Graduation!!!

I am so proud of this man: (Don't mind the fat preggo lady)

Seriously, he is one hard worker. He knows what he wants and he goes after it and NEVER gives up. That is one thing that I absolutely love about him. After he graduated with his Bachelor's he knew that he wanted to go back to get his Master's. All I thought was "Crap! More school???" Two years ago he started back to become a Family Nurse Practitioner. School hasn't always been easy for him. He learns best by doing and not by reading. That's what makes him a great nurse. There were times that he struggles with the program, but he came out on top. I must admit that this last semester was HORRIBLE! He was gone all of the time either doing clinicals or working and it was hard to be a single parent! I am so proud of him and all that he has accomplished.

So what does this mean for our little family?

I don't quite know yet! Gus has to take his Boards before he can apply for any job-which will be within the next month or so. He has some options rolling around for a job. I'm just glad that he can diagnose and treat our kids when they get sick! We'll see what the future holds and I am just going to pray that he doesn't want to get a Doctorate now!!!

Wickedly fun!!

So for each anniversary we have, we like to get gifts or do something that goes with that year. The 10th anniversary is tin/aluminum. I thought it was a perfect fit that this was coming to Boise this year, and even on the week of our anniversary:

For those who don't know the story, it is about the witches of Oz before Dorothy came. So of coarse in it you will find:

The tin man!! It was so awesome! We went over to Boise and stayed the night. We were able to go to a session at the Boise temple. Then we ate at Tucano's. The next day we shopped a little and went to see Wicked. I'm lucky to have great in-law's who took our kids for the night and let us get away. All in all it was a great little jaunt over to Boise and I'm glad we went.

10 Years!!

10 years ago I married this handsome stud: I know! He looks so young, doesn't he?? I can't believe that it has been 10 years already. Since this is kinda like my journal (that everyone can read) I thought that each year I should start sharing some of my memories of our wedding day. Then when I get old and senile I can read all about them.

Here is a funny memory ( I apologize for the quality of theses pictures. Digital photography was not used back then!)

We are cutting our lovely cake. I warned him that he better not try anything funny with shoving the cake in my face. I trusted him and let him go first:Totally shoved it!

So I had to shove it back. He knew what was coming (notice the napkin).

Typical wedding cake eating scenario until....

If you really know Gus, you know that he has to have the last whatever...last word, last laugh, last anything, so he couldn't be outdone. He kisses me with a mouth full of cake and actually regurgitates it back into my mouth. If you notice, my look is of disgust in this picture. It was nasty!

Looking back on these last 10 years we have been through a lot. He has always been there for me no matter what. We have had some wonderful memories and also some very challenging ones, but I wouldn't trade them for anything. He has loved me no matter what. Through very trying pregnancies and a very emotional miscarriage. He has given me 3 beautiful children and another on the way. He has taught me patience and love and service. I can't imagine my life without him. He is my best friend and I didn't think it was possible, but I love him more now than I did on that day 10 years ago. When I don't think it's possible to love him anymore, I can't wait to see how I feel in 10 more years!! I love you Gus!! Happy Anniversary!!

Pinewood Derby, Baby!

Zach had his first Pinewood Derby on Tuesday. Boy was he excited! He wanted a skateboard for his racecar. I think that was all Zach contributed! He did get to spray paint it and help a little with the construction. Coming from a family of all girls, I never experienced the Pinewood Derby. I guess it's a big deal! I would have just given Zach the car and let his whittle it out of wood and slap some paint on it!!! I'm sure glad that he had his dad to help him!

He won his first race. It actually sped down the track. Then he lost his 2nd race and raced one more time. He loved it, but was sad he won. He takes losing hard. I guess that's something we have to work on. In the end, it was fun and he is thinking about his car for next year!

Sheep

Dear Diary (blog),

I have to admit that last night was one of my WORST ever nights as a parent. Lately I have been so tired and last night was no different. It has been sooooo hard with Gus gone all the time to clinics/work/or doing church stuff. He doesn't make it home until 10 on the nights he has clinicals and 8 if he is working, which leaves me pretty much as a single parent. I have to admit that it is hard especially when I am pregnant.

Last night my kids were being complete hellions. I had one throwing fits over everything I asked him to do, one making messes everywhere she went, one completely defying me in every way. Well, one thing led to another and after I had one in time-out for the 3rd time in 2 hours, I lost it. Too much at one time! I let out a yell and slammed my door shut and started sobbing. I have never felt so incapable of doing something as I had right then. I wondered why I ever wanted to be a parent and even worse why I was bringing another one into this world. I have been struggling lately with my self worth. I feel like a glorified babysitter. I miss teaching so much and feel that I really don't do much while I'm at home. At least while I was teaching I felt some sort of accomplishment with my days. I wasn't throwing up, cleaning up, vacuuming, cooking dinner, picking up Legos, and yelling every 5 minutes.

I knew I had to say a prayer. The words of a song started coming to my mind. I heard this song one Sunday and it sent me into tears. I have to remind myself of its message constantly. Here are the words:

I have a little flock of sheep,

And they are mine to tend and keep.

I must guard them every day,

For little lambs when left alone, will loose their way.

So many voices say to me,

A sheepfold is no place to be.

Your time in there is dull and slow,

And lambs leave very little room for you to grow.

For if I ever start to stray,

Deceived of thoughts of greener pastures,

Remind me Lord that keeping sheep

Will lead to happier ever afters.

Oh surely there will come a day

When all the lambs have left my side

And I am free to roam and about

And go exploring other meadows green and wide.

Yet something whispers in my heart

That when my sheep have left this pen

I'll long to stroke their little heads

To draw them close to me and have them young again.

So while they still are in my care

I pray that I will clearly see,

These little lambs within my folds

Are tender gifts the master shepherd has given me.

After I had calmed down, I called each one of them in my room and we all cried. I explained that I get upset when Dad isn't home and I am tired and they won't listen. I apologized for getting mad. They were really good after that. I was so embarrassed for the way I acted around them. I do love them all so much and I am so blessed to have good kids. I do have to be thankful that I am here every day for them. I get to kiss the boo-boos, snuggle with them, read them stories, and listen to them laugh. I get to share in their ups and downs, their silly jokes, their smiles and kisses. I'm so blessed that Heavenly Father sent them to me. So they are my lovely sheep and I am happy being Little Bo Peep!!

Love,

Melanie

It's a Boy!!!

Yeah! It's another boy! Today we went in for our ultrasound and were way surprised! Gus was sure that this was another girl, and so did I because I have been so sick, but secretly wanted another boy. Everyone else thought it was a girl too. This little one is so active. My other babies weren't this busy during the ultrasound. The tech actually had a hard time getting some pictures because the baby kept moving! He kept flashing his boy parts, so there is no doubt this is a little boy! He is about 12 oz. and my due date has moved to June 28! I think I will go with that date from now on!

I am so excited! I would have loved another girl, but boys are so much easier! I do feel bad that Alivia doesn't get to have a sister, but she will be able to hold her own! We gave the kids each a blue sucker and had them guess what we were having. Zach is really excited. Parker is okay with it and Alivia is kinda oblivious at what is going on. She just liked the sugar. We are super excited and blessed to welcome another little one into our home.

Christmas 2010

This year we had a easy going Christmas. Nothing too fancy. At our Blad Christmas party, Santa came to give the kids their gifts from their cousins. On Christmas morning, Zach woke up Parker and Alivia at 4:30!! After I went out and told them to go back to bed, they were restless. Zach was 'starving' and wanted breakfast. After I offered him some go-gurts, he didn't want any saying "That's all we get for breakfast?" I told him it wasn't time for breakfast. They finally went back to sleep until 7:30, but I was not in a good mood!! Next year, they will not be able to get out of bed until 7:00!!

We have a tradition that came from Gus' childhood days. The kids write a note to Santa telling him where to leave their presents. After we took turns and opened all of our presents, the boys played with all of their toys and Alivia fell back asleep. We went and saw The Voyage of the Dawn Treader with Grandma & Grandpa and Brian & Laura. Then we went up to Brian's for dinner. It was a great day!