Looking at the snow.....
my chocolates that never were..........
The "Sickos" pajama party in mom's room
The weekend did not turn out as expected............I am a little bumbed out. We had been planning on going to New Mexico for the long weekend and spend some time with my family (actually Tate had finally saved enough money to pay for the chicken coop he busted at my sister's and we were going so he could help grant fix it....little boys!!- insert a big sigh right here.) We had been looking forward to the change in scenery and I was excited to just get out of the house. Chad is with Shane hunting Sheep so I hate being left behind and usually try to find an adventure of sorts for us to embark on so I don't feel left behind. The plan was going forward as planned (i was even beginning the pre-packing routine until Livia, my tough- rarely gets sick kiddo, complained of a very soar throat. Thinking she would be fine I ignored the complaint. About this time my sister began to cal to say the weather was looking as if a snow storm would be gracing us with its presence- UHG! I still remained positive mind you.........but as the week drew to its end Livia began barking like a little seal. I got her into the doctor only to discover my poor little mite had a double ear infection, strep and just for a little bonus, pink eye in BOTH eyes. I asked her "Livia have your ears been hurting you?" she said, "yes, all week long." Are you kidding me? she never mentioned it once. I was stuck looking like a neglectful mother at the doctors office with needless to say a Very sick little bug. Then the snow came.............Lovey white flakes falling constantly........so the trip- my light at the end of the dark tunnel- was canceled. Last night I got the kids settled with some popcorn and a movie and decided to go and tackle shoveling the driveway. It was the heaviest deepest snow and I was cussing myself for not staying on top of it during the day as it fell. That is right about the time I slipped and fell and banged my bony bum so hard I just cried. I yelled out loud a bad word and even gave a little talking to my hubby for leaving me in this mess of snow and sickness! That is about the time the man caddy corner from me came to see if I was alright (i was laying there in my owl pajamas with a pair of Chad's hiking boots on and a coat I can't even button over my big pregnant belly) I was a sight I am sure. I Stood up super quick and wiped my tears and explained that even though I was grateful for the snow it was really getting my goat at the moment. Is that even a phrase? I think it is but I have never once said it and I felt even more embarrassed. We talked about the snow plow and that our other neighbors who were out of town would sure come home to a mess.........I was secretly hoping he would offer to shovel for me but no such luck- he returned to his own fiasco leaving me to throw my shovel down in utter defeat. I decided to get in my warm bed and read and eat my lovely little bag of chocolates Chad got me- yes that would make everything seem better..............The kids, however, got my bag of chocolates that were by my bed and had eaten every last one while I was out- they actually tried to deny it but I smelled their little mouths and saw the evidence in their teeth and guilty grins. I was ticked- so ticked I actually threw a bit of a fit about how "nothing works out for me!" The kids just stared at me like I lost my mind so I recovered by saying that I was just demonstrating how silly they looked when they throw fits. Tate said "I really need to stop doing that huh......." I had to laugh at it all. Today we woke up to more snow but a very bright day. Tate's throat hurts which is just super. So we are playing hooky from church and I am going to do some sewing projects while the kids trash the house and do what ever it is they do. I might even cuddle by the fire with my kindle or bake something or take a bubbly bath or ...............anything really- the day is my oyster.... whatever that means.
The kiddos and I recently bought some Zebra Finches. I had a million of these guys growing up so I knew they would be a pet I could handle. The kids were just ecstatic and couldn't wait to get them home. They were so cute in the backseat on the drive home with their little boxes containing birds on their laps. Tate decided to name his little guy "pecker" I nearly wrecked I was laughing so hard. He is so Innocent and does not have a clue what he has named his little bird. Livia chose Sparkle so it is settled- Pecker and Sparkle are now officially Rhotons! We got them home safely but as I was trying to transport them into their cage, I couldn't get a hold of them and they got loose in the house! It was terrible because Livia started crying and Tate was screaming so the birds were all discombobulated and flying into the windows and the ceiling fan. They finally settled in the highest window in the living room with vaulted ceilings. I was throwing tennis balls up into the window hoping they would fly down and I could catch them but it all seemed pretty hopeless. I called my dad and he told me to use Chad's fishing net and put it on a long stick or broom. Livia helped me with this. We tried to catch them again and still had no luck. Tate decided that we needed to say a prayer that we would be able to catch them so we all folded our arms. I tried not to laugh but my son's sweet little prayer about his "little Pecker' and sweet sparkle just about did me in. He did the right thing however because the minute after we said amen, both birds flew down to the ground and I actually caught them! It really was quite a miracle. We have enjoyed our little birdies and love to watch them while we eat our breakfast in the morning. We are hoping for little eggs very soon! If anyone needs a bird I am sure we will have one to spare before too long.......
I am getting a bit obsessed with this pregnancy! We find out Monday morning what we are having!!!!! I have been taking a picture every few weeks to track my progress. I have already gained more with this baby than I did with my entire pregnancies with Tate and Livy! I just want to eat ALL of the time and I can't get enough pineapple, pickles and sauerkraut........weird huh.
I did not know what quite to expect when taking the kids to Bearizona yesterday. I was pleasantly surprised to come upon a small little version of Yellowstone! I will have to download some pictures of the animals- they came so close to the car that at times it was a little freaky. We saw buffalo, mountain goats, doll sheep, arctic wolves and of course BEARS! they were everywhere and not shy at all. They would come right up to the car and sniff around. The highlight of the day was the walking part of the park because we were able to see some baby cubs up close. They were so sweet and tiny. Livia was disturbed that they were not with their mommies. The park worker explained that they actually bottle feed the cubs because since the female and male bears live together it just is not safe for the cubs to be with their mothers. Livy still didn't quite get it so the worker then had to explain that the daddy bears will kill the cubs if given a chance. This about did Livs in....... she could not believe that the bears could do such a thing! It really is crazy when you see these big cuddly looking bears that they are capable of being so vicious! the kids had a blast and Chad was so jealous he did not get to come with us. We will definitely be going back again. It is all the kids can talk about today.
livia worked like crazy for this doll. she has been doing great with her spelling and chores and was rewarded with a doll she simply dreamed of....like.....FOREVER! These curlers are some of the coolest things ever. She even slept in them without complaint and the curl lasted a few days. How can you not love this girl to bits and pieces!?!
I am thrilled! Even though I am sick as can be with this one I can't help but smile every morning that I am finally having another little saggy diaper! I am convinced it is a boy. I had a dream last week that I was getting a pedicure and the entire time I was in the massage chair I was delivering baby boys! I delivered 5 babies total and boy was I exhausted when I woke up that morning! Gotta love the pregnancy dreams. Chad has been a trooper with this "All the time sick" fiasco. However, we both keep saying this will probably be our last addition to the little familia. I know I always said I wanted 8 kids but reality is just so much different than day dreams.............maybe if I did not have to be pregnant that many times I would be on board! Give me all of your name suggestions!
I am trying my best to hide the baby bump in these pictures and now I am wishing I had just celebrated it! Tate was a toot for these but Chad was a champ. O2 photography took these down in the valley (that is my best friend Rach and her hubby Zach- I will post a link). We had so much fun with them because the husbands could commiserate together about the joys of having sick, pregnant wives- Rach and I are both due in July.
