August...what a month!

I started out thinking I would give several updates throughout August and well that didn't happen. I even started this post at the beginning of Sept and I am just now getting it posted....oh well what do you do! August is always a crazy busy month and this year was no exception! Seriously where did the summer go? Loving this cooler weather though!!

Honestly much of my family was not looking forward to a month that is full of celebration knowing that it would be done without one very important member of our family. But just because Derek wasn't here with us physically to celebrate, doesn't mean we didn't celebrate and he probably had the best seat in the house! I am sure he looks down and laughs at all the craziness that surrounds us! Derek was and is greatly missed, but he wouldn't have wanted us not to celebrate...so most of us did!

Brett and I celebrated our 8th Anniversary on August 4th. We grabbed a bit to eat and a movie at the 2 dollar theater while my mom watched the girls. It was nice to get away for a couple of hours and just be us...we don't get to do that often enough and I am sure that will only get better as we add another little one to the mix! It is hard to believe that it we have been married 8 years and together for 11 years. We have been through a lot together and I am grateful that we have been there with each other for all of it. Not exactly glad for what we have gone through, but thankful that God carried us through it all together!

Next came a series of birthday's. My dad turned 53 on August 5th, Cole turned 4 on August 10th, the girl's turned 5 on August 12th, and my mom turned 50th and shares her birthday with Josh who turned 29 on August 13th. Liyan (my dad's wife) had a birthday on August 16th as well, but I am not certain of her age and not sure if she would be ok with me outing it :) We had the girl's party on August 15th and they had a great time! Most of the family had too much going on to be able to join us on the day of their party, but most our of family that couldn't join us on that day came the weekend/week before or the week after the party to spoil them, oh I mean spend time with them.

So lets start there...Brett's mom and youngest brother Gavin came to see the girls the weekend before the girl's birthday. With Gavin's starting high school football, they didn't get to be here for very long, but we had a great time with them. We were able to go to a very HOT Royal's game with them and it was the girl's first Royal's game. Sorry no pictures until Grandma sends them to me, I neglected to take my camera! Grandma spoiled the girls while we were there. Then the following day she took them birthday shopping, while the guys went golfing. They got big girl bikes (16 in) and a couple of shirts for school. The bikes look huge, but they are getting used to them and really enjoy riding them.

The girls riding their bikes at the lake

Josh, Misty, Cole and Blake were supposed to come up Monday-Wednesday, but Josh's work schedule got switched and they ended up coming down Thursday and headed back late Friday. Since they were here on mom's and Josh's birthday, we went out to supper and then we (Josh, Misty, Blake and myself) took mom dancing at a local country club. Brett volunteered to stay home with the kids while the rest of us went dancing. Apparently my mom and dad used to dance a lot before they had 4 kids and somehow they managed to raise 4 kids who can't dance...seriously we can't and don't dance! She had a good time on her 50th even though she really didn't want to celebrate...we didn't give her that as an option!

Above and Below: Uncle Josh and Grandma Becky at super on their birthday!

They made them both get on the saddle to celebrate!

The group that went "dancing"...Libbi, Josh, Mom, Misty, and Blake. I make a great DD pregnant or not!

The front door "bouncer" promised mom a dance before she left...too funny!

Everyone spent one night here and then all of Friday, before they had to head back so Blake and Josh could go to work. The girls had a great time with everyone and they always enjoy their time with cousin Cole. They also got a scooter from them. It was a little hairy watching them learn to ride them, they now get around pretty good on them. What happened to my little girls...big girl bikes and scooters? Before I know it it will be cars and prom dates...yeah lets not go there, I don't need anymore stress in my life right now and that thought stresses me out :)

Jaylin riding her scooter

Kaylee riding her scooter

Saturday was the party and it was much smaller than last year, but the girls still had a blast. We did a blue and pink flower party this year...that is what they wanted. Jaylin's favorite color is blue and Kaylee's is pink so that is how we ended up with a blue and pink flower party! Easy enough right and honestly it wasn't that bad. I ventured to make the cakes all by myself and other than it took me FOREVER to star tip two cakes, they didn't turn out too bad. The kids (with adults help) all made flower necklaces for something fun to do and to take home. Short and sweet...different than last year, but all I could handle this year! The guest list was small, but a few of them got to stay for the rest of the evening and the girls enjoyed reading and playing with Grandpa Del, Sherry, and Sherry's mom Ann. Grandpa also treated us all to supper.

Jaylin's cake

Kaylee's cake

Right: Jaylin and Left: Kaylee

Making necklaces

Hula hoops...Jaylin giving it a try!

Reading with Grandpa Del

Then Monday, My dad, Liyan, Grandpa Curtis and Patsy came to visit the girls and spent Monday and Tuesday with us. We went to supper on Monday night and just hung out around the house the rest of the time...it was a good and relaxing visit and glad they were able to come for just a few short days. Work schedules don't allow for much this year and when you have to spend 6+ hours on the road to get here and back again...doesn't leave for much time!

Thank you to everyone who made the long drive to see the girls, it was nice to spend individual time with everyone and the girls are ready to do it again. They sure do miss their family and treasure any and all the time they get to spend with them. Guess it is a good thing that brother will be here soon and they will probably get to see almost everyone again!!

Monday the 17th of August also marked a big day for the girls....they started preschool. They will go MWF in the morning. The first week was good and they were excited to go. The second week we had a few hangups as Jaylin is having some anxiety issues, got sick a few times and really doesn't want to go. But we are working through the issue and seam to be heading in th right direction. Hopefully we get things sorted out before brother gets here and we don't take three steps back when he does. A year ago I would have guessed that we would have issues with Kaylee, not Jaylin! But they have completely switched things up on me again....just when you think you have them figured out, brace yourself...they will in fact change it up on ya and throw you a curve ball!

Wednesday the 19th of August I also had a Dr. appointment. Little boy is checking out just fine and I passed my glucose test...wahooo! I gained 6 lbs in one month...I guess I ate too well the couple of weeks before and it showed up on the scale! I also had an appointment Thursday September 3rd, again the boy is checking out great. My body on the other hand is so ready to be done with this, it doesn't handle stress well and my blood pressure is effected by little things that on a normal day wouldn't effect it too much! It doesn't take much to completely wear me out and if I do to much in one day, I pay for it that night or the whole next day. Two more months to go and it will be over before we know it...I will not be putting my body through this again! Here is a belly shot and a picture of the nice "tattoo" on my leg...looking awesome! It does look better when I wear the fabulous support hose. Now that it is cooler outside and I can wear jeans without being completely miserable, I have been wearing them almost 24/7. If I don't wear them, it starts to bulge...gross and painful to the touch!

Prego picture taken on 8/22/09

Picture of the busted veins on my right leg...awsome!

Sorry it has been so long, but it was a crazy busy month. September should be slightly slower, but I don't make any promises that I will post more oftten.