Where the devil is my camera cord?!!!

I have so so so much to update on. In fact, the life I lived the last time I updated this blog seems like it was years ago instead of just a few months. I have pictures of a lot that's gone down, but I just can't seem to find my camera cord!! It's among many things that I can't seem to find around here right now. Here's the haps of the last two months if ANY of you are still checking this blog.

1. Our summer was good. No schedule, pj's 'til noon, swimming in the wading pool, hot and pregnant, etc.

2. We had the Sampson Family Reunion in Bear Lake the week before we moved. We (the Paul and Lindsay Sampsons) were in charge this year, and despite nearly having a coronary over the planning process of this event, it all turned out really fun and relaxing. A HUGE shout out to the in-laws who really always seem to make everything work out for the best in the end. I really could not have married into a better family. (Although I am sorry that everyone got hit with the stomach flu...or as I call it "The Bear Lake Monster." I hope you all recovered!)

3. We packed up our apartment in Orem and headed out on our drive across the country. It brought me to tears to see all the family, friends, and ward members who came to help us pack, clean, watch the kids, or drop off travel packs for the road. Thank you, thank you, thank you! We felt loved and were sad to leave all of you!

4. I was a little nervous about how the trip across the country was going to go when we had exhausted all our travel games by the time we hit Lehi and upon entering Parley's Canyon Sabrina asked, "Is this Virginia?" We took it kind of slow and stopped in Nauvoo for a planned 2 days, but ended up staying an extra day because of Hurricane Irene. This little road trip was a totally fun diversion to the madness of moving. I have great pics of us in Nauvoo that I will get on here someday. The girls had so much fun swimming every day, and I always love going to Nauvoo. I've said it once and I'll say it again, "That there is sacred ground!" I don't know how anyone can go there and not be moved.

5. We finally made it to our new place. When we got here, there was no A/C, no power, it smelled of gas, and the water wasn't turned on. Not to mention no cable and internet. I felt like I was a pioneer!! J/K. We got it all worked out fairly quickly, however, and now this place feels like home (after about 20 to 30 trips to different stores trying to furnish it).

6. Sabrina started all-day Kindergarten at Campbell Elementary School and loves it so far. Her teacher is named Mrs. Ammons and is just about the most friendly person I have ever met.

She's learning a lot about diversity. For example, she came home and told me that the kids at school have been feeling her hair. She also learned and insisted on (for about 2 days) praying with her hands together instead of her arms folded. She told me that not everyone believes in Jesus and then asked if they were going to be arrested. She learned how to do the "robot" dance from a girl named Bellamy who apparently busts a move every day during their morning meeting (seriously, the funniest thing I've ever seen). She saw two girls wearing Muslim head scarves walking into school just ahead of us and asked me if they were going trick or treating after school. She loves Spanish time (they do it once a week) with Curious "Jorge" and thinks it's really cool that her Grandpa is named "Jorge."

All in all, I could not be more thrilled with how she's adjusted. She loves it, which makes sending her away all day so much easier.

7. It's easier on me anyway. Lucy walked around for a week like a deer in the head-lights when Sabrina started school. She didn't know what to do with herself all day without her social director! She is still trying to work it out, but is progressively getting better at being alone. It is a VERY sweet reunion everyday at 2:40 when they once again get to hang out together. I am enjoying having some time with Lucy alone again. She's such a cute little thing.

She just turned 3 and I really can't believe she is that old. Time certainly does fly! Her birthday was fairly low key, but you wouldn't think that if you talked to her about it. She loves getting her own toys that aren't Sabrina's. (Numero uno sort of dominates on the toy front.) She still loves to cuddle, be tickled, and joke around. She made a super easy transition to the big girl bed here and loves that she and Sabrina share a room. It brings a smile to my heart when I hear them playing together, and I hope they will be this good of friends forever.

8. The day after we arrived I headed out for an appointment with my new doctor and have been going weekly ever since. No offense to baby Julia, but this has not been my easiest pregnancy. I feel so much more uncomfortable than I have ever felt pregnant. I am growing out of maternity clothing, and people constantly stare at me (they also like to tell me what the gender of my baby is based on how I'm carrying...most say boy). Two weeks ago I was dilated to a 2 and last week I was at a 1 again. I don't know how that happens, but I am happy to report that we have scheduled the induction for my due date (October 5th). That's in 4 days! There is an end in sight! Although, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous about the whole 3 kids thing!!! I'll be sure to post pics and details when everything happens.

PRETTY WILD, right?

(Oh, and I turned 30. Paul got me an IPhone and at first I was like, "What am I going to do with an IPhone?" But it's pretty much the best gift I've ever received.)

I Know I Need To Update So...

Here you go!

As it goes every summer, I have yet to pull out my camera! Boring, yes. But I'm feeling the need to update this blog so that there's proof we had a summer.

Paul: Still working hard at the court and starting to miss this job already. (I can't say that I won't miss this job too! It's been very nice to see him on Tuesday and Thursdays even if it is only for lunch.) Has started to run a little bit here and there. Is listening to a book by Donald Rumsfeld so his voice (Rumsfeld's ) is a constant around here. Is putting up nicely with his wife's mood swings.

Lindsay: Still pregnant. Has three more months being pregnant. Is rather moody and hot most of the time. Sits by the pool (wading pool) sipping water almost every day. (Not as glamorous as it sounds!) Tried to power walk today as exercise and ended up in quite a bit of pain as a result (huge contraction). Seriously, I can't even walk?!! What's next to go? She comforted herself by making cookies and eating 7 of them!! Shame spiral, I tell you!

Sabrina: Gets to wear a swim suit as her outfit most days and always smells like sunblock. Is getting a little sentimental about leaving her friends and family and moving to Virginia. Loves to draw pictures for people. Has some sass as of late, but is still sweet as can be (mainly towards my growing stomach). Is busy creating a life with her pretend husband, Michael, and their 7 children. Michael works in California, cooks, cleans, babysits and is in a constant battle with his mother-in-law (me) about what Sabrina's daily chores should include.

Lucy: Is excited to move to "Maginia" where Chloe lives. Thinks that Mt. Timpanogos is Virginia and always tells me when it's raining in "Maginia."Has started pulling some antics of her own, her favorite being hiding whenever I want her to do something. Reacts like she's broken a leg whenever she sees a bug, ants included. Gets sick in the car (figured that one out the hard way last weekend). From an outside view is the classic tag-along sister, but in her mind, she's running the show. Has a darling voice, no really, very cute. Hates being interrupted. Wants to be heard!

Baby: We believe her name is Julia, which the girls are coming around on. Such a sweet sounding name for this active little one. She moves all night long. No really. ALL NIGHT. She's woken me up on a number of occasions. I think she'll be my biggest baby; you never can tell, but man, I feel huge.

The End of Preschool

We are finally done with preschool. I have heard from other parents that by the end of the school year, you are so ready for your kids to have a break and be home, but by the end of summer, you are so ready for them to be back in school! Right now, I concur with the first part of that statement.

To end the school year, Sabrina had her end of the year program. Songs, instruments, hats, a graduation walk, you know the drill. She was a bit more hesitant singing than she usually has been in performances of the past due, we think, to a severe need to go to the bathroom which was discovered on the drive home.

A few days later we had Field Day with potato sack races, train rides, and park fun. On a side note, notice Lucy at the park? She is going through a bit of a fear at the park and will NOT participate in any of the apparati (sp?) that are there to play on. She always declares, "I am way too scared!" or "It's just so scary!" She also whines if any wood chips, which she calls "chipmunks" get in her shoes. This is the first summer she has done this, so looks like we'll be frequenting the park often. Being the mean mom that I am, I will use force to get her to have fun, darn it!

Finally, New Pictures!

I finally got around to getting professional photos of the girls done. I had heard recommendations for FotoFly in Draper because of convenience and price, so I went ahead and took the girls. Lucy wasn't having any part of the shoot, so the fact that we got a handful of good pics of her is a modern day miracle! All in all, our experience was really good there, and I would go ahead and recommend them to anyone looking to get good pics done at a really good price.

These are some of my favorites.

Easter 2011

Easter this year was nothing but great. Again, the weather wasn't ideal, but we had a heck of a good time. We participated in 3 egg hunts, colored eggs and attended parties. Holidays get more and more fun the older the girls get.

Note: The traditional Easter dress picture has been trumped by the post about getting new professional pictures as I had the girls wear their Easter dresses for their photo shoot. The second ones look better anyway!

Go Panthers Go!

Wow! Look who's updating her blog! This is the first of several posts to come.

Sabrina came to me one day and mentioned that she would like to play soccer this year. I was a bit surprised seeing as I never had even the slightest interest in playing team sports, especially those where I may get knocked down, but I have to remember that she is not me in a lot of ways.

So we signed her up, and she was placed on the team, the Pink Panthers.

It was a rough year for the Panthers as I believe they went 0-8, but it was very entertaining to watch Sabrina run up and down the field staring at us, not caring where the ball was, and smiling the entire time. Really, she has a natural enthusiasm for things that makes most stuff twice as fun.

Some games were lovely to sit in the sun; others, not so much. Gotta love Utah in the spring. Lucy loved running around at the games, and tried on several occasions to join the Panthers in their quest.

It's a Girl...Again

Copying my PST post for tomorrow over here to announce our news...two blogs, one stone.

Welp, we just found out that there'll be no lack of estrogen around here. We're having our third girl.

Really, who'd of thunk it?

When we were first married and thought of future children, I would have never guessed in a million years that we would have three girls. But that's just the thing about life. You never can tell.

Thoughts:

1. My 5 year-old had to rub it in right after we heard it was a girl by promptly telling her dad, "Wow, now there's 4 girls in our family and only 1 boy." Yeah, I think he knows.

2. Right after that my husband mentioned something about the cost of weddings...

3. But then I jokingly made the statement, "Yeah, but girls don't have to go to college so..."

4. Then the husband jokingly made the statement, "Well, but who's going to teach them to cook and sew?"

5. Right about now I'm feeling really good about the following purchases:



6. This pretty much ensures that we will never be called as leaders in the scouting program. (Lucky?)

7. I'm the third of three girls so I have a strange connection to this little one. I know what she can expect...hand-me-down everything (clothes, books, toys), endless advice, and friends for life.

8. You know what they say (I actually have no idea who "they" is), "A son is yours until he gets married, but a daughter is yours for life." I think we're pretty set for life, lucky dogs.

9. I've checked out (albeit, briefly) the baby boy clothing section, and I think I'll happily stay on the girl side for now.

10. Ultimately, the true blessing of the ultrasound is to see that things all look good physically with the baby, so for that we are very thankful.

11. And of course, the two big sisters couldn't be more pleased.