Getting ready

I have been a bit overwhelmed with a list of things I WANT to do and a list of things I NEED to do.

I pulled out all of the little socks, one-sies and outfits we will need for the new little girl in our home.
I know I still have time to do all of that but I have a very pressing project I'd like to get done BEFORE we meet her. I haven't forgotten the endless work that a newborn takes and add that to the mix of three other children and this project will be put on hold for longer then I want it to be.

After completing my first book "Uniquely Ewe" my publisher asked me to illustrate my OWN books from now on. "Apple Duckling:" is edited and WAS very beautifully illustrated, just needed to be put together. But based on the unique design of my first book, it was decided that I would illustrate it in the same way. YIKES! I am not sure how to do this project. But needless to say that I need to get on it BEFORE this baby arrives. I know I couldn't do it otherwise.

I am happy to say that if the baby were due today I would  be ready. That has been a welcome stress relief.

Now, I really have no excuse for not tackling this very intimidating thing, other then the fact that I am indeed intimidated. The claymation will have to be more detailed and and there has to be more of it. I don't know what I am doing for the most part but I MUST give it an honest shot.  

PINK PINK PINK

Time to dig through the bins and bins of baby girl clothes. Pull out the bows and pink blankets.
We are welcoming another little girl to our home. 
My Girls are beyond excited!

The ultra sound was good, and measurements are still on for August 1st.
I can't believe I am HALF WAY THERE!
I haven't had high blood pressure so far, which has been a big relief and blessing as this was the thing I was most worried about.

I have, however, been really struggling with chronic sinus pressure and infections. After 2 rounds of antibiotics and major tension headaches, I am finally feeling better for now. I still feel so congested, I could be battling this for months. If I could bet better MAYBE I can actually get something done around my house.

I'll have more to update as things progress.

I love my kindergartner! She makes me laugh!

Don't we hope we all look sooo good when we are 100 years old!

I haven't lost any weight for 3 months! Here is why!

Yes, I am crazy! Can I handle 4 kids? I don't know!

The story behind this new resident:

Let me go back to when the Ogden Temple closed for renovation. So April of 2011.

Brian was starting to get "Baby Hungry" GRRR! I was not!

We had decided after Owen was born that we were done. Too many medical issues. 

Two pregnancies with high risk factors. Best to be done. Even the Doctor cautioned against it. 

Owen was 5 weeks early due to Pregnancy Induced hypertension. (High Blood Pressure).

It took me 3 months to get my blood pressure to drop after Owen was born. 

It was a scary time. My blood pressure spiked at 35 weeks with Owen and I saw spots and was dizzy.

So we were DONE! Or were we?

Fast forward 3 years to April again. I started to be frustrated that this gate was opening again. 

WE WERE DONE. Why was Brian talking about another one?

So confused that my answer once so peaceful was now erupting with confusion.

I took it to the temple (Bountiful). This is how I know when it was. I prayed and the answer was a frustrating..... WAIT! 

What no YES or NO? Just wait? GRRR!!!

So now go ahead to August, I felt the NEED, through inspiration it was time to get my body into shape. 

Loose 22 pounds I had failed to do anything about. I thought I was content with holding onto.

So I set goals to loose it. I set my mind to running in a 10k...the dirty dash in Provo to be exact.

I was excited. I was running, and feeling good.

I had lost 8 pounds when in the end of Sept. I started having dreams about a new baby in our home.

I had 3 in a row, I passed them off as nothing. OKAY I tried to.

They pressed on my mind night and day. I knew that I didn't need to pray about what they meant. I felt it.

There was another baby waiting to come into our home. 

There are few times in my life where The Lord has to tell me in this way. Usually, it is when I am not listening to the promptings. So "wait" was no longer the answer here. I waited another week before telling Brian. I knew he'd not hesitate about what the Lord was now "requiring" of me.

I say require not because I don't want this baby, but I wasn't prepared to accept that this was what it was supposed to be. I was getting my body back. I was getting on with just raising the kids I have now.

I had moved past this stage. 

There were many risks involved, I knew this. 

I would be 36 this coming year, another risk factor to add.
This was one of the greatest tests to me of trusting what it is that God wants for me and my family. 

It was a very trying to me. I had closed that door. Now, the flood gates were wide open. 

I thought I had sufficient faith. NO, I didn't yet. 

So I finally told Brian, he was excited, happy and ready. 

I still was not.

I spent many nights praying to have the courage to do this very hard thing. 

I have to say that when I get an answer about things in my life, I don't hesitate usually.

This to me, was a trial of my faith. 

I came to a place of peace, contentment and excitement.

I even came to see the preparation that was being made in this process.

I lost 16 pounds before I got pregnant. I have a healthier eating habit, and I am more accustomed to exercising. (Although, fatigue in the first trimester has killed that) But I still have the motivation to keep the life style that I had adopted just months before I was pregnant. So I am hoping that all of this will help this pregnancy to go well.

I know that all will go well, I have been assured of this many times in my moments of prayer. 

I have since received a blessing from my husband  and have felt incredible peace.

It has been almost 4 years since I was pregnant and I feel like this is all NEW and exciting again.

Though I would not have planned it this way, God did. I can accept that. 

I am anxious to meet this little spirit that has been saved to come into our lives at this time. 

2011- What our year was like! Our Year in a quick glance!

I have posted some pictures of the highlights of this last year in TWO parts, It is a lot to look at and I highly doubt that the Palmer life is really that interesting, 

but if you are interested read on through the next 2 posts.

This last year has been a bit crazy and busy, but we have really had a wonderful year! 

I decided to do a quick review of the year as a whole

 with the milestones that happened in our lives in 2011! 

BRIAN:
Brian's job is wonderful with amazing benefits, the best we have ever had. He is happy at his work.
He is working in the church as the 1st counselor to in the Sunday School Presidency.
AMY:
I lost 16 pounds of Fat...I had been putting it off for 3 years, I had no more excuses.
I was released from Primary Music and put in as the Assistant Coordinator for the Additional Relief Society Meetings. So Excited!!! I was ready for the change.
I published a children's book, YES me, I am now officially an Author and Illustrator. 
Every illustrator that started my book quit, I am thinking now that there was a reason.
After 6 frustrating months, I kept having images of my charters swimming through my head of CLAYMATION illustrations. So I gave it a shot, they turned out to be quite cute. Though my husband (would be embarrassed to admit this) doubted it could be done. For once I am sure he was glad to be wrong. My book entitled Uniquely Ewe is now ready and on the market. I went to St. George for a company and book launch for the New Year, It was a great experience to be a part of something for ME.
I have one more book coming out soon, and am in the process of getting another done.

Madi: Madeline was Baptized in November! She is doing great in school and loves second grade. She was given an Award this year for Responsibility.

Nori:  Eleanor is loving Kindergarten. I am surprised everyday at how well she can read. She was given an award this year for Service.

Owen:  Owen had tubes put in his ears right after Thanksgiving, His speech and hearing have improved tremendously. What an amazing difference! He even started potty training I was surprised to how the lack of hearing and lack of desire to potty train were related. But that has helped him. His hearing was so bad he had 40% hearing loss, and was constantly frustrated and screaming. So glad we got that done. 

Over all this has been a great year!

Hoping that 2012 Brings in great things!

Playing Catch up, Part 2 Soccer, Halloween, Baptism and Christmas!

Soccer Season:

 Brian coached both teams. 

He and the girls had fun, I watched and enjoyed watching each Saturday. 

What  a great time they had!

 Madi's team was called Blue Wave

Nori's team was called Blue Dolphins

__________________________________

October FUN 

 Madi looks thrilled! This is not her favorite part of Halloween.

My favorite part is carving the pumpkins, 

though it has come to be a lot of work to do one for each member of our family. We still do it! _______________

My kids picked their costumes this Halloween. 

Of all the choices she had, Nori chose to be a KNIGHT. So like her! 

Madi was a beautiful witch, and Owen, Superman.

Owen came home after trick or treating and ran straight to the hall closet with his bag of candy. 

Here I caught him shoveling it in as fast as he could. How could I stop him?

November: Best Part EVER!!!

 My little Madelin Lori Palmer was Baptized on November 5th 2011.

Much like the day she was blessed there was a snow storm, making those who traveled up to be a part of this event leery of any FUTURE big events in Madi's life. Her aunt Amber made us promise she'd get married in June. Chances are great there will be snow then.

Great things take sacrifice you know.

It was a wonderful day!

I am so Proud of My Sweet Husband for being worthy to Baptize her!

Thanks to all those in her life who are helping me teach her to be the beautiful daughter of God that she is!

December! Yes December!

 Best Gift Ever, Owen Got a Sleeping Bag and a Flashlight!

 This is the up side to winter in my book, Funny hats!

I love Christmas!

Playing Catch up!! Part 1

Okay- now that it is 2012 I thought I'd get finally get caught up.
I may take this into several posts. I don't think I have the time to do it all in one post.
So watch them as they come. I will start with oldest event and end at the end of the post with most recent.
Hang in there.

I will be doing a quick over view of the main events. From May to now.
Sounds long I know-- but I will make it quick!

 In May My Grandpa Dwayne Gentry passed away.
I visited him the day he passed, he passed only moments after I left his side.
I was grateful to have had the opportunity to say good bye.
I am so thankful that he was able to see his "Sweet Red Head" again.
I am sure that reunion was wonderful!

I, of course will do anything to win the MOTHER OF THE YEAR award.
So the girls had their Tonsils out on May 30th! A very needed surgery, HOWEVER the day before Nori's birthday and the day after school was out.
2 reasons my nominee for Mother of the year was valid in every sense. It was a grueling and hard 2 weeks for the girls, and hard on me, However as they slept, I painted Owen's room. A project I had been putting off for a long time.
NO MORE PURPLE WALLS!! His room looks so nice now!
And Owen got a brand new bed. HE became an official BIG BOY! He has a beautiful captain's bed.
A wonderful bed for years to come.

Owen Also Turned 3, he is getting so big.
For this year he got costumes, BOY COSTUMES.
Here he is dressed as a Police man...Thanks Allie!
He also got a superman cape and some pirate clothes and a few fun hats. He loves to dress up. However, given his newest costumes, he still tries on the girls' dress ups. I guess that is what happens after you have 2 girls then a boy!

I have included this picture of Owen and one of his many activities. He is soooooo busy. I am just SO glad he still naps. Otherwise I am not sure he would survive until he was 4 years old.

In July, it was indeed a busy month, the girls were recovered. Madi attended the city parks program and had a great time there. Where she got to be in the children's parade. She was in heaven.
 Nori attended  pre-school through the summer and had a field trip every day. She had so much fun! It was nice to have them home though when things ended. It was a quick summer.

I went to Girl's camp this year and hiked up through the Timpanogus cave.Here is only one of many pictures I have of the CAVE! It was incredible!
We were at a camp site called Dell Mutual, we had a zip line, canoes, and a confidence course. We had a great time and even came back relaxed!

While all of this was happening, Brian was busy working, missing out on all the fun. Poor Guy!
Brian's mom watched the kids while I was at girl's camp. THANK YOU!

Of course we went to the Nature Center, It was free. 

We had a great time.

The girls got to capture frogs from the pond. They had a great time.

They even touched a snack. NORI seemed to have liked the snake a little too much for my comfort.

She loves that kind of stuff! I mean, just look at her face completely at ease, holding the frog, Madi looks a little nervous.

 Camping with the Family in August. The kids did great! Brian went up a day early with the girls while I stayed home with Owen, he is just a handful and 2 full days with no gate and a river just sounded like a bad idea. The Girls had a great time. I hope that we can go the whole time this next time as a family. Owen should be able to handle it next year.

NORI STARTED KINDERGARTEN!!! She was so excited! She has a half day. 

Unfortunately, that is not a long day. Her Preschool was longer then that.

She loves it!!

 And yes Madi started school too. I don't know why I don't have a picture. 

But she is in Second Grade! Wow she has grown!

Below:

These are pictures from the Black Island Farms in Syracuse. This is their harvest Festival!

We love it ,this is the 2nd year we have gone. HMMM. I smell tradition.

I will have to stop here for now. Stay tuned for the rest of the Updates. Yeah I know it is a lot. 

BUT WHEN IT IS DONE IT IS  DONE!!!