One Day More

Here I am, 40 weeks and 3 days pregnant with baby #4. The induction is scheduled for tomorrow or Thursday (if I am SUPER unlucky), and I'm super nervous. I should use this nervous energy to clean my house one last time, but sitting here doing this is a little bit more fun. Plus, past experience has taught me that even if I clean today, by the time I come home from the hospital, my efforts will probably be undone. I am excited to meet this new person. I am nervous about the new family of 6 we are going to have. How is this going to work? I feel comfort when I see other families with 4 kids making it. The problem is that I live on the east coast, and almost never see families with 4 kids. Thank goodness for ward members who have told me verbally and just by example that "you can do this." Here's to hoping! My next post will hopefully be a successful birth story.

Baby Claire at 19 weeks and 2 days (Lucy claims picture #2 looks like a dog! Wouldn't that be something!).

Sabrina's Baptism

I thought while I can still remember I'd jot down a few quick thoughts about Sabrina's baptism on Saturday (April 26 2014). I am kind of amazed that she is now old enough to have real, actual memories. It's weird how you go through these days with little kids and mostly they are uneventful, boring, busy, monotonous and then BAM! You have an 8 year old, and you're left hoping that your day in and day out life has been enough to produce a good solid kid. Big days like this always make me want to be better. Not sure that I have done nearly enough, but despite me, Sabrina is a great kid! I think this is an example of how our Savior makes up for our short comings in our everyday lives.

Anywho...Sabrina's big day started off with a minor hiccup when we were halfway to the Franklin Chapel (not our usual building)and Paul realized he had forgotten his 2nd white shirt. So we drove home and only ended up being about 15 minutes late. We met in the chapel at first and Sister Jensen (the Stake Primary President of the Oakton Stake) gave a beautiful talk on baptism. We were happy as we sat in the chapel to see people there just to support Sabrina, but really excited to see Shivani and her mom Tamy (friends from school whom we invited) walk in to be there. They then had each child and their guests go back to the baptismal font and Sabrina got to be first. She was beaming after it was over and in the dressing room. I don't think I've ever been more proud or seen her look more beautiful. We got her changed and met everyone in the YW room for the confirmation portion if the ceremony. Uncle Kyle gave a talk on the Holy Ghost and hit it out of the ballpark. He talked about the first time he remembers feeling the Holy Ghost in his life and how it is important to write down and remember those times and experiences (I felt like I need to start writing those experiences down too!). He and Noelle gave Sabrina a journal to start writing in. She got 5 journals for her baptism! That's a lot of pages to write! Following Kyle, Sister Beal (our Primary President) spoke and Brother Woodhouse gave some closing remarks. We then had your confirmation done by Dad and Mom cried a little! Then Grandma Shar led everyone in the closing song ("Baptism") while Sister Featherstone played the piano. I will never forget how Sabrina looked everyone in the eye as they spoke to her. Aunt Noelle made everyone cookies in decorated bags that said "it's great to be 8" on them and of course, they were delicious. The whole ceremony took about an hour, and it really could not have gone better. Afterwards we celebrated with lunch at the Silver Diner with Grandma Shar and played games with her in the afternoon.

In the days following the baptism I can tell Sabrina is trying to be good and help her sisters and me! I think she really took everything said to heart. It is my hope that she never forgets this memorable day.

And when I can figure out how to post pictures, I will!

Living in the NOW!

Because let's be honest, I don't remember the last year and a half well enough to do it justice. My kids got older (significantly so when I look at my last posts), we moved again, and life got busier. I'll start with a few words about the kids:

Sabrina: Turned 8 on Saturday. I can't figure out how that happened, but it did. She is an all-star of a kid. She is quite musical and has taken to the piano quite naturally and has possible violin plans, but we'll see if they pan out. She loves to read (for multiple hours sometimes), and still acts the part of "big sister" in every regard (good and bad, at times). She does ballet, but I'm going to be honest...I'm still waiting for her to love it. (And don't pretend you don't live through your kids just a little too!) She and Lucy are confused for twins ALL THE TIME. I think Lucy is maybe an inch shorter (and their weight is the same...maybe Lucy weighs more). She 's tiny and beautiful.

Lucy: Is 5 1/2 and goes to preschool every day this year (and going to be honest again, still waiting for her to love school or anything school-related). She will start all day Kindergarten in the Fall, and I get a little bit teary-eyed when I think about it. I can stare at Lucy all day long. She has golden hair and dark eyelashes; gorgeous child. She is still very very loving with the tenderest of hearts. And she still asks about a pet at least once a week. Animals are her weakness. She takes ballet too (And, once again, I'm still waiting for her to love it! So clearly I live through more than one of my children). Once a goofball, always a goofball...still making us laugh.

Julia: Is 2 1/2 and good at it. I love hanging out with her all day long still and recently decided that I didn't need to send her to preschool just yet so she's got another year home with mom. She's so funny. We recently potty trained her and while she wasn't as fast as Lucy, she has done quite well and is quite proud of herself. She's a big girl. Don't try to tell her otherwise! She runs with smacking feet (that are slightly pigeon-toed) all over this house. She is my best eater and I'm just hoping that her sisters don't convince her to be picky. My dirtiest child by far...it adds to her spunk and character; so I let it slide more than I probably should. Her highlight of the week is a swim class she takes with Dad on Saturdays. It's super cute!

Baby: Due in ONE MONTH. I can't believe it! People keep asking if I'm ready...Nope. Not at all. I'm not prepared for life with big kids and a newborn. It's going to hit me like a train, I'm afraid. A very tired and overwhelmed train wreck is inevitable. But ready or not, she's coming! I think she's big, but it's hard to really know. This has been my hardest pregnancy by far. I feel huge, tired, and grumpy! If you all could send Paul a sympathetic email or text about living with me the last little while, he'd really appreciate it! Baby's name is Claire. Vinyl lettering already on the wall, so it's done! (see what I mean...kind of witchy!)

Other highlights of late:

Celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary!!! Couldn't have made a better choice.
Moved back to Metro DC area (8 months ago, but whatever). I left my heart in Delaware, not going to lie, but this place is growing on me (it only took 6 moves here:))
Sabrina is baptized this Saturday and we throw her Frozen bday party the next weekend. At 37 weeks pregnant it's going to be a simple affair, but I'm doing it nonetheless (crazy?! Yes.)
Just tried to add pictures...not working like it used to. I need a tutor. Or I just need to give up on this once and for all! Until next year...

Does This Still Work?

Just testing this out! It's been so long, but I'm feeling like my kids are going to be mad at me if I don't catch up a little! My goal is a (fairly) complete update by the end of the week. I promise nothing though. I'm guessing these paintings are some app Paul is trying out. At any rate, here are the three girls in Monet form.