Breech Baby!!

Ah! I have a breech baby! We will be going to the hospital to try to turn this little boy around on Tuesday, Dec. 30th. I sure do hope it is successful and that he stays put after that! I'm a little nervous because I'm told to be prepared for it to be quite uncomfortable! Have any of you out there ever had to have a baby turned around at about 38 weeks?

Christmas, Christmas!!

Here are all the "kids" patiently waiting to go downstairs to see the Christmas goods.  We told the kids they had to wait upstairs until 7:00 a.m. before they got us up and I was so proud of them because they really did it, there was no peeking!! (Which I must admit is very much unlike me, I was the biggest snoop in the house when I was a kid.)

The kids favorite part of Christmas this year was buying gifts for each other.  They drew names from a hat, went to Wal-Mart, and had a good time thinking of something for their sibling.  We decided to open those gifts on Chrismtas Eve instead of our traditional book opening.  I think we could have ended Christmas right there.

I wasn't as good at taking pictures this year, but I did post a few of the good ones.  Lydia was really fun to watch with her sleeping bag.  Occasionally, I let the kids watch a movie and sleep in the basement on a Friday night and Lydia has been the only one without a sleepover type sleeping bag, so I knew she would like it.  I didn't realize how much.  She keeps dragging that think all over the house and wants to know when then get to sleep downstairs.

Mandy is holding up the Mario Cart Wii game that my parents got for them, which they have been playing with non-stop for the last 3 days.  It's been great!  I've taken a vacation from being the "Mom", I have only done dishes, and I've left everything else a mess while I help Seth finish the babies room.  I'll have to post pictures of it later, we now have a 4 bedroom home!!  Hurray

Ashley's Birthday

Thursday was Ashley's birthday! I do one good thing being a mother, I attempt to make a birthday cake of their choice for their birthdays. I'm hoping that when they are in a therapy session one day, they will at least remember this one token of love! This was my try at a Barbie Cake for her. I had to break the legs off of one of Mandy's Barbie's and now I owe her a new one!

Wow!! Ashley is 8! I can't believe it. I was pregnant with her when we moved to Illinois. Time really does fly! We are looking forward to her baptism next Saturday.


The above picture is Ashley with her Carrie Underwood CD. She LOVES Carrie Underwood and I got this for her to put in her Karaoke machine. She loves to sing!

Addresses PLEASE

A few months ago my computer crashed and the only thing my AWESOME husband couldn't save was my outlook address book! Therefore, as I begin sending Christmas cards, I realize I am missing many addresses. So, if you are reading this blog, please e-mail me your address and I will be happy to send you a card. annasmarks@yahoo.com

I do have all of my brothers/sisters and all Seth's sisters addresses. THANK YOU!!

Quilting for Ashley

Well, I started a tradition with Mandy when she got baptized. I began making a "comforter" for my kids to remember the day they were baptized and receive the holy ghost. Little did I know that when I started this tradition 2 years ago that I would be preparing for a new baby to come, have Thanksgiving/Christmas and be having Ashley's Baptism all around the same 4 week period. So I decided to start early!! About 6 weeks ago I started Ashley's quilt and it is finally done!!!!! Slowly but surely. . . That is my motto. . . .

I try to pick fabric and patterns that reflect their personalities and I think I hit the nail on the head with Ashley. She is cheery, fun, bright, happy, and bold. I think that is her quilt as well!!

Now on to the baby's bedding and Christmas shopping!!

A Poem referenced in Stake Conference Today

Sermons We See
by Edgar Guest

I'd rather see a sermon than hear one any day;
I'd rather one should walk with me than merely tell the way.
The eye's a better pupil and more willing than the ear,
Fine counsel is confusing, but example's always clear;
And the best of all the preachers are the men who live their creeds,
For to see good put in action is what everybody needs.

I soon can learn to do it if you'll let me see it done;
I can watch your hands in action, but your tongue too fast may run.
And the lecture you deliver may be very wise and true,
But I'd rather get my lessons by observing what you do;
For I might misunderstand you and the high advise you give,
But there's no misunderstanding how you act and how you live.

When I see a deed of kindness, I am eager to be kind.
When a weaker brother stumbles and a strong man stays behind
Just to see if he can help him, then the wish grows strong in me
To become as big and thoughtful as I know that friend to be.
And all travelers can witness that the best of guides today
Is not the one who tells them, but the one who shows the way.

One good man teaches many, men believe what they behold;
One deed of kindness noticed is worth forty that are told.
Who stands with men of honor learns to hold his honor dear,
For right living speaks a language which to every one is clear.
Though an able speaker charms me with his eloquence, I say,
I'd rather see a sermon than to hear one, any day.

Jason's 5th Birthday

I just wanted to document Jason's 5th birthday from last Thursday. October 30th. He's such a good fun kid!! All he wanted was a spider man cake and a pinata. After all, what is a birthday without a pinata? So I invited a few friends over for cake and pinata. He had a great time and I know he had fun on his Special Day.



The day after his birthday (Halloween), I took him into the doctor because he had a horrible runny nose/cough for over a week. When we got there, all the nurses were telling him "Happy Birthday, yesterday." He was so impressed that everywhere he went that day, everyone knew he had a birthday! He said he was "famous."