Family of six...

Life is good. I feel like I already have 4 kids, in a good way... exhausting, but in a good way. I know it will be very different when little Kael, Jackson, or Andrew comes along (I can't decide for sure what name we're going to use).

I am still really enjoying homeschooling. I'm switching to Well-Trained Mind schedule/philosophy. It will be different, but I am excited. It's a lot more intense, but I feel like we could be doing more... although Alvin is enjoying his independent learning. We'll see if I can continue to give him that independence with more direction. Paul is excited to switch to homeschool next year. The biggest challenge I see to continuing homeschooling is getting out and about. I want them to have the benefit of going out, meeting new people, working with other adults. I think that is important. With a 2 year old and pregnant, it's nearly impossible.

Pregnancy is going well. I'm feeling a lot more movement, which is wonderful. Time feels like it's going faster, now that I'm over half way (24 weeks on Sunday). I started seeing the chiropractor, which I love! I'm not in any pain. I've had friends that used a chiropractor during their pregnancy to stay off alignment issues, discomfort, and help them with an easier birth. Dr. Jessica specializes in pregnancy, infants, and children. She works with a lot of special needs kiddos and uses manipulation to take pressure off the spine and nervous system. I'm interested to see what she can do for my boys.

Things continue to go well, one day... one dinner... one lesson... one errand... at a time. I'm enjoying this new phase. Hopefully, I can keep up this perspective. The last few years have been tough. 

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.

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!