{o christmas tree}

I was really worried when we moved to Texas that we wouldn't be able to still enjoy one of our most favorite Christmas traditions...cutting down our own tree.  It's something we've done as a family for many years, and we all look forward to it every year. I honestly can't even imagine having a fake tree--a real one is so much a part of our Christmas experience and we would all be so sad to give it up.

Well, we were blessed with our own little miracle, and lo and behold, there is a darling Christmas tree farm not very far from us!  We always go the Saturday after Thanksgiving, but this year we were still in Florida.  Rick had to go out of town as soon as we got back, so we went this past Saturday when he got home.

I have to say, it was a little weird cutting down a tree in 80 degree weather, wearing shorts and flip flops. I really missed the bundling up in hats and gloves, snow on the ground, and warming up with hot chocolate, but I was just so glad to be there, I was willing to overlook the not quite traditional atmosphere.

We took a hayride out to the trees, and started looking.  Due to the weather here, there are really only two trees that grow well in the heat and humidity.  That really narrowed it down, lol.  I liked the look of one of them better, but preferred the smell of the other, and it was proving to be quite the process. I wasn't looking for perfection (really), but I did have certain requirements.  :)

After taking a break at an enormous tree house in the middle of the farm, and lettings the kids play for awhile, we finally found the one!

On our way home we stopped for ice cream. 

 It wasn't hot chocolate, but it was the start of a brand new tradition.  

{this pregnant girl's reality}

Let's face it, there are some girls that just look really cute when they're pregnant.  You know the type--everything else stays skinny, while they have this perfect little baby bump in the front.  They also have no swelling, no thickening of the ankles, their face stays the same size as it was before, and the day they have their baby they look like they're not even close to their due date. 

Now, I'm not saying this is a bad thing, nor do I hate them for it (although sometimes it's tempting).  I actually am very happy that some get to experience that.  I, however, am not so lucky.

Despite eating pretty healthy, sticking to a certain number of calories per day, running and exercising, I already look like I could have a baby next week.  It's true, folks.  No fishing for compliments here.  I started swelling when I hit 20 weeks, and my legs and ankles are already on their way to elephant status. (It probably has something to do with the fact that it is still 80 DEGREES here...in December?  It's just not right.) I definitely get a round baby bump, but I also thicken from top to bottom.  I've only gained about 14 pounds, but it feels like twice that.

I've gotten a lot of comments in the past from well meaning strangers (and sometimes NOT strangers) when it comes to how big I get--at least with my girls, and then the boys.  My favorite is "Are you having twins?".  I'm sure they didn't expect me to actually say yes, but I always could...until now.  Maybe I should just say yes anyway?  Ha.

So, don't be expecting any cute baby bump pictures from me anytime soon...the most you will get is this:

Only 15 more weeks to go...

{it's a girl!!!}

The week before Thanksgiving I had my gender ultrasound. Rick was out of town, so I went by myself, which was disappointing, because that's such a fun thing to do together.  However...my fabulous girlfriends and I were able to have a conference call during the u/s, and we all found out together that I'm having a GIRL!!!!  It was so wonderful to have them be a part of it, and made it extra special.  

 Needless to say, I'm thrilled.  :)   I really was just hoping everything was okay, and the baby was healthy, which sounds cliche I know, but it's true. But...if I'm honest, I have to admit it's what I was hoping for.  It would be so fun to have three little boys together, and I LOVE having boys, but I really wanted to experience another little girl. 

Plus, it makes it all nice and even, which makes me happy. :)  

I announced it to my kids that afternoon, with pink-filled cupcakes, and the news was received with mixed reviews.

My boys were disappointed. I was even asked if she could be traded for a boy, but that was said in the heat of the moment, lol.  The girls were thrilled, of course, because now the girls will be tied up with the boys.  That's important when you're six, you know.  No matter what, I think this little girl will have everyone wrapped right around her little finger the moment she's born!  

As for me, I can't wait for bows, flowers, bracelets, painted toes, dresses, and lots of pink.  It's funny, because when we were first married, I really wanted 5 boys--a basketball team.  I was such (and still am) such a tomboy--didn't really play with dolls, loved sports, and never really got too girly.  When I had the u/s when I found out that were having our girls, I asked them to check again.  Three times.  :)  Now I can't imagine it any other way, and once I had girls, I went CRAZY, lol.  If I had those 5 boys, I know I would love it just as much, but I'm glad that it all turned out how it did.   

Now it's on to names... 

{trunk-or-treat}

What a night!  Halloween is one of my favorite holidays, so I love as many nights to celebrate as possible!

We now have four wards in our church building, and not enough room for everyone to have their trunk-or-treats there, so we decided to move ours to a local park. The weather was actually perfect for the occasion. I was expecting it to be the typical 80 degrees, but this year, we were blessed with 65 degree temps, and lovely crisp, fall weather.  

It was a traditional chili and cornbread dinner, followed by lots and lots of trunks and candy.  We had planned to have a dance on the pavilion afterward, but unfortunately, the outlets didn't work, and we weren't able to.  It's on our list for next year, though!  There was a great turnout, the food was yummy, and despite a few wrinkles in the plan, it all went really well.

Now on to Halloween night!!!  

{go dynamo!}

I've played soccer pretty much my whole life--when I was young, into high school, and then on a club team in college.  It's definitely one of my favorite sports, even though I don't get a chance to play as often as I would like. Houston has a professional soccer team, and when our friends invited us to go with them, we jumped at the chance!  

I've been to plenty of college games of all kinds, and pro basketball games, but I've never been to a professional soccer game. It was SO SO fun!  

The crowd was wild, and the enormous stadium was full-it was the last game of the season, and would determine if they would go to the playoffs. We couldn't have asked for better weather, either. There was so much energy in the air, and everyone was dressed in orange--except us.  :)  Next time we go, I will definitely dress appropriately, lol. There is just something about attending a game in person--it's one of my favorite things ever.

We talked, laughed, ate ballpark food, and had a really great time--it was a perfect date night!  

{six}

I know I already spilled the beans on Facebook, but I can give more details here:)  

I have to admit, it still seems very surreal that I'm telling everyone we are having another baby.  If it wasn't for the ever expanding waistline, how SICK I was for three months, and the increasing fatigue, I think might be in complete denial. 

I NEVER thought I would be the one to have a surprise pregnancy--our history has just never provided me with the thought that it could or would occur. I'm feeling shocked and happy, but I'm saving the overwhelming part for after he/she is born. I'm sure it will come. It is truly mind boggling to me that I will have six kids, and that five of them will be six and under when the baby gets here. REALLY??? To think I had one child for almost eight years, and then to have five more in less years than that is crazy.  I'm living proof that you never know what your path is going to be, or why.

I'm a planner.  Those of you know me well know this to be true. I'm a Type A girl--I like things in order, and I like them to happen my way. I know, it might be unflattering, but it's the truth.  I had my whole life planned out, and you know, nothing happened the way I thought it would.  Instead of getting married after I finished medical school, and having kids a few more years down the line, I was 19 when I tied the knot. I didn't have the babies I wanted to have when I wanted to have them, and instead of children every few years, I as faced with the very long and difficult path of infertility and loss.  Those years were very dark, and I although I had faith that things would be as they were supposed to, it was still so hard to accept that something that was so right wasn't happening.

We don't always know why things happen in our lives, or why certain trials cross our path, but sometimes we are allowed a glimpse of the bigger picture.  My bigger picture now includes Kate, Emma, Jack, Henry, and this new baby, in addition to Ryan.  These children were supposed to come when they did, and I had to go through that difficult time in order for that to happen.  I can't even imagine any other family than the one I have now, it makes all those tears worth it.  How could I be anything but grateful for this miracle that has come into our lives, and that my plan wasn't the right plan?  God's plan is always right, even if we don't understand why. My struggles are going to be different now than they were before, but maybe all the chaos will do me good. :)  Controlled chaos.  Lol.

Everyone is excited.  We've asked all the kids if they think we should have a girl baby or a boy baby.  Emma is definitely for a girl, and when I asked her what would happen if it was a boy, she told me she would have to think about it. :)  Kate wants a girl, but is okay with a boy, too.  Jack and Henry insist on a boy, and so does Ryan, although I think a little girl would have him wrapped right around his little finger in about two seconds. We find out in about three weeks, and I can't wait to get started on the planning and preparation. Any predictions?

We have to make some major changes to rooms and bedrooms, and we have a list a mile long of things that need to be built and completed before the end of the year and busy season starts. I also got rid of everything baby related when we moved, so I guess I'll just HAVE to do some shopping. :)  At least we will still all fit in our Sequoia, because I really can't imagine myself driving a 15 passenger van.  ;)

I'm still running--slowly, but surely.  I had to take off during the time I was sick, and after three months, I've had to start almost from scratch.  Luckily it's come back pretty easily, but I'm definitely slower than I was before!  I've also been going in the mornings after the kids go to school, and pushing 100 pounds (most of it from Henry, lol) while running has given me even more of a workout! It just feels good to be up and doing something again, and since the weather is FINALLY cooling off, the mornings have been beautiful, and the perfect time to go. There is a half marathon in The Woodlands on March 2nd that I'm dying to run--I would be 37 weeks--think I could do it?  ;) 

I used to think people with six kids were crazy.  

I still do.  :)

{the girls & the fun run}

The girls' elementary school has an annual fun run each fall, where the whole school gets to participate in running as many laps as they can within a certain time frame.  Both Kate & Emma were SO excited to participate, and it was the talk of the town around our house for a couple of weeks before the big day.

On the day of the run, each class was given their own shirts--the same tee shirt, but decorated differently.  Emma's class handed out sunglasses and tied up the sleeves with ribbon, while Kate's class had tie-dyed shirts and matching hair ribbons.  

The boys and I went to watch, and it really was quite the event!  Music, announcers, lots of volunteers with water, and about a million parents.  The girls were totally into it, and I really enjoyed noticing their individual styles of running. They never cease to amaze me with just how different they are. Kate is super enthusiastic--running as fast as she can, until she has to walk for a few minutes before starting up again. She's really quick, and it's fun to watch her bursts of energy, and run so fast.  Emma on the other hand, is a machine.  She ran almost 40 laps (they are smaller laps, definitely not a regular track) without stopping...in her sunglasses!  Slow and steady wins the race is her approach--although she's not slow at all, just more methodical.  

They were both proud of their efforts, and I was proud of them, too!  It was a great day, and even though I had to stop 42 times to prevent Henry from ruining the cones (and throwing them into the middle of the track), I was so glad to be there.  

the lap count...it was marked each lap

Way to go, girls!

{pumpkin patch and the waterway}

I've been in mourning the past month.  I miss the changing leaves, crisp air, apple farms, pumpkin patches, cider mills, cider & donuts, and every part of fall. When I learned of a local Christmas tree farm that also had a pumpkin patch, I couldn't wait to go, and our family headed there last weekend.

It's definitely the first time we went to a pumpkin patch in shorts, tee shirts, and flip flops, but it turned out to be a beautiful day, and not too hot, which was really nice. The kids did a few activities, and then we took a hayride around the property.  It's also a Christmas tree farm, and it was so fun to see the rows of trees along our ride, and see which ones we like best.  We'll be back in just over a month to cut one down...

It's so interesting to watch my kids pick out their respective pumpkins.  Some choose quickly--the first one that they see and looks acceptable.  Others go for a certain size or shape, and then there is the one that likes to take their time. REALLY take their time.  :) Sometimes you just to have find that perfect pumpkin!  

After we left, we stopped for lunch at one of our favorite burger stops, then headed to Waterway Square to splash in the fountains.  Yes--warm enough to still play in the water! 

So, no changing leaves or crisp air, but still a really fun day full of pumpkins, water, and my cute family!  

{the many faces of kate}

Miss Kate got a hold of my camera, and I could not stop laughing when I downloaded my pictures and found these...

She kills me.  LOVE this girl!!!

{ANOTHER catch-up post}

Geesh.  It seems like all I'm doing is catch-up posts!!!  This time it's been even longer since I posted, but I'm determined to get back into my regular routine of posting.  

Here's what's been going on in our neck of the woods...

{My parents came to see us for a week while Rick and I were on separate business trips. We had so much fun during their first visit to Texas!!  I had a great time in Michigan on a trip with The Home Depot, and even though it was a busy schedule and I was only there for 24 hours, my besties all came up to see me!  It was FABULOUS!!! Oh, and here's a picture of me with the CEO of The Home Depot...it's our family's favorite store!}

{Justin and Erica came to see us for a couple of days, and it was WONDERFUL! My only complaint is that it went too quickly.  We ate, and ate, and ATE.  We know they love us, because they left their kids, to stay with us and our crazy kids!}

{We're still trying to stay cool, although the other night it actually got into the 60's...for like an hour. Lol.  I had to laugh a few weeks ago (only so I wouldn't cry), when everyone here started talking about a "cold front".  I was SO excited, because in my mind, that meant at least 70 degree temperatures.  Oh no.  It meant only 89-92 degrees, as opposed to the 100+ we had been getting.  Apparently by Halloween we should be getting ACTUAL cooler temps, and this girl can't wait!!!}

Keeping cool...

{I really think Henry might be the death of me.  His first trip to the ER was within two months of us moving in, and when the nurse was checking us in, she noticed the big scar across his forehead, and asked if he was going to be a repeat offender.  :)  He just doesn't understand his own strength or size, and it's proved to be his downfall.  He decided to launch himself off the half wall in our dining room, and try to make it to the couch in the family room.  He didn't quite make it, and his face slammed into the back of the couch--into the frame.  His teeth were pushed back in, his mouth was a mess, and he was close to a concussion.  After the ER, we also had a trip to the pediatric dentist.  I had just taken my camera out to charge the battery, so I don't have any pictures, but maybe that's a good thing. 

We do have latched on all of our doors, and the pantries.  That doesn't stop him!  He just finds a stool, drags it over, undoes the latch, and helps himself to say...a whole box of fruit snacks.  The family size.  The fridge is another issue.  He loves milk, and drinks almost a gallon a day all by himself.  He figures, why bother with

a cup, when I can just drink out of the jug?  He can grab even a full gallon and drink from it, much to my dismay, and all the other girls in our family.  The boys on the other hand, think it's cool.  There is now boy milk, and girl milk.  :)}

{Can I tell you what A PAIN it is to get a new driver's license and new registration?  We're talking different locations for both (can't get them at the time place, that would be WAY too convenient), car inspections, and hours of waiting.  The hours of waiting even comes after driving 45 minutes to a smaller town so that the line isn't quite as long.  So you can avoid a line that starts at 6am for a 9am opening.  Oh yes, fun times. There's a reason that I put it off so long!}

{Rick finally found a car, after a month of searching.  It was mostly delayed because he was traveling so much, but it was a huge pain to taking him to work then picking him up again.  He loves it, and I just love that he has one!  The kids still dubbed it the "speeder car", and I think no matter what car he has, it's going to have that name! }

{I have new respect for those that serve in the Primary Presidency.  I was called a week after we moved in, and a week after the brand new ward was established. I was also put in charge of the Primary Program, and we only had a couple of months to really pull it together.  I thought writing it would be the hard part, but Sunday was our first practice, and I changed my mind..  I really should not have worn heels.  Especially the highest heels I own.  Not wedges mind you, pointy heels.  Running around the stage, trying to maneuver up and down steps, around 90 children (yes, that doesn't include nursery, and that's right after the split)..I was in a full sweat by the time we were finished.  The reward will come, I know, and the kids are so sweet, by holy moly, I felt like I had just run 5 miles!!! Ballet flats are definitely being worn the next couple of weeks!}

I know there's more, but that's all I can write for now.  I'm really going to get my act in gear and focus on writing more on here--I know I will regret it if I don't!!