Love these Boys.

Kade just old me, "You're so pretty." Just out of nowhere. Sweet.

Last night Kade was sick, and in the dark and after I had laid him in my bed, and given him his medicine and rubbed Vics on his chest, he thought to say "Thanks mama.", and then fall asleep. It never ceases to amaze me how thought my boys can be.

Ben has been telling a lot lately that I'm a good mom, and that I'm his friend. Which is always nice to hear, and Kade too has said a couple times, "You're a good mama, not a bad mama." Thanks Kade.

With Joe being gone lately, and both boys being sick -almost the entire time, and me not sleeping well, it's been tough to be my best self -but I am thankful for forgiving boys who see the best in me and compliment me regularly -it helps me a lot and makes my day.

Croup Attacks!

About five days ago, Ben woke up in the middle of the night crying, coughing and wheezing. The sound of everything (the barking cough mainly) freaked him out, and I had to help him calm down and focus on breathing. It was sad. I looked up all the info I could on croup to figure out what I was in for -croup is scary. He slept with me for the next two nights. (Joe is out of town for two weeks.)
Well, Kade's been hit with croup now -i expected nothing less. Last night was rough. But, I pulled him into bed with me and stayed up almost all night listening to his breathing and adjusting him to help him sleep. Croup wont affect me being pregnant so there's no concern there.
There have been so many times when the boys get really sick when Joe's out of town. It's not easy, but any time it's happened, the Lord blesses me to remain calm, and I constantly feel inspired on how I should take care of them. He gives me the energy I need -even when pregnant- to handle big situations alone, and that is probably the greatest blessing. I would always rather have Joe here to help and to lean on, but I am grateful that the Lord is mindful of me, so that I know I can always lean on Him.

My Very Own Buzz Lightyear!

So, I got out Ben's Buzz Lightyear costume from a couple years ago -it's now Kade's turn to wear it. When Kade saw it he got so excited and begged me to let him wear it around the house. Halloween is over a month away, but hey, I couldn't make him wait that long. Here are a few pictures of Kade getting dressed up. It's awesome to see a kid believe he's actually transformed into a superhero. Kade flew around the house dressed this way for hours. Very cute!

Apples and Ice Cream

The picking fruit adventures continue! I have mentioned before the times I've taken the boys out to pick cherries and peaches, well I finally took them out to pick apples! There is a huge apple orchard in Springdale, which is close to Zions National Park. They have a few different varieties of apples to pick, but the green apples were the best ones when we went. Grandma Lana, Aunt Nattie the boys and I all drove out to pick our fill. It was so fun! And, being by Zions, we were surrounded by gorgeous scenery.

I didn't get any pics of the apple picking, but I remembered the camera for the ice cream afterwards. There was a store at the orchard where you'd pay for your apples and where you could buy other organic treats. We all sat on the lawn and ate ice cream. It was a beautiful Fall day! I love these opportunities to get out with the boys and enjoy nature. Ben might be old enough to remember this experience, but Kade probably isn't, so I am determined to make these fruit picking adventures a yearly tradition -and maybe get Joe out there too. What better way to make memories, get outdoors, and get great food for great prices? Plus, I just love picking fruit. :)

Perfect Timing!!

I still have this urge to "get stuff done" and prepare more and more before the baby comes. One things I've really wanted to do was prepare great "freezer friendly" meals and stock up my freezer to serve as our dinners afterwards. Freezer meals can be kept frozen for up to three months. (According the recipes I've found.) I'll be in heaven if I don't have to worry about every meal for awhile.

Well a couple days ago, I had searched the Internet for some freezer meals and wasn't able to find too many that were .....what I was looking for. (Some were too time consuming, or had no picture for reference, or were too complicated/expensive ingredient wise, etc.) So, I quit looking. I figured I'd look another day.

While shopping today, I found the Sept./Oct. issues of Taste of Home -a little recipe book. (I love recipes!) The title is Fall Freezer Meals: includes 28 EASY casseroles!! HELLO! This is exactly what I was looking for!!! Plus the book gives me advice on freezing and instructions, which I hadn't found online. Sweet!

I read through some of the pages and saw that they were easy, normal real life ingredients -most I already use or buy or have on hand. Perfect! It also gives some hearty soup and stew recipes that will feel so comforting during the Fall and Winter.

I have always believed that Heavenly Father loves us and helps us in all things.....even little things that aren't hugely worrisome, bothersome or stressful. He helps us with ALL THINGS! And, truly is there to make our lives better and happy. I am grateful for Him and now this chance to get even more prepared for the baby. WHOO!!

A Nice Surprise

Today there was a knock at the door, on the doorstep was a box, inside the box was a bunch of flowers! (I didn't take a picture, but they were beautiful pale orangey flowers.)
Joe had them delivered to me, and he's not out of town or anything. It was a nice surprise. A few days ago I got an email that said "wife appreciation day, send her flowers"; I forwarded it to Joe as a joke, but he actually ordered them and had them sent to me. It was more than a nice surprise -it made me week.
I have been more than preoccupied with my job as a mom, and being pregnant. I know I don't always show Joe how much I appreciate and love him. Especially when I'm pregnant, I am not the nicest person to be around, so I am grateful for Joe's constant forgiveness of my shortcomings and ornery attitude. I am very grateful to have the husband I do. He takes great care of me and the boys. He makes every decision with what is best for all of us in mind. He doesn't do things for himself. Thanks Joe for all your love, help, and support. I wish there were "manly" flowers I could send to you to show you, more often, how much I .love you. Thanks for the flowers Baby

Millions of Peaches

Saturday, the Church orchards were asking for people to come and glean their peach trees. (They had reached the quota and needed to have the trees picked, so the trees would keep producing next year.) So, my sister, the two boys and I went to pick peaches! Each family could pick up to 200lbs -we didn't pick that many, but it seems like we picked that much. We have a ton! And, we're giving most away to neighbors and friends, of course. And, I have a few recipes I'm anxious to try!

It was so fun. Originally, I was going to wait for Joe to get home from his 23 mile run, and let him watch the boys, and just go with Nat. But, picking cherries was such a great experience for them, that I wanted them to have that experience again. This opportunity to pick fruit was even better. I had no idea that peach trees are so low to the ground and little (like a Christmas tree size) -both boys could reach most of the fruit on their own. We picked for about 45 mins. and came away feeling great! We had done service for the church, as well as serving those we're giving the peaches too, and we got out of the house bright and early and worked together and did something!

I totally love doing this with my kids. I am still debating if we'll go pick apples tomorrow. (It's a drive and I'm not sure the price etc. We'll see.) But I intend -now that I know about the cherry field and where the church orchards are, I am picking fruit with all my kids every year!! And, I'm keeping my eyes and ears open for other opportunities. If you haven't done it -DO IT!! It's awesome. I love it, because I feel the spirit of peace and fun the whole time. I highly recommend picking fruit!!