Grandma Barbara

Grandma Barbara passed away the end of September.  If I remember correctly, it was the first day of fall.  I stole from Charlotte's blog a list:

-Valedictorian of her high school class (not unlike a few of her granddaughters)

-Loved my Granddad from the moment she first saw him (but he asked out her best friend before he asked her out)

-Had 6 kids, 26 grandkids and I don't know how many great-grands.

-Feisty and fun

-Served two missions with my Grandad

-Excellent homemaker

-During her last few days at the hospital, family members would take turns staying with her.  She told my Granddad he was the only one she missed when he was gone.

-Ate hot cocoa and toast every morning for breakfast

-Was a good sport, but usually got revenge, when we switched her and Granddad's dentures in the night   (Charlotte did that, I would never)

-Never had to dye her hair because it didn't go gray

 Theirs was a true lifelong love story.  What an example.  Below is what my Grandad wrote on her casket box. 

 All the grandkids got together at Danette and Perry's house and shared memories.

 Bart and Grandad. 

 My mom and dad.  My heart was so sad for my mom.  It is one thing to lose your grandma,  another ballgame to lose your mom.  I hope that day is far, far away for me. 

All 26 grandkids.  Grandma Barbara left quite a posterity, the amazing thing is we all really, sincerely like each other, now that is a legacy.  Our group pictures always end up like the last pic. 

September 2012

We started September with the Brigham City Temple open house.  Zannah was in awe of the sparkly, crystal chandeliers. 

 I did some canning, this year I am going to up the anty because we only have 1 can of peaches left. 

 Miss Z is a huge kitchen helper. 

 Z played soccer.  A bribe of a trip to the dollar store encouraged her to try to touch the ball.  I wish I would have gottten pictures of her favorite pastime, which was picking grass and putting it down her pants. 

 Marcus and I took a fun trip to Portland.  We went on an underground ghost tour.  Of course we found some great food, my trip's happiness depends on it.  My sweet grandma Barbara passed away while we were in Oregon, Marcus switched our flights and we headed to Colorado.  That post coming up. 

August 2012

 August started with these two getting hitched.  Swisser-pants is such a great addition to our family.  Honestly between her and Ang-babe we won some kind of lottery. 

The above are my beautiful cousins. I think weddings and receptions are so enjoyable when they aren't your own.  Justin and Swiss's day was gorgeous and fun.   

The below picture is of Lex sawing and prying off Max's cast.  Max didn't even bat an eye. 

We swam in Bear lake the same day the cast came off with the Firth cousins.

Charlotte and I cleaned out our old closet.  We modeled our old prom dresses for the kiddos, it might have been a little scary. 

We ended August at the Western Idaho State Fair.  Z still loves rides.                     And Max was thrilled with the goats. 

And She Moves!

I finally felt her move today. One day shy of 20 weeks.  It was amazing.  And yes, it is a girl!

The Birthday Girl!

Zannah Mae turned 5!  I was in tears the night before the big day as I tucked her in for bed.  She is growing too fast, am I taking advantage of this time, etc. etc.  But, then as she ecstatically told me how excited she was to be 5 and what the big plans were for the next day, I thought maybe we should all be this excited for life and turning a year older.  Her requests for the day were chicken nuggets from McDonalds and to go swimming and decorations.  We stayed up late hanging streamers and blowing up balloons.  She loved it.  We ate Chicken McNuggets and met Grandma Dana in Boise to go swimming.  She was in heaven.   

Life just wouldn't be fun with out Missy Z around. 

Here are her favorite things right now:
Food: Yogurt, grapes, oranges, apples, waffles.
Candy: Suckers and lollipops and Gum.  (all the things she rarely gets)
Animal:  Butterflies and Ponies
Toy:  Castle and EVERYTHING!
Color: Pink, Purple, and Blue
Song: Ring of Fire
Game: Dancing or playing house with Max
What makes you laugh? When my friend Jensen, says "Tissue, Tissue, Tissue"
What are you going to be when you grow up?  Whatever I want to be!  
If you could do anything you wanted all day, what would it be?  Eat a healthy lunch, cook my own food, go swimming, and eat chicken nuggets. 

Monumental Moments

This little guy decided to potty train himself about 3 weeks ago.  (Little bums in underwear are stinking cute.)  I was not super pleased at the timing as I was still feeling pretty sick and absolutely exhausted each day.  Max would say, "Mommy, I need to pee!"  And I would reply, "Max you have a diaper on, just pee in it!"  I'm a little ashamed now that I think about it, but I was just trying to survive.  He seriously did it on his own and has had very few accidents.  Minus the two times Zannah and Max decided to spread his little deer-like poops all over the basement carpet and play an odd game of "Smash the poo with hand weights".  I'm still trying to forget about that.   

   

Second monumental moment is I am on to my second trimester.  Which means I have 12 weeks of daily shots in the rump and suppositories and lab checks and transvaginal ultrasounds behind me.  Marcus was my primary shot giver, until January came around and he had business trips 4 weeks in a row.  My mom stepped in and gave them to me while I was in Malad for a week and then she and my dad drove up and spent a few days with us to give me shots again.  I also have some very, very nice friends and co-workers who stopped by morning and evening to administer injections the other days.  To say I am excited that this part of my journey is over would be an understatement.   

I'm Pregnant!

Marcus and I just celebrated our 10 year anniversary this month.  I never thought at 10 years I would  see a little heartbeat growing in my uterus!  Still cannot believe it.

As per routine with our family, we don't do things the typical way.  We did an embryo donation/adoption.  If you haven't done IVF, then you have probably never considered what happens to all those left over created embryos.  Until last year, I thought the only options were to keep them frozen and keep transferring, have them destroyed, or donate them to science.  But, another option is you can donate your embryos to other couples.  

It is much more affordable than IVF or regular adoption AND is like a very early adoption with the benefits of carrying the baby yourself.  When we met with the doctor, we were told we were 10th in line as far as choosing embryos.  But, we could look at the list of embryos no one else seemed to want.  I don't know what people were smoking, there were many great options.  We immediately grabbed the only 2 sets of mixed race embryos on the list.  We all know I am obsessed with my mixed race babies.  This little baby growing in me is 1/4 Hispanic 3/4 Caucasian.  I am due late August.  

We are just thrilled at the miracles Heavenly Father has in store for us, miracles I never saw coming!