William's BIG day!

Today our Mr. William turned FOUR YEARS OLD!! We love you, big boy! Have a good one!

You may have already guessed...SHE'S HERE!

Well, better late than never? :)

Sarah Joy was born a week ago, and our lives have been a complete blur. Larry, the other kids, and my mom have had horrible colds ever since we got home from the hospital, so I am the only one who gets to hold and cuddle our little angel. Angel #2 (my mom) is exactly that--a total blessing in our home right now! She gets the kids up in the morning, feeds us every meal, cleans the dishes, does the laundry, helps Hadland with his homework--the list goes on and on. My sister Laurel, who had twins in July, has let me know that Mom is only here on loan, and that she is counting down the minutes until she returns to her and the boys (so they can resume the royal treatment). How did we score on getting such a great mom?

Sarah was born last Thursday, Oct. 12, at 5:40 p.m. MDT, weighing in at a whopping 8 lbs., 15 oz. and 20 inches long. When she was born, I was struck with how much she looked like William (complete with the big lips). As I look at her these days, she is looking more and more like Lauren. She's a good eater, and a pretty good sleeper. She likes to be held (but who doesn't?), and she is wrapping us around her long but little fingers. We just adore her, and I can't wait until everyone is better so that they can cuddle her as much as I have. We are truly blessed--these little ones come from Heavenly Father to help us understand how much He loves us and trusts us and desires for us to return to Him as families. Every time a baby is born, I feel a greater desire to achieve that goal and be with my family forever.

I am really going to get some pictures on here, so keep posted!

No news yet...

Well, I have never considered myself a patient person. After waiting (and waiting and waiting) for this baby to come, I have finally decided to be induced tomorrow. I'm still where I was last week dilation- and effacement-wise, and I am surprised that she hasn't made an appearance. However, my mom just flew in yesterday, so time is of the essence. I was hoping that I would go last night, but who was I kidding? I hope this does not bode well for "prima donna" behaviors throughout this girl's life. Already trying to "make an entrance"? Are we in trouble here? Lauren was such a mellow girl that I have been hoping for a carbon copy of her. I can dream! Kristin told me yesterday that she wished for me a "mild child" so that my pattern could be wild-wild-mild-mild. Oh, how I agree with her!

We'll give you more particulars as time goes on (and on and on)...

Any time now...

Well, I am about 4 cm dilated and 80% effaced (sorry if that is share overload!), so we could have a new baby any day now. However, now that I've said that, she'll probably be late! :)

Our little nest is pretty well feathered, and we even have our own apple tree in the back yard. Cool, huh?!

Now that my computer is set up, I will send an email soon with our new address. I promise!

We'll let you know of anything exciting happening around here...