Updates

I can't believe I haven't visited the blogging world since I announced the arrival of baby #4. We did find out we're expecting our first girl. Matthew and I still can't grasp that concept. It's like an alien species as far as newborns are concerned in this family... we're super excited though. We can't agree on our name and as much as I wish we could narrow down the list, it seems to just be getting bigger.

Matthew's job has taken a huge turn. Whether it's for the worse or better, only time and Matthew will tell. ha ha... he was programming applications for the iPhone and iPad for 9 months, when he discovered he could help a little with the company's human resources. Matthew was thinking 2-3 hours a week would be good and he could program the rest. Some hiring and firings were taking place, and since Matthew received his degree in HR - they filled his plate full time with HR duties. Wow. It's very different, people like putting their degree to good use and Matthew certainly has a new kind of stress on his shoulders. I'm happy for him working those HR muscles and hopefully it will become a happy balance between the two worlds when HR needs slow down. Good luck honey!

My pregnancy is absolutely peachy. The only proof I have of being pregnant is my growing abdomen and lack of getting my mind off of a particular food every week. My body likes making girls and if this is the way every pregnancy was, we'd have 20 kids. Okay, maybe not. But, still, I like the vacation from puking and wetting myself.

Patrick loves school and friends. Really, a kid could easily gain a better education from his mother at home, but nothing can replace the recess and classroom atmospheres. I love hearing about his friends and adventures at school. I'm taking the boys' pictures this weekend, I'll put them up to show off how handsome they are when they're done.

Stephen is learning at home, I am secretly hoping we can skip Kindergarden because he's always been one that needs to be mentally occupied or he'll go animal on you. We're already working on spelling because he recognizes, writes and knows sounds of letters.

William is almost 2 years old! I can't believe that I'm saying that. It's funny because he's been treated more like a baby than the other boys due to his cuddly nature and lack of desire to walk/run early. We're working on talking because he used to use more words and everything gradually turned into sounding like "booh"... we'll see how it goes.

Boy or Girl???

Boys team
Matthew
Patrick
Stephen
William

Girls team
Amy
C-A-T

If you haven't heard already - #4 is on it's way! I had to put it here officially... I've known for a while, so it's weird to keep saying it like it's news ;) I'm not sure cat's count as a whole person, but clearly you can see I'm out-numbered. Just give me ONE girl!

I am 12 weeks along and things are going great! My past three pregnancies have been little slices of trial pie, so it's awesome that this one ain't too bad. Honestly, I think my gag reflex is broken! With the others, I would feel the urge to puke, and there was no stopping that train. This one, I can keep myself from throwing up. I'm not going to complain. Especially since when I do, after already bearing three children, my bladder is no longer in check and it empties every time! Yikes. So I really think God is being merciful this time around and I am super grateful.

As far as the rest of the goings on in our clan, Matthew is loving his job, Patrick and Stephen love being big boys and William is dying to be just like them (already!). And I got FIRED. I'm not ashamed to say the F word whenever I tell people because it was unjust. I worked hard and I was honest. Somewhere along the way I offended someone in upper management and they looked for anything to punish me for. I'm not getting specific online because we don't know if this is the "end" of issues with them or not. I found out I was pregnant the week I was fired, though, so clearly timing plays a part in all things.

Matthew's consistently being pushed to learn more for new projects and I think it's one of the aspects he likes about his job (except for the overwhelming kind of days). Lime is a fantastic employer and we're grateful to them giving him the opportunity to work for them. Matthew's also been able to go to a few REAL Salt Lake soccer games and he's loved every minute of them. I even got the chance to accompany him once and it was fun!

I only have math left before my Associate's is done. I already took Math 1010, but after 2 years, many classes expire - ugh. So I'm re-taking it, then taking 1050 next semester. I'm super confident I'll pass 1010 with a decent grade. I've been blessed to retain some of what I learned before - who knew? But if I pass 1050 next semester, I've got an Associate's degree. Wish me luck!

We are so grateful we were smart with chosing the home to buy and didn't take on more than we could handle. We all love our house and how God has provided for us, especially when we were cut down to one income. Pay your tithing people, it works more than man can comprehend!

Now that the cat's out of the bag, I can start blogging more. For some reason, I found it a challenge to facebook or blog without bringing something up about my pregnancy or the baby!

Hope you're all doing well!

The most traumatizing vacation of my life

Me and the boys went to Arizona to get a crown (or 2) replaced and visit my sister and her family. Crowns are way cheaper in Arizona, check it out. Maybe because they come over the border - I don't know. (Thank you Dr. Sergio!) After getting my new teeth, visiting with our fun cousins, fabulous pedicures with my sister Lisa, the plan was to go to California. At that point, Matthew was flying into LA, and we would visit Gma and Gpa Garner and Auntie Suzy in Diamond Bar. Yes, I'll tell you about that first.

First day in Cali = we went to a Dodger's game... even though they lost :( , we got to meet the owner at the time. woot. That was a fun little memory, sorry his ownership didn't stick. Shoulda stayed married. We also got free LA Lakers hats! (I'm still a Jazz fan!) Anyway, 2nd day was LEGOLAND! Thank you so much Aunt Suzy, we had a blast! The boys loved it, I enjoyed it, Matthew endured it (I'm sure secretly he wanted to go again the next day)... and the third day was Suzy's b-day! I recall homemade apple pie, donuts and In-n-out to name a few... we played hand and foot and enjoyed each other's company and How to Train Your Dragon. Then it was time to go to visit Grandpa Rose and Carol in Arizona. Strange thing, Gpa Garner was sick so we left early, then Grandpa Rose wasn't doing well at all either. Who wants 3 kids running around when they feel like crap? And we made the decision to end our trip early.

Cool factoid - Our timing belt was installed incorrectly right before we left for our trip. The time we would've been driving home from our trip, the check engine light came on and that's when the mechanic discovered the timing belt had moved two notches out of place. A serious problem that could've cost us our engine and a HUGE mess to deal with on the road. It was a huge blessing we came home early. Everything happens for a reason!

We love you Lisa, Serg and 6 kids – thank you for sharing fun times with us at the park and at your house! We love you aunt Suzy, Grandma Velma and Grandpa Gene – we are sorry for this hard time you’re going through, we love you and appreciate you opening your home to us once again!

And for the traumatizing part. Let me just give you my facebook status:

I took the life of somebody's dog tonight. I feel awful...i hope the family can forgive me. :(

Anyone who has known me since childhood is the fact that I basically love animals more than humans. I was driving alone with the boys at night. It was only a 2-lane highway in AZ, there was no shoulder, just bushes about 1 feet to the side of the road. I did see an animal ahead and I started to slow down, but I thought it was a rabbit and would hop out. It wasn't worth swirving or slamming on my breaks... but as I got closer, I realized it was somebody's pet dog. He was just slowly turning in a circle, oblivious to the fact I was there. I moved to the side as much as I was comfortable, I was hoping he would finish his stupid twirl and go to the right, instead he turned right into me. At that point, I was at 45 mph and I knew he couldn't have survived. It wouldn't make sense that a family pet would be out in the middle of nowhere on a highway... until I saw a sign for RVs. :( There was no public lighting or anything, I keep running this through my mind. It haunts me, I feel awful. I am truly sorry for the couple/family that it has affected.