Spoiled Rotten

Some of my friends surprised me with dinner and an amazing baby gift! 

My friend Wendy texted me and asked if I wanted to go to dinner before the baby came. I never pass up food and happily obliged!

When we got to Ruby Tuesdays (I had no idea where we were going) I saw my friend Crystal there... and we were lead to a table with her, Racheal, Daisy, Daisy's 2 kiddos, and Liz was on her way to join us. I was SO surprised!!

My friend Jessica (who just had a baby a couple weeks ago) and Crystal came up with the idea, but unfortunately Jess couldn't make it- between her 6 kiddos and her husband being gone in Texas for military training- there was just no way. She made some of her delicious cupcakes and sent along a cute little note. I really wished she could have been there, but it was so thoughtful of her to make and send along the cupcakes.

I chowed down on salad bar and a pretzel burger before savoring my cupcake.

They gave me my gift. (Gift?! Wasn't dinner gift enough?!) I opened the package and saw a "Timi and Leslie" box. I nearly had a heart attack. (Could it be? No. How would they know? But maybe? Oh my gosh, open the box!) I started to shake as I sliced the tape open. Oh my WORD! It was the exact diaper bag I had been eyeing for months but I knew I could never just go ahead and buy. They all chipped in and bought it for me. I was speechless and seriously almost cried. Grinning ear to ear (I tried) to express my gratitude. I'm still in shock.

I am so blessed to know these women. They are examples of charity, strength, and virtue.

Baby4- boy or girl- is gonna be so spoiled with love! 

General Conference

General Conference is one of my favorite times of year. We have the chance to listen live to our prophet and apostles 2 times each year. The first weekend in April, and the first weekend in October. I always have numerous quotes and things that I love. Here is a quote I loved from this  conference:

"Believe in miracles. I have seen so many. They came when every indiction would say that hope was lost. Hope is never lost. If those miracles do not come soon or fully or seemingly at all, remember the Savior's own anguished example. If the bitter cup does not pass, drink it and be strong trusting in happier days ahead." -Elder Jeffrey R Holland

What's that Boy Scout Motto? Be Prepared!

What's that boy scout motto?  Be prepared!  And that's exactly what Holly is all about. Yesterday while I was at work she went to the store and put together these totes.  They are full of treats and goodies for the three boys; this is to keep them entertained when Holly and I ditch them with a sitter as Holly goes into the labor.  The fourth is a tote for the sitter herself to keep from going insane with Parker, Carter, and Anderson flocking around.

Labor Home-base Survival Kits 2013

Holly stashed them in the pantry, but Anderson already found them and was trying to bust into the goodies.  He succeeded in getting a KitKat out, but I intercepted him and put them in a safe place until the big day.  Who knows when it will be?

Fall Family Picture Fail

Here is the family picture fail from our day at the park.  Holly had the camera set up on a tripod. She set the timer and ran into the picture while I tried to wrestle Anderson into looking at the camera without crying and attempted to shuffle Parker and Carter into decent positions.  It didn't work out so well, as you can see. But ya know what? Big deal!  Perhaps there is even a lesson in it. Holly and I march through time with our three little boys, through good days and bad.  It doesn't matter if every day turns out right because we are still together.  And some day, perhaps all too soon, those children are going to grow up, move out, and move on.  And a family picture fail has far more many laughs behind it than a nice one.  But we will still try again someday!

Family Picture Fail, Fall 2013

And you know what, we still came out with something, because Parker and Carter can ham up the camera while Mom is trying to get it set up.

The Big Boys, Fall 2013

Old McParker had a Farm...

Yesterday at school we had a lockout just before dismissal.  The police department ordered it because they were having a stand-off with a man with a fire arm in the area.  Everyone was fine and safe, but it meant we didn't get to leave until almost 5 o'clock.  It was no big deal for Parker; he started working on a farm in the classroom.  When it was time to go, he wanted me to leave it up for Carter to see in morning when he came to school.  So we did.  It appears below.  Hopefully you enjoy it just as much as Carter did, which was a lot!

E-I-E-I-Oh!

blessings

I randomly got this in the mail today. Inside is a gift card for my "little ones". I feel so blessed. For real. (Yep, that's the baby bump sneaking into the pic)

Coming and Going

The weather was beautiful after school today, so Holly insisted we take the boys up to the park to take some pictures.  We placed Anderson in the wagon, I pulled him, and the boys trotted along. They played on the equipment for a while, and we tried to take a family photo, but Anderson wasn't really in the mood for it.  So we let them play some more.  When it was time to go, I buckled Anderson back into the wagon and started pulling again.  It suddenly got heavier.  Turns out Parker and Carter wanted to hitch a ride.

Go'in Home

So in short, we went to the park, had a family picture fail, shrugged, and went back home again.