This, That, And the Other

THIS

When we had gone to Utah to visit my Mom & Steve we also were with Paul's family for the ordination of his nephew Tyler to receive the priesthood. Elizabeth & Rachel stayed in Utah to spend a week with their cousins (the Jessee's).  So on the 4th of July we just had the two little ones (who aren't so little anymore) at home.  They were excited all day to be able to stay up to watch fireworks.  We were just going to drive a little ways outside of our subdivision into the desert on some dirt roads to watch them from town.  When we headed out to go we realized we could see them from our backyard, so we stayed put.  Almost instantly John did not like them, even with his sound reducing head phones on.  Sarah wasn't crazy about them either, I think because it was a long firework.  They parked them selves on the rocking chair for a while.  The acted like an old couple as they headed inside.  The conversation went like this, remember John has his head phones one . . .

"John come inside with me."  John gives no response.
In a whiny, annoyed voice, "Come inside with me." Still no response.
Now Sarah is getting angry and sad that no one will go with her, because apparently she doesn't want to be alone in the house.  I say to her, "Take off John's headphone."
She lifts up one of the ear coverings and says really loud and snotty, "Come inside with me."
As if John never heard a think he hops up and says, "OK" and he shuffles his feet along and he follows Sarah into the house.

We didn't think we would be there much longer but the firework show seemed longer than most, and after a little bit we decided we should see what the two little monkeys were up to.

No need to worry, just like a two old people they had fallen asleep on the couch right in the middle of the party.

THAT
For years I have said to Paul that my dream is to have a day, by myself, AT HOME.  Lots of Moms want a day away, not me.  I want a day confined to my house to do whatever I choose without any one to bother me.  My dream finally came true, thanks to a wonderful husband.

Last Saturday we were to meet Paul's parents in St. George to pick up Elizabeth & Rachel.  Paul being the wonderful husband he is offered to take John & Sarah by himself on this outing leaving me with a day at home to myself.  So what did I do you ask?  I slept in a bit. Cleaned the house & savored the fact that it stayed clean for more than 10 minutes.  I worked on projects that have been shelved for years.  After a couple of hours I have to admit that the quiet was a little disturbing, but I did enjoy getting things done with out interruptions of little ones getting in the middle of it.  It really was a dream come true!

AND THE OTHER
Thanks to the wonders of modern technology I think it is time I introduce the newest member of the Strong family . . .

Kiddo #5, due to arrive around January 23, 2013!

In case the above picture is allusive to you I will spell it out plain and clear . . . I am pregnant!  I can't say that it was planned but it really isn't a surprise either. Some days I think one more kiddo will land me in the nut house and then others I figure Heavenly Father will expand my capacities as he has in the past each time our family has grown.  But this I know, Heavenly Father definitely has a sense of humor and I'm sure to gain one too by the time I raise FIVE kiddos.