Inner peace...

I've really enjoyed learning about hypnobirthing. The relaxation exercises have helped me in so many ways and areas. I've been listening to my CD while doing chores, etc. and it's helping me apply its techniques during busy situations. When I start to get overwhelmed (which leads to yelling, crying, etc.), I can just pause, do my breathing, find emotional balance, and move on with the day. I'm really grateful for this.

Another thing that is helping is finding gratitude. It's something I've been trying to work on the past couple years, but kept evading me. I would get caught up in drama & stresses and just feel that bogged down feeling that trials can bring. Reading the Book of Mormon again with my primary class has really helped give me the step up I needed, but couldn't find. It's easier to feel grateful for what you have, when you read about the family trials Nephi had. It's helping me to keep perspective and find joy to focus on.

I'm really grateful for these two things, because I am a crazy pregnant lady! I had begun to develop that filter one has over their mouth... but when people are being rude, it is such a struggle to keep it there. At Costco, it was very clogged at the entrance. I had all three of my boys with me, so we took up more space. We were waiting for an opening, when I spotted a BIG gap in the ATM line. Plenty of room for a cart without bumping into people. I said excuse me, reminded my boys to stay close and not bump into people (they look everywhere, but where they are walking), after I passed the man shouts, "Really!" I turned around and said, "Yes! Really!" A guy standing by looked at me with total disgust. As we're walking down the main isle, the random guy walks past us staring at us while talking to his girlfriend. I figure he's looking at something in my direction, but his stare was pretty intense. Eventually I hear him from 10 - 15 feet away talking loudly about how rude I was and he couldn't believe how I spoke to the other man. We continued walking down the isle, because it's where we needed to go... while this man and his girlfriend continued to talk very loudly about how rude we were for the next 5 minutes. I was about to "invite" myself into the conversation (since it was about me and my crimes), but knew it would make a much bigger scene and just waited for them to head a different direction. I did begin staring intensely back, so he stopped that at least. They were easily in their early 30s, so I don't know why they were acting like 13 year old girls (talking loudly about someone near by for 5 - 8 minutes). Ugh!

Life in the fast lane, even if you're moving at a crawl. This week, I've been more tired than lately. I am also trying to balance eating enough, but not overdoing it. "Hungry as an ox" was the title of my pregnancy newsletter and that is an UNDERSTATEMENT! Focusing on breakfast shakes and combining my proteins  & fiber so it will hold me over more than 1 hour. Luckily, I still crave fruits & veggies... so overall, I think I'm doing pretty good. 

Homeschooling Alvin is going much better. It's interesting that the answer for him was giving him more space to learn on his own. I think he's having a harder time processing outside language and it is becoming increasingly frustrating for him (and others). I'm trying to find my patients, talk slower, and be more visual with what I am saying. If I leave him on his own though, he figures it out and comes away with incredible grades. He's a grade level ahead in math with 93%. A few weeks ago, we started karate. It was a rough start teaching him to challenge his energy, but it is coming along now. We've turned it into a boys' night with dad and Paul. 

Paul is doing fantastic. He is eager to help at home and asking for homework at school. He doesn't like the boy names we're looking at for his new brother. He would like us to name him John the Baptist. We are considering homeschooling him next year. I think Paul can do a lot more work than he's given and I think I could do more teaching two than one. Although this thought changes from week to week. Paul is also improving his paper airplanes. We've had a book which teaches you different styles and how to build airplanes that make loops, etc. During church, he was able to make one from memory. I was very impressed. 

Rilie is a busy two year old. He's come down with a cough this week, which we are watching closely. Two friends, children came down with a cough that turned into pneumonia in two days. So far, he hasn't had any fevers... so I think we're okay. We have found a new favorite movie this week, Cars. He loves his plush Lightening McQueen from Aunt Sam & Uncle John-David. We are excited that he is beginning to talk. We're still in the phase where he only does one syllable out of the word, usually the first one... sometimes the middle or last one. Last night, he was trying to sing the theme music from Psych, which was hilarious. 

Nick is coming along with his certifications. We bought the book and he's on chapter 2 out of 10. We're hoping to have this one done by June (possibly April). The goal is to be at professional level by the end of the year. It will take two tests to get there. Work is going well. This is our third week working long hours and it doesn't look like it will change anytime soon. We're doing our best to make the most of the time we have. He's been really good at spending time with the boys when he gets home, they miss having their dad home more. He is enjoying karate with Alvin & Paul. They usually get an ice cream cone afterwards.

Overall, things are going well. Staying busy, but not so busy I've lost my sanity.