Laila's birthday Pics

I'm trying to choose which 2 pics for a layout, and my email to my sister kept kicking back to me, so this was my next idea - post them on my blog - and have her choose here - so Bec, which two??

Remember I'm finding Joy in my Journey??

While laying in bed this morning after losing my breakfast - which has become a common occurance, Josh found this great idea - it's a yak bag for on the go! Here's a photo demo:



Can you imagine opening what looks like a lunch pail and finding well an ABC lunch??

I guess someone's thought of everything. I find plastic shopping bags layered work best.

Anyway, it's the last baby, so I will smile my way through, a few extra trips to the toilet.

My official OB appt, was rescheduled for Aug. 6th, so maybe I'll get a due date then!

It's a Job and a miracle.

I think we can pretty much say, that yes, we have a job. Josh should begin in a couple of weeks. We are truly blessed. It's a phenomenal offer, we're pleased, the job is an EXCELLENT opportunity for Josh. You know I have no idea what he does, but he's excited, and I am too.

He'll be working in the DC area, which is a nightmare commute for right now. Doable, but as the housing market has taken a tumble. It kind of looks like we'll have to linger a little longer. :)

Either way, we have insurance to take care of baby and siblings, oh and mom and dad, too. Money to pay our student loans, and the most important thing the opportunity to do THIS FOR SOMEONE ELSE.

For those of you that have prayed, fasted, and even just in your mind had a hope for us, could you do one more thing for us? Pay forward some goodness, and see what happens to you.

things that make you go hmmm.

We did have a showing, they did want MORE privacy. boo. The realtor was very pleased with the property though, I guess that is good.

We were given an official offer for a job yesterday, they're sending the written contract early next week. We now know at least someone is willing to hire us. He He.
No, we got the offer yesterday, but we're still holding out for another job that we are kind of liking. Anyway, we should have SOMETHING by the 1st of August. Sigh.

Service worth Giving.

There's an amazing organization out there called Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep. A photography program for families that lose a little one as early as 25 weeks gestation to 12 months of age(around this time frame). I've known family, friends, and recently a few strangers that have lost a little one, and when I came across the site, I wished I was able to help. So how could I help? I can spread the word. If you know a professional photographer, or graphic artist (sometimes the pictures need delicate retouching), Have them come visit this site and see if they can help, you can also donate funds, to help the organization run. Visiting the website is an unbelievable experience. Maybe there's something you can do to help.

Thanks.

Updates

JOBThere's a job we're up for that progressed a little more today. It's a HUGE move, so we're curious to see if it's what we do, several more interviews this week. We're keeping our fingers crossed for a decision, soon.
HOUSE
We had a realtor call last night for a showing.... and we are DEFINITELY keeping our fingers crossed for this one. We've always said, once someone sees this house, they're going to love it, we just have to get them through the door!!
The showing is Wednesday, wish us more luck. We just don't fit here anymore. Even if we stayed in this area, with number four working we need a tad bigger.

Then I had to say Good-Bye to one of me bestest friends ever. I've had three friends leave me in a span of 2 weeks. Seriously. My life is so hard right now, and then to make matters worse my support systems are moving to Colorado, Georgia, and Arizona, I might as well go jump in a lake. We love the military. Why? Our amazing friends. Sonia, you left me the sweetest message, and I just couldn't call you back, I've been weepy all night. You know I love you, and we'll see you soon.

Did I mention that this is the friend that I decorated her pew for her birthday at church?? Only a few saw it, but it was so worth it. I know, don't be standing next to me during the Second Coming.

Anyway, as I was wallowing in self-pity today. A sweet sister from the ward called and asked if she could bring me dinner. After Colson announced in primary that I was pregnant a few more people took note, I guess. Anyway, she said she always promised to take care of women with morning sickness. Well, as I've yakked a bit this week, I welcomed it. She truly made me feel like Heavenly Father knew me, and my sorrows, as my dear friends are leaving. She probably has no idea the blessing it was to me, more than just the food, and the ginger ale!!, she truly was inspired. Thank you Tami!! She's not even military! See, there's great people everywhere!!

And finally I'm taking on Lori's challenge of reading the Book of Mormon in 30 days. I did it once in College, and it was in august, so it makes perfect sense. So, if I'm not blogging, it's because I'm reading. If you need a pick me up - give it a whirl, who knows the change it could have on you!

Again we thank you all for your prayers and support. We do feel them. I am sure that the job Heavenly Father wants Josh to do is being prepared specifically for him. We feel Satan working on us as we are struggling to keep our Faith in line. I had a friend inspire me today and I recalled a line from Josh's Patriarchal Blessing. I had forgotten about it, but needless to say, it lifted my spirits as I realized the Lord is truly clearing a pathway to Josh's important role, in his life's work. Now if only I can remember this when we're feeling discouraged!!

Anyway, we hope to have some "real" news soon.

Memories...

Ok... I'm a totally copy cat... I've seen this on a couple of my friends blogs and I thought it would be fun to play... (I even copied this line from my friend MaryRuth)

1. As a comment on my blog, leave a memory that you and I have together. It doesn't matter if you know me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see what memories people have of you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses.

I would love to hear what you guys remember about me! Remember keep it clean. I have fully repented of all transgressions!

Good Week!

Well, as life would have it, we've gone from a bum, scary, depressing week, to one great week. Several job interviews, a couple great prospects, some interest in the house, and we've got more work accomplished on the house, our basement is looking great! Nothing like a little prayer, and much more faith to get you in the right mindset! I read parts of Standing For Something by Gordon B. Hinckley - One paragraph later, and I was working with faith in mind!

"If there is any one thing that you and I need, to help us find success and fulfillment in this world, it is faith--that dynamic, powerful, marvelous element by which, as Paul declared, the very worlds were framed. I refer not to some ethereal concept but to a practical, pragmatic, working faith--the kind of faith that moves us to get on our knees and plead with the Lord for guidance, and then, having a measure of divine confidence, get on our feet and go to work to help bring the desired results to pass. Such faith is an asset beyond compare. Such faith is, when all is said and done, our only genuine and lasting hope."

I literally got up, knelt and prayed, and then went to work. Josh, too, is implementing this principle, and here we are, a week later, with a lot accomplished, truly believing all will work out.

So need a good read - Standing for Something - 10 neglected virtues that will heal our hearts and homes, give this one a whirl.

Baby Surprise.

Well as most of you have figured out baby number four is on its way.

Many of you have congratulated us, and commented on how brave I am. Well at first, I was thinking to myself, I'm not brave, I'm foolish. All I had done up to this point was, well, be irresponsible, and enjoy some fun with Josh, he he. No, really, I was NOT excited about this development. I was crying. I was screaming, I was frustrated, and well down right annoyed with myself. This is the truth, the raw emotions. We have no job, we have a mortgage, and now we have a pregnancy. What on earth! I truly could not understand what Heavenly Father wanted us to do. His plan for us is never the plan we have for ourselves. But, I finally this morning was able to come to the place where this baby is something truly to look forward to. He/She will complete our family, another blessing headed our way. What was the changing point for me? Well I tried to figure out my due date... it's February, I think I'm only 8 weeks - BUT, this is what's happening right now:

The crown to rump length of your baby is .56 - .8 inch now. So many things are changing in your baby every day now. If you could look at your baby closely, you'd see the tip of his nose and the eyelids developing, ears are forming as well. The heart and lungs are continuing to develop and now the bronchi (the tubes that lead to the the lungs from the trachea) are starting to branch out. Arms are growing longer and baby now has elbows!!! All this just 6 weeks after conception!!

When I read that the baby had eyelids, I couldn't believe it, after the fourth pregnancy I really should know this!

So here we go on another Heath adventure, aren't you on the edge of your seat to see what happens next? We sure are!!

I wish I had some news on the job front, well we kind of do, but we're not mentioning it quite yet. We'll just let you know when a job is confirmed! Thanks so much for those that have prayed and fasted for us. We truly feel the boost.

And thanks for all the well wishes for baby. I am finally grasping the idea!

Relaxation, Sort Of

Josh and I went a couple weekends ago, away to a Bed and Breakfast for a culinary weekend. I was so excited for my perfect gift. Many things were right with the weekend, the weather, no kids, but the place, sort of a letdown. No real planning on their part, I won't go into details. Anyway, I let her know that I was disappointed and she was sorry and blamed a million other people. Then we went through this email exchange, and I thought we had come to an agreement that was fair. Well last night Josh and I received a phone call from the Innkeeper. Full on yelling at Josh, about how we put a review in 10 different places online, and she's had all these cancelations, etc. It wasn't even us?!? She was CRAZY!! Have you ever heard of a business owner calling you at home after you checked out, and yell at you?? I mean really, it was unbelievable. Oh well, we did have a pretty nice time. We enjoyed an afternoon on a hammock, which was way cool, and stay away from the Hideaway Inn in Bucyrus, OH. Wowsers.

Oh and some of my buddies do a QotD - from their kids, how about this from Hallie:

"Mommy, I can turn ice into water! That's my SUPER POWER!"

One Year Ago Today.

I was still pregnant at this time a year ago but stuff had started happening. Anyway, Contractions had started, very sporadic, we went to church, I had a contraction in church during sacrament that brought tears to my eyes. I still bore my testimony about prayer! We skipped out a few minutes early, went for a walk with my neighbor Angel, definite ouchie contractions, but still not regular. I decided to go ahead and go to the hospital, we were closing on our house the next day so I just wanted to make sure we weren't having the baby. We definitely were. Linds came over took my kids for the evening, I think spent the night at our house. Arrived at the hospital about a quarter to six. I walked myself up, joked with the nurses, told them I was headed home, but to check me anyway. (I didn't even have Josh bring up the overnight bag) Um. I was at a five and I was staying. Things progressed quickly from there, from no regular contractions to, 2 and half hours later, A GIRL, had arrived. We were so sure it was a boy, what a fun surprise!!

Laila is my only o' natural baby. I had a tylenol for a headache when I first got there, but that was it. There was some screaming, no swearing if you can believe it! I did black out once from the pain, it was quick but, I still remember briefly losing consciousness. SCARY. Anyway, I knew I wanted to do it, just to be able to say I did it(plus my two sisters had both done it), and of course I truly thought my recovery would be better, as would the baby's. I was right. I felt like super woman after Laila arrived. I remember saying over and over again, I can't believe I just did that, I can't believe I just did that. Josh was amazing, truly present. Considering he was noticably absent the last time. We waited the longest for Laila, we were both there, and it was such a great experience. Believe it or not, natural is the plan next time, too.

It's been a crazy year, but Laila is our stress relief. She is THE PERFECT baby. So gentle, sweet, fun, we love her calming presence. We're a little concerned with her lack of mobility, however, we think she's just so laid back that she could care less! We'll be talking with our doctor next week.

Tonight it's a menu of mushy food she gets to enjoy, and her first birthday cake was free!! SCORE!! We love you miss Laila and hoping for many more!!

The pictures are from my blog, at each month milestone.
















1