Confucius Says...

While out to dinner at a Chinese restaurant Marshall got the following fortune in his fortune cookie:

"You are the center of every groups' attention"

My son could not have gotten a more fitting fortune. He most definitely makes himself the center of attention, and not always for good reasons. But there's never a dull moment when he's around.

Christmas Fun

Highlights from our Christmas season:

POLAR EXPRESS

My parents, Savannah and Valerie joined us for our ride to the North Pole. Marshall was so excited when he got on the train. We sang songs, drank hot chocolate, ate cookies and got to see Santa who gave all the kids a Christmas bell. My only regret was not getting a picture of Marshall's face when he thought he lost his ticket and was going to have to ride on top of the train. Sheer panic!

ZOO LIGHTS

The three of us went to Zoo Lights at Hogle Zoo. We got Marshall cozy in the wagon with a big blanket wrapped around him because it was cold. He had a blast. While waiting in the line for the carousel with Daddy he decided he wanted to ride on the dolphin. I've never seen Jesse so determined to get something in his life. I loved the way he was hurrying so fast to get the dolphin before anyone else did. He's a good daddy.

CHRISTMAS EVE

Jesse read us the Christmas story out of his Bible and Marshall was able to open one gift; Spiderman jammies. He asked if he could wear them for the rest of the night. What a good idea, son. I never thought of that. Of course you can. (If I hadn't let him think it was his idea he would have never wanted to wear them.)

I wanted to do something to help Marshall understand what Christmas is about so we baked a birthday cake for Jesus. He helped me frost and decorate it with sprinkles. At my Grandparent's house that night, all the kids got to put one candle on the cake and we sang Happy Birthday to Jesus.

CHRISTMAS DAY

Christmas day Marshall woke up early because he wasn't feeling too well. Thankfully he went back to bed for a few more hours even after seeing that Santa had come. His stocking had been hanging on the fireplace but Santa had taken it down during the course of the night and set it by the presents. Marshall told me Santa was naughty for taking his stocking off the fireplace. Marshall got lots of fun stuff like movies, Darth Vader, Anikan Skywalker and Spiderman to name a few.

We had breakfast at my Grandparent's house and opened more gifts. When it was time to go, I gave my little niece a hug and then had to get out of the house fast before I started crying in front of everyone. I don't think I've mentioned this on here before but my brother joined the Army and will be leaving this month for basic training. Eventually, his family will join up with him in Monterey, California. I started wondering when I would be able to see my brother and his wife and hug my nieces again on Christmas. I cried hysterically the whole way to Jesse's parents' house. I'm blaming it on being pregnant and emotional.

Mike and Anita's house offered more presents and more food. We were able to spend time with all of Jesse's siblings and their kids.

We left and went back to my grandparent's house to play cards for a few hours. Marshall had a sleepover that night with Grandpa Dick and Grandma Lisa.

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas!

Snakes & Snails, Sugar & Spice

Double the diapers,

Double the toys,

Christa is having a girl and a boy!!

She's Good!

We were discussing how kids will play off both of their parents when they are trying to get something out of them; if one parent says no they go ask the other parent. My grandma told me a story about my cousin's seven year old daughter, Sierra, that I thought was too funny not to share.

Sierra, like any other kid, was trying to pull this stunt with her grandparents. She asked Grandma Shelley for something for which she was told no. So she went to Grandpa Danny and asked for the same thing. Grandpa Danny said, "I just heard Grandma Shelley tell you no."

While rubbing Grandpa Danny's shoulders Sierra said, "Well, yeah, but...aren't you the man of the house?"

Oh Sierra, you're good. You're real good.

Seven Year Itch

Today is our seventh wedding anniversary. Last night Marshall had a sleepover at my in-laws' and Jesse took me to dinner and a movie to celebrate. We used to go to movies all the time while we were dating and then when we got married Jesse decided to tell me that he didn't really like going to movies. What a dirty trick!

At dinner while I was eating some really messy barbeque ribs I realized that one of the nice things about being married for seven years is that I dare to order ribs on a date and I know he'll still love me when dinner is over. I would have never ordered something so messy while we were dating. Oh, the beauty of seven years of marriage.

Seven year itch here we come!

Obi Nobi Kwan

Marshall was, what he refers to as, Obi Nobi Kwan for Halloween. You've commonly heard him referred to as Obi-Wan Kenobi. He has all the sounds correct, they just happen to be a little mixed up.

There was a University of Utah football game on Halloween so we spent the day with Jesse's family at the tailgate lot. They had a lovely birthday party for me on top of all the Halloween festivities. Marshall was able to get loads of candy walking through the tailgate lot.

Obi Nobi fell asleep on the way out to my parent's house with these silly glasses on because even Jedi's get tired.

In Erda, he was able to trick-or-treat at all two of my parent's neighbors' homes and they were happy to get at least one trick-or-treater that night.

Did You Say Two?

That was the last thing I expected to hear but, sure enough, that's what she said. She told me there were two babies in there. In me!!

Holy crap!! I'm having twins.

They are due sometime in April and I'm very excited and very nervous. Right now I think I'm a little more nervous than excited but I'm praying that God will ease my nerves. I'm in my second trimester so hopefully I'll be done with the icky feelings soon.

I asked Jesse what he thought about having twins. His response was, "It sounds like a lot of fun." I'm so glad to have a partner in this who is excited and so supportive. He has been taking such good care of me.

Marshall doesn't really say much about it. Although he did tell me that he heard them talking one day. I hope all three of them are not already conspiring against Jesse and me because we're going to be outnumbered.