Fathers

I have always loved father's day. I love it because I have a great dad. My dad played a pivital role in my life. I have SUCH fond memories of my childhood with me and him. Its amazing how he made time for me and for all my brothers. I always felt like a princess. I always knew I was loved. Our ward had a daddy/daughter dinner once and they took pictures of it and I am absolutely BEAMING in that picture. I need to find a copy and scan it, because I love it. My dad is so charismatic and most people seem to like him and enjoy his personality.

Right after we moved here, my dad's aunt, Emma Lou Meeks was in the nursing home, and we'd go visit her almost every Sunday evening. This is one of many ways I learned service, was through his great example. He tenderly and very patiently talk to her and asked her questions about her past and about his mom (her sister) who I never met. I've learned so many other life lessons through him. Henry B. Eyring said love is spelled T-I-M-E. SO true. This is how I knew I was loved. Thanks dad for being the kind of dad you were to me.

Now I do have another reason to celebrate father's day, and that is because of my great husband. The kids and I made a list of reasons they love him today. Kandace's 1st answer was "Because he loves me." Stetson said things like "because he plays tic-tac-toe with me." Kandace also said she loves her daddy because he takes her to primary. I love their daddy because he is such a great dad. So hands on. He does all the same things I do for them. Michael's brother spoke in our sacrament today and said some touching things about Michael's great dad, Stan. This is a WONDERFUL man. I could not ask for a better father in-law or grandpa for my kids. He is patient, soft spoken, hard working, non-judgmental and so much more. One of my favorite things Christian said was how their dad taught them to be honest. Cows were always getting out and the brothers would joke about keeping them because the cows spent more time in their field than in the actual owner's field, but they knew their dad was honest and expected the same from them. I am grateful for Michael's dad because I know Michael will be the same kind of dad his dad was, and that means the world to me.

So sweet

And I'm not talking about the strawberries, which are very delicious. But here's what I want to remember about this day. I came home from Stetson's swimming lessons about 10:45 and Michael said "Look in the fridge, there's a surprise for you." And I found these little beauties. I've mentioned before how Michael is an avid gardener and is much more dilligent/knowledgeable about it than me. He's been fertilizing and weeding our strawberry patch for months and we're getting a great harvest so far this year, but eating them is much more fun than picking them, (unless you're Kandace, she picks/eats anything that slightly resembles fruit) so Michael went out today and picked all these strawberries just for me. He even told me not to let the kids have any of them. Ha. I am grateful for a thoughtful husband. Sort of reminds me of another incident with berries close to my heart.

In other news, Stetson has just 3 more days of swimming and he is doing awesome. Maybe he'll even pass out of toddler level!! Our pretty girl Kandace is as delighful as ever. She loves to go swimming, eat fruit, read "storybooks" and give hugs and kisses.

We're only a couple weeks from our new baby and I haven't done a THING to prepare. (Michael did buy some newborn diapers the other day). I'm so excited to have my body back and to have a sweet baby in my arms. How lucky I am.

Last night we went to Carson's tball game and then to Jill & Christian's for a killer bbq. It was awesome! We love having family close by so we can go party with them. Jill will post cute pics of it I'm sure. I'm getting lazy in picture taking.

37 weeks

Well here I am. I've been putting this off until I thought I looked cute, but lets just face it, I'm not looking so cute these days, but I want my babies to see these pics later down the road and its fun to look back and see.

At 37 weeks I am VERY uncomfortable! :) I'm having to get up to potty multiple times each night, and turning from side to side is getting to be quite a chore, but I'm still sleeping pretty good. I'm feeling lots of pressure below my belly when I try to walk around (which creates the constant urge to go) and my hips feel like they might just bust any moment, BUT I am undescribably excited that we are at this point. I feel like the luckiest woman alive to be so close to meeting this sweet baby. Seeing/holding Matthew & Charlene's little bundle makes me really excited. I still have 3ish weeks left and we're counting down the days (literally). Post to come with that later.