have her here. We had almost our whole family together again, and that never happens. We missed my sister Amanda (she's in California). One day I hope we can all be together. My brother was nice enough to take our family pictures for us. We haven't done that since Ethan was about 4 months old. It was cold, but I think they turned out pretty good. Thanks Brian. And thanks to all our family for sharing such a great thanksgiving with us. I think thanksgiving is my favorite holiday.

Halloween

We had a Halloween party for Jared's family. It was a lot of fun. We decorated pumpkins, played games, and ate. Emma was a Queen, so watch out if you call her a pretty princess, I thought she was going to kill people with the looks she was giving them after they mistook her for a princess. Ethan was Yoda. You can't tell in these pictures because he wouldn't ware the ears. Anyway he looked really cute, and Emma was really pretty.

So I see I've been tagged on a couple of other people's blogs. I will do them. I'm just trying to figure out what I want to share, and what I'll keep to myself. Hang in there a minute for me.

Who needs their toes?

Okay so this happened I guess about a month ago, but as you can see it takes me forever to update my blog. I thought I might be good at this, but not so much. Anyway, we were at my Mom's and the kids were in the backyard playing. We heard a blood curtailing scream, and thought UGH, I wish they'd just get along. Well they were getting along, just not with the brick that Ethan dropped on his foot. OUCH! I ran outside and all I saw was blood, so I screamed, yes I stay very calm in these situations, for what? My Mom. That's right. I'm 29 and still screaming for my Mom. Ethan had gone into shock by now, and that was very scary. I couldn't get him calmed down. We tried putting him in a bath to see how bad it was, but he just couldn't calm down. I thought he had broken his foot. My Mom and I took him to instacare and Jared met us there. Luckily it was broken just filleted. YUCK! He got to pick the color of his bandage. He of course out of all the bright blues, and greens opted for yes, pink. Oh well, what ever makes him happy. He said as we left the doctors, Emma's gonna love it. Kids are funny. I'm so glad that he's okay and I'm grateful for codeine!

The Zoo

Well I just wanted to give an update on Emma and Kindergarten. She had her first Field trip and I got to go with her. We went to the zoo. I wish I had pictures, but the batteries died. I couldn't bring myself to buy batteries that must have super powers because of the way they're priced. I won't rant and rave about the ridiculously priced products at our local ZOO, cause I'm sure you've all experienced that bureaucracy. Anyway we were spit up into groups and my group of 2, yes 2, Emma and the "worse" kid in the class. You know you'll never sign up for one of these things again when all the parents come up to you and wish you luck, and they've never met the kid. We've all just been informed by our kids how he behaves. Then when the teacher hands you her cell phone number and tells you to call her if there's any problems. I've been to the Zoo, and it's not that great even if I did get in for only $5.oo. I wanted to go home. Why do I do these kinds of things to myself? Emma gave "naughty" a talking to on the bus ride up, warning him that he'd better be good for her mommy. (SHE KNOWS)! Well he was just fine. I only lost him once, and threatened time out. Not too bad I must say. It was fun. Ask me if I'm signing on for the next one........ probably. I did love how when I did buy a stuffed animal for Ethan, sorry he could come purchase, that the girl at the register asked if I wanted to donate my .32 cents in change to the Zoo. WHAT!!! Don't I already pay taxes, give me my change. (okay, I gave it to the zoo. wonder if that's a write off? HA!)
Oh, and good news, Emma's bear is holding up just fine and is the most decorated of the the class (that's my girl). Also, the mean girl is nice now. That's always a good thing.