BEDREST

In my last post I stated that we had not been doing too much. Well, times have changed. I am currently in Shreveport, LA on Abbey's sofa and the above picture is what is happening currently! About a week and a half ago she started having come contractions in her 32nd week of pregnancy. Her doctor sent her home to be on bed rest and so I decided that now would be a good time to be in LA. So, Matt and the kids and I packed up the car last Wednesday and drove the 25 hours from Arizona to Louisiana (in an ice/snow storm) through the night. It was a memorable trip and we are not ready to turn around and go home tomorrow, but life calls. I have loved being here and serving Abbey in a way that she needs right now. She is doing well as long as she takes it easy and allows everyone around her to serve her and meet her needs (she has found that is not very easy to do). I hope that I get to come back once the baby gets here (several weeks from now...I pray). Please pray that Abbey continues to take it easy so the baby will grow healthy and strong. I do want to mention that the Lord has already been answering prayers as Warren was allowed to come home 2 weeks early (last Friday) from his 5 month deployment. I will try and keep you informed with all their happenings! I will also make sure I post pictures once baby Carroll arrives (I am sure she would prefer for you to see a picture of baby carroll rather than the one above!)

Nothing New

As the title implies, we haven't been up to anything new recently. We have had our playgroups, lunch dates, and library time. The kids have been enjoying the routine and the BEAUTIFUL weather. We have been seeing Gran Gran and Daddy Steve often and loving their backyard. We frequent their kitchen table and then sit around the fire after dinner. Can I say again...we love having family down the street!

Last week we started our "mommy time" co-op. There are 8 mommies participating and 15 children. Every Thursday 2 mommies watch all the kids for 2 hours and the mommies get to do anything they want...BY THEMSELVES! Today was my first day of watching kids. It wasn't as bad as you would think. The kids range in age from 3 months to 3 years. The best part is having guilt free mommy time and I am happily awaiting next Thursday!

We are also still doing our produce co-op. Every other Saturday morning we have a delivery of a produce basket which includes half vegetables and half fruit. It costs $15 and then we buy 5 loaves of homemade DELICIOUS 9 grain bread for $10. It is a great deal. Every week we come home with a cooler FULL of food. The way it works is it bypasses the grocery store and it is based on volunteers and so there is no overhead. You can buy completely organic (offered in the larger cities) and the produce is always really nice looking. I love the Saturdays when we get the basket. The kids do too, as they always "help" me unload the cooler and wash the goodies. You should check and see if there are in your area.

I will try and post some pictures soon. I haven't really taken any since we have not been up to much. Emma Kate is a typical 2 year old and is doing EVERYTHING by herself (putting shoes on the wrong feet, pants on backwards, etc.) and will not let me help. Mason is getting his 1 yr molars and wishes he was a big as his older sister. He thinks he can do everything she can but obviously he can't just yet. I hope everyone is having a good start to February!

The whole truth

I was looking on our blog and noticed I had all the pictures of everyone smiling and looking pretty and I didn't want everyone to think that our Christmas was "perfect". So I decided to include some pictures of the reality of having children at Christmas!

Playgroup Christmas party (this was the best one...seriously!)

Mason didn't really cry while sledding but this is how he was every time we went out to play in the snow. We had to take this extra sled just to put him in while the rest of us were sledding.

WARNING..... PICTURE OF VOMIT BELOW!!!

Emma Kate has a record of getting car sick and the trip home from Flagstaff was no different. At least she held it until Matt got her out the car (Matt probably feels different but I was happy that we could just change clothes and not have to ride home with the "smell" in the car!) She also got sick two days before while driving from Sedona to Flagstaff. It is becoming a sad realization that this car sickness will be with us for a while :(

uploaded videos

I wanted to let you know that I have put some new videos on the toolbar on the right. I pray blessings on all of you for the year 2010!

More pictures

Here are some more pictures of our Christmas in Flagstaff with my family. Sorry for the unorganized posts. I am just trying to get them on here asap.

The family at the Grand Canyon (Mason is hiding behind Emma Kate)The boys in their matching pajamas that I made for them. All the ladies had matching pajama bottoms that I made as well.

Smackers at the Grand Canyon

Christmas pictures

We are loving Flagstaff and the snow. I had a little down time and so I wanted to post some pictures. Hope everyone has a Merry Christmas!

Mason loves sledding!

Well, we are on our way to Flagstaff and so excited! Smackers, Gigi and Nelson are with us and we are headed to snow. Abbey, Baxter and Sarah are going to be here on Wednesday. I LOVE my family and am so blessed. Today was almost perfect as we had both sets of grandparents at church this morning to watch us dedicate our son to the Lord. We are surrounded with love and it is amazing to feel this much happiness and peace. Thank you God. I am also reminded of what this time of year is all about and how much my God loves me to send his only son to earth for me. Thank you God.

We will be in Flagstaff for a week and I am sure you will be able to hear us laughing wherever you are. I will try and get some pictures up ASAP. I hope everyone has a merry Christmas. By the way, iPhones are really useful when it comes to this sort of thing! MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!