Lots of news

Well, things have been interesting around here. On April 1st, the day before I turned 30, I took two pregnancy tests. The only reason I took the tests on this day was because 9 years earlier, on the same day, I tested positive for my pregnancy with Julianna. I could not believe it when both tests were positive. Since the beginning of this year, Julianna kept asking for a baby for her birthday. We kept telling her that would be really hard to do. So when I tested postitive on the same day, I knew my due date would be right around Julianna's birthday, amazingly. I think Julianna was inspired.

So now I am almost 14 weeks (still not quite sure--need to have the ultrasound to confirm) and what a pregnancy it has been. With Julianna and Blake, my pregnancies were fine--I was sick in the beginning, then felt better in the 2nd trimester and things were good. This one has been totally different--yes, I've been sick, but so sick that at the end of each day, I was confined to the couch in AGONY over my nausea, for at least 4 weeks straight. When that started to get better, then came more fun symptoms--constipation, bloating, gas, indegestion, extreme fatigue to the point of almost fainting and barely keeping my eyes open, and this lasted for about 2 weeks and is still on and off now. The doctor told me to take mylanta and it seems to be helping a little, although that stuff is so gross! I can't cook anything because of the smells, so our dinners have been frozen food and eating out, or cereal, or whatever is in the house. Speaking of the house, it's ALWAYS a disaster because I have no energy to clean. Somehow it gets done, at least enough to be sane, but nothing like it used to be. Also, I don't know what to eat most of the time, because I'm worried it will make me feel sick again. The kids watch way too much TV lately because I'm too tired. So things around here have been crazy. I am just waiting for that 2nd trimester increase of energy so I can get things back in order. Regardless, I am so excited for a new baby and couldn't be happier. Seeing the ultrasound with the little baby moving around was so wonderful! So far the baby looks great.

So while all this is going on, I am still trying to homeschool Julianna. It has been nearly impossible! I always manage to get at least one educational activity in with her (which is all that's required) and I felt bad for her. I started to wonder if I could homeschool her next year with a newborn. I went back and forth for a long time. I contacted the school to see if her old resource class would be back next year. It will not. I knew an answer would come soon. Then I kept getting the thought, just go observe the other SDC (special day class) that's still at the school. So I arranged a meeting, brought Julianna with me, and I felt SO good about what they can do for Julianna. It may not be what she had before, which was PERFECT, but they will really be helping her succeed and she can mainstream for part of the day, not all day like she had to in the fall because her resource class was removed (without my permission or an IEP change). So I have her IEP this Thursday and I will be so ready to make new goals for her, because I've homeschooled her, and I know what she needs help in. The homeschool time with her was good for both of us, I think. We are closer, I know more about what her needs are, and she got a break from "school" for a while. But I think she's ready to go back, and I'm ready, too. When I think about the next school year now, I feel so at peace with everything. Both kids will be in school all day, and I'll have a newborn to spend all my time with at home. Things couldn't be better!

Other little blessings lately: Joel got the position teaching summer school, so we'll have extra money for the baby and other things, I've almost got the In Home Support Services set up for Julianna so I will be paid to help her with her needs in the home, her therapy is really working, and her respite worker is amazingly helpful right now. 2012 is turning out to be a great year!

Blake's 2nd soccer season over

Blake as goalie at his last game. He throws the ball so far!

 Team party at Big Cheese Pizza

His new trophy!

Another year of soccer has come to an end. It was a fun season for his team, the Bears! Blake still hasn't scored a goal, but he is playing much better and really understands the game. Plus he is super fast! His coach is always guiding him during the games because he actually listens! He liked Blake so much that he asking him to play t-ball, so tonight his is first t-ball game! This kid loves sports, and tries so hard at them.

Legoland, Apr. 23rd

Thanks, Mom and Dad, for a fun trip to Legoland last month! It was fun to have you visit for a few days! Callie, you need to show Will these pictures! The star wars characters are all built of legos, of course!

Spring break

Our spring break was very busy. Joel has two weeks off, the kids had one. The first week was school for the kids (homeschool for Julianna, of course), but one day was blocked out for Julianna's MRI/EEG at Loma Linda. She was fully sedated. Here she is waiting to be called back with her IV in her arm.

I was able to see her in the recovery area after her MRI. For some reason, they did not keep her sedated for the EEG, so I asked if they would do it while she was laying on her bed. SHE DID IT! I could not believe how well she did while they spent HALF AN HOUR putting those little wires on her head, and another half a hour administering the test while she had to be very still. They wheeled over a TV with her choice of movie (Megamind) and when she was done they gave her a STACK of books. The test results came back NORMAL--her brain structure and function are fine. Still leaves me wondering, but I'm glad the test is over!

She got to ride a wheelchair to the car which she thought was really cool.

Blake started his second season of soccer. This time his team is the Bears. He loves it.

I turned 30!!! Here's the cake Joel made for me.

Blowing out the candles. The kids were really excited for me to turn 30.

The second week of spring break we went camping at Casper's Wilderness park in Orange County. It was a very scenic campground with lots of wildlife. The kids LOVE camping.

Another shot of our campsite.

All set up!

I made the kids pose on the fence behind our site. They are half dressed the next morning.

A really cool playground at the campground. When's the last time you saw a teeter-totter? I was so excited!

Blake on the playground. It was the coolest playground I've seen. So big!

A family shot during one of our hikes. Some OCC film students were on the trail and offered to take our picture. They took it very seriously.

The tire swing at the park. Another thing you don't see much of anymore. The kids loved it! I remember getting sick on tire swings as a kid.

Easter in Santa Ana at Nana's and Grandma Shaw's/Grandpa Tony's house. The kids found their AMAZING Easter surprises!

Julianna loved her new LaLaloopsy doll.

Blake's eggs after the hunt.

Family shot.

Julianna's eggs after the hunt. There is nothing like an Easter egg hunt.

We had a great spring break! The school year is almost over now! Can't believe it!

More recent things

Holding his chess medallion.
One of his games at the tournament.

Blake warming up right before the tournament.

His cool nametag!

Excited to play!

Blake's award at school for outstanding achievement in math!

Julianna at the polar bear exhibit at Sea World earlier this month.

So I am averaging one post a month! I guess that shows how busy I am with everything! Julianna first: she started some private swimming lessons (funded by her charter school) and so far she has made lots of progress! She can't wait for the next one. Homeschool is going really well now. I had a few days of "I can't do this!" but then felt comforted again and realized I can do this and will keep doing it so Julianna can be happy. The charter we go through waived the fee for the 2-day, 4-hour enrichment class at their site so this past week was her first week attending and she likes it! So now she will get more social time.

Blake: He's doing really well in school, and won an award for math! Our amazing respite worker, Lisa, works at the local high school during the day and heard about a chess tournament for K-12. Blake started playing chess last Thanksgiving at Grannie's house and has loved it ever since. He said he wanted to be in the tournament! So today was the big day. He was put in the K-2 division, but there were only 3 other kindergartners, and one 1st grader! After the first game, 2 of the kinders and the 1st grader decided they were done, so the rest of the day he was up against all 2nd grade boys. Blake gave it his best and played until the end of the tournament. He didn't win any of the games but by the end, he was getting really close. They gave trophies to the top 3 and the rest got medallions. He's pretty proud of his medallion! I hope he keeps playing chess. On the way home he said, "Now I don't have to play chess anymore--I did the tournament." I'm sure he'll change his mind!

A few weeks ago we went to Sea World but my camera was being dumb! So I only got one picture! It was a lot of fun and we got a great price through someone in my ward! So that's what we've been up to!

Recent things

Well, no pictures to post yet! Just keeping busy with life! My brother got married to Tess last month in Arizona, so we had a great trip out there, but I forgot my camera! The night we got back I fell on my face in my living room and split open the skin next to my eye and had to go to the ER and get stitches, so I had a black eye for two weeks and the scar is still healing. Then we got a cat and named him Jack, so our family has been adjusting to a new pet besides a fish. Julianna lost both her front teeth in the last 6 weeks. We are busy with homeschool, Julianna's therapy and respite, and our callings! Blake is doing really well in school. Just wanted to do a quick post/update.

Julianna's baptism, January 7, 2012

After she was baptized, outside the Stake Center.
Our beautiful girl in her white dress.

She is baptized!

My parents with our family.

Before she was baptized.

Joel's mom, Beverly, with our family.

Another family shot.

Joel and Julianna in their baptism jumpsuits.

Before we left she got some gifts from Grandma Shaw--a beautiful baptism keepsake book and a tithing bank.

Posing in her white dress from Grandma Maxwell.

Julianna was baptized a few weeks ago at the Hemet, CA, stake center along with 3 other children in the stake. Her baptism will be something I will always remember. Because she is so afraid of water, we weren't sure what to expect. We just had faith in her decision to be baptized, and faith that we would receive divine help that day. We decided to have her go first so her anxiety wouldn't rise too high. As she walked down the steps into the water, she asked, "I thought Jesus was going to help me!" I looked up on the wall of the font and saw the carving in the marble of John baptizing Jesus and pointed to that and said, "He is here helping you!" She was really shaken up after she got out of the water, but once she calmed down, the very first thing she said was, "I got baptized, Mommy! Aren't you proud of me?" I know that she knows baptism is important and she wanted to do what is right. She then was confirmed shortly afterward and knew that she was receiving the Holy Ghost. She is really gaining a testimony of the gospel, loves her scriptures, and loves going to activity days. We're so glad Joel's mom, and my parents and sister Cindel and her husband, Ryan, and Olive could be there! We are also so grateful for all of the ward support at the baptism--the room was packed for her confirmation and she had many worthy men from our ward and family confirming her. What a wonderful experience for our family and for Julianna!