so says he...

My little carter has been crack'n me up lately. I am sure most of these are "you had to of been there moments"...but I must write them down for my sake.

Cedar prayer "please bless the baby in mom's belly that he will come out safely and so we can name him bob the builder. Please bless my brother and my girls".

Cedar's Prayer "please bless the baby can come out of my mom's belly and I can teach him to run real fast".

Cedar laughing, while listening to the song "I just died in your arms tonight".....

"Mom, did you hear that? the song said I just died in your arm tonight. How can he fit into your arm and die? That's funny". as he points to his forearm!

Cedar 2 nights ago while reading a book to him

"MOM, you have a cute smile".

talk about melt your heart!

Mr. Gymnast

As of this morning...little Boy Hallows ducked his chin and put his head back to where it needs to be.
I was so happy to get the news from the dr. that we have a head down baby, again.

If he will only stay in place for a few more weeks!

IF ONLY!

Pioneer Day

Yesterday I got a call that kind of sent me into tears...simply from the reality point of view and the fact that HE IS COMING.
I look at my baby counter on the left hand side of this blog and my calendar and it says 19 days left....but when My phone rang and it was the doctors office announcing the date of my schedule c-section it just about knocked me off my chair.

THEM: "Hello rennie, This is the scheduling office at blah blah blah's office, we have your c-section scheduled for JULY 24th...more info will be given to you over the next week, but that is the estimated date of surgery".

ME: "Stutter something, stutter something else and finally say OKAY"

That's only 14 days away!

There is a lot to do in 14 days!
YIKES and GadZooks

I am Still planning on having this baby boy do a large flip and all together pass on the belly being sliced open.

What a Breech!!!

Yesterday at my weekly doctors appointment I found out that little boy Hallows wants to be BREECH....just like his older bro was. I am not impressed!

I have to say I am slightly, okay really disappointed in the fact that I may not get to experience a vag childbirth again. I know that sounds strange, but seriously I enjoy them so much more than c-section. I had my 2 girls regular..then c-section then my last baby was again normal...NOw the 5th and final baby might be again...c-section! (BIG UGH!!)

Just 2 days ago I felt the babies back, bum and head on the right side of my tummy and then yesterday...everything was backwards. Big BUMMER!

I had a strange feeling when I went into the doctors office this time that I might hear something like that. Maybe, just maybe when I thought it and put it out in the universe it came back to bite me. So now all I have to do is undo the universes decisions and turn that baby back. My doctor suggested I see the doctor that could perform the great "turning of the baby". But after the consultation neither one of us (dr and myself) were too thrilled with the try. So we ruled that out!

However, I did get an ultrasound yesterday that helped my uneasiness with how the baby was growing and looking. Baby boy is measuring around 7.5 pounds right now and looks great! In fact while the ultra sound was being done we could see the babies chest moving up and down and little bubbles coming from his nose and mouth. So cute!

Anyhow...over the next few weeks we should know how he will be entering the world...I will keep you posted.
I am just praying for no more Breeches!!
(if you catch my drift!)

July 4th in a nutshell!

We had a great time over the 4th of July weekend....

Our 4th of July celebrations started early that week with a quick drive to Lordsburg, New Mexico for some fireworks for the boys ranch. We took our time with the drive, had lunch, bought the annual arsenal of fireworks and then headed home. Luke did a great job in picking the most perfect and beautiful ones...it was so much fun to watch them with our small 40+ audience on the Ranch.

We spent the 3rd of July swimming and playing with the family and waiting for friends to come stay.

Our July 4th was all about eating, swimming, napping and then a trip to ARivaca for the Boys Ranch's firework show! All that the 4th of July should be about!

One of the many pit stops the pregnant mama had to make!

Our home was privileged to have our friends, the Bryce Family from Gilbert visit!!! It's always a good time with their family. Of course we had to spend a few hours at the pool to wear the kids out for the night...oh yeah and me!

Carter spent 2.5 hours on these slides.

Baboquivari Peak

A beautiful mountain that sits north of Arivaca! It is my compass for where I need to go when in that area. Although I swear it moves all the time.

All of the kids waiting for the fireworks to get started!

While the fence was lined with kids we kept hearing them yell....

"Fire in the hole!!"

oh my love

June marked 12 years of marriage to my lovey!

Hip Hip Hooray for US!

We were talking the other day about who were once were, back 12 years ago. I remember when we were getting our announcement photos taken and I think back about those 2 people that sat there thinking that they knew all there was to know about each other....we had a lot to learn.

I knew I loved Lukey
I knew I wanted to marry him forever
I knew he was my best friend
I knew that he was a good, honorable Priesthood holder
I knew I loved his family
I knew that he was hilarious and made me smile
I knew that he made me feel full of love

and I knew that he was all I wanted in my life. But isn't it funny to look back and realize there was so much more to know! Love is a funny thing!

Now...12 years and 4.5 children later I am so glad there was so much more to know about him. I have learned so much and love him even more. We have lived many places and done many things and it's been such an adventure...which has all been a blast and so much fun.

To me...it seems like we were married just years ago.

To him...he feels like it's been forever....he says he can't remember life without me! (ahhh)

I love the process of learning new things about ourselves and each other....it's a wonderful thing.

Oh...LOVE,

I love LOVE!

I Love MY LOVE!

note to self

Dear self....

please leave your house today..

remember how the kids were hyper and struggled going to sleep last night because they didn't see the sun and were full of energy!

remember how every child that you birthed cried yesterday due to the fact of no sunlight and being trapped inside those walls?

Can you remember, please, how ornery you were because every child you birthed cried yesterday due to no light coming from the sun touching their faces?

Do your best to remember how nasty you felt at bedtime, just after prayer, while yelling at every child you birthed because they weren't simmering down because they couldn't fall asleep being so wound up because they didn't leave the house and didn't see the wonderful thing called the sun. (whew, take a breath)

While you're at it...remember that the sun is good for the soul and spirit and is a great factor in keeping your children happy and alive.

sincerely and with every sincerity of my heart,

ME or You.....er.....us!

Coach, Creamers, Dude, Butterscotch, Cleed, Lucious

MY little baby boy turned 3 yrs old way back in May and I have failed to post a little diddy about my love...Creed.
Little BIG Creed is such a sweet doll face....I can hardly get enough of him.
He just recently had his tonsils and adenoids removed and I tell you what, it has changed this boy a bit.
He has always been a loving, hugging, caring dude....but NOW....he is even more than before.
**And let me note that he NO longer a snorer and he can actually breath while sleeping! AMAZING!

I love that he loves his mom & Dad!
I love that his best friend is his brother and he just loves to love him!
I Love that he loves his older sisters so much he drives them to laughter with just a funny face!
I love his funny personality and humor!
I love to just watch his hands move,to watch him sit, talk, laugh, sleep, run and I especially love to watch him play.

I can't remember what life was like with out my little Creed!

Happy Birthday

Coach, Creamers, Dude, Butterscotch, Cleedance, Luscious, Handsome!

When My Sissy comes to Town

I just want to say that I am exhausted!

I am Exhausted from all the fun we had while my little sister and her boys came to town.

...we packed the days full of something or other to do, as much as I could take.....

We went swimming at the pool.....

We went up the road to Madera Canyon for a picnic and

small small hiking....

We had to take the kids to the Safari park down the road, which has 20+ bronzed animals all over the park...which can get slightly HOT in the Arizona summers

(KISS At OWn RISK)...

We absolutely had to make a trip to Luke's work...

the Ranch...

to ride the horses, tractors and a ride on the gator.

We took a trip to the Pima Air & Space Museum by the Air Force base....

This helicopter was so strange...Like a TRANSFORMER..robots in disguise!

We watched our fair share of movies...

We celebrated a little 3 year old birthday....

We (luke & I) even got a date in....(thanks so much sis)...

but most of all the time spent with Sis was the best part for me!

I love just talking with her and being in the same room as her,

she has an amazing spirit of Life being good.

Hallows reunion 09

While In Utah we were able to attend the 1st of it's kind Hallows reunion...at Bret & Lisa's home. We spend most of the 1st day at the swimming pool in Washington and then ate some delicious BBQ, thanks again to Bret & Lisa's family.

We also had another get together with dinner at their home on Sunday and visit with family members that we haven't seen in years. I met one of Luke's uncles at our wedding, 12 years ago, and then saw him again at this reunion. I also met a few family members for the 1st time at this reunion...so it was a great time to get caught up and to be introduced.

I so enjoyed listening to the stories and memories that everyone shared about Grandma Kay and her life. It was a great time to see her again and get a few photos'. Grandma is such a sweet lady and I truly love her. She Never fails to mention, when we see each other, the friendship that she had with my own Grandmother. Grandma K is one lady that is so positive and loves unconditionally.

4 generations

It's always a GOOD time with the Hallows!

Goulding Reunion 09

This year for our Annual Goulding reunion it was Bug & Dustin's turn to host the fam, so they decided to turn the town it into our very own Olympics Playground.

Day 1
Sunday May 24th

Goodwill Ceremonies,

Passing and lighting of the Olympic Torch,

Talent Show

We started the reunion off by each family getting their assigned colored bandannas, flags, names and goodie bags.You couldn't start any self respecting Olympic ceremony off with out a torch presentation. Since last year was my families turn to host...I ran (trotted, loped, briskly walked) the guided path and handed off the torch to the Olympic Marshall (dad), which in return handed if off to the hosting country (family) the Wheelers. Following the lighting of the torch...Helayna then explained the next few days agenda and then we all enjoyed a wonderful dinner at the Toquerville Town Hall. Later that evening we all enjoyed the different talents that many of the family members presented to us. We had numerous violinist, pianist, dancers, break dancers, skits and whistlers.It was a great way to begin the yearly get together.

Day 2
Monday, May 25th

Breakfast of Champions @ Oymplic Village.

Unity Test...obstacle course for each family. Some were fairly competitive...like Nic and Dusk dragging their crying kids across the finish line. Or like my family when we basically dragged poor Birdie down the gym floor during the 3 legged race. Or the Elison's, Wheelers & Goulding's carrying most of the children on their backs down the gym floor.

Aw-Snap...being strapped to a bungee cord and trying to run to the end of the runway to place a Velcro bag as far as you can....and then SNAP...back you go. most of the family left with head and neck injuries.

Sock-it to 'em...every member pulls their sock down by the arch of their foot...like really floppy socks. Every one else tries to pull them off with their own foot. Hilarious, FUN & tiring.

family lunch

Lung Busters...which family could swim the most lengths of the pool in 2 minutes.

Treasure Hunters..diving for rings and things.

Bombs away...Cannonball/can opener contest. Grandpa did a great one as well as uncle Dusky off the roof!

Medals were given to each 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winner!

Day 3
Tuesday, May 26th
Softball Throw...
Obstacle Course...

Going the Distance..all that could, participated on a huge slip and slide to see which family could go the farthest.
Street Fair...every family was in charge of a special booth/table where other members could swap, buy or earn different rewards.
There were bean bags tosses, dart throwing, basketball hoops, paper lanterns, jump ropes, watermelon & cantaloupe, assortment of candies, juice bags, bubble gum, punching bags, whistles and so much more. But my favorite was one that required shirts, shoes and a feather to enjoy, it was my parents booth...Navajo Tacos! I had been looking forward to this event for a month.
Closing Ceremonies...we ended with Dad playing his guitar and singing for all of us. We ended with the final medals ceremony and then the icing on the cake...a HUGE double rainbow!

pregnancy humor

I try, I really do try to find the humor in my current life situation...which just happens to be Pregnancy!

I have always loved being pregnant and I never really get sick. My biggest issues have been when I get a bit frustrated towards the end when nothing fits and I feel like I am drowning in myself.

This pregnancy has been slightly different and it being my last, I have really been trying to focus and find the humor in this little body of mine.

Over the past few weeks there have been times where I am all alone and find myself cracking up at different things that happen to me.

Example #1)

2 hr. Temple Session + Knee Highs folded to the ankles+ Pregnant swollen legs = tootsie roll type creased cankle, tree stump legs.

*When I was in the dressing room undressing and finally got to removing the knees highs and saw this result...I couldn't help but crack up all my myself. It's just good clean fun right there.

Example #2)

Swimming Race + competitiveness + Family Reunion + Pregnant Lungs = not holding your breath longer than 5 seconds under water. (quite disappointing)

*At the reunion it was family against family and so being the person I was, so sure of my swimming abilities....tried to do my best but when trying to go the length of the pool...I got maybe 5 ft...(Maybe) I could tell I really let my team down.

Example #3)

Running shoes + Pregnant swollen feet = bulging at the seams type of shoe looking thing.

*this morning while putting on my running shoes for the first time in a month...I just had to crack up at myself and the way the shoes looked and felt? From the top of the shoe it reminded me when the HULK's shoe get ready to split wide open. I had to laugh. It was like that saying "trying to stick 2 lbs of crap in a 1 lb bag"...yeah kind of like that!

Example #4)

shaving legs = a patch of hair always missed right on the shin

Example #5)

Root beer lovin husband on the phone + gallon sized container sold at A & W = sexy pregnant mama walking out of the A&W store by self with a huge plastic jug of Root beer in tow...and husband in car talking on the phone no where in sight! The picture of that makes me laugh!

I must say, I did have a swig or two of the ol' root-a-bega...yum-o

* that just cracks me up!