First day of school

Alli starts 3rd

Joseph starts kindergarten

Date night

Kimball surprised me Friday night with a date night to see the musical "Camelot". I had never seen and I really liked it.  Kimball has seen it many times before and has the music memorized. It was hard for him not to join in singing.

Thanks for the great surprise!

Baby #4

Baby #4 has finally arrived.  It was a long nine months of sickness, and pain.  I had gallbladder issues, nausea, tailbone and pubic bones that made walking horrible.  Through all that I was able to be given many blessings, have many people bless me through their acts of kindness, and to see my kids serve each other.

I gained 40 pounds.  Which is pretty impressive for me.

Throughout the pregnancy I debated going without an epidural.  I teased Miranda she was going to be my doula.  I practiced meditation and breathing but still wasn't really feeling confident about it.  Every time I would tell my self I'm just going to get the epidural, I would get a feeling to keep studying and practicing for natural child birth.  The day before I was sure I wouldn't do it because I hadn't practiced with Miranda or Kimball and I knew I would need their support.  Well I got to the hospital where they were going to give me doses of antibiotics for strep b and break my water.  The nurse asked if I was going to have an epidural. I paused and kimball said she wants to try.  She looked at me and said "I have done it so if you really want to I will get you through it.  And Your midwife is an amazing coach."  So I said ok, thinking I could change my mind at any time. I thought that I should get an epidural.  I did want to give up the last 10 minutes. 

 Miranda and Kimball were amazing supports until the extreme pain started and I had my midwife take over.  She was awesome.  She was also a great coach to Miranda and Kimball so they were able to be a big part in it.  We were talking earlier that morning that if my grandma was here, she would say that I needed someone to step on my toe so the contraction pain wouldn't hurt. Crazy enough Miranda had a distinct feeling from grandma that she needed to pinch my toe during contractions.  It was one of the biggest helps. It was extremely exhausting and the most pain I have ever felt.  It lasted longer than it should have also because the cord was around her shoulders, her position was not quite right and I hadn't softened as fast.

We started medication at 8 am, broke my water at 11 am, and delivered at 9:56 pm.

So now I present Victoria "Tori" Eve Ward

My attempt at a photo shoot. 

This week my other three kids have been gone with grandparents.  I have really missed them but it has been extremely nice to get rested up and figure stuff out before having all four kids left alone with me. And the kids and Kimball are having a blast at the cabin!

FHE at the Temple

Happy birthday grandma!

My grandma's birthday was on Friday. I miss her so much. 

I know in heaven she is able to smile and be active like this again! And hopefully getting my new baby ready to come into our family.

Face paint

We were at Gardner village this weekend and there was someone doing face painting. They were charging $5 so I said they couldn't but maybe we could try using my watercolor pencils at home to do it. Kimball said he would do it later that day. These are the results:

He did a pretty great job especially for his first time!

Free Jamba Juice