Africa

Every time I sit down to blog about my trip to Ghana, to write down the amazing lessons I learned, to share the things I saw, I start looking through the pictures and have to stop.

It was the best and hardest thing I've ever done.

I guess I'm still processing.

I will say, the only way I got through ten days of bus rides, ninety degree weather (with 90 percent humidity), awful smells, dying children and sick adults,

and as sick and emotional as I've been with this pregnancy,

was through the gift of the Spirit of God.

It's an amazing gift to have.

There is no other way I could've done it.

iPhone Photos

There are so many things to blog about, but I can't seem to find the energy.

In the meantime, here are some photos I just uploaded from my phone, in no particular order.

Drake and Bubbs share a bunk bed, but they prefer to sleep together on the bottom bunk. I can't get enough of the snuggling that unintentionally happens.

A picture I sent Johnny after I got done at the dentist.

Two pieces to a bookshelf that Johnny lost when carrying it up the stairs. We looked high and low for these for a week.

This little hole is where I found them, along with other things Conrad felt necessary to frustrate us with hiding (cough, maybe my wedding ring, cough)

Johnny's little brother Porter is leaving on his mission to Brazil in two weeks, so we went up to Temple Square and Cafe Rio one last time before he headed back to Montana.

When Johnny gets home from work chaos ensues. Shoulder rides, back rides, throwing in the air, tossing on the couch, etc. and the boys LOVE it. I often wonder what Johnny would do with a little girl.

This pregnancy has been rough. It doesn't help that while I'm in the bathroom throwing up for the third time this day, Bubbs found it necessary to stink up the house with nacho cheese, and rub it into every surface he could reach from this chair. Ugh, gag.

No wonder Con is such a muscle-man-baby, he uses the shake-weight religiously.

PS I never dress Con, I prefer to watch him waddle around the house all day.

It's one of those simple pleasures a mother enjoys.

Catch Up

Times been flying by, so here's some photos to catch up on things.

Fall seems to have come and gone pretty quick! We haven't had a real snow yet, but flurries and rain and lots of "MOOOOOOM! It's snooooooowing! Get some gloves on!"

We haven't gotten much done on our little "backyard" property, looks like we'll have to wait until spring.

We took family pictures a few weeks ago. What that means is, I chased the boys around with a camera yelling at them to turn and smile. When it came time for the family picture, I set up the camera, gave it to my mom, then sat with Johnny and the boys and we yelled at them to hold still and be happy. The whole thing only took about half an hour, thank heavens. (The picture on my blog header may or may not be heavily photoshopped.)

The most energetic, unique, and funny boy ever...

The most pleasant, chubby Con Con ever...

...and this guy is intelligent, funny, helpful, cuddly, and growing way too fast!

Con spends most of his day undressed or half dressed. His belly will help you understand why.

Halloween started with visiting Great Grandma and parading down the assisted-living home to show off their costumes.

We then took the boys out trick-or-treating! At each house, after ringing the doorbell, Bubba would run straight into the persons house and show himself around. Drake just stood there staring and waiting for candy. It was entertaining.

I love how Bubba's face looks 3x's too small for his head.

Chubbacon as ChubbyNemo. Best. Costume. Ever. (and only $10!)

Mimi helped us go around her neighborhood.

Johnny carried Nemo most of the way.

Drake and Bubbs currently enjoy sleeping together on the bottom bunk. I love it.

Johnny spent 4 consecutive weeks gone for 3 days at a time. 3 of the times he was gone, they were ill (colds + fever, pink eye, then stomach flu). It was not awesome.

We try to have family home evening. This usually involves bribery like ice cream, to get them to sit still, and an attempt at teaching them some religious concept.

It usually goes something like this:

Me: "Drakie, do you know why we go to church on Sundays?"

Drake: "To learn about Jesus?"

Me: "Yep! And do you know who Jesus is?"

Drake: "My brother?"

Me: "That's right, good job!"

Johnny: "And Jesus gave the intercessory prayer, can you say intercessory?"

Me: laughing

and thats about it until the next week.

Tomorrow morning I head to Ghana, Africa with a humanitarian group that provides medical care to remote villages. It'll be a ten day trip, and truthfully, I'm terrified.

Also tomorrow, Johnny is headed to Pune, India for ten days to visit the 80 computer programmers they employ out there.

And after ten days, Johnny and I will meet up in Rome for a few days before heading home. I'm just hoping the global bank doesn't collapse for another two weeks, and the Greece-like rioting doesn't start in Rome for a bit longer.

The boys will be taken care of by great woman and her 5 kids (ages 9-19) who are moving in for two weeks to feed, hug, and tickle my three guys until we get back, and my boys Mimi and Papa will be making sure the boys get some one-on-one time with some sleepovers, movies, and popcorn.

...and in the time it's taken me to finish this post, Bubba and Drake have filled up the bathroom sink, flooded it, and put 14 cars on the toilet.

My baby turns 4!

If people understood the joy a four year old can bring to your life, I think everyone would go out and get one.

This guy, in four years, has taught me so much. Aside from the qualities he's helping me refine (patience, compassion, sincerity, humility), he's shown me just how much a human being can love another human being. I am amazed at the sudden joy that overwhelms me when I look in his eyes, when he gives me a big hug just because I tell him we'll go "bye bye", and when he says he wants to tell me a secret and says he loves me.

I am grateful we are able to celebrate the happiness he has brought and continues to bring to my life each year.

(THE greatest chocolate cake ever, seriously, here's the recipe)

Cars puzzles!

(you can't give Drake a car shirt without giving Bubbs one too, it's just not right)

Giant "scary" coloring book

$5.99 at Costco if you can't tell

Cars helmet and in his hand, Holly Shiftwell, the most anticipated present. I guess she's a Cars babe

Sadly, I can't get the video to upload of Drake's reaction to his last gift. He was so excited! He rides it all day around the house and outside, and I love it because Bubba and Con don't fight him for it!

I think it's safe to say he had a great night!

Short Story

One time, I signed up for a 5k. I asked Johnny to go with me, but he'd been ill for a week and really wasn't up for it.

The night before, I talked him into joining me, telling him we'd walk the whole thing.

We got up early and drove up to Salt Lake where the run was.

We registered, got our numbers and t-shirts, and stood around for an hour waiting for the run to start. Johnny spent the time telling me why it's so sad that people say things like "You're a great athlete - for a girl", and if he were a girl, he'd hate himself for not being as awesome as guys are at sports. I got a headache from rolling my eyes so much.

It was wet and cold, and Johnny was ill and wanted to leave.

(Don't be deceived by this super tough photo of him)

As we walked to the starting line we decided to start jogging a little - straight to the car. Turns out, a popular diner that had been featured on the Food Network was right up the street.

I felt so guilty, I really did want to run my first 5k, but how can I deny an ill husband (who had already forewarned me that he'd rather eat a dozen donuts than go running early in the morning)?

Here he is exhausted after walking from the car to the diner, proof he couldn't handle slowly walking around a park.

Good thing the food was excellent or I really would've felt guilty.

What I learned from this experience: don't kid yourself. You don't like getting up early, running, rain, cold, but you DO love breakfast in fun diners, donating to charity, and supporting a good cause.

Next time, donate online from home before going out to breakfast to avoid guilt and a sense of failure.

The End.

Boy update

Update on Johnny:

He was thrilled he got to ride in on a horse at the opening of the (briefly) biggest dodgeball game in history as Braveheart. Here he is trying on his wig.

You think he looks good now, but you should've seen him after I cut it into a mullet and threw in some braids.

Practicing riding a horse before the big moment.

Supposedly he is a "cowboy" from Montana, but truth is he's allergic to horses and doesn't know much about them : )

FACT: Babies look better in mechanic suits.

All baby boys should own a Knucklehead body suit.

Con's favorite chair.

This is a picture Drake took of Con that I feel capture's Con's true personality (and accurate thigh to head ratio).

I took Bubba to the Dr. today and this is how he spent the majority of the time.