6 weeks 3 days. :)

Are we really going to survive the next few weeks? Somehow it really doesn't seem like it- Even though I know we will. :) I think our family is FINALLY a fully insured family again. We got the sad news this week however that my hospital visit from a few weeks ago, and my glucose test for my pregnancy will not be covered by insurance. That has been a bit of a shock. I don't know how people can afford NOT to have insurance. It sure does feel great to know that we are all covered again- even though we do have a deductible to meet in the next month or so. Money can be such a headache. I'm sure it is to everyone to a degree- even when it's not tight.

We have a few Halloween parties this weekend, and I'm excited to see our sweet little ones in thier costumes. Josh is super busy with homework, so it may be the kids and myself at the parties. But I'm excited. :) Our little girl is going to have a sleep-over with her loving Aunt tonight. She has been talking about her sleeping bag and all that they are going to do all day! So fun to see the pure joy a child can have.

We are in no way ready for our new baby boy to come. We need to bring our swing, and bassinet back from storage, and go through all the baby clothes to see what we need to buy. Our first boy was born in July, so I'm afraid most of his clothes will be off seasons for our new one. However as long as we have sleepers and some good blankets and diapers, this new baby will be well provided for. I'm getting a bit anxious about how I'm going to handle 3 kids, but I'm very excited for my back to feel better and to be able to pick up my older children and give them big hugs without worrying about the baby being squished in my tummy. Oh yes, and rolling over in bed without thinking how much effort it takes!! I think I must be nuts to be ready for the sleep exhaustion stage- but I think I'm almost there. (Until it happens... then I'll be wishing for the days of being an uncomfortable pregnant lady again!!- there is no winning, or perhaps I should be enjoying each stage for it's lovely things.)

Well I'm rambling, and need to call and see if Josh is almost ready for us to pick him up from work. Happy Friday before Halloween.

Last Wednesday, one of my cousins and her little family came to stay the night at our place! It was a delight to see them, and our kids really enjoyed playing together. My little girl even enjoyed waking up at 4:30 am to use the potty, and then stare at them until she was invited to lay down with her little cousin- I guess she did actually sleep out there for a bit! I was just suprised to come out of our room in the morning and do a double-take because I saw her in our living room with our guests. Little kids really do know how to make the most fun of everything- she woke up telling me that she just had to sleep out where her friends were. :) Thursday morning we all woke up and headed to work(Josh), to Grandma's office (my kids), and down to the Salt Lake Temple for another cousins wedding (my cousins family and myself.) The wedding was beautiful- and so peaceful. I am still working on figuring out some scheduled 'me time'. And this break or 'me time' was a much needed one. After the wedding I even got to go to Olive Garden for the luncheon- without my kids! I was getting a bit lonely for them by the time I picked them up. A very healthy feeling that I need to feel more often!!

Saturday we had our little girl's first swimming lesson. This was a gift given to her for her 3rd birthday, and she didn't completely understand what it was till we got to the pool. She had a lovely time hanging out with Daddy and getting comfortable in the water. In the toddler/parent class that is basically all they do it blow bubbles, and get used to things. (Which she is already comfortable doing)- but Josh agreed it's great to have some scheduled time to spend with his little girl. Perhaps we each need to do something similar so we get some quality time with him. ;)

This week Josh has been left to run the warehouse without most of the company. The rest of the company is at a Tradeshow in Las Vegas. He was excited for the responsibilty- and we're hoping the tradeshow goes great for the company!! (And that things go smoothly the rest of this week!!) Maybe he'll even be able to come home on time a day or two to get caught up on some of his homework.

Hello to our friends in Egypt. :)

We had a special request from some dear friends who are currently residing in Egypt. They asked for some pics of the beautiful fall leaves so, here is round one. We went up Big Cottonwood canyon weekend before last, and I think we were a bit early. So we took a drive up Butterfield Canyon on the West side of the valley yesterday, and they were much more colorful. I unfortunatly left the camera in the car, and haven't uploaded them yet, so these ones will have to do for now.

We had the opportunity to spend some time with my family this weekend, and our little girl had a ball playing with all of her cousins. She's a bit younger than most of them, and I don't think she knew how to handle being the 'runt' of the group. She came crying to us 3 times in less than an hour because the swings had somehow hurt her. She is at an interesting stage of development because she's very emotional in a non- two year old way. She tears up at little things- kinda breaks my heart. We do still have the occasional melt down, but it's been fun for us to all grow together and we are all trying to handle things the best we can.

My little boy has been especially upset with things lately. He's the calmest happiest little guy- for the most part. It must be hard for him not to be able to communicate his needs. And my little stinker still isn't walking!! We'll keep working on him. I wish you could all see how fast he crawls- I really am hoping that's the only issue is that it is much easier/faster to crawl than it is to walk. Speaking of which, he is calling for me. So I better get going.

Happy October!!