A Positive Test and A Scare

The first time I posted this picture, it ended up HUGE so I decided to trade it out for a smaller version, unsure if you really want a huge picture of my pee sticks glaring at you in the face. (:

Yes, it was a Surprise.
Yes, my husband made me go buy a whole pack of tests to double and triple check the first.

We found out the Wednesday before Christmas and told our families over Christmas.
My siblings thought it would be fun to play a little joke with it and let my parents know that one of us was pregnant but didn't tell which one. They didn't even suspect it was me. When they found out I think they were disappointed. They wanted it to be my brother and his wife.

I am 6 weeks and a few days and guess my due date is late August but planning on mid August since my doctor induces me two weeks early for my huge babies.

The kids are excited.
Gavin is already picking out names that no parent who loved their child would even think about.

Albert and I are getting more used to the idea.
I'm bracing myself for a long and difficult pregnancy. Not fun. But I know it will be worth it.
I can't believe we will have FIVE! Yikes.
But more than that, Micah and the baby will only be 2 years and 4 months apart. Some can do that distancing well. I usually need several years. Seriously, I'm still nursing Micah. I don't know if I can be ready for another baby by the end of summer. I guess I have to.

I know that we'll look back someday and wonder how our family ever felt complete without this little person.

So, on to the Scare.

Yesterday I got up and went running.
I came home and a couple of hours later I started cramping really badly. I looked it up on the internet and it seemed kind of normal. I lied down for a while.
Albert came home not feeling really well.
I started cramping up worse and wondered if this pregnancy could be an ectopic pregnancy. I had one about five years ago and nearly died from it. Having one increases ones chances of having another. I called the doctor and they told me to immediately go to Ryan Ranch and have an ultrasound done. We got in the car right away with the three younger children. Jacen was in the garage room playing x box and we didn't even take the time to tell him we were leaving or where we were going. We drove out highway 68 and passed the hospital to get to highway 1 to take to Ryan Ranch. I was in a LOT of pain. At that point I was sure it was a tubal pregnancy because of the amount of pain I was in. I felt myself struggling to keep coherency and conscientiousness. I could feel dark fog trying to cover my mind. I was trying to fight it. I could hear Albert (from what seemed like a very long ways away) asking me if I could hear him. I struggled to answer. I wondered if this was what it felt like to die. I thought maybe if I let myself go into the fog, I wouldn't feel the pain. That is when I lost consciousness and Albert did a quick and illegal u-turn to head to the hospital emergency room that we had just passed. He said I looked as white as a sheet and dripping with sweat. I awoke looking at the emergency signs and in no time was being wheeled up in a wheel chair. I don't think I could have stood at that point. I was struggling to keep my eyes open. I was taken immediately into a room and within minutes I was changed into a gown and blood was drawn and an IV in me. The nurse explained that if it were an ectopic pregnancy, it was life threatening, which I well knew.

The good news? The ultrasound showed that it was not an ectopic pregnancy. I started feeling better and my stomach cramping lightened immensely. The doctor concluded that it was merely a bad gastrointestinal virus that my body was dealing with harshly perhaps because of my pregnancy. I wonder if I panicked because of the last tubal pregnancy episode and that made everything worse. At least all is well now and it was only a scare. I grateful to my sweet husband to take care of me and for my sister who graciously came and got the children. And when we arrived home... Jacen was still playing x box and didn't even know we had left. He was probably pleasantly surprised not to be asked to get off and come in.

Our Christmas

We had a really nice Christmas. I didn't get many pictures taken though because I was having so much fun. We went to Coalinga for Christmas Eve. I loved spending time with my siblings and parents and we also got to spend part of Christmas Eve and Christmas with Albert's side of the family. For Christmas Eve in the afternoon we went to the Convalescent home to take Christmas cards and sing carols. The children did a great job and it was nice to include a bit of service to our evening.

Christmas day we came home in the late afternoon and the kids opened their presents then. We didn't have room in the car to take but a few.

Two Peas in a Pod

These two are so cute together.
They love each other so much.
They are so much alike.
I'm so grateful for my sweet girl and my sweet baby.

The New Cook

I typically do not let Micah hang out on top of the stove.
Please don't call Social Services on me.
The stove was off and I walked into the kitchen to see why Micah was being so quiet and he was busily "cooking" up some ravioli-fire truck a la mode.
This little guy keeps me SO busy!

My Little Elf

Doesn't he just look like a little Elf here?

Oh, Micah... Much to my dismay, this has become one of his favorite spots to hang out.

New Couches and Our Tree!

Yesterday we got these new (to us) couches and I'm so excited!
I should have taken a picture of the old couch. It would have made you appreciate these even more! Really. Plus, we only had one couch before to fit our family of six and some had to sit on the floor and it was a big deal sometimes, not to mention if we had company over. So now we have a couch and a loveseat and a chair. Our living room is small and I'm still trying to figure out how HGTV would arrange it but at least we can accommodate seating more people. I feel like we're stepping up in the world! About time.

This was the living room as we were dragging out decorations! What a mess! And I was scooping out fish tank water, which took forever, because we had to move over the fish tank in order to make room for the tree and it was too heavy until I scooped up about 15 gallons of water. Then, I had to refill. How nice it would be to have a formal living room. But I can't have that AND live in paradise. I'll choose location.

Linnea took a few pictures of her favorite ornaments. My favorites are the ones the kids make in school with their pictures but it seems Jacen's teachers have done that more than the other kid's teachers.

The day after Thanksgiving, we love to get out our Christmas decorations and put up our Christmas tree. The kids helped to pick out just the perfect Christmas tree. We buy a real one every year. I have been pretty insistent that we are real tree kind of people, even though Albert thinks it is more economical to buy an artificial tree. I don't think its more economical because to get a nice looking one, a person has to spend quite a bit of money and in the number of years it would take to pay off that artificial tree at say, $20 a year, I think the tree is going to need to be replaced before its paid off. Plus, one has to store the thing all year and if you live in a small coastal town where storage is worth more than gold, well you know what I mean. Still, I have to admit that Albert is wearing me down simply because I always try to lighten my carbon fingerprint on the Earth and it does seem "greener" to buy an artificial one. Some friends of ours rent a real tree that is potted and then it gets picked up after Christmas and planted later. That's a great choice but too expensive for us. Anyway, what are your thoughts on trees?

Finished product. Not as fancy as some but "ours" with a story or memory for each ornament. I was remembering when Albert and I were newly married and we didn't have all these ornaments.

Quote of the Day

"I testify to you this day that the time will come when every man, woman, and child will look into the Savior's loving eyes. On that day, we will know with a surety the worth of our decision to straightway follow Him."

--Joseph B. Wirthlin, "Follow Me", Ensign, May 2002

Family Christmas Letter

Christmastime 2010

Our Dear Friends and Family,

"There is a magic in Christmas. Hearts are opened to a new measure of kindness. Love speaks with increased power. Tensions are eased...
"Of all things of heaven and earth of which we bear testimony, none is so important as our witness that Jesus, the Christmas child, condescended to come to earth from the realms of His Eternal Father, here to work among men as healer and teacher, our Great Exemplar. And further, and most important, He suffered on Calvary's cross as an atoning sacrifice for all mankind.
"At this time of Christmas, this season when gifts are given, let us not forget that God gave His Son, and His Son gave His life, that each of us might have the gift of eternal life.”

----Gordon B. Hinckley

In our family, we are trying to better focus on Christ this Christmas. We are trying to refocus away from the superficial pleasures of the season and toward the lasting peace and joy that Jesus Christ offers us through the true gifts He offers us. Through true gifts of love and service we can experience timeless happiness. We hope to be able to extend to each of you our love and service, as we are able.

We have enjoyed another year in our bit of heaven on Earth in Pacific Grove. Surprise! We don’t have a move to mention. (: Albert continues to work for Nova Management, soliciting government contracts for the military programs. He is also working determinedly toward his Ph. D. in Organization Leadership. We’re so proud of him for his educational successes and the value he places on continued learning. He also enjoys playing sports year round—soccer, softball, basketball and football.

I stay busy mothering our four children and taking care of my husband as well. It’s no easy task being manager of the scheduling of six people and seeing to the needs of so many, including a teenager and infant (that is exciting in and of itself!). I am also working toward my degree in Elementary Education with an emphasis in English. I’m finally seeing the end with only two more classes and my student teaching remaining. I find repose in long walks and runs (which usually happen before the sun rises and once I saw a mountain lion!) and music and reading when I can fit it in. I volunteer in my church as a leader of Activity Girls in which we help the girls set and reach goals that will better them. I also volunteer as a piano player at church. I find tremendous satisfaction in serving.

Jacen is in 9^th grade and started high school this year. His day begins at 5:40 a.m. when he leaves in the morning for Seminary at the church where he studies the scriptures with other high school students. He then goes to school. He is a good student. After school he goes to wrestling practice. He finds the training rigorous but he enjoys it. His practices are almost three hours long and he gets home in the evening around 6 p.m. He then has homework to do and usually finds time to read good books. He continues to work hard in Boy Scouts and we’re proud of his accomplishments there. He recently earned his Life and is currently working toward his Eagle. More than simply earning the awards (which hold great value), he is growing as he sets worthy goals and has experiences that will teach him now and will stay with him his entire life. I am, and will be forever grateful for his Boy Scout and church leaders who willingly and lovingly volunteer so much of their own personal time toward helping and bettering Jacen and other boys like him.

Linnea is ten years old and is in 5^th grade. She is a beautiful young lady on both the inside and outside and acts accordingly. She is kind and considerate to everyone, including her brothers and family. She especially enjoys spending time with Micah and finds a lot of joy in helping him and playing with him and watching him grow. She is a good student, always trying her best in every academic endeavor. She has started taking cello lessons and meets with a symphony weekly. We are excited to attend a performance of hers soon. She loves to read and draw and she writes beautiful stories and poetry.

Gavin is six years old and in the first grade. He is a good student and his teacher has nothing but good things to say about him. He is very social and has many friends. He loves all sports and recently finished playing soccer on his cousin’s team in which his uncle was coach. He looks forward to playing football and then basketball. He always wants to be playing a sport. He is also a great swimmer. He is becoming quite a good reader and even reads chapter books. We love to hear him reading! He also loves writing. He writes in his journal and writes amazing stories. He has a lot to write about! Gavin is a lot of fun energy!

Micah is a sweet little 18-month-old. He is busy, busy, busy! It is not uncommon for me to walk into the living room and find a chair dragged over to the 30 gallon fish tank and a dozen items dropped into it. Or the bag of flour dragged out of the pantry, the contents dumped on the kitchen floor and being played in. Micah keeps me busy! I really love spending my days with him. Our favorite activities are cuddling up and reading and taking long walks along the ocean where the waves really captivate him. He loves to go to the Aquarium and see all the ocean critters. He loves to help me with housework, his favorites being to help me feed the dogs (yep, Albert talked me into another one—a yellow English lab) and putting the silverware away.

We have enjoyed another year and count our blessings in having a safe and healthy family, good job, warmth both physically and spiritually in knowing that Jesus Christ is our Savior. We are so grateful for our testimonies of Him and the blessings we receive in our lives by following Him. When Albert and I were married, I read a quote by President Howard W. Hunter, a past prophet of our church. I typed it out and framed it and it has been sitting on our piano ever since. It reads:

“Whatever Jesus lays his hands upon lives. If Jesus lays his hands upon a marriage, it lives.

If he is allowed to lay his hands on the family, it lives.”

Our prayer is that Jesus will be allowed to lay his hands upon each of us, our families, and the entire world. We love each of you and wish you a Merry Christmas!

With Love,

Albert, Jaime, Jacen, Linnea, Gavin and Micah

Thanksgiving

The boys enjoyed playing football Thanksgiving morning.

Our Thanksgiving Feast included: turkey, garlic mashed potatoes, cream fraiche brussel sprouts, asparagus, stuffing, cranberry-orange relish, b-bque ribs, rolls, pecan pie, pumpkin pie, sparkling ciders. I love making our own Thanksgiving dinner with help from everyone.

Linnea made cute little name cards.

Micah had lots of fun screaming.

I found this after an act of service had been done for me and then we all have been passing it around for the last couple of days. What a fun idea! I finally found out that Linnea started it.

Below is just part of our arm wrestling fun.

First Grade Thanksgiving

Gavin's first grade class had a cute play the kids performed in. Gavin was a sailor on the Mayflower. Each of them had a part and they sang several Thanksgiving songs. It was so very cute and Gavin said his parts so well and so clear. Then afterward they had a feast. Gavin wanted to bring jello. Each child also took a turn saying one thing they were grateful for. Gavin said, "I am thankful for food."

Gavin and his good friend, Amir.

In the videos, Gavin is in the back left corner.