some of the things I am loving right now!!!

*ice+water=my very fav thing to drink and then crunch!

*the sun shining through my window at 5:55am when the alarm goes off to wake our fam to go milk the cow!

* reminiscing....going through Cameron's old clothes...getting them ready for Joshua!

*planning my sisters bridal shower

*spending time with our families

*ice cream

*The incredible young women I serve at church

*watching Cole excel at his new calling(s)

*going to the temple with my husband

*spending quality time daily with Cameron and Cole

*eating dinner at the table as a family

July---32 weeks down----8 to go!

I can hardly believe we are already into July. Cole and I were up at the hospital this morning, I had to have some lab work done. Anyhow, Cole was talking about how excited he was for Joshua to arrive....We only have 8 weeks left! It's crazy to think that in about two months we will have another child. Another child to care for, to love on and to teach.

We are still preparing Cameron for Joshua's arrival....When we broke the news to Cameron about Grandmas death, Cole mentioned that she was not only going to heaven where Grandpa Harvey is, she in heaven where Joshua just came from (in a sense and it helped Cameron to better understand the joining of spirit and body at birth and the separation of the two at death). Cameron asked how Joshua got into mommy's tummy and Cole asked "you're smart, how do you think he got into mommy's tummy?" Cameron then, having just learned about Moses a few weeks ago at church, told Cole that he thinks Joshua came down the river like Moses, except with out the basket.

We have started going through baby things. Cameron loves to try out Joshua's baby toys...I have to remind Cameron that they used to be his when he was a baby. It's been fun to watch Cameron play with the train and music table that he played with when he was little....I feel blessed to have the ability to recall those memories of him, most of them include Grandma, too, which makes the memories and these new moments extra special.

Grandma was so excited that we were having another baby! She had a hard time remembering his name and was sure that we wanted a girl....but she has a fondness for boys as she raised 3! She loved the name Joshua and made sure to tell every time she heard it that is was a strong manly name. I have bitter-sweet feeling regarding her passing without having met Joshua, I wish she could have met him in this life but I know that she will meet him when the time is right in the next life.

Now, 8 weeks...hurry up and go already....I want to meet my new little man!

July 5, 2010

Cole and I missed fast and testimony meeting yesterday. We got a phone call about an hour before church was to start, letting me know that my Grandmother whom I love and adore would probably be leaving this life shortly. Cole and I went up to the hospital to sit with her for a while and say goodbye. Nobody knew how long it would take. My prayer was for her passing to be short and easy. I have been inclined to pray for her comfort....I did not want her to suffer anymore than she already had. As I mentioned in my last post she had recently broke her leg, undergone two major surgery's with complications. She has been in and out of ICU in the last couple of weeks.

When I was told that I needed prepare myself and say goodbye, I was immediately filled with gratitude. I know, how wrong is that! I thought of all the time she spent telling me how much she hurt, how much she missed Grandpa. I thought of the last couple of weeks and the pain she must have been in.

Grandma passed this morning. I feel as if there is a piece missing from me. But, I know that I will see her again. I am so grateful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. For the knowledge I have of eternal families. I am grateful that she will be in a place where she will be with her loved ones...pain free. I am grateful that her passing happened quickly. I feel as if prayers were answered, that she was comforted.

She will be missed. I am so thankful that Cole, Cameron and I were able to spend such quality time with her while I was caring for her. I have memories of her getting to know her only Great-Grandchild...and of Cameron getting to know his wonderful Great-Grandma. I will never forget how excited she was talking about him, re-telling stories about him, watching him learn new things. She was just as excited as I was when he started walking, talking, trying new things. She was also just as excited as he was when he mastered a new skill or got a new toy.

Grandma lived a full life. She will always be a part of me. She will always be loved and cherished!

The attack of June

Life has attacked once again! It seems as though I can't escape and those around me are thrown around with me.

Back in May the three of us came down with bronchitis simultaneously. I guess that isn't really accurate...Cameron started first on a Friday afternoon, I followed on Monday, and Cole caught up with us by Wednesday. Needless to say we were all three seen by three different doctors and prescribed the very same antibiotic. We were a house full of sickos!

Shortly after the cough disappeared...and boy do I mean shortly, My allergies kicked in. I have allergies, always have! BUT let me tell you....I hadn't ever experienced allergies like I did while pregnant with Cameron. Wouldn't it just be my luck to have to suffer through the allergy season while pregnant with my second? I have been suffering! Benadryl provides a small amount of relief...I'm not sure if it's because it's working or because it knocks me out and allows me to sleep for a few hours without being woken by a funny nose and constant sneezing.

Once June hit I realized we were in the home stretch...but I forgot the saying "when it rains, it pours"....silly me! Sure June has brought some great moments such as my little sister graduating from high school...Congrats Emily!!! BUT it has brought some rough times as well. Cole's temporary position as his place of employment ended quite unexpectedly and quite abruptly. Leaving us with some tough choices and decisions to make.

This last weekend my Grandmother fell and broke her right femur. You may remember that I spent nearly two years caring for her and I believe I mentioned that her health isn't that great and she is basically immobile. She was taken right into surgery to stabilize the break and hopefully repair it. She made it through surgery. She has had some complications but is doing okay. She will have surgery again tomorrow to remove a hematoma(sp) that also resulted from the fall. Her recovery time and future mobility are still in question.

Of course there is silver lining to everything. I have never felt so close to my Savior or my husband. I feel as if this/these is another trial we must pass through. I know that as we continue on the path we are on, turning to the Lord and following the council we receive, we will come out stronger.

There are lessons I've learned through the challenges of June, in fact that would make a great post for another day.

30 down, 10 to go!

Can you believe it? I am so excited to meet this little guy! 10 Weeks will fly by and before we know it he will be in our arms to love and teach and guide.

Everything is going well. I will post more another time. I just wanted you all to know I am still alive. I'm also super thankful that we've had a mild summer so far.

Amber

20 weeks and 3 days

In case you haven't already heard.....It's a BOY!

Monday afternoon I had my twenty week ultra-sound. It was great to be able to see the little one now that he looks like a real baby! He wasn't shy either and was ready for us to know what he'd be! The great news is that everything looks great and he's growing like he should.

Cameron's excited that the little guy is a boy and asks daily if it's time for him to come out yet. He was lucky enough to feel him kick the other day....he giggled for a few minutes!

The baby has been moving for several weeks now, I first felt movement at 15 weeks. He's been kicking for three weeks now, although Cole doesn't believe me because he hasn't felt him.

I am doing okay. I am exhausted most of the day and it's a struggle to get things done. Thank goodness Cameron is is so easy and independent! I don't know how I'd do this with any other child! The nausea has been gone for several weeks now, I traded that for the heartburn! My craziest craving (so far) has been anything lime! Right now, No-Bake Cookies are calling my name....although I have to make them first.

The hardest part of this pregnancy has been the weight gain. When I was pregnant with Cameron I lost 35 pounds!!! Of course after I had him and got back into the swing of things I gained it all back.....I spent this last year (2009) losing 40 pounds and I have...so far.... 20 weeks into it....gained....15 pounds! It makes me so sad sometimes.....But I try to remember it's for a good cause and if I've lost it before I can lose it again!

Cole is still loving his job! It has been a true blessing!

We still love our new home and Cameron still refers to it as our new home.

At the end of March, Cole and I were released from our callings as cub scout leaders. We had a wonderful peaceful Easter and one Wednesday evening off. Our wonderful bishop happened to stop by that one Wednesday evening and I now have a new calling as 2nd Counselor in our wards Young Womens program. I was quite surprised and humbled by this calling. I am terrified but excited! So far (it's been just over a week) I am enjoying it and I'm sure it will only get better and better!

I have miss placed our camera but as soon as I find it I have several pictures to upload. One of them may even be a belly picture....no promises though!

12 weeks and counting!

We have had a busy few weeks....

Cole found a great job after months of looking! He is working for Linde Gas in White City and is so excited! He loves his job.

We moved! this last weekend and are in a 2 bedroom 2 bath apartment! I think I speak for all three of us when I say WE LOVE IT!!!! Cameron had trouble adjusting the first night but has taken to his own room like a champ!

I am slowly creeping toward the second trimester of my pregnancy and couldn't be happier. The morning sickness has passed....I'm still exhausted though. Cameron and I went to the doctor yesterday for the down-syndrome/neural defect screening. Both of us enjoyed seeing the baby on the ultrasound. It is crazy to me how something so small can move so much....and I don't feel a thing! Cameron favorite part was seeing the baby's fingertips. I loved seeing his or her move to it's open mouth! Only eight more weeks and we will find out if it's a little brother or little sister for Cameron. Today he's cheering for a little brother...yesterday he was sure it was a sister!

We I better get back to unpacking.

Amber, Cole and Cameron too!