it's been almost 3 years since....

It's been almost 3 years since this little guy came into my life....I cannot wait for it to happen once again.  I was just browsing through some pictures and found this beautiful one of James at a week old.  I am so very excited to be approaching this point once again.  It's crazy how quick these early moments pass, but it also seems like yesterday that he was this little and sweet.  (James is still kinda little, but the sweetness has been replaced by a crazy monkey man!)

Yesterday, I had an ultrasound at 35 weeks and came home feeling so happy about this new little guy, lets call him Henry for funzies.....okay that's probably his name, I'm just trying it on for size.  Henry has been trying to make his appearance into this world a little too early.  We only have 6 more days to go buddy until daddy can be here to witness your birth.....SO STAY PUT WOULD YA!!!

James' violin debut

          I swore after Thomas started violin lessons that we were done!  I concluded that James would be perfectly fine learning the piano, after all, we need a pianist in the house and the violin is very difficult to learn (mostly mom is tired!).  But after he discovered our smallest violin and declared, "MINE VIOLIN MOMMY," and "MINE TURN PRACTICE MOMMY!" how can mommy say NO???  He packs that thing around with him all day long in its case, and when the older kids get home from school and start practicing their instruments, he breaks it out with a mischievous smile on his wee little face.  At 2 1/2 years old, he is a very diligent practicer....sure is sounds a lot like wild pack of screeching monkeys has invaded my living room, but the sound will come with time....a lot of time.....(heaven help me!)

How can I say "No" to that face??  Tell me.

Clarissa was in the background giving him some sound violin advice.  Mostly statements like, "James, don't bash the violin into the china hutch," and "James, stop spitting on the violin buddy!"

Serious cuteness!

His form is a little rough, but he gets the general idea!

Baby & Germany

I'm having a baby boy AND moving to Germany all in the same month....just a little bit nutty!  I am still optimistic that this kid can hang on until daddy can attend his birth.  My sister is back-up #1 if he is not avaliable, and I have considered hiring a doula for back-up #2 if Laura poops out on me....you better not Laura!

4 days down......36 to go.

Never in my life did I forsee this situation for myself.....but here we are and I am determined to make it through the next month with nothing but HAPPY memories.  I refuse to look back on this whole ordeal with any bitterness.....that was the old me. 

So here I go.....with many helpers to see me through!  Mom and Dad Palfreyman, you two are just amazing.  Rick and Sarah, likewise.  Mom, you know I couldn't have scrubbed those toilets without you today!  Relief Society of my ward....seriouly, my kids would be eating nothing but cold ceral without your compassionate service. 

Good thing I have this little guy to make me smile and laugh ALL DAY!  What a ray of sunshine he is to me!

one year ago.....

It has been an entire year since the last time I even felt like posting something on here. Maybe it's because I never feel like I have anything interesting to share, or maybe because I don't want to share my life online.....I thinks its the former. (and maybe a little laziness on my part!

I just want to share some good news....baby #5 is coming sometime in the spring.....my guess is 2nd week of April. (i am due the 5th of May, but come on! When have I ever had a baby near it's due date???) I am finally feeling excited about another sweet squishy baby at home, and I feel the need to share the news! It took me about 3 months to figure out that this is a good thing. Don't get me wrong, I love being a mommy, but 5.....count them 1,2,3,4,5 kids!!! I felt completely overwhelmed by the idea. Now I am feeling just plain thankful. Thankful that I can have babies, thankful for my healthy body, thankful for a hubby that cares. I am so thankful for this new baby.....even if it happens to be another boy (that would make 4 boys and 1 girl....Clarissa is hoping and praying for a sister!). We will find out the day before Thanksgiving, so maybe I will feel like blogging again, very soon!

on another note.....Rick and I do make the cutest little boys!!!!

Heritage...

I have been spending all of the few precious moments I have to myself, on blogging. I took it upon myself to get a blog started for the private school that my kids attend in Garland. I think that it is a pretty amazing place, and I think others really need to see how wonderful it truly is. Check us out a www.heritagefoundationschool.blogspot.com !! It is still in the early stages of develpement, but I hope by Christmas to have it in full swing. I invite you to follow the blog and leave comments too! Hopefully I can get the website updated as well www.heritagefoundationschool.org GOOD TIMES!!!!!

Family Foto Shoot

At last.....we broke down and had a little family photo shoot. I think the results speak for themselves! My sis Laura is the photographer extraordinaire. She brought us to this very exclusive area (AKA TRENTON) and we found some really great spots to take pictures right across the street from my Mothers house!! Clarissa is very photogenic!

I love this picture of my CRAZY boys! Tomas and Sam

JAMES!!!!!!

I LOVE this picture...it shows their true personalities...

This is how we are most days!!!

Cool barn!

Me and my Sissa!!!

I wish you could see James in this picture...

. We are a happy family......most of the time!!!!!!!!!!

Fall

No, pictures yet...don't ask!

So onto the post. If you really give a hoot about what I've been up to lately, then obviously you will read on....but I warn you....It might get slightly boring, and dare I say, serious! Okay, not serious, because its Anna, and the day I write a completely serious blog is the day that rats fly.

Okay, I really think I've lost something of great importance to me...I have completely lost my mind! not that I really have ever used it to it's full potential in the past...but I'd still like it back regardless. So here's my life:

Monday....wake up at 6:30 (try to get somewhat ready and awake in 10 minutes so I can arise the rest of the household, make lunch and find socks for Thomas and Sam) 6:40...2 older kids up and ready in 30 minutes (so they can practice violin and cello before school. 7:00 the 2 little girls I am watching arrive and join us in the festivities of the morning. 7:00 again....I wake up Thomas while James waits about 10 minutes to wake up...he usually is disturbed by all of the string instruments in the house. 7:55...by this time I have fed all children...dressed all children...have all children in mini van....pick up neighbor boy....and off to school....we race the bus because if we get stuck behind it, we are LATE for school. 8:15....school starts for my three oldest kids. 8:20 to 11:30....entertain 3 small children while doing various household chores. 11:00 early lunch for my babysitting girls. 11:30 pick up Thomas 12:00 drop off Miriam at Kindergarten 12:10....eat lunch AGAIN and 1:00... practice violin with Thomas (James takes a nap somewhere in here) 1:30 Lilly naps 1:30 to 3:00....I play a never ending round of chess with Thomas(he is 4 years old) 3:10 All kids are home...Some will go to music or dance lessons after this 3:45 Lilly goes home 4:00 I make a dinner of meats or pasta or cereal (only if I haven't taken the aforementioned children to their various lessons.) 4:30...Rick is home, and we eat! 7:00 scriptures and bedtime 7:30....kids are NEVER asleep by this time, but I wish they were 8:00....Some of the kids might be asleep. 9:00 All kids are asleep and I have CRASHED!

Tuesday.....repeat Mondays routine, but add in an early morning Cello lesson and teaching dance in the afternoon! Oh Geesh

Wednesday....repeat Monday....Clarissa has dance this day

Thursday....repeat Monday.....I get to attend my Principals of Freedom class this night! It's my favorite night!

Friday....repeat Monday, but no school for my kiddos! Friday is a good day! Thomas and Clarissa have violin in the afternoon!

As you can plainly see.....I have lost my mind, if you find it, please let me know!