Dear Dad,

Thank you so much for bringing me to Aunt Amanda's. It is soooooooo fun here. She lets me sleep in her bed, and lay on her couch. She even made pancakes for breakfast and I got to eat some. When I got here this morning I wandered all over looking for Sammie, and then I remembered about the terrible accident. The girls are still so sad that she is gone, so I am helping them. I follow them around, and sit right by them. I love it when they pet me so I nudge them when they stop. You take your time in Vegas, because really Dad, I am having the time of my life.
Love your son,

Toby

P.S.
They haven't even told me, "To get a life" once. It really is great here.

Is this for real?

I don't even know how to begin writing this, but I can't sleep and I have so much emotion running through my system maybe this will be a way to help me. Last night Sammie our dog was ran over by a car and died. As I write those words it is still so hard for me to believe it is true. Some of you are thinking what's the big deal, it's just a dog, and some of you are feeling our pain, knowing that Sammie was not just a dog, she was such a big part of our family.

Sammie came into our family on June 14th 2002, I was 4 months pregnant with MaKaya. Her mom Sadie was our dog, so we watched her be born. She melted my heart from the moment she was born. She was the biggest dog of the litter, she died weighing 90lbs. That is really big for a female chocolate lab. She had a such a calm patient demeanor. After kids got over her being so big they soon loved her. She would let them do anything to her, sometimes I thought she should snap at them, she never did. She loved to sit by me on the couch. She still thought of herself as the little puppy that always sat on my lap. She tried this often. She always wanted to be petted. If you would stop she would gently paw you to ask you for some more. Every morning when the girls would wake up they come and get in bed with me, Sammie was not going to be left out, she was right there with us. Lots of mornings it drove us crazy. She would be laying on one of us, or we couldn't get any covers, I would give anything to have her jump in my bed this morning. Soon I will tell the story of the amazing gentleman that helped my dog while she was dying, but I can't right now. My girls are heart broken as they have never been before. What will we ever do without our Samsam.

Do I have a fat lip?

My mom took the girls to the Owl's game and on the way in MaKaya was swarmed by some bees and was stung three times. Two on her arm, and one right on her lip. She got an ice pack and was very shy about showing anyone her lip. Finally Lexi got a peek and told Gran there was a problem. They took her to first aid, who then called an ambulance. With the sirens and blazing lights MaKaya didn't know what to expect. They checked her out and decided it best she go to the ER. I met them there and was shocked when she took her ice pack off. I didn't know if I should laugh or cry. I knew that she had been stung, but my mom left out the severity of it for MaKaya's sake. Her lip was enormous. I have never in my life seen anything like it. She was nervous but was very brave. As I walked through the ER doors Lexi saw me first and burst into tears, and then MaKaya did the same. For some reason things are always better when mom is there. After a dose of benadryl her lip resumed to its normal shape. She got a pack of skittles, a foul ball from the Owls' game and an ID bracelet from the hospital. She almost thought the bee sting was worth it.

Happiness

Summer brings me happiness!!! Sunshine, swimming. baseball, sleeping in, staying up late, and fresh fruit are some of the things that make me HAPPY!!! I am no longer a Debbie Downer I am a Happy Holly. Pregnancy isn't even as bad as it was. Yes I am very anxious to be done but I am feeling so much better. We love to be busy so if I don't blog that often it's not because I'm feeling so terrible its because we are off having fun. Happy summer to you!!!

Debbie Downer

That's me. I am a Debbie Downer. Savanna has been whiny and sick all week. I started feeling sick, it turns out we both have strep throat. I feel so bad for her because I know how rotten she feels, but I also feel bad for myself because there is no one to take care of me. She got a shot in her leg it hurts so bad that she can't walk. Its really not fun to be pregnant be sick as a dog and carry your 38 pounder three year old around. If my grandma was still alive I would pack my bags and go stay with her. I really miss her. My hormones are at an all time high, tears come often and easily. Life is great!

Suprise!!!

I had an ultra sound today, and shockingly we are having a BOY!!! We are very excited, and the girls are ecstatic. I have been having some complications so it was nice to get an ultra sound to be reassured that everything is okay. I have been ordered to take it easy, so I will do my best to follow Dr. orders.

We still don't quite know what to think, even MaKaya said to me, "mom they are just going to tell you that it is another girl". I was emotional on my car ride home I guess I never let myself realize how much I wanted a boy. I never entertained the thought because I did not want to get my hopes up either way. Having girls for me, is just plain simply one of the grandest things I have done. Teaching them to be self confident compassionate girls is very special to me. I have never been sad or disappointed when I was told that I was having a girl, and I didn't want this time to be any different. I am not having more children to see if I can finally get a boy, I am having more children because I love being a mom. With that said, my heart could not be happier to bring a little boy into our family. I am thrilled that Shaun will have a boy to pal around with. I am excited to see my girls spoil their brother to pieces. I am delighted to have the chance to teach this little boy the way to respect women, and honor his priesthood.

I'm happy that I won't have to dig through my bins of clothes, that is always such a pain, and I am REALLY excited to decorate his nursery. It is going to be vintage baseball, if you see anything of the sort please do tell.

Many people have asked me, "what are you going to do with a boy?" I assure you my friends I will do just fine.

Goodbye!!!

My husband and I are leaving for Las Vegas TOMMOROW with no kids, and I will be so much more excited when all is packed and we are on the plane. We have never been away for more than over night and we are very excited to enjoy ourselves with no children. I wanted to go somewhere more exotic but since I am so fat I have decided to do that next year. So I hope it doesn't snow on you while I'm gone, because I will be enjoying the SUNSHINE!!! See-Ya