What a Summer!

Man, time flies by sooo fast! It seems like my Dad just left from visiting. But now Madison is crawling, Emma goes to school two days a week and I am taking two college classes as well. Luke is struggling with the potty. He does great with peeing, but is not so fond of pooping on the potty. So, right now he sits there until he goes. If I take him off, two minutes later there is a mess in his pants. I have also began working out again and what at difference that has made in the way that I handle the everyday tasks and frustrations. I know that there are bigger things to get upset about than a mess in Luke's pants. Plus I know that it is all part of growing up. Paul is busy building a pole barn/garage. That guy always has to have big projects! He has the framing done, the roof done and is getting ready to put the cement down. Then he has to put on the siding, doors and windows. He is shooting to get it done before the snow flies. It is starting to feel like fall here. The weather is colder and the nights really cold. A couple more weeks and we will have to get the wood burner going again!
This summer was a lot of fun. We went to the Oasis Lake (a small man made lake) a lot. Had a few BBQ dinners and Paul built lots of sand castles. The kids still remember the great hole that Sam Lockhart built, so there is always a hole for the kids to play in too. We have a little boat that the kids fit in and then Paul puts on his snorkel gear and they take off. Maddy and I tend to float in the area that I can touch bottom still. Maddy is a little fish. She loves to walk in the water and feel the sand in her toes. It is so neat to see her little face light up went she does something she enjoys. We also spent a few days at a cabin that Mark and Jane rented for a week. It was up in the upper peninsula of Michigan. We saw a lot of large ships going by and went to the Soo Locks. They were built so that ships can go to the the Atlantic Ocean over to Chicago. Not too much time spent in the water because it was about 10 degrees colder than down south. Paul had to get in though. He dawned his wet suit and snorkel gear and took off. He lasted about a minute, maybe two. It was fun to see him so cold! Then he made the best kabobs I have ever tasted. Then there is always the family things that we do, such as the baseball game at Mark and Jane's. Paul hit a home run and a couple other good hits. I played a few volleyball games and ended up with my arms bruised up, but only lost one game! On the Fourth of July, we went to the big fire works in town and the kids loved them (except Maddy who slept!).
Now there is talk of Halloween. Emma wants to be a fairy and Luke want to be a farmer riding a tractor. Madison will be stuck in the good old pumpkin costume! The corn is getting ready to be harvested and the pumpkins turning orange. Paul is getting ready to go bird hunting and scouting around the property for were the big bucks run. Madison is a crawling maniac eating all the little pieces of dirt that I don't clean up! Suddenly, Emma and Luke only know how to crawl also! They are so great together. Emma and Luke play together for hours and love any chance that they get to "babysit" their little sister.
Hopefully I will blog again before the new year!

Life with 3 under 3

Here I was just 2 days before I had number 3. I thought that I would need a picture to show Madison how big I was with her in my tummy. Then she decided it was time to come out. Its amazing how someone so small can change everything! She is a great baby. Although she sits here an cries in my arms as I try to finally update my blog! Our family has slowly adjusted. I think Luke is having the hardest time, now that Mom isn't at his beck and call! Paul has had to suffer through a few burnt dinners too!
Madison was hospitalized for a week with whooping cough and pneumonia. The only way that I could get through that was to trust that Heavenly Father would provide a way to get our family through it. Paul was superman! He took care of things at home, saw Maddy and I every day, went to work and arranged for someone to take the kids. I know I would have lost my mind had he not been with me. Paul's mom cancelled everything she had so that she could take Emma and Luke... What a great Peace of mind, knowing they were with someone they knew and loved them. My mom and sister had just returned to Utah. My mom said she could change her flight because Maddy was sick, but I thought she would be fine. Not three days later we went to the hospital. Should have taken her up on her offer! Thank you everyone that fasted and prayed for her. Some day she will hear this story and learn how much everyone loves her.
Now She is growing bigger everyday and smiling every chance she gets. I will have to get her smiling and add it to the page. We are all getting back into the groove of things. Maddy will be blessed two weeks from now by Brother Pellis, who is a great home teacher we had. I would have liked Sam Lockhartt, but maybe the next one?!
Well, I think I pushed the limit. Paul put the kids to bed and feel asleep on the couch! I better get Maddy down and give him that haircut he want!