17 weeks and counting...

Things are looking up for the Anderson household. My first trimester fog of exhaustion and mood-swings has lifted. I am beginning to feel a filter on my mouth, so I feel more confident hanging out with friends. Although, my vocabulary is greatly declining, it's better than speaking before thinking. The baby is growing healthy and well. I'm definitely showing. We're excited to find out what we're having next week! We already have a narrow list of names, but don't feel sold on anything just yet.

Nick's work is going well. He's been enjoying the federal holidays. We have one more next month and then were on a dry spell for awhile. We miss having a job that gives more vacation time, but we are grateful he has such a great job. Nick is beyond excited we're having  baby. He has enjoyed the different visits and sneak peaks at the baby.

The boys are doing well. The new baby has served as great motivation for reading. They want the baby to know their voices, so they enjoy reading & singing to my tummy. It's really cute. Alvin's home school is coming a long much better. We still plan on enrolling him back in public school next year, but it's nice to find a flow that keeps everyone sane. Paul's been a great helper around the house. Whenever he notices me napping in my room, he comes in and asked me if I want a lamp on or my music playing. He is so sweet. Rilie is coming out of terrible twos. He still isn't talking much, but we're giving it another 3 - 6 months. The pediatrician recommended PIC come out, they did and agreed we'd wait and see. It's nice having that confirmation.

Overall, things are going well.Nick and I are teaching the Valiant 9 class. We love it. There are only 4 of them, but we have fun making the lessons as interactive as possible. Each of them want to read the Book of Mormon this year, so we're encouraging them. One of our kiddos has already finished, he started 6 months ago. It was his own goal he accomplished by himself. We are really proud of him.

*Happy Holidays*

Christmas is coming and we made it official by setting up our tree & lights. We've been able to keep Rilie out of the tree mostly. Alvin & Paul keep saying "Merry Christmas" to everyone. They are so sweet and in the holiday spirit. They still don't understand the radio though. We are listening to the Christmas station, and the boys don't understand why I can't just play the songs they ask for. I've explained there is a DJ out there picking the songs on his computer and they come into our car in waves, and I can only choose which DJ I listen to. It hasn't settled in. I'll have to make a Christmas mix of their favorite songs.

This Thursday, I will be 10 weeks along. We're meeting with our OB next week. I'm excited. The boys really want to come and listen to the heartbeat. I'm torn, if there is bad news... I don't want them there. If it's good news, I do want them there. The logical thing to do is to keep them home, but they have their hearts set on it. We'll see what we decide.

Work is going well for Nick. They are very happy with him. He's been a great help at home, which has been heavenly. It's fun watching him play with the boys. We've had plenty of cabin fever this winter. Typically, I take them sledding, swimming, or ice skating after school. Right now, it's all I can do to get off the couch to meet them at the mail box. Nick enjoys playing different games with them, light saber battles, etc. Hopefully, my next trimester will be full of energy and the desire to work on projects.

We wish you all a happy holiday!

Goin' on up...

Things continue to go well for us.

Alvin's homeschool curriculum is beginning to appear at our door. I hope to have all his curriculum by Thanksgiving. It's amazing how quickly he is learning. We've gone from not knowing how to write, to writing a paragraph (fairly independently) in 2 weeks. It's amazing.

Baby is still growing. My progesterone began to fall, so they've increased my dose. Baby has a strong heart beat. We haven't heard it yet, but we got to see it on the ultrasound. I am still very tired, although we found out that is a side-effect of the medicine I am on. So, I've got a double whammy!

Nick's work is going well. His team is finishing up a project right now, so he'll be working late nights. I'll miss the yummy dinners he's been making. Time to pull out the crock pot :)

Paul is loving school and really opening up at home. I think he enjoys having school be a special thing only he goes to. We're having more snuggle time when he gets home, which is very nice!

Surprise! Surprise!

Well, by now most of the world knows we're expecting! It is so weird and cool.

We were filling out adoption papers again, so it was quite the surprise. I know people think adoption gets people pregnant, and I don't wish to argue with others' personal experiences, but for me... we're pregnant, because we're meant to be. We adopted, because we were meant to adopt. I don't feel like adoption is a fertility program, nor should it ever be seen as such. The children who are adopted, deserve better than that. As for now, I'm enjoying being pregnant, but don't think we are done with adoption. I still feel like there are a few more spirits we are meant to bring to our home through adoption.

We are including our boys as much as possible! We found a short clip for a baby growing from week 1 - 9, and my boys LOVE it! We get out objects that represent its size. Last week, it was the size of a sesame seed; this week, it's the size of a lentil. I don't know about you, but that is some major growth! In two weeks, it will be the size of a grape with fingers, toes, and most of its face formed. Our baby will actually begin looking like a little baby. We are very excited!

I am so grateful for all of my miracles, because all of my children are miracles! Each way they came to us was miraculous and guided by the hand of God. I am so grateful to be their mother, and I am grateful they are all my own. If you ask me which ones are mine, don't be surprised if I say all of them, because they are ALL MINE!

Homeschool Plunge

Hello digital world!

This week, Alvin & I are taking the homeschool plunge. It has been a blast so far. I'm still waiting for curriculum, so we are doing our own thing. I'm focusing on reading, writing, and math. I have Hooked on Phonics boxes from ages ago for math & reading. He's flying through it.

For writing, we are practicing brainstorming thoughts/ideas into a paragraph. On the first day, we decided to talk about snow. I put the word in a box in the center of the board. Then I draw verticle lines below & above, and horizontal lines left & right. Making four boxes outside the center box with "snow" written in it. He has to come up with 4 thoughts regarding the subject. I help him come up with ideas, "How does it feel?", "What do you think when you see it?", etc. We then flesh those ideas into a simple sentence he copies in his writing journal. Today, he wanted to write about my visit to the doctor and how they "stole" my blood. That expose went much quicker & with much more enthusiasm :)

I'm excited for this next adventure. Nervous some days, but overall excited!

New Chapter... page one

Nick graduated (check) Found a new job (check) Found a bigger place (check) Worried about my kids making friends in their new school & ward (double check!) Are we okay (so far... check).

A lot has happened. We're still in AK. We're still trying new things and we're still moving forward. Summer was a blur... lots of to-dos and not so letting go and having fun. I'm hoping next summer will be better.

I am helping plan our 10 year High School Reunion. I'm nervous and excited. I'm grateful it will be a laid back picnic, followed by bars, and a Sunday brunch. I'm helping with the picnic and wishing everyone well with the rest of it. It's funny out of the 4 other ladies helping out, I only recognize two of them. Hopefully the big day will go better.

While I may not have the same figure, I am excited to brag about my amazing husband... people will be shocked we're still together. Best friends turned senior couple turned break up that went down in flames turned cold & distant eventually turned into forgiveness and best friends again turned married with three amazing kids.

General Conference

This Conference hasn't been as peaceful, but that happens when you add a 16 month old to the equation. I stopped trying to take notes during the second session and just sat on the floor with my boys and half listened to everyone and everything. BUT I was able to feel the spirit of it and the boys' ears kept perking up "Mom, did they say prophet?" "Did they say scriptures?" It helps when you bribe them with chocolate chips and a few words to listen for.

As for working out, I had to take a sabbatical. Mid-March, I over did it and I have this line in my buttocks that hasn't healed. I can walk for 30 minutes every other day now and do all the mommy & household things I need to do. Which is a major improvement. I was lame for the first 7 - 10 days.

Exciting new, before this all happened... I ran 2 miles straight. For my birthday Nick and my parents went in on a jogger stroller for me. It's awesome! I love taking Rilie out in it.

School is out in 7 weeks. I'm prepping our "Summer School" for home. Figuring out what Alvin needs to work on. Right now, the plan is Hooked on Phonics (M, W, F) with Math & Science (T, R). I've highlited special days & birthdays as well, we can make birthday cards & art part of the writing practice. My goal is only an hour a day, done in 20 min intervals. Wish me luck!